This iconic scene here.
I always have wondered is it general knowledge as to this was hinting at a secret relationship between the two of them?
I know it's not canon but I think it's strongly suggestive as to that and was wondering if it's been said or if it's left to the imagination. 

*internal screaming intensifies over my ship*

I want to ask before I take delicious bites out of this, what exactly is this thread, dear? Is it a theory or debate? (hint: put 'theory' or 'debate' in the title of the thread. I'm feeling like this might be a theory thread )

Next, what would be the main focus of said theory?

^^

I'm guessing if it's canon? I like Minako/Rei (one of the few F/F things I ship), although I prefer Minako/Ace and Minako/Kunzite.... I can't see Rei with anyone else though.

Sailor Mars wrote:

*internal screaming intensifies over my ship*

I want to ask before I take delicious bites out of this, what exactly is this thread, dear? Is it a theory or debate? (hint: put 'theory' or 'debate' in the title of the thread. I'm feeling like this might be a theory thread )

Next, what would be the main focus of said theory?

^^

Fixed! Sorry posted right before bed. The main focus is that the ship is canon because I assumed it was. My theory is that it was meant to be. Or it could just be that I hipe it us. Lol.

mercury_viola_rhapsody wrote:

I'm guessing if it's canon? I like Minako/Rei (one of the few F/F things I ship), although I prefer Minako/Ace and Minako/Kunzite.... I can't see Rei with anyone else though.

I like Rei/Yuuichiro in the anime a little but I prefer her wifh Minako. I also slightly ship Rei/Usagi but my main ship is Usagi/Mamoru. (I also ship Black Lady/Mistress 9 but that's a whole other can of worms.

MallowCakes wrote:

I always have wondered is it general knowledge as to this was hinting at a secret relationship between the two of them?

I thought that girls (who are friends at least) always look after each other?

RayOfHope wrote:

MallowCakes wrote:

I always have wondered is it general knowledge as to this was hinting at a secret relationship between the two of them?

I thought that girls (who are friends at least) always look after each other?

I agree, but there was something the villain said before this scene (which I can't remember what it was) that hinted at something more. It wasn't just these few lines that made me think this. Lol.

Anyone here seen PGSM?

*raises hand* Yeah, you can really make a good argument for these two being an item in PGSM... <3

I've seen it. Sadly it was a million years ago and I hardly remember anything. So after I rewatch the whole anime im going to rewatch that. Lol.

I wrote up a post to this, but Chrome closed and I lot my whole post >.>

With PGSM being the most "current" (okay at this point, the last thing before La Reconquista or the manga re-release/new anime) that had Naoko's hand in it, I would say yes.

But Reinako is very subtle. Very quiet. You have UsaMamo which is in your face, you have HaruMichi which is in your face with their suggestive dialogue (see: subtle as a gun). Then you have Reinako. Quiet, shy, subtle. 

In PGSM you have small hints. Small hints that I thrive on. And personally, I don't want them any bigger than small hints because I like the subtly. Unless of course Naoko was going to make them officially out-there-in-your-face-canon, then yes please. But if not, subtle hints make this relationship. 

There are no spoilers because PGSM came out in 2005. It is 2014. If you haven't seen it by now, that's your bad. 

PGSM, you really begin to see it as Venus like, interacts more with the senshi. In one episode, Rei and Minako take care of a dog in a church. Soops cute. Then they are fighting the enemy. Venus commands Mars to do something, but she hesitates and ultimately fails to meet that order, because she's stuck on Venus; she doesn't want to leave Venus. Not to mention when they battle together, they wink at one another (THIS IS NOT JUST BODY LANGUAGE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF "I KNOW WHAT YOU WANNA DO THIS IS HOW WE ARE GONNA ATTACK).


Then we have Venus' death, probably the biggest show of Reinako. (Note: generally we don't talk about this because too many feels). When Venus dies, Rei is the most devastated. Like, she falls to her knees and screams and cries. Literally. The other senshi are shocked and sad, but they are not upset to this degree. Not even when reading the letter Venus left behind basically thanking everyone for all they've done for her. They're quietly crying while Rei is just letting it all out. Awful. 

