Respectfulshipping
| Pairing | |
|---|---|
| Pairing: | Revolver | Kogami Ryoken/Spectre |
| Alternative name(s): | Respectfulshipping |
| Gender category: | MM, Slash, Yaoi |
| Fandom: | Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains |
| Canonical?: | No |
| Prevalence: | Common |
| Archives: | |
| Other: | Villains In Love, Childhood Friends, Master/Servant |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Respectfulshipping is the slash pairing between Kogami Ryoken and Spectre from Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains. They are a common pairing within the Vrains sphere of the Yu-Gi-Oh! fandom.
Per the tradition of Yu-Gi-Oh! shipping names, Respectfulshipping was voted upon by fans during a period in February 2018 and suggested as a variation on a portmaneau of their Link VRAINS avatar names: RE-volver + SPECT-re. Supporting evidence for this name is that Spectre is frequently shown to be respectful to his master.[1]
Spectre is known for his undying loyalty towards Ryoken, it even serving as his weakness in a duel he had against Playmaker in which Playmaker was able to manipulate him using his loyalty towards Ryoken. Ryoken, meanwhile, holds his partner is high esteem, honouring him after he falls to the Tower of Hanoi after his duel with Playmaker. As well as calling for him during a pivotal moment of Spectre's duel against Lightning.
In addition, there is a functional parallel between Spectre's Mother Tree protecting him and Revolver protecting him. Aside from scenes in canon and in the spin-off video games, additional shipping fuel has come in the form of merchandise cakes with them debuting as a pair on October 4th 2022.
Relationship History
The Lost Incident
Ryoken and Spectre met as children. However, Ryoken was aware of Spectre before Spectre knew of Ryoken as Ryoken was the witness to the Lost Incident or Hanoi Project which Spectre was a subject of. Ryoken was the whistleblower who had ended the experiment allowing for the children to be rescued. However, Spectre had enjoyed the Incident as it had given him a sense of purpose and alleviated the boredom that he felt.
So, Spectre returned to the site of the Incident after running away from the Orphanage and learning that his Mother Tree (or Protecting Tree, in the dub) had been cut down. It was when Spectre was waiting outside the building in which the Lost Incident took place for "someone" that he saw Ryoken for the first time, he knew Ryoken was that "someone". After this, Ryoken took Spectre home with him.
It is unknown if Spectre knows that Ryoken had been the whistleblower who had caused his "fun times" to end.
Tower of Hanoi Arc
Spectre became Ryoken's right hand man and second-in-command of the Knights of Hanoi and is frequently shown at Revolver's heel during scenes they share.
Spectre specifically seeks Revolver's permission to duel to Kitamura who had been pathetically crying out for them so he can switch to what he perceived as the winning side. Spectre received this permission and through the Worf Effect established himself as a threat by quickly eliminating Kitamura for muddying not only the Knights of Hanoi's name but Revolver's name as well.
During Spectre's duel with Playmaker, Playmaker realised that Spectre's loyalty to Revolver was his greatest weakness. He was willing to resort to dirty tricks like using Zaizen Akira as a meat shield during their duel but using Spectre's loyalty to Revolver, Playmaker was able to manipulate Spectre into duelling more honourably after Akira sacrificed himself so he wouldn't interfere with their duel.
It is here that Spectre proclaims that "Even if the world is destroyed, I'll always be on Varis' side!" in the English dub and in the original Japanese dub that his soul belongs to Revolver.
Afterwards, in Episode 38, as Spectre had been defeated by Playmaker, he becomes fodder for the Tower of Hanoi and Revolver honours him by placing him in a casket separate from their other fallen comrades demonstrating how deeply he cares for Spectre. He vows to not waste Spectre's sacrifice for him.
Bohman Arc
Before Revolver's duel with Blood Shepherd, they were doing research on Doujun Kengo and a brief scene showed them enjoying takeaway coffee together.
The most prominent Respectfulshipping scene during this arc is when Spectre is defeated by Lightning and there is a reaction shot from Revolver yelling his name with both grief and passion.
It is unknown if Ryoken ever shared with Spectre that only the Light Ignis was the reason for all the Ignis to cause destruction to the human race. Given that Ryoken gloated about Earth's death to Yusaku and Ai after a scene in the previous episode of Spectre mourning Earth but not knowing why, it is assumed not.
SOLtiS Ai Arc
They are first seen in this season approaching Cafe Nagi together.
They are last seen standing together in Episode 120 discussing whether Playmaker is coming back.
In Video Games
This section discusses non-canon extra material from various sources.
Duel Links
As of Revolver's debut in Duel Links in January 2023, he has made no direct references to Spectre.
Cross Duels
Spectre appears as a non-playable, secondary character in the single player mode event Lead the Hanoi to Destiny wherein the goal is to unlock Revolver as a playable character and makes a comment that he is jealous of the player character because Revolver senses a potential for greatness in them versus something he claims he is not capable of.
In addition, Cross Duel appears to have taken the stance that Spectre is not aware that Revolver was the whistleblower as he recalls his own emotions regarding the Lost Incident ending and the player character's dissapointment that Revolver will not be teaming up with them anymore after the tag duel with Playmaker and Blue Angel.
Fanon
Fanon frequently explores their history pre-canon and there was never another flashback shown on-screen of their relationship beyond their first meeting.
A common theme of fanart is that of domesticity, such as scenes of Spectre serving Ryoken tea. It is headcannoned that Spectre has a gardening hobby so art of them both gardening is also common.
The power dynamic present between Ryoken and Spectre are also explored quite frequently. Whether it is played straight with Ryoken as the superior or dominant due to being the leader of the Knights of Hanoi or otherwise. Putting duty towards the Knights of Hanoi's cause before their feelings, waiting until post-canon and the Hanoi's role in the Link VRAINS from villains to secret protectors, navigating either approval or disproval from the supreme authority figure in their life in the form of Dr. Kogami or even attitudes regarding them from their Lieutenants, Aso (username: Faust), Taki Kyoko (username: Baira), or Dr. Genome.
In August of 2019, there was a flower themed Respectfulshipping week called "Respectful Hanakotoba"[2] and used the following tag: #respectfulship_hanakotoba_2019.
In January of 2023, there was a Respectfulshipping week and used the following hashtag: #respectfulshipweek2023[3].