SR Factions, who's your favourite! [Archive]

xris

2006-04-09, 10:49

Poll now open! Now's your chance to vote for your favourite School Rumble Faction.

This is a multiple choice poll and while we won’t restrict you from voting for every Faction, please try to limit your choice to your top 3 or 4 picks if you can (or at least one from each group). If you are undecided and want to vote for all of them, then so be it, but if you can narrow it down a bit, then that’s even better. If you like one pairing the most, then don’t feel the need to vote for anymore.

Please remember that once you make your vote you may not "come back" later to add or change your previous vote(s). So make sure you know all the factions you want to include in your vote before you click the "Vote Now" button.

And of course the vote is public, so your votes will be visible. :)

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Since there are so many characters in School Rumble, it's only natural that different characters are paired together (either by the Mangaka Jin Kobayashi or by the fertile imagination of the readers). These combinations (or Factions) have been given various names to identify who's who (the Faction names originated in Japanese 2ch boards).
"Flag" is a term one uses for events that occur in dating sims, that functions as turning points and cross roads for different situations and endings.

Since Eri's encounter with Harima were always "dating-sim-like", in the sense that they hardly ever talk normally, but always meet at critical situations, their relationship is called the "Flag".
Thanks to Vallen Chaos Valiant post (http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=524506&postcount=57), I also had a look round to find the names of the different factions. Here's what I turned up, if you know of any more please post them here.

Flag / Jersey Faction: Harima x Eri
Oudou / Correct Path Faction: Harima x Tenma
Onigiri / Riceball Faction: Harima x Yakumo
Pencil Faction: Harima x Mikoto
Mission Impossible Faction: Harima x Akira
Kids Meal / Monkey Faction: Harima x Eri x Yakumo
Cousin Faction: Harima x Itoko

True Oudou Faction: Karasuma x Tenma
Curry Faction: Karasuma x Curry
Royal Flush Faction: Karasuma x Eri

Dream Come True Faction: Hanai x Yakumo
Flute Faction: Hanai x Mikoto
Kite / Chocolate Faction: Hanai x Akira
Glasses Faction: Hanai x Yuuki
Under the Moon Faction: Hanai x Harima

Applejuice / Apple Faction: Imadori x Ichijou
Banana Faction: Imadori x Lala
D Faction: Imadori x Mikoto

Basketball Faction: Asou x Mikoto
Chinese Food Faction: Asou x Sara

Cookies / Dynamite Faction: Tani x Tae

Bloody Mary Faction: Eri x Yakumo

You can also lend your vocal support for your favourite factions. Perhaps once we can establish the more serious :) factions we can add a poll to this thread to see which are the favourites. But before we can do that, we need to whittle down the factions to under 16 or so (otherwise the poll will be to cumbersome)

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Thread Rules
No campaigning for votes.
What this means is don't post something like this:

:love: "VOTE FOR KIDS MEAL!!!" :love: Or…"Yakumo >>>>> Tenma" Or… "DO NOT VOTE FOR HARIMA x ERI!!!!111 :frustrated: "

Any post with "Vote for…/Do not vote for..." verbiage will be deleted. Discuss why you do or don’t like characters or factions without campaigning for votes.

Do not insult or harass other members for their choices.
Please remember: this is for fun. Do not take it so seriously that you end up in an argument with another forum member because they express a fondness for a faction you loathe. Discussion and good spirited banter is always welcome, but harassing people won’t be tolerated.

Have fun, but post intelligently.
It’s great to have fun, but please try your best to add substance to what you post and make your thoughts interesting for the generation of fans that will follow after you’re long gone and on to watching some other series.

Thanks to Catgirls for the thread template!

Keitarou

2006-04-09, 14:45

A somewhat complete listing (http://www.wannabefansubs.net/harima/index.php/Category:School_Rumble_Factions) of the factions.

Anyway, myself, I'm of course a flagger. Everybody who can't see that Harima and Eri truly belong together needs some glasses. ;)

Well, jokes aside. This pairing is the most different one and has enough potential to make the show. Adding Yakumo as competition leads of course to a few more funny situations. Tenma on the other hand is a lost case, she just fails to have any potential after episode one and a pairing with Harima wouldn't make as much fun as a HarimaxAnybody pairing.

Other interesting pairings:

Chinese Food Faction - Asou and Sara are a nice pair and good single characters as well, as seen in sukuran polls. :)
Flute Faction - Hands down, the childhood friends belong together.
Apple Juice Faction - Imadori may be a jerk but still fun and Karen deserves more attention!
True Oudou Faction - Just for the sake of it, they fit each other perfectly and should get together and disappear from the show so that we finally get more attention to the better pairings and characters. ;)
Cookies/Dynamite Faction - The teachers need love as well, Tae was pretty mean to him though.

Hmm, that's it from the top of my head.

Shiryuu

2006-04-09, 15:14

I never really paid any attention to this faction stuff, but I definitely like Eri x Harima one. My two favorite characters in the show together (except for Itoko, I just find that weird).

poseur

2006-04-09, 18:28

yup definitely rooting for the Eri X Harima faction

but not because they are meant for each other........

coz the chemistry between them is impossibly wonderful, it would be so fun to see these two together.

although i like tenma-chan, but her true oudou pairing's a little boring.....mainly due to karasuma, i hope for more tenma-chan action!!!!!!

Ronin Aquila

2006-04-09, 18:51

.....mainly due to karasuma, i hope for more tenma-chan action!!!!!!

Cue Water-Troll costume and sleazy saxophone music.... :p

I kid!! I kid!! I joke because I love!! :heh: Harima or Karasuma, I really hope sweet-lil Tenma-Chan finds her well deserved happiness. :)

evil-samurai

2006-04-10, 05:14

I have! to say the, Applejuice / Apple Faction: Imadori x Ichijou

Its just so different and they do fit well in a sort of werid way ^^;; I love Ichijou as a character and Imadori is truly just a plain funny guy to have on the show. He does chase after other girls but its always! funny the way they show it. Episode 18 is still one of my favorite episodes and by looking at season 2 opening, it looks like they are going to go on another Date... :)

A few others:

Flute Faction: Hanai x Mikoto -> I think it was the Flash-back episode, in which I really thought they did fit well together, but right now I dont know ^^;

Flag / Jersey Faction: Harima x Eri
Onigiri / Riceball Faction: Harima x Yakumo

-> Both pairings are interesting, I'm not fussed which way things go.

