8:08 p.m. - Thursday, May. 14, 2009
Ran Mouri V.S. Ai Haibara!!!! (Detective Conan dispute)
*ATTENTION-IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE ALL YOU CAN WATCH DETECTIVE CONAN BUFFET, GO TO OLDER ENTRIES ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SCREEN*
Hello everyone! I finally am done with college finals, and let me tell YOU it was not easy! I was stressed all week studying for them. But all was well. So I'm back on my game with my constant reviews and anime updates.
Well, I have watched many animes that I'm going to review soon. In many anime message boards there are always debates. Debates about what happens in the story, who dies and who lives, what world are they going to next, that sort of thing. And we can't forget the relationship debates. Most message boards always have those polls to decide who looks better with who in the particular anime. Trust me. I have been swept into them myself. That is why it is the most important thing I look for in an anime because the romance shapes many opinions about an anime before the story actually comes into part. And if an anime doesn't have a cute romance or no romance at all, it is usually regarded as boring or too intense. But that is a rare case (XXHolic??). It has to have relationships.
But out of all of the anime debates over relationships, none have been as intense and forceful as the debate between Ran Mouri and Ai Haibara from the Detective Conan series. They are so EQUALLY DIVIDED, that either has the power to shape what the writer is going to do next. I mean, I have said that someone looks good with Ai or Ran, and people have blown up into huge civil wars, with citations from the manga (like the volume and file number page number etc!) to prove their point, and anime, movie, ova, and live action examples included! Should I mention how long DC is?....That also plays a part on the way the debates go. People have loyalties for years, and some people have so much proof...So I've taken this time to examine the two candidates for fair Shinichi's heart, some arguments about them, and the possible resolve. Ready? Lets Begin! (Ding, Ding!)
The Characters
First off, Shinichi Kudou, who takes the alias of Conan Edogawa, is a smart high school detective who is shrunk by a drug called Apotxin-4869, thanks to a crime syndicate called the Black Organization (BO). He's cool, he's smart for his age, often rude and arrogant, and charming and handsome. He is popular, especially with the girls (he has others...). He's the best detective in the area he lives in and has an impeccable record. He is the main character and the reason this debate began. Ran Mouri is his childhood friend, whose father is a worthless detective who gets shown up by Shinichi all the time. As Conan, Shinichi lives with them. She secretly (well, not anymore, its pretty obvious) loves Shinichi. There is some evidence he returns the feelings. But neither have had the time or opportunity to tell the other, and Conan kept his identity a secret from her to protect her. Ai Haibara is a refugee from the Black Organization and, get this, she INVENTED the drug that shrunk Shinichi. She also took the drug, shrunk, and took on the alias Ai Haibara. Her codename in the org was Sherry (they have drinks as their names) and her real name is Shiho Miyano (which means eternal beauty and youth or something of that nature). Her feelings are not as open, as she and Conan got off on the wrong foot at first, but they grew to understand one another, trust each other, and become good friends. She enrolled in his school and they are both a part of the Detective Boys. They are both trying to bring down the org. Ai is currently staying with Conan's friend, real neighbor, and inventor, Agasa. She is a year older. The thing is, Ran is the original main "girl" and was so for years since 1994, the first episode. It was evident that he would end up with her, and there were no obstacles standing in their way. Then Ai came in the newer century, possibly to represent a new generation. She came into the picture, really as an extra. But I don't think Goshyo expected her popularity to rise so high, that the fan base was almost half the size of Ran's! And now, which is evident by the opening, she has risen from "extra" to another main girl in Conan/Shinichi's world. She has achieved the same amount of fanbase it took Ran several years to achieve, due impart to her importance to the story. However, Ran still seems to get all of the lovey-dovey moments with Shinichi, something Ai has yet to achieve. But all is not in vain. We'll see...
Conflict
See, the conflict began when Haibara arrived, with her straightforward, sarcastic, and charming personality. She has the stoniness of a BO member, and yet the charm of a little girl. She really knows how to get to Conan in a way no other girl has achieved, and is in the same situation he is in. So many fans began to turn the cheek and side with this new girl. Also, the new generation of viewers did not have the same feelings that "old-timers" did for Ran. Ran was the "only" girl for Shinichi, the victorious childhood friend, who would wait until he returned "home" and would confess his feelings to her. Unexpectedly, Haibara interfered with that plan or course of action. Fans got tired of Ran crying and waiting for Shinichi and wanted to see something more interesting. But there are still plenty of loyal Ran fans out there, who feel that it started that way, and it's going to finish that way. "Interference won't break them apart. Their love is too strong," they conclude. Ran had a softness that is admired. This conflict began as a debate about who would end up with Shinichi/Conan, considering the fact that Ran has only been seen with the little "Shinichi" and older Shinichi in episodes, and Ai has been seen with Conan and soon to be the older "Conan" (Ova9). But as heated words flew back and forth, it's become a war about which girl is better in general! The challenge is the characters themselves, and why they look good with Shinichi/Conan.
