Character Pairings Chart, You can't have a Digimon character shrine without one, and I'm not gonna break the mold

Due to the fact that almost no one knows who Ryo is in the Western world, or didn't until Digimon Tamers came out, you don't see a lot of pairings for him. Most of what's here are common Osamu pairings.

Well, thanks to Digimon Tamers, that has all changed. Ryo has been shipped with everyone, most of which aren't mentioned here. Also, I will warn you, I am a bit biased.

Osamu x Jun - One of those pairings that's apparently popular in the Western world, but unheard of in Japan. I don't blame the Japanese, since I can't really see this happening. Presumably conceived and made popular by a famous Kensuke author for the reasoning that "the Ichijoujis and Motomiyas belong with each other". But hey, to each their own.

Osamu x Shuu/Shin - IMHO, much more likely to happen, since Osamu does come across as someone who values booksmarts over persistent fangirlism and the Kido brothers definitely look like the kind of nerds that another nerd would go for. Two more pairing that are pretty unknown on the Japanese side.

Osamu x Yamato - One of the three pairings for Osamu shipped by Japanese fans that I've seen (but to a lesser extent by some Western fans), though one of many that has me confused. I have to admit, however, that seeing uber-uke Yamato is hilarious.

Osamu x Ken - The second most popular pairing for Osamu in Japan, and I haven't seen many fans of this on the western side. Has the prototype-Kaiken appeal, though incest is a turn-off for a lot of people.

Osamu x Ryo - The most popular pairing in Japan for Osamu, virtually unknown in the Western world due to Ryo's obscurity. Of all the pairings with Osamu, I can actually see this happening. Ryo obviously knows Ken well before Tag Tamers, since they come across as being on friendly ground, and Osamu can't have died long before then. Osamu and Ryo most likely might have met on-line, since Ryo is shown in Anode Tamer with a penchant for on-line chats and videogames. Geeks of the world, unite! Also, they have mutual concern for Ken, which is a rather nice place to build on. (yes, it is my favorite pairing for either of these two. shoot me)

Ryo x Ken - The most popular pairing for Ryo, though Osamu comes a close second. It's Jogress, and they do care about each other a lot. Unfortunately, Ken's age and Ryo's big brother complex tend to get in the way, so I can only really see this happening after 02 and after something drastic happens to shatter Ryo's perception of Ken. Or if they were both drugged.

Ryo x Ruki - Ah, rivalshipping. It's a pairing that's being whispered about in English fandom, and it even has a couple of doumei in Japan now. I'll admit to having a conditional liking for it, the condition being that they be portrayed in character. Unfortunately, the fandom annoys me so much that I have since lost my taste for it.

Ryo x Jenrya - It's a real shame most of the fanfics on ff.net on this pairing aren't that great. Barring the usual Jen/Takato and Ryo/Ruki, this pairing would have promise, though Jen would probably be more likely to be the one interested in Ryo. He did stare at Ryo an awful lot in the show. Shusu has a much more convincing argument for it at Hidden Paths, which is inactive now but the Analysis page is up for perusal.

Millenniumon x Ryo - Practically canonical if you consider the games (okay, people? "Koibito" has no other meaning than "lover." Stop wanking as if it does), and it does explain Millenniumon's behavior in the games. I enjoy writing it for the tension that's always going to be there. Even though Millenniumon had never personally, physically hurt Ryo, Ryo had been hurt because of his actions and they'd have to deal with it. A more screwed up relationship you'll never find, even if it wasn't sexual. Here's a quick rundown-

• Anode Tamer: "Who the fuck are you? No matter, you won't defeat me"
• Tag Tamers: "I'll have my revenge, but first I'll taunt you by showing up at three different intervals and wait for you in the dungeon. I'll also insult your best friend one minute while tittering around you and speaking with respect to you the next. "
• D-1 Tamers: "We're shadow and light, you're the only thing that makes the impossible possible, yadda yadda, come fly with me through the worlds of time."
• Brave Tamer: "You're magnificent, blah blah. Come to me, my beloved. We could have been the best partners."

Other pairings I have heard of are: Osamu x Daisuke, Ryo x Daisuke, Ryo x Taichi, Ryo x Neo. Frankly, this is Digimon fandom. Anyone will write anything, regardless of whether it works or not.