Over the years, I have seen antis wrongfully claiming that Ren and Jeanne only got "married out of duty" or "Ren married Jeanne out from his rivalry competition with Yoh", in which cases they refer to the following:
Exhibit A.) In the final chapter of SK (Ch 300), Joco comments that Ren ‘wouldn’t let Yoh “win” this either’, which came with a lot of assumptions that Ren only married Jeanne just to have a strong child so he can compete with Yoh
Exhibit B.) Followed by reason A, Ren’s “other reason” for marrying Jeanne was for the sake of keeping the Tao family clan alive and marrying her because she was the strongest Shaman from the Shaman fight and wanted to have a strong child to keep the Tao bloodline going.
Exhibit C.) Ren does not love Jeanne.
However all of this is not true.
Ren did not married Jeanne out of duty or for the sake of continuing his rivalry with Yoh and competing with him but rather, they both got married because they loved each other. Although we still don’t have their romantic backstory for how they came to be, there is quite some if not, very clear supporting evidences that proves Ren and Jeanne truly and genuinely, love each other
Proof and evidences that they love each other and the strong implications that they got married out from genuine love
In the SK Guidebooks and interviews
Ren and Jeanne match each other's preference in types of people they actually like
It is mentioned in the interview part in the “Shaman King Official Fan Book Mankin Book”, Ren would like a girl if she is smaller than him and was not very annoying and doesn't get in his way. After this question was asked, another question was asked if Shamash was counted as his ‘first kiss’. Ren then replies, “THAT DOESN’T COUNT!”. These two interview questions are seen as hints / foreshadowing of the pairing by fans since the question went from being his type of girl he would like to ‘if Shamash was counted as his first’, which leads up hinting (And foreshadowing) that it being Jeanne (Jeanne’s height being 141 while Ren is 150 in the beginning of the series. If we look at Jeanne’s personality, she is soft and kind most of the time and does not have a loud personality.)
Similarly like the question that has asked Ren on what type of “girl” he likes, a question was asked to Jeanne on what type of person she likes and she responded that she likes those who have pure hearts. One of the main characteristic traits of having a pure heart is honesty. This is also seen as a hint for as why Ren and Jeanne officially got together because when Ren met Jeanne for the first time, he was very brutally honest to her after she revived him for the first time.
You have to remember that Jeanne grew up all her childhood always being treated way too nicely in a cult full of grown adults who worshipped her as their “god” and “savior” 24/7 and treating her like a saint and never treating her like a normal person. No one ever gets mad or scolds at her, they all treat her as if she’s the most perfect holy being in existence. Jeanne deep down has always been curious for the longest time wondering what it was like to be “free” and “normal” as she has been raised in a very abnormal higher class all her childhood but very obviously, she keeps these thoughts to herself.
So when she finally meets someone near her age that actually treated her like a normal person and doesn’t treat her “nicely” just like the rest of the grown adults around her does and he actually gets angry and yells at her, this has leaves a very HUGE impression on Jeanne as again, she has always been intrigued for the longest time wondering what it was like to be “normal” and Ren is one of the very first people to have treated her like actual normal human being. Ever since their first meeting, Jeanne has been greatly intrigued about Ren and harbors positive feelings towards him (And if you think about it, Marco LIED to Jeanne ALL her childhood. Meanwhile Ren is one of the very first people to have treated her with genuine honesty, even if it was brutal)
In the Shaman King Mentalite interviews, a question was asked to Jeanne that there has been many life changing events and if there have been any fateful encounters and Jeanne replies with: “Ehehe. Yes. Through this tournament, I met many people and learned so much. Among them, meeting that one person was truly shocking. It was the first time in my life someone had greatly insulted at me to my face like that… Looking back now, from that very moment, I must have felt something for that person…”. However before Jeanne could say anything further, Marco interrupts her and stops the interview. The person she references to is none other then Ren.
