soratothamax wrote:
Okay, I am taking this opportunity to come up with this psychological diagnosis of the characters, the fans, why some hate it and why others like it. Though I know this won't exist in Gosho's world of coupling, it's still interesting to think about....and to add to this board and keep it up (been in psychology waaay too long).
1) I have noticed that people have different perceptions of AiConan and why they like them. Many people like them because they have a lot in common, but some like them because they are opposites and have a lot to offer the other. For instance, people see that they have brains, emotions, demeanor, and are in the same situation as one another. They also seem to be very good partners, work well in harmony, and be humorous and fun, without being smoldering.
So I've been really thinking, what is it about AiCon that makes anyone attracted to them? Is it that they have too much in common? Or too little? Or a balance?
Shinichi came from a wealthy, famous home, and mostly lived independently. He was always well-taken care of, parents practically pours money into his pocket, gives him a lot of freedom, never made any demands on him (not school-wise, business-wise, nothing), and are nice and open-minded. He lived the perfect life for a teenage boy. He got everything he ever wanted, including the girl he wanted, and he is popular, charming, and famous in his career at age 17. It's no wonder that he is so confident in himself, daring, courageous, optimistic, and intelligent. He never had anything holding him back, and never had anything teach him that life was hard, or that he had to work hard to achieve anything, or teach him the "darker" side of life. So it is no wonder that he comes off as incompassionate to people in their circumstances, feelings, or ideas. He feels he's right, and no one else, and he rolls his eyes at people who feel down all the time or so emotionally smoldering they cry all the time, because he never suffered anything (until the BO ordeal).
Ai lived the most terrifying life next to all of them. Basically, she lived in Hell. She was born and raised in a large crime syndicate, where all she knew was crime. She was groomed to be a criminal. She had to act, look, and speak a certain way if she wanted to keep her life and stay in good favor with the boss. She was raised to build a career and learn a trade rather than waste her time on "childish imagination" and fantasizing. She had to grow up at an early age as well. Her parents died when she was three, and her sister was far overseas, so she had to take care of herself. The BO were a far cry from parents (and probably didn't even give the girl enough food to eat). Majority of her life she had been alone. The BO groomed her to be secretive and observant, as to not trust anyone too quickly. Ai never had any friends to go outside and have fun with, and the BO doesn't seem like the type that would let her go outside and play, so she probably spent most of her time studying and working and reading, like an adult at a young age. They taught her that the world was really evil and cold, and that the only way to get ahead is to be like the world, hence the cold and reserved demeanor. They taught Ai to run if things get too sticky, and to plan based on the moves of the enemy.
Judging by this, Shinichi isn't good enough for Ran or Ai. Ai needs someone who is more compassionate, and Ran needs someone who is more sensitive and understanding.
But because this is Shinichi's story, we are seeing him develop and change much more, whereas Ran has already changed. Being around conan has also changed her, given her someone to talk to, and has introduced her to some odd characters that cause her to be more sure of herself.
Shinichi went through the biggest changes when he changed into Conan. Heiji's friendship allowed him to share the spotlight and cooperate with others instead of stealing the show all the time. Another one of his biggest changes that would affect his personality is meeting Ai Haibara. Before he met her, he had a very shallow view about criminals, believeing them all to be bad and distrustful, and he never protected any other girl. He also met many more BO/FBI members after her introduction. With meeting her, he's learned that the world isn't pleasant. He's also learned he is not invincible, and that there are people out there who can prove to be a threat to him. He's also become much less reckless and much more thoughtful. He's even changed in his attitudes about Ran. With meeting the Detective Boys, he's able to see that everyone doesn't have to be a "big shot" to make a difference. He's learned to humble himself, and mature a bit. Through Ai, he's learned that not everyone lives with fine clothing, food, pleasant home, fine dining, wonderful parents, and a loving, charming home. And he realizes all girls aren't alike. He's become less shallower and less opinionated in his beliefs, though he still has his moments...
Ai has changed a lot since meeting the Dboys and Conan. She's not as cold, cynnical, and distrustful anymore. She's much more open-minded, loving, and courageous. She is learning that the world is not bad. She's learning to think lightly about things instead of at the negative all the time. She's also learning to have fun.
5) Now, there have been recent studies of why people are attracted to certain types of romances. Many surveys have said that they were attracted to certain types of romances by observing their parents, their success in their family, and the observance of their friends' relationships (those who had one before they did). Me, for instance, I grew up in a seriously divided home. My home was Hell. My parents, on the outside were glamorous, spent lavishly, and were idealistic about their romance, but when they got together for the long haul, my mother was more emotional and my father (also born on Shinichi's birthday) wasn't. Their relationship was a disaster. they had nothing in common, and my mother's feelings were hurt so eaily that she became depressed with every little word. My father...he was also good with the ladies, a partier, and arrogant. My mother grew up in a poorer family, but she had rich taste, so she worked hard.. My father grew up wealthy, but didn't know how to work hard. I even observed my friends' relationships and how they had too many expectations at age 17 and 18, which also ended in a predictable disaster. This is why psychologically I am attracted to Ai/Conan. Within my life, the idealistic romances have never lasted, have always ended in disaster, and now I look for couples that are more natural, mature, not as idealistic, with people who are expectant and not stereotyped. I also think that young, naive love is pointless, as most of my life it was the cause of the disaster and regret, and so I prefer to see mature romances, after someone has matured and knows what they want. Because the "idealism" of my mother and father, my home was shattered, and so I can't get into it psychologically.
That's my other reason for liking Ai/Conan. ;)
It's safe to say that I felt that early on in the series, Ran and shinichi were much more alike, especially as children. They had more in common than anyone in the show. But as Ran and Shinichi "grew up" throughout the series, and as Ai got into the picture, Ran and Shinichi don't seem as compatible anymore, as at first you couldn't see one without the other (simply because Ran had no other guy friends and Conan had no other female friends). Now, it seems it's possible to see Conan with someone else, with another girl besides Ran, because now he has more in common with Ai as he matures a bit, and he's around her now too (and she knows more about him at the moment).
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Just thought I'd share all of that information, because I really had time to think about why I liked and admired this pairing so much compared to any anime/manga pairing.
I totally agree with you. The coupling would be also based on our personalities, dislikes, likes and opinions etc.
I am actually a mature, pessimistic person who simply doesn't believe in perfection and fairytales. Basically, my life is like hell. Therefore, that is why I prefer Ai.
Secondly, my parents are divorced too. That is also why I don't believe in fairytales. Even if you get married, life isn't perfect. Not only that, my lovelife totally sucked. It is always one-sided. That's why I am not really a dreamy person who talks about perfect romance or relationships.
Well, just thinking it through, those people who prefer AiCon is mostly those who are pessimistic and realistic. On the other hand, those who prefer ShinRan and CoAyu would mostly people who are optimistic and idealistic.
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