Hmm.. there are some other factions that are Interesting comedy wise (Banana Faction :heh: ) but its been a while since I watch the show and the ones above are the more serious ones I think fit well.

Js2756

2006-04-10, 15:15

I'm probably a fan of riceball, but flag has it's moments as well. I kinda swing back and forth depending on situation, but for the most part, riceball all the way.

Monkey faction has it's charm though.

Curry >>>>> True Oudou

Shadowscar

2006-04-10, 17:15

Flag / Jersey Faction: Harima x Eri

Applejuice / Apple Faction: Imadori x Ichijou

Curry Faction: Karasuma x Curry

Flute Faction: Hanai x Mikoto
or
Kite / Chocolate Faction: Hanai x Akira

I'd also like to see Tenma go with the boy from the pool in season one (unsure his name and dont have time to look it up right now)

Bolded ones are relationships that i feel are actually cool to the story line and could be very funny

other ones i just think are possible

I could see it now Ichijou carrying Imadori around LOL

Swampstorm

2006-04-10, 18:00

I support:

Flag - This one is easy. In terms of plot, character development, character interaction, crisis/catharsis, humor, and overall staying power, this pairing reigns supreme. Flag is SR.

True Oudou - I find Karasuma's character to be fairly interesting, especially as the series progresses. It's a cute pairing.

Dream Come True and/or Chocolate - Both pairings have some pretty good comedy going for them. I say that we combine the two. ;)

Apple Juice - As much as Banana entertains me, Ichijou needs Imadori to get her happy ending, so...

Basketball - I wasn't really keen on this one at first, but it really grows on you with time.

Cookies - Here's to hoping that "Yurippe" is really Tae...

DragoonKain3

2006-04-10, 21:40

Being the Osana-Najimi fanatic I am, Flute faction all the way! Sure, there seems to be a lot of obstacles in the way *cough*Yakumo*cough*, but that'll make victory even sweeter if it does happen. XD

Oddly enough though, I don't belong in the Mikoto fanclub since I'm an Eri fanboy to the core. Even weirder is that I don't have any strong attachment to any EriXmale faction; though if it's Harima Eri wants, then it's Harima she should get. Not nearly as fanatical about that pairing as I am with the flute faction though; while I'd be crushed if flute doesn't work out, I'll just shrug if HarimaXEri doesn't happen.

ekim19

2006-04-12, 23:19

I personally like the Oudou: Harima x Tenma pairing if not the Onigiri: Harima x Yakumo pairing would work out, since Harima can never express himself but Yakumo would know anyways.

I also like the Flute: Hanai Mikoto pairing, but if that doesn't work out the Basketball: Asou x Mikoto pairing isn't bad.

Xinil

2006-04-13, 00:08

Kids Meal / Monkey Faction all the way!

I can't decide if I like Eri or Yakumo more...so I'll just let Harima have both of them. Hey, he's definitely man enough.

Maybe, just maybe, by the end of this season I'll be able to choose which female I like better.

Flo

2006-04-14, 08:14

Kids Meal / Monkey all the way.

http://xs70.xs.to/pics/06090/IMG_000231a.jpg.xs.jpg (http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs70&d=06090&f=IMG_000231a.jpg)

Forever

2006-04-14, 21:55

1. Riceball faction - If anyone deserves to get a guy she like, it is yakumo...

2. KIds meal / Monkey - I dont mind yakumo sharing

3. Flag faction - If someone else had to win, I rather it be Eri. PLease let it not be tenma. She can go eat curry for the rest of her life.

4. Applejuice - Another adored pairing

5. Flute faction - This childhood pairing just seems right

6. Chinese food - asou goes well with sarah

daemoness

2006-04-15, 13:38

Oudou forever! If that doesn't happen, I'd like Tenma with Nara instead of Karasuma.

I also prefer Flute, Curry, and Applejuice.

What would we call Yakumo x Sarah?

Vallen Chaos Valiant

2006-04-15, 13:48

Oudou forever! If that doesn't happen, I'd like Tenma with Nara instead of Karasuma.

I also prefer Flute, Curry, and Applejuice.

What would we call Yakumo x Sarah?
Sarah doesn't get enough screen time to get her own faction, unfortunately...

Anyway, she is out of bounds. Last I checked, Sarah plans to become a nun.

Swampstorm

2006-04-15, 13:54

Sarah doesn't get enough screen time to get her own faction, unfortunately...

Anyway, she is out of bounds. Last I checked, Sarah plans to become a nun.
Factions have nothing to do with screentime - even minor characters who show up for a single ♭ chapter can have them. Chinese Food is a Sara faction - Asou x Sara. I prefer Basketball, though.

What would we call Yakumo x Sarah?
Probably something related to the dog that Sara saved Yakumo from. Usually these names are derived from first meetings.

SeedFreedom

2006-04-15, 14:19

I would say my favorite faction is the riceball faction. my second choice? i guess anything with yakumo maybe kids meal XD

YakuMoFan~

2006-04-17, 00:58

Yeah, Same.. My favorite would be the Riceball Faction ;P

EDIT: Kids Meal Faction also.. Ha , Yeah its real hard to decide wether Eri or Yakumo deserves Harima but i lean towards Yakumo. Ack also Flute XD

ayyo

2006-04-18, 11:18

Flag, Curry, Dream Come True, and D all the way.

philip72

2006-04-19, 22:27

I'm a firm Onigiri cause of Yakumo's kawaii blushes like this;

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/4990/vlcsnap2195491mx.th.png (http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap2195491mx.png) http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/759/vlcsnap2222415nv.th.png (http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap2222415nv.png) http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/7485/vlcsnap2200824hi.th.png (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap2200824hi.png)

I'm also firm Flag supporter cause of this;

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/46/vlcsnap2243347el.th.png (http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap2243347el.png) http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8586/wfschoolrumble15a8gi.th.jpg (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wfschoolrumble15a8gi.jpg) http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/4853/vlcsnap2249783iu.th.png (http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap2249783iu.png)

Bloody Mary or Kids Meal would be nice, twice the blushes;

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8061/vlcsnap2337515og.th.png (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap2337515og.png)

Eri or Yakumo, I love em both, who could choose?

