Line #84 HoYay/Gundam


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cca_cinema_book.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:"Don't interfere in a duel between two men!"]]
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4	-> ''"I thought it would be good if, maybe, I could highlight the sensuous elements… to the point that you’d think, “Could Char and Amuro be gay?” To me, fiction writing is, more than anything… like I just said, about conveying that sensuality, having the audience pick up on it…if they can’t, it’s no good."''
5	--> Series creator Yoshiyuki Tomino [[https://www.gwern.net/docs/anime/1993-anno-charscounterattackfanclubbook-khodazattranslation.pdf on Char's Counterattack]]
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7	HoYay seems to be par for the course for Creator/{{Sunrise}}-produced mecha anime...''especially'' its biggest franchise, ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}''.
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12	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'':
13	** Provides more than enough subtext between Char Aznable and Garma Zabi to have kept fans happy for more than forty years.
14	*** The original series includes a one-sided ShowerScene with a bit of coy banter; Char putting his hand on Garma while Garma's eyes glaze over, which is ''very'' similar to the look Lalah gives Char later on as he does the same thing to her; and Char [[spoiler:[[InsaneTrollLogic killing Kycilia so she could keep Garma company in heaven]]]], after stating sometime shortly before that he wasn't after revenge on the Zabis anymore.
15	*** The "Daily Life of Char" {{Omake}} comics in ''Gundam Ace'' magazine, while tongue-in-cheek, show that Char's biggest regret of all is what he did to Garma.
16	*** This isn't even touching on the alternate-retelling ''[[Manga/MobileSuitGundamTheOrigin Gundam: The Origin]]'', which has WholeEpisodeFlashback scenes between the two such as [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments Char putting a blanket on Garma in the middle of the night when he's fast asleep on his desk]]. Or climbing all the way down a muddy path in the rain to pitch a tent for him until he was able to move. Does one even need to mention the scene where Char grabs a hold of Garma's hands to calm him down before they go into battle, following by an intense stare between them and sweat collecting on Garma's face?
17	*** And in ''Wing'', the resident Char Aznable {{Expy}} is paired with a very believable ([[RuleSixtyThree female]]) ''Garma'' clone, of all people.
18	** In an inverse of Char and Garma, secretive and troubled Sayla Mass quickly forms a ''genuinely'' strong friendship with smart and even-tempered Mirai Yashima in the same series; relaxing together in the BeachEpisode, valiantly trying to guide Mirai through her difficult stint as temporary captain, including a sympathetic hand touch, and even later happily resting against her on the bridge floor, in one of the TV show's most adorable scenes.
19	*** In the ''Origin''-continuity movie ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamCucuruzDoansIsland Cucuruz Doan's Island]]'', there's a scene where Sayla leaves the bridge without telling anybody she's off to pilot a Core Booster. Mirai asks her what she's doing. Sayla just winks at her, still saying nothing. Mirai doesn't ask anything else, just winks back.
20	* ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam0083StardustMemory Gundam 0083]]'' features an episode where Federation pilot Kou Uraki helps former Zeon pilot Kelly Layzner fix a mobile armor in a display of soldierly bonding and camaraderie. Complete with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D77LD-XGpU a romantic ballad playing in the background]].
21	* In ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam'', which goes into great lengths about gender and the troubles of relationships between women and men:
22	** Given that protagonist Kamille Bidan can be seen as Char's ReplacementGoldfish for Lalah and new MoralityChain with a senpai/kohai relationship and a dash of Garma's PrettyBoy looks thrown in, it's not surprising that he's the one frequently brought up as having been closest to Char and having moved him the most, as well as Kamille/Quattro being a very popular ship in Japan, despite the age gap, Kamille's violent disgust with some of Char's conduct, and the unhealthy behavior characteristic of all Char's relationships.
23	** Char and Amuro's reunion scene always had character drama to it, but the first Zeta compilation movie ups this: one of the changes (as opposed to reanimation for cosmetics' sake) is a retcon of the Hyaku Shiki's control scheme to look more phallic. The closeup of [[https://youtu.be/ReCqIymqV9A?t=91 Char gripping his joystick]] as he calls Amuro's name is the kind of visual normally kept to the hyper-sexual Chara Soon.
24	** Amuro also has a sudden DestructiveRomance with Beltorchika Irma, who can easily be viewed as very little other than Char's GenderFlip. When Char remarks how Amuro is back to the one he used to know, Amuro [[DeadpanSnarker responds that Char is the one who changed him]].
