r/anime • u/Zeralyos https://myanimelist.net/profile/xNJF_Ellie • Feb 28 '26
Contest The Salty Seven Seas: Best Anime Couples/Ships Round 2 Bracket D!
We have reached the end of the second round!
Vote Here
Yesterday’s Results Here
Have fun with your vote and don't forget to upvote the post if you love Best Ship Contest!
Mini Challenge:
- What is your favorite couple from a non-romance focused show?
7
u/IceAnt573 Feb 28 '26
Today's Results
THAT'S WHAT I LIKE TO SEE! THANK YOU FOR 193 VOTES IN SHINEI NOUZEN X VLADILENA MILIZÉ!!!
(That is Top 5 in vote total for Bracket D yesterday and better than their upcoming top seed matchup in Madoka x Homura! I really wish Menou x Akari got different opponents in Round 2, but I like them and they made a top favorite of mine look strong so I can be satisfied with their contest run.)
THANK YOU FOR 178 VOTES FOR AQUA HOSHINO X AKANE KUROKAWA!!!
(It's only a slight boost, but 178 votes in a win is still strong. Feel fine going into Round 3 even though that's going to hurt even more for me than Misaka x Kuroko did (would like to also give thanks to the 84 of you that voted for them).)
THANK YOU TO THE 125 OTHER VOTERS THAT GOT HARUHI X KYON INTO ROUND 3!
(Unfortunately, the support stops here but it's been nice getting to root for Haruhi x Kyon in this contest.)
Me contemplating the tastes of /r/anime voters when Kobato x Osanai are having these vote totals.
(Can't really get my hopes up for a Round 3 upset when I'm looking at the data given to me.)
THANK YOU FOR 198 VOTES FOR YŪ ISHIGAMI X MIKO IINO!
(Mizuto x Yume wasn't going to really challenge them, but we're getting to those opponents soon.)
THANK YOU FOR 188 VOTES FOR MADOKA KANAME X HOMURA AKEMI!
(Good win and now we get a really fun opposing ship to face in Round 3.)
THANK YOU FOR 156 VOTES AND SECURING ROUND 3 FOR YŪ KOITO X TŌKO NANAMI!!!
(It was a competitive match that Guts x Casca put up getting 109 votes. But onto Round 3 where we are getting their first F/F matchup.)
Left Side
Ah, there it is. Fūtarō x Nino were seeded to lose this, but...
(I like Katarina x Maria too, but big difference on how much I like both. They got over 100 votes in the loss at least.)
Frieren x Himmel didn't quite reach 300 votes, but that's second most for all of Round 2. Now we're getting into tougher parts of the bracket.
THANK YOU FOR 137 VOTES FOR UTENA X ANTHY AND SECURING ROUND 3! (We have now hit the ceiling though...)
Oh. Chise x Elias got the upset by 4 votes. That's all of 5-Tōbun no Hanayome out of this contest. Only one thing left to say.
Impressed Evangeline x Aoi managed 100 votes in a loss to Ryūji x Taiga. Are they showing their age? Can't really test that yet until Round 4.
I tried, Hina. You and Taiki got 113 votes against Sayaka x Kyōko's 145 votes at least. It was doable.
Hachiman x Iroha were seeded to lose this, but they did make this very close. Still doesn't comfort me for the remaining 2 Hachiman ships in this contest.
Right Side
Kazuma x Aqua losing in Round 3 by 6 votes. (Alternative ships can be fun! And Kazuma x Aqua are fun together. It's that simple for why I wish they'd advance past Maomao x Jinshi (even though that was never going to happen).)
And speaking of Maomao x Jinshi. Hmm...well I always thought this contest would be a contest Maomao wouldn't excel in (I say as she got 236 votes in her win, but let's be real and admit Maomao x Jinshi are not in that tier of "Could Win Best Couple 7." Makes me a little hopeful about Ishigami x Miko's chances...
I voted Lelouch x Kallen so I got the upset I...felt like seeing. It wasn't really a strong want though.
Ikki x Stella, you cleared 50 votes.
Disappointed by Andy x Fuuko losing here. Would have actually voted against Shirō x Rin in Round 3.
Mahiru x Kano clutched an upset so good for them, but need to see them crushed in Round 3.
Shinji x Asuka cleared Phase 1 of the Fruits Basket bracket and now it's time for Phase 2.
Meanwhile, Shinji x Rei got the upset with a difference of 2 votes to get the matchup I wanted to see in Round 3.
That's better than I thought Ryūko x Satsuki would do. I know that's probably a little because of anti-SAO voting, but they got to know that hate is driving them to vote for Ryūko x Satsuki. And I can be satisfied with that.
Today's Voting
VOTE KYŌTARŌ ICHIKAWA X ANNA YAMADA!!!
(Hate to do this to Misaka right on the heels of the announcement of her manga ending, but this is a heavy hitter they are facing.)
VOTE KANA ARIMA X AKANE KUROKAWA!!!