Now that we covered the basis of Ren and Jeanne's type of people they prefer and like, let's get down to the real business:
Key point evidences that Ren loves Jeanne and married her because he loves her
SK remix track - Chapter 10
In this chapter, there are various off-screen canon clips being shown, which were taken and recorded by the Patch members. Among the video clips had a video clip of older Ren and Jeanne, which was titled “[Love Confession] How Ren and Maiden’s Romance Started”. The thumbnail image of the clip shows Ren and Jeanne standing next to each other at Mont Saint Michel.
Because of the video being titled “Love confession”, there is a strong implication that Ren was the first one to confess his love to Jeanne. Here, we can see Ren’s body language of him having his hands curled up into fists, implying he’s trying to muster up his courage and confess his feelings to Jeanne.
SK Remix track - Chapter 12
In this chapter, Tamao mentions that Ren has build a successful enterprise and a “happy family”. "This” is later shown in the other sequels spinoffs (Red Crimson and Marcos)
When SK ended in 2009, RenMei BARELY had any official moments let alone official art except for their one infamous moment where they showed up together as a couple in SK remix track and they were briefly mentioned by Tamao that Ren has a happy family in 2011. For many years, many people speculated Ren definitely married Jeanne out from duty / only had a child with her because of his rivalry competition with Yoh. It wasn't until June of 2018 after 9 years of not having their dynamic shown, Takei came back just in time for Shaman King's 20th anniversary with the continuation of SK flowers and a brand new spinoff sequel focusing on the Tao Family. He finally showed how Ren and Jeanne's dynamic worked out as a couple, starting with the official full blown wedding art he has drawn of them:
It's pretty clear in the very first chapter of Red Crimson, we see Ren's parents standing right next to a wall full of Ren's pictures and at the very bottom the photos features Ren and Jeanne's wedding photos, showing how happy they look together
And if it wasn't clear enough, yet another panel that shows how happy Ren is with Jeanne:
SK Red Crimson - Chapter 4, “Beloved”
Ren brings Jeanne over to his family and introduces her to them, while also announcing he is getting married to her. The Tao family later throws a huge celebration for them.
During the celebration, it has been implied that before upon arriving at the Tao’s estate, Ren has talked to Jeanne about the nature of his family and the very possible fact that a wedding celebration is very likely to happen once she meets them. This also heavily implies that Ren and Jeanne are very communicative with one another in their relationship.
Ching later points out and mentions that Ren and Jeanne appears to be seriously devoted to one another. Throughout the entire wedding celebration, Ren and Jeanne were shown to be happy together.
Fast forward to a time skip, the next page shows the normal daily life of Ren and Jeanne’s family. Men, who is now a fully grown kid, prepares to start the day and leave the house with Ren and his co-workers. Here is another instance of Ren and Jeanne having a healthy marriage and how communicative he is with Jeanne. Not only they are very communicative but based on how they interact strongly implies they have a very healthy relationship, a very strong healthy and happy marriage and a happy family.
In this same chapter, Jeanne later gets murdered by a group called “Red Crimson”, led by the Dong family, who also happens to be the current enemies of the Tao family in the sequels. In her final moments, we can see Jeanne’s final thoughts of her thinking about Men, which she also pleads for Shamash for protect him; not only did she had Men in her mind but in her next final thoughts showcases Ren, who is happily carrying Men on his back and the both of them looking at Jeanne happily-- which she then thanks Ren for loving her and claims they will meet again someday.
