Well, we've examined Yuuichirou and Rei's history together, but perhaps it's still not apparent why I think it would be just peachy if the two of them were Officially Together. It may be helpful at this stage to compare Yuuichirou with his competition, at one time or another, for Rei's heart, and see what he's got that they haven't. (At first I was going to call this page 'Yuu Know It Makes Sense!' but then I decided that was too bad, even for me.) It's worth mentioning that only one of these relationships existed for sure (another was hinted at) in the original manga (comic book), in which Rei was pretty much an ice princess. Of course, Yuuichirou doesn't exist in the manga either, but if I can make him out to be the best in a universe where he was never even thought of, what a feat that would be! (Think I'm trying too hard here?) I do enjoy the manga, but I like the feisty, heartstrong anime Rei better. Anime Guys Chiba Mamoru Known to DiC fans as Darien, Mamoru was Rei's first serious crush, although, of course, this was not meant to be. Tall and classically handsome, with black hair and blue eyes, Mamoru might seem a formidable opponent, but does he really stand up to Yuuichirou when you consider the following? Yuuichirou has never once stepped on Rei's head. Even by accident! Yuuichirou would never dump a girl without telling her why, making her so miserable she sits down in public phone booths and cries. Yuuichirou is not, apparently, earmarked by destiny to be anyone else's fiancé. Yuuichirou would be overjoyed if Rei wanted to go out with him; Mamoru can be such a cold fish. (Okay, Rei in love-huntress mode can be alarming, but he could at least be flattered!) Yuuichirou cares about the shrine and wants to make a life working there; Mamoru wants to be a doctor (if that King of Crystal Tokyo gig doesn't work out, I guess). Doesn't sound like he plans to spend much time at home. Yuuichirou has changed his whole life already just to be with Rei; he stopped drinking, he got religion, hell, one day he might even get a haircut. Mamoru couldn't even fake a little polite enthusiasm for the doll exhibition she wanted to see. When Rei realised Mamoru and Usagi were fated to be together, she gave up her claim on him graciously (good girl). Perhaps she found it a little easier knowing she had someone to fall back on? Sorry, pure speculation there. (Above) The moment of infamy. Of course, she let herself in for this... lurking round corners has its dangers. Ten'ou Haruka Haruka is not really competition for Rei's affection, because she already has a girlfriend. The point is, Yuuichirou believed she was - and believed Haruka was a boy, which is not surprising once you get a look at her. There can be no stronger evidence that Yuuichirou deserves Rei than that he was willing to fight someone as lethal as Haruka purely because he was afraid 'he' would break Rei's heart. Yeah, he's a doofus, but he's a romantic, chivalrous doofus. So, in Yuuichirou's favour here, he's available! a male heterosexual (I'm reaching, aren't I?) not a deranged speed demon who drives without a licence a sweetie Kou Yaten One of the Three Lights, a band which becomes very popular during Sailor Stars. (He's the short one with green eyes and white hair.) Of course, Yaten is also one of the Sailor Starlights, which means he transforms into a woman ('his' true form - the boy band thing is a disguise) to fight. Rei sneaked into Juuban High School (she attends the convent school, T*A Academy) to see the Lights play a special concert, but I think we can safely take this more as Rei getting into a pop culture phenomenon than giving her heart. (Speaking of which, which of the Beatles do you think Rei would have had a crush on, had she been young during the 60s? I see her as that one girl in the final concert scene of A Hard Day's Night who just whispers 'George!') I don't believe Yaten fancied Rei. At least Yuuichirou's a guy all the time (just ask Akane Tendo if you don't believe sudden changes of gender would be annoying) not an alien who's going back to his own planet at the end of the series, and if your personal code of ethics doesn't prevent you ever mixing dub and anime information in your mind, you can always say 'Well, I'm sure Chad's songs are much better than the Lights' anyway. That damn' repetitive "search for your love" thing? Blah.' Manga Guys Yeah, I guess it's silly to pit Yuuichirou against people who don't even exist in the same narrative continuum as him, and who were, moreover, involved with a girl quite unlike the version of Hino Rei he's in love with, but I'm determined to do this thoroughly. I'll keep it brief. Jadeite The Dark Kingdom general with special responsibility for the Far East. There's not much to base this 'relationship' on - one artbook picture by Naoko-sensei shows him hugging Sailormars (each of the generals seems to have acquired a Senshi date in this picture), and in the actual manga story in which she first appears, he remarks that he's admired her since he first saw her. 