Line #28 Main/ThemePairing


1	->''Said the Toad to the Kangaroo,\
2	"I can hop and so can you.\
3	If we marry we'll have a child\
4	Who can jump a mountain or hop a mile..."''
5	-->-- "The Toad and the Kangaroo", ''Literature/ALightInTheAttic'' by Creator/ShelSilverstein
6
7	Some ships may have little thought out into them beyond the looks of the characters involved, or how cute they might look together. But other times, a couple is chosen due to their similarities. This is especially true if one's favorite pairing is separated by being in [[IntercontinuityCrossover entirely different series]], although not all theme pairings need to involve such a CrossoverShip.
8
9	Examples of themes include:
10
11	* {{Mirror Character}}s
12	* [[BirdsOfAFeather Similar character]] tropes (PairTheSmartOnes, GenkiGirl[=/=]{{Keet}}, etc...)
13	* Similar ages outside the usual CompetenceZone (if the series itself doesn't do that already).
14	* Similar powers or abilities (ElementalPowers especially)
15	* Two {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s or two {{Satellite Character}}s paired together
16	* TokenMinorityCouple
17	* [[CoupleThemeNaming Identical or similar names]]
18	* The characters are [[IdenticalStranger lookalikes]]
19
20	That's ''love'', baby! Okay, not really. But truthfully, people ''do'' get along better when [[BirdsOfAFeather they have something in common]], so the idea isn't total bunk.
21
22	The basis of many {{Crossover Ship}}s and ShipsThatPassInTheNight.
23
24	----
25
26	!! Examples:
27
28	[[foldercontrol]]
29
30	[[folder: Anime & Manga]]
31	* ''Manga/DeathNote'': Predictably enough (for being the main leads of the anime), Light and L are paired together -- they are both highly intelligent individuals who feel intellectually unchallenged by the world as well as {{the Chessmaster}}s of their respective sides. On top of that, they are [[TheRival rivals]].
32	* ''Anime/DigimonTamers'': A lot of people have gotten to like the Renamon / Impmon couple not only due to their interesting interactions but also because many found fascinating their contrasts and similarities. For one, their character arcs have them starting with a deep disdain toward humans and a craving for power. Furthermore, they are loners who awkwardly start friendships. If that doesn't seal the deal, then their reversed {{Color Motif}}s (purple and yellow) and contrasting evolutions (Renamon's evolutions call to concepts of purity and goodness in Japanese mythology/religion, Impmon/Beelzemon recalls iconography often associated with evil and the devil in Western/Christian mythology) ought to do it.
33	* ''Manga/InnocentsShounenJuujigun'':
34	** Etienne and Michael, as the two hyper-religious, "pure" boys.
35	** Guillaume and Pierre, the two loathsome, rich boy brats.
36	** Guy and Nicolas, the two hot-headed, rough, extremely loyal to Etienne boys.
37	* ''Manga/MaidSama'': There is apparently a minuscule fanbase for Shizuko and Kanou that ships them mostly because they both wear glasses and are the voice of reason for their respective ThoseTwoGuys / ThoseTwoGirls pairs. Seeing how Kanou is bad with aggressive girls together with the revelation that Shizuko apparently has a thing for glasses, maybe this isn't so farfetched after all. Sadly, this was not confirmed at all in the DistantFinale.
38	* ''Manga/MoriartyThePatriot'': The fandom is dominated by people shipping William and Sherlock, who are emphasized in the series to be very similar people constantly and are [[MirrorCharacter two sides of the same annoying, brilliant, hyper-competitive, justice-seeking coin]] who are also the exact same age and height.
39	* ''Manga/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' has Rei/Kaworu. While this [[ShipsThatPassInTheNight Ship That Passes In The Night]] is usually formed as a {{Ship Mate\|s}} to Shinji/Asuka fics, many fics and artworks emphasize their [[LookalikeLovers physical similarities]] and similarly cryptic/mysterious natures. The fact that Kaworu tells Rei that she's "the same" as him in their only canon conversation helps.
40	* ''Manga/{{Nisekoi}}'': The FanPreferredCouple Shuu/Ruri pairs two observant, savvy bespectacled characters who are each best friends with a member of the main harem and are frequently involved with it without romantic involvement with those in it. This is even {{invoked}} with them being referred to as "glasses buddies." Becomes an OfficialCouple toward the end of the series.
41	* ''Anime/OsomatsuSan'': CrackPairing Ichimatsu/Nyaa-chan have never talked to each other, let alone exchanged glances. The only thing they have in common is a cat theme and Ichi's secret fetish for cat girls. And sometimes, that's all that some fans need.
42	* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'':
43	** Shipping Madoka with protagonists of other MagicalGirl animes is fairly common; in particular, those who are pink-haired (or have pink as their main hue) and TheHeart of their group. {{Crossover Ship}}s include Nagisa Misumi ''Anime/FutariWaPrettyCure'', Nanoha Takamachi from ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' (with whom she shares having lots of HomoeroticSubtext with the DarkMagicalGirl and being from the same production studio), and even Lux from the {{animesque}} Star Guardians Verse of ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends''. In a twist, Star Guardian Lux is said to be Madoka and Homura's (the aforementioned dark magical girl) love child because of Lux's having Madoka's hair color and hairstyle and Homura's purple eyes. So it'd be less Theme Pairing and more Theme Parenting.
