Friendship and Deep Love: Shibuya Yuuri & Conrart Weller (Kyou Kara Maou)
Notes: Contains massive spoilers for the first two seasons, and a little of season 3. Pics and screencaps taken from allovertheplace. Some pics from PDK some screencaps from this archive. Others are from the almighty internet, Google, and various posts on conradxyuuri.
Special thanks to the lovely ladies on the ConYuu forum, postcard_prince and jarta - thank you for your help and support!
I. PLOT AND CHARACTERS
The Basics
Kyou Kara Maou is a comedy/fantasy/adventure series consisting of light novels, anime, and manga. It's the story of a normal high school boy who ends up as the savior of an alternate world, only there's no magic wardrobe that he travels through, or magic book that he gets sucked into. Instead, there's a TOILET. In a public women's restroom, no less.
Shibuya Yuuri, our unlikely hero, reluctantly stopped a group of bullies from picking on a former classmate, only to be rewarded by having said classmate run away. The bullies turn their attention to Yuuri and give him the Swirly of Doom, which ends up flushing him all the way into another world. This pretty much sets the tone for most of the series.
...It's made of crack.
Upon arrival, he is told that he is the Maou (Demon King), ruler of Shin Makoku (the Great Demon Kingdom), and it is his duty to protect the Mazoku (Demon Tribe) by slaying humans. There was a war between the two races 20 years ago, and war is on the horizon yet again. But he's human, too, isn't he?!
Well, mostly... It turns out that Yuuri is part Mazoku on his father's side. Throughout the series, Yuuri is caught between two worlds - Earth and Shin Makoku, human and Mazoku. He tries his best to prevent war, and also to reconcile the two halves of his life.
Oh, and did I mention he gets a male harem? A male harem of super-gorgeous demons who never seem to age?
The five main characters. From the right, Gunter, Yuuri, and the three brothers - Conrad, Wolfram, and Gwendal. That blond kid? Actual age, 82. Someone take him to the geriatric ward!
Shibuya Yuuri
Imagine a fantasy film where a ragtag band of heroes must battle demons. They fight their way to the final boss and the Evil Demon King turns out to be a pacifist. That would be Yuuri.
Fifteen years old at the start of the series, Yuuri claims to be just an ordinary guy. He likes baseball, historical dramas, and justice. Boy, does he have a thing for justice. He likes justice so much that he'll punch his middle school baseball coach for picking on a teammate. He likes justice so much that whenever he gets enough Righteous Anger Mojo going on, he becomes this:
Incidentally, Yuuri in "Maou mode" spouts cheesy quotes from historical dramas. (This is a game image. I've thrown a few of those in when I couldn't find or take a good screenshot.)
Okay, so punching his coach and creating a justice-dispensing alter-ego? He might just have a bit of unresolved aggression under all that cuteness.
However, most of the time, Yuuri is a sensitive, considerate guy. He can be very stubborn, and he's definitely strong-willed. He's not afraid to jump in and protect others, even if that usually just puts him in danger, creating a bigger mess.
He's also a bit spastic, especially when people are trying to molest him. This is a problem because somehow, though he was never popular with the ladies back on Earth, in this other world Yuuri is considered seriously hot stuff. Even the men are after him, and same-sex marriage isn't a big deal here. It's even more of a problem because Yuuri's anger management issues have, by accident, landed him with a very persistent, jealous fiancé who likes to climb into bed with him...while wearing a frilly pink nightgown. (Who knew that bitch-slapping someone was a marriage proposal?) Needless to say, Yuuri freaks out a lot. He would like a little personal space, please.
Our wibbly hero gets all this dumped on his plate, so the culture shock is understandable. Yuuri starts off wanting to go back home, but Shin Makoku grows on him and he decides to stay and try his best to do right by the people. Through his stubborn idealism and trusting nature, and with the help of his advisers, Yuuri manages to become a good king.
Conrart Weller
Of the "three brothers who look nothing alike" (Yuuri's description), Conrad is the middle child. In B movie terms, he is Henchman #1 to Yuuri's Demon King. Hello, Yuuri. This is your Knight in Shining 1914 German Infantry Uniform.
Conrad does a lot of "bodyguarding". Literally. This is one smooth operator, guys.
Lord Conrart Weller, or Conrad, as Yuuri nicknames him, is the commander of the Maou's personal guard. While his age is never given, he appears 19-20 in human years. Calm, cool, and collected, he likes baseball, smiling, and rescuing Yuuri. (Rescuing not limited to life or death situations. Also rescues from boredom, because baseball > paperwork.) Usually very gentle, Conrad has a darker, fiercely protective side that shows itself when Yuuri is in danger.
Conrad is also half Mazoku, half human. He has no magic, but makes up for it by being the best swordsman in Shin Makoku. While most of the Mazoku are blindingly beautiful, Conrad's mixed heritage makes him a bit plainer than the others in appearance. While still considered handsome by human standards, Conrad lacks the exotic hair and eye colors of the other Mazoku.
Despite the fact that smiling!Conrad is the poster boy for whitening toothpaste, he was definitely not all sparkles and sunshine when he was younger. On the contrary, he was quite bitter as a rebellious teenager. (By "teenager" we of course mean "octogenarian" when dealing with Mazoku.) His human heritage is the source of a lot of problems for Conrad, and he has led a hard life because of it. For example, half-Mazoku soldiers were sent out on the front lines during the war without proper equipment in the hopes that they would die in battle. Conrad survived, and became known as the heroic Lion of Rutenberg. But even his heroism doesn't stop the prejudice - his younger brother Wolfram rejects him and, early on in the series, regularly calls him a "filthy human". This sentiment is not uncommon among the Mazoku.
Conrad's got it all, hasn't he? Great personality, tragic past, mad sword skillz... Is this man perfect or what? Pretty much, except that his jokes are horrible. He's such a dork sometimes...
II. RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Since Kyou Kara Maou is a harem series, there is no hard and fast canon pairing. Yuuri will most likely never end up with anyone in canon, seeing as he has at least six or seven potential love interests. Pairings in KKM are very much "choose your own gay", but while there are so many possibilities, I would argue that Yuuri's relationship with Conrad is explored in greater emotional depth than any other.
Yuuri → Conrad
After Yuuri's mishap with the toilet, he lands in a heap of trouble when shovel-wielding angry villagers try to stone him. The first person he meets, who doesn't try to kill him or otherwise mess with his head, turns out to be Conrad. And Yuuri's first thought is, "Could that be a knightly prince, here to save me?"
Oh, Yuuri... You don't know how right you are. Conrad used to be a prince when his mother was the Maou!
They quickly strike up a rapport and Conrad becomes Yuuri's unofficial guide in Shin Makoku. When Yuuri is confused, he asks Conrad for advice. When he's feeling down or overwhelmed, he goes to Conrad for a game of catch. When sexy people are throwing themselves at him, he asks Conrad to rescue him. Wait. What?!
"Help me, Conrad!" Do teenage boys who claim to be heterosexual usually call for help when they're being suffocated by hot women? Hmm...
Yuuri also shows discomfort when the other members of his harem, namely Wolfram and Gunter, get too touchy-feely with him. He is often seen running away from those two, but he never runs away from Conrad. On a few occasions, Conrad is the one helping him escape, and he really doesn't mind at all when it's Conrad invading his personal space. In fact, Yuuri actually initiates some of their... touching... which he doesn't feel comfortable doing with other characters until much, much later.
"I finally understand the feeling of embracing another guy." Enough said.
Have I mentioned that they touch each other a lot?
Yuuri obviously feels some sort of comfort with Conrad that he doesn't with the others. He also admires Conrad as a person, and is very aware of his presence.
Episode 19 - "Conrad is really strong. He is normally gentle but, when the time comes, he can be really reliable."
Episode 21 - "He has a great face and figure. His personality as well as his skills are great. I thought it is rare that someone is this perfect. So, I guessed he must have an extreme weakness somewhere."
That weakness is, of course, Conrad's (in)ability to tell jokes.
Conrad → Yuuri
Conrad is very protective and supportive of Yuuri. He also has a thing for catching and/or carrying Yuuri all over the place.
Ooh, bridal style!
His first impression of Yuuri is more complicated. It turns out that Yuuri is the reincarnation of Lady Suzanna Julia von Wincott, Conrad's close friend and confidant, who passed away during the war. Conrad was responsible for bringing Yuuri/Julia's soul to Earth, and briefly met Yuuri as a baby. He was also the one who gave Yuuri his name.
He says that he has been waiting fifteen years to meet Yuuri, and he gives his pendant to Yuuri as a token of his affection as a protective charm. This necklace becomes an important link between them, as Yuuri often gazes at it when he thinks of Conrad.
Giving jewelry on the first date? Conrad moves fast!
Conrad is less of an open book than Yuuri, so it may be difficult to know what he is really thinking at times. His smile can be a good poker face, but there is a lot of subtext in his words. Early on in the series, Yuuri asks if Conrad would cry if he died. Conrad charges off to battle, pausing only to say that if anything were to happen to Yuuri, they would "meet again in another place". In Conrad-speak, this means he wouldn't be able to cry since, in that kind of scenario, he must have already fought to the death defending Yuuri.
Ambiguity, thy name is Conrad.
There is, however, canon proof that Conrad loves Yuuri - it's just not stated what kind of love this is. When Anissina, the resident mad scientist, invents a love detector, it registers Conrad's love for Yuuri.
Actually, Conrad's love is apparently so strong that it showed up on the love detector just by his staring at Yuuri. He wasn't even wearing the helmet that hooked up to the machine, nor was he consciously trying to focus on the object of his affections. Whoa.
Conrad and Yuuri
What are their interactions usually like? Well, they play baseball, or, more accurately, they use baseball as an excuse to stare at each other. Whatever happened to keeping your eye on the ball?
go for morning jogs together,
go stargazing at night,
...and... oh, what the hell. They trade many long, meaningful stares.
Grr! Stoppit, you two! You're obviously in love! Conrad, stop being so noble! Yuuri, stop being so oblivious! (At least that's what I wish Wolfram was saying...)
Throughout the entire series, there is this undercurrent between them. A "more than friends" vibe that does not go unnoticed by the other characters. Anissina notices the love detector, and Wolfram, of course, tries to break them up when they get too mushy. Even on the final episode of season 3, what sets Wolfram off on his last jealous fit is Yuuri flirting with Conrad.
But that's not all there is to their relationship. There's also the drama of death, resurrection, and betrayal. These are some of the most emotionally charged moments in the entire series. Conrad is engaged in battle, protecting Yuuri as always, when he is overwhelmed by the number of enemies. Horrified, Yuuri sees Conrad's severed arm go flying.
"I told you before...that I would sacrifice my arm, body or life for you."
Thinking that Conrad is dead, Yuuri imagines seeing Conrad's ghost, who says, "My soul is always with you, Yuuri." Yuuri also cries for Conrad at his impromptu funeral, saying, "We will meet again, right? Isn't that right, Conrad?"
Then he finds out that his most trusted friend is still alive...and has betrayed him. The Betrayal Arc occurs at the end of the first season and into the second season. Conrad has apparently defected to the human nation of Dai Shimaron, and is now an enemy to Shin Makoku. Yuuri falls into depression. Their long, meaningful stares are now heartbreaking, long, meaningful stares.
Episode 35 - "Conrad is alive. I'm happy about that, but why...isn't he by my side?"
Episode 37 - As his mother aptly puts it, "Yuu-chan, you've got a broken heart, haven't you?"
It is later revealed that Conrad was under orders by Shinou, the godlike spirit of Shin Makoku's first king, to fake his betrayal and gain Dai Shimaron's trust. When it comes time to prove his loyalty by killing the Maou…
Conrad chooses Yuuri. The truth comes out and Yuuri forgives him. Even when he thought Conrad was on the other side, Yuuri trusted him, and it turns out that he was right about Conrad after all.
However, while Yuuri has forgiven Conrad, they both still carry the emotional scars from this ordeal. The anime glosses over this and has them more or less returning to how things used to be, but there are still some unresolved issues.
III. FACETS AND ANALYSIS OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP
At first glance, based on appearances alone, Conrad and Yuuri might seem to fall into the stereotypical seme and uke roles, respectively, though I don't see this at all. Neither character is devastatingly beautiful, nor are they willowy or elegantly effeminate. No, they're both sweaty, dirty baseball players. From this we get lots of bromance and male bonding.
I think this is great, because it's my personal belief that it takes two to make a relationship. While Yuuri is involved in many possible pairings due to the harem nature of the series, his relationship with Conrad has the best claim to being mutual love, whatever form that love may take.
Certainly, in a healthy relationship, the people involved should genuinely like and respect each other, which they do. The trust that they have for each other is also very refreshing, since I personally don't like seeing too much insecurity in a relationship. One could say that this trust is the solid foundation upon which their relationship is built.
It's amazing how they're so comfortable with each other! Their love seems so pure, and yet it can be a roiling mass of emotions, as seen in the Betrayal Arc.
