#folkcap

Oh sure, an excuse to ramble!

Like Tier

TachyCafe: Before Cafe's Career solidified it, I categorized their dynamic as "unexpected comfort and familiarity under the guise of curiosity and tolerance". That was the initial impression I got; their scenes with the shared room have a quiet intimacy to them, framing Cafe "coming home" to Tachyon after a long day. And then later I see that Cafe is literally Tachyon's favorite person above all else: it's notable how madly she's into Cafe because it's such a far cry from her overall detachment to most things. Tachyon doesn't act like that towards anyone else. It's wonderfully poignant how Tachyon uses honorifics (mostly "-kun") for everybody (Trainer-kun, Guinea pig-kun, even Pokke-kun and Dantsu-kun) EXCEPT Cafe. That really highlights how special Cafe is to her. Like, Scarlet is her IRL daughter, but Tachyon still uses "Scarlet-kun". Isn't it obvious who her preference is? And on the other end, Cafe was the first to approach Tachyon after she noticed how everyone else avoided her because Tachyon is weird and off-putting. Between Tachyon's glass ankles and Cafe's combined chronic fatigue and schizophrenia, Tachyon's chatter about sharing an intrinsic mutual understanding gets recontextualized into both of them finding comfort and solace in each other because they're kindred spirits. And despite what some think, the relationship isn't one-sided: Cafe is the first to notice that Tachyon's run was different. As much as she tolerates and avoids her shenanigans, Cafe still cares enough to notice the littlest things about Tachyon. She even willingly sits next to Tachyon and brings her coffee just so she wouldn't feel cold when it's raining.

NariAma: Aside from their IRL story being a tragic doomed romance that never came to pass, I think it's interesting how Brian doesn't really give the time of day to anyone aside from her sister and Hishiama. And even then, she doesn't always listen to Hayahide either; Hayahide frets over Brian's poor diet, but Brian staunchly refuses to change it, only making an exception when Hishiama makes bentos for her. But also, Brian calls Hishiama “Ama” ("Ama-san" in JP), when she calls Air Groove "Empress" or uses "aitsu" in JP (roughly "that guy") to refer to Rudolf. That's what I mean--the noticeable ways in which she treats Hishiama differently than how she normally treats everyone else. There's an unfiltered kind of rawness there. Something primal. Hishiama's Career also focuses a lot on Brian, ultimately culminating in Hishiama proclaiming to the world that Brian is HER rival, when the world was despondent over Brian's injury. Brian loses the IDGAF war whenever it comes to Hishiama (immediately volunteering to taste test for her and criticizing Fuji's impersonation of her), even if she pretends otherwise. Another case of obvious favoritism.

SiriNaka: Oh my god they're roommates. But for real, I do enjoy how playful and strangely sincere their dynamic is. From what I've seen, Sirius looks out for Nakayama and indulges her, adding a personal touch to their nightly games by wagering all sorts of "punishments" for losing. Nakayama enjoys thrills and the unexpected more than anything else, and what better way to fuel that fire than with someone as audacious as Sirius? One of the reasons why Sirius likes her is because Nakayama isn't "easy"; she doesn't acquiesce nor capitulate to Sirius, whose personality and demeanor make it hard for people to go against her. And Nakayama can see through Sirius's BS posturing. Also, I'd have to see how it's globally translated, but some of their interactions sound homoerotically suggestive, like Sirius telling Nakayama not to get fished by anyone other than her, showcasing how possessive Sirius is. They are--I say with affection--my favorite yaoi Uma ship.

Krisario: I saw a clip of Kris S almost fainting at the thought of asking Cesario out on a date and I was sold. They even have a CG of them meeting in a church in what is portrayed as some sort of fated encounter! But I like how both of their primary motivations for racing align with each other, in that Cesario wants to become a foundation for future generations while Kris S wants to revolutionize the JP racing scene (despite being an "outsider"). Their tenderness is very palpable when interacting, feeling warm and secure with each other without really knowing why. It feels very "reincarnation romance", or even potentially soulmates, sharing an unfamiliar affinity with a supposed stranger.

PokeFuji: I really liked their interactions in BOANE. I'd already witnessed Season 2 TeiMaku, so I had no real need for anymore rivalships. The quiet, supportive, mentor-like dynamic Pokke and Fuji had caught my attention more than what was advertised to most; the nighttime conversation in their yukatas? Pokke made Fuji’s lost dreams come true. And then Fuji came out donning her racewear to cheer Pokke up? The camerawork when they were talking to each other through the leaves under the tree was highkey romantic.

