Skip Beat: Shou/Kyouko - Why Ship Them Together

[namistai8]

Because I like intelligent discussion, and because being in a minority in the fandom, I feel compelled to make a case, even though I shouldn't have to explain why I like a particular pairing. Preferences are that, they are personal, biased, and altogether sometimes out of the realm of what is rational or logical

Comments

[anenko]

Oh, and if you're a Shou/Kyouko shipper, let me know I'm not the only one!

I wouldn't call myself a 'shipper, but I do adore their relationship dynamics.

Sho and Kyoko are closer to being on equal footing, as well. I like Ren/Kyoko, but he's obviously the more powerful figure in that relationship. I love a strong (crazy?) Kyoko too much to be entirely comfortable with that.

[namistai8]

Ditto.

And really, Kyoko's demons rock the house. They make the series in my opinion, and one of the reasons it's not a typical shoujo manga.

[kalamitykat]

I seriously love this Shou/Kyouko manifesto. You should post it to ship_manifestoThat said, as much as I love Skip Beat!, I have to say I am still torn about my favourite pairing. I admit I'll be disappointed if Ren and Kyouko don't end up together, but I won't be crushed by any means. Shou has come a long way from the bastard he once was, and to be quite honest, it was partly Kyouko's own fault for not seeing him for who he really was. I say partly because, if we take her background and the lack of affection in her life into consideration, it's not that surprising she would give up everything for him and not expect anything in return, but still, the level of her obsession was too unhealthy, especially since he treated her like dirt most of the time

[namistai8]

Even though she knows he isn't perfect, Kyouko lives in perpetual fear of losing Ren's approval. That's not healthy either.

My gut feeling is that she will end up with Ren, but I'm holding out for Ren/Shou.

[kalamitykat]

I think it's understandable that she's afraid of losing his approval. She looks up to him, and where his acting skills and his work are concerned he really is the best. What she doesn't know is that half of the time when he's disapproving of her that has nothing to do with acting but rather with jealousy, though, and that part of their relationship is unhealthy, I agree. But I think that's just one of the many issues they'll have to work out before they can be a couple.

Ren/Shou? As in, the final showdown between them? I agree, that will be interesting to see. Overall I am extremely interested in how Kyouko matures overall, as a person, and realises that she's actually the one who can choose, and not Ren and Shou, who seem to be playing tug-a-war with her.

[selenity136]

I'm also a Sho/Kyoko shipper as well! Even a Ren/Kyoko shipper---so it will be really hard to see whom Kyoko will end up with because either way, one of them will get hurt. But I agreed with your analysis in everything.

[namistai8]

Thanks! :D

[parsnip_chan]

I don't really have time to expound right now, but I do have to say thank you for making me think about the Sho/Kyoko relationship dynamics. I'll admit that the reason I never thought their relationship was never really going to go anywhere in terms as a couple is because I see their relationship as more brother/sister like because my own brother bickers and gets into arguments and picks on me much as Sho does although granted, at a much younger age than they are currently

[namistai8]

I did think about the brother/sister relationship, but I think it isn't that simple because both Kyouko and Shou are aware now that Shou's parents raised Kyouko to be Shou's bride. Given that expectation, you can't have a normal brother/sister relationship ---- even if the dynamics are more fraternal than romantic.

I find part of the reason that Kyouko is unnerved by the possibility of Ren loving her is that she doesn't feel herself worthy of being loved, period.

Which is something she will also have to deal with before she gets into a relationship with anyone else.

[elraine]

Just to support this first point, I recall a scene during the music video arc when the two were bickering in front of a few other characters. They both denied getting along well and the thoughts of the characters was that no matter how you looked at it, their bickering seemed more that of a couple and that they both looked happy while arguing. Though it could be argued that the framing of it was that we'd KNOW they were misguided because Kyoko and Shou hate each other etc. the more important point was that Kyoko and Shou were denying how important they once were and still are to each other and that those feelings do persist.

[jetamors]

I am a Kyoko/Sho shipper! I actually don't want it to happen in canon (unless it's a temporary thing), but it's something I would like to see more fanfic for.

I think what really made me start shipping them was the music video arc. Even with Sho's douchebaggery and Kyoko's completely justifiable rage, underneath it all it was plain that they still care about each other. I mean, they grew up together. They probably know each other better than anyone else. I also love how post-series Kyoko is completely unafraid of calling Sho out on his stupidity. As aneko mentioned, they're on more of an equal footing (and more and more so as Kyoko builds a life outside of him), and that's something that I really like in a pairing.

And btw, I second the idea of adapting this for ship_manifesto.

[namistai8]

For me, it was when Shou started laughing and thought about how much he used to laugh. Someone that helps you see the humor in things in life is essential, I think, in a long term partner.

The fangirl in me wants to see a Shou/Ren showdown!