To Sir, with (My) Love :: Meiko/Namura (Marmalade Boy)
Title: To Sir, with (My) Love.
Author: Maria (miyuki_mina)
Pairing: Meiko Akizuki and Shinichi "Natchan" Namura.
Fandom: Marmalade Boy
Spoilers: For the whole TV series. This is mostly anime-based, but it'll also feature te manga when necessary.
Warnings: Teacher/student pairing.
Disclaimers: Marmalade Boy belongs to Yoshizumi Wataru and Shueisha!
Love Match-ups of DOOM: Marmalade Boy.
According to Wikipedia, Marmalade Boy is "a manga created by Wataru Yoshizumi and serialized in the monthly manga magazine Ribon. The manga was later adapted by Toei Animation into a 76 episode anime TV series which aired on Fuji Television. There was also a short animated movie (only slightly longer than a normal episode) produced in 1995, which was a sort of prequel to the series."
The main theme of MB is the relationship that blossoms between 16-year-old highschooler Miki Koishikawa and her stepbrother, Yuu Matsuura, son of the couple that Miki's parents swaped partners with. As they live together in the same house and come to know each other better, Miki and Yuu fall in love with each other, but their affair won't be a smooth path since several potential love intrests will raise one after another. One of the most intresting (and somewhat polemic) plot points of the series involves an unrelated couple, though... the one featured in this rant.
My favorite girl: Meiko Akizuki
Full name: Meiko Akizuki, Meiko Namura (after the end of the series)
Age: 16
Birthdate: October 28
Astrological sign: Scorpio
Blood type: A
Occupation: Highschool student. After graduation, she marries Namura and becomes a fluff-fledged novelist.
Voice actresses: Wakana Yamazaki (Japan), Kate Davis (USA), Keyros Guillén (Latin America)
As a foil for the highly-emotional, whimiscal and childish Miki, we have Meiko. She's Miki's best friend, a member of the literature club and the Golden Girl of Toryo High, with even the school council president after her. She's a very beautiful and mature young girl who comes from a rich but broken family: her parents are always fighting and have separate lovers, but won't get a divorce to avoid losing their wealth.
Meiko is apparently very open and friendly, and shares all of her feelings with Miki through exchange diaries and voice memo toys. However, there's one secret that she hasn't told Miki, and won't tell until almost the last moment.
Human-tainted wisdom: Shinichi Namura aka Natchan
Full name: Shinichi Namura.
Alias: Natchan (by his students)
Age: 23
Astrological sign: Pisces
Blood type: A
Occupation: English teacher and coach for the male tennis club. After resigning, he handles the family bussiness.
Voice actors: Touru Furya (Japan), Jack Aubree (USA), Pablo Ausensi (Latin America)
Namura is a young man from Hiroshima who studied in Toryo High thanks to a scholarship (along with his friends Takumi Kijima and Ryouko Momoi), and later camer back to his old school as its English teacher and tennis coach.
Since he's relatively close to his students' age range and also is a rather empathic person, Namura is very popular at the school and is adressed by the kids as Natchan, rather than "Namura-sensei" as it should be. Meiko is specially close to the man, and now I'll tell you why. :D
Teacher teacher, may I kiss you? :: Canon Anime Story
Meiko and Natchan met each other four years before the events featured in Marmalade Boy properly start. It weas the first day for both of them in Toryo Institute: she was transferred to the elementary school section and he arrived as an assistant teacher, meeting each other in the old library. Since elementary kids (Meiko was 12 years old) weren't allowed in there on their own, Natchan should've scolded her, but as Meiko was just a newbie he decided to forgive her. Meiko at first thought Natchan was an older higschool student and was very embarrassed when Natchan explained that he was a teacher-in-practice, but Natchan didn't mind it, and soon they were good friends.
Three years of normal friendship followed, until during Meiko's last junior high year they had a fight after Meiko peeked into Namura's schedule book and he wasn't pleased when he caught her. The nect day, Meiko came into the library as always to offer an apology to him, but Namura didn't arrive until several hours later. When he came in, Meiko started to cry and confessed that she loved him... then, after asking Meiko how old was she, Namura said he was too old for her with their 8 years differetence, but that he loved her anyway.
They started dating, but for obvious reasons they had to keep their relationship in secret. In fact, not even Miki knew they were dating; the first one to find out was Yuu, who accidentally saw them sharing a kiss in the library and later confronted Meiko, but he promised not to tell anything to anyone else. The situation is somewhat stable for a while (Meiko and Namura are still together but know it's not easy to keep going on, Miki doesn't know anything, and Yuu mantains his word)... until episode 16.
After Meiko's parents have a particularly vicious fight, Meiko runs away from home in tears and Namura finds her in his doorstep. Since she's absolutely broken and doesn't want to go home, Namura lets her stay and sleep in his bed... but his neighbors misunderstand the situation and call the school authorities. Miki is shocked to death when her friend Chigusa tells her that Meiko was suspended for dating Namura. In fact, this is almsot a breaking point for Miki and Meiko, since when Miki asks Meiko why she ddin't tell her, Meiko disses Miki's friendship and Miki is the one who now runs away in tears.
Namura decides to quit his job and go back to Hiroshima, where his family lives. Several persons are uncomfortable, specially Namura's friend and fellow teacher Ryouko Momoi and council president Satoshi Miwa: she begs Namura to reconsider his decision, and he calls Namura a coward and says he'll be taking care of Meiko from now on (More on them later).
Namura calls Meiko to tell her his decision and bids her farewell. Meiko, however, doesn't want to lose him, so she places her most basic belongings in her suitcase and goes to Miki's house. Afrer apologizing for her outburst and telling her everything about Namura and herself, Meiko goes to the train station and tells Namura that she's leaving with him. However, Namura tells Meiko to stay, explaining that he's leaving for her sake, and that even if he took her with him, she'd be soon unhappy and frustrated as a housewife when she's so talented and beautiful. Meiko doesn't insist, and kisses Namura goodbye after slipping a medallion in his pocket. Namura leaves in the train to Hiroshima, and Miki and Yuu find a crushed Meiko in the station.
Several months pass, and Meiko slowly starts to recover with the help of Yuu, Miki and Satoshi. Satoshi is specially nice to her; he likes Meiko for the fact that she can see through his facade of a playful Casanova, and gradually wins her trust and becomes her pillar of strength. Namura, meanwhile, is working hard in Hiroshima, but he still cares for Meiko and asks Ryouko to keep an eye on her to make sure she's okay...
Since Meiko is a member of the literature club, Satoshi tells her to start writing more seriously, becomes Meiko's beta reader and even receives a kiss from her after he beta-es one of her best works. However, Meiko still can't forget Namura, and it's clear after he visits Ryouko in Tokyo and Meiko learns about this. Satoshi is wary upon a possible meeting, but Meiko pleads him to let her see Namura and he allows her... but Namura tells Meiko again to not be with him, because he's now dating Ryouko. Which is a lie, but Meiko believes it and runs away.
Again, Satoshi tries to cheer Meiko up, and in Christmas Eve he succeeds. Meanwhile, Ryouko can't hold herself back, and when she visits Namura in Hiroshima she confesses her love for him. Namura is sincerely surprised, then he apologizes for all he put he through and asks her for a last favor...
Around Valentines Day, Satoshi chooses one of Meiko's stories, secretly sends to a literature contest, and she ends up winning it with ease. Meiko becomes a sort-of celebrity among young writers, but during the ceremony she receives a message from Namura giving her his congratulations, and she's very distraught. Miki then tells Meiko to go to Hiroshima with ehr and clear the situation with Namura himself... As the girls leave Tokyo, Satoshi and Ryouko learn about this by chance and follow them secretly.
Miki catches Natchan in the beach, and leaves him alone with Meiko. They talk, and Meiko declares that he's been her main inspiration to wrtie and once again says she wants to be with him, and even more now that she can support herself with her writing and won't be a burden. However, Namura yet again rejects her and says she still has lots to live without him.
