Ryuji X Ann

Ryuji X Ann
Ryuji X Ann, also known as Ryuann or Ann x Ryuji is a popular non-MC ship within the Persona 5 fandom. It involves the romantic pairing of Ryuji Sakamoto and Ann Takamaki. It is often spammed by several users within a thread with fanart, fiction, or just ramblings.

Origin
The origin of Ryuji X Ann can be traced back to when the first trailer for Persona 5 came out. The idea of a ship existing between the first male teammate and the first female teammate has existed since Persona 3 (I.E. Yukari and Junpei and moreso Yosuke and Chie).

In game there are several reasons as to why these two characters would end up romantically involved Ann's Rank 8 Confidant involves Ryuji helping Ann train to become physically stronger. Ann flirts with Ryuji and says she'll go on a date with him if he helps, to which he replies "Eff that. Quit thinkin' you're some sexy character in an anime. It's sad watchin' you like this." It can be inferred that Ryuji meant she didn't need to pretend flirt with him to get his help, but it's more clear Ann interpreted it as Ryuji not finding her attractive. Ann responds to this in the beach event by wearing a skimpy bikini in front of  Ryuji to get him to gawk at her body. He does, which illicits her reaction of laughing and saying "Got a better opinion of me now?" and punching his chest, showing that she strongly values his opinion of her over others.
 * Both characters have major plot points that revolve around being abused by their gym teacher Suguru Kamoshida
 * Ryuji and Ann are often considered the most attractive members of the thieves (outside of MC) with Ann being a model and Ryuji being buff from working out/running
 * Ryuji and Ann have a history involving a story where Ann gave Ryuji money for a train ride home after spending all his money on a stuffed dolphin for his mother
 * Both characters are outcasts within the school
 * Ryuji has shown attraction to Ann on multiple occasions making lewd gestures towards her in a bikini and staring at her sweat drenched chest
 * Morgana has feelings towards Ann and has a genuine hatred towards Ryuji, thus it would be a good literary foil to have Ryuji end up with Ann
 * Both characters are generally unpopular in Japan, scoring the lowest two spots in the popularity polls, thus ending up together would upset the least amount of people1496447750828.jpg
 * Ann clearly is the most upset over Ryuji's "Death" crying out his name on the boat. Also the two maintain eye contact with each other as Ryuji was hanging on the rope. Once Ryuji is found out not to be dead she is the first one to slap him before the rest of the girls join in.
 * Both English VAs for Ann Takamaki and Ryuji Sakamoto, Erica Harlacher and Max Mittelman respectively, ship the two of them together.
 * When Yaldaboath was erasing the Phantom Thieves' existance, only Ann screamed Ryuji's name in tears before he disappeared.