Was Ishigami and Yukariko's relationship an abusive one?

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Most people see it as true love that was meant to be. It's difficult for most to see it that way as we descended into the madness that is the Carnival Arc. From their first moment on screen together, you could already tell Ishigami had a "thing" for Sister Yukariko. He's like Frollo from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, where he becomes very horny and justifies it by claiming the woman as his own. Yukariko constantly tells him that she is more faithful to the Lord than committing sexual acts with Ishigami. Over time, Ishigami grows more impatient and demands that she become his. Not just as his woman, but also as a pawn to use to gain the power of the HiME Star.

My question is, how did YOU feel about this relationship? If you can even call it that. Was it abusive behind the scenes? I remember a fan once had a theory that Mai-HiME implied that Ishigami raped Yukariko. What do you all think? Comment below and let us know!   

I have to agree with Ice Crystal and Shez-neko here. Ishigami and Yukariko's relationship wasn't a relationship at all. Ishigami was a slime ball to the very end. I knew he was a bit weird and off putting but goodness gracious! He forced himself on the poor girl from within her very own chapel!
He's a complete sicko! And the worst of all: she is pregnant with his kid now!

The directors could've picked or created a better man but no! It had to be this creature! Overall, this was an abusive and horrible union. I didn't like this pairing nor will I ever like.

I'm on the same boat as you girls. The only thing I disagree on is the presentation of said relationship. I don't think the relationship was "forced", since we know Ishigami didn't actually LOVE her. It was lust. Yukariko feelings for him were out of guilt and her immense submissive nature. Basically manipulated, or perhaps pressured to love him.

Say Ishigami had never pursued her. Yukariko would never even consider a relationship with a man. She was already happy being in tune with Jesus Christ! Speaking of which, Mai-HiME's Jesus Christ in Mai Tokiha was showing Yukariko that a relationship with a man could be happier than her own. By peering into Mai's idea of a "perfect" life, I think Yukariko was envious. Can you blame her? Yuuichi may be a big dork with bad hair, but he genuinely cared for Mai. Ishigami sought power, using someone he claimed to love as a pawn.

shezaei-neko wrote:I really would have preferred a faceless man for Yukariko than this jerk.  

Faceless man wouldn't be involved in the storyline, I guess. Remember Midori's love-professor? He was faceless until we finally got to see him in episode 26. Maybe something like that? But then, what would Yukariko's role be?

Without Ishigami to manipulate her, I'd like to think that Sister Yukariko would be assisting Mai or Midori. Eventually losing anyway, since she didn't have anyone pressuring her to defeat the HiME. She didn't even want to be involved in the Carnival.

Yes I think it was an abusive one filled with manipulation, and power play. For example forcing yukiariko into deciving everyone that nao attacked her and therefore starting a chain of events all because he wanted power. She didn't want to fight in the first place and she didn't want to lie but she did because this man "Owned" her. I think I even remember him saying that. I'll have to watch the series again and see.

Right. Without Ishigami's interference, the Carnival's events would of played out differently. Either way, Reito and Nagi would make Mikoto and Shiho cause most of the destruction. Ishigami was a thorn in Reito's side. Nobody has their own agenda and gets away with it....except one person: