Yuri Talk: “From Outta Nowhere” Yuri Reveals (Spoiler Warning)

WARNING! This post will contain spoilers for several mainstream animated series, anime and one game.

In most of the following series there will be a common trend.

These two will be brought up.

First of all let us begin by my explaining what do I mean by “From Outta Nowhere”. To the surprise of none of my longtime fans I got the term from pro wrestler Randy Orton’s finishing maneuver, the RKO, that he often hits opponents with when they least expect it, hence “from outta nowhere”. In the case of this post it will be used to reference yuri reveals that came:

• At the last minute, meaning at the end of an episode or a series finale.
• A sudden or blink and you missed it moment during an episode.
• In comics.

Some of these pairings during the series’ runs already had fanbases shipping them but then had a moment that had fans’ jaws drop. The reveals often become clearer thanks to writer/director confirmation that are summed up with “Yes Patricia, they are gay”.

The following are examples of shows/games I am aware of that implemented “from outta nowhere” reveals.

Kitty and Bunny.

The first “from outta nowhere” reveal I am bringing up that was intentionally written to pass by the minds of younger and even older audiences was Kitty and Bunny from the Courage the Cowardly Dog episode, The Mask. This was about a masked woman who came to Courage’s house. She initially hid her face behind a mask and beat up Courage because he was a dog. Eventually the woman, a cat named Kitty explained the reason she hated dogs was because her friend Bunny was in an abusive relationship with a gangster dog named Mad Dog and she wanted to help Bunny get away from him, which with the help of Courage she does. The reveal in this episode was subtle because it was not until writer interviews that the yuri was revealed, though there were subtle hints from both Kitty and Bunny along with Mad Dog’s jealousy of Kitty.

Above: Renee Montoya. Below: Maggie Sawyer and Toby Raines.

Some other Western examples include officer Renee Montoya and captain Maggie Sawyer who made their animated debuts in the 90’s Batman and Superman animated series respectively. While Renee’s yuri power was revealed in comics, Maggie’s was known to comic readers but in a surprise her then girlfriend Toby Raines got a surprise cameo in the Superman cartoon in the final arc of the show during Darkseid’s invasion of Metropolis. Again if viewers had not read comics they would not have been aware of Toby Raines’ true identity and relationship with Maggie. The writers later revealed that Toby’s cameo was to acknowledge Maggie’s yuri power.

Fun fact: Katie Kane, aka Batwoman, had been in romantic relationships with Renee and Maggie in different points of her crime fighting career.

Korra and Asami last scene in The Legend of Korra show.

Now for more recent examples of a “from outta nowhere” reveal starting with Korra and Asami. What most non-yuri fans saw as two close friends going on cracker jack adventures…yuri fans knew the truth thanks to several moments throughout Books 3 and 4. Of course the writers had to give confirmation to put yuri fans’ minds at ease. It also helped that in the (at the time of this writing) upcoming comic sequel series “Turf Wars” something very big was planned for our heroines…very big indeed. Find out HERE.

Princess Bubblegum and Marceline.

The next recent example is one that follows the “sudden or blink and you missed it moment” where their yuri powers were revealed, Adventure Time’s Marceline and Princess Bubblegum. While the Bubbeline vibes KIND OF began in “Go With Me” with Marceline addressing Bubblegum in a casual manner (first name), the ship truly sailed in “What Was Missing”. Then there was “Sky Witch” and…hoo doggy. Readers know what is coming next. At a convention questions were asked regarding Bubbeline’s relationship and some hints in the Adventure Time comics. The writers then revealed that they used to date. As the show continued, every time Bubbeline had some alone time most of it was dedicated to them throwing hints about their past, dealing with whatever present situation they were in and even discussing a possible future. Long story short the one and only obstacle that is (at the time of this writing) stopping Bubbeline from getting a “from outta nowhere” reveal is Adventure Time’s global broadcast. What this means is for the time being the best fans can hope for is a last minute confirmation during the series finale or another comic book bombshell.

I am not 100% certain if Steven Universe also belongs in this post as an example so I will leave it up to the audience to decide. Jeff’s parents from Clarance on the other hand, do belong as a “blink and you missed it” reveal.

I am certain there are other examples but right now let us go to the land of the rising sun.

Alisha and Rose from Tales of Zestiria The X.

This is a somewhat incomplete entry because (again as of this writing) I want to finish the Tales of Zestiria game before checking out the anime. What I can say in regards to the pairing in question, Alisha X Rose, in the game (from the 30 hours I have played so far) there are definitely some moments that legitimize this pairing. I imagine there will be more as I continue. I do not know if there were many moments in the anime but I imagine there were more than a few before the end. For readers wondering about the male protagonist Sorey and how Alisha and Rose feel about him. From what I have played their relationship is more of friendship and respect as a noble hardworking Shepherd than a love interest for either one. Besides, fans of this Tales entry know that there is only one true love for the honorable lad. Hint: Aqua-blue. Anyway back to the anime there was a scene during the end credits where Alisha and Rose were sitting together and a bombshell was dropped worthy of making it into this post.

One of my favorite moments of 2017.

Next up is one that I will not soon forget, the last scene in the second season of Hibike! Euphonium. While I imagine a certain fanbase is writhing in pain I for one had been gifted with a wonderful “from outta nowhere” reveal between Kumiko and Asuka. While it is not yet 100% official the finale gave us hope that it could happen one day should there be a continuation…as long as KyoAni does not go down the dark path and announce “Kumiko Love Story”.

着色シリーズ…「魔法つかいプリキュア!」単行本第2巻埋めカットより❤️ pic.twitter.com/DguZswhuib

— 上北ふたご (@kamikitafutago) May 10, 2017

Official art.

Now we come to the main reason I brought the “from outta nowhere” topic up. While there have been several strong pairings in past Pretty Cure installments such as the legendary Hibiki X Kanade from Suite! PreCure and the polarizing Mana, aka Mana The Conqueror’s stealth harem from Doki Doki PreCure, one couple went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to yuri power in the franchise filled to the brim with strong shipping material. I am of course referring to Mirai X Liko (the correct spelling of her name was revealed in episode 40) from Mahou Tsukai PreCure. MTP was chock full of ship worthy moments between the two from hand holding, snuggling, mesmerized stares, longing for one another and a PreCure staple of raising magic infants. However, what got these two to the top of the mountain were two things:

The first would be this scene in episode 49 which was an amazing moment in and of itself. Then there was the “from outta nowhere” reveal in the bonus chapter of the official MTP manga.

This is not from a fan doujin.

So what was the point of this entire Yuri Talk segment? To bring up that a last minute or sudden reveal of two girls/women having romantic feelings for one another instead of early on in the show is not so bad. Sometimes we need the head honchos to say the magic words “Yes Patricia, they are gay” to pump up the joy of a magical moment but hey, it is very much appreciated when we do get confirmation. That or just I wanted to share my joy whenever pairings I shipped HARD get confirmed canon and welcome yuri surprises from the past.

Of course I would not forget these two.

PS: Did you all think I would forget the GLORY that was Fine X Izetta’s Magic Broom Ride and that the show’s seiyuu confirmed in a convention that the two are indeed a couple? Come now, it was my favorite anime of 2016.

Here’s some evidence for someone who asked about it:

• Evidence A
• Evidence B

So, any other “From Outta Nowhere” reveals readers feel worthy of mentioning? By all means share them in the comments.