This might be a little off topic but I just notice that Serena has a lot of fears shown in XY like camping, losing Ash, fear of heights or rickety bridges? (Interpreted by preview), stagefreight (up to a certain degree shown in the latest episode), being separated from Ash, fear of not having a dream to pursue, dark caves, and monsters. Ash seems to be the opposite of that and sometimes comfort (knowingly or not) Serena in her time of need like the mirror episode, the cave of trials episode and arguably the latest episode and there is an old cliché of opposites attract.
Sugoi da na!! finally, someone brings
that point I've brought in a shippings thread from another forum (
:ahem: DZeta :ahem:) and I've discussed in private with other user here. Certainly Satoshi and Serena would fit better in the "opposites attract" becasuse of their opposite psychologies (
yeah, despite Satoshi and Kasumi [and even himself and Haruka in that infamous and hilarious episode from AG xDDD] were being accused from being opposites that are attracted because they were on frequent quarreling. Sadly, their bickering and constant teasing, although funny, that only confirms they were pretty identical to each other). Being Satoshi the brave and decisive one and Serena the fearful and unsure only makes them complementary and psychologically opposite to each other, so they fit better that old cliche. And the thing that binds them is their bond with their trademark Pokemon [Pikachu and Fokko respectively]) and that "
never give up 'till the very end" thing.
And most anime series and Tokusatsus are very fond of the "psychological opposites attraction" cliche. Only remember Son Gohan and Videl from DBZ (Gohan being a fearful and nerdy and Videl being a "female Satoshi" regarding recklessness, outspeakness and overconfidence, however they're bound by their likes for fighting), the infamous Domon Kasshu and Mikamura Rain from Kidou Butoden G Gundam (bound by Domon's mother death),
Naruto-kun and Hinata fron Naruto (despite some NaruSaku statements, the descendant of Ashura and the almost killed by Pein relation was very well developed and literally they're bound by "their nindo"). Only about 5 animes had a pair of characters with similar personalities married: the infamous Sorato ending for Digimon Adventure (even Executive Director Hiroyuki Kakudou admitted he literally don't give a damn about logical anime finales), and Rumiko Takahashi's works are very fond of bind their characters with someone as reckless and arrogant as the main lead (As seen in Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma Nibunnoichi, Ichi Pound no Fukuin [One Pound Gospel] and InuYasha with their official couples).
EDIT: doesn't Ash scratch his nose in one of the openings of a AG saga? I definitely recall it.
That's more a sign of confidence or a "let's go!" signature. Takao from
Bakuten Shoot Beyblade and Sanshiro from
Kurenai Sanshiro (a veeeeeeeeeeeeery old anime, some spanish speakers from here would recognise that as "
Sam El Rey Del Judo" or "
Judoboy") did that a lot of times when they're about to face a challenge. So, that's a very different context compared to the nose scratching from XY040.