For a love as profound as this one, romance would just be the icing on the cake.
As Friends and Supporters
Conrad and Yuuri are undoubtedly good friends. They work very well together as "just friends" who touch each other a lot. They are very relaxed around each other, often just enjoying their time together, chatting about baseball or things on Earth. They understand each other, and, as I've said before, genuinely seem to like each other as people.
Then there's the playful banter. Conrad will make a bad pun and Yuuri will gag. Yuuri will say something completely random and Conrad will tease him. But most importantly, when Conrad tries to put emotional distance between them by calling Yuuri "Your Majesty", Yuuri immediately chimes in with variations of, "Call me Yuuri! You're the one who named me!" or "If anyone has the right to use my name, it's you."
Both of them are torn between worlds. Yuuri is stuck between his family on Earth and his new home in Shin Makoku. In this strange new world, the customs are all so different, and it seems that no one is willing to forgive an outsider for making mistakes. Luckily, Yuuri has Conrad by his side. Conrad has been to Earth, and experienced firsthand how different the two cultures are, so he is sympathetic about Yuuri's plight.
Perhaps at first, Conrad cares for Yuuri because he is the Maou and Julia's reincarnation. Later on, he comes to love Yuuri for himself. In episode 80, when Yuuri is considering whether he wants to continue being the Maou, Conrad proclaims that he will support Yuuri in whatever choice he makes.
"Right now, you can resign the Maou's duties and be free. If that is what you wish."
"If I wish..."
"I will bear you up and show you the way free."
Yuuri laughs, thinking it's a nice joke, until he sees the seriousness on Conrad's face. This scene reminds me of the famous quote, "If you love something, set it free; if it comes back it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was." Conrad's support, then, is not only for the Maou, but also because he loves Yuuri and wants Yuuri to be happy, even if it means letting go.
Yuuri chooses to stay.
As the King and the Soldier, the Protector and the Protected
Who is the protector, and who is the protected? Perhaps, in a way, they each play both roles. Conrad is often on bodyguard duty, and Yuuri relies on him to be his sword and shield. On the surface it may seem unequal, with Conrad doing all the protecting, and Yuuri playing damsel in distress. Then Conrad blows this theory to pieces.
"I'm only able to stand like this without being lost because I was being protected by his existence."
This is also true regarding the Mazoku prejudice against half-breeds. Yuuri is saddened and angered at the racial inequality, and makes use of his power as king to promote the rights of half-Mazoku. Yuuri's ideals gradually change the attitudes of people such as Wolfram. It is through Yuuri's influence that Conrad is protected from such insults and starts to reconcile with his younger brother.
There is a lot of give and take here. Conrad is older and more experienced, so Yuuri looks to him for advice. He's not afraid to offer gentle corrections when he believes Yuuri has the wrong idea about something. However, Yuuri is the king, and Conrad a mere soldier, not even considered a member of the nobility. Conrad's experience and physical prowess is balanced by out by his desire to obey his king. Conrad protects Yuuri physically, but Yuuri protects Conrad emotionally.
There's also an interesting symbolic parallel between their roles as king and soldier, and the positions they play in baseball. Yuuri is the catcher and Conrad is the pitcher, and, innuendo aside, it's a strangely accurate way of looking at their relationship. As the catcher, Yuuri is supposed to strategize and lead the team, especially in giving signals to the pitcher. The pitcher, while he is the one who "attacks", is ultimately following the catcher's lead. What's most important in this pitcher-catcher relationship, though, is that they work together as a team.
The power dynamics are complex, but they are certainly not entirely unequal. All of it comes together to create a balanced relationship where they each value the other's insights.
As Star-crossed Lovers?
Could it be possible? Yes, there's a potential tragic reincarnation romance brewing here. Conrad and Yuuri are sometimes called the "Romeo and Juliet" of Kyou Kara Maou. This is not to say that the characters are alike, but the angst and "forbidden love" aspect may have a similar feel.
It also makes for a great Romeo and Juliet parody. There's the Yuuri/Julia/Juliet naming scheme, and this pseudo-balcony scene, where Yuuri is looking out and thinking of Conrad:
O Conrart, Conrart! wherefore art thou, Conrart?
Fans of the series may also know the symbolism of the sun and moon, with Yuuri said to be the sun.
It is the east, and Yuuri is the sun!
Jokes aside, when Yuuri first learns about Julia, he immediately jumps to the conclusion that Julia was Conrad's girlfriend. Conrad denies this, though it is mentioned many times that she was his "special person". The nature of the feelings between Conrad and Julia are never explicitly stated, but it is possible that Conrad had romantic feelings for her. Unfortunately, she was already engaged to another man.
Although Julia appeared to be content with her arranged marriage, she did at least love Conrad as an important friend. When she died, she even entrusted Conrad, and not her fiancé, with her most precious possession - the pendant. Conrad, of course, is sent on a mission to deliver Julia's soul to Earth, and he later gives (returns?) the pendant to Yuuri.
Skip to the present and we find Conrad and Yuuri, with Yuuri also engaged to another man. This time around, Yuuri is engaged to Conrad's brother, whom he also loves very much. The engagement is an accident, but Yuuri is still essentially "taken", and Wolfram is very possessive. Would a man as chivalrous as Conrad fight his own brother in the name of love? Or would he step aside? Even reincarnation doesn't help poor Conrad.
IV. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE FROM OTHER CANON SOURCES
While the focus of this essay has so far mostly been on the anime, the anime has cut out a lot of scenes that were considered too slashy for a mainstream audience. These scenes are in the original novels, as well as the manga, which has been following more closely to the novel's script.
The infamous dance scene
Conrad holding Yuuri close
And this magnificent beast:
It's a misunderstanding. Still, KKM delights in making us think the wrong thing.
Other hints toward the pairing can be seen in PC/video games, drama CDs, and especially in their character songs. Yuuri's character song "Be All Right" is about Conrad, perhaps regarding the betrayal. The translation is provided below:
It's all right to cry; I'll hold you
Your sadness tore the shape of a heart
In the center of my chest
Change a crisis into an opportunity and shout,
"Be all right"
It'll definitely be all right; it's like courage and prayer
The wind blew in from the green meadows
If you're searching for the true meaning of your existence,
Be like yourself and continue to scrape away the affectations and the lies
Yes, be all right; my soul shakes
I won't close my eyes anymore in the painful moments
We play "catch ball" until the sun sets
Our true feelings shared without saying a word
In order to understand each other's clumsy hearts
Adults throw a ball of words
Until the sun rises
Just now, the stars seemed to be grinning broadly
I'll go anywhere in order to help
Understanding begins in the search for the faint reason for being
Yes, be all right; my soul swims
I have the feeling that you've been by my side ever since the distant past
I thought I'd trust in the me that believed in you
Even if you were evil, I came to love you
The "I came to love you" could also be translated as "I came to like you", but Japanese is tricky that way. "Love" in the romantic sense is definitely a possible interpretation. The entire song is one giant mass of Conrad/Yuuri goodness. There is no other person Yuuri could be referring to, since no one else in Shin Makoku shares his affinity for baseball.
As for Conrad, both of his character songs have ties to Yuuri. The first, "Eternal Ring", is about Conrad's feelings for Yuuri and Julia, his belief in Yuuri, and his hope that he and Yuuri will be able to bring peace to their world. An excerpt:
Even if we are separated, we are still connected
Friendship and deep love are
An eternal ring
Like a necklace called prayer
Blown by the wind, in a parched city
I found someone to protect
I feel that that is what happiness is
With clear eyes, you smiled again
Blessed as you were born
Equally special in either life
Performing miracles with outstretched fingers
Purify the world with your dreams
The "future" is entrusted with the wish of the "past"
Let's light the flame of peace
Could Conrad's love for Yuuri be any more obvious?
Actually, yes. Conrad's other song is none other than "Love Me Tender". He sings this to baby Yuuri, and apparently, in the drama CDs, he sings it to grown-up Yuuri as well.
To top it all off, there is this official character relationship map:
The arrow from Yuuri to Conrad says "shinjiteru", meaning "trust". From Conrad to Yuuri, there's just a heart. These are some very strong hints.
V. WHY SHIP THEM?
When I first came across Kyou Kara Maou three years ago, I fell in love with the humor in the series. I breezed through the episodes, laughing all the way. I never got into the romance fics, though, because I love Yuuri and don't like to see him bullied into relationships, which happens in a lot of fanfiction, unfortunately.
I stayed out of fandom until I watched through the whole series a second time. Since I already knew the plot and the characters, this time I paid attention to the details and the subtext. The overwhelming evidence for Conrad/Yuuri blew me away. (Seriously, is it even considered subtext anymore? I must have been blinded by Wolfram's bishounen sparkles not to have seen it sooner.) Then I had an epiphany. Yes, it's okay for me to go against the majority of fandom and ship a different pairing! So I converted and became a Raging ConYuu Fangirl. I'm a late-comer to this pairing, but it completely owns my soul now.
Why do I ship it? I'm sure I've already listed a million reasons, but to put it simply, I ship them because this pairing relies on Yuuri. While I'm fond of all the other KKM pairings as well, this is my OTP because Yuuri has to be completely willing for it to happen. If Conrad was too noble to fight for Julia, would he really fight his own brother for Yuuri? Uh...he'll probably pine away until Yuuri makes a move. It might take years, or it might take decades, but there will be no doubt that this is a choice Yuuri made of his own free will.
Not everyone will like this pairing, of course. As with any other fandom, KKM has its pairing wars. Conrad/Yuuri especially comes under a lot of fire, as it is often seen as the evil OTP-destroying pairing. Without going too much into the arguments against this pairing, people who don't like it have generally said that they find it too boring, too mature, too angsty, or too complex and confusing. It's also completely appalling to some people that Conrad had seen Yuuri as a baby; they see Conrad as more of a father or older brother figure, and say that the pairing comes off as incestuous to them. However, I hope that upon examining this pairing on its own merits, rather than as a threat to another pairing, you'll find that it's very versatile, and there's a lot to love.
Why should you ship it?
1) Friends to lovers. Does it get any cuter than this? While romantic involvement is not canon, there's so much "proof" of their feelings once one knows what to look for. All of their interactions can be seen as platonic friendship, or given a romantic twist, and since Conrad and Yuuri share a lot of screen time, there's more than enough to keep us guessing how they'll end up in the future.
2) Angst fodder. With this pairing, it's easy to play with the idea of unrequited love from both sides. Not just one-sided love from one side, but from both sides!
"Yuuri doesn't love me! He's going to marry Wolfram!"
"Conrad doesn't love me! He only sees Julia!"
They can be stupid and think that the love is unrequited, but it's actually not. There's also Conrad's tragic past, the war, the betrayal... They're all great sources of angst. Fellow saps be warned: this pairing will make you cry.
3)...Everything. If you like comedy, Kyou Kara Maou is never short on comedy, and Conrad has his hilariously horrible sense of humor. Baseball-related innuendo? Check. The chivalrous knight rescuing his princess king? Check. A love so strong it lasts through reincarnation? Check. Drama? Welcome to Conrad/Yuuri. We have severed arms.
Conrad and Yuuri have the most intricate relationship, with the widest range of emotions, out of all the characters in the series. Friendship, love, trust, loyalty, betrayal, death, resurrection, reincarnation, comedy, tragedy... All this and more! There are so many complexities that color their interactions; this is not a one-dimensional relationship that can be easily explained. They are the Everything relationship of the series.
VI. LINKS
Conrad/Yuuri is extremely popular among Japanese fans, so if you know Japanese, you're in luck! Although this is arguably the second most popular pairing in the English-speaking KKM fandom, in comparison to the size of the English-speaking KKM fandom as a whole, there isn't as much Conrad/Yuuri fanstuff as one might expect. What's there is usually very good, though. We're blessed to have such talented fans!
Intro to KKM
Into the Infinitely Distant Sky, the main LJ comm
KKM newbieguide
Mangafox - Kyou Kara Maou no Tsuku Jiyuugyou!
Asphodel's Haven novel translations
Conrad/Yuuri Groups
Underrated, the Conrad/Yuuri LJ comm
ConYuu forum on FF.net, where this manifesto was born.
ConYuu deviantArt club
an almost fairy tale, the Conrad & Yuuri fanlisting
Rec Lists and Fanwork Collections
recs at Fleeting Fancies
Tanoshii na Mono fic recs and fanart site recs
ConYuu C2
Individual Fic Recs
Just some stuff to get started. There's way too much good fic out there. I want to rec everything... *sigh*
Everything by MadScienceChick and moshesque
A Taste of Sunshine by paxwolf
The Best a Man Can Get by postcard_prince
From the Heart by peroxidepest17
Naive and Sacrifice Play by shayheyred
Shadows with Which to See by Avedear
Tadoritsuku by thisissong
Turning Point by elihice
Two Ways to Interrupt or Otherwise Ruin a Young Maou's Lovelife by puppe, NC-17-ish, CRACK
Misc.
Jinan v. Heika - links to fan sites (Japanese)
Self-pimping my crack, because one can never have enough crack.
Special thanks to the lovely ladies on the ConYuu forum, postcard_prince and jarta - thank you for your help and support!
I. PLOT AND CHARACTERS
The Basics
Kyou Kara Maou is a comedy/fantasy/adventure series consisting of light novels, anime, and manga. It's the story of a normal high school boy who ends up as the savior of an alternate world, only there's no magic wardrobe that he travels through, or magic book that he gets sucked into. Instead, there's a TOILET. In a public women's restroom, no less.
Shibuya Yuuri, our unlikely hero, reluctantly stopped a group of bullies from picking on a former classmate, only to be rewarded by having said classmate run away. The bullies turn their attention to Yuuri and give him the Swirly of Doom, which ends up flushing him all the way into another world. This pretty much sets the tone for most of the series.
...It's made of crack.
Upon arrival, he is told that he is the Maou (Demon King), ruler of Shin Makoku (the Great Demon Kingdom), and it is his duty to protect the Mazoku (Demon Tribe) by slaying humans. There was a war between the two races 20 years ago, and war is on the horizon yet again. But he's human, too, isn't he?!
Well, mostly... It turns out that Yuuri is part Mazoku on his father's side. Throughout the series, Yuuri is caught between two worlds - Earth and Shin Makoku, human and Mazoku. He tries his best to prevent war, and also to reconcile the two halves of his life.
Oh, and did I mention he gets a male harem? A male harem of super-gorgeous demons who never seem to age?
The five main characters. From the right, Gunter, Yuuri, and the three brothers - Conrad, Wolfram, and Gwendal. That blond kid? Actual age, 82. Someone take him to the geriatric ward!
Shibuya Yuuri
Imagine a fantasy film where a ragtag band of heroes must battle demons. They fight their way to the final boss and the Evil Demon King turns out to be a pacifist. That would be Yuuri.
Fifteen years old at the start of the series, Yuuri claims to be just an ordinary guy. He likes baseball, historical dramas, and justice. Boy, does he have a thing for justice. He likes justice so much that he'll punch his middle school baseball coach for picking on a teammate. He likes justice so much that whenever he gets enough Righteous Anger Mojo going on, he becomes this:
Incidentally, Yuuri in "Maou mode" spouts cheesy quotes from historical dramas. (This is a game image. I've thrown a few of those in when I couldn't find or take a good screenshot.)
Okay, so punching his coach and creating a justice-dispensing alter-ego? He might just have a bit of unresolved aggression under all that cuteness.
However, most of the time, Yuuri is a sensitive, considerate guy. He can be very stubborn, and he's definitely strong-willed. He's not afraid to jump in and protect others, even if that usually just puts him in danger, creating a bigger mess.
He's also a bit spastic, especially when people are trying to molest him. This is a problem because somehow, though he was never popular with the ladies back on Earth, in this other world Yuuri is considered seriously hot stuff. Even the men are after him, and same-sex marriage isn't a big deal here. It's even more of a problem because Yuuri's anger management issues have, by accident, landed him with a very persistent, jealous fiancé who likes to climb into bed with him...while wearing a frilly pink nightgown. (Who knew that bitch-slapping someone was a marriage proposal?) Needless to say, Yuuri freaks out a lot. He would like a little personal space, please.
Our wibbly hero gets all this dumped on his plate, so the culture shock is understandable. Yuuri starts off wanting to go back home, but Shin Makoku grows on him and he decides to stay and try his best to do right by the people. Through his stubborn idealism and trusting nature, and with the help of his advisers, Yuuri manages to become a good king.
Conrart Weller
Of the "three brothers who look nothing alike" (Yuuri's description), Conrad is the middle child. In B movie terms, he is Henchman #1 to Yuuri's Demon King. Hello, Yuuri. This is your Knight in Shining 1914 German Infantry Uniform.
Conrad does a lot of "bodyguarding". Literally. This is one smooth operator, guys.
Lord Conrart Weller, or Conrad, as Yuuri nicknames him, is the commander of the Maou's personal guard. While his age is never given, he appears 19-20 in human years. Calm, cool, and collected, he likes baseball, smiling, and rescuing Yuuri. (Rescuing not limited to life or death situations. Also rescues from boredom, because baseball > paperwork.) Usually very gentle, Conrad has a darker, fiercely protective side that shows itself when Yuuri is in danger.
Conrad is also half Mazoku, half human. He has no magic, but makes up for it by being the best swordsman in Shin Makoku. While most of the Mazoku are blindingly beautiful, Conrad's mixed heritage makes him a bit plainer than the others in appearance. While still considered handsome by human standards, Conrad lacks the exotic hair and eye colors of the other Mazoku.
Despite the fact that smiling!Conrad is the poster boy for whitening toothpaste, he was definitely not all sparkles and sunshine when he was younger. On the contrary, he was quite bitter as a rebellious teenager. (By "teenager" we of course mean "octogenarian" when dealing with Mazoku.) His human heritage is the source of a lot of problems for Conrad, and he has led a hard life because of it. For example, half-Mazoku soldiers were sent out on the front lines during the war without proper equipment in the hopes that they would die in battle. Conrad survived, and became known as the heroic Lion of Rutenberg. But even his heroism doesn't stop the prejudice - his younger brother Wolfram rejects him and, early on in the series, regularly calls him a "filthy human". This sentiment is not uncommon among the Mazoku.
Conrad's got it all, hasn't he? Great personality, tragic past, mad sword skillz... Is this man perfect or what? Pretty much, except that his jokes are horrible. He's such a dork sometimes...
II. RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Since Kyou Kara Maou is a harem series, there is no hard and fast canon pairing. Yuuri will most likely never end up with anyone in canon, seeing as he has at least six or seven potential love interests. Pairings in KKM are very much "choose your own gay", but while there are so many possibilities, I would argue that Yuuri's relationship with Conrad is explored in greater emotional depth than any other.
Yuuri → Conrad
After Yuuri's mishap with the toilet, he lands in a heap of trouble when shovel-wielding angry villagers try to stone him. The first person he meets, who doesn't try to kill him or otherwise mess with his head, turns out to be Conrad. And Yuuri's first thought is, "Could that be a knightly prince, here to save me?"
Oh, Yuuri... You don't know how right you are. Conrad used to be a prince when his mother was the Maou!