FolkCap: I don't have much to say on the Revolving Carousel of Oguri Yuri (other than March being her first and Tamamo's general dynamic with her), but Folkqueen initially caught my attention because of the IRL inspiration being a doomed romance, similar to NariAma. Oguri had a crush on Horlicks, but never got to mate with her, due to factors such as cost and his progeny not being successful racers. So I like the idea that Uma Oguri can at least get to be with Folkqueen for a little while, even if it might not be forever. Folkqueen having a complex about being perceived for who she is, and then for Oguri to be the one to view her in a way she's been wanting to be seen? That's cute... and Oguri's always been awkward, but turns up the adorableness when interacting with Folkqueen (asking for her number!)

Bonus OTP Tier

RudoGuru: Haha wow, there's a lot I have to say about them, but I'll try to keep it concise. They're the mature type of "agony of restraint" relationship you find relatable once you're 30+ years old and care so much but have to grapple with aspirations, responsibility, vulnerability, self-sacrifice, duty, pride, and self-control. I don't believe when people say they're only shipped because they're Emperor and Empress. They mesh well together because they share similar ideals, and Air Groove is basically the only person who's willing to help Rudolf achieve her dream to create a world where all Uma can be happy. There's a certain subsect of people who view Rudolf's aspirations as less valid than others and deride it as egotistical and lofty (ever since Sirius's introduction with people siding with her over Rudolf), which makes it even more important that Air Groove is irreplaceable and the most capable person to help Rudolf flourish without compromising either herself or her dream. That matters because all of Rudolf's contemporary peers rejected joining her. Rudolf compares herself and Groove as the earth and sun to cultivate a world where Uma can thrive and excel. And Groove reciprocates the sentiment by wanting to be the sun who inspires the earth to reach for the sky. It's so important that Groove, a technical underclassman to Rudolf, doesn't treat Rudolf as some unreachable, infallible idol on a pedestal; she very pointedly treats Rudolf as Just Another Umamusume, someone who Groove aims to inspire, as she strives to become an Umamusume who can inspire anyone. This is reflected in how Rudolf was manning the student council entirely by herself until Air Groove ran against her for the presidential position--someone who openly challenged her on her own playing field.

It sucks when people whittle Groove down to a mere follower or a glorified secretary to Rudolf who hates her jokes (she doesn't!). The point is that Groove is neither--she simply believes in Rudolf's goals alongside her own, thus they walk the same path together. So much of their dynamic emphasizes them as partners who reign each other in. Look at their respective Careers and see the care and mutual respect. Groove isn't a blind yes-man; she isn't afraid to go against Rudolf's authority, especially if it concerns Rudolf's well-being. Groove is only ever disagreeable when Rudolf is trying to shoulder the entire world when she has others who can help her, but Rudolf is stubborn and doesn't want others to suffer, because she cares TOO much. Groove is never mean-spirited when she chides; it's always coming from a place of care. That's why Rudolf said that she would never trade Groove's scoldings for the world. Meanwhile Rudolf has hints of possessiveness ("my esteemed right hand") and overprotectiveness (her behavior after Groove collapsed), but that can clash with Groove's pride. I think it's so sweet how attentive they are to each other, but are blind to their own needs. They both overextend themselves for others and have to be reminded that they're not alone, they have a partner who's willing to ease their burdens. And that's precisely why they're good for each other.

TeiMaku: My disclaimer is that I'm a fan of the anime version of Teio, McQueen, and their relationship much more than the game. Rivals who were destined to cross paths ("Teio can run to the ends of the Earth" vs "McQueen can reach the height of Heaven"), but fate itself tried its hardest to keep it from happening. Teio's dreams got shattered again and again, and McQueen offered to become her new goal. But then McQueen gets diagnosed with an incurable ailment that makes it impossible for her to keep her promise to Teio. Teio decides to flip fate off and create a miracle herself for McQueen. My interpretation at the end of it all is that Teio now suffers recurring fractures, so while neither of them can run at full capacity anymore, and thus their fated rivalry will never happen at full peak, they still have each other. It's a bittersweet ending. All that and more is why I consider Umamusume Season 2 to be a sports romance between them.