Why Penguinshipping Deserves More Love (And Why I’m Just Not Sold on Pearlshipping)
Okay, real talk—can we take a second to talk about how heavily overlooked Penguinshipping is? Like, yes, Pearlshipping gets tons of attention (honestly way too much in my opinion), and don’t even get me started on how overrated Pokeshipping still is to this day (no offense to those who still ship it). But when it comes to Penguinshipping—Kenny x Dawn—it’s like no one even remembers the emotional depth and obvious affection that was built into their dynamic.
Let’s be honest: Ash and Dawn have great chemistry as friends. They support each other, train together, and have mutual respect—but that’s it. I’ve always seen their bond as sibling-like. There’s no real romantic tension or underlying romantic hints from either side. Not to mention, their dynamic mirrors the kind of camaraderie Ash has had with other companions like May. So why is Pearlshipping still treated like the holy grail?
Don’t get me wrong I do find the ship cute and I respect anyone who ships it.
Now contrast that with Kenny, who literally had a childhood connection with Dawn. He has a crush on her. He teases her in that classic “I-like-you-so-I-annoy-you” way, and more importantly—he’s emotionally invested. Remember when he challenged Ash to a battle for the chance to travel with Dawn? He didn’t even try to hide how much she meant to him.
And even though Dawn chose to go with Ash, she still left Kenny a letter—and that letter said he looked hot battling Ash. Like… hello? That’s a moment. That’s canon Dawn blushing energy right there. You can’t ignore that she acknowledged his strength, complimented him, and didn’t just ghost him after declining his offer. There was respect. There was feeling. There was potential.
Penguinshipping isn't loud or in-your-face, but it's real. It’s layered with history, affection, and actual signs of romantic interest. I’m not saying it’s the only ship that makes sense for Dawn—but I am saying it’s a ship that deserves way more attention than it gets.
Ash might be the main character, but not every character needs to be paired with him. Let Dawn have her own story—and maybe, just maybe, Kenny’s always been quietly waiting in the wings.
If you still enjoy Pearlshipping, that's totally valid—everyone connects with different dynamics. Personally, while I do think it's a cute pairing, I see Ash and Dawn more as close friends with a sibling-like bond. But of course, that's just MY take on it.