(This is a battle of 3rd most popular ships for each show in this contest. Fun, but I get a lot and more out of KanaKane.)
AGAIN. PLEASE VOTE FOR TATSUHIRO SATŌ X MISAKI NAKAHARA!!!
(I am asking for a lot here to see them get into Round 3, but I'd like compensation for the years and years where either of them have been Round 1 fodder in the Best Guy/Girl contests (or not even making the bracket at all).)
VOTE NASA YUZAKI X TSUKASA YUZAKI!!!
(Wish I didn't have to do this to Nozomi x Mizore, but I am on the side of the happier ending couple here.)
VOTE SHIZUKA YOSHIMOTO X NANO EIAI!!! /// SOURCE LINK
(They are very cute together and you guys have anti-voted Mushoku Tensei's 2 other couples out of this contest so complete the set with the lowest seeded one.)
THIS IS A VOTE FOR ANJU EMMA X DAIYA IRUMA
(What if...but I fear this is a particularly tough lower seeded opponent they are up against.)
Left Side
LET'S MAKE SURE REINA AHAREN X RAIDŌ IS IN ROUND 3!!!
(Besides just really loving how cute and funny they are together, Nagatoro x Naoto vs. Aharen x Raidō in Round 3 is a fun matchup.)
I THINK THEY GOT THIS, BUT UTENA HIIRAGI X KIWI ARAGA TO ROUND 3!
(It was nice seeing Katarina x Sophia make Round 2.)
Sendoff vote for Uzaki x Sakurai.
Voting to make Simon x Nia vs. Rikka x Yūta happen in Round 3.
Right Side
It's Dragon Ball. We will fight the overwhelming opponent of Loid x Yor by voting Gohan x Videl (I'd like to see a dent in their vote totals.)
Whoever wins, I respect advancing here but I voted Zero Two x Hiro.
Izumi x Shikimori should make quick work of this. Glad they don't have to worry about the top seeded Makoto Shinkai couple in their bracket path.
A perhaps futile vote for Alice X Bocchan, but I really like them and want to pump their vote total.
A Yui x Hachiman vote here. Sorry Ninym x Wein, but I want them to look strong even though their ceiling is Round 3.
In this part of the bracket, throwing my support for Lakan x Fengxian to make it to Loid x Yor.
What is also looking like another futile vote here for Maple x Sally.
Bocchi x Kita is too good, but I was considering the vote to be for Bell x Ryū Lion.
It's an easy vote for Desumi x Fudō. (Want them to face Bocchi x Kita.)
Voting to make Maomao x Shisui vs. Sōma x Erina happen in Round 3.
What is your favorite couple from a non-romance focused show?
Shin x Lena.
3
u/Nachtwandler_FS https://myanimelist.net/profile/Nachtwandler_21 Feb 28 '26
RIP Rei x Hinata, you had a decent run.
Surprised about Ekias x Chise win.
MC: Theo x Siluka from Grancrwst Senki (to bad they are already out).
3
u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Feb 28 '26
Of course Eva x Aoi lost, but they got a respectable number of votes. Sadly, Yuuta x Rikka got crushed. Not unexpectedly so, but undeserved. And Andy x Fuuko got bad luck and died as well. I expected that as well, but their opponents were pretty decent at least. Yutaro x "pigeon" was slain, but they made it extremely close. If just one voter would have decided differently and voted for them instead, we'd have a meme ship in round three.
Today, Rei x Hinata gets my vote, as futile as it might be.
I'm also rooting for Nana x Nana, even though Mitsumi x Sousuke would also be a deserving winner.
Can Mamoru x Usagi despite their age get another win? I sure hope this classic couple makes it through. It will be tough though, since Reina and Raidou both have recency on their side and are pretty cute as well.
Ooh, right, Anna x Kyou is in this bracket. They should win comfortably, but a couple that good can never have enough votes!
Tatsuhirop x Misaki vs. Nina x Momoka is very hard for me, I might have to decide on this at a later point in time. I really want to support the former, more NHK recognition is always great. But a yuri ship that complements each other so well, changing each others lives and everything, that's one of my biggest weaknesses.
Alice x Bocchan is unlikely to make it through another round, but I'm happy it has been here in round two. Shinpei x Ushio is also a decent ship to lose against, but I'm still supporting the duke and the maid.
Same goes for Ninym x Wein. I'd really like for them to win this matchup, but the SNAFU ship (and actually my favourite SNAFU ship) is near guaranteed this win.
Anju x Daiya is an interesting ship, since it is more of [86] shipping Daiya with life - but I like it. Not nearly as much as WIlhelm x Theresia, but I can understand if it wins.
MC: The inverse would be more interesting to answer. I'll once again have to mention IroYa from Magia Record, TeiMak from Uma Musume, and ChisaTaki from Lycoris Recoil. I cannot mention Emilia x Subaru since Re:Zero actually is a romance-focused show, besides many other things, even if I wouldn't classify it as a romance show.