44	** People pair Yuuna and Nagisa (aka [[spoiler: the magical girl Charlotte once was]]) as a ToyShip because both are the youngest magical girls associated with members of the main cast; they were adopted respectively by Kyoko and Mami. They are prevalent in fan works that ship Kyoko with Mami.
45	* ''Literature/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'': Despite all the animosity between them, The Four Cardinal Heroes get shipped together, especially among Japanese fans. It's implied the previous generations of The Four Cardinal Heroes were on good terms, with Naofumi's generation being something of an anomaly in that regard. It helps that unlike IdiotHero Motoyasu and GloryHound Itsuki, Ren is somewhat less problematic to deal with directly.
46	* ''Manga/SaintSeiya'': Cancer Deathmask and Pisces Aphrodite are popular for being the only genuinely evil Gold Saints, as well as quite [[TheDreaded dreaded]] for their cruelty. It's helped by the fact that they're always seen together in the [=OVAs=].
47	* ''Manga/YokaiWatch'': Despite the InterspeciesRomance nature, Blizzaria/Blazion is popular because of their opposite ElementalPowers -- respectively, [[FireIceDuo ice and fire]].
48	[[/folder]]
49
50	[[folder: Comic Books]]
51	* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': [[Characters/SpiderManRoguesGalleryIToZ Puma]] and [[ComicBook/BlackCatMarvelComics Black Cat]]. Both have feline AnimalMotifs and are of neutral alignment.
52	* [[Characters/BatmanJasonTodd Jason Todd]] and [[ComicBook/{{Deathstroke}} Rose Wilson]] are shipped together usually because both of them have similar rough childhoods and huge daddy issues that defined their teenagerhood and adulthood.
53	[[/folder]]
54
55	[[folder: Crossover Ships]]
56	* Both Martin Crieff (from ''Radio/CabinPressure'') and Molly Hooper (from ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'') are rather [[TheWoobie unfortunate in many aspects of their lives]] and overdue for something nice to happen to them. There's also the fact that Molly pines after Sherlock, who's played by Benedict Cumberbatch, the same guy who played Martin Crieff.
57	* The Doctor from ''Series/DoctorWho'' and Sailor Pluto from ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' share many things: filling the role of TheOnlyOne, being {{Time Travel}}lers, having SurvivorGuilt, and being {{Genocide Survivor}}s.
58	* Elsa from ''Franchise/{{Frozen}}'': It's common to pair her with just about any other character with [[AnIcePerson ice powers]]. Jack Frost from ''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians'' is the most popular, though there are others, such as the Ice King from ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' and Mr. Freeze from ''Franchise/{{Batman}}''.
59	* Voldemort (from ''Literature/HarryPotter''), Orochimaru (from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''), and Medusa (from ''Manga/SoulEater'') are a OneTrueThreesome that share the ReptilesAreAbhorrent theme and are creepy {{Big Bad}}s.
60	* ''Anime/TheIdolmasterSideM'': It's not uncommon to see people ship the ''[=SideM=]'' characters with other idols from the [=iM@S=] franchise due to similarities. Unsurprisingly, a lot of this comes from the massive cast of ''VideoGame/TheIdolmasterCinderellaGirls'':
61	** Hideo and Sanae are usually drawn together because they both were policemen before pursuing idolhood, naturally leading people to portray them as working the same unit when showing their past lives. Double the fun since they also share a birthday.
62	*** Hideo also gets grouped in with sharp-toothed characters very often, such as Akira or Shouko Hoshi. ''Especially'' Akira after her debut.
63	** Daigo and Tomoe get some fanart due to their implied [[MafiaPrincess Yakuza Prince/Princess]] backgrounds.
64	** As a minor gag, Ranko and Kaoru get pictures together due to their [[Creator/MaayaUchida voice]] [[Creator/YuumaUchida actors]] being siblings in real life, and close ones at that. You can also see her with Asselin due to their heavy {{Chuunibyou}} themes.
65	** Noriko and Haruna for their love of [[TrademarkFavoriteFood doughnuts]].
66	** Shingen and Aki Yamato share a military background, so you'll sometimes see them getting along in fanart.
67	** Pierre is sometimes paired with Takane due to the latter's frog mascot suit obsession. He's also sometimes paired with Yayoi due to being around the same age, both carrying a frog-themed item, and both being IncorruptiblePurePureness.
68	** Chris Koron and Nanami Asari aren't shipped together, but because of their shared interest in ocean life, they have a lot of art of them bonding over it.
69	** [=High×Joker=] draws a lot of comparisons to ''VideoGame/TheIdolmasterShinyColors'' Houkago Climax Girls for also being a 5 man irregularly themed group of teens. A lot of the members also share personality traits as well.