Meiko is more crushed than ever and locked herself in her and Miki's hotel room. Miki sees Satoshi and Ryouko and begs them to let her handle the situation on her own. Satoshi is pained because he can't help Meiko anymore... since she needs Namura, and not him. Ryouko, however, decides to act; she speaks to Satoshi, and they go to find Namura.
Ryouko and Satoshi confront Namura and force him to admit that he was lying when he said he and Ryouko were dating. Namura adds that he did so since he still didn't want to be a burden to Meiko, but Satoshi loses his patience and starts punching Namura, accusing him of being a coward. Miki and Meiko arrive to the scene, and Meiko gets in between trying to reach for Namura... and Satoshi accidentally knocked her to the ground. When Meiko is feeling better, Ryouko tells her what Namura did for her, and reveals that Namura is still in love with her and that's why he left her.
Since Namura insists that Meiko is better without him, Meiko decides to leave, but not without giving him a Valentines chocolate and saying she won't forget him. Then, Namura can't hold himself back anymore, so he holds Meiko in his arms and admits his love for her, kissing her right then. After Miki, Satoshi and Ryouko leave them alone, Namura asks Meiko if she still loves him, and Meiko says she does.
In the days that follow, Meiko visits Miki and, while helping ehr to make chocolate for Yuu, she tells her best friend that she and Namura are now engaged. They reached an agreement with Namura's parents (very nice people who care a lot about their son), and as soon as Meiko finishes highschool she'll give the college entrance exams for the University of Hiroshima and move with them. At the same time, though, Meiko wonders if she's the cause of pain for Satoshi and Ryouko, but Miki reassures her.
Namura calls Ryouko and apologizes to her again, but she says she also shouldn't have gone along with his plan and says she'll be okay. After crying for a while and berate herself for saying she was okay when she wasn't, Ryouko decides to move on and smiles. In the library, Satoshi and Meiko speak abouty their situation, and as Meiko cries and apologizes, Satoshi tells her to be happy in her married life with Namura and leaves.
As time passes, Meiko and Namura still have difficulties, since Meiko's parents don't approve of Meiko being engaged at such a young age and don't let her seen Namura. They can only meet in secret dates thanks to the help of the Akizuki family's maid. Nevertheless, their relationship resists the distance, and after Meiko turns 17 years old and graduates from highschool she and Namura get married, and they leave Tokyo to live in Hiroshima together.
Ink and Paper Dreams :: Their story in the manga.
Well, I've majorly spoken about the Meiko/Namura pairing - as seen in the anime series. In the manga, they're also an item, but there are some mild differences...
* There's no Ryouko Momoi, therefore all situations related to her aren't included in the manga.
* Satoshi doesn't follow Meiko and Miki to Hiroshima. In fact, he's seldom seen wooing Meiko, and Meiko is the one who sends her story to the contest and *not* Satoshi.
* In the anime, a rather immature though cheerful and pretty girl named Suzu Sakuma tries to woo Yuu and have him for herself. In the manga, however, after meeting her in a New Years festival, Suzu tries to hook up Meiko with... Yuu. Due to a misunderstanding, Suzu thinks that Meiko has a crush on Yuu and decides to "help" her in her own scheming way, but she fails and has to give up on her matchmaking.
* Meiko and Natchan get married before Meiko's highschool graduation, and Meiko's friends are unable to go to the ceremony.
My reason to love you :: WHY?!
Again, this is a couple that I shouldn't support in theory. Romantic relationship between a teacher and a student are still a strong taboo in society, due to the possible power abuse issues that such coupling can potentially carry, so at first I wasn't too keen on the idea of Meiko pursuing her teacher...