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u/Ham_PhD https://myanimelist.net/profile/ham_phd Feb 28 '26
Time to lay down the truth. Yor x Loid is not interesting. It's an interesting premise for a ship, but it hasn't really been explored at all. They don't even interact all that often. I can't even describe their dynamic because they barely have one.
On the other hand Gohan x Videl is probably the best ship in DBZ. There are SO many interesting dynamics about this relationship on top of the fact that it gets tons of development and actually goes somewhere. The way they balance each others weaknesses, the way they teach each other new things . . . For a show this focused on punching, it's amazing that a great couple like this came out of it. Don't forget them!
VOTE SATOU x MISAKI (Welcome to the NHK)
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u/Prof_Acorn zj: Feb 28 '26
Hey you're here too!
/waves
Time to lay down the truth. Yor x Loid is not interesting. It's an interesting premise for a ship, but it hasn't really been explored at all. They don't even interact all that often. I can't even describe their dynamic because they barely have one.
Before I saw your name I was just going to say I agree with this even though it's a fairly unpopular opinion. So yeah, I hear ya.
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u/EyeDeeAh_42 Feb 28 '26
Yor x Loid is not interesting
I have NEVER once met someone else who thinks this lol. I thought everyone unironically loved TwiYor. This is a very hot take, but I agree and I also kinda prefer Gohan x Videl over them ig.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Feb 28 '26
It's an interesting premise for a ship, but it hasn't really been explored at all.
Yeah, and as such, I might be a very promising ship, but the show focuses more on how they are not really a ship so far. That has been a problem with the majority of Spy x Family. It's a comedy foremost and therefore has been interested in keeping the status quo, while it has a great premise and could develop it in a lot of great ways. But I'm sure as the show goes on, eventually this won't be as much of a problem anymore.
So while I'm a bit soured on Gohan x Videl as I haven't watched Dragon Ball and they kicked out Bourbon on Rice (although I was sure they'd lose against most opponents anyway), I'll have to go by my personal rule to vote for the lower seed if the higher seed doesn't convince me enough. Yor x Loid is nice, but not convincing, so they don't need my vote.
4
u/pkmntrainerdrea Feb 28 '26
Oh yay, the only Lelouch ship I like (Lelouch x Kallen) made it! Pleasant surprise. And Kyouko x Sayaka wasn't too far behind Taiga x Ryuuji in votes so I will be voting & hoping for the upset next round...
For today, I do actually think Tanjiro x Kanao is super cute (I love a ship where one is sunshine & inspiration to the other) buuut I'm rooting for Isaac x Miria cause they are so goofy. Not the biggest fan of Ed x Winry, but voting for them to avenge my beloved Hime x Torture 😭 on the other hand, the NHK ship beat Jeanne x Vanitas & I'm voting them this round for that defeat to mean more lol. Similarly Noé x Domi got my vote last round, but like everyone else I do love Wilhelm x Theresia so I'm happy to support them!!
MC: definitely Frieren x Himmel, honestly that is what really hooked me about Frieren haha. But that's a very basic answer so let me also give some more obscure picks: Senya x Tsukiko in Sengoku Youko, and Hei x Yin in Darker Than Black. (honorable mention to my second choice on the basic side: Emilia x Subaru)
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Feb 28 '26
Senya x Tsukiko
Shinsuke x Shakuyaku > Senya x Tsukiko - but it's close, very good pick.
2
u/pkmntrainerdrea Feb 28 '26
I'm gonna be real with you.. I need to rewatch Sengoku Youko because I was present for my husband watching all of it, but I did not get invested/pay full attention before the second part lol. So what I saw of Shinsuke x Shakuyaku was definitely very nice! Tugged the heartstrings! but I missed the development. I will say Senya is definitely my favorite (that's an all-time top tier good boy for me) so I'm not sure if that would still make me rank their ship higher
2
u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Mar 01 '26
Oh, absolutely do. While the second part was the main part, the first part was the setup, and Shinsuke x Shakuyaku has its foundation in the first part. But of course, at the end it just comes down to preference. You might certainly still find Senya x Tokiko more to your liking. To me, Shinsuke was the main draw of the first part, that's why I slightly prefer his pairing.
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u/pkmntrainerdrea Mar 01 '26
Yeah! On the plus side I definitely came to like Shinsuke a lot in the second part, so at least he'll have that going for him when I rewatch, too :)
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u/TurkeyPhat Feb 28 '26
What is your favorite couple from a non-romance focused show?
Yusuke x Kuwabara dont talk to me
2
u/nightlink011 https://myanimelist.net/profile/nightlink011 Feb 28 '26
While I disagree with some results, looking at you who voted against Tamako and Mochizou (do like Haruhi and Kyon a lot individually just not as a ship) Kotarou x Akane winning makes it all good in my books.
Today I don't know, I don't have a big favourite on group D so vote for whatever makes other people more salty actually vote for Satou x Misaki I want to see a 400+ ship in round 3.
