Alkaid

[Spin]

After seeing her wedding ending, I have no doubt in my mind that Haseo belongs with her! They way he held her was just sooooooooooo cute!!!! It made my heart want to burst... No matter what else happens in the future, no matter what anyone says, I will always believe that Haseo and Alkaid belong together!

Discuss the impossible cuteness that is Alkaid and Haseo.

[Jimbob]

I like her and all but I'd rather she didn't. It frees her up to possibly reappear in later installments of the franchise and be her own character, rather than just "Haseo's" girlfriend.

[A.R.T]

Besides, there's already the implied relationship between Alkaid and Sirius back in Vol.2 to build on. They make more sense since they already have history. Haseo already has Atoli and Shino to pine over.

[Annwyn]

I agree 100% with A.R.T. But if you haven't noticed, everyone Haseo can be paired with has a "backup" person. It's sort of like "These are the default pairings, but Haseo can interrupt whichever one he wants, it's up to you!"

Think about it. >_>

Kaede --> Keyaki/Zelkova
Endrance <--> Saku
Tabby --> Sakisaka
Shino --> Ovan
Atoli --> Sakaki (debatable)
Yowkow/Alkaid --> Tenrow/Sirius
Pai --> Kuhn
Bordeaux --> ...Damn, you got me there. >_>

Maybe Bordeaux's the one meant for Haseo? >_> I do like them together though, but that's just me. <_<

Anyway, I love the interaction between Yowkow and Tenrow way too much to replace it with Haseo and Yowkow. I love the way they bicker like children, but Yowkow values Tenrow's words so much, and Tenrow seems to have this idea in his mind like...Yowkow has been really precious to him since day one. Soooo cute. >_>

But...to each his own...or her own, whatever. >_> I'd rather have Yowkow for myself anyway. Hawthawt!

Nah, I'm just kidding. I'm not that creepy...

...I'd rather have Keyaki. <_<

[Ganheim]

Spin: There is quite a bit of evidence supporting Alkaid/Haseo. I thought it interesting that when he was reunited with Shino in the Huelle Granz Cathedral, he stays a few meters away from her. When he's reunited with Alkaid at Arche Koeln, he embraces her.

It seems like every one of Haseo's potentials has somebody else they're already pining for. Annwyn's already pointed out most, but I'll restate and give my own interpretation:

Atoli --> Sakaki - Though not necessarily a romantic relationship, he held her attention almost entirely throughout most of the trilogy.
Pi <--> Yata - I know Annwyn thought Kuhn was a better fit, but I disagree. Based on gameplay narrative and the emails, I think that Pai's much more interested in Yata, and though he doesn't necessarily reciprocate the attention he at least does acknowledge her and is probably closer than some of the other pairings.
Tabby --> Sakisaka - Though she certainly seemed to give increasing attention to Haseo in Roots until she left to become a nurse. There was also Seisaku (I'm pretty sure that was the name) who seemed to be trying to get acknowledgement from Tabby, but by that point her sights seemed pretty firmly set on Haseo. And, oh, yeah, she told us (in the end of Roots) that she's in love with Haseo. Pity he's already tripping over Shino by the time she can gather up her courage to go after him.
Alkaid <--> Sirius - Though there's relatively little information, I don't think that this relationship was a major obstacle, it seemed to me that the relationship was that of elder Sirius taking care of Alkaid somewhat like a much older sibling or sort of fatherly figure. The cooperation gained from Sirius in Redemption (despite his knowledge of Alkaid's/Haseo's relationship) seems to reinforce my belief that he wasn't a romantic interest. Does there need to be any interruption in Alkaid's/Sirius' relationship in order for Haseo to come into the picture? I don't think so.
Endrance <-- Saku or Endrance --> Mia - Odd enough that Sakubo had a crush on Endrance in the first place, though I think Endrance's issue was really that he just wants to feel needed. One thing that I did think was funny was the frightened look that Haseo had in the Endrance ending. Atoli's collapse and 'no, I lost him' was funny too.
Kaede --> Zelkova - Though this reminded me of more the "master/servant" relationship like Atoli/Sakaki, except with Zelkova being kind instead of manipulative and ambitious. There was also some implication of Matsu/Kaede interest if you followed some of Matsu's emails, though I don't think Kaede was aware of/shared any of those feelings. Anyway, again I think that though Kaede invested a lot of attention in Zelkova that it wouldn't really be a romantic competition.
Shino -----> Ovan - I don't think you can avoid the fact that Shino is/was/continues to be obsessed with Ovan. I feel sorry for Haseo, because in Roots it seemed obvious to me that she never saw Haseo and the most he became was a temporary substitute for Ovan until she became a Lost One. I was at the same time surprised and completely expecting what Shino did: instead of thanking him for all he did to save her, the ~year he spent devoting to her (including the getting her back), the first thing she does is says "let's find Ovan!" If I was Haseo, I'd have pulled out my dual guns and shot her.
Bordeaux <--> Gabi - Though the marriage event does indicate that there were at least some superficial feelings for Haseo, I think it was mostly jealousy (Haseo's power and popularity) and insecurity (Bordeaux's own tenuous popularity and quickly surpassed power). Almost all her feelings and especially attention went to Gabi, and I think he was aware of it and subtly toyed with her...not too seriously, but still there.

