crienselt | Shipping: Bleach

OTP:

Renji/Rukia:

I entered the bleach fandom determined to be a multi-shipper. I must say that I managed to do so for awhile, keeping my mind open to all ships. Then Renji came along, and I was immediately intrigued by his and Rukia’s relationship...for which I proceeded to spoil myself. And just like that I became a biased shipper! I tried to remain objective, but just couldn’t help but route for Renruki.

It’s just such a beautiful ship. Really, it has everything I could ask for from angst to comedy, cuteness to smexiness. And it seems so very real--all the misunderstandings. They aren’t perfect and they’ve made mistakes, but the love, in whatever form, has always been there. I adore their back story and the bitter sweetness of the time lost while feelings endured. The 00B bit is exemplary of this, Renji finally thinking he was good enough for her just as she leaves Soul Society...and then winds up almost being lost forever. Really, all those Soul Society scenes were so touching. There is real devotion between them.

Of course, now that they are reunited, the beauty of their camaraderie is not to be questioned. I just love their entire dynamic. They are most definitely each others partner in crime and do strike my as being equals in said partnership. Their tag-teaming of Ichigo, both upon their return to the human world and their arrival in Hueco Mundo, reflects this.

There is also something extremely subtle, almost understated, about their relationship that I enjoy and which sets my imagination aflame. It’s the little things between them—like Renji’s arm on her shoulder as they return to Soul Society following Orhimie’s disappearance. Or the two of them seriously using Rukia’s drawings to brief Ichigo. And part of me feels that they know each other, misunderstandings and miscommunications aside, better than anyone else ever could or will. But that could just be my fangirl intuition. ...In sum, I just really like them. They’re one of those things that “just makes me happy” (like Psych!) They break my heart and make me laugh and make me feel warm and fuzzy and figuratively swoon. I wish we got to see more of them in the manga. Because, really they are just adorable together and the ship is simply a fun ship.

Ships I love:

Ichigo/Orihime:

Again, I liked the ship well enough at the beginning and even got a “gonna be canon” vibe from it, mainly, I guess, because of the early focus on her story (fight with Sora)...and the manner in which she was woven into the main/Ichigo’s story (Memories in the Rain). And I did find her crush endearing. Regardless, in the process of spoiling myself for Renruki, I chanced up the Love Confession chapter and fell completely in love with the ship.

It’s a very fluffy ship, a sweet ship, but not devoid of angst. And they are so very cute together. Again, it strikes me as a very real relationship two high school students might have what with Orihime’s crush and Ichigo’s cluelessness. They’re both so innocent, really. Because that’s one of the problems I found I had with Ichiruki--I can’t imagine Ichigo as anything but a bumbling teenager when it comes to romance. Which isn’t to say that I can’t imagine some glorious romantic moment between the two of them brought on by some overwhelmingly emotional plot point or battle/what have you... But mainly I like to think of them as adorably awkward (as portrayed post Grimmjaw).

And I do enjoy the angst as well. And I like that each has the power to so heavily influence the other or rather that they do seem to share a certain connection that is not fully realized or acknowledged. There’s something very natural about them and the way they’ve been developed as individuals and in relation to each other. ...And really I just find my self happy with the manner in which their relationship has evolved in canon...and I expect to continue to do so.

Ships I enjoy :
Ishida/Orihime: Ridiculously cute. They crack me up. And while, I can’t really enjoy the idea of them in regard to the way canon has gone, or rather in light of current canon, give me Soul Society era AU/whatever and I’m all about it.
Gin/Ranginku: Angst! And it definitely adds an intriguing depth to each of their characters. Looking forward to a future meet up!
Ishida/Tatski: In my imagination, it is hilariously awesome.
Byakuya/Hisana: It has a certain elegance and is sweetly romantic.
Nemu/Ikkaku: It’d be sweet.
Noitori/Nel: Again, angst that adds a new dimension to the characters.
Aizen/Orihime: If only because Aizen is such a magnificent bastard.
Ishida/Nemu: Cute with the potential for angst/forbidden/unexpected love and not without a canon foundation!
Ishida/Chad: C’mon, Ishida and his interest in fashion design and Chad and all those Hawaiian shirts. It’s practically The Bird Cage.
Yuzu/Jinta: His crush is adorable.
Ikkaku/Keigo’s sister: It amuses me.
Orihime/Rukia: Kubo's art speaks for itself. That and their friendship really is sweet, especially as Rukia's never had a good female friend, from what I understand...

Ships to which I am indifferent:
Mind, there are so many ships in Bleach that you can assume that I am indifferent to any I haven’t mentioned…or have just forgotten that I rather like them... Regardless, of the more popular ships:
Hitsugaya/Hinamori: It’s sweet but just doesn’t do anything for me…
Urahara/Yoruichi: Ehh.
Yoruichi/Soifon: I admit it’s hot, but I just can’t find it in me to care.
Grimjaw/Orihime: I do like it a bit but really just lack enough enthusiasm to really enjoy it.
Ulquoirria/Orihime: I enjoy their relationship as it is/was in the manga but can’t imagine it as a romance... Meh.

Ships I do not enjoy:

Ichigo/Rukia:

I hesitate to actually say I dislike this ship because really, I have no problem with the ship itself. However, while I know there are plenty of sane shippers out there and while I am aware that the bigger the fandom, the higher the number of obnoxious fanbrats, the Ichiruki fandom really turned me off to the ship. There’s just something so elitist and militant and closed minded about the majority of the folks whose comments I’ve chanced to read around the ‘net. I get that they must feel threatened, but the extent some people go to put down rival ships and build up their own (and this overlaps with Ulquihime too)...just offends me. They’re just too in your face or something. And I HATE that, somehow, any chapter discussion with them or rival Rukia or Ichigo ships' characters has to turn into a ridiculous squeefest over nothing or an absurd, unfounded bashing party. Not everything is shipping related and certainly not everything is about Ichigo, Rukia, or their relationship--especially in terms of the current plot. It’s a shame and wonder if this is how outsiders view Zutara.

That said, I am truly indifferent to the idea of Ichiruki--and I did like it at well enough at one point. But as the manga developed, I just really didn’t get a romantic vibe from them. I just don’t see it. I do, however, love their relationship and their bond. And that’s why I can say I dislike the ship, I guess, because I enjoy them so much as they are and making it romantic would ruin it. To that end, I actually feel like making their relationship romantic would cheapen it. But I’m not overly worried because I just don’t think it will ever be undeniably canon. Kubo’s dismissal of a romance between them aside, I just can’t see how it would fit into the story, what it could possibly add to the narrative, or even how it would make sense in terms of character development.