Zarya/Mei
| Pairing | |
|---|---|
| Pairing: | Aleksandra Zaryanova/Mei-Ling Zhou |
| Alternative name(s): | Zarmei, Zaryamei, Polar Bear, Russian Winter |
| Gender category: | femslash, f/f |
| Fandom: | Overwatch |
| Canonical?: | none canon |
| Prevalence: | popular |
| Archives: | |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Zarya/Mei is a popular Femslash pairing in the Overwatch fandom. It centres around Aleksandra Zaryanova, also known as 'Zarya', and Mei-Ling Zhou.
Canon
Aleksandra Zaryanova is one of the world's strongest women, a celebrated athlete who sacrificed personal glory to protect her family, friends, and country in a time of war. As a soldier in the Russian Defense Forces, she is proud to use her strength to protect the ones she loves.
Mei is a scientist who specializes in the study of abnormal climate phenomena and their effects on different ecosystems around the world. After a sudden polar storm hit the station Mei was assigned to, she and her team were forced to enter cryostasis until a rescue attempt could be made. However, it was not until years later when the team's cryogenics chamber was finally discovered. Mei, still in hibernation, was the only survivor.
Fandom
In an article looking into shipping within Overwatch, Kotaku notes the appeal of the pairing to some fans.
Take Polar Bear (also known as Zarmei), a ship based around Zarya and Mei. Zarmei is the sweet and salty pairing that features a “tol” and a “smol”, a strong muscle butch bruiser with her adorable fat femme scientist. The two have only said one thing to each other in-game (Mei wonders how Zarya can fight wearing so little, and Zarya asks Mei for her coat) but fans have made this a bonafide cute couple.[1]
Popular tropes include:
- Zarya being able to bench press Mei, or generally show off how physically strong she is, for fun.
- Zarya being given, or sometimes stealing, Mei's coat to wear.
- Angst is a popular fanfiction choice, particularly when related to Mei being the only survivor of her team's cryostasis.
Fanworks
Fanfiction
- Have You Ever Kissed a Girl? by integrase
- Mei's Glasses by elephantems
- request another dream by lismicro
Fanart
- smol and tol by no-crowns-for-kings, Archived version
- Lifting your gf combines quality time with your workout. Zarya’s a pro. by hattedhedgehog, Archived version
- humanity never stood a chance by fuocogo, Archived version
Archives and Communities
- Zaryamei, Zarmei tags on Tumblr
- Aleksandra "Zarya" Zaryanova/Mei-Ling Zhou on Archive of Our Own
- Zarmei on Reddit