25	** Quattro says he'll take half an hour to prepare for a particular battle, to Wong's chagrin. Said "preparation" consists of Quattro taking advantage of Reccoa's feelings for him to convince her to pilot beside him in a vulnerable position. Him leaving fifteen minutes earlier than he evidently planned indicates that he's only as intimate as he needs to be with a woman. It even calls into question how sincere his relationship is with anyone, especially his battle partners.
26	** Emma always politely dodges Henken's flirtations, is shown to be disinterested in marriage, having children or even seeing others date. After Reccoa delivers her a gift from Henken, Emma has no idea what to do with it and Reccoa winks at her as she parts.
27	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ'' starts off with a very memorable PassingTheTorch Newtype scene between Kamille and new protagonist Judau Ashta, who are also a fairly popular Japanese ship.
28	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack'' has much of this between Char and Amuro, considering they are both established to be in relationships with female companions they don't really love; partly because they're so focused on destroying each other, mainly because Char continues to be TheSociopath and a ManipulativeBastard who has now apparently suffered a severe SanitySlippage.
29	** Despite that, they have a scene rolling around in the grass while manhandling and trying to kill each other, after Char earlier taunted Amuro in-absentia that Amuro wouldn't be able to avoid finding him.
30	** The movie’s promotional/tie-in material like the cinema book cover (pictured above) and the album art for the image song depict Char and Amuro next to each-other while topless.
31	** In the movie’s alternate proposed script, released in various forms as “Beltorchika’s Children”, Char’s final mobile suit is named Nightingale, which as the text reminds the reader, symbolizes both imminent death as well as romantic love. Also in the same treatment, instead of overtly criticizing Nanai/Mesta’s well-wishes, Rezin calls her “babe” in a tongue-in-cheek way.
32	** It could be coincidence, but Rezin Schnyder’s given name is spelled/pronounced similar to the Japanese abbreviation of lesbian.
33	* In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'' it's all but stated that Angelo Sauper is in love with Full Frontal.
34	** Riddhe's attitude towards Banagher. It peaks in Episode 7, especially where his desperate reaction when Banagher is trapped in a Newtype coma verges on IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy.
35	** More generally, the seventh episode is titled "Over the Rainbow".
36	* ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'' was bound to have this, given just how ''[[HotBlooded passionate]]'' everyone is. But the most prominent example has to be between Domon Kasshu and Chibodee Crockett. Not only does the Narrator continually refer to them as destined rivals, Schwarz Bruder practically matchmakes them (to improve their fighting, of course) in Guyana. And in their final battle, Domon and Chibodee actually say things like "I can feel your dream" while Master Asia says that "Chibodee has lit a fire in Domon's soul!" Clearly, they are madly in love [[ObliviousToLove and too dense to realize it]].
37	* ''Anime/GundamWing'' managed to attain a ''massive'' PeripheryDemographic of YaoiFangirls due to the chemistry between its CastFullOfPrettyBoys, particularly the five leads.
38	** The most common pairings are Heero/Duo, Trowa/Quatre, and (formerly) Wufei/Treize or Treize/Zechs. In most circles of the internet circa the late 90's and early 2000's, these were essentially fanon, no matter how much basis they had in the anime.
39	*** Today things like Duo/Wufei and Trowa/Duo are also easily found, with Duo Maxwell being the LauncherOfAThousandShips.
40	** While many of the popular fan pairings don't really bear out plotwise, there's some argument toward 3x4. For one thing, while each pilot has their female counterpart, Trowa's is Catherine, who was [[spoiler:eventually proven in ''Frozen Teardrop'' to be his sister]] (and in-series, she always saw him as her brother), and Quatre's is Dorothy, whom he only has a conversation with once and upon that [[spoiler:is stabbed]]. They're also the first Gundam pilots to truly cooperate, and quickly have a [[LetsDuet musical duet out of nowhere]]. For another, they have an ongoing emotional plotline after Quatre's grief midseries causes major consequences.
41	** The whole character arc between ''Heero'' and Quatre starting from Wing Zero takes an entire quarter of the show focusing on the two of them, mostly alone together or hiding as the only male students in a boarding school, among other things, yet is surprisingly overlooked by the fanbase. To say nothing of Quatre later [[TheEmpath claiming]] Heero is his much-loved and mysterious "soul of the universe".
42	** While it's no longer popular, there's a fairly substantial argument for Treize and Zechs, with Treize as Zechs's SecretKeeper since childhood. Treize also enjoys teasing him. They also prove to be ''incredibly'' loyal and cooperative {{Best Friend}}s.