They quickly strike up a rapport and Conrad becomes Yuuri's unofficial guide in Shin Makoku. When Yuuri is confused, he asks Conrad for advice. When he's feeling down or overwhelmed, he goes to Conrad for a game of catch. When sexy people are throwing themselves at him, he asks Conrad to rescue him. Wait. What?!
"Help me, Conrad!" Do teenage boys who claim to be heterosexual usually call for help when they're being suffocated by hot women? Hmm...
Yuuri also shows discomfort when the other members of his harem, namely Wolfram and Gunter, get too touchy-feely with him. He is often seen running away from those two, but he never runs away from Conrad. On a few occasions, Conrad is the one helping him escape, and he really doesn't mind at all when it's Conrad invading his personal space. In fact, Yuuri actually initiates some of their... touching... which he doesn't feel comfortable doing with other characters until much, much later.
"I finally understand the feeling of embracing another guy." Enough said.
Have I mentioned that they touch each other a lot?
Yuuri obviously feels some sort of comfort with Conrad that he doesn't with the others. He also admires Conrad as a person, and is very aware of his presence.
Episode 19 - "Conrad is really strong. He is normally gentle but, when the time comes, he can be really reliable."
Episode 21 - "He has a great face and figure. His personality as well as his skills are great. I thought it is rare that someone is this perfect. So, I guessed he must have an extreme weakness somewhere."
That weakness is, of course, Conrad's (in)ability to tell jokes.
Conrad → Yuuri
Conrad is very protective and supportive of Yuuri. He also has a thing for catching and/or carrying Yuuri all over the place.
Ooh, bridal style!
His first impression of Yuuri is more complicated. It turns out that Yuuri is the reincarnation of Lady Suzanna Julia von Wincott, Conrad's close friend and confidant, who passed away during the war. Conrad was responsible for bringing Yuuri/Julia's soul to Earth, and briefly met Yuuri as a baby. He was also the one who gave Yuuri his name.
He says that he has been waiting fifteen years to meet Yuuri, and he gives his pendant to Yuuri as a token of his affection as a protective charm. This necklace becomes an important link between them, as Yuuri often gazes at it when he thinks of Conrad.
Giving jewelry on the first date? Conrad moves fast!
Conrad is less of an open book than Yuuri, so it may be difficult to know what he is really thinking at times. His smile can be a good poker face, but there is a lot of subtext in his words. Early on in the series, Yuuri asks if Conrad would cry if he died. Conrad charges off to battle, pausing only to say that if anything were to happen to Yuuri, they would "meet again in another place". In Conrad-speak, this means he wouldn't be able to cry since, in that kind of scenario, he must have already fought to the death defending Yuuri.
Ambiguity, thy name is Conrad.
There is, however, canon proof that Conrad loves Yuuri - it's just not stated what kind of love this is. When Anissina, the resident mad scientist, invents a love detector, it registers Conrad's love for Yuuri.
Actually, Conrad's love is apparently so strong that it showed up on the love detector just by his staring at Yuuri. He wasn't even wearing the helmet that hooked up to the machine, nor was he consciously trying to focus on the object of his affections. Whoa.
Conrad and Yuuri
What are their interactions usually like? Well, they play baseball, or, more accurately, they use baseball as an excuse to stare at each other. Whatever happened to keeping your eye on the ball?
go for morning jogs together,
go stargazing at night,
...and... oh, what the hell. They trade many long, meaningful stares.
Grr! Stoppit, you two! You're obviously in love! Conrad, stop being so noble! Yuuri, stop being so oblivious! (At least that's what I wish Wolfram was saying...)
Throughout the entire series, there is this undercurrent between them. A "more than friends" vibe that does not go unnoticed by the other characters. Anissina notices the love detector, and Wolfram, of course, tries to break them up when they get too mushy. Even on the final episode of season 3, what sets Wolfram off on his last jealous fit is Yuuri flirting with Conrad.
But that's not all there is to their relationship. There's also the drama of death, resurrection, and betrayal. These are some of the most emotionally charged moments in the entire series. Conrad is engaged in battle, protecting Yuuri as always, when he is overwhelmed by the number of enemies. Horrified, Yuuri sees Conrad's severed arm go flying.
"I told you before...that I would sacrifice my arm, body or life for you."
Thinking that Conrad is dead, Yuuri imagines seeing Conrad's ghost, who says, "My soul is always with you, Yuuri." Yuuri also cries for Conrad at his impromptu funeral, saying, "We will meet again, right? Isn't that right, Conrad?"
Then he finds out that his most trusted friend is still alive...and has betrayed him. The Betrayal Arc occurs at the end of the first season and into the second season. Conrad has apparently defected to the human nation of Dai Shimaron, and is now an enemy to Shin Makoku. Yuuri falls into depression. Their long, meaningful stares are now heartbreaking, long, meaningful stares.
Episode 35 - "Conrad is alive. I'm happy about that, but why...isn't he by my side?"
Episode 37 - As his mother aptly puts it, "Yuu-chan, you've got a broken heart, haven't you?"
It is later revealed that Conrad was under orders by Shinou, the godlike spirit of Shin Makoku's first king, to fake his betrayal and gain Dai Shimaron's trust. When it comes time to prove his loyalty by killing the Maou…
Conrad chooses Yuuri. The truth comes out and Yuuri forgives him. Even when he thought Conrad was on the other side, Yuuri trusted him, and it turns out that he was right about Conrad after all.
However, while Yuuri has forgiven Conrad, they both still carry the emotional scars from this ordeal. The anime glosses over this and has them more or less returning to how things used to be, but there are still some unresolved issues.
III. FACETS AND ANALYSIS OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP
At first glance, based on appearances alone, Conrad and Yuuri might seem to fall into the stereotypical seme and uke roles, respectively, though I don't see this at all. Neither character is devastatingly beautiful, nor are they willowy or elegantly effeminate. No, they're both sweaty, dirty baseball players. From this we get lots of bromance and male bonding.
I think this is great, because it's my personal belief that it takes two to make a relationship. While Yuuri is involved in many possible pairings due to the harem nature of the series, his relationship with Conrad has the best claim to being mutual love, whatever form that love may take.
Certainly, in a healthy relationship, the people involved should genuinely like and respect each other, which they do. The trust that they have for each other is also very refreshing, since I personally don't like seeing too much insecurity in a relationship. One could say that this trust is the solid foundation upon which their relationship is built.
It's amazing how they're so comfortable with each other! Their love seems so pure, and yet it can be a roiling mass of emotions, as seen in the Betrayal Arc.
For a love as profound as this one, romance would just be the icing on the cake.