'Course, a few panels later she kills him. The worst she's ever done to Yuuichirou is belt him with a yard broom. She must like him! Some people cite this picture, which you can find in Artbook 1, as 'evidence' that Sailor Mars and Jadeite were lovers in the past; ditto the other Senshi-general pairings. I don't buy it. (Apart from anything else, Sailor Mercury and Zoisite?) For one thing, it appears not in the continuity of the manga, but in an artbook. Artbook pictures have an element of non-canonical fantasy to them, kind of like a Simpsons Hallowe'en episode. If you take them as 'evidence' of relationships, then you probably also have to believe that Hotaru and Chibi-Usa, or Rei and Minako, are in love. There are certainly artbook pictures of these pairs looking very cosy, but nothing to back them up specifically in the manga storyline. And you have to believe that Hotaru has been to Maxim's in Paris, because Naoko drew one portrait of her using the restaurant foyer as a backdrop, and that Michiru has sat knee-deep in the sea playing the cello, etcetera, etcetera... the point is, these pictures are pretty, but not directly relevant. For another, while the manga suggests there was a flicker of attraction between Sailor Venus and Kunzite, who met once, it shows no actual relationship between these two, and never depicts even a meeting between any of the other generals and any of the other Senshi. Feel free to imagine that they had a thang, feel free to write fanfic about it, but accept that it didn't happen in the official story, I say. Naoko's comment on the picture is 'This is the title page for the conclusion of the first series of Sailor Moon. It had a great deal of impact on the first series. Probably because the four couplings on the right side were very unexpected. I was thinking of love stories of the previous lives of these couples. I'd like to be able to draw that someday... ' However, in the end, she didn't. She was just toying with the idea. 'kay? (Source: Manga Style) In the anime Jadeite worked at Hikawa Jinja for a short time, and I am happy to report that the robes look better on Yuuichirou than they did on him. He was not noticeably attracted to Rei. Kaidou-san Rei's politician father's secretary. Got engaged to someone else, for career reasons. Although there was a sympathy of minds and a mutual attraction between Kaidou and Rei, which formed the basis of a special manga side story, the whole thing was obviously going nowhere. Okay, okay, she kissed him once - but I see it as a kiss goodbye. Although, from this story we learn that Rei's favourite flowers are white casablancas - take note, Yuuichirou. Tiger's Eye Jen Battagin points out that in the SuperS-period manga, Tiger's Eye, my favourite member of the wicked Amazon Trio, takes an interest in Rei (as he also does in the SuperS episode featuring Yuuichirou). In the manga, each of the Trio tries to seduce one of the Inner Senshi through illusions and dreams (except Minako, who gets her own special trauma involving an evil idol audition) and it's Rei that Tiger picks on, creating images in a funfair hall of mirrors of the two of them kissing, getting married, etcetera, in an effort to make her regret her vow swearing off men and give up on what she believes in. Well, he has good taste, but he's not a terribly nice person *^.^* His confidence in his ability to tempt a strong-willed girl away from her chosen vocation is a little overweening. And of course it doesn't work, 'cause Rei is far too tough and sensible. He's a loser, baby, so why don't you kill him? And she does. *^.^* A Quote to Consider 'If ever I'll be in love... I'd want him to live entirely for me.' - manga Rei (I quote from Fire Senshi's Realm). Yuuichirou wins hands down there. Besides, who but Yuuichirou could put up with Rei's hot temper and her buggy best friend and her creepy grandfather and the constant youma attacks? He copes with it all! Yuuichirou loves Rei the way she is. Mamoru, the only serious alternative, would probably require her to change, just as he requires it of Usagi. (Although, to be fair, his relationship with Usagi has helped Mamoru to loosen up a little. By the S series he's sometimes capable of turning up the collar of his dorky green rugby shirt and behaving like a real live boy.) I think Mamoru and Rei are too much alike in their very high expectations of themselves and others; Rei needs someone accepting to help her mellow out, someone funny and gentle to make her laugh and smile. Someone who she could help to be his best; someone who needs her too. Someone like... well, we know who. Information Entertainment Galleries Site Stuff Contact Home