Versus Van In Escaflowne fan circles, particularly Escaflowne fangirl circles, the cry often goes up 'Allen is better than Van!' (Or, alternatively, 'Van is better than Allen!' Sometimes even 'Moleman is better than Allen!', but they're just trying to be clever.) To me the obvious reply is 'Better at what?' I think it's time for some objective comparison. (Well, as objective as I get.) Allen is better at fighting with a sword than Van, witness the number of times he kicks his ass in this event. However, by the end of the series, Van is better at fighting in a guymelef than Allen - or at least in Escaflowne, with which he develops a psychic bond. Allen is better at making a good first impression on girls. Van is better at not disappointing girls, as time goes by - he simply takes longer to appreciate. (Also to grow out of being kind of a meathead sometimes.) Allen is better at wearing swish clothes and having pretty hair. Van is better at wearing clothes that wouldn't make you burst out laughing if you saw them on a real guy. Basically, the mediaeval version of jeans and a teeshirt. Allen is way better at controlling his temper than Van. Van is better at controlling his libido than Allen. Presumably. Or Meruru might have been knocked up by now. (This would objectively be a Bad Thing but I do think their children would probably be extremely cute.) On the other hand, Allen is better at acting on his feelings so girls know where they stand with him. He might also be better at kissing than Van, but we have no way of knowing because Hitomi has no basis for comparison. (Twenty-six episodes and they don't kiss once. GRR! There's such a thing as too much control!) Van is better at not patronising people rigid. He does it a bit at the start of the series but it wears off. Allen is better at beating up Dragonslayers without doing permanent damage. Van is better at killing Dragonslayers. Allen is better at not screaming when painfully injured. Van is better at screaming very dramatically when painfully injured. Allen is better at grossing Dilandau out. Van is better at pissing Dilandau off. After reading all this you may be left in some doubt as to whether I belong to the 'Allen is better than Van' or the 'Van is better than Allen' faction. In fact, I am the ringleader of the 'Dryden is better than Allen' faction, so mwahahahaha and three cheers for bookish guys. As for Mr Mole, well, once again, better at what? *^.^* **Home