Ran Mouri
Ahhh, Ran Mouri. The childhood friend and the supposed "love interest" of Shinichi Kudou. It is a sweet, and lovey-dovey type of relationship. Everytime they meet back up, it is dramatic. He and Ran have known each other a long time. Ran is crying in his arms and he's smiling in her face. It's just SOOOOO romantic, right? Well, according to anti-Ran fans, it's cheesy and happens in every episode with Ran to the point it's TOO sweet.
*Good Qualities-She's kind, caring, sweet, and optomistic about life. She's pretty, but not all the way prissy. She can FIGHT. She knows Karate and is the champion at her school. She's motherly, and takes care of her father and the home, considering she is the woman of the house. She is strong and her heart reaches out to all people. She doesn't like unfaithful men. Fans have said that she is nice and the type of girl who tries to stay strong. They conclude she is faithful, loyal, and courageous. She has a strong sense of justice.
*Bad Qualities-She's very clingy, a crybaby, and sensitive. She is not the brightest intellectually, and can somewhat be thought of as naive, if you will. She's always crying! Many anti-Ran fans have concluded that she is forceful in her demands, always in the way of cases, and unimportant to the story.
*Arguments about why she looks good with Shinichi-The best argument would be because she looks to Shinichi as someone to look up to. She admires him, and finds his strength attractive. Because she lacks his bold and confident attitude, she admires him for it and often looks to him to help her be confident. But also, because she has been the main girl for so long, it would be a waste to get rid of those lovey dovey episodes and files, including Desperate Revival Chapters, which there are plenty of others. Also, Shinichi is used to selfish people in the streets. Ran has a quality that is rare among people, and he likes that. Ran was apparently his first love, and the one that is in serious and clingy love with him. She has also been waiting for over 500 episodes for him to return (:o). So it would also be sad for her to wait for nothing. Many feel they were cute as children, and sweet as adults.
Arguments about why she doesn't belong with Shinichi-Many anti-Ran fans feel that she isn't ready for a detective. She is the type that needs affection and male attention, which Shinichi puts cases over her feelings religiously. They say she is too sensitive for him. They also feel she holds him back from being a detective and she demands too much from a high school boy. Some say she has nothing in common with Shinichi. His intellect is far beyond hers, and they can't relate to too much. Some say their relationship is going dry because nothing interesting has happened between them. It's sitting there...so many say it's time to move on. Also, from an astrological standpoint, Shinichi's ruling planet is Venus (Taurus) and Uranus, Ran's ruling planets are Venus (Libra) and Moon. The Uranus of Shinichi needs a looong leash and don't do well with clingy people. The Moon is clingy, and the Libra is always looking for "Mr. Right." They are not very compatible. Many feel they won't last beyond the series.
My opinion-ummmmmmmm....well, I used to think of Ran as just a girl made for Shinichi. When I first saw Case Closed, I forgot she existed. I never really cared if she ended up with Shinichi. But as time progressed, I have to admit that I got bored with Ran and Shinichi and got annoyed with her crying in general. She seemed weak to me. When she's with the older Shinichi, she looks okay, but it's just not interesting anymore after 500 episodes of it and over 60 volumes. She reminded me of Ayumi as a child, so...(someone else who is in love with Conan). Thats my spin. I feel she is too sensitive for Shinichi, and I feel she would just end up hurt. They have nothing in common. And yet, I know that that's the path Goshyo wants to head for. I know that they will end up together, though I feel it will not last in a marriage relationship because Ran can't contribute much to Shinichi's business as a detective. I don't really think she likes cases, especially considering it kept her away from Shinichi for so long. But she didn't like it from the beginning because thats all he talked about. I don't feel she will last long. Childhood relationships are so high school because ppl change from when they're children. Plus, high school girls always live in romantic fantasies. She expects to much love from a 17 year old boy. Yes, he's mature, but has a lifetime to choose the right lover for him.
Ai Haibara/Shiho Miyano/Sherry
Haibara, yes, Haibara, is an ex-org member, who starts off a little shaky with Conan considering she invented the Apotxin-4869 that shrunk him. They don't seem to be balanced also considering he did not protect her sister. But eventually, their relationship changed as they grew to understand each other, and now they have mutual respect for each other and are good friends. There is even evidence that Haibara may have feelings for Conan, but not clear if he has feelings for her. Their relationship is one of sarcasm, laughter, teasing, and occasional flirting. They often do get serious, and are in a world of their own, especially intellectually. But according to anti-Ai fans, she is cold and mean to Conan, and just not romantic at all.
