Anime Character Challenge [ Day Eleven & Twelve]

I'm going to flip the days because I want to end the post on a positive note, not a negative one.

Day Eleven: Least Favorite pairing. 

Let's face it. In anime there are some pairings that are just not that great. But since I only tend to watch anime with good relationships, this is tricky. Obviously I hate it when fans pair friends together - 'cause no. Especially since friendships in anime usually consists of two girls or two boys. *Sighs* However, if I'm stick to actual canon pairings, than I think my least favorite would be Zuko and Mai.

"I don't hate you." - "I don't hate you too."

I don't have anything against Zuko and Mai. I think they're a good ship. She makes him smile. She makes him happy. That's all that really matters, right? I like Zuko and Mai! I will say though, that they're relationship didn't have enough screen-time to build or flesh itself out. I know Mai liked Zuko even when they were little,  but the whole arc with their story seemed a bit underdeveloped for me. For a while I really hated Zuko with Mai because I felt that she was holding him back, or that she was a bad influence on him. I also thought that Mai only liked Zuko because he was a prince. I mean, where the heck had she been when he got banished? It wasn't like she was there for him! *SPOILERS* And where does she get off, coming back into his life only after he was accepted back home?? *END SPOILERS* Ehem. As I saw more of their scenes together I realized that Mai really did love Zuko, and he actually helped her be a better person too - but I still would have liked Zuko to end up with someone a little less surly. Someone who would make him laugh a lot, someone who was a little more of a balance when it came to his serious attitude. Someone like that cute girl that took Zuko to see the lights.

So yeah. Zuko and Mai are my least favorite pairing, but I still like them. They were cute, in their own weird way. They just wish they'd had a little more growth and depth.

Day Twelve: Favorite pairing:

Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye.

"I can't afford to lose you."

I love ships that start out simple. "Oh, so they're co-workers. Oh wow, they make a really great team. Holy crap, they have a long history together. Oh my gosh, they've helped each other through so many rough spots. Oh my gosh, they're so close. Oh my gosh, they can't loose each other. Oh myyyYYY GOSH, THEY LOVE EACH OTHER.

What I really appreciated about Roy and Riza is that their love story is the sort that sneaks up on you. And it's this strong, loyal type of love that you don't see too often. It's the type of love that has it's bases on a long, fierce friendship which built itself into love. Quietly, without either party realizing it. Roy and Riza served in the army together, they went to war together, and they schemed to keep their country safe together. They are each other's support and moral compass. They keep each other standing when life gets hard. They help each other be the best that they can be. They keep one another on the right path.

"There's someone I have to protect."

Roy and Riza are a beautiful pairing. Even if you don't see them as a couple, their friendship alone is amazing to watch. They are so protective of each other. It's adorable 8-). And Riza is one of the few people who can get a laugh out of Roy every now and then. They're perfect. They're canon. And I love them.

Fifteen-Day Anime Character Challenge

Hi y'all! Happy First Sunday of Advent!!!!

I've done some thinking and I decided that I am going to do the Fifteen-Day Character Challenge!!! I originally was going to do animated movies/TV shows/Cartoons, but I've decided to challenge myself even farther and do just anime!!! (Including Avatar;TLA because I count that one as I sort of anime.) If this challenge goes over well, maybe I'll do one for musicals next month, or in February! Anyone can join in this challenge, and you can take your pick between caroons, animated shows, and the like.

DAY ONE! The First Character you absolutely loved.

It's a toss up between Sokka and Zuko. But if I go by the very first character which made me go, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!," It's Zuko.

Oh my goooooosh! Talk about a solid, complex, beautiful character! Zuko was pretty much the embodiment of conflicted antagonist. Even in season one when he was actively hunting down the Avatar - sweet, lil' Aang -  I never hated Zuko.  He just seemed like someone who was doing what he believed had to be done. 

Prince Zuko

Zuko is one of those characters that is fantastic, because he is sympathetic, but he is never painted as being in the right when he is making bad choices. Which he does quite a bit. He's ridiculous, and he makes stupid mistakes, and half the time your yelling at him because ZUKO YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER! But he also has a big heart, and an incredible strength of character. He fails over and over. He does the wrong thing. Makes a bad decision. But he always gets up. When things are at there hardest, he doesn't give up. He may fumble - a lot - but in the end he does what he believes to be right. I love that about Zuko. 

Have any of you seen Avatar:TLA? Do you have a favorite animated character - anime or otherwise? 

*swings around cape and leaps off stage*

Bella