shippon

Shippon is a term primarily used within fan communities to describe a romantic relationship between two characters, whether fictional or real. It is a portmanteau of the words "relationship" and "ship," where "ship" itself is derived from "relationship." The practice of "shipping" involves supporting and advocating for a particular romantic pairing, often within a work of media such as a television show, movie, book, or video game.

Fans who engage in shippon often discuss their preferred pairings, create fanfiction, fan art, and other forms of derivative content. These communities can be quite active, with dedicated forums, social media groups, and websites. The intensity of shippon can vary widely, from casual enjoyment of a potential pairing to passionate advocacy for a specific "ship."

The characters involved in a shippon can be of any gender combination and may or may not have an established romantic relationship within the source material. Sometimes, shippon emerges from subtle interactions or unspoken chemistry between characters, while other times it may involve pairings that are explicitly presented as rivals or even enemies. The term is generally used in a lighthearted and informal context among fans.