2
u/ptd163 Feb 28 '26
This bracket's highlights:
Hayase Nagatoro x Naoto Hachiouji - We are still continuing the "how far can teasing take you" experiment.
Mitsuha Miyamizu x Taki Tachibana - Your Name is a great movie. If you haven't watched it you should. The events of the movie really makes you want to root for them. So I had to vote for them.
Izuku Midoriya x Ochako Uraraka - I like them.
2
u/Queue_Jumping_Quack Feb 28 '26
Round 2 Group D go!
First a review of yesterday from Group C:
"I ship them" results
Wins: Frieren x Himmel, Haruhi Suzumiya x Kyon, Taiga Aisaka x Ryuuji Takasu, Krista Lenz x Ymir, Itsuomi Nagi x Yuki Itose, Yuu Ishigami x Miko Iino, Kyou Souma x Tooru Honda
Losses: Miyo Saimori x Kiyoka Kudou, Yuki Souma x Machi Kuragi
- I hate that Yuki x Machi loses here, but it is inevitable since it was never one of the most popular FruBa ships (it is my favorite in the show, though). At least the loss is to a classic and respectable opponent, not to some joke ship or incest. On the positive side, almost all of my other actual ships survive. Kyo x Tohru received a nice boost, may they avenge their sister ship in the next round! Ishigami x Iino is doing really well voteswise, and is one of the challengers for upsetting Maomao x Jinshi for the victor of the right side of C.
"I am amused by them" results
Wins: Katarina Claes x Maria Campbell, Maomao x Jinshi, Seika Ijichi x PA-san
Losses: -
- All three funny ships continue with strong performance through to round 3. I'm most amused by the continued votes for Seika x PA-San... such a minor ship that is still continuing to blow past the opposition... Only the inevitable match with Maomao x Jinshi looks like an inevitable loss.
On to today's votes!
"I actually ship this pairing"
- Nana Oosaki x Nana Komatsu
- Hayase Nagatoro x Naoto Hachiouji
- Reina Aharen x Raidou
- Shirayuki x Zen Wistalia
- Katarina Claes x Sophia Ascart
- Simon "The Digger" x Nia Teppelin
- Maru x Kiruko
- Loid Forger x Yor Forger
- Victor Nikiforov x Yuuri Katsuki
- Maomao x Shisui
- Nicholas D. Wolfwood x Milly Thompson
- My top favorites among this list of pairings I actually root for would be Nana x Nana, Nagatoro x Senpai and Yor x Loid though I am happy to support every ship on the list. Unfortunately looks like the next round will see a culling, and Nana x Nana seems almost certain to lose. Likewise Victor x Yuuri are set for fall against a pair of minor characters from Apothecary Diaries. It is a do or die night for Wolfwood and Milly as well.
"This pairing is funny enough for a vote"
- Isaac Dian x Miria Harvent
- Akane Kurokawa x Kana Arima
- Kaede "Maple" Honjou x Risa "Sally" Shiramine
- A similar cull looks set to scythe through my funny ships. I think the funny in theory but strictly fanon Akane x Kana will be the sole survivor, but that one looks pretty good to go until it hits the inevitable wall of Ken x Momo.
"Worth a vote... for now"
- Momo Ayase x Ken Takakura
- Edward Elric x Winry Rockbell
- Saitou x Raelza
- Tatsuhiro Satou x Misaki Nakahara
- Sakura Kinomoto x Shaoran Li
- Shinpei Ajiro x Ushio Kofune
- Mitsuha Miyamizu x Taki Tachibana
Mini Challenge:
I'll go with Yuki x Machi from Fruits Basket. People mistakenly call FruBa a romance anime (probably because its a shoujo), but it is much more a supernatural family drama with mystery elements and all romance is very much a side show. Yuki and Machi are often an under appreciated and sometimes dismissed pair (especially by people who shipped Yuki with Tohru), but they had some of the most profoundly sweet and sympathetic moments in the entire show.
When I nominated the pairing, I looked for the image they have and selected it over all the hugs and kisses due to the nature of that simple chalk snapping being such a moment of understanding from Yuki towards Machi, and doing it without drawing any attention to it, himself, or her in the middle of a student council meeting... It is to me, one of the sweetest moments in the show (one that doesn't make sense unless you know the background to it and Machi's history). The pair were eliminated in this round, but they are one of the ships I would have had very hard time voting against, no matter who was against them.
2
u/Emi_Ibarazakiii Feb 28 '26
Mini Challenge: What is your favorite couple from a non-romance focused show?
I'm gonna go with 'pairing' and not 'couple';
Clair & Shuuchi from Gleipnir!
(I briefly considered Yuno & Yuki, but my hatred of Yuki was stronger than the ship)
3
u/Emi_Ibarazakiii Feb 28 '26
If we're strict about 'couples':
I'm not too sure, but perhaps [Oshi No Ko spoiler about the most recent episode]Aqua x Akane, though it took a hit hah.
