general | April 08, 2026

Mystery Dungeon Sky Shippings | Bulbagarden

Okay, I decided to make this thread because I believe Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky is the most shipping-rich Pokemon game I've ever played, and I wanted to discuss some of those shippings. To start with the obvious:

Hero X Partner: I like this pairing because while the partner is the driving force behind most of the hero's actions, (s)he's really quite submissive to the hero's wants, even trusting Grovyle because the hero says they have no choice.

Guildshipping (Wigglytuff X Chatot): Not one of my favorite shippings in this game, but the scene at Brine Cave makes it obvious that at least Chatot has those feelings for the Guildmaster. Chatot's last words before succumbing to his injuries almost brought me to tears when I said them in my best Chatot voice.

OhMyGoshshipping (Sunflora x Loudred): My absolute favorite pairing in the game, thanks to Special Episode 3. They fight like an old married couple, and Loudred can't seem to stay mad at her for long, since he abandoned his post to help her capture Haunter. And Sunflora couldn't even say "Thank you" to him, showing how she really feels about Loudred.

Partner x Grovyle: I'm actually pretty fond of this ship. It's the basic "girl (or boy) hates antihero at first, but comes to trust him" scenario. But what really cememts this pairing in my mind is the partner's declaration that they'll stop Grovyle if he's wrong about the Time Gears.

Hero x Grovyle: Technically a human/Pokemon ship, but when you're working with someone to save the world, you have to appreciate every moment you have together, even if it's strictly platonic.

Wigglytuff x Lopunny: I would have to say that this ship is mostly one-sided, since all Wigglytuff cares about whenever he and Team Charm meet is the Perfect Apple they bring him. Still, we don't know the whole story behind Wigglytuff and Team Charm, so there's room for interpretation.

Rendshipping (Grovyle x Celebi): When you talk to Celebi before entering Deep Dusk Forest, she says she wants Grovyle to slow down and spend some time with her, then denies having any feelings for him, which convinces no one. Not to mention the end of Special Episode 5.

Zangoose x Sunflora: I know what you're thinking, but if you talk to Zangoose before leaving for Spring Cave in Special Episode 3, Zangoose mentions how he wants to fight Sunflora one day. Now that may not seem like much to go on, but it's enough to make me at least a casual shipper.

Lopunny x Weavile: Pure rivalry is the name of this game. Lopunny hates Weavile, Weavile hates Lopunny. Simple, right? Yeah, right! But in all seriousness, I think Lopunny makes Weavile feel insecure about herself, and she doesn't like that, so she declares Team Charm her enemies to hide her true feelings.

If I'm missing any ships, feel free to point them out.