Disclaimer: All of the information gathered here is based off of my experience in the fandom. Not all of this information applies to everyone and should be taken with a grain of salt. Don't you dare get offended by this essay because first of all, you're wasting your own time, and second of all, I won't care :P

Carry on!

**NOTES**

Facts to consider (canon):

Len's height: 5'1

Fukase's height: 5'0

Oliver's height: 4'11

Len is 14

Fukase has no determined age (typically shown around 13-17)

Oliver is 12

Changeable variables (headcanons):

Fukase's age (typically depicted around 13-17 excluding AUs)

Oliver is usually seen being shy and somewhat childish. However, it has been revealed that some see him as maybe having a darker side (see the end of "It's Dark!" For reference).

Len is typically perceived as a shota (see Shota Shota Island), but can also be seen in a more dominant sexual nature (refer to "Gigantic O.T.N.," "Messiah or Desire," "Holy Lance Explosion Boy," and the end of "Plus Boy"). He is also shown as being one of the meme lords; sometimes the meme lord according to some amateurs in the fandom, and has a reputation for dying frequently.

Fukase is typically seen as being playful and trollish. To most people more in-depth with the fandom, he is known as the memelord of the community (see any talkloid featuring Fukase for reference).

Seme/Uke Status (headcanons):

These are all frequently changed and should be treated with a grain of salt. These will always fluctuate between authors/artists.

Oliver: Typically the uke in Olilen; evenly seen as the seme and uke in Olikase even though it has been proven that logically, he is the seme in both relationships.

Fukase: typically the seme in Olikase except when switching; occasionally selectively a uke.

Len: typically the seme in Olilen; selectively uke (when perceived as more of a shota as mentioned in the above segment).

**REAL ESSAY STARTS HERE**

Olilen vs Olikase

If you're one to struggle when choosing between two popular ships within a community, look no further! Here is your ultimate guide for choosing between two commonly found pairings within the Vocaloid community: Olilen and Olikase. Olilen is a ship between Len Kagamine, a Crypton Vocaloid, and Oliver, a VocaTone/PowerFX Systems Vocaloid while Olikase is between Oliver and Fukase, a TOKYO FANTASY/Lastrum Music Entertainment Inc. Vocaloid. Both ships are well known and easily found within the community and live on through fan works.

When deciding which ship to choose when a character is paired with multiple others, there are quite a few things to consider. First of all, character height and design play a big role in modern amateur matchmaking. According to official Vocaloid company sources, Len is 5'1, Fukase is 5'0, and Oliver is 4'11. If one takes a logical approach from the ship names and ships Oliver as the seme, then the height factor points to Olikase being the better of the two ships since they are closer in height, making it slightly easier for Oliver to assert dominance over Fukase. However, if one chooses to view Oliver as the uke in the relationship, then Olilen would be a better fit since the added height difference makes Len's dominance more believable. If one does not view either as a standard seme/uke relationship and wishes to hold them at equal dominance, then it can be argued that the height difference between Len and Oliver is more aesthetically pleasing and makes for good banter.

Leading onto the second point: character design. If one decides to hold the ships at an aesthetic level, it can be argued that Oliver and Len look better together since their color schemes are more complementary. Len's blue eyes match Oliver's blue coat, and Oliver's eyes and hair match Len's overall yellow and golden look. However, this is a very attuned and personal preference. If the shipper prefers more contrast between the characters, then Oliver is best paired with Fukase because of their contrasting yet not dissonant color schemes. The red of Fukase's hair and eyes is a nice contrast from Oliver's yellow and blue look, and can also be visually appealing from a primary colors standpoint.

The third and final factor is personality. Personality-wise, characters are constantly changed and fluctuate depending on people's individual thoughts, headcanons, views, and opinions on each character. That being said, all points listed henceforth will be based upon the most common opinions of each character. Oliver is typically seen as the most childish and innocent one of the three, while Len is the most sexually oriented. Fukase isn't as hypersexual as Len, but isn't as innocent as Oliver. This makes him an appealing seme for an innocent character like Oliver since he won't feel urged or pressure Oliver into bed, but is still an obvious dominant in the relationship. However, those who choose to view Oliver as being less innocent would be equally caught between the two.

All in all, when it comes down to shipping such highly versatile characters, it's impossible to form a hard and fast "perfect ship." After reviewing official character statistics, character design, and popular opinions of each character, it is for certain that characters in a fandom like the Vocaloid fandom are viewed so subjectively that there is no absolute conclusion to be drawn.

Thank you for listening to my Ted Talk.