YakuMoFan~

2006-04-19, 22:43

Soo True .. *sigh* They both look good blushing, So twice the blush xDD

Onizuka-GTO

2006-04-20, 04:51

hey, wannabefansub website!

I just have to mention that that lass who does the commercial voiceover for wannabefansub is dammn cute. :D

But yeah im all for the harima x Yukomo/Eri fraction!
but dammn im attracted to the Mission impossible fraction now i've learnt about it. :p

:D

mtarzaim

2006-04-20, 05:04

In first : Flag, Dream comes true and Banana factions
- To quote a review on animenfo, "Harima and Sawachika are like two trains loaded with dynamite rushing toward each others at full speed". He has the strength, she has the love.
- I really like Hanai for the sincerity of his love, and his Harima-like feelings.
- The "Beauty and the Beast" with Lala and Imadori (who is the beauty ? who is the beast ? ^^ ) was quite unexpected until OVAs. A Harima/Sawachika reversed relation. She has the strength, he has the love.

In second : Onigiri, Flute and Apple factions
- Yakumo will open herself more with Harima, but her Tenma's Imouto status will make it difficult to handle (jealousy ? ). Big developments expected ...
- Hanai and Suou are quite close. All they need is to remember what they felt to each others in their childhood.
- Ichijou really deserves a happing ending. But her lack of ... letters ^^ is quite a issue to resolve. Her kindness is also her weak point. Maybe Lala will "wake" her up ...

Beside, all the other characters deserve to find (a little) happiness. That why SR is a great serie : You cheer for everyone, even when they are enemies ! :D

t3ck

2006-04-20, 08:28

I'm all for the Flute Faction.

Miko-chan~!!!

nasheq

2006-04-23, 02:30

Swampstorm

2006-04-23, 06:51

Kids Meal / Monkey Faction: Harima x Eri x Yakumo.

I think I once read a doujin about this. Except it had Itoko too.

The whole Eri x Yakumo makes no sense but is fappable - and thus agreeable to those jap standards.
The difference between Kids' Meal and Monkey is as follows:

Kids Meal: Either Harima x Eri or Harima x Yakumo is good. (In other words, someone who is unable to choose between Flag and Riceball.)
Monkey: Harima x Eri x Yakumo. (In other words, someone who wants Harima to get both girls.)

The Eri x Yakumo angle actually does have some things that can be used to argue its case, in a similar vein to how Sara x Yakumo has a few incidents that can be interpreted in that way. While some of the factions were created as jokes, most of them have some sort of connection to what we've seen in the anime or manga. :heh:

Swann

2006-04-26, 23:33

here is another for flag

Onizuka-GTO

2006-04-26, 23:52

I'm all for the Riceball Flag

In other words.... BENTO :D

ApathyEcstasy

2006-05-01, 21:41

mission impossible

Xellos-_^

2006-05-01, 23:16

Monkey > Flag > Riceball

Harima and Eri just has the best chemistry of all the couples.

And about Sara planning to be a Nun. So what :eyebrow:

kaori_da_sue

2006-05-02, 17:59

I am so a FLAG, a D, and of course CURRY! They just seem so nice to me.

Flag- they seem so nice together and I can imagine it now......Harima turned undeliquent due to the ft eri might kill him.....ahhhhh sweet sweet love.

D-mikoto ish my favcharacter andi just put her with imadoi because they act naural to eachother. plus, its funni.

Curry- because it's karasuma's one true love. i can just see him riskhis life for a bowl of nice hot curry.

:p that's it!

Onizuka-GTO

2006-05-02, 18:22

Xellos-_^

2006-05-02, 18:24

Mikoto and Imadoi?

god dammn breast pervert. grrr

Mikoto is more suited for Hanai :p

They are both so intend at looking out at the forest that they don't notice the one they are looking for is right next to them. :D

i think Mikoto do notice Hanai. it is Hanai who needs a new pair of glassess for not noticing Mikoto.

And abour Sara as a nun. Just look at my Avatar :D :naughty:

btw is there a fraction for Itoko X Nurse :naughty:

Edit: This forum needs emote with a nose bleed.

Scorch

2006-05-02, 23:45

Onigiri (Harima x Yakumo) is my favorite couple. They seem to get on well together, and I feel sorry for Yakumo for having Tenma as a sister - she deserves to get the guy she likes :heh:

Grifis

2006-05-04, 21:22

Onizuka-GTO

2006-05-04, 21:41

kamikazex

2006-05-07, 23:27

Flag / Jersey Faction: Harima x Eri

SonicMonkey

2006-05-08, 20:37

My favorite couple is Hanai and Mikoto. They're the only compatible couple so far. These two care about each other deeply. Mikoto is aware of her feelings but in denial because of Hanai's attention on Yakumo. Hanai isn't aware of his own feelings yet.

I think out of all the possible couples this is the one that makes me smile the most. I think part of the problem is that probably Hanai idolizes Mikoto in a way - after all she had a huge influence on his childhood and is probably responsible for him becoming the kind of class leader guy he is today. So quite possibly that kind of relationship with her is off limits to him because he feels that he's not quite good enough for the person he admires so much. It makes you go "HMM" doesn't it?

Anyway, I have waffled around about who I liked the most, but I have to say that currently I am a big flag supporter. Eri has definately become the main female lead of SR and the relationship between her and Harima has become sort of precious because of how fraught with stupidity and peril it has been ^_^

Seyluun

2006-05-09, 00:59

I wouldn't mind seeing ANY ONE of those come true, because that would mean the author FINALLY stopped to serve us the same-old same-old and actually took a chance with his characters.

Tatsurou

2006-05-11, 00:28

The one thing I would like to see is......... Akira falling in love with someone........ anyone...... that would be a total shock to me.

Onizuka-GTO

2006-05-11, 00:36

I will give my eye teeth to see that. O_o

you know, i don't think i'll be envious being the "target" of Akira's affection.

it'll be Angel Heart/FMP! all over again....

:D

otacu

2006-05-11, 04:12

The one thing I would like to see is......... Akira falling in love with someone........ anyone...... that would be a total shock to me.
Ha ha ha you won't be disappointed... :heh:

Elvan

2006-05-11, 21:32

Onigiri, i even no problem for me if harima gt other at ending

Decel

2006-05-12, 10:43

My favorite couple is Hanai and Mikoto. They're the only compatible couple so far. These two care about each other deeply. Mikoto is aware of her feelings but in denial because of Hanai's attention on Yakumo. Hanai isn't aware of his own feelings yet.
But isn't Mikoto deeper into the basketball faction than the flute one? I don't know since I haven't read the manga yet and only seen up to SR-S2-ep3. Having not encountered the basketball faction yet, I'm currently rooting for the flute faction.

Flag faction for teh win! It is indeed the faction with the most chemistry. However I feel sad for Eri though because so far it really looks one-sided, and barely above the onigiri faction. I'm not sure if the situation would happen with Yakumo, but if Harima would really go for Eri, she'd succomb in less than 5 mins of air-time.

Akira also needs to have a decent faction, I see lots of potential for good faction humor with her.

physics223

2006-05-16, 23:33

Look at my signature. It says it all.

Chiibi

2006-05-17, 12:16

Well I'm glad that I'm not the only Oudou fan around.^^ I think they'd be great together. Not to mention the theme of "little innocent girl changes a delinquent's life forever" is incredibily cute. I really like things like that. And Tenma's love for Karasuma is a JOKE-really, he's barely a human. XD When they pulled the gag "Karasuma is an alien" episode, I seriously believed it. I thought "ZOMG this makes sense for how WEIRD he is!!"XD

I'm also leaning towards Flute. Hanai and Mikoto...yeah, let's face it, Hanai (thinks he's) in love with Yakumo for only her looks.

I don't really like Onigiri or Flag. Harima doesn't love or even LIKE either of them. Yakumo isn't even sure if she likes him and Eri's WAY too proud to consider the thought of confessing. Plus Flag is way too goofy and weird for my tastes. :heh:

I think Applejuice is cute.^^

physics223

2006-05-17, 12:30

BTW, I was for Onigiri. I cleaned up my sig - too fanboyish.

Trax

2006-05-17, 13:33

Onigiri, closely followed by Flag.

DrewGSR

2006-05-17, 13:42

I dunno about anyone else but which hairstyle do you prefer Harima to have in the show. Their is his usually hairdo which you see now and my favortie look is towards the end of season 1 when he had like short kinda spiked hair.

Harima (spiked hair version) + Eri!!

LCeh

2006-05-17, 15:14

Although I like and can sympathize with both Yakumo and Eri, I still prefer Onigiri, just cause I like Yakumo's character more than Eri. But I wouldn't mind if Harima ends up with Eri either.

So my favorite is Riceball. ;)

Decel

2006-05-17, 20:24

I dunno, Harima/Yakumo feels like a mentor-apprentice relation. Yakumo's love for Harima feels like a student's infactuation for her teacher.

Overall I only hope that pairings get finalized at some point and not have the whole manga/anime air with relations "in the air"

Onizuka-GTO

2006-05-17, 21:31

physics223

2006-05-17, 21:44

Seriously, I hope - really, really, really, hope that YAKUMO ends up with HARIMA.

Decel

2006-05-17, 22:19

Yakumo or Eri either one wioll do. how much it really bugs me that i want to see a conclusion to which one harima picks, i know that'll be the end of the series, and i don't want that. but i want to who he ends up with. ARRGGGHHH!

:( :(
See, this is where I think many shounen comedy romance genres got it wrong. I don't don't see how:
Get together = End of troubles

If anything, it's the start of a whole new set of humor and misunderstandings. It's all in the hands of the author however...

Swampstorm

2006-05-18, 11:17

Plus Flag is way too goofy and weird for my tastes. :heh:
I never thought that I'd live to see the day where an Oudou fan calls Flag "goofy." :heh:

See, this is where I think many shounen comedy romance genres got it wrong. I don't don't see how:
Get together = End of troubles

If anything, it's the start of a whole new set of humor and misunderstandings. It's all in the hands of the author however...
I've seen a number of shounen romcom series continue on after the main couple gets together - but I don't think that it works very well. In my mind, either a series should pair the main couple up at the start, turning the story into a comedy about the ups and downs of the relationship, or it should get them together at the very end, making the story focus on the chase.

The reason is because they're both very different types of stories. When you have a character chasing after his/her crush throughout the series, you build up tension in terms of crisis-catharsis cycles. The moment of peak drama/tension is when the main character finally makes his/her feelings known - which is the peak point of the story. When you continue on with the relationship, you never reach the same level of tension that you did during the confession scene, and the remainder of the story feels weak by comparision. I'm yet to see a good exception - but maybe that's just me. :p

On another note - are we ever going to turn this into a poll?