43	** Wufei is quite obsessed with Treize, to TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou levels. Treize views him as a Supremely WorthyOpponent.
44	** Relena and Dorothy do seem attracted to each other, despite Relena being a ActualPacifist while Dorothy is a RichBitch who thinks WarIsGlorious.
45	** Noin and Sally also team up and trust one another instantly, then proceed to kick copious amounts of ass.
46	** In the ''Blind Target'' manga, you have Relena and her assistant Chris. The way they constantly keep holding hands...
47	* Toniya and Ennil El in ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]''. Toniya is the comm officer of the heroes' ship while Ennil has a serious grudge against them thanks to Garrod misunderstanding her romantic come-on and pulling a gun[[note]]to be fair, she did sneak into his room at night after they'd struck an extremely risky deal that someone already tried to kill him over[[/note]] but they meet without knowing who they other is. Ennil gifts Toniya a dress that Toniya had been admiring, and Toniya wears it to a "date" with Ennil that becomes a very heartfelt conversation (that admittedly includes a discussion of their prospective men). Toniya becomes the catalyst for Ennil's HeelFaceTurn; after Ennil betrays the crew, she tries to ensure Toniya's safety as part of the deal. In the GrandFinale, they wind up ditching their new boyfriends for being too slow and drive off together.
48	* In ''Anime/TurnAGundam'', the protagonist Loran Cehack is also WholesomeCrossdresser "Laura Rolla", garnering much attention and even a proposal from a rich man, who is perfectly aware he's a boy.
49	* ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeed Gundam SEED]]'': You know what...let's just say Kira and Athrun are '''really''' upset about having to fight each other...
50	** [[spoiler:Dearka and Yzak too.]] The anime seems to support this pairing. In episode 44, [[spoiler:Dearka and Yzak]] see each other again for the first time in a while and [[spoiler:Yzak's]] reaction to seeing [[spoiler:Dearka]] with the Strike makes it sound like they were cheating on each other. Additionally, in opening sequences Kira appears on screen with Lacus and Athrun appears on screen with Cagalli. [[spoiler:Dearka and Yzak]] almost always appear on screen together in the openings.
51	** The tendency of male characters to [[ILetGwenStacyDie die tragically]] and serve as another male character's motive for fighting/villainy smacks of HoYay. [[spoiler: Nicol and Athrun are an especially strong (and [[TearJerker tearjerking]]) example of this trope]].
52	** By way of DubPersonalityChange, when Patrick Zala phones the [[{{Hunk}} hunky]] Rau Le Creuset (who's already rolled out of bed onto the floor), Rau's response in Japanese is unremarkably polite and what would be expected from a subordinate to a superior. In English, however, Creator/MarkOliver picks up the phone with a devastatingly {{Camp}} ''"Why hello there, Your Excellency..."'' which... really makes it sound like Patrick wants to have that proposed secret late-night meeting with him for something else.[[note]] In Japanese, the fact Patrick uses the unthreatening ''kimi'' with Rau while he can only manage the harsher ''omae'' with Athrun means it's not entirely a case of one language or the other.[[/note]]
53	** Siegel Clyne and Patrick are/[[WeUsedToBeFriends were]] {{Best Friend}}s and political partners for Coordinator autonomy for a couple of decades. There's nothing in canon saying Siegel ever married, and Patrick chose to send his wife and son away to the Moon for several years, while remaining in PLANT, close to Siegel. Despite their fathers being best friends, their children Lacus and Athrun had never met before the age of 14![[note]] If you picture Siegel as TheMistress as well as TheConfidant, it gets a lot less confusing... [[spoiler:and makes Patrick's decision to murder him later even sadder]][[/note]].
54	* ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny Gundam SEED Destiny]]'' has Rey and Shinn manage to turn this up a notch by '''not''' having to fight each other. ''Very'' unusually for a Gundam show, they're close roommates, {{Only Friend}}s, and side-by-side the whole way through, come what may. Rey is intensely and hilariously jealous of their friend Lunamaria when she [[spoiler:later forms a romantic relationship]] with Shinn.
55	** In the manner of "Creator/ShuichiIkeda's Gundam characters and anybody he treats as a friend", Chairman Gilbert Durandal and his longtime acquaintance Rau Le Creuset are a popular Japanese fan pairing, though it's easy to argue [[{{Irony}} Rau's giving ''him'' the Char treatment]] of concealed revilement and manipulation.
