Our Favorite Things: Canon Couples

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and you know what that means: the one thing on our mind is our OTP.  Check out who’s who in the staff’s list of favorite canon couples.

Tell us about your favorite canon couples in the comments below!

Yuuki and Zero (Vampire Knight)

The first time I went really deep into OTP territory was when I started reading the Vampire Knight manga. Up until that point, I was mostly into Shonen manga, where the ass-whoopings take precedence over romance, or a couple of Shoujo manga that were either long-over or rather obscure. So, since Vampire Knight was ongoing at that time, it was anything but obscure and it encouraged shipping wars with its iconic love triangle, I went head first into it. And I was Team Zero all the way through.

I always loved the tragic beauty of Zero and Yuuki. As they struggled through the many changes and hardships they faced throughout the series, Zero and Yuuki kept each other human and hopeful. Their feelings for each other were so intense and painfully realistic, a stark contrast to Yuuki’s idealistic, untainted and childish feelings for Kaname. What she had with Zero was raw and painful and human. They grew up with each other, knowing each other deeply and learning the fears and flaws of the other, finding hope and support and understanding in each other’s company. Their relationship had many downs and they had to make plenty of sacrifices along the way, but I liked how, no matter what, their feelings were always there guiding them to each other all the way to the end when they finally gave themselves the chance  to love each other like they’d always meant to.

– Lorraine Acevedo Franqui, Staff Writer

Tyler Lockwood and Caroline Forbes (The Vampire Diaries)

I’m probably one of five people left who still watches The Vampire Diaries on the CW, but that aside, Tyler and Caroline were by far my favorite canon couple on the show. They were the perfect concoction of ‘asking for trouble’ and ‘meant to be’, with Tyler as a werewolf (later turned into a werewolf-vampire hybrid) and Caroline as a vampire.

It all started when Caroline set her sights on helping Tyler get used to his newfound werewolf-ism after he triggered the werewolf gene in his body; he’d be forced to shift during the next full moon and, as Caroline had already been a vampire for some time before Tyler became a werewolf, she wanted to lend a hand with regard to self control and staying calm.

From there, they grew close, and then closer, and then finally got together and started dating for a couple of seasons. I loved every minute of it: the trust, the bonding, the teasing, the blissful romance, the love. I’ll ship this to the very end, no questions about it.

– Gabby Taub, Fantasy Writer

Buffy and Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

I have an entire article explaining why I love and hate this relationship, but again I say that there is no one else better suited to be Buffy’s partner.  He was just as strong as her, had a protective streak a mile wide for her family, and accepted and respected her for what she was: the Slayer.  With all of their issues, they are still one of my favorite couples.

– Christina Casano, TV & Film Writer

Rose and the Tenth Doctor Duplicate (Doctor Who)

Though I gunned for Rose/Ten for so long, and despite my belief that they copped out by making Rose a photocopy of The Doctor, I love this couple so much that I can’t lie and say I’m not happy about it.  By taking all of space and time from her at the end of series 1, he regenerated into the Tenth Doctor.  He was born because of her and she was the first person he saw.  Even before he regenerated, he was starting to fall in love with her, and it became so very apparent that the Tenth Doctor was quite in love with her by the time the show gets to Doomsday.  By Journey’s End, with Tenth Doctor Duplicate staying in the alternate universe to love her forever, Rose finally gets a well-deserved happily ever after.

– Christina Casano, TV & Film Writer

Korra and Asami (The Legend of Korra)

I wasn’t a Korrasami shipper until the third season of The Legend of Korra, when the relationship between the two girls first started to become interesting.  When the series fast-forwarded three years at the start of Book Four, I was practically captaining the S. S. Korrasami.  Asami was the only person Korra kept up communication with when she set out on her self-exploring journey, and watching their relationship in Book Four was incredibly satisfying — so when they walked off into the Spirit World together at the end, I was incredibly happy.

– Feliza Casano, Editor

Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen (Adventure Time)

Okay, so this is creator-confirmed-canon as opposed to in-source canon, but it still counts! Fans really began shipping the two after the episode “What Was Missing”, when Marceline sings a song to Bubblegum called “I’m Just Your Problem”:

The moral at the end of the episode is basically that the group is all best friends and shouldn’t fight. However, the writers included one more little tidbit: revealing that Bubblegum’s most prized possession is an old t-shirt of Marceline’s, causing both parties to blush.

Technically even the confirmation of canon is unofficial. In an Adventure Time panel, Olivia Olson (voice of Marceline) mentioned a conversation between her and Pendleton Ward, the show’s writer and creator:

“…I wanted to pick Pen’s brain a little bit. And he says, ‘Oh, you know they dated, right?’… And I said, ‘Are they going to do it on the show at all, or can we say anything about it in the book?” And he’s like, ‘I don’t know about the book, but in some countries where the show airs, it’s sort of illegal.’ So that’s why they’re not putting it in the show.”  (Source)

While I would prefer to hear it straight from Pendleton Ward, or even better, to see it on the show itself, I doubt Cartoon Network is ready for that step in a show targeted at children. Maybe the statement made by Legend of Korra will compel the network to give it a try? We can dream.