*Good Qualities-She is strong, independent, and has a pleasant personality. She is charming and just so darn cute as a little girl. She was also an org member, so she has super good instincts (she can sense a BO member from a mile away) and can handle a gun. She also matches Conan intellectually. She was the top scientist in the BO and knows a lot about the world. She has lived in America, so she's bi-lingual (possibly multi-lingual), and well educated as she likes to read. She is cool, collected, sure of herself, wise, and sensible. She is also a bit of a mystery. Some Haibara fans will tell you she is funny, cute, and emo. She's not your average anime girl. She has a backbone. She is very tough-skinned. Not much can phase her! She is teasing.
*Bad Qualities-She is often cold, says mean things, can be harsh, and often dampens the mood. She is moody as well, and acts "booshie" or uppity or puts on airs. Some anti-Ai fans say she is a snob, stuck-up, a loner, arrogant, and is annoyed easily. They also claim she is a "boyfriend stealer." Which can be interpreted in anyway if u take her silence as jealousy.
Fans' Arguments about why she does look good with Conan-The first, and biggest argument is that they just have so much in common. They match each other intellectually, and understand each other in a way no one else does. They are both a part of the Detective Boys, and have the deducing skills to be successful. They can possibly contribute to each other in the future. They are also said to be partners, and they have a lot of chemistry. They also are a more interesting couple considering their relationship has gotten stronger over time. Their relationship also seems to be secretive as there are some unexpressed feelings that even the audience can't decipher, and shows the special relationship they have. Also, fans feel Conan should have a girlfriend who is actually important to the series.
Fans' Arguments About why they don't look good together-Many anti-Ai fans claim that she is too cold for Conan's taste and he only likes Ran. They don't feel that it is necessary to think about a relationship that's never going to happen. Ran has been the girl for years, and Haibara is just trying to interfere. Many people also feel that Haibara looks better with Mitsuhiko than Conan because of a certain episode...Furthermore, many people they look better as a partnership and that a romantic relationship would make them seem awkward. Also, some people argue that Haibara is too tough for romance and love.
My Opinion-well...I feel Haibara has been through a lot, and did not know what love was until she met Conan. Any kind of love, whether it be romantic or Agape. I feel that was the first male that she ever truly cared for and the first to care about her in any way. At first, I was like, "who is this girl?" I was sort of mad that someone else shrunk down to size like Conan because it's what made him unique. I also thought she was a rival detective girl at first. But when I got to know her, understand her, and see how cool she was, she became my favorite DC character! I really do feel she and Conan have chemistry. I have not seen her and him older yet, but that is coming up soon, so we'll see. I feel Conan should be with someone who can keep up with him and help him in the future. Haibara will be helping with his detective work if they ever got married. It would work out financially, and in all other ways, in responsibility. Haibara is not a co-dependent woman and neither is Conan/shinichi a co-dependent man. They can keep up with each other and be by each other's side, like a permanent partnership. Marriage is different from love. It is responsibility and a lot of other underlying things. I feel she is best suited for him after high school and for a full-time relationship. Plus, I just think she is realistic of females as a character. Then again she's American. I think she's the coolest female in the anime. And think about how cool a relationship it will be? A man of righteousness as a detective learns to understand an ex-criminal who is on the run and learning not to run away but stand by good. How cool is that? While he may not love her now, I feel feelings can change. I also feel that though they may never be, they still LOOK good together, even if he doesn't love her in that way.
Resolution So what is the solution? We all know that Ran will get her perfect princess ending, but what about Haibara? And although the Ran fanbase is many, the Haibara fan base is enough to protest anything but win-win for both or none of the girls. One fan offered that Haibara confesses leaving Shinichi confused when he turns back and him blushing when he sees her concluding the show and leaving the imagination open. Someone suggested that Shinichi dies. Some say everyone should die. My suggestion is no mushy stuff at the end, they should all just be friends. But some Ran fans are going to be angry if there is no kissing scene. I can live without it, but somehow it seems there is no way to resolve this. Someone is going to have to be disappointed. It's sad that it might be Haibara. Though this is common in Goshyo's work, I have not felt such sorrow at seeing the "empty second girl" lose as much as I have now. This war will go down in history as the biggest love triangle in the history animes. When the anime awards comes up, this will create a place for itself. I just hope the end is satisfying for everyone.
The real person in trouble here is Shinichi. He has to make the final choice! He has too many girls....so animejournal readers, who do you think is better
Ai Haibara OR
Ran Mouri ~Over and Out~
