Anyone who’s gone down the rabbit hole of their fandom has probably come across the shipping phenomenon. And no, we’re not talking about your budols. Shipping, in this context, refers to fans pairing up two characters to end up together. The couple in question is called the ‘One-True-Pairing’ (OTP). Also, no, that’s not the one-time pin your banking app requires for money transfers.
Shippers, fans who “ship” characters, can become very passionate about their “ships,”--and they can be very passionate about their OTPs. Typically, one of the lead characters gets more than one ship in the fandom, and now shippers debate who that person should end up with. Debates get heated, but they’re mostly all in good fun. Read on for our favorite shipping battles in fandoms.
Twilight: Team Edward vs. Team Jacob
Courtesy of Lionsgate Play
This is probably one of the most famous shipping battles across all fandoms as this debate became mainstream: Were you #TeamEdward or #TeamJacob? Bella Swan’s love triangle with vampire Edward Cullen and werewolf Jacob Black was integral to the success of the Twilight Saga. Despite Bella making her choice in the end, the debate still rages on for some fans. You can stream all five movies of the Twilight Saga on Lionsgate Play or HBO Go.
Hunger Games: Everlark vs. Everthorne
Courtesy of Lionsgate Play
Film adaptations of young adult (YA) fiction became such a hit in the late 2000s and early 2010s thanks to the Twilight Saga. However, the franchise that took the mantle upon its end was none other than Suzanne Collins’ post-apocalyptic battle royale, The Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen had bigger fish to fry than a love triangle for most of her story, but it didn’t stop Suzanne Collins from amping up the romantic tension she had with Peeta Mellark (Everlark) and Gale Hawthorne (Everthorne). Whatever ship you prefer, we are all united in being Team Mockingjay. Stream The Hunger Games on HBO Go, and its sequels Catching Fire and the two-part Mockingjay finale on Lionsgate Play.
Arrow: Olicity vs. Lauriver
Courtesy of HBO Go
This is less of a favorite for the shipping debate and more for how powerful shippers can be. Anyone familiar with the comics that Arrow is based on knows that Oliver Queen (a.k.a. Green Arrow) and Laurel Lance (or Black Canary) are OTP. However, thanks to the casting of Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity Smoak, fans of the show immediately noticed the chemistry she had with Stephen Amell’s Oliver Queen, and Olicity was born. Lauriver didn’t really stand a chance outside of the comic book accuracy die-hards because Olicity is forever. Stream all eight seasons of Arrow on HBO Go.
Gossip Girl (2007): Chair and Dair
Courtesy of HBO Go
One of our favorite OTP debates is when we think the show didn’t get it right since that means the what-ifs will never end. Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass were obviously the endgame. The writers stuck to their guns and finally resolved their ‘will-they-won’t-they,’ despite their toxic relationship. Dan and Blair, though? It was a perfect example of character growth and progression; their friendship as the seasons went on could have blossomed into something more. Thankfully, we’ll always have internet forums and comment sections to indulge ourselves with. Check out all six seasons of the original Gossip Girl (2007) or stream its 2021 version on HBO Go.
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