In response to Jimbob: I have a feeling that all the Icolo members (namely Alkaid, Sirius, Taihaku) will be making appearances later in the franchise. Just a guess.

An observation I thought I'd point out: did anybody notice there were only three marriage endings where Haseo says "I'll make you happy"? And of those, Alkaid is the only one who says back that she'll do the same?

[Fragments.beta]

I personally liked the Yowkow vs Atoli situations back in vol.2. It made everything more interesting. Heck I liked Atoli better during her jealous moments, than the times when we had to hear her own sob stories. Too bad the writers decided to off Yowkow so soon, I wanted more Yowko and Atoli.

And yeah I think Yowkow has the best wedding event, she had alot to say. Atoli came of as a dissapointment, I was like "WTF Atoli all the crap happened with you and Haseo and you have nothing to say?!?".

[Annwyn]

Whoa, Fragments, you posted like, two seconds before I hit reply. >_> Which is great for me, because I agree 100% with everything you just said. Haseo and Atoli are supposed to make up the default pairing, why was their wedding event so unemotional?! I think he even said "Shut up" to her at one point! Again! ARR, Haseo, treat her with some respect for once!

I always thought the reason Yowkow got so much attention, and such an awesome wedding event, is because she's Matsuyama's personal favorite (as he's already stated). >_> Not that I can blame the man, she's my personal favorite too. And I used to hate her at one point... Pfft. >_> Plus, Yowkow reads books like crazy. I bet she's got a big imagination, small wonder that she went through the whole touching speech about Haseo being her prince.

Another thing I like about .hack is that the context of certain relationships is never stated outright, so you're allowed to come to your own conclusions and see things the way you'd like to see them. Except, apparently, with Tabby? She really said "I love you"? Oh, how I regret not having the patience to finish Roots. >_>

What do you guys think? Spin-off from Yowkow's POV? >_> Probably couldn't be a retelling of GU, since she was absent throughout so much of it.

[Fragments.beta]

Plus, Yowkow reads books like crazy. I bet she's got a big imagination, small wonder that she went through the whole touching speech about Haseo being her prince.

Yeah, I forgot about her being a book geek. She's sassy, loves books, and has a touch of romanticism on her. That's why I like her so much.

Oh, how I regret not having the patience to finish Roots. >_>

Haha, I didnt' finish ROOTS either, I honestly didn't like it. I mean cmon its mostly about about how Haseo becomes from newb to a dickwad. Why would I want to watch that?

What do you guys think? Spin-off from Yowkow's POV? >_> Probably couldn't be a retelling of GU, since she was absent throughout so much of it.

You mean like Another Birth? It wont work, with Yowkow or any other character for that matter. IMO, the biggest flaw of .hack Conglomerate is that its WAAAAAY to Haseo-centric. Its all about him Growing Up. Without Haseo, there really isnt much to tell. Everyone else is just there to help him do that. Project .hack is bacialy centered on the Twilight Inicident, which allows the alot of great material to be written on different perspectives. Stuff like SIGN, Another Birth, and AI Buster can be stand alone stories and still be connected, which is why I like Project .hack much better.

[Ganheim]

I think he even said "Shut up" to her at one point! Again!

Yes, he did. Which I think just goes to show that the Atoli/Haseo pairing was another forced relationship - she does develop over the series, so I can't say that I hate her as I did in Volume 1, but she and Haseo just don't seem to have that cooperation/mutual-support aspect that I see in a proper functioning relationship.

Another thing I like about .hack is that the context of certain relationships is never stated outright, so you're allowed to come to your own conclusions and see things the way you'd like to see them. Except, apparently, with Tabby? She really said "I love you"? Oh, how I regret not having the patience to finish Roots.

She never came out and told Haseo - I forget which person she actually did tell (Tawalaya? I think Phyllo was gone by that point). She never worked up the courage to actually come up and tell him because of a number of fears, though if you get to know her character that's hardly surprising and you have to be at least somewhat sympathetic. She's a neglected child in her own family, out-shone by her older sister and a number of other factors that bruise her confidence. Even her decision to pursue nursing was indirectly helping Haseo, which I think was more her purpose.

You never finished Roots? I think that the majority of anything important in the miniseries took place in episodes 25 and 26. If it wasn't for the fact that you wouldn't know a couple characters (which would cause confusion), I'd almost recommend skipping everything except those two episodes.

Anyway, I agree that the lack of outright statement is one of the interesting things about .Hack, allowing plenty of interesting speculation. Although there are a lot of strong implications here and there.

[Fragments.beta]

Yes, he did. Which I think just goes to show that the Atoli/Haseo pairing was another forced relationship - she does develop over the series, so I can't say that I hate her as I did in Volume 1, but she and Haseo just don't seem to have that cooperation/mutual-support aspect that I see in a proper functioning relationship.