Trax

2006-05-19, 09:15

Since I just watched S1 + OVA again, and read through the factions on the WF site, I have a bit clearer view of all that has happened up till now. I can understand why Flag has been the most popular pairing, since the chemistry is good. And it's comedy gold. :D

But Yakumo is my favorite character, which is why I tend to support Onigiri. After thinking about it, do the factions actually mean they are supposed to hook up? Since that doesn't seem necessary to me, I'd be satisfied with them developing a close friendship, as long as that makes her open up a little and smile more. Being able to read people that are interested in her obviously causes her to distance herself from them, and if Harima's obsession for Tenma allows them to have a normal relationship then so be it, it'll be good for her that way too. Harima developing an interest for Yakumo might be the worst thing that could happen (under that condition she could read his thoughts and she might distance herself again), them being friends might be for the best. Anyway, I think I'll settle for Kids Meal for now, so I don't have to make a choice between the two pairings.

About the listed pairings, there are several that aren't serious so could be stricken from the list imo: Pencil, Mission Impossible, Cousin, Royal Flush, Bloody Mary.

Decel

2006-05-19, 09:33

From what I understand, they're just potential couplings. And yes many of them are far-fetched, but that's part of the fun :D

xris

2006-05-19, 10:06

On another note - are we ever going to turn this into a poll?
One of the "problems" is that there are really too many options for a poll. To this end, I've trimed the list down a bit to hopefully make it a bit more managable.

Are there any problems if a poll was added to this thread with the following choices (don't forget it would be a multiple choice poll).

Flag / Jersey Faction: Harima x Eri
Oudou / Correct Path Faction: Harima x Tenma
Onigiri / Riceball Faction: Harima x Yakumo
Kids Meal / Monkey Faction: Harima x Eri x Yakumo

True Oudou Faction: Karasuma x Tenma

Dream Come True Faction: Hanai x Yakumo
Flute Faction: Hanai x Mikoto
Kite / Chocolate Faction: Hanai x Akira
Glasses Faction: Hanai x Yuuki

Applejuice / Apple Faction: Imadori x Ichijou
Banana Faction: Imadori x Lala
D Faction: Imadori x Mikoto

Basketball Faction: Asou x Mikoto
Chinese Food Faction: Asou x Sara

Cookies / Dynamite Faction: Tani x Tae

Trax

2006-05-19, 10:37

That list looks good to me, I see now I forgot to add Curry and Under The Moon in the list of options that aren't serious (eventhough Karasuma is very serious when it comes to curry, it isn't actually a real pairing :heh:) and could be removed.

physics223

2006-05-19, 12:05

I've realized that Hanai is pretty honest and decent with his feelings towards Yakumo, but I simply think that the Onigiri faction is beautiful in its impossibility.

Still, one can't help but hope that Yakumo and Harima will discover each other.

I had to laugh when the silent Yakumo had more confessions than Mikoto and Eri and Tenma combined ... that was fun.

Trax

2006-05-19, 12:26

I wouldn't say impossible, just unlikely (at this point, anyway). And as I pointed out before, does Onigiri really need to be a romantic relationship?

Yakumo had that many confessions? Although it might be true, I can't recall seeing anything about that... I thought it was Eri having more confessions than Mikoto+Tenma combined?

Onizuka-GTO

2006-05-19, 12:32

xris

2006-05-19, 13:20

Yakumo had that many confessions? Although it might be true, I can't recall seeing anything about that... I thought it was Eri having more confessions than Mikoto+Tenma combined?
It's certainly in the manga (and I think it was in the anime as well), it's when Akira, Mikoto and Eri have a sleepover at Tenma's house.

In the manga (Vol 1 chapter 16) the figures are...
0 - Tenma
3 - Mikoto
5 - Eri
8 - Yakumo

Yakumo isn't in the same room as the rest but after Eri makes her claim you see Yakumo sitting alone watching telly with a comment saying "Eight Times", so none of the other girls are aware she has them all well beat :)

Swampstorm

2006-05-19, 14:09

i don't think so, if you consider the confession count for mikoto + Tenma = 0, then yes, Eri beats them by one. But I mean if Eri was such a confession-Idol why did Hig- i mean harima's confession affect her so much, if she's so used to it?

eh?
It was the passion and the intensity behind the confession that surprised her. Most guys are just after her for her looks, so Eri is forced to deal with flattery and insincere expressions of emotion from the people around her on a regular basis - you see that in the flashback in Ep.15 as well. Eri is looking for someone who appreciates her for who she is - which is why she doesn't commit to a relationship with the numerous guys who are after her. When Harima comes forward with an earnest (although misdirected) confession, Eri catches a glimpse of what she was yearning for. Contrast the confession from Sano (Ep.8) and Harima (Ep.10) and you'll see what I mean. :)

Are there any problems if a poll was added to this thread with the following choices (don't forget it would be a multiple choice poll).
You've got most of the relevant factions listed there. Keep in mind that Monkey is not the same as Kid's Meal, though. Monkey is a three-way faction (Harima x Eri x Yakumo - a humorous pairing, rather than a serious one) and Kids' Meal is basically someone who is part Flag, part Onigiri - an undecided vote. I don't think either choice belongs in a serious poll.

Xellos-_^

2006-05-19, 14:14

Vicke

2006-05-19, 14:17

It's certainly in the manga (and I think it was in the anime as well), it's when Akira, Mikoto and Eri have a sleepover at Tenma's house.

In the manga (Vol 1 chapter 16) the figures are...
0 - Tenma
3 - Mikoto
5 - Eri
8 - Yakumo

Yakumo isn't in the same room as the rest but after Eri makes her claim you see Yakumo sitting alone watching telly with a comment saying "Eight Times", so none of the other girls are aware she has them all well beat :)
1 - Tenma
That Tennôji guy confessed to Tenma.

xris

2006-05-19, 14:40

You've got most of the relevant factions listed there. Keep in mind that Monkey is not the same as Kid's Meal, though. Monkey is a three-way faction (Harima x Eri x Yakumo - a humorous pairing, rather than a serious one) and Kids' Meal is basically someone who is part Flag, part Onigiri - an undecided vote. I don't think either choice belongs in a serious poll.
Yup, you are correct on this. I appreciate that Monkey is indeed not the same as Kids Meal but I combined the two factions when I first created this thread for various reasons.