– Amber Midgett, Young Adult Reviewer

Scott McCall and Kira Yukimura (Teen Wolf)

After Scott and Allison Argent’s relationship… uh, ‘ended,’… I and other fans were hyper-watchful of his interactions with the new student Kira. I was surprised – and happy – to find out very quickly that these two were so damn cute together. Equal parts awkward and sincere, Scott and Kira quickly vaulted to the top of my favorite Teen Wolf couples.

It helped too that it started out with Kira having an adorable crush on Scott – to the point where she apparently gushed about him to her dad, who refers to Scott as “that boy you like.”

They’re precious together, they really are. But it’s not just flowers and sunshine: they kick ass together, too. Scott’s a werewolf and Kira’s a kitsune (apparently I have a thing for inter-species romance), and together with their powers and skills they do some serious damage to the bad guys creeping around their town of Beacon Hills. What more could you ask for in a canon couple?

– Gabby Taub, Fantasy Writer

Fix-It Felix Jr. and Sergeant Calhoun (Wreck-It Ralph)

If you don’t love them, you’re just wrong.

When my partner and I saw Wreck-It Ralph in theatres and the pair first appeared on screen, I immediately leaned over and whispered, “Oh my god I ship it so hard.”

Felix Jr. is the good guy of Niceland, the town where Ralph is the villain. He is kind and polite to everyone he meets, even Ralph, and after Ralph disappears, Felix goes to find him to save their game.

Sergeant Calhoun, on the other hand, is the non-playable lead in a first-person scifi shooter game. She is “programmed with the most tragic backstory ever” that involves a fiancé eaten by a monster on her wedding day. This fact causes flashbacks and hesitancy to start a relationship with Felix, despite her initial draw to his heroism and positivity.

When they finally kiss and get married at the end of the movie, I may or may not have cheered (loudly) with several others in the theatre. They were such an unlikely pair, literally from two different worlds, but they were so different that I couldn’t help but root for their love throughout the storyline.

– Amber Midgett, Young Adult Reviewer

Monica and Chandler (Friends)

I was young when I first started watching FRIENDS, so some jokes completely flew over my head, as well as the value behind the ways this show forged the relationships amongst its characters. Now that the gods of Netflix have gifted us with all 10 seasons of the show, I am understanding way more than just Joey’s “All you want is a dinkle” song from the Freud musical from season 1 (you see, my Psychology degree was not entirely wasted); now I also understand why Monica and Chandler are one of the best couples I’ve ever seen on TV.

What makes Monica and Chandler special is that, by deconstructing every notion of a perfect, meant-to-be romantic relationship, they ended becoming a couple that was authentic and beautiful, a couple that fit together, not flawlessly but just right, because the pieces didn’t click into place immediately, but had to be lovingly accustomed to the shape of the other through hard work, care and love. They learned to love and respect each other, went from care to love naturally after years of friendship and of learning to accept every quirk and flaw in each other. What I love best about Monica and Chandler is that they are themselves with each other, and they appreciate each other in ways that go way beyond the romantic aspects. They were not meant to be, because love doesn’t really work like that. They fell in love with each other and made it work. Simple as that.

– Lorraine Acevedo Franqui, Staff Writer

Alexia Tarrabotti and Conall Maccon (Parasol Protectorate)

Since I’m pretty much a hardcore YA readers, most adult series slip under my radar. It was almost purely by chance that I encountered Soulless, the first novel in the quirky, paranormal/steampunk series The Parasol Protectorate. I don’t remember why, I exactly, I decided to give this novel a chance, but I am extremely happy I did, for it gave me one of my favorite OTPs ever: Alexia and Conall. From the very first moment these two shared a page, the chemistry between them sizzled off the page. Both in possession of strong personalities, their verbal confrontations were a veritable clash of titans, all of which imploded to even new heights when their animosity slowly turned towards the romantic. The story itself might’ve been rather simple, and the quirky, amusing writing style was engaging enough, but what launched this series into my favorites was the power behind these two characters and their relationship. They tried to deny their affections for each other, and when that failed, they braved this strange thing between them head on with unbridled passion and even some unexpected tenderness, even as they still denied that what they had was a lot deeper than what they made it out to be. It was really fun to watch the emotional and sexual relationship between these two develop and deepen throughout the series, to see how they grew together and as separate human beings and be consistently entertaining and engaging characters even as the series itself waned.

– Lorraine Acevedo Franqui, Staff Writer

Leslie and Ben (Parks and Recreation)

Leslie and Ben are the most beautifully written live-action TV couple of all time, and you cannot convince me otherwise.

When Adam Scott joined the cast of Parks & Rec in season 2, I knew that he would end up as the love interest (or at least I hoped so, because of how cute he is). What I did not expect was for their slow, thoughtful courtship to make me cry, laugh, and reminisce on early stages of love. I may or may not have bawled my way through their wedding.