56	** Lacus and Cagalli have at least one piece of official art in revealing dresses with their arms wrapped around each other, and also get a BathtubBonding scene.
57	** ''Anime/GundamSeedCharacterTheater'' ruthlessly exploits this trope, especially the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw3uv2pQqYU third segment]], which features Kira and Athrun practically proposing to each other. That the next theater focuses on [[SickeningSweethearts Kira and Lacus]] only slightly lessens the effect (especially since [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeedDestiny Shinn]] is [[HilarityEnsues crossdressing as Lacus]] for most of the video).
58	* In ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 Gundam 00]]'', there's the relationship between Lockon Stratos [[spoiler:(Neil Dylandy, the original)]] and Tieria Erde... who are both ''"totally"'' straight as arrows! They even have private meetings where they discuss each other's feelings to prove their platonic nature. When Lockon [[spoiler:dies]], Tieria actually shows emotion due to his sheer straightness and platonic love for him. His last lines from the first season [[HaveIMentionedIAmHeterosexualToday show just how much he loves girls]].
59	--->'''Tieria''':''[[spoiler:Now I can go to where you are... Lockon...]]''
60	** And that's not even mentioning the moments between Tieria and [[spoiler:Ribbons.]]
61	** Or the HoYay between Tieria and [[spoiler: his twin Regene Regetta]] ([[AmbiguousGender if it even qualifies as such]]), the HoYay between Tieria and [[spoiler: Lyle Dylandy]], the HoYay between Tieria and Setsuna...in {{subtext}} as well as fanon, it seems, [[FanNickname T-chan]] is everyone's [[LauncherOfAThousandShips little]] [[LauncherOfAThousandShips black]] [[RealMenWearPink pink/purple]] [[LauncherOfAThousandShips dress]].
62	*** The Tieria/Lockon ShipTease is all but [[spoiler: ''declared [[{{Canon}} canon]]'' by episode 8 of season two, wherein Ribbons accuses Tieira of letting Lockon get "too deep into his heart." Tieria's [[BerserkButton uncharacteristic]] [[NotSoStoic outburst]] against both Ribbons and shortly thereafter Ali Al-Saachez just take this [[{{SubText}} subtext]] up to eleven. The fact that Tieria's sexual identity is also brought into question - both physically '''and''' emotionally - in episode 8 is ''[[SarcasmMode surely]]'' [[BlatantLies pure coincidence.]]]]
63	*** Given the symbolism behind his first [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadleeh Gundam's secondary form]], fans have long speculated that all of this may be ''intentional'' on the [[ShipperOnDeck writers'/director's part.]]
64	*** Marina Ismail and Shirin Bakhtair have their fair share of LesYay, as well.
65	** These [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwG9Wqt25vY scenes]] from the new compilation makes the hinted Alejandro x Ribbons [[strike: almost]] canon.
66	** How about HeterosexualLifePartners [[MadScientist Billy Katagiri]] and [[UnknownRival Graham Aker]]? [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVvWAEA1JQc The fangirls see it, too]].
67	** No mention of [[TheHero Setsuna F. Seiei]] and [[SupportingProtagonist Saji Crossroad]]? I mean, [[spoiler:Saji's 0-Raiser and Setsuna's [[TitleDrop 00 Gundam]] [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything can combine by having the 0-Raiser dock at 00 Gundam's back. Not to mention both appearing naked everytime the Trans-Am system activates]]. Setsuna also puts ''special effort'' on reuniting Saji with his [[StarCrossedLovers long-distanced girlfriend]] Louise. ShipperOnDeck via IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy anyone?]]
68	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'' revisits the... [[BlatantLies very platonic]] rivalry between Kira and Athrun with its second generation protagonist and VillainProtagonist, Asemu Asuno and Zeheart Galette.
69	** Doesn't help in the song on episode 17, it's a song about friendship and love... with scenes of Asemu and Zeheart. Honestly, they weren't even TRYING to hide it.
70	* Sei and Reiji's close and [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments heartwarming]] partnership in ''Anime/GundamBuildFighters'' can evoke this. Most of their subtext is just the side effect of a strong friendship, but some moments--such as when Sei runs down the street [[SayMyName calling Reiji's name]] right after meeting him--seem intentional. Director Kenji Nagasaki also did the anime of ''Literature/No6'', which could explain things.