But they won me over, for a rather simple reason... how *hard* they had to fight to make their love stronger. I know I wouldn't be able, were I in a simialr situation, to persevere like they did. While they do have lots of flaws and insecurity (specially Meiko, who due to her horrible family life is frailer than she lets others see), they gradually have to overcome them, if they still want to be together. Meiko must get over her self-confidence issues, and Namura must admit that he can't be all alone in the world; it's not easy, since Namura has to give up on a work that he really loves and Meiko faces her parents' rejection of her project on life. So, as their relationship unfurled, I was hooked in, felt real bad for *both* of them, and ended up shipping them LIEK WHOA.
I know other people don't really agree with me, and think that Satoshi should've won Meiko's love. Well, noble and worthy suitor as Satoshi was, he had one BIG flaw... his purpose wasn't as selfless as it seemed. He VERY seriously misjudged Namura by thinking he was a coward and not seeing anything that didn't fully suit him, letting his own inexperience and lack of knowledge (though it can't be fully blamed on him) cloud his judgement. On the other hand, Ryouko's involvement in the whole deal was much less selfish, since she thought more of Namura and Meiko's good than her own. This also explains why Satoshi didn't get another love intrest, while Ryouko did (by the end, she hooks up with Akira Mizutani, a friend of hers and the Kijimas); her happy ending may be seen as a sort-of prize for the inner pain she went through, while Satoshi's more bittersweet situation could be a slight punishment for thosee mistakes caused by his mixed intrests.
Dream in words, Connect with Love: Fanwork & Links
Unfortunately, this is one ship that is quite unpopular in the MB fandom. Not to mention that some Satoshi and Satoshi/Meiko fans (not *all* of them, thank God) can't forgive Namura-sensei for getting Meiko's love, therefore Namura is bashed by them in a regular basis. So, I'll just leave you with two rants written by me.
* In defense of Namura, posted at hated_character
* In defense of the Namura/Meiko couple, posted at hated_pairings
And here you have some links, too!
marmalade_boy :: The Marmalade Boy main comm at Livejournal.
mb_rating :: A MB rating comm. Find out which MB character is more like you, according to others!
The Marmalade Handbook. By far one of the best MB pages out there, even if the English there is a little rusty. :3 Got the pictures from there, too!
Forbidden Love. The Meiko x Natchan Fanlisting!
Author: Maria (miyuki_mina)
Pairing: Meiko Akizuki and Shinichi "Natchan" Namura.
Fandom: Marmalade Boy
Spoilers: For the whole TV series. This is mostly anime-based, but it'll also feature te manga when necessary.
Warnings: Teacher/student pairing.
Disclaimers: Marmalade Boy belongs to Yoshizumi Wataru and Shueisha!
Love Match-ups of DOOM: Marmalade Boy.
According to Wikipedia, Marmalade Boy is "a manga created by Wataru Yoshizumi and serialized in the monthly manga magazine Ribon. The manga was later adapted by Toei Animation into a 76 episode anime TV series which aired on Fuji Television. There was also a short animated movie (only slightly longer than a normal episode) produced in 1995, which was a sort of prequel to the series."
The main theme of MB is the relationship that blossoms between 16-year-old highschooler Miki Koishikawa and her stepbrother, Yuu Matsuura, son of the couple that Miki's parents swaped partners with. As they live together in the same house and come to know each other better, Miki and Yuu fall in love with each other, but their affair won't be a smooth path since several potential love intrests will raise one after another. One of the most intresting (and somewhat polemic) plot points of the series involves an unrelated couple, though... the one featured in this rant.
My favorite girl: Meiko Akizuki
Full name: Meiko Akizuki, Meiko Namura (after the end of the series)
Age: 16
Birthdate: October 28
Astrological sign: Scorpio
Blood type: A
Occupation: Highschool student. After graduation, she marries Namura and becomes a fluff-fledged novelist.
Voice actresses: Wakana Yamazaki (Japan), Kate Davis (USA), Keyros Guillén (Latin America)
As a foil for the highly-emotional, whimiscal and childish Miki, we have Meiko. She's Miki's best friend, a member of the literature club and the Golden Girl of Toryo High, with even the school council president after her. She's a very beautiful and mature young girl who comes from a rich but broken family: her parents are always fighting and have separate lovers, but won't get a divorce to avoid losing their wealth.