70	* Amaterasu (''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'') gets shipped with Bec (''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'') because they're both dogs/wolves with godlike powers.
71	* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
72	** Pearl and Jet Link from ''Manga/Cyborg009'' is a pretty popular couple in some circles since they have similar noses, hair colors, styles (although Pearl's hair is lighter and shorter), and love to dance.
73	** After the events of "Arcade Mania", fans began shipping Garnet with Tien Shinhan from ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' because they both have a ThirdEye.
74	** Bill Cipher from ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' has started being shipped with Peridot. There's a consistent joke in the Gravity Falls fandom that Bill resembles a Dorito, and the same joke has been applied to Peridot as well.
75	** The crossover episode "Say Uncle" briefly teased Lion and Giant Realistic Flying Tiger from ''WesternAnimation/UncleGrandpa''. The two characters are the moderately sapient, big feline pets of the main (and titular) characters.
76	* Some ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' fans ship Yuyuko and VideoGame/{{Kirby}} because they share BigEater and ExtremeOmnivore tendencies.
77	* Blossom (''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls1998'') and Dexter (''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'') became a popular pairing in part thanks to their similarities: they're both red-headed child prodigies who originate from Creator/CartoonNetwork series.
78	[[/folder]]
79
80	[[folder: Fan Works]]
81	%% This section is for READERS or VIEWERS of fan works pairing up characters used in said fan works. Not about the fan creators pairing up characters in their works, those go in any of the other folders here.
82	* ''Fanfic/ForestOfDespair'':
83	** People used to ship Minato and Mirabilis together because of their similar themes: Ultimate Traveler and Ultimate Florist, which leads the to connect with nature and be adventurous.
84	** Similarly, people ship Kira and Cassius, they are respectively the Ultimate Jeweler and Ultimate Jeweler Smuggler.
85	* ''Theatre/AVeryPotterMusical'': Fans have theorized that Lockhart wants to impress Rita Skeeter because they both have a bone to pick with the PowerTrio.
86	[[/folder]]
87
88	[[folder: Films -- Animation]]
89	* Duchess from ''WesternAnimation/TheAristocats'' and Lady from ''WesternAnimation/LadyAndTheTramp'' are shipped together because both are fancy, lady-like, and easygoing {{Uptown Girl}}s whose canonical love interests are "Tramps".
90	* ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'':
91	** Hiro and Peni Parker from ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' are both [[KidHero young teens]] who have a RobotBuddy and have traveled to AnotherDimension. Hiccup from ''How to Train Your Dragon'' also seems a popular pairing for Hiro with the whole ABoyAndHisX, with said X giving them emotional support and helping them grow up.
92	** Like Hiro, Varian from ''WesternAnimation/TangledTheSeries'' is a teenage inventor who got lost in revenge after having a loved one (big brother and father, respectively) tragically die in situations that could've been avoided.
93	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoMovie2TheSecondPart'':
94	** Sweet Mayhem and "Wyldstyle" Lucy are shipped on the basis of being an action-oriented, LightFeminineAndDarkFeminine couple. The former is a DarkActionGirl with a swapped color palette (Mayhem's hues are pale pink and sparkly sky blue) while the Wyldstyle is a heroic ActionGirl who wears black and fluorescent shades of pink and sky blue. Additionally, they find themselves in equivalent roles despite being at opposite ends of the conflict. One is TheDragon and the other is TheLancer. Not counting Mayhem's bad case of hero worship over Wyldstyle, which would turn their dynamic into something akin to {{Hero}}/HeroWorshipper.
95	** Sweet Mayhem is also paired with Benny because both of them wear spacesuits and have a cheery disposition.
96	* Rapunzel from ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'' and Mavis from ''WesternAnimation/HotelTransylvania'' are both girls isolated from the real world by their overprotective parents and therefore are very eager to go and explore it. ''WebVideo/GoldenBlondAndJetBlack'' has them as the main pairing.
97	* Jane from ''WesternAnimation/{{Tarzan}}'' and Captain Amelia from ''WesternAnimation/TreasurePlanet'' are similar characters -- cultured women with 18th-19th century aesthetics and British accents. ''WebVideo/{{Illuminated}}'' has them as its main pairing.
98	[[/folder]]
99
100	[[folder: Films -- Live-Action]]
101	* ''Film/EdwardScissorhands'': Edward is shipped with Lydia from ''Film/{{Beetlejuice}}'' by virtue of both being the troubled protagonists of Tim Burton films and embodiments of DarkIsNotEvil.
102	* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:
103	** Thor from ''ComicBook/TheMightyThor'' and Storm from ''ComicBook/XMen'' is a pairing with a substantial following because both have weather and ShockAndAwe superpowers. It was further spurred by the creators making them an [[AscendedFanon official couple]] in ''ComicBook/MarvelAdventures'', albeit the start of their relationship happens off-screen as revealed in the 29th issue. Their FanNickname is "biracial thunder babies".