71	* Given that ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'' has a cast full of boys, it's not surprising that the Platform/{{Pixiv}} community has denoted the entire series as "鉄血のオル[[YaoiGenre 腐]]ェンズ" [[note]]''Tekketsu no Oru[[YaoiGenre fu]]enzu'', literally "Iron Blooded Rotten Orphans"[[/note]]:
72	** Are Mikazuki and Orga really BashBrothers within the lines of [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Simon and Kamina]], or is there [[ShipTease some deeper meaning between their synergy]]? Considering ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'''s reputation among {{Yaoi Fangirl}}s regarding some o its older stablemates, it's not much of a surprise. Orga has said to Biscuit that he has to always look cool in front of Mika; particularly due to Mika always watching him. Orga has also said that he's [[NotDistractedByTheSexy not interested in women]]. The fangirls took this as support for Orga/Mika, making Merribit a potential DieForOurShip target.
73	** Considering the use of terms "brothers" and "Family" in Episodes 8 and 9, this trope also comes to mind regarding [[spoiler:Orga and Naze. His SingleTear at the end of Season 2 Episode 15 kinda mirrors the one with Biscuit, as explained below]].
74	** Orga and ''Biscuit'' for that matter. Much of their interactions in Episodes 20 and 21 come across like a [[LikeAnOldMarriedCouple married couple having a dispute]]. Their eventual reconciliation just adds to this. [[spoiler:And makes Biscuit's subsequent death all the more tragic.]]
75	** Takaki is very touchy-feely with the people he likes. As of season two he and Aston have grown particularly close; Takaki regularly invites him over for supper, and Aston is familiar enough with Takaki's and Fuka's routines to know when Fuka is studying for an upcoming test. Aston also states that supporting Takaki is more important to him than [[spoiler: getting revenge for Chad]] and swears to protect Takaki's happiness, even if it means killing someone or being killed.
76	** Yamagi has a crush on Shino, and Shino, though oblivious, has a particularly tender and caring attitude toward him in the fair share of moments they have.
77	** Numerous statements [[WordOfGay have been made]] regarding both Shino's alleged bisexuality as well as his apparent popularity among other Tekkadan guys, Eugene and Akihiro in particular. Shino's seiyuu Taishi Murata advocates for the issue, and has stated that Yamagi's feelings most likely wouldn't have been met with rejection if he ever decided to confess them.
78	** [=McGillis=] and Gaelio used to be a popular pairing in the beginning of the story, this was changed ever since Gaelio was paired with Ein instead and [=McGillis=] was implied more to prefer women. [[spoiler: And eventually, he's more into accomplishing his goals and stopping Gjallarhorn's oppression rather than falling in love with anyone.]]
79	** Gaelio and Ein. Ein's narration in the preview for Episode 17 consists entirely of him gushing about how great a man Gaelio is and during the episode proper Ein gets injured taking a blow that would have killed Gaelio. Gaelio is very impressed with Ein's skills and resolve and considers him to be an "impressive man." The preview for Episode 22 has Gaelio narrating about how he would do anything to keep Ein alive. [[spoiler:It even goes above and beyond by Season 2, when Vidar/Gaelio eventually reveals that Ein's brain is preserved as the Gundam Vidar's pseudo-AV system--making this a literal CargoShip of sorts.]]
80	** Speaking of Ein, aside from Gaelio, he's often paired with Crank because of [[TheLostLenore how much Ein remembered him]].
81	* It can be said that ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamTheWitchFromMercury'' is ''the'' yuri ''Gundam'' series. While Suletta and Miorine can be largely discounted due to their relationship being [[OfficialCouple anything but subtext]], quite a few other scenes seem designed to raise eyebrows.
82	** Prospera has NoSenseOfPersonalSpace, a trait that mostly manifests around fellow female characters Belmeria and Miorine. This results in some rather intimate-looking shots, which are often played for all the creepiness they're worth.
83	** Belmeria and Prospera deserve special mention. Prospera keeps up her constant politeness and affability around Belmeria, and adds in a habit of calling her "Bel." Meanwhile, Belmeria, despite her seeming hatred and disgust towards Prospera's actions, seems oddly quick to kowtow and return to her. Add in their canonical prior history, and it's very easy to read them as involved in a toxic relationship (with more than a hint of ExperimentedInCollege, given that they apparently studied together before Prospera got married).
84	** Sabina's fanclub in episode 9 is shown to be [[EvenTheGirlsWantHer almost entirely female]]. This dovetails rather well with her affectionate treatment of Nika in episode 16.
85	** Sabina's teammates Maisie and Ireesha are rather affectionate with one another, with Maisie frequently comforting the withdrawn and timid Ireesha, and Ireesha clinging to Maisie whenever able.

Context HoYay / Gundam