Meiko is apparently very open and friendly, and shares all of her feelings with Miki through exchange diaries and voice memo toys. However, there's one secret that she hasn't told Miki, and won't tell until almost the last moment.
Human-tainted wisdom: Shinichi Namura aka Natchan
Full name: Shinichi Namura.
Alias: Natchan (by his students)
Age: 23
Astrological sign: Pisces
Blood type: A
Occupation: English teacher and coach for the male tennis club. After resigning, he handles the family bussiness.
Voice actors: Touru Furya (Japan), Jack Aubree (USA), Pablo Ausensi (Latin America)
Namura is a young man from Hiroshima who studied in Toryo High thanks to a scholarship (along with his friends Takumi Kijima and Ryouko Momoi), and later camer back to his old school as its English teacher and tennis coach.
Since he's relatively close to his students' age range and also is a rather empathic person, Namura is very popular at the school and is adressed by the kids as Natchan, rather than "Namura-sensei" as it should be. Meiko is specially close to the man, and now I'll tell you why. :D
Teacher teacher, may I kiss you? :: Canon Anime Story
Meiko and Natchan met each other four years before the events featured in Marmalade Boy properly start. It weas the first day for both of them in Toryo Institute: she was transferred to the elementary school section and he arrived as an assistant teacher, meeting each other in the old library. Since elementary kids (Meiko was 12 years old) weren't allowed in there on their own, Natchan should've scolded her, but as Meiko was just a newbie he decided to forgive her. Meiko at first thought Natchan was an older higschool student and was very embarrassed when Natchan explained that he was a teacher-in-practice, but Natchan didn't mind it, and soon they were good friends.
Three years of normal friendship followed, until during Meiko's last junior high year they had a fight after Meiko peeked into Namura's schedule book and he wasn't pleased when he caught her. The nect day, Meiko came into the library as always to offer an apology to him, but Namura didn't arrive until several hours later. When he came in, Meiko started to cry and confessed that she loved him... then, after asking Meiko how old was she, Namura said he was too old for her with their 8 years differetence, but that he loved her anyway.
They started dating, but for obvious reasons they had to keep their relationship in secret. In fact, not even Miki knew they were dating; the first one to find out was Yuu, who accidentally saw them sharing a kiss in the library and later confronted Meiko, but he promised not to tell anything to anyone else. The situation is somewhat stable for a while (Meiko and Namura are still together but know it's not easy to keep going on, Miki doesn't know anything, and Yuu mantains his word)... until episode 16.
After Meiko's parents have a particularly vicious fight, Meiko runs away from home in tears and Namura finds her in his doorstep. Since she's absolutely broken and doesn't want to go home, Namura lets her stay and sleep in his bed... but his neighbors misunderstand the situation and call the school authorities. Miki is shocked to death when her friend Chigusa tells her that Meiko was suspended for dating Namura. In fact, this is almsot a breaking point for Miki and Meiko, since when Miki asks Meiko why she ddin't tell her, Meiko disses Miki's friendship and Miki is the one who now runs away in tears.
Namura decides to quit his job and go back to Hiroshima, where his family lives. Several persons are uncomfortable, specially Namura's friend and fellow teacher Ryouko Momoi and council president Satoshi Miwa: she begs Namura to reconsider his decision, and he calls Namura a coward and says he'll be taking care of Meiko from now on (More on them later).
Namura calls Meiko to tell her his decision and bids her farewell. Meiko, however, doesn't want to lose him, so she places her most basic belongings in her suitcase and goes to Miki's house. Afrer apologizing for her outburst and telling her everything about Namura and herself, Meiko goes to the train station and tells Namura that she's leaving with him. However, Namura tells Meiko to stay, explaining that he's leaving for her sake, and that even if he took her with him, she'd be soon unhappy and frustrated as a housewife when she's so talented and beautiful. Meiko doesn't insist, and kisses Namura goodbye after slipping a medallion in his pocket. Namura leaves in the train to Hiroshima, and Miki and Yuu find a crushed Meiko in the station.