While Rei is reading of the letter out loud, there's Venus "reading it" and pacing around the room, addressing everyone individually. When she gets to Rei, she stops and puts her hands on her shoulders. She doesn't even do this for Usagi, who is the PRINCESS that she is devoted to. 

Then Mars gets Venus' tambourine weapon dealie and uses it with her tambourine. It isn't left to, say, Usagi who would be the logical guess. No, it's left to Rei. 

Then we have the special hour long finale dealing with Usagi and Mamo's wedding. Usagi is about to toss the bouquet and Minako and Rei begin like, "accidentally" nudging each other, eager to get the bouquet. And they just look at each other for a moment and then shyly look away with Ami and Mako WATCHING THEM do this, SMILING knowingly in the background. 

Not to mention, there are a few times throughout the show that Rei/Mars and Minako/Venus make seriously intense eye contact with one another. And you can just see in Mars'/Rei's eyes like...her love for Venus. You can physically see it in the church episode where she refuses to obey Venus' command because she doesn't want to leave Venus. She's devoted to Venus like she is to Usagi.

You can hear it in the semi-hostile way they talk to each other. I say semi because neither one really means it; it's apparent in the letter Minako left and apparent in the way Rei responds to Minako.

Then you have your manga images, both from the manga itself and the manga art Naoko drew. Rei and Minako are almost always together and when they are together, they're usually posed in an intimate way. The only others like this are UsaMamo and HaruMichi.

Sailor Mars wrote:

Then we have Venus' death, probably the biggest show of Reinako. (Note: generally we don't talk about this because too many feels). When Venus dies, Rei is the most devastated. Like, she falls to her knees and screams and cries. Literally. The other senshi are shocked and sad, but they are not upset to this degree. Not even when reading the letter Venus left behind basically thanking everyone for all they've done for her. They're quietly crying while Rei is just letting it all out. Awful. 

While Rei is reading of the letter out loud, there's Venus "reading it" and pacing around the room, addressing everyone individually. When she gets to Rei, she stops and puts her hands on her shoulders. She doesn't even do this for Usagi, who is the PRINCESS that she is devoted to. 

Then Mars gets Venus' tambourine weapon dealie and uses it with her tambourine. It isn't left to, say, Usagi who would be the logical guess. No, it's left to Rei. 

I wanted to just quote this entire post and hug it forever, but I'll only quote this bit, and talk a bit more about it for a moment. But I'll put it under spoilers because I am not sure if it is considered off topic or not xD  

Spoiler:

To be more on topic! The extra artwork we see is kind of what started to get me on the Rei/Minako ship before I watched PGSM. Like Mars said, there are so many pieces where they are touching in ways that only the main couples of the series are shown to do. I don't believe that it happens by pure accident.

Long story short: Rei/Minako, yes please, thanks <3

 

Here are some visuals to exactly what I was explaining oh god

For some reason I haven't thought of Rei and Minako as anything more than really good friends - but after reading through this thread, I totally can see it now. Yay. 

Also, I am a huge Greek Mythology fan and Mars (Ares) and Venus (Aphrodite) have many late night affairs, kept on the down low. I think it's kind of cool if that's the approach Naoko went for.

Yay  

I can see it as implying that they're strong enough that they don't need a man to rely on, or that their duty to their princess overrides a personal romantic relationship.

But the shipper in me likes to think that they're saying they have each other, and they're happy that way, and even going so far as asking if Yaten has an issue with that (to girls together).  

They can still have an emotional relationship with each other that would be the same as having an emotional relationship with a partner. You don't need it to be physical. Their duty is to their princess but they can lean on each other for support.

Also, check out Rei + Minako's Girls School Battle.

I think that the intention is that their relationship can be seen either as romantic or just close friends depending on the audience. It's clear they have some sort of close and arguably intimate bond. I think that both interpretations are totally valid and I think it's great we can all see their relationship in different, but legitimate ways.

That being said, if Sailor Moon Crystal further fuels this delicious ship, I'll be very, very happy.

Maybe a secret relationship just like deities Mars/Ares & Venus/Aphrodite.

I like to think that the inners end up pairing up (or having some kind of big, polyamorous relationship) because of the alternative of them being alone is just too sad for me. XD

After seeing those gifs I can definitely see these two together!

Images/arts by Naoko Takeuchi