This screenshot motivational poster is dedicated to all of my IchiRan and KibaCheza-loving friends, fellow artists, fans, and brethren and everyone who is a fan of both Texhnolyze and Wolf’s Rain. Sit back, relax, and soak in that IchiRan pensive goodness and that KibaCheza meditative delight.
When I was a young 12-year-old sixth grader living in the Philippines, there were two anime series I caught on Animax which caught my eye so much. They were Texhnolyze and Wolf’s Rain. In a series of YouTube videos I did back in January 2015 involving my Top 15 Favorite Anime Series of all time, I listed Texhnolyze as my number two choice because I really empathized with what Ichise went through with his pain and suffering and Wolf’s Rain as my number fourteen choice because of how much I enjoyed the animation and the characters. To this day, while my opinion of Texhnolyze remains constant, a part of me figured that I could have ranked Wolf’s Rain a little bit higher, even though there were greater choices than that aforementioned anime series. Nevertheless, these two have been close to my heart in terms of their style and their substance, especially when Texhnolyze continues to triumph over Wolf’s Rain in the latter category.
What I noticed about both Texhnolyze and Wolf’s Rain was that they shared similar bleak, dark worlds where survival is not just about the body but also the soul and these two series demonstrated that concept well in terms of the characters trying to seek out for hope in a morass of dire lugubriousness. Hence, I could not help but be intrinsically entranced by the spell Texhnolyze and Wolf’s Rain put me through thanks to its complex storytelling and human characters.
As a shipper, I have found myself being the most loyal OTP shipper of both Ichise x Ran and Kiba x Cheza ever since I was twelve years old. This was mainly attributed to the chemistry I saw in both of these couples with IchiRan being far more subtle than KibaCheza in the relationship department.
A lot of sources I have checked see that Ichise x Ran borders more on platonic than something romantic. However, the possibilities for Ichise and Ran to end up as a couple are really plausible because of how much they can relate to each other and how intrinsically deep their connection towards each other really is.
Kiba x Cheza has a little bit more of a romantic vibe present in these two. This is mainly attributed to Kiba protecting Cheza from all harm and being very loyal to her, in spite of all adversity. Ergo, the plausibility of these two developing a healthy relationship is off the charts in the most positive way.
Ichise x Ran and Kiba x Cheza would be the clear-cut examples of couples who avert from being syrupy, overly lovey-dovey, and cute and would wholly endeavor to be real with each other with no filters, no pretentiousness, and absolutely no “Takahashi couple” antics. What would really define these two couples are emotional maturity, a sense of compassion, a deep understanding of each other warts and all, and a quiet harmony and synergy that make these couples all the more worth rooting for. Ergo, their respective relationships would demonstrate loads of honesty and a courage that ensures them that it is all right for them to acknowledge whatever flaws they have and improve each other for the better.
Going to the crossover aspect of Texhnolyze and Wolf’s Rain, I can definitely see it happening with these four characters, as Ichise and Kiba will have a friendship based on understanding each others’ pain, strengths, and need for hope and Ran and Cheza will have a friendship based on finding a lot in common and showing loads of compassion and kindness towards each other.
As couples, they would even endeavor to go on a series of double dates. Their double dates are not the ones one would find in cheesy teen romance creative installments. Far from it. Ichise’s and Kiba’s double date with Ran and Cheza would involve going on quiet walks in the forest, going to tea houses to try out different flavors of tea, meditation sessions, and even intimate night swimming sessions in a lake. When all is said and done, these two couples would find Nirvana not only within each other, but also within themselves in the most fulfilling manner.
In conclusion, Ichise x Ran and Kiba x Cheza are the couples I will never tire of shipping. The depth and complexity of these two couples are what will always make me come back to them with glee and positive vibes.
I hope you all enjoyed this and I will see you in the next submission. Take care and stay safe, everybody.
Ichise and Ran from Texhnolyze belong to Hiroshi Hamasaki, Chiaki J. Konaka, Yoshitoshi ABe, and Madhouse.
Kiba and Cheza from Wolf’s Rain belong to Keiko Nobumoto and Bones.
