Yuri Talk: “Fire X Ice” Couples

One of my fans brought the following yuri couple archetype as an interesting subject to talk about because they have been prevalent in many recent shows featuring or centered around yuri pairings/couples. I am referring to the “energetic X cold” pairing, or as I like to call it, “Fire X Ice” couples.

Karen (Fire) X Hikari (Ice). Revue Starlight.

Put simply “Fire and Ice” couples refers to a pair consisting of a (usually) “genki” and an “ice princess”. We will first go over familiar traits for both girls to help identify fire X ice couples.

Yuzu (Fire) X Mei-Tron (Ice). Citrus.

First up let’s talk about the FIYAH! Fire girls more often than not fall under the “genki” anime character archetype, meaning someone full of energy, optimism and positive energy. These girls usually have an easy time making friends or have the goal of spreading joy and happiness wherever they go and making as many friends as possible. However, that does not always mean fire girls are devoid of intelligence or lack common sense. They simply prefer not thinking too hard about things and instead go with the flow. Whether it is in life or some important mission they are more comfortable finding easy solutions to problems they are capable of accomplishing. They also have “never give up/never surrender” mindsets. Basically it takes A LOT of negativity to discourage a fire girl/woman. Sometimes firey girls/women ooze with charisma rather than energy but are also defined by their great optimism and positivity. Rarely is the fiery one pessimistic.

Aer/Aaeru (Fire) X Neviril (Ice). Simoun.

Ice girls, unsurprisingly, are the opposite of fire girls. They are often soft-spoken or prefer to have as little contact with people as possible. They are known for having distant/hypnotic gazes as if looking into the eyes of a lifeless being or someone whose soul had been devastated. Usually that is the case, meaning a girl/woman who has had a very troubled past or something that ate away all her happiness. Depending on the severity of their inner struggle they are either “around” or are easily irritated, especially by their fiery love interest. Also ice girls are wary and pensive, thinking about things all the time, sometimes a bit too much to the point that simple solutions are difficult for them to grasp. Should the icy one not be anti-social she most likely oozes with haughtiness or a “holier than thou” attitude whether intentional or not.

Lion (fire) X Nina (Ice). Hina Logi: From Luck & Logic.

The main goal of fire X ice is portraying an “opposites attract” dynamic, meaning couples who will inevitably bicker but deep down complete each other. What this means is NOT two people who constantly argue or fight but ultimately love each other, rather it is a situation where both girls/women realize that their differences compliment one another. Their respective strengths make up for their respective weaknesses. This is accomplished by the fiery lass slowly but surely defrosting the cold heart of her icy princess/queen, more often than not leading to the once anti-social meanie slowly becoming more comfortable around people but most importantly saving her newly developed affectionate side exclusively for her blazing lover.

Akko (Fire) X Diana (Ice). Little Witch Academia.

“Fire and Ice” couples have an arduous road regardless of the genre of their show. They always start off being hostile towards one another, similarly to when someone falls for a tsundere but less one-sided. Both sides have equal instances of being right or wrong. They may have instances where the two are apart, either due to a fight or circumstances beyond their control, and more often than not manage to work things out strengthening their relationship and usually taking it to the next level.

Kanami (Fire) X Hiyori (Ice). Toji no Miko.

While there are differences in interpretations of fire X ice couples there are some traits that remain consistent. The first one being that in action shows, once the two finally get on the same page they immediately become the strongest duo in the series.

Erika (Fire) X Chidori (Ice). FLOWERS -Le Volume sur Été-.

Aria (Fire) X Scherza (Ice). Starlight Vega.

As mentioned above there are exceptions where the fiery lass isn’t a bundle of joy and might even portray some traits commonly associated with ice ladies such as skepticism or cynicism but even so they remain more positive than their frozen beloved.

Youka (Fire) X Aki (Ice). Kindred Spirits on the Roof.

The last thing that is true for fire X ice couples most of them. After the ice queen’s heart was successfully melted by her fiery lover’s heart and passion the icy one will either become mellow or so hungry for chicken tacos, cherry pies and mint-chocolate chip ice cream that it is almost impossible to stop her from leaping into the fires of love and gobbling down the burning feast she had been craving deep down for AGES since a small spark touched her frozen cage. Very rarely is this not the case…

So there you have it. My take on this prevalent type of relationship in the yuri genre. Share your thoughts on these kinds of couples or talk about your favorite fire X ice couples in the comments below.