The same exact picture of Ren carrying Men looking happily at Jeanne also shows up in the SK flowers anime ending
Communication is the most important part in romantic relationships. If you truly love someone, you communicate with them. If Ren didn't loved Jeanne, he wouldn't have told her about his family. He wouldn't have taken her to his family's estate. He wouldn't even be there with her to announce their marriage. Heck, he wouldn't even be engaged to her.. They wouldn't have had any active communication to began with. He wouldn't be smiling at her alongside with Men. But he communicated with her. He talked to her about his family and letting her know more about him. He announced his love to Jeanne to his family and he's smiling at her. These panels proves that Ren loves Jeanne because he's communicating with her
SK Red Crimson - Chapter 10
This chapter shows the aftermath of Jeanne’s death and how it deeply affected both Men and Ren. Men wants to get revenge killing the Red Crimson group for murdering Jeanne. Ren on the other hand, brings up their “promise” to Men, the promise that which Jeanne, Ren and Men all agreed upon that no matter what happens, they should never kill anyone. This made Men remembered Jeanne for a brief moment and in response he angrily lashes out at Ren, which resulted in a argument between the two of them. Being saddened and angered that his father does not want to do anything about Jeanne’s death, Ren claims he will come to terms with Jeanne’s death, resulting in Men angrily yelling at him “You liar! You’ll just endure it! That’s not how you really feel!” and in response, Ren yells back stating he will come to terms with it because he wants to make both Men and Jeanne happy
Following after, Ren expresses his true feelings to Men that he too wanted to get revenge on those that murdered Jeanne and that he was in pain and saddened, even also claiming he wanted to end his own life just so he can be by Jeanne’s side. But however Ren knows that doing any of that would only hurt Jeanne. In reassurance, Ren states they will see her again one day and that when they do, he wants to see her smiling. This concludes the argument between the two and they reconcile. Men jumps and hugs Ren, asking him to tell more about Jeanne and what she was like in the past. Ren responds back with a smile and describes about what Jeanne was like in the past.
While Ren was reminiscing about Jeanne, he states when he first met her, she always wore ‘fluttering clothes covered in frills and ribbons and that she had long beautiful hair’. But when Jeanne got pregnant with Men, she immediately cut her hair and started wearing plain-unadorned garments, in which she claims that she didn’t wanted her hair and clothes to get in the way when Men was in her arms.
After telling Men about Jeanne, Men asks if Ren was crying and in response, Ren too was also crying.
This chapter is literally one of the biggest evidence that Ren truly deeply loved Jeanne and another big instances that they were very close. Ren explicitly expressed his grief over the loss of his wife, even also claiming he wants to end everything and commit suicide just so he can be with her. But because he knows Jeanne extremely well and he knows it would hurt her if he did that, he chooses not to do it
Ren explaining and reminiscing about Jeanne to Men on how she was in the past once again proves that Ren loves Jeanne because if you truly love someone, you'll know all about them, including their pasts
If this isn't proof that this is true actual genuine love, then I don't know what to tell you.
Because no shit sherlock, look how happy Ren looks being by Jeanne's side on their wedding day
Also Ren deeply cares about Jeanne and her feelings and if it's not made clear enough, he pretty much KNOWS everything about her "family" side aka being X-Charity, which once again further proves how close they are as a couple. If Ren really truly didn't loved Jeanne and didn't married her out from love, then that would've also mean he would NOT give a shit about Jeanne's family side at all. If he didn't cared, he wouldn't made such a worried expression about Marco not being at the wedding but however these panels once further proves that once again, Ren married Jeanne because he LOVES her. He clearly shows sympathy for her and sad for his wife knowing the fact her adoptive father isn't with her on her big wedding day
Also look how gentle and soft he is smiling at her
Other further evidences and proofs that Ren loves Jeanne
There are 5 types of love languages: Acts of Service, Gift Giving, Words of Affirmation, Quality time and Physical touch
Ren is very physically affectionate around Jeanne. He has been shown holding her hand, resting his hands on her shoulder and/or resting his hands around her hips
If Ren didn't loved Jeanne, he wouldn't be wrapping his hands on her hips or resting his hands on her shoulders. But these panels continue to keep on proving that Ren does in fact, loves Jeanne.
Ren keeps family photos of his wife and son at his office desk at work.
If Ren didn't loved Jeanne, he wouldn't have family photos of her or his son at his workplace. But he has them anyways which again, further proves that he loves Jeanne (and Men)
Ren also has plans to build a hotel, naming it “Hotel R&M”. Idk about you but that screams R&M as in “Ren and Meiden”. I mean afterall, this is the SAME man who named his SF team, "Team the Ren". This man loves his wife to great lengths to literally naming a hotel based off from him and Jeanne
(From SK the super star chapter 33)
Now that we covered all of the evidences and proofs that Ren loves Jeanne, for the counter arguments that debunks RenMei antis arguments:
“Ren only married Jeanne just to compete with Yoh”
This is not true because the sequels and its spinoffs does not show any signs of Ren's wanting to compete 24/7 as he has his own business to run and let’s be real here, Ren is a full grown mature adult. He is way past beyond from what he used to act like when he was a young teenager. Not once do we ever see Ren thinking about his rivalry with Yoh 24/7 and this was not heavily present anywhere in the sequels. His main focus of goal in the sequels is to make Jeanne's dreams into a reality by changing the world and making the world more peaceful according to her ideals.