The problem seemed that that the two factions seemed to be a bit vague, or undefined, and I'm sure they have changed slightly over the time I first looked at the various factions. My understanding is that Kids Meal is more humorous than serious, a threesome comprising specifically of Harima, Eri and Yakumo. Monkey on the other hand (originally) seemed to imply Harima and (either Eri or Yakumo) but not both. I now see that the definition of Monkey has expanded to include candidates such as Eri, Yakumo, Tenma, Tae, Itoko, or in fact any other girl! And I'm not exactly clear if it just means an undefined Harima and (undefined girl) pairing or various multiple girl combinations. All in all, it's best we not go down that path :) Not in a poll at least otherwise the combinations would be endless :)

Anyway, I do agree that Kids Meal / Monkey isn't exactly "serious" and it was the one I was most unsure of including in the list but in the end I thought some would still like to have the option of an "exotic" choice even if only for fun.

1 - Tenma
That Tennôji guy confessed to Tenma.
Maybe so but not before Volume 1 chapter 16 ;)

Onizuka-GTO

2006-05-19, 17:44

whats with the kids meal? its a bento to me. >.>
You got your rice balls, and you box of...rice....with the red coloured seawed in the middle making the nippon flag. hence, bento.

:p

Anyway bento is a good deal, as someone wise once said, "there is always room for a threesome", i think that was Einstein.... :)

Trax

2006-05-19, 18:38

Quote from http://www.wannabefansubs.net/harima/index.php/Kids_Meal_Faction:
"The name comes from a Japanese kids meal being a combination of onigiri and a little japanese flag." :)

LCeh

2006-05-19, 19:31

I think this is one of the few series that would seem totally wrong for the main male lead and the main female lead to be together when it was introduced as the main conflict. I think we can consider this as the original main conflict, seeing as Harima was trying to get with Tenma while she liked someone else, with both being lead characters.

I think it will ruin just about everything about the story. After rewatching some more episodes, I have to say that Eri ending up with Harima would probably be the "best" resolution, although I still root for Yakumo and Harima. Both would be fine as long as Harima doesn't end up wtih Tenma. ;)

Swampstorm

2006-05-19, 21:27

The problem seemed that that the two factions seemed to be a bit vague, or undefined, and I'm sure they have changed slightly over the time I first looked at the various factions. My understanding is that Kids Meal is more humorous than serious, a threesome comprising specifically of Harima, Eri and Yakumo. Monkey on the other hand (originally) seemed to imply Harima and (either Eri or Yakumo) but not both. I now see that the definition of Monkey has expanded to include candidates such as Eri, Yakumo, Tenma, Tae, Itoko, or in fact any other girl! And I'm not exactly clear if it just means an undefined Harima and (undefined girl) pairing or various multiple girl combinations. All in all, it's best we not go down that path :) Not in a poll at least otherwise the combinations would be endless :)

The phrase "Monkey" comes from Ep.16, when Tenma thinks Harima is going after multiple girls at once. Kids' Meal, as Trax noted, is a Flag stuck in an Onigiri. We wrote up those faction articles on the wiki based on the discussions that we had in here about a year ago. Many of the faction names came up from forum discussions where a name just stuck.

The original set of faction names, however, such as Flag, Onigiri, Dream Come True, Kids Meal, Monkey, and so on, were created by the fans discussing the series on 2channel in Japan. You might say that they're more "official" names - and to the best of my knowledge, they haven't changed over time. I'll check those articles and see if there are any mistakes.

Kids Meal = Sitting on the Fence between Flag and Onigiri
Monkey = Threesome

Humerous factions are always fun, though. Might I suggest Under the Moon and/or Bloody Mary? Those should definitely get a few votes, at least. :heh:

I think this is one of the few series that would seem totally wrong for the main male lead and the main female lead to be together when it was introduced as the main conflict. I think we can consider this as the original main conflict, seeing as Harima was trying to get with Tenma while she liked someone else, with both being lead characters.
Well, the original main conflict is Tenma's quest for Karasuma. In the manga, in fact, Harima doesn't even show up until chapter 2. That's why Tenma x Karasuma is "True Oudou" and Harima x Tenma is simply "Oudou". ;)

LCeh

2006-05-19, 21:40

Well, the original main conflict is Tenma's quest for Karasuma. In the manga, in fact, Harima doesn't even show up until chapter 2. That's why Tenma x Karasuma is "True Oudou" and Harima x Tenma is simply "Oudou". ;)

I see, thanks for the info. I just personally didn't really think of Tenma x Karasuma as the true oudou since Karasuma barely makes an appearance in the series. :p

EDIT:

I have a question about the flag faction. I still don't quite get why this is considered flag while the others aren't. What exactly is different between their relationship and others that make them "analagous to Harima making all of the right decisions to end up with a girl whom is highly difficult to end up with.", which is the definition of flag.

Vallen Chaos Valiant

2006-05-19, 21:55

I have a question about the flag faction. I still don't quite get why this is considered flag while the others aren't. What exactly is different between their relationship and others that make them "analagous to Harima making all of the right decisions to end up with a girl whom is highly difficult to end up with.", which is the definition of flag.
Where did you get that definition from?
A flag is just a branch/turning-point event in a dating sim. Seriously, your definition of a flag event is strange...:heh:

One of several reasons why Flag is used, is because Eri and Harirma nearly never have any reason to see each other at all. Specific accidental events, like that of the "umbrella in the rain" Flag event, was what triggered the whole faction. Hence Flag.

Does other factions use flags? Yes, but Harima/Eri was the first. Hence they got the name. The Yakumo/Harima event with the eraser was a flag too, but it came way later in the story. The Glasses faction was also flagged, but once again it was much later.

One thing about most other major factions, is at least one member generally already had feelings for the other. In comparison, Eri's "trigger" for Harima was solely due to the flag and nothing else.