As Friends and Supporters
Conrad and Yuuri are undoubtedly good friends. They work very well together as "just friends" who touch each other a lot. They are very relaxed around each other, often just enjoying their time together, chatting about baseball or things on Earth. They understand each other, and, as I've said before, genuinely seem to like each other as people.
Then there's the playful banter. Conrad will make a bad pun and Yuuri will gag. Yuuri will say something completely random and Conrad will tease him. But most importantly, when Conrad tries to put emotional distance between them by calling Yuuri "Your Majesty", Yuuri immediately chimes in with variations of, "Call me Yuuri! You're the one who named me!" or "If anyone has the right to use my name, it's you."
Both of them are torn between worlds. Yuuri is stuck between his family on Earth and his new home in Shin Makoku. In this strange new world, the customs are all so different, and it seems that no one is willing to forgive an outsider for making mistakes. Luckily, Yuuri has Conrad by his side. Conrad has been to Earth, and experienced firsthand how different the two cultures are, so he is sympathetic about Yuuri's plight.
Perhaps at first, Conrad cares for Yuuri because he is the Maou and Julia's reincarnation. Later on, he comes to love Yuuri for himself. In episode 80, when Yuuri is considering whether he wants to continue being the Maou, Conrad proclaims that he will support Yuuri in whatever choice he makes.
"Right now, you can resign the Maou's duties and be free. If that is what you wish."
"If I wish..."
"I will bear you up and show you the way free."
Yuuri laughs, thinking it's a nice joke, until he sees the seriousness on Conrad's face. This scene reminds me of the famous quote, "If you love something, set it free; if it comes back it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was." Conrad's support, then, is not only for the Maou, but also because he loves Yuuri and wants Yuuri to be happy, even if it means letting go.
Yuuri chooses to stay.
As the King and the Soldier, the Protector and the Protected
Who is the protector, and who is the protected? Perhaps, in a way, they each play both roles. Conrad is often on bodyguard duty, and Yuuri relies on him to be his sword and shield. On the surface it may seem unequal, with Conrad doing all the protecting, and Yuuri playing damsel in distress. Then Conrad blows this theory to pieces.
"I'm only able to stand like this without being lost because I was being protected by his existence."
This is also true regarding the Mazoku prejudice against half-breeds. Yuuri is saddened and angered at the racial inequality, and makes use of his power as king to promote the rights of half-Mazoku. Yuuri's ideals gradually change the attitudes of people such as Wolfram. It is through Yuuri's influence that Conrad is protected from such insults and starts to reconcile with his younger brother.
There is a lot of give and take here. Conrad is older and more experienced, so Yuuri looks to him for advice. He's not afraid to offer gentle corrections when he believes Yuuri has the wrong idea about something. However, Yuuri is the king, and Conrad a mere soldier, not even considered a member of the nobility. Conrad's experience and physical prowess is balanced by out by his desire to obey his king. Conrad protects Yuuri physically, but Yuuri protects Conrad emotionally.
There's also an interesting symbolic parallel between their roles as king and soldier, and the positions they play in baseball. Yuuri is the catcher and Conrad is the pitcher, and, innuendo aside, it's a strangely accurate way of looking at their relationship. As the catcher, Yuuri is supposed to strategize and lead the team, especially in giving signals to the pitcher. The pitcher, while he is the one who "attacks", is ultimately following the catcher's lead. What's most important in this pitcher-catcher relationship, though, is that they work together as a team.
The power dynamics are complex, but they are certainly not entirely unequal. All of it comes together to create a balanced relationship where they each value the other's insights.
As Star-crossed Lovers?
Could it be possible? Yes, there's a potential tragic reincarnation romance brewing here. Conrad and Yuuri are sometimes called the "Romeo and Juliet" of Kyou Kara Maou. This is not to say that the characters are alike, but the angst and "forbidden love" aspect may have a similar feel.
It also makes for a great Romeo and Juliet parody. There's the Yuuri/Julia/Juliet naming scheme, and this pseudo-balcony scene, where Yuuri is looking out and thinking of Conrad:
O Conrart, Conrart! wherefore art thou, Conrart?
Fans of the series may also know the symbolism of the sun and moon, with Yuuri said to be the sun.
It is the east, and Yuuri is the sun!
Jokes aside, when Yuuri first learns about Julia, he immediately jumps to the conclusion that Julia was Conrad's girlfriend. Conrad denies this, though it is mentioned many times that she was his "special person". The nature of the feelings between Conrad and Julia are never explicitly stated, but it is possible that Conrad had romantic feelings for her. Unfortunately, she was already engaged to another man.
Although Julia appeared to be content with her arranged marriage, she did at least love Conrad as an important friend. When she died, she even entrusted Conrad, and not her fiancé, with her most precious possession - the pendant. Conrad, of course, is sent on a mission to deliver Julia's soul to Earth, and he later gives (returns?) the pendant to Yuuri.
Skip to the present and we find Conrad and Yuuri, with Yuuri also engaged to another man. This time around, Yuuri is engaged to Conrad's brother, whom he also loves very much. The engagement is an accident, but Yuuri is still essentially "taken", and Wolfram is very possessive. Would a man as chivalrous as Conrad fight his own brother in the name of love? Or would he step aside? Even reincarnation doesn't help poor Conrad.
IV. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE FROM OTHER CANON SOURCES
While the focus of this essay has so far mostly been on the anime, the anime has cut out a lot of scenes that were considered too slashy for a mainstream audience. These scenes are in the original novels, as well as the manga, which has been following more closely to the novel's script.
The infamous dance scene
Conrad holding Yuuri close
And this magnificent beast:
It's a misunderstanding. Still, KKM delights in making us think the wrong thing.
Other hints toward the pairing can be seen in PC/video games, drama CDs, and especially in their character songs. Yuuri's character song "Be All Right" is about Conrad, perhaps regarding the betrayal. The translation is provided below:
It's all right to cry; I'll hold you
Your sadness tore the shape of a heart
In the center of my chest
Change a crisis into an opportunity and shout,
"Be all right"
It'll definitely be all right; it's like courage and prayer
The wind blew in from the green meadows
If you're searching for the true meaning of your existence,
Be like yourself and continue to scrape away the affectations and the lies
Yes, be all right; my soul shakes
I won't close my eyes anymore in the painful moments
We play "catch ball" until the sun sets
Our true feelings shared without saying a word
In order to understand each other's clumsy hearts
Adults throw a ball of words
Until the sun rises
Just now, the stars seemed to be grinning broadly
I'll go anywhere in order to help
Understanding begins in the search for the faint reason for being
Yes, be all right; my soul swims
I have the feeling that you've been by my side ever since the distant past
I thought I'd trust in the me that believed in you
Even if you were evil, I came to love you
The "I came to love you" could also be translated as "I came to like you", but Japanese is tricky that way. "Love" in the romantic sense is definitely a possible interpretation. The entire song is one giant mass of Conrad/Yuuri goodness. There is no other person Yuuri could be referring to, since no one else in Shin Makoku shares his affinity for baseball.