What Joco said in the final chapter in the original series is COMPLETELY FALSE because mainly of the reasons:
Joco and Ren has not been in contact for over 7 years. Had Joco and Ren kept in close contact, Joco would have probably never have made that comment of assumption. But because Joco have not seen Ren in 7 years, he thinks Ren is still the same old Ren from 7 years ago with the same old beliefs and old personality when in this case, is not entirely true because Joco does not know what has actually happened to Ren at all during those 7 years. In reality they were not even close to begin with.
The comment also came off as a “casual joke” as well
“Ren only married Jeanne for the sake of continuing the Tao bloodline and only wanted to have a strong child”
Ren and Jeanne canonically has types of people they like - Ren likes girls who isn't a bother and doesn't get in his way and that he prefers short petite girls. Jeanne likes people who are honest. Ren and Jeanne's official wedding artwork exists. Red Crimson exists. Marcos exists. Day after Maize exists. The super star exists. Time and time, these respective sequels and spinoffs proves to show how much Jeanne truly meant to Ren and how much Ren means to Jeanne and how they worked as a couple.
You have to remember that Ren isn't the type of character to obey his family as he has LITERALLY went up against them in the series and defied them as he was sick and tired being indoctrinated with hatred as well as he was tired of all the bloodshed and all the suffering he dealt with from the Tao family throughout his entire childhood. Ren was even uncomfortable by the potential idea that his father even had a whole list of fiancée candidates and doesn't like the idea of marrying a literal zombie. Ren is his own person and he refuses to let other people rule over him, this includes his family. Although Ren had bad blood with his family before, over time in the original SK series, the Tao family eventually sees the error of their ways and they decide to support Ren and wants him to be happy. This is pretty evident in Red Crimson when Ren brings Jeanne to the Tao estate where he announces to his entire family that he's getting married and they immediately welcomed Jeanne into the family in full welcoming arms, supporting them and their marriage and taking many photos of them in the process, celebrating their son's happiness. It's clearly obvious that the Tao family does not impose on Ren's love life neither do we never once see them nagging at Ren in the series to marry and reproduce for the sake of continuing the Tao bloodline. Again, they will support in whatever decisions Ren make as long as he's happy then they're happy.
And also romance never once came across Ren's mind. It was not on his mind during the Shaman preliminaries fight, it was not on his mind during the Shaman fight, it was not on his mind when he enrolled in school after the Shaman fight. It never crossed his mind because he was busy trying to reach the goal that was in front of him at the time (becoming Shaman King and trying to make his way into college in order to get his college degree and change the world as he is on a mission to change Hao's mind about humanity) Romance however, only came across his mind when he reunited with Jeanne years later when he attended college in Europe. He helped funded her charity and during his time over at Europe, the two eventually fell in love with each other and got married.
People often forget that back in the original series, Yoh’s words helped Ren shaped on who he is today, saying that Ren will one day find his own person he loves and start a family and once he creates that, all the hatred will disappear. The words Yoh said does not directly tie to "Ren's rivalry with Yoh" or it akins to "Ren wanting to marry out from duty", these statements are completely false and doesn't make complete sense to Ren's character in the sequels and spinoffs. If Ren wasn’t shown to be completely happy at all in the sequels then the false claims of Ren only marrying Jeanne out of duty and wanting to continue his rival competition would have been true by now but however,
The sequels and spin-offs has already proven on how their dynamic worked as a couple countless times
Ren married Jeanne because he loves her.
And Jeanne married Ren because she loves him.
Ren and Jeanne loves each other.