LCeh

2006-05-19, 21:58

Where did you get that definition from?
A flag is just a branch/turningpoint event in a dating sim. Seriously, your definition of a flag event is strange...:heh:

Oh, maybe I should have quoted the whole thing, since it might not make sense when taken out of context. I got it from wannabe's wiki:

Origin of Flag

The name "Flag" finds its origin in an analogy involving dating simulation games.

Dating simulations form a genre of computer games wherein the player makes a set of decisions to influence the outcome of the plot - with the intent of having a relationship with one of several heroines in the story. Different choices can result in endings with different girls - so the player's goal is to end up with the girl of his/her choice.

A "Flag" in computing refers to a set of bits that define a state. Choosing particular answers in dating simulation games causes 'flags' to be set, which direct the flow of the story.

In School Rumble, Harima's actions with respect to Eri can be compared to the choices that a player may make in a dating game. While seemingly random, many of the decisions that Harima makes unintentionally bring him closer to Eri. This is analagous to Harima making all of the right decisions to end up with a girl whom is highly difficult to end up with. When discussions on the manga are held the Japanese 2ch message boards, where the nickname originated, fans of the pairing use the nickname to cheer the couple on.

Basically, I just don't understand why this is considered flag, while others aren't.

xris

2006-05-20, 05:39

Swampstorm

2006-05-20, 09:41

Basically, I just don't understand why this is considered flag, while others aren't.
Well, it has to do with the randomness of the events, more than anything else. Harima makes choices that result in scenes with several different girls - Tenma, Eri, Mikoto, Tae, and Yakumo. The point is with Eri x Harima, their meetings are completely random, but they just keep getting thrown together. Harima is actively trying to avoid Eri, but he inevitably ends up with her based on seemingly random decisions that he makes. Whether you take the scene where he confesses to her, where he picks her as a swimming student, or where he just happens to bash in just the right wall for firewood during the Tea Club trip, pretty much every interaction that the two occurs by a strange series of accidents.
He may have met up with Tae and Yakumo by accident, but after their first meetings, he continues to seek their company whenever he needs it. There's no moment in time when Harima is trying to be with Eri - it's circumstance that constantly pulls them together. That's the main point behind the faction name - it's an "impossible couple" that's strangely possible. :heh:

physics223

2006-05-20, 11:13

To keep it short and simple while not sounding stupid and condescending, I like the Riceball faction because Yakumo is truer to herself than Eri ever was and that I see change occurring with Yakumo and Harima if ever they'll end up together (hopefully, they will.) I meant a change for the better, that is.

Simply put, I couldn't see how regular fighting can be considered to contribute to a great relationship, but that's me. I'd have posted more, but that's just reiterating what I said over at WF.

xris

2006-05-20, 11:37

Basically, I just don't understand why this is considered flag, while others aren't.
I'll also make a stab at answering your question because I think people are misunderstanding the point you are making.

I think the confusion is because it's easy to assume the way the terms "faction" and "flag" are being used. It's very easy to think that the two words are interchangeable, faction = flag. Now in context, it's clear that they don't mean the same thing but I think that I possibly had the same thoughts as you when I first saw talk about flags and factions.

Initial, I thought "flag" to mean "what flag are you under", or "what group do you belong to or support". Therefore, each of the pairing groups were under a particular flag, such as the Jersey Flag, the Oudou Flag, the Onigiri Flag, etc. To me, this made sense because I could imagine the expression of "flying the Jersey flag with pride".

So yes, all the different factions could also be called flags, but it seems the terminology in common use is to call the groups Factions, and one of these factions just so happens to be called the "Flag faction". In this context, flag doesn't mean the banner you support, it just happens to be the name of one of the specific groups.

Hope that made some sense :)

LCeh

2006-05-20, 11:49

That made sense xris, but I don't think that was the thing that confused me. I knew the term "flag" applied just to Eri and Harima, but I didn't understand why the relationship between Harima and Eri fitted the flag description, while others didn't.

Swamp made some very good explanations, and I think I get it now.

Thanks a lot for you guys' help. :)

KaneDragon

2006-05-20, 13:14

Any combination of Harima, Eri, and Yakumo is good for me. Any. I'm very disappointed at the lack of Bloody Mary in the poll. =/

How about the "Impossible Kids Meal" Faction? I think you know what I'm talking about. :heh: :eyespin: ;)

physics223

2006-05-20, 14:47

I could now appreciate why there are a lot of Flaggers. Eri has had the most significant character development through the first season of SR.

But I am a Riceballer ... YAKUMO!

Onizuka-GTO

2006-05-20, 19:56

you missed out the curry faction in the polls. :(

xris

2006-05-21, 03:50

you missed out the curry faction in the polls. :(
I didn't "miss" it, I left it out on purpose. See my previous posts (and also the comments left by Trax) as to the reason why.

Keitarou

2006-05-21, 09:00

I do not approve of a threesome in Sukuran. Just doesn't fit the style. =P

Anyway, voted basically for all of the pairings I listed somewhere on the very first page. With the Flag Faction being my most favourite one. :)

For reasons and which other pairings it was, just oncemore a quote. ;)

Anyway, myself, I'm of course a flagger. Everybody who can't see that Harima and Eri truly belong together needs some glasses. ;)

Well, jokes aside. This pairing is the most different one and has enough potential to make the show. Adding Yakumo as competition leads of course to a few more funny situations. Tenma on the other hand is a lost case, she just fails to have any potential after episode one and a pairing with Harima wouldn't make as much fun as a HarimaxAnybody pairing.

Other interesting pairings:

Chinese Food Faction - Asou and Sara are a nice pair and good single characters as well, as seen in sukuran polls. :)
Flute Faction - Hands down, the childhood friends belong together.
Apple Juice Faction - Imadori may be a jerk but still fun and Karen deserves more attention!
True Oudou Faction - Just for the sake of it, they fit each other perfectly and should get together and disappear from the show so that we finally get more attention to the better pairings and characters. ;)
Cookies/Dynamite Faction - The teachers need love as well, Tae was pretty mean to him though.