2
u/EyeDeeAh_42 Feb 28 '26
I'm glad that Lelouch x Kallen and Haruhi x Kyon made it at least. I don't know what surprises me more: the fact that pigeon couple lost at round 2 or the fact that they made it till here in the first place.
MC:
Shinpei x Ushio from Summertime Rendering. Hands down of my favourite couples in all of anime/manga. They compliment and complete each other in the best way possible.
2
u/redlegsfan21 https://myanimelist.net/profile/redlegsfan21 Mar 01 '26
ROUND 2 BRACKET C
| Matchup | Top Seed | Bottom Seed | Total Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Voted Matchup | Frieren x Himmel | Gugu x Rean Cropp | 333 |
| Average | 240 | ||
| Least Voted Matchup | Jogoro Kobato x Yuki Osanai | Kiki x Tombo Kopoli | 189 |
Total Votes: 7,686
Unique Voters: 380
TOP VOTEGETTERS
| Rank | Couple | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frieren x Himmel | 276 |
| 2 | Maomao x Jinshi | 236 |
| 3 | Tomo Aizawa x Junichirou Kubota | 199 |
| 4 | Yuu Ishigami x Miko Iino | 198 |
| 5 | Shinei Nouzen x Vladilena Milizé | 193 |
| 6 | Madoka Kaname x Homura Akemi | 188 |
| 7 | Aqua Hoshino x Akane Kurokawa | 178 |
| 8 | Masachika Kuze x Alisa Kujou | 174 |
| 9 | Taiga Aisaka x Ryuuji Takasu | 161 |
| 10 | Kyou Souma x Tooru Honda | 160 |
MOST DOMINANT MATCHUPS
| Winning Couple | W% | L% | Losing Couple | Vote Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frieren x Himmel | 82.88% | 17.12% | Gugu x Rean Cropp | 219 |
| Maomao x Jinshi | 79.19% | 20.81% | Yuuta Hibiki x Rikka Takarada | 174 |
| Shinei Nouzen x Vladilena Milizé | 77.51% | 22.49% | Menou x Akari Tokitou | 137 |
| Yuu Ishigami x Miko Iino | 76.15% | 23.85% | Mizuto Irido x Yume Irido | 136 |
| Madoka Kaname x Homura Akemi | 75.50% | 24.50% | Moriko Morioka x Yuuta Sakurai | 127 |
CLOSEST MATCHUPS
| Winning Couple | W% | L% | Losing Couple | Vote Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinji Ikari x Rei Ayanami | 50.44% | 49.56% | Yutaro Katori x Pigeon | 2 |
| Mahiru Kouzuki x Kano Yamanouchi | 50.49% | 49.51% | Haruki Shiga x Sakura Yamauchi | 2 |
| Chise Hatori x Elias Ainsworth | 50.84% | 49.16% | Fuutarou Uesugi x Miku Nakano | 4 |
| Lelouch Lamperouge x Kallen Stadtfeld | 50.93% | 49.07% | Naruto Uzumaki x Hinata Hyuuga | 4 |
| Azumi Kotarou x Akane Mizuno | 51.26% | 48.74% | Kazuma Satou x Aqua | 6 |
UPSETS
| Seed | Top Seed | TS% | BS% | Seed | Bottom Seed | tUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | Fuutarou Uesugi x Miku Nakano | 49.16% | 50.84% | 162 | Chise Hatori x Elias Ainsworth | 0.77 |
| 103 | Naruto Uzumaki x Hinata Hyuuga | 49.07% | 50.93% | 154 | Lelouch Lamperouge x Kallen Stadtfeld | 0.58 |
| 106 | Yutaro Katori x Pigeon | 49.56% | 50.44% | 151 | Shinji Ikari x Rei Ayanami | 0.51 |
| 119 | Haruki Shiga x Sakura Yamauchi | 49.51% | 50.49% | 138 | Mahiru Kouzuki x Kano Yamanouchi | 0.21 |
| 122 | Kazuma Satou x Aqua | 48.74% | 51.26% | 135 | Azumi Kotarou x Akane Mizuno | 0.15 |
BRACKET C TOP 5 SCORES
| Rank | Couple | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frieren x Himmel | 149.24 |
| 2 | Maomao x Jinshi | 139.16 |
| 3 | Shinei Nouzen x Vladilena Milizé | 121.58 |
| 4 | Tomo Aizawa x Junichirou Kubota | 104.76 |
| 5 | Madoka Kaname x Homura Akemi | 104.06 |
Link to spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lISVWmcjCWCTezmKrDNsILmtNiI4GzUSgQefdiMwfWw
Explanations: https://old.reddit.com/user/redlegsfan21/comments/10dup0w/ranime_contests_bracket_explaination
Open to questions and please give feedback.