Several months pass, and Meiko slowly starts to recover with the help of Yuu, Miki and Satoshi. Satoshi is specially nice to her; he likes Meiko for the fact that she can see through his facade of a playful Casanova, and gradually wins her trust and becomes her pillar of strength. Namura, meanwhile, is working hard in Hiroshima, but he still cares for Meiko and asks Ryouko to keep an eye on her to make sure she's okay...
Since Meiko is a member of the literature club, Satoshi tells her to start writing more seriously, becomes Meiko's beta reader and even receives a kiss from her after he beta-es one of her best works. However, Meiko still can't forget Namura, and it's clear after he visits Ryouko in Tokyo and Meiko learns about this. Satoshi is wary upon a possible meeting, but Meiko pleads him to let her see Namura and he allows her... but Namura tells Meiko again to not be with him, because he's now dating Ryouko. Which is a lie, but Meiko believes it and runs away.
Again, Satoshi tries to cheer Meiko up, and in Christmas Eve he succeeds. Meanwhile, Ryouko can't hold herself back, and when she visits Namura in Hiroshima she confesses her love for him. Namura is sincerely surprised, then he apologizes for all he put he through and asks her for a last favor...
Around Valentines Day, Satoshi chooses one of Meiko's stories, secretly sends to a literature contest, and she ends up winning it with ease. Meiko becomes a sort-of celebrity among young writers, but during the ceremony she receives a message from Namura giving her his congratulations, and she's very distraught. Miki then tells Meiko to go to Hiroshima with ehr and clear the situation with Namura himself... As the girls leave Tokyo, Satoshi and Ryouko learn about this by chance and follow them secretly.
Miki catches Natchan in the beach, and leaves him alone with Meiko. They talk, and Meiko declares that he's been her main inspiration to wrtie and once again says she wants to be with him, and even more now that she can support herself with her writing and won't be a burden. However, Namura yet again rejects her and says she still has lots to live without him.
Meiko is more crushed than ever and locked herself in her and Miki's hotel room. Miki sees Satoshi and Ryouko and begs them to let her handle the situation on her own. Satoshi is pained because he can't help Meiko anymore... since she needs Namura, and not him. Ryouko, however, decides to act; she speaks to Satoshi, and they go to find Namura.
Ryouko and Satoshi confront Namura and force him to admit that he was lying when he said he and Ryouko were dating. Namura adds that he did so since he still didn't want to be a burden to Meiko, but Satoshi loses his patience and starts punching Namura, accusing him of being a coward. Miki and Meiko arrive to the scene, and Meiko gets in between trying to reach for Namura... and Satoshi accidentally knocked her to the ground. When Meiko is feeling better, Ryouko tells her what Namura did for her, and reveals that Namura is still in love with her and that's why he left her.
Since Namura insists that Meiko is better without him, Meiko decides to leave, but not without giving him a Valentines chocolate and saying she won't forget him. Then, Namura can't hold himself back anymore, so he holds Meiko in his arms and admits his love for her, kissing her right then. After Miki, Satoshi and Ryouko leave them alone, Namura asks Meiko if she still loves him, and Meiko says she does.
In the days that follow, Meiko visits Miki and, while helping ehr to make chocolate for Yuu, she tells her best friend that she and Namura are now engaged. They reached an agreement with Namura's parents (very nice people who care a lot about their son), and as soon as Meiko finishes highschool she'll give the college entrance exams for the University of Hiroshima and move with them. At the same time, though, Meiko wonders if she's the cause of pain for Satoshi and Ryouko, but Miki reassures her.
Namura calls Ryouko and apologizes to her again, but she says she also shouldn't have gone along with his plan and says she'll be okay. After crying for a while and berate herself for saying she was okay when she wasn't, Ryouko decides to move on and smiles. In the library, Satoshi and Meiko speak abouty their situation, and as Meiko cries and apologizes, Satoshi tells her to be happy in her married life with Namura and leaves.