As for Conrad, both of his character songs have ties to Yuuri. The first, "Eternal Ring", is about Conrad's feelings for Yuuri and Julia, his belief in Yuuri, and his hope that he and Yuuri will be able to bring peace to their world. An excerpt:
Even if we are separated, we are still connected
Friendship and deep love are
An eternal ring
Like a necklace called prayer
Blown by the wind, in a parched city
I found someone to protect
I feel that that is what happiness is
With clear eyes, you smiled again
Blessed as you were born
Equally special in either life
Performing miracles with outstretched fingers
Purify the world with your dreams
The "future" is entrusted with the wish of the "past"
Let's light the flame of peace
Could Conrad's love for Yuuri be any more obvious?
Actually, yes. Conrad's other song is none other than "Love Me Tender". He sings this to baby Yuuri, and apparently, in the drama CDs, he sings it to grown-up Yuuri as well.
To top it all off, there is this official character relationship map:
The arrow from Yuuri to Conrad says "shinjiteru", meaning "trust". From Conrad to Yuuri, there's just a heart. These are some very strong hints.
V. WHY SHIP THEM?
When I first came across Kyou Kara Maou three years ago, I fell in love with the humor in the series. I breezed through the episodes, laughing all the way. I never got into the romance fics, though, because I love Yuuri and don't like to see him bullied into relationships, which happens in a lot of fanfiction, unfortunately.
I stayed out of fandom until I watched through the whole series a second time. Since I already knew the plot and the characters, this time I paid attention to the details and the subtext. The overwhelming evidence for Conrad/Yuuri blew me away. (Seriously, is it even considered subtext anymore? I must have been blinded by Wolfram's bishounen sparkles not to have seen it sooner.) Then I had an epiphany. Yes, it's okay for me to go against the majority of fandom and ship a different pairing! So I converted and became a Raging ConYuu Fangirl. I'm a late-comer to this pairing, but it completely owns my soul now.
Why do I ship it? I'm sure I've already listed a million reasons, but to put it simply, I ship them because this pairing relies on Yuuri. While I'm fond of all the other KKM pairings as well, this is my OTP because Yuuri has to be completely willing for it to happen. If Conrad was too noble to fight for Julia, would he really fight his own brother for Yuuri? Uh...he'll probably pine away until Yuuri makes a move. It might take years, or it might take decades, but there will be no doubt that this is a choice Yuuri made of his own free will.
Not everyone will like this pairing, of course. As with any other fandom, KKM has its pairing wars. Conrad/Yuuri especially comes under a lot of fire, as it is often seen as the evil OTP-destroying pairing. Without going too much into the arguments against this pairing, people who don't like it have generally said that they find it too boring, too mature, too angsty, or too complex and confusing. It's also completely appalling to some people that Conrad had seen Yuuri as a baby; they see Conrad as more of a father or older brother figure, and say that the pairing comes off as incestuous to them. However, I hope that upon examining this pairing on its own merits, rather than as a threat to another pairing, you'll find that it's very versatile, and there's a lot to love.
Why should you ship it?
1) Friends to lovers. Does it get any cuter than this? While romantic involvement is not canon, there's so much "proof" of their feelings once one knows what to look for. All of their interactions can be seen as platonic friendship, or given a romantic twist, and since Conrad and Yuuri share a lot of screen time, there's more than enough to keep us guessing how they'll end up in the future.
2) Angst fodder. With this pairing, it's easy to play with the idea of unrequited love from both sides. Not just one-sided love from one side, but from both sides!
"Yuuri doesn't love me! He's going to marry Wolfram!"
"Conrad doesn't love me! He only sees Julia!"
They can be stupid and think that the love is unrequited, but it's actually not. There's also Conrad's tragic past, the war, the betrayal... They're all great sources of angst. Fellow saps be warned: this pairing will make you cry.
3)...Everything. If you like comedy, Kyou Kara Maou is never short on comedy, and Conrad has his hilariously horrible sense of humor. Baseball-related innuendo? Check. The chivalrous knight rescuing his princess king? Check. A love so strong it lasts through reincarnation? Check. Drama? Welcome to Conrad/Yuuri. We have severed arms.
Conrad and Yuuri have the most intricate relationship, with the widest range of emotions, out of all the characters in the series. Friendship, love, trust, loyalty, betrayal, death, resurrection, reincarnation, comedy, tragedy... All this and more! There are so many complexities that color their interactions; this is not a one-dimensional relationship that can be easily explained. They are the Everything relationship of the series.
VI. LINKS
Conrad/Yuuri is extremely popular among Japanese fans, so if you know Japanese, you're in luck! Although this is arguably the second most popular pairing in the English-speaking KKM fandom, in comparison to the size of the English-speaking KKM fandom as a whole, there isn't as much Conrad/Yuuri fanstuff as one might expect. What's there is usually very good, though. We're blessed to have such talented fans!
Intro to KKM
Into the Infinitely Distant Sky, the main LJ comm
KKM newbieguide
Mangafox - Kyou Kara Maou no Tsuku Jiyuugyou!
Asphodel's Haven novel translations
Conrad/Yuuri Groups
Underrated, the Conrad/Yuuri LJ comm
ConYuu forum on FF.net, where this manifesto was born.
ConYuu deviantArt club
an almost fairy tale, the Conrad & Yuuri fanlisting
Rec Lists and Fanwork Collections
recs at Fleeting Fancies
Tanoshii na Mono fic recs and fanart site recs
ConYuu C2
Individual Fic Recs
Just some stuff to get started. There's way too much good fic out there. I want to rec everything... *sigh*
Everything by MadScienceChick and moshesque
A Taste of Sunshine by paxwolf
The Best a Man Can Get by postcard_prince
From the Heart by peroxidepest17
Naive and Sacrifice Play by shayheyred
Shadows with Which to See by Avedear
Tadoritsuku by thisissong
Turning Point by elihice
Two Ways to Interrupt or Otherwise Ruin a Young Maou's Lovelife by puppe, NC-17-ish, CRACK
Misc.
Jinan v. Heika - links to fan sites (Japanese)
Self-pimping my crack, because one can never have enough crack.