User:Pie/Shipping terminology
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One True Pairing
The term One True Pairing, commonly abbreviated as OTP, refers to a pairing that a fan prefers over all others. In its lightest interpretation, it's a shorthand identifier for a favorite ship. However, it often carries with it the implication that it is preferred to the exclusion of other ships, and that the fan may antiship any rival pairings. It is from this interpretation that the term arises.
In the Pokémon fandom, the most common OTPs are those which involve the main characters, Ash and his friends. Unsurprisingly, the majority of these are rival ships to each other. This is the primary driving force behind ship wars.
Rivaling ship
A rivaling ship, sometimes referred to as just a rival ship, is a ship which is considered incompatible with another ship, due to the two involving the same character. For example, Template:S and Template:S are rival ships to eachother, due to both involving Ash.
Ship war
Antishipping
Antishipping is the belief that two characters in the Pokémon universe are not in a relationship, will never be in a relationship, and should never be in a relationship. It is the opposite of shipping, exactly as the word implies.
There are numerous reasons why someone may antiship a pairing:
- One of the most common is that they strongly support one of its rival pairings, to the point that they see this 'competition' as unpalatable. For example, a PokéShipper may antiship other pairings involving Ash, and argue against their support.
- Other times, they might see a pairing as too implausible to enjoy, or against the characterization of the characters involved. This frequently occurs when a ship does not align with someone's interpretation of a character's sexuality. For example, someone may antiship Template:S if they believe that James is completely homosexual.
- The pairing may contain controversial subject matter that conflicts with their views.
- If nothing else, a fan may antiship a pairing simply because it doesn't appeal to them.
As a whole, the Pokémon fandom tends to frown on fans being outspoken against their antiships. This is considered ruining the fun of the fans who do support the pairing, and has led to many of the fandom's ship wars.