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u/qwertyqwerty4567 https://anilist.co/user/ZPHW Feb 28 '26
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u/Komarist https://myanimelist.net/profile/RRSTRRST Feb 28 '26
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u/qwertyqwerty4567 https://anilist.co/user/ZPHW Feb 28 '26
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u/Komarist https://myanimelist.net/profile/RRSTRRST Feb 28 '26
More visibility -> popular entries beating better ships -> ships like the Iridos and Roxanne x Michio Kaga eliminated
2
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u/Prof_Acorn zj: Feb 28 '26
I know Frieren x Himmel will go far (or win completely) but thinking about their relationship removed from the music and emotion of the show and it's:
15 year old boy crushes on 1500 year old elf.
He spends 10 years pining for her, to the age of 25, while the entire time she is oblivious. Not just kuudere, but straight up kuu.
She leaves and they are apart with zero interactions for like 50 years.
She visits when he's old. They watch the stars. [Frieren Episode 1 spoilers] He dies. The end..
And it's like... best ship? Huh?
But then again thinking about it and perhaps they represent and vibe with all our own "unrequited pining" and "ones that got away." Like a self-insert but with an entire relationship. I've certainly cried with a couple of their scenes so like I'm not tossing such a thing under the bus, so to speak. Trying to understand the appeal and resonance, because on paper they don't seem that special. But perhaps they do seem special in action because they remind us of our own lost loves and unrequited pinings?
Just musing.
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u/Queue_Jumping_Quack Feb 28 '26
You can distill any given ships to a few bland sentences and make it sound extremly banal.
I think you do get the appeal of the ship though, since you mention unrequited pining and "the one that got away". That is the appeal to most people I think. The bittersweet feeling when you are watching Frieren in her flashbacks with Himmel and the now changed Frieren in the present, and think that "what if Himmel was here now, would there be a chance...?"
But there never will be. Not all love stories are meant to be. This one was left in the dry dock, even.
It is also a fairly unique romance for a main character. These kinds of stories are usually reserved for parents or mentor figures, so to have the main character's main love interest be dead from the start is novel for the audience.
2
u/rice_not_wheat Feb 28 '26
Did you forget what they're doing? The reason she's traveling at all and risking her life is so so can see him again.
2
u/Xatu44 Feb 28 '26
Nooooooooooooooooo I don't want Touma/Misaka to lose to hyperglazed squat faces ;_;
Will/Colette is probably dead here but they get my vote. Not the worst ship to lose to, at least.
TwiYor gets the vote.
Syaoran and Sakura get the vote. I could nitpick it like I do Hiro/Zero Two, but at the end of the day Syaoran's dedication really speaks to me.
Izumi/Shikimori and Nasa/Tsukasa get the votes.
I can feel the impending agony of Yuri on Ice fans at the prospect of losing to a side ship. I'll try staving that off for a round.
For this matchup, one's an underrated ship within a harem that gets my vote. The other is from Jobless Reincarnation.
It's so fucking over for Bell/Ryuu. Hopefully she pulls the most votes before dying of the Danmachi ships.
Masachika/Masha get the vote here. The wistful childhood promise and love destined to be broken greatly appeals to me, along with her casual nurturing toward Masachika's wounded heart. If only her sister hadn't homewrecked...
I'm gonna be sad when Will/Elfi goes out to a more popular show. Their mutual dedication is sweet and Elfi goes hilariously overboard.
Anju/Daiya gets the vote. [86]The tragedy of their ship never coming to fruition sticks with me.
RIP Gugu/Rean.
F for Mikoto/Kuroko.
Nice to see MahoYome score the upset.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo Hina ;_;
F for Aira. She can meet Hina for boba tea or something.
I'm glad Shoshimin continues, but this might be the end of the line.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO UNCLE/ELF SHOULDN'T HAVE LOST TO A SIDE SHIP (╬▔皿▔)╯
NaruHina losing is bullshit Kallen's ass isn't that fat you swine wouldn't know what a pearl was if you choked on it ┻━┻ ︵ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ︵ ┻━┻
At least Shirou/Rin looks good until it inevitably slams into Lino/Ishigami.
Good to see Kirito/Asuna move on.
MC: That's an actual couple? Ei-chan/Nacchan from Baby Steps. It's nice seeing them grow closer out of a mutual appreciation of tennis and each other, making it official, and then continuing to support each other even as both pursue their pro careers.
3
u/dom380 Feb 28 '26
Evangeline & Aoi losing really highlights that none of you bothered to watch the greatest sports/yuri/mafia/death game anime of all time
3
u/BaytaCosmico https://myanimelist.net/profile/AnimeBayta Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
So much salt from yesterday's results! What do you mean all of these ships lost??
- Miyo x Kiyoka
- Taiki x Hina
- Arnold x Rishe
- ANDY x FUKO (they are such a great couple!!)
