Childhood lovers

[Mario2000]

Are Eri and Kogoro childhood friends? I know they were in school together.
I think Shiratori and Kobayashi do count as childhood friends because they met more than once, they just never knew each other's name.

Yes, I think Eri said in the first episode she appeared in that she and Kogoro are childhood friends. Ran also said that in the episode about the attempted murder where a water snake was used.
But when did Shiratori and Kobayashi meet as children apart from the first meeting in the bookshop? I only watched the anime, and there it was the only meeting, are there episodes in the manga which weren't included?

[Atraos]

I don't necessary dislike the trope, even though I'd personally always opt for justifying the romance only through actual chemistry "onscreen" (I need to start writing again... )

Where the childhood lovers in DC, especially ShinRan are concerned, I'm quite indifferent. Looking back, when I watched episode one for the first time (I was 5 or 6 at the time), I remember being genre-savvy enough to recognize the trope and I kind of filed Ran under "mandatory Love interest" and their Relationship as a foregone conclusion. So I never really cared for their interactions, because I didn't/don't expect their status to change until the very end (How much it changed is debatable, imho they from they will to they will a bit more). That being said, I freely admit, that being a 6-year old boy had an effect on my disinterest.

When I found dctp an rekindled my love for DC with a marathon from the first episode on (Bet I'm not the only one who did that ), what piqued my interest was the introduction of Ai into the dynamic. I won't go into depth here, because I don't wan't to steer this into shipping territory, but I think that the "love triangle" could have provided a good opportunity to get more development out of the, imho a little bit stale/boring ShinRan relationship. But the chances for that were lost some 400 eps ago.

Tl;DR: Don't particularly care for them, with a little "spice" they could get interessting

[MoonRaven]

I'm okay with the concept of childhood friends being turned into lovers but I think it's quite overused... And in my opinion there's kinda many of couples like that in DC. Too much for one series.

[Jecka]

But when did Shiratori and Kobayashi meet as children apart from the first meeting in the bookshop? I only watched the anime, and there it was the only meeting, are there episodes in the manga which weren't included?

I was thinking of the time that he helped out, and her thanks as two different events. (I really need to rewatch some of these episodes.) That's the only chapter/episode that actually show them together.

[chongjasmine]

My favorite childhood pairing is Shin/Ran.
I also like Heiji and his girlfriend.
I personally like the idea of childhood pairings.
I think it bring life to the series.

[Silverbullet96]

I bet half of these "childhood lovers' haters" are just frustrated CoAi fans finding an excuse to toss some easy garbage on ShinRan

Where the childhood lovers in DC, especially ShinRan are concerned, I'm quite indifferent. Looking back, when I watched episode one for the first time (I was 5 or 6 at the time), I remember being genre-savvy enough to recognize the trope and I kind of filed Ran under "mandatory Love interest" and their Relationship as a foregone conclusion. So I never really cared for their interactions, because I didn't/don't expect their status to change until the very end (How much it changed is debatable, imho they from they will to they will a bit more). That being said, I freely admit, that being a 6-year old boy had an effect on my disinterest.

I'm pretty sure even the strongest of ShinRan fans don't care about their interaction, cause there's nothing special in ShinRan's interactions in the first place I'm pretty sure most people only appeal to ShinRan because they think something along the lines of "Oh, Ran is so pretty and kind, she deserves to be with Shinichi ! She's been waiting for so long, it's so sad for her" or maybe the "cuteness" factor gets them.

[Mario2000]

I'm pretty sure even the strongest of ShinRan fans don't care about their interaction, cause there's nothing special in ShinRan's interactions in the first place I'm pretty sure most people only appeal to ShinRan because they think something along the lines of "Oh, Ran is so pretty and kind, she deserves to be with Shinichi ! She's been waiting for so long, it's so sad for her" or maybe the "cuteness" factor gets them.

I personally have never tried analyze the reasons why I do like ShinRan, whether they are special or not, but I don't see ConanAi as so much more special than them. For me, Conan and Ai are more of a sort of great allies on the "battlefield" against the Black Organization, not potential romantic interests.
But you are right about the cuteness factor, it does get me in fact, and there is nothing wrong with that imo. The world isn't perfect, so a certain quantity of positive emotions makes the life better.

[kkslider5552000]

I think my main issue with the cliche is that it used to be "oh and they're childhood friends, that's cool" and the more recent attempts are now "THEY SHOULD BE TOGETHER BECAUSE CHILDHOOD". Like it's really back asswards...even more considering Shiratori's interest with a childhood friend at least
A. was an attempt to tie up loose ends for the character
B. involved another established character
C. was fairly self-aware of how silly it was

and then they go to one without any of that, and you're like...why?

[Mario2000]

I think my main issue with the cliche is that it used to be "oh and they're childhood friends, that's cool" and the more recent attempts are now "THEY SHOULD BE TOGETHER BECAUSE CHILDHOOD". Like it's really back asswards...even more considering Shiratori's interest with a childhood friend at least
A. was an attempt to tie up loose ends for the character
B. involved another established character
C. was fairly self-aware of how silly it was

and then they go to one without any of that, and you're like...why?

That's right, but at least this pairing was useful to make Shiratori stop stalking Sato and Takagi and FINALLY remember he has to WORK as well!