I am glad FrAm and Spi are made to cater to fujos because I appreciate it and I am thankful. They know their audience.

Randomly but I I actually think it's kind of funny that they are building something between Frie and Ame despite the obvious age difference?

The OP almost seems to position them as "rivals" (though I am not sure I would describe them like that yet, they are more like adversaries) and usually in this franchise, rivalries are more equal or between characters in the same "range" so to speak. I can't really think of such dynamics with height or age differences? From the top off my head...

And here we have something between two characters with a gap but who still feel a bit like equals given that we don't know how their confrontations end and they can match each other in terms of strength in a way... it's very compelling and interesting tbh.

From my point of view, the obvious gaps between them inherently make the dynamics what it is and better. It wouldn't exactly work the same way if Ame was an adult as well.

Like idk how to put it, but it's good. Usually I am not really into dynamics with obvious gaps like that (sometimes it feels too uneven or onesided for me to enjoy, that's my thing), but FrAm surprisingly feels quite equal and the gap doesn't put me off, in fact it draws me in. They managed to turn something which could have been a drawback into a strength.

I agree, especially considering that part of the intrigue, to me, is that the expectations put on Amethio are huge. It's like he's supposed to be at Friede's level of expertise and experence already, despite being a lot younger than him. While that could still work if they were the same age, it's not as interesting

Hannah : Yeah it's wonderful. Tbh such ships can be hit or miss for me but this one works so well?! Idk how they did it tbh. They are both obsessed with each other in a way too ww Like there is this appeal of them both being able to match each other but at the same time it shouldn't be like that.

Frie could see someone that reminds him of Ry and Lk (except Ame is a bit older) and he could feel a bit protective. It's just so delicious tbh. It works so well in terms of making the "balance" and "unbalance" (for lack of better words) mesh and coexist?? It is that deep and a well crafted ship...

YEP I feel like that had to have designed them knowing people would ship them, otherwise they wouldn't mesh so well. Or at least they wanted them to have a deeper connection than just being enemies or surface-level rivals

Also ever since Amethio's fucked off the only one who's mentioned him at all has been Friede. I don't think anyone else has brought him up in conversation? (Unless I'm forgetting an internal Liko monologue somewhere, which is possible)

FrAm is made for us! It's amazing that the most popular ship this time is the one with the obvious gap. Love that for us. Everyone just got into it and I couldn't be happier. For sure they have a deeper connection since they're set as adversaries and it feels personal.

Lk has brought Ame up in narration and also during actual episode (episode 7) when she said she felt frustrated that she couldn't do more against him and she wants to be stronger because of him specifically (good for my AmLk bias)

So he was brought up in relation to Lk and Frie so far!

I figured Liko mentioned him somewhere lol, it makes sense that she'd be annoyed at herself for not being able to stop him... even though she's literally had her Pokemon for 2 days and Amethio's been training for what feels like years lol

(Also FWIW I do like AmeLiko a lot too, I can't remember if we've discussed them before or not but they're very cute)

We did discuss them and yes, they are very cute! Got into the m/f first and then the BL unexpectedly caught me (which I didn't expect, but I'm very thankful for). Tfw Lk and Ame both have a crush on Frie...

I love the idea of a love triangle between them and Spinel watching from the sidelines going "BUT HE'S NOT EVEN THAT COOL?"

Spinel not getting why Friede's popular and he isn't because Spinel's convinced he's prettier and therefore better

It's amusing and yes! Everyone got a crush on Frie at some point. This man is too powerful and steals the hearts of many. Don't worry Spi, you are popular with me.

Tbh everyone has a crush on Friede, or has in the past (except Dot, she's immune to his charms... maybe)

That's kind of how I see it too! And I like both thoughts in relation to Frie. That he doesn't fall for anyone since he is so focused on adventure (so when he starts being into Ame, he is surprised and also inexperienced in comparison to Ame)

or if he had 'adventures' here and there.. but nothing serious (which makes anyone crush on him agonize that he wouldn't be serious about them etc)

I like both things a lot

Oooh yes I like that, I feel like Friede would be afraid of longterm commitment and not want to be tied down to anyone/anywhere

Yes and that makes for interesting conflict in ships. I feel like with Ame, they could butt heads over it. Or Ame would feel "broken" that Frie doesn't want to be serious about him or commit to him. Like if he already has self esteem issues, that would make it worse etc..

Right, like to me Ame just wants to be acknowledged and reassured that Friede loves him and Friede A) does not know how to express his love through words and B) is convinced that Ame's just gonna leave him anyway, like everyone else has done

Yeah it's wonderful and a recipe for disaster. Ame just hurts so much over not getting reassurance...

People in the professor world want to set up Frie with someone etc, like some acquaintances of his are like "so, got your eye on anyone? ; )" and this kind of stuff he wants to avoid

Everyone thinks Friede's a playboy but in reality he's a huge bundle of nerves and has basically no experience with relationships (Although I do like to think he's had one partner in the past, maybe it ended badly and that's why he doesn't want to get close to anyone else in that way Idk)

Honestly all possibilities are good. Frie seems like the type to jokingly flirt a lot too.. I can see that happening when he is with Ame (which is rude!), and it doesn't help Ame's self esteem and feelings of doubt. Oh the drama~

I'm reading a series right now where the POV is from a guy who keeps saying things that make him seem like he's flirting with/hitting on his hot foreign boss (he's not) and the boss keeps having to go to him "PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORDING" and honestly? I can see FrieAme being like that lol

Friede not realising he's been flirting with someone until they explicitly say he's doing it, and even then Friede's all dismissive

That definitely sounds like FrAm! And yes... Frie being dismissive is hot. Him being dismissive with Ame especially. Huge misunderstandings. Ame feels like he is being gaslighted (how familiar)