As time passes, Meiko and Namura still have difficulties, since Meiko's parents don't approve of Meiko being engaged at such a young age and don't let her seen Namura. They can only meet in secret dates thanks to the help of the Akizuki family's maid. Nevertheless, their relationship resists the distance, and after Meiko turns 17 years old and graduates from highschool she and Namura get married, and they leave Tokyo to live in Hiroshima together.
Ink and Paper Dreams :: Their story in the manga.
Well, I've majorly spoken about the Meiko/Namura pairing - as seen in the anime series. In the manga, they're also an item, but there are some mild differences...
* There's no Ryouko Momoi, therefore all situations related to her aren't included in the manga.
* Satoshi doesn't follow Meiko and Miki to Hiroshima. In fact, he's seldom seen wooing Meiko, and Meiko is the one who sends her story to the contest and *not* Satoshi.
* In the anime, a rather immature though cheerful and pretty girl named Suzu Sakuma tries to woo Yuu and have him for herself. In the manga, however, after meeting her in a New Years festival, Suzu tries to hook up Meiko with... Yuu. Due to a misunderstanding, Suzu thinks that Meiko has a crush on Yuu and decides to "help" her in her own scheming way, but she fails and has to give up on her matchmaking.
* Meiko and Natchan get married before Meiko's highschool graduation, and Meiko's friends are unable to go to the ceremony.
My reason to love you :: WHY?!
Again, this is a couple that I shouldn't support in theory. Romantic relationship between a teacher and a student are still a strong taboo in society, due to the possible power abuse issues that such coupling can potentially carry, so at first I wasn't too keen on the idea of Meiko pursuing her teacher...
But they won me over, for a rather simple reason... how *hard* they had to fight to make their love stronger. I know I wouldn't be able, were I in a simialr situation, to persevere like they did. While they do have lots of flaws and insecurity (specially Meiko, who due to her horrible family life is frailer than she lets others see), they gradually have to overcome them, if they still want to be together. Meiko must get over her self-confidence issues, and Namura must admit that he can't be all alone in the world; it's not easy, since Namura has to give up on a work that he really loves and Meiko faces her parents' rejection of her project on life. So, as their relationship unfurled, I was hooked in, felt real bad for *both* of them, and ended up shipping them LIEK WHOA.
I know other people don't really agree with me, and think that Satoshi should've won Meiko's love. Well, noble and worthy suitor as Satoshi was, he had one BIG flaw... his purpose wasn't as selfless as it seemed. He VERY seriously misjudged Namura by thinking he was a coward and not seeing anything that didn't fully suit him, letting his own inexperience and lack of knowledge (though it can't be fully blamed on him) cloud his judgement. On the other hand, Ryouko's involvement in the whole deal was much less selfish, since she thought more of Namura and Meiko's good than her own. This also explains why Satoshi didn't get another love intrest, while Ryouko did (by the end, she hooks up with Akira Mizutani, a friend of hers and the Kijimas); her happy ending may be seen as a sort-of prize for the inner pain she went through, while Satoshi's more bittersweet situation could be a slight punishment for thosee mistakes caused by his mixed intrests.
Dream in words, Connect with Love: Fanwork & Links
Unfortunately, this is one ship that is quite unpopular in the MB fandom. Not to mention that some Satoshi and Satoshi/Meiko fans (not *all* of them, thank God) can't forgive Namura-sensei for getting Meiko's love, therefore Namura is bashed by them in a regular basis. So, I'll just leave you with two rants written by me.
* In defense of Namura, posted at hated_character
* In defense of the Namura/Meiko couple, posted at hated_pairings
And here you have some links, too!
marmalade_boy :: The Marmalade Boy main comm at Livejournal.
mb_rating :: A MB rating comm. Find out which MB character is more like you, according to others!
The Marmalade Handbook. By far one of the best MB pages out there, even if the English there is a little rusty. :3 Got the pictures from there, too!
Forbidden Love. The Meiko x Natchan Fanlisting!