104	** Wanda, Loki, and Dr. Strange are frequently shipped together due to their shared affinity for magic, even though they've otherwise never interacted with each other. The news that Wanda will be appearing in the upcoming ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'' adds fuel to the [[IdiosyncraticShipNaming ScarletStrange]] ship.
105	[[/folder]]
106
107	[[folder: Literature]]
108	* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': If a PeggySue plot of some sort it's involved and they travel back to the Marauders Era, expect Lily Evans and Hermione Granger to be drawn to each other like moths to the light. Highly esteemed muggle-born witches with plenty of [[BookSmart smarts, talent, love for books]], and stubbornness, as well as their strong sense of justice.
109	* In the ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' fanbase, this is the basis for Sonja Hemphill/Shannon Foraker. Canonically, both are [[BirdsOfAFeather Havenite admirals]] and become fast friends because of that. Furthermore, both are STEM women: Shannon is a PlayfulHacker while Sonja is a GadgeteerGenius. Lesbian technological geek geniuses? The idea was inevitable. ''Fanfic/OneMoreTime'' has them as the main pairing.
110	[[/folder]]
111
112	[[folder: Live-Action TV]]
113	* There's a portion of the ''Series/DoctorWho'' fandom that ships Adric/Nyssa because they are [[ConvenientlyAnOrphan Orphaned]], HumanAlien, [[TeenGenius Teen Geniuses]] traveling through time and space together.
114	* ''Series/GossipGirl2007'':
115	** Chuck and Blair are BirdsOfAFeather, two dark, ruthless people who scheme and manipulate their way to the top but who deeply care for the people close to them.
116	** Serena and Nate. A carefree, BrainlessBeauty duo, both fickle and free-spirited and neither with any real ability to come up with a cunning plan nor with any real drive in their lives. Often compared to a pair of golden retrievers (with Chuck and Blair being their masters).
117	** Even Dan/Blair who are both [[BrainyBrunette Brainy Brunettes]] who love posh art and cinema.
118	** Dan and Nelly Yuki are both intellectual outsiders. It helps that Nelly has had a crush on Dan for years.
119	* A few viewers of ''Series/MasterchefAustralia'''s season 12 have taken to shipping Reynold and Jess due to their respective titles as the Dessert King and Queen of the series, despite the fact that their on-screen interactions are [[ShipsThatPassInTheNight fairly minimal]].
120	* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Galadriel and Sauron are written as {{Mirror Character}}s, with LightDarknessJuxtaposition being an important representation of what they mean to each other.
121	* ''Series/TheMuppets2015'': Scooter and Walter make a somewhat popular pairing among fans on Tumblr and Twitter due to them both being younger human-based Muppets with {{Adorkable}} personalities.
122	* ''Series/OnceUponATime'':
123	** Regina and Maleficent is a very popular ship within the fandom that started mainly because both were witches. It helps that they are both villains who poisoned their princess [[ArchEnemy enemies]] with sleeping curses that were broken by TrueLovesKiss and devoted mothers. The fact that the two have major amounts of LesYay helps their shippers a lot.
124	** Ruby and Whale were a reasonably popular ship during season two. This is mainly due to the fact that they resemble/are based on classic Franchise/UniversalHorror characters (Ruby is a werewolf and Whale is Doctor Frankenstein), and was aided by ShipTease between the two. However, with the two becoming increasingly out of focus, the ship has faded quite a bit in popularity.
125	* ''Series/PowerRangersMegaforce'': Both Troy/Emma and Jake/Gia are shipped as they share the elements Sky and Earth respectively.
126	* ''Series/PrettyLittleLiars'': CrackShip Lucas/Mona revolves around the headcanon that they might have been friends due to both being extreme outsiders before Mona was uplifted and became popular. Later, Mona herself uplifts Lucas and he becomes her [[TheDragon second in command]].
127	* ''Franchise/StarWars'': Din Djarin (from ''Series/TheMandalorian'') and Boba Fett gained popularity as a romantic pairing of two badass Mandalorian bounty hunters who follow a personal code of honor and who were both involved in loving father-son family relationships.
128	[[/folder]]
129
130	[[folder: Video Games]]
131	* ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing:''
132	** Gulliver the seagull occasionally gets paired with one of the dodo birds, Orville and Wilbur, by fans, given that they're bird characters with a theme of traveling across the ocean.
133	** The villagers Audie and Whitney tend to be paired together a lot, romantically or platonically, due to them both being wolves with contrasting color palettes—Whitney has a more wintry look compared to Audie’s summer vibe.
134	* ''VideoGame/BlazBlueCalamityTrigger'': Carl is paired with Dorothy Albright from ''VideoGame/ArcanaHeart'' because both are short-haired blondes and {{Stage Magician}}s. Furthermore, their costumes look like color palette-swapped versions of each other.
135	* ''Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}'': It is not uncommon for fans to pair characters together that have similar ultimate talents or personalities. Some examples include:
136	** Kazuichi Soda and Miu Iruma (Both have ultimate talents related to building things and working with machines).
