This shipping spectrum meme template belongs to HorrorExplorer. This is also dedicated to all of my friends, fellow artists, fans, and brethren who adore Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Ayame, Shuran, Hakkaku, Ginta, and Shunran known together in my AU headcanon as The Splendid Seven.
For those of you not in the know, I have always been a huge partisan of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha ever since I was an 11-year-old fifth-grader. In subsequent years, I have learned to appreciate Shuran, Hakkaku, Ginta, Ayame, and Shunran as characters, thus making me convict that they would make more exceptional friends to the dog yokai warrior brothers than the ones they had in canon. As you will find out in this filled-up shipping spectrum, you will know which pairings I support the most romantically and which ones I would rather endeavour to have paired platonically.
OTPs for Life: Inuyasha x Ayame and Ginta x Shunran
I know I have been proclaiming the ad nauseam, but I have been a huge Inuyasha x Ayame and Ginta x Shunran shipper for the longest time. Words can never describe how much I thoroughly revel in this powerful warrior couple being a great combination of mighty muscle and astounding athleticism, InuAya, and this gorgeously intimate couple being a loving combination of charm and beauty, GinShun. Attributes that have brought these couples together are unconditional love, harmonious synergy, and undeterred perseverance. Therefore, these two couples can last for a lifetime.
Loved Pairing: Sesshoumaru x Ayame
You can blame it on the fair number of fanfics I have been reading focusing on Sesshoumaru and Ayame as a couple, but, if I were not such a loyal InuAya partisan, Sesshoumaru and Ayame would have made a nice cut as a couple I would cherish the most. On paper, Sesshoumaru and Ayame as a couple would signify the importance of duty, allegiance, and respect to the point where they would learn to appreciate each other in a deep and meaningful manner while growing a beautiful family and being politically united. However, Ayame would feel relatively stifled by all the rules in Sesshoumaru's court, considering how muted she would end up being should she be married to Sesshoumaru. That is not to say it is a bad thing because at least they can support each other through thick and thin. Nevertheless, Sesshoumaru's and Ayame's relationship would be relegated to a nice first crush and nothing more, and Sesshoumaru would be very supportive of Ayame being in a blessed matrimony with his brother Inuyasha.
Liked Pairing: Hakkaku x Shunran
Hakkaku and Shunran as a couple would also be nice, but it would mostly be relegated to a first crush scenario. Sure, Shunran would like Hakkaku because he seems slightly more well-built, but it would just be the classic case of an innocent first crush. At least they can still be the firmest of friends.
Neutral Pairings: Sesshoumaru x Shuran x Hakkaku, Inuyasha x Ginta, and Ayame x Shunran
All of them shall be platonic pairings. End of story. Sesshoumaru, Shuran, and Hakkaku can have a dynamically fraternal relationship. Inuyasha and Ginta can have a brotherly relationship that shows support and staunchness. Ayame and Shunran can have a sisterly relationship that transcends mere friendship.
Disliked Pairings: Shuran x Hakkaku x Ginta, Shuran x Ayame, Hakkaku x Ayame, and Ginta x Ayame
There is no way Shuran would find himself in a relationship with his two brothers from other mothers. As for Ayame, her romantic prospects with Shuran, Hakkaku, and Ginta might as well be shot down. The only great trait about Shuran and Ayame together is that they would have a wonderful big brother and little sister relationship that would spell familial synergy. Hakkaku and Ginta may be wolf yokai like Ayame, but they can do so much better, for they need life partners who can compliment them exceedingly well. I would like to bring up Inuyasha x Shunran as a couple I do not particularly care for because I just see this as a classic case of Inuyasha being the older brother Shunran would look up to. Same case for Sesshoumaru x Shunran, but he is a whole lot more stoic and aloof.
Hated Pairings: Shuran x Shunran and Hakkaku x Ginta
In another world, if they were not siblings by any stretch of the imagination, I would have been all right with it. However, as it stands, with Shuran and Shunran being biological siblings as well as Hakkaku and Ginta being akin to brothers, I am not having it.
Despised Pairing: Sesshoumaru x Inuyasha aka Inucest
Listen, I may like the fan art because of how well drawn they can be, but I am not going to stand here and pretend that I have to like the so-called romantic pairing between Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. Sure, this pairing did spell guilty pleasure to the max. However, Inucest is never wincest by any stretch of the imagination. In my Splendid Seven AU headcanon, they still maintain their volatile relationship as brothers while backing it all up with being competitive sparring partners for life. Where their sense of competition is concerned, I would endeavour to keep them in martial arts bouts, weightlifting matches, and feats that truly demonstrate their peak physical strength. End of discussion.
I hope you all enjoyed this, and I will see you in the next submission. I would even like to know if you agree with my opinions on these pairings, and if you have your own most favourite ones and least favourite ones from this set of seven yokai warriors. Take care and stay safe, everybody.
Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Ayame, Shuran, Hakkaku, Ginta, and Shunran from Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Sunrise.