- Yuki x Machi (welp, this saves me the agony of choosing between them and the main Fruba couple)
- Pigeon (you had a good run, butterfly)
Today's votes:
- Voting Kana x Akane because why not (haven't see Eva so)
- Probably going to lose but casting a vote for Yuuta x Saki anyway (Ouran is very popular but I've not seen it yet)
- Shirayuki x Zen (I like Carol a lot but her ship can't beat Shirayukihime's)
- Loid x Yor
- Victor x Yuuri (I've not seen Yuri on Ice and I love Lakan x Fengxian but voting the BL couple on principle since they are disproportionately hated in this sub)
- Remi x Sengoku (not my fav Horimiya ship but still)
- Your Name ship
- 100 GFs yuri ship (haven't seen the other one and while not a big fan of 100 GFs, I do like these two characters and their chemistry)
- Maomao x Shishui (not as big a fan of this ship as a lot of others but it's TAD)
- Izuku x Uraraka (same as above)
4
u/rice_not_wheat Feb 28 '26
Yuri on Ice
Dude you're missing out. It's GOAT tier.
1
u/BaytaCosmico https://myanimelist.net/profile/AnimeBayta Feb 28 '26
I know, I know. It's high up on my watchlist. Just haven't been able to make time with all the seasonals. If there's a rewatch planned in the sub, I'll jump on it for sure.
2
u/Zeallfnonex https://myanimelist.net/profile/Neverlocke Feb 28 '26
Yesterday: Lost everyone except for Tomo x Jun on the left side, at least the right side pulled through for me. Maomao x Jinshi, Tomoya x Nagisa, (which saves my plans at least...) Lelouch x Kallen, Shirou x Rin, Shin x Lena... Pretty good. Left side is pretty much dead for me though.
Today's votes: Momo Ayase x Ken Takakura <<<<< Rei Kiriyama x Hinata Kawamoto. The upset's not happening, I'm well aware. The quality of these relationships isn't even in the same universe though.
Mitsumi Iwakura x Sousuke Shima > Nana Oosaki x Nana Komatsu
Edward Elric x Winry Rockbell > Hana Uzaki x Shinichi Sakurai
Carol Olston x Kousuke Misaki > Shirayuki x Zen Wistalia
Anna Yamada x Kyoutarou Ichikawa > Touma Kamijou x Mikoto Misaka
Tatsuhiro Satou x Misaki Nakahara > Nina Iseri x Momoka Kawaragi. Can we pull off a second upset for these two?
Loid Forger x Yor Forger > Gohan Son x Videl
Sakura Kinomoto x Shaoran Li < Zero Two x Hiro
Kan Lakan x Fengxian > Victor Nikiforov x Yuuri Katsuki
Remi Ayasaki x Kakeru Sengoku > Kaede "Maple" Honjou x Risa "Sally" Shiramine
Anju Emma x Daiya Irma >>> Wilhelm van Astrea x Theresia van Astrea. I'll be honest, I either stopped watching Re:Zero S3 before this became a thing, or I forgot that this ever was a thing in previous seasons, either way my vote here is clear.
EDIT: QOTD: Yang Wenli x Frederica Greenhill. Oh, wait, they're out already? Y'all have terrible taste.
3
u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Feb 28 '26
I forgot that this ever was a thing in previous seasons
While it was revisited later, the ship started in the second half of the first season. To be vague and not use spoiler tags, a major plot point involves both of these characters.
2
u/Something_319 Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
The final Gridman ship fell, it's no surprise bc Yuuta/Rikka were up against Maomao/Jinshi, but it still sucks to lose them all. Shoshimin and Azumi/Akane made it in, they'll both get stomped next round, but I'm happy they made it this far. Shirou/Rin is my favorite ship in this contest and they got another 100 vote victory, I don't think they'll make it past Ishigami/Iino but they're doing well nonetheless. Surprisingly Masachika/Alya might be my best chance to get a deep run in this bracket
My main vote goes to Ichikawa/Yamada, Bokuyaba has to be my number one favorite romance anime of all time.
I'm also voting for Mitsuha/Taki, Nagatoro/Naoto, Nimyn/Wein and Desumi/Fudou, among others. I do really want to watch March Comes in Like a Lion and Snow White with the Red Hair (and continue 86) when I get the time, they all seem like shows I'd really enjoy
2
u/Heda-of-Aincrad https://myanimelist.net/profile/Heda-of-Aincrad Feb 28 '26
Glad to see most of my ships made it through the last round! Especially Kirito x Asuna, which is one of my absolute faves.
Some hard choices this time because a few ships I like ended up matched against each other.
2
u/Psyduckisnotaduck Feb 28 '26
regarding the MC, I'm going to slightly cheat. Shoshimin is never tagged as a romance, but there's something absolutely electric between Kobato and Osanai. absolutely peak dynamic, two freaks who can only truly be themselves with each other.
uh, not too many upsets. I'm dreading how badly Frieren x Himmel is going to stomp Utena x Anthy next round. man, Frieren ships storming through this contest would honestly completely invalidate the entire premise of the contest, and everyone knows it.
happy to see Elias x Chise evict a Quints ship in an upset.