137	** Kaede, Ibuki, and/or Sayaka (All three have music-related ultimate talents).
138	** Tsumugi and Hifumi (Both have ultimate talents relating to anime/manga and are both obsessed with it).
139	* ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}'': Rouxls Kaard is sometimes paired with Mettaton (due to both of them being confident, bombastic characters that serve as recurring antagonists for the player) or Papyrus (as both are {{Large Ham}}s who are also rather bad puzzle-makers).
140	* ''ARG/DarkDreamChronicle'': The Demented Horror Mask of [=WhiteSuit=] and The Insane Eyes Mask of [=WhiteDress=] as well as The Smiling Clown Mask of Vadiir and Doc; though the "theme" part wasn't actually present until the shipping had started.
141	* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy:''
142	** [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII The Cloud of Darkness]] and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV Exdeath]] are frequently paired together due to their shared obsession with [[PowerOfTheVoid the Void]].
143	** [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyII Firion]] and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII Lightning]] get paired up due to a shared [[SomethingAboutARose rose]] [[FlowerMotif motif]]. In ''Duodecium'', Firion tries and fails repeatedly to ask Lightning to return the Wild Rose to him when she found it. It comes off as if he's trying to ask her on a date but can't bring himself to, which convinces [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV Cecil]] to give Firion some romantic advice.
144	* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'': Ky Kiske is paired with Millia because they share quite a few traits. Their HairOfGoldHeartOfGold notwithstanding, they are {{Child Soldier}}s who lost their parents at a young age as well TheRival to more uncouth characters, and respectively very [[OfficerAndAGentleman gentlemanly]] and [[ProperLady proper]].
145	* ''VideoGame/IdentityV'': Purportedly how many of the video game's ships came about.
146	** Embalmer/Photographer: [[WhiteHairBlackHeart White/Grey-haired pretty boys]] who are both noted to be obsessed with life and death.
147	** Mercenary/Ripper: The two playable characters known to have killed others [[ProfessionalKiller for a living]] [[SerialKiller (or personal entertainment)]] prior to coming to the manor.
148	** Seer/Priestess: Survivors known to worship gods or, at the very least, possess some form of supernatural abilities.
149	** Priestess/Enchantress: Female Survivors known to possess some form of supernatural abilities, [[WellDoneDaughterGirl with a side of parental issues.]]
150	** Coordinator/Mercenary: Former military officers and victims of societal stigma, [[spoiler:who appear to be using aliases, and seemingly had ulterior motives for coming to the manor.]]
151	** Mechanic/Prisoner: Driven by the desire to invent and become a big name in the world.
152	** Photographer/Perfumer: [[BunnyEarsLawyer Eccentric]] French aristocrats with [[AngstySurvivingTwin issues stemming from the deaths of their twin siblings.]]
153	** First Officer/Barmaid: Alcoholics who came to the manor [[IWillFindYou in search of a missing family member.]]
154	** Postman/Gravekeeper: Borderline misanthropic loners, who have NoSocialSkills (and may have been involved in criminal activities) but, deep down, [[IJustWantToBeLoved just want to be loved by others.]]
155	** Prospector/Acrobat: Implied [[MoodSwinger mood-swingers,]] [[SoleSurvivor involved in tragedies that left many dead]], who [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking both have "Ton" in their names.]]
156	** Cowboy/First Officer: Archetypal examples of traditionally heroic characters, who appear charming and confident on the surface, but are actually driven by guilt and self-loathing.
157	** Evil Reptilian/Violinist: Implied Italians physically transformed by supernatural deities.
158	** Axe Boy/Dream Witch's Follower: TheBabyOfTheBunch.
159	** Embalmer/Gravekeeper: Male Survivors who have NoSocialSkills, both have occupations related to the dead, and [[spoiler: have participated in activities that are against the law.]]
160	** Priestess/Feaster: Hooded individuals who both have some relation to the Franchise/CthulhuMythos.
161	** Geisha/White and Black Guards: Undead Asian Hunters who died due to unfair circumstances and were slandered shortly before or after their deaths.
162	** Mechanic/Forward: BrainsAndBrawn
163	** The Mind's Eye/Postman: Survivors whose disabilities(with the former being blind and the latter implied to be mute) are the least of their problems.
164	** Postman/Seer: Male Survivors who care a lot about their AnimalCompanion.
165	** Prospector/Prisoner: Survivors who were physically and mentally scarred by traumatic events in their past.
166	** Prospector/Gravekeeper: Survivors associated with work that involves going underground in some capacity.
167	** Painter/Prisoner: Aristocrat and former aristocrat.
168	** Mechanic/Soul Weaver: A skilled mechanic and someone with special mechanical prostheses.
169	** Going into OneTrueThreesome territory, Postman/Gravekeeper/"Prisoner": Male Survivors who (to varying degrees) were possibly involved in criminal activities.