I probably love their relationship because it’s easily relatable for me; with Leslie’s ambition and humor, and Ben’s rationality and nerdiness, the two were bound for an awkward adorable romance, which of course made me feel sappy and gross about my own fiancé.

Even greater than their love story, though, is how they are as a couple. Ben and Leslie are both intelligent, motivated professionals. Both take on major responsibilities, and both struggle sometimes, but more than anything they wholeheartedly support each other in every decision, every endeavor, every hardship and success. They are a realistic ideal, a love that every couple should notice and strive toward. I know I do.

– Amber Midgett, Young Adult Reviewer

Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride & Prejudice)

Of all couples ever, only one has made me the happiest and actually believe that love can last forever.  I don’t know if it’s because the book has existed in the public eye and has remained a favorite for 200 years or if I just really believe that they’ll love each other forever, but Elizabeth and Darcy are the best couple that go through some quality character developments and obstacles before coming together.

– Christina Casano, TV & Film Writer

Howl and Sophie (Howl’s Moving Castle)

Don’t get me wrong, Howl’s Moving Castle is my favorite Miyazaki film. However, the book is very different, and I love it just a little bit more, especially pertaining to Howl and Sophie’s love story.

Howl, known as a great and powerful wizard, is actually self-absorbed and a total drama queen. Even Diana Wynne Jones said that as much as she loved him, he was the last man she would ever want to marry. The best line that embodies his character is when Howl gets a cold and announces to the room, “I feel ill. I’m going to bed where I may die.”

Howl knows from the beginning that Sophie is under a curse to look like an old woman and attempts to lift it, but neither he nor Sophie realizes that she is unconsciously retaining the spell on herself. I especially admire that Sophie takes none of Howl’s bullshit. She ignores and refuses to pity him when he throws fits, and even cuts up his favorite suit to teach him a lesson once.

Howl’s apprentice claims that Howl will only truly be in love when he doesn’t bother making himself look beautiful to impress a girl. This proves to be true when Sophie is in danger near the end of the book and Howl arrives, unshaven and with his hair a mess, to save her.

Howl said, ‘I think we ought to live happily ever after,’ and she thought he meant it. If Sophie or Howl had any attention to spare, they might have noticed all the others trying to speak to them, but they were holding one another’s hands and smiling, quite unable to stop. ‘Don’t bother me now,’ said Howl.

– Amber Midgett, Young Adult Reviewer

Tohru and Kyo (Fruits Basket)

I was going to give this spot to Winry and Edward from Fullmetal Alchemist. Wait no. It was to Katsa and Po from Graceling, or was it Celana and Chaol from Throne of Glass ? Nope, to Karou and Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Wesley and Mack from The Archived, that’s it. Nah, definitely to Saya and Haji from Blood+, my first ship ever. Or Marko and Alana from Saga? It doesn’t matter, because while I am definitely using this space to cheat the system and unleash a torrent of my most beloved OTPs,  the point is that, while I love all of the above, I had to give it to Tohru and Kyo from Fruits Basket because no other couple has stolen my heart quite like these two.

Tohru and Kyo are a special brand of romance in shoujo manga, mostly because they never set out to actually love each other and it sort of happened along the way. When they first met, Kyo was a broken boy and Tohru a girl too naive for her own good, but they found each other, and an unlikely friendship blossomed between them that gave them the strength, support and understanding they both needed in their lives. They grew up so much because of each other, that by the time the story ended, it seemed natural for them to be together forever. It was such a beautiful and sweet love story, it definitely deserved a spot in my list.

– Lorraine Acevedo Franqui, Staff Writer

Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David (NCIS)

This one might seem a little weird and out of place, considering NCIS isn’t exactly a show hailed amongst geeks. It’s a procedural drama, but goddamn if this show didn’t have my OTP above all other OTPs: Tony and Ziva. And yes, after nearly eight drawn-out seasons, they finally became canon. For like, five minutes. But it still counts.

Eight seasons is the slowest burn of all slow burns, but it was totally worth it. Tony’s a wisecracking, movie-loving, slightly immature but well-meaning guy and Ziva’s a funny, deadly, intelligent and overall warm-hearted woman. Together they bicker, they tease each other, they get on each other’s nerves…but they also protect and respect each other above all else.

I can’t even begin to think of a favorite moment from these two. Do I talk about when Tony, after terrorists in Somalia captured him and coworker McGee while trying to save Ziva, told her he “couldn’t live without [you], I guess”? Do I talk about when Ziva confided in the group that she always went to the opera on her deceased sister Tali’s birthday, but when tickets were sold out Tony set up a speaker system in the office to play the opera so Ziva could close her eyes and pretend she was there with her sister? Do I talk about—

Ah crap, I’m running out of word space. Tony and Ziva win everything. The end.

– Gabby Taub, Fantasy Writer