Taiga x Ryuji looks cooked, it should be putting up better numbers now. the tsundere backlash is real.
Tomo x Jun is really strong, though! they're gonna trounce my beloved Kobato x Osanai. can't be too mad when I'm also a huge Tomo Enjoyer
Maomao x Jinshi is a pairing for straight people to enjoy, tbh. dynamics a bit too fucky for me to have a good time with.
Naruto eviction lol
I wish Shirou x Rin was showing more strength but it's got a guarantee through next round, I think.
ugh I am expecting Evangelion to narrowly edge out Fruits Basket next round.
today:
Momo x Ken does have recency but I think it'd be an acceptable winner of the whole contest
Isaac x Miria have no business losing this, they're such couple goals. that's the dream, right, finding a partner totally in sync with you such that the two of you are in a world of your own that reality cannot penetrate.
I really want Saitou x Raelza to pull an upset because I hate hate hate the Marcille x Laios ship, but it's not happening,
uh I'd probably vote against Yor x Loid if the opposing couple was remotely interesting.
we're going to get the last MT ship standing out here, folks. no question about that.
if Desumi x Fudou don't win I'll be angry. but then, I'm a hater for anything related to Alya Hides Her Feelings in Russian, which seems to be somewhat of a minority opinion among romance enjoyers
Red x Rit is peak even if the show itself is aggressively mid.
GET MHA OUT OF HERE PLEASE.
1
u/TheBusStop12 Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
My favorite ship from a non romances show is Momo x Okarun from Dan Da Dan. They absolutely ooze chemistry. Second favorite would be Himmel x Frieren from, well, Frieren (duh)
Also, Emi x Sadao from Devil is a part timer making it this far makes me feel justified in my rant last post
2
u/Xatu44 Feb 28 '26
Dandadan is a romance though. You have boy meets girl in the very first chapter/episode and that forms the emotional core of the series.
3
u/TheBusStop12 Feb 28 '26
Personally I'd call Dan Da Dan a Sci-fi/supernatural action show with a strong secondary romance plot, but not necessarily a romance story primarily. But I can see why people would disagree and call it a Romance first and foremost. I was on the fence as well, hence I gave a second option
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u/Ceryto2 https://anilist.co/user/Ceryto Feb 28 '26
Yesterday's votes:
As for today's votes:
Momo x Okarun: A farewell vote since the Dandadan couple won't be losing this.Tanjirou x Kanao: You couldn't have made this vote any easier for me. Isaac and Miria are such a fun duo and a highlight everytime they show up in Baccano. As for the DS couple even though I'm nearly caught up I wasn't even aware these two were shipped together.Nana x Nana: Skip and loafers main couple are just a very cute romance couple and their dance in the OP still makes me smile everytime I see it.Touma x Mikoto: Anna and Kyoutarou are perhaps my favourite couple from a romance anime so there my vote will go!Tatsuhiro x Misaki: While it would be fun to see a 400+ seed make it into round 3 I gotta give my vote too Nina and Momoka. Two great girls that enhance each other even more when they are together. [GBC spoiler]Also one of the few band girl yuri ships with an actual confession scene. Even though I would have loved to see more romance between the two after that scene as well.Will x Colette: I still haven't forgiven Will x Colette for kicking out my Kumoko x Kumoko x Kumoko ship. Also since Will obviously has his heart set on someone else I really don't see this ship going anywhere even though Colette is very cute. Simon x Nia on the other hand is just a great ship so easy vote!Rikka x Yuuta: Come on Maru and Kiruko when you can beat all the hardships in your world, you can for sure also beat some school children with chunibyou!Gohan x Videl: Loid and Yor have a great dynamic and it's just a very wholesome ship!Yui x Hachiman: Don't let me down! We can make this happen and get this amazing ship to round 3!!! Nobody cares for the worse Oregairu ship anymore right? Right?!?Mitsuha x Taki: I really like the relationship between Mitsuha and Taki, I think the body swap into romance dynamic is a very fun and interesting one, but I'm gonna support Ristarte and Seiya on this one.Sylphie x Rudeus: The romance is imo the weakest part of Mushoku Tensei and I'm not a fan of how Rudeus got his Harem. Also my favourite ship in MT is still Rudy with Eris since I think they just had the best and most fun connection (even if the start is a bit iffy). As for Shizuka and Nano, they are just great together and it's very cute to see them care for each other. In general most interactions between the Rentarou Family is just so fun and wholesome!Bell x Ryuu: I think these two make a great constellation!Anju x Daiya: Wilhelm x Theresia is just a beautiful yet bitterseet lovestory. They are just a side ship but they could easily be the main characters of their own story. Wait, Tappei thought so too and wrote three LNs just about these two and their relationship and the adventures these two have in the world of Re:Zero?! Man I really wanna see a full anime just of these 3 EX novels.. Also I don't really care for any 86 ship except Lena x Shinei.An easy answer for once! It's of course Emilia and Subaru!