170	* ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'': Expect to see Kula Diamond paired up with K' -- they are fellow NESTS refugees, Kyo "clones", a RedOniBlueOni duo, and of [[FireWaterJuxtaposition opposing elements]] (fire and ice).
171	* Given how fond ''VideoGame/MegaManClassic'' fans are of shipping Robot Masters with each other, this is a given. Some notable examples:
172	** Quick Man x Elec Man, because both of them are confident and speedy- not to mention Quick Man was canonically based on Elec Man.
173	** Wood Man x Plant Man, since they're both plant-based Robot Masters.
174	** Bubble Man x Splash Woman, since they're both aquatic Robot Masters that are more suited for water than land (Bubble Man can only move on land by jumping, and Splash Woman can't move on land at all due to being a mermaid).
175	* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'':
176	** ''VideoGame/MortalKombatII'': Secretshipping, the name of the pairing of Smoke and Jade, two of the {{secret character}}s from the game.
177	** ''VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception'': Fans seem to be fond of pairing up Ashrah and Raiden despite [[CrackPairing no tangible connections existing between the two]] aside from being members of the Forces of Light. As noted on the Characters page, this is rooted in how similar the two look to each other, with many mistaking originally Ashrah not only as Raiden's DistaffCounterpart, but his wife. Their move sets are also similar.
178	* ''VideoGame/{{OFF}}'': The Batter and the Scout (from ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'') because they both use baseball bats as weapons. Later, it became an OneTrueThreesome with the addition of Leon Kuwat from ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'', who is also a baseball player.
179	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
180	** ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'': It's quite popular to ship Scorbunny with Buneary (as well as Raboot/Cinderace with Lopunny), due to both lines being based on bunnies coupled with their masculine and feminine designs respectively (especially the latter pair). While the Buneary line isn't compatible with the base game of ''Sword and Shield'', they do show up in the Isle of Armor. Wooloo gets shipped with Mareep and Cottonee, as they're both based on sheep. Unfortunately, Mareep isn't available in this game.
181	** On the human side of things, it's common to see Allister getting shipped with Acerola (from ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'') since they are both young children who specialize in Ghost-type Pokémon, as well as both of them having a Mimikyu (Allister in-game, Acerola in the anime).
182	** Jasmine (''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'') is a Steel-type leader from Johto, while Volkner (''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'') is an Electric-type leader from Sinnoh. Their ship is strangely popular and the only connection that can link them is that Jasmine's Magnemite are part-Electric and that both are Gym Leaders in cities that have lighthouses.
183	* ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'': Being that they both [[spoiler:[[HumanitysWake hail from the long-gone era of humans]] and [[FinalSolution desire to get rid of all marine life to recreate the world they once knew]] due to an implied DespairEventHorizon,]] some have taken to shipping [[spoiler:[[VideoGame/Splatoon2 Commander Tartar]] and [[VideoGame/Splatoon3 Mr. Grizz]].]]
184	* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'': Since the release of [[VideoGame/StreetFighterIV ''Super Street Fighter IV'']], Guy from ''VideoGame/FinalFight'' is shipped with Ibuki on the basis that both characters are {{ninja}}s.
185	* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'': A few crossover and crack pairings have come out for these reasons:
186	** [[VideoGame/FZero Captain Falcon]] and [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Samus Aran]] have been shipped on the basis of both being badass bounty hunters with a moral code who fight evil with their fists in addition to their weaponry at hand; not to mention both pilot a CoolSpaceship (as the Blue Falcon has flight capabilities).
187	** [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Samus Aran]] and VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}} get paired due to both being tall and badass ladies who can more than fight in high heels (at least when Samus isn't wearing her space suit).
188	** [[VideoGame/Persona5 Joker]] and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Byleth]] have been shipped on account of them coming from games with multiple paths depending on your choices, their BadassBookworm tendencies and the multiple shipping options they have at hand, some which are controversial.
189	** [[Franchise/{{Kirby}} Meta Knight]] and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Lucina]] are paired as well, owing it to both being swordfighters who use a mask to conceal their faces and similar attire choices and color schemes.
190	* ''VideoGame/YoKaiWatch'': Blizzaria/Drizzelda have a few shippers on deck, due to them both having control over bad weather (and of course, being cute girls).
191	[[/folder]]
192
193	[[folder:Web Animation]]
194	* ''WebAnimation/HappyTreeFriends'': Lumpy[=/=]The Mole is a popular couple due to being the most inept of the cast and having a high kill count as a result.
195	[[/folder]]
196
197	[[folder:Web Comics]]
198	* A popular CrackShip in the ''Webcomic/Aurora2019'' fandom is the Collector and Dr. Jolon, or [[PortmanteauCoupleName Collectolon]], two Life-magic-using MadScientist characters who have never met in canon.
199	* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'': CrackShip Eridan/Roxy is entirely based around their common interest in [[http://catnipcomics.tumblr.com/post/21286030863/wixard-boyyyy-widarf-wizard wizards]].
