Plus I think the ending in Re:MIND downplayed RikuNami a bit. In that version she didn't look nearly as happy to see Riku as she did in the original one
I found it hilarious that he went to the extent that he instructed to change their expressions. Like, he didn't have to do that. He already stated that the end scene was about Repliku's connection with Naminé and Riku was acting as the representative, carrying his feelings. I guess he got triggered enough where he realized he messed up in the presentation.
I'm glad he did though. Because now before Naminé gives that small, calm smile, her eyes raise up a little as if she
gets it after a second of wonder, and it fits with what was his intention. It gives the credit to, you know,
Riku Replica, because it wasn't about Riku.
But it goes to show you how Nomura has characters be affectionate and he blurs the lines where those with shipping goggles are going to misinterpret certain actions.
Anyway, my overall opinion is that shipping is nice, but the fanbase (and it's not just KH), takes it way too seriously. No, no other couple other than Sora/Kairi are being framed romantically. No, there are no other "canon" couples. Yet. And to close it off, I find those who ship Sora/Riku as valid, but there are certain things they read too much into, they try to remove Kairi from the equation by taking away what she's done for Sora, twist quotes or concepts to fit the narrative they want, and the general denial. Are SoKai well written? I don't know. However, ignoring how Sora/Kairi are being pushed isn't going to help anyone in this shipping discourse that's been present since the beginning of the series.
I'm not into Sora/Kairi. They don't do it for me, even though they're the solid romantic aspect of the series.
I don't see Roxas/Xion as romantic and I didn't see the implication of it, especially once Xion herself says she's Roxas (and Sora) by quote and loves both Axel and Roxas (which tends to mean there's no distinction between the feelings with the two that would seem contrasting). And I might get side eyed for this, but I don't perceive Terra/Aqua as romantic either.
In fact, I find Riku and Aqua more appealing. Not that I think it's romantic either and something will come of it. Riku just exudes being a character that doesn't need or want a love interest, especially after KH3. He seems more concerned with his responsibilities and duties as a Master.
I'm fond of Roxas/Naminé, mostly because of the subtext in KH2, the reason why they bonded [through similar inevitable fates and that she's the only one who respected his agency and individuality to give him his request for honesty/truth]. But due to their circumstances, they haven't interacted face to face. There were stuff in DDD and KH3 itself, but subtle, and it didn't really lean one way or the other. There's been meta images (KHUx avatar pair ups, that KHUx anniversary picture where they swapped clothes, the stained glass of Sora and Kairi having them, etc.), but meta means nothing without the back up. So I'm curious to see where they finally stand now that Naminé possibly resides in TT.
For a reason I can't comprehend though, I'm really invested in Gula/Ava. And it's not like they had so much to offer considering it was just Back Cover, but I just think they're neat. I feel like I could truly "ship" it.
How is it that I find them more alluring than Sora and Kairi, I have no idea.
