Do you see any parallel between Pearlshipping and Contestshipping?
Quite frankly, no. Main character/main character ships always differ a lot from main character/rival ships in my eyes. Pearlshipping hints are mainly high-fives and encouragement, while a big part of Contestshipping hints is fighting-to-flirting, roses, and May and Drew being viewed as a couple by other characters, which has only happened for Pearlshipping once. Just my opinion. I'm not trying to bash, just saying these ships are different~
At first glance it looks like there is not much similarity b/w Contest and Pearl, but generally speaking they had similar treatment by the writers.
1. The high fives were like roses. It was something special that only those two characters did with each other.
2. Reacting to each others feelings. When May was down, it was Drew who would usually noticed and tried to lift her up. Same thing with Ash, when he was down, Dawn always tried to do something specially nice.
3. When asked candidly whether they (Dawn/May) want to hook up with Ash/Drew, they don't say "no". Only that they "never thought of it before."
4. Deciding where to go. After their Grand Festival, they had to choices: continue cheering for Ash in the Sinnoh Leave or follow Kenny. Dawn picked Ash. Go to Johto to follow Drew, or continue traveling with Ash. May picked Johto. The only difference is that Johanna told Dawn to do something else.
5. Argue with a purpose. Every time each pairing had an argument it was not for nothing, unlike other ships. It always led to them bonding closer together.
6. Consistency. 9 out 10 times they maintain a consistent dynamic that doesn't tapper off. Ash & Dawn: Duo. Drew and May: Intimate Rivals.
7. Strong reaction by rivals. Harley definitely knew how close May and Drew were. So did Kenny, who had an obvious jealous demeanor when he saw close Dawn clung to Ash.