200	[[/folder]]
201
202	[[folder:Web Video]]
203	* ''WebVideo/{{Aventures}}'': As soon as Cygne appeared, a lot of people were already shipping her with her fellow half-elemental and LauncherOfAThousandShips Shin. Her smooth attitude and the comically out-of-place romantic music used during their conversation probably helped.
204	* ''WebVideo/TheClassroom'': Taylor and Garrett's relationship is based primarily on their similar -- if cynical -- world views.
205	[[/folder]]
206
207	[[folder:Western Animation]]
208	* Hayley Smith from ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'', Meg Griffin from ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', and Roberta Tubbs from ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow'' are all the unappreciated daughters on Creator/SethMacFarlane shows.
209	* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': Ursa and Hakoda are the single, loving parents of major characters (respectively, Zuko and siblings Katara and Sokka), who are pressured to abandon their kids because of the war. They are the main pairing of fanfics such as ''Fanfic/GuideMeHome''.
210	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'': The "[[WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue Future Alter Egos]]," though not firmly canon, go even farther [[ShipsThatPassInTheNight by pairing]] DepravedBisexual Allison with TheAlcoholic Lindy, as both are morally ambiguous characters who are introduced in [[TheMovie movies]].
211	* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017'': Some of the fanbase ships Delpad (Della Duck/Launchpad [=McQuack=]). One of the main reasons is them being daring pilots who often enough cross the line toward recklessness. They also have a close relationship with the Duck/[=McDuck=] family.
212	* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'': Norm and Desiree (from ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'') were created so Butch Hartman could Ship them as a Theme Pairing but he forgot. Also, they were both created so the fans would fall in love with them and have sympathy for them. It was a BatmanGambit to make the fans stop falling in love with [[SadistTeacher Crocker]] and other [[DracoInLeatherPants Dracos In Leather Pants]].
213	* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Dipper has been paired with Wirt (''WesternAnimation/OverTheGardenWall''), due to both being {{Adorkable}} nerds with goofy siblings. Dipper has also been shipped with Norman (''WesternAnimation/ParaNorman''), given they're both teens involved in the supernatural.
214	* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' fans like to pair Kim and Shego, the ActionGirl and DarkActionGirl who are both more reasonable and level-headed than their eccentric male counterparts.
215	* Lilo Pelekai from ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'' has occasionally been shipped with Mac from ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'' due to a couple of similarities they have -- being bullied and having a crazy non-human blue friend, among others.
216	* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
217	** After the release of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E22MarksAndRecreation "Marks and Recreation"]], {{Cultural Rebel}}s Starlight and Rumble get shipped together. Both are initially skeptical about Cutie Marks. Starlight because she thinks the Marks only drive a wedge in the pony society and Rumble because he thinks the Marks label ponies in a way that traps them in limited roles for the rest of their lives.
218	** ''Fanfic/ClaroDeLuna'' pairs together Princess Luna and Octavia as both are {{Ensemble Dark Horse}}s and are perceived as classy by the fandom (Octavia for being an ElegantClassicalMusician and Luna for her FloweryElizabethanEnglish). At the time of the fic's publishing, Octavia was only a background character in one episode (and an episode that Luna wasn't even in, at that).
219	%%Administrivia/PartialContextExample** ToyShip Pipsqueak/Dinky for some reason has become popular.
220	* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'':
221	** Pairing up Dexter from ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'' and Blossom is not rare as they're both ChildProdigy redheads.
222	** Dib from ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'' is shipped with Bubbles because the two share being {{Artificial Human}}s with a bad case of {{Cassandra Truth}}. They have amassed a small following on Platform/DeviantArt and Platform/{{Tumblr}}, where their ship is called Dibbles.
223	** Jack Spicer from ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'' and Teen Princess Morbucks are shipped on the basis of both being {{Evil Redhead}}s, {{Spoiled Brat}}s, {{Harmless Villain}}s, and {{Lonely Rich Kid}}s (to an extent, as they are both insufferable) who use their [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney riches]] to build evil, [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman powered gadgets]] and suffer from ParentalNeglect (Jack's parents are never there and we never see Princess' mom. It might be implied that her parents got divorced or she works overseas a lot. Also, King Morbucks doesn't seem to have an interest in her well-being and he's only around to give her money when she asks for it.)
224	* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': Félix and Lila are shipped because they are the only effective (minor and mostly OutOfFocus) villains who have actually managed to get one over the heroes -- the former by [[spoiler: stealing all of the Miraculous jewels from Ladybug]] and the latter by managing to [[spoiler: get Marinette akumatized]]. They both have also been Hawk Moth's minions at some point but are ultimately self-serving.
225	* ''WesternAnimation/PuppyInMyPocketAdventuresInPocketville'': Ava/William, as they are both leaders of some kind (Ava being TheHighQueen of Pocketville whilst William is the de facto [[TheLeader leader]] of the Royal Guards). As a bonus, you get the InterspeciesRomance of them being respectively a cat and a dog.
226	* ''[[WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003 Teen Titans]]'':
227	** ''Fanfic/WedFlyAwayTogether'' pairs Robin with Terra because they're both troubled teens who became apprentices to Slade.