Glad to see that I'm not the only who thought HaseoxAtoli was a bit forced. I initially didn't like Atoli , but my dislike for her was outweighed by my desire to smack Haseo after the way he screamed at her back in Vol.1. Yet after that really harsh episode, she still came back to talk to him like it was nothing, that didn't make sense to me.

HaseoxYowkow felt more organic. At first, they hated each other(because they were both a**holes). Which gets worse, when Haseo proved he was nothing more than a loud mouth, and a f***ing cheater(Yowkow's anger I might add, is perfectly justified). Then in Vol.2 Yowkow feels desperate so she opens up to Haseo. Haseo for his part does her a favor, by stepping down from his title to help her. It's this act of kindness that Yowkow finally sees Haseo differently. And then they start geting along very well. That's how you do a relationship IMO.

Anyway, I agree that the lack of outright statement is one of the interesting things about .Hack, allowing plenty of interesting speculation. Although there are a lot of strong implications here and there.

It's the unwritten rule of anything with harem anime undertones. If the writer doesn't have enough balls to make one final conclusive relationship and risk the wrath of dozens of fans, he will just leave it open for speculation. Then several thousand fan fictions will be born.

[.hack//BICTIOUS]

She never came out and told Haseo - I forget which person she actually did tell (Tawalaya? I think Phyllo was gone by that point). She never worked up the courage to actually come up and tell him because of a number of fears, though if you get to know her character that's hardly surprising and you have to be at least somewhat sympathetic. She's a neglected child in her own family, out-shone by her older sister and a number of other factors that bruise her confidence. Even her decision to pursue nursing was indirectly helping Haseo, which I think was more her purpose.

She did tell Haseo, actually. In the last episode, she suddenly blurts out "I really do like you, Haseo." and throws him off guard. XD;

[Annwyn]

You know what, Ganheim? I think I've seen all the Roots characters at least once, even the weirdos like Iita and Piro, so why not? I'm gonna go with your suggestion and just watch episodes 25 and 26. >_> Screw all the other episodes!

Fragments, you're right again...the Haseo/Yowkow pairing was way less forced than the Haseo/Atoli one, no matter what you feel about either pairing. God, what a jerk Haseo is. I've heard he's nicer to Atoli in Trilogy though, but whatever, there's no way in hell I'm even gonna watch that. >_> Thanks a lot, CC.

That reminds me, I wonder if the Haseo/Yowkow hints are still in Trilogy... *checks the Trilogy board.* >_>

[Fragments.beta]

That reminds me, I wonder if the Haseo/Yowkow hints are still in Trilogy... *checks the Trilogy board.* >_>

SPOILERS FOR .hack TRILOGY









Trilogy is primarily HaseoxAtoli, though it feels like the relationship is a bit rushed considering that length of the movie. Yowkow does have a cameo in the movie. In the Arena, where unlike the games, she gets to kick Haseo's ass (HA! HA! HA!). It should be noted that the writers essentially threw a bone to the Yowkow fans because she has a cameo, but other popular characters like Endrance and Sakubo dont appear at all!









END SPOILERS

[Kefkaownsall]

How on earth can you make a dot hack movie without the other epitaph users. I'm not all that acquainted with .hack//g.u. (Curses fact that he doesn't own PS2) but I support HaseoxAlkaid. The "death scene" kind of sells it. I found the charming prince line funny since Haseo did technically wake her up.

[Jimbob]

What do you guys think? Spin-off from Yowkow's POV? >_> Probably couldn't be a retelling of GU, since she was absent throughout so much of it.

As I've said make her a key character in the next installments whatever they may be. This is where her not ending up with Haseo is an advantage. She's free to be her own character now. Like how lesser IMOQ character were more important in G.U. they can do the same to her. That's why I'm happy she didn't end up with Haseo.

[Kefkaownsall]

What do you guys think? Spin-off from Yowkow's POV? >_> Probably couldn't be a retelling of GU, since she was absent throughout so much of it.

As I've said make her a key character in the next installments whatever they may be. This is where her not ending up with Haseo is an advantage. She's free to be her own character now. Like how lesser IMOQ character were more important in G.U. they can do the same to her. That's why I'm happy she didn't end up with Haseo.

Guys to be honest, I think .hack conglomerate is finished since we've moved on to Link

[Jimbob]

Hence why I said the next installment in the future. As in after Link. Unless Link is the end of the franchise forever.

[Jigoku-no-Yamimaru]

All of the points towards HaseoAlkaid in this thread beat HaseoAtoli as far as I'm concerned. HaseoAtoli is a forced couple, that is pretty obvious, or at least one that I can't see lasting for any period of time that is more then a few months at most.

[Kefkaownsall]

Hence why I said the next installment in the future. As in after Link. Unless Link is the end of the franchise forever.

Or they could do something similar to Wiseman and simply out her in with a different name.

[Arukado]

Haseo/Alkaid makes a lot more sense than Haseo/Atoli
"OH BUT THEY KIIIISSED"
so? They never really did anything couple-like..ever. If I were Atoli, I'd have hated Haseo the first time he told me off. That pairing really is forced. It doesn't make much sense at all, when you think about it.
I also hate Atoli. I mean, I hate Haseo, too, but..does he REALLY deserve that?