#wangsi

This seemed like it would be a fun way to reflect on some of the newer series I saw last year, but I underestimated how difficult it would be haha. In a way it's also an opportunity to express my fondness for some of the more underrated pairings and a way to let you guys know where I'm at…

This list will primarily consist of new pairings (i.e., ones that I only started shipping in 2025). However, I’m making an exception for one pairing I’ve shipped for a while—as it is from a series that only received an animated adaptation in 2025.

*P.S. I just wanted to post a reminder that this list ranks some of my favourite new pairings for 2025; therefore, these rankings do not correspond to my previous overall favourite pairings list.

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-> Honourable mentions:

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-> My Top 12 Favourite New 2025 Ships

12. HakuKoyu │Hakuji × Koyuki (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

As much as I love Kimetsu no Yaiba, I've haven't always enjoyed the series' canonical romance elements, so I went into the movie with low expectations with regards to this pairing. Imagine my surprise with how nicely their relationship was presented and developed with how little time they had together. I like the angst pairings particularly "right person not enough time" trope when it's done right and isn't overly melodramatic. While they could've had a lot more development, I'm very happy with what we got and can say that these two are my favourite canonical pairing within the series.

11. KaiUka │ Miura Kai × Ishimori Uka (Honey Lemon Soda)

I was honestly surprised by how much negative criticism this series and its leads received as the show was releasing. While some aspects could've definitely been executed a bit better, this series very much resonated with the vibes of many early/mid 2000s shoujosei series. All in all, the character dynamics of these two really reminded me of ships like Kazehaya×Sawako and Kou×Futaba. I liked how considerate and attentive Kai was with Uka while remaining blunt and assertive. I appreciate how he didn't directly solve her problems but encouraged her to stand up for herself and go after what she wanted.

10. Cheneau Clematis × Iana Magnolia & Sol Nemophila × Iana Magnolia & Yomi Blacksarna × Iana Magnolia (Tensei Akujo no Kuro Rekishi)

This is honestly the first time I've watched a comedy-romance anime and didn't know what to ship... While I like to take my time deciding which ship to support when there are multiple good options, Iana just has such great chemistry with all three male leads that I still haven't made up my mind. This is why I ultimately decided to include all 3 pairings on the same rank. Each dynamic is uniquely compelling with its own flaws and strengths. Sol and Iana's relationship is largely an enemies-to-lovers dynamic along themes of emotional repression and slow burn development. Meanwhile Yomi and Iana's relationship centres around themes of obsessive devotion and tense unpredictability. Lastly Cheneau and Iana's dynamic is defined by a shift from deep-seated mutual hostility to a tentative, begrudging respect.

09. CyriMoni │Cyril Ashley × Monica Everett (Silent Witch: Chinmoku no Majo no Kakushigoto)

Although this paring wasn't very central in the series' first season, the little glimpses we had of their interactions stole my heart. I like how much respect and adoration Monica seems to have for Cyril as well as how comfortable she felt around him during their dance scene compared to the other guys. I also like how attentive, patient and concerned Cyril is when it comes to her.

08. KudoIchi │ Kudo Toshitsugu × Shigaraki Yoichi (Boku no Hero Academia)

I've honestly been living for all of the KudoIchi × BakuDeku parallels made during season 8 of BNHA. As you guys know, BakuDeku is my 2nd favourite ship overall—so naturally I've developed a liking towards KudoIchi as well, considering all of the similarities. I wish we had gotten to see more interactions between these two characters, but the little we've gotten was conveyed really nicely. While KudoIchi is very much resonate themes of angsty tragic doomed pairings, despite their limited screentime their relationship depth and development are very apparent and is central to the series' lore.

07. ShiMao │ Shisui × Maomao (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto)

Everyone who follows me knows how crazy I am about JinMao, and I obviously still love their dynamic... That being said, I really liked the dynamic between Shisui and Maomao during season 2, platonic or otherwise... Maomao notoriously maintains a detached and aloof persona when it comes to others to avoid getting into trouble. That being said, her attachment to Shisui was incredibly apparent. She cared about Shisui to the point that she willingly gave her Jinshi's hairpin it the hopes that it would protect her and/or facilitate their reunion someday. Not only do they match each other well personality wise but their backgrounds also parallel eachother, making it so that they can empathize and understand one another incredibly well.

06. MizuSua │ Mizi × Sua (Alien Stage)

Most of the pairings I favour tend to be centred around positive growth and compatibility, but lately I've enjoyed many ships that feature a lot more nuanced and destructive themes. Alien Stage uses its dystopian setting to explore the intricacies of human connection and the empowering albeit destructive nature of love. Mizi and Sua's relationship is arguably the series' core arc as the series both starts and ends with a duet between the two. Their relationship is largely defined by themes of emotional intensity, idol worship and toxic dependency. Mizi refers to Sua as her "god" and her "universe" and often views herself as bad person in comparison to Sua. Losing Sua was an immense shock for Mizi causing her to shut down mentally. Sua likewise considers Mizi to be her whole world—believing her to be innocent, emotionally pure and unknowing of the harsh realities of their existence. As such Sua sacrifices herself not just to save Mizi but also because she can't see imagine herself living without Mizi. All in all, their dynamic centers around sacrifice, resilience and emotional intimacy while encapsulating the concept that love can be both transcendent and ruinous.