228	** The Jinx/Raven fic ''Fanfic/ToCatchARaven'' pairs the two up because they're both magical gothic teens.
229	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Spliced}}'': Peri and Patricia are among the most level-headed and relatable characters in the cast, with Peri fulfilling the role of the OnlySaneMan whenever Patricia is not around to do so. Making it a case of SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan. They are also the more normal-looking ones -- Patricia by virtue of being an actual if weird anima (a platypus) and Peri because he's a cute, furry spliced mutant with small cat-like ears and small tentacles as feet.
230	* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse:''
231	** Back when they were first introduced, Lapis and Peridot were paired together often, simply because they were the only two Homeworld gems that had been introduced at that point. Though later episodes would provide shippers with [[LikeAnOldMarriedCouple much more reason to pair the two together.]]
232	** Bismuth and Jasper were paired together soon after the former's introduction, due to them both being big, buff gems with radical views.
233	** Aquamarine and Navy are sometimes paired together, due to both of them [[spoiler:being [[FakeCutie fake cuties]] that [[ManipulativeBastard manipulate]] and mock the Gems [[ForTheEvulz just for fun.]] It also helps that they both have adorable designs.]]
234	** Greg and Blue Diamond pretty much exploded in popularity after "Steven's Dream", due to their shared grief in losing a loved one and coming to something of an understanding over it. It's not uncommon to find [=AUs=] where Greg fell in love with Blue Diamond instead of Rose Quartz, or even some of Blue becoming Greg's SecondLove.
235	** Hessonite and Emerald have supporters, mostly because of both being very high-ranked Gems with similar designs. They have never met in the show, and while Hessonite's appearance in ''VideoGame/SaveTheLight'' is considered canon, the events of the game she appeared in were never alluded to in the show.
236	** Spinel/Pink Pearl quickly became a popular ship following the release of ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverseTheMovie'', partially because [[spoiler: they've both received trauma, directly or indirectly, by the actions of Pink Diamond.]] Them both being pink and cute also helps.
237	* ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'':
238	** If all the HomoeroticSubtext wasn't enough, Musa/Aisha is one of the most popular pairings. They are both passionate, {{Broken Bird}}s (the former's mother died and the latter's childhood was loveless) who have to rebel against their parent(s) so they can achieve their dreams (pursuing a musical career and [[RebelliousPrincess breaking out of the perfect princess]] ideal). They are also [[TomboyWithAGirlyStreak tomboys with a girly streak]] in the form of loving dancing, liking cute critters, and being sensitive inside. Coincidentally, they both maintain a VitriolicBestBuds friendship with Stella, as they clash the most against her.
239	** SixthRanger Roxy and DragonWithAnAgenda Selina are paired both platonically and romantically because they are the {{Tag Along Kid}}s of their respective teams, come from Gardenia (Earth), and have very similar [[TheBeastmaster magic sources]] -- Roxy is the fairy of animals while Selina is the witch of snakes.
240	** Bloom's name alludes to a flower blossoming and her Enchantix transformation reflects that; also her mother owns a flower shop. Flora is the [[GreenThumb fairy of nature]] and her bedroom is always a miniature greenhouse brimming with plants (and flowers) of all kinds. Add that they've been roommates since the series began and it's very easy to see why [=FireFlower=] was born.
241	** A platonic example occurs with Daphne and Sylvanas Windrunner from ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''. As it turns out, they are {{Mirror Character}}s in just about everything -- powerful warriors who get brutally murdered by {{The Dragon}}s of invading, {{Zerg Rush}}ing evil forces led by a SatanicArchetype. Then, they are cursed watching the ruins of their loved home planet/country for years as bodiless spirits. Fanfic ''Fanfic/{{Paradoxus}}'' makes this a key PlotPoint.
242	[[/folder]]
243
244	[[folder: In-Universe Examples]]
245	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'': Barry and Katya are Russian [[{{Cyborg}} bionic humans]]. Also, Katya usurped Barry's position in the [=KGB=] and his role as the BigBad. They elope together at the end of the second season.
246	* ''Film/LeDernierVol'': Bill and Marie are connected by their love of flying.
247	* ''Fanfic/HordeChampion'': Anevay and Sylvanas are both bitter, nihilistic, and intensely traumatized individuals who belong to the Horde.
248	* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'': In-universe and an InterspeciesRomance as well. Fuka and Fumika Narutaki (twin sisters) both marry Hellas princes. ''[[DoubleInLawMarriage Twin]]'' princes.
249	* ''Series/Wipeout2008'': The episode "Winners and Losers" features an in-universe platonic version. It presented some winner/loser pairs with a similar theme that had been given to them in previous episodes.
250	* ''TabletopGame/TwilightSparklesSecretShipficFolder'' {{invoke\|d}}s this by pairing ponies because they are both Alicorns, Changelings, Unicorns, or Lesbians. Or a combination.
251	[[/folder]]
252

Context Main / ThemePairing