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Difference in KaiSagi’s Perception?

Something that's kind of confused me when I joined this fandom is the difference in popularity of KaiSagi between the Western and the Eastern fandom. 

I think most of us here know how popular KaiSagi is on the Eastern side. The Pixiv numbers speak for themselves. That isn’t to say that KaiSagi isn’t popular on the Western side. It is still after all the 2nd most popular ship on Ao3 for BlueLock. The same as it is on the Eastern side. But the difference in that popularity is significant. 

Over on the Eastern side KaiSagi is almost mentioned in the same breath as NagiReo. Pixiv and Doujinshi sales back up that assessment. BOTH KaiSagi and NagiReo are extremely popular to almost the same level, compared to the other BlueLock ship. Meanwhile on the Western side KaiSagi is more in line with the “Big Three” Isagi ships (RinSagi, BachSagi, KaiSagi), while Nagireo is way above the rest as the definitive top ship here. 

Usually when a ship that is popular on the Eastern side and not popular on the Western side (or vice versa), I can see the reason. But I can’t really see a reason why such a difference is present for KaiSagi. Such a difference typically occurs because of certain tropes being more liked on one side than the other. But I don’t really see this applying to KaiSagi. For example the “enemies to lovers” trope is popular in both Eastern and Western fandoms. And even if you try to bring up other arguments, like the age gap, other ships (like leopika, asheiji, lawlight) are still massively popular in western fandoms regardless of their age gaps. So I can’t really explain the difference in Kaisagi popularity through a contrast in preferred tropes or shipping attitudes, which leads me to believe their is a underlying reason. 

So I say this, as a big KaiSagi fan, I’m confused to what exactly gives an advantage (or disadvantage on the Western side) for the Eastern side? Are there cultural reasons as to why KaiSagi is such a massive force for eastern fans, where that same effect isn’t applicable for western fans? Genuinely curious btw, and I would love to hear you guy’s thoughts. Am I missing something, or maybe misinterpreting something? Please let me know!

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I'm in a paradox.

On the one hand, I want Blue Lock season 3 to take as long as possible, so we don't have another season 2 situation.

On the other hand, I need those Kaiser and Isagi scenes animated as soon as possible

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Favorite KaiSagi Panel?

For me, there is a lot to choose from. But if I had to pick my favorite, it would have to be this double-page spread on chapter 267

Like the intense stare is soo good. 

But also narratively, it's great. It represents a full circle in their dynamic. At the beginning, it was Kaiser provoking Isagi, then Isagi started provoking Kaiser. Their dynamic initially was one of constantly shifting power dynamics, where one would try to suppress the other. But now, after Kaiser’s awakening, they're looking at each other as equals, not as lesser. It shows they have both evolved as players and people. And their dynamic will now be one of mutual competition, not forced suppression. The intimacy they have here is much softer than their previous interactions.