Anonymous asked: There are actually several problematic aspects to Mei/Kasanoda; they "meet" when he is about to "attack" her (at Tamaki's behest), and it is implied that a) she needs to get rid of her dark skin before she can attract a man, b) she needs a partner to assuage her freshman-year loneliness (Haruhi actually says this in the chapter where they officially meet) and that c) as she suspected, the Host Club, at least, is "out of (her) league." As for the lack of fan art, she is a manga-only character.

Hello there, Anon!

Thanks for your observations about Mei/Kasanoda.  You bring up some very good points, and I appreciate that you’ve read it!!!

To what you said lastly about the fan-art, I am aware that she is a manga-only character.  In my previous post to the fan-art by detoreik, I mentioned that she did not appear in the anime.  It’s such a shame that such a wonderful character is so left out of the fan-art world.

With that said, I’d like to play devil’s advocate with some of your contentions about Mei.  A literary tete a tete if you will. ^_^

Mei and Kasanoda do indeed meet when he is about to attack her during Episode 44, Volume 10 of the manga.  As you said, this is Tamaki’s idea so that Mei’s father can feel empowered once again and win back his daughter’s love and affection.  Of course, things don’t work out as any of them plan (as per usual) and Kasanoda finds Mei even more frightening than Mei finds Kasanoda.  Frankly, I find Mei much more frightening than Kasanoda. 

To be honest, this is when I began shipping them.  I felt that since they both react so suddenly and with such emotional charge, they would be able to balance one another out, especially since they’re so used to being the frightening one.  In the July Special released in 2011, Bisco Hatori focuses on Mei and Kasanoda’s budding relationship, and this idea of “fear” comes up.  However, the main idea is that through this outward exterior that breeds fright, they both are caring and very intuitive individuals.

Contention A:  It is indeed implied that Mei needs to get rid of her Keba-ness in order to attract a man, but if I remember correctly it is the twins who make reference to that, and we all know how trustworthy the twins can be.  Furthermore, while this is implied, I’m not entirely sure if Kasanoda is the type of guy to focus on the outward appearance.  One of the lessons learned through the Kasanoda arc is that appearances are deceiving and inate perceptions are often wrong.  I’m of the opinion that Kasanoda would look past Mei’s dark complexion.  Due to that reading, her choice of accessories and make-up doesn’t pose a problem to the Mei/Kasanoda ship.

Contention B:  I don’t actually remember Haruhi saying that Mei needs a man because she’s lonely, but even if she does, that would be more in reference to Mei’s initial attraction to Tamaki.  Also, in the July 2011 special, Haruhi does mention that Mei desires a man, but this is because Mei legitimately desires that type of relationship and not because Mei is simply lonely.  At any rate, in my opinion this also doesn’t pose a problem to the Mei/Kasanoda ship because how the relationship begins (whether out of true desire or childish loneliness) doesn’t matter as much as how the relationship functions.

Contention C:  Yes.  The Host Club is “out of her league,” but this doesn’t stop her from pursuing Tamaki.  Haruhi even mentions in Episode 42 that Mei mentioned the Ouran guys were out of her league.  We find out that, like with Haruhi, friendship with the Host Club guys isn’t predicated on wealth but on willingness, the fun quotient, and a certain amount of stamina needed to keep up with them.  Kasanoda, while an “Ouran guy” is in class 1D, which is the lowest academic rank a student at Ouran.  Also, Kasanoda’s funds come from the fact that he’s the head of a Yakuza family, which means he was at Ouran because of his finances but not because he had class and status, at least not like the Host Club guys do.  Again, in my mind, this does not pose a threat to the Mei/Kasanoda. 

Also, to say that the class difference is the reason Mei/Kasanoda cannot work negates the entire premise of TamaHaru and, therefore, negates a central theme.

Of course, you might probably disagree, as do many others.  Still, I absolutely love Mei and Kasanoda as a couple.  I was so infinitely glad when Bisco Hatori mentioned them in the Volume 18 extras and then again in the July 2011 Special.  I fangirled so much!

Anyways, thanks again for your input!  I really appreciate it, especially as it gave me a chance to flex my literary debate muscles!

Oh, here are the links to the Volume 18 Extra page with Mei and Kasanoda as well as the July 2011 special.  Enjoy them if you haven’t read them before!