05. YanShen │ Yan Wushi × Shen Qiao (Qian Qiu)

Reading Thousand Autumns was certainly an experience... For once I was glad that I had heard so many spoilers for the series as they helped a great deal. I liked that the series wasn't afraid to portray a relationship between two characters with directly opposing worldviews and personalities without having either completely compromise on their values in the end. YanShen's dynamic is complex, having evolved from a relationship rooted in manipulation and antagonism to one of mutual respect and emotional connection. Yan Wushi represents ruthlessness, cynicism, and ambition, whereas Shen Qiao embodies integrity, persistence, and compassion. Throughout the novel, their encounters influence one another—with Shen Qiao's fortitude challenging Yan Wushi's rigid worldview and the latter's presence pushing the former to become more conscious and guarded.

04. WangSi │ Nangong Si × Ye Wangxi (Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun)

Guess who finally got around to reading erha! Honestly that scene in volume 7 had me tearing up even though I very much saw it coming... I very much clung to the misguided belief that since this wasn't an MXTX work, the side ships had a chance of working out. Part of me does enjoy the angst because of how well it was conveyed. Even though they didn't work out in either of the 2 lifetimes, their feelings for one another are indisputably clear and I adore that. Their dynamic largely centres around mutual respect, shared trauma, solidarity and loyalty. Nangong Si's impulsiveness, righteousness, sincerity and kindness pair well with Ye Wangxi's composure, diligence, elegance and strong sense of justice. In a way, they remind me a lot of NejiTen—the first pairing I took a liking to.

03. LucAthy │ Lucas × Athanasia de Alger Obelia (Who Made Me A Princess)

Let it be known that I am very much disappointed and conflicted about the way their relationship has been portrayed in certain parts of the donghua and manhwa adaptations... However, nothing can take away from how much I originally liked their dynamic, which is why they're still so high on my list despite it all... Just seeing their interactions is enough to make me happy. That being said both adaptations certainly delivered on many key moments with these two. Their relationship development is subtle yet complex, having evolved from one of playful antagonism to one of profound loyalty and affection. Lucas' wittiness, haughtiness and introspective nature pair well with Athy's perceptiveness, compassion and playfulness. Athy breaks through Lucas' harsh and aloof exterior—bringing out a more vulnerable, loyal and protective side of him. Similarly, Lucas is a source of security and strength for Athy—helping to encourage her growth and empowering her to rewrite her fate.

02. IvanTill │ Ivan × Till (Alien Stage)

Ivan and Till's dynamic is largely defined by themes of miscommunication, unrequited love, repression and pining. Although Till wears his heart on his sleeve, he doesn't fully understand his emotions and is somewhat oblivious when it comes to the true natures and feelings of others. In comparison Ivan is much more indirect when it comes to expressing his affection and as such his devotion and affection is largely misunderstood and unnoticed. The cruelty of the series' setting magnifies their emotional disconnect as their feelings are buried under layers of miscommunication and external pressures. In the end, Ivan sacrifices himself not only to save Till but in a desperate attempt to convey his feelings towards Till. Although their arc is less central to the series than of MiziSua, both pairings are equally impactful. IvanTill's relationship very much encapsulates the lingering sense of “what could have been” if they had only found the courage to voice their feelings.

01. YoshiKaru │ Tsujinaka Yoshiki × Hikaru Indou (Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu)

I love the ambiguity of their relationship and feelings for one another and think the series does a phenomenal job at portraying that. I enjoy the ambiguity of this pairing in terms of who we're pairing Yoshiki with—the original Hikaru or the supernatural being that has replaced him. Like most fans, I enjoy both ships for different reasons. Yoshiki and the original Hikaru's dynamic centres around a childhood friends dynamic with the former being confirmed to hold romantic feelings towards the latter. Yoshiki's introspective, anxious and secretive nature pairs well with Hikaru's boisterous, compassionate and extroverted personality. In contrast, Yoshiki's responsibility, reservation and composure pair well with the current "Hikaru's" curiosity, expressiveness, tumultuousness. Yoshiki and "Hikaru's" dynamic initially centred around the former's grief and inability to accept his friend's death. Their bond has since grown into a separate but no less meaningful one that centres around co-dependance, existential horror and the human need for connection.

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25+ writer looking for a 23+ partner to write some danmei pairings with — semi-lit to lit — nsfw preferred — 🪦🕊️ allowed with prior discussion beforehand.

primarily looking for the following fandoms and ships:

ERHA / 2HA

mo ran / chu wanning

mei hanxue (older, younger, or both!) / xue meng

ye wangxi / nangong si

YUWU

mo xi / gu mang

QJJ

xiao chiye / shen zechuan

🚨 Siren: Survive the Island (while my heart’s on fire)

Athletes Mo Ran, Shi Mei, Xue Meng, and Ye Wangxi battle a squad of police officers led by Chu Wanning in a reality TV show on a remote island. 🏝️

AO3 Summary ⤵️

Me & Not Me 【是我非我】 龟仙人龟娘 [1/2]

夜雨凉晚风入梦 吹落几度海棠

The rain at night is cold and the wind enters my dreams, blowing a few haitang blossoms to the ground

白衣寒九歌离断 人间又参商

The white clothes are cold and Jiuge is no longer whole, our time together in this life is short and fleeting and once we leave one another we will be thousands of miles apart