Potatochobit

2006-05-25, 06:29

after episode 6 we may need to add an Yakumo + Akira faction :X

npal

2006-05-27, 09:33

Wee, finally caught up :p

Ok, since I'm undecided between Onigiri and Flag, and since I didn't really get what the Kids Meal thingie is all about, I'll just vote them both :p Although I'm leaning a slightly bit towards Flag for now, I bet it can change, Second Term has many episodes to go. Eri or Yakumo... Tsk, life is hard, tough decisions must be made... :p

ANYTHING BUT OUDOU :p I mean, I pity Harima. Tenma is sweet and all that but she's too dense and is always giving Harima trouble. I mean, in season one I thought "Harima can't possibly get with Tenma, he's a nutcase." Well, I came to like Harima and sympathize with him. And now I'm like "Harima can't possibly get with Tenma, poor Harima deserves better." :p

And Karakura can eat his curry or something :p He's the most boring character I've ever seen :p Being an alien almost saved him... Oh well... He's still boring :p

The factions I'm pretty sure about supporting though are the Flute, Applejuice and Chinese food factions :D

Why Flute? Well, cause I think the chemistry's nice.
Why Applejuice... Well, some will think that I condemn Ichijou, but well, I think they could get along eventually :p
Why Chinese food? I don't know, it just clicked for some reason :p

Taylor--

2006-05-28, 17:58

I'm torn between Onigiri and Flag as well. Honestly, either way would work for me :D

AvatarST

2006-05-29, 15:12

I prefer Onigiri but I also like Flag.

I like Flute and Applejuice as well.

Decel

2006-05-29, 16:00

Wow, from the posts it seems I'm the odd man out. Good thing the poll's telling me that I'm not the only one.

To me flag is an absolute preference. I can't even see myself debating it.
On the other hand I was a hardcore flute but have been leaning more and more towards basketball.

I also prefer banana over Apple Juice, but I find it troublesome that Ichijou doesn't have a decent alternative.

npal

2006-05-29, 16:06

I also prefer banana over Apple Juice, but I find it troublesome that Ichijou doesn't have a decent alternative.

Second that one. Ichijou is a nice character but the only one I can put here with so far is that idiot :p Maybe with the other guy whatshisname who likes Tenma, the one who was teaching her how to swim. But then, that leaves Tenma out. Oh well, she can get that boring moron for all I care. I'll fill sorry for her, but if no one else is available...

diekirai

2006-05-29, 21:56

i'm actually fan of imadori x mikoto (D) even though it's not so popular ^_^;;
but after some recent episodes i also like asou x mikoto (basketball)!
(the prince and princess scene was so cute ;O;)

i also support harima x eri (flag) and tenma x karasuma (true oudou) ^o^v

kamikazex

2006-05-30, 01:51

flag ftw!!

shepi the sheep

2006-06-01, 14:58

yup flag for me :)
why? because harima deserve a stylish women who can keep him under control:P
twintails rules XD

sara X asou is also a nice pairing :)

japo2300

2006-06-01, 21:01

like everybody says, the flag is the best option between all, but if harima pays more attention in yakumo and dont see her like a sister, they will be a nice match

and flute is a nice option too...

HappyStealer

2006-06-03, 01:42

I'm for either onigiri or flag. I love yakumo as she's my fav female character but eri comes in at a close second place. Both are great matches for harima, who by far, deserves the best since well, he is the best. (Yes, Harima is my fav character in school rumble but where is he not the fav male character in other people's books?) :D Tenma is a lost cause and I'd probably just go nutz if harima ever hooks up with her. Let her have boring karasuma. I can't decide on hanaixmikoto or asouxmikoto. Childhood friends should end up together but asou is pretty nifty. But I like sara with asou too. Dilemna LOL.

Shredder

2006-06-03, 13:33

Harima/Eri best characters for sure

Newguy

2006-06-03, 14:45

Since there's no cousin faction...........ONIGIRI!

pyu

2006-06-05, 17:45

I'm a Flag supporter - probably because of the sparks that fly between Harima and Sawachika. Of course, I would probably derive some perverse delight to see them together just to watch them self-destruct in a serious relationship. :D

I don't really like Riceball so much since its rather bland in nature. Everything "sparkly" about this one are the misconceptions that people have of the duo. How do I put it? ... It seems that its there to add some conflict and more misunderstandings between Eri and Kenji.

kenjiharima

2006-06-06, 22:38

Onigiri / Riceball Faction: Harima x Yakumo! nuff said ^^

LCeh

2006-06-06, 22:49

Question: kenjiharima, where did you get that pic in your sig from? Which episode?

Shredder

2006-06-07, 00:10

good question, I was wondering that too. What's going on in that scene, I can't recall it

Lumine

2006-06-08, 16:09

is from the School Rumble Ni Gakki for Ps2. Harima x Yakumo !!!

Shredder

2006-06-08, 19:06

Just saw OVA 2 and there were some sparks flying between them in that. She finally read his mind a bit, it seemed that the mind reading function had been all but shelved. Gahh why don't they release these games for PC

Deathkillz

2006-06-08, 19:51

gosh soo many to choose from but heres my fav in order...
1)Harima x Yakumo ~ literally no contest at all...
2)Harima x Eri x Yakumo ~ harem wanted but sparks will fly...
3)Harima x Eri ~ lovely but noisy...
Harima is the best :D
4)Imadori x Lala ~ comedy couple...a must have :p
5)Hanai x Mikoto ~ true love...cannot be ignored...

Shredder

2006-06-09, 09:09

Oh harem for sure. Although Harima doesn't suit the usual hapless male bill

DeathMonkey

2006-06-14, 12:07

Monkey Faction all the way ;) Any two of those pairings are great to me.

Biswa

2006-06-17, 10:44

I just want Harima to be happy, so i'm fine with any of his pairings, since he's freakin' hilarious. But he goes through a lot of crap for a guy like him, haha. But the ideal would be Harima x Eri because Eri seems to care the most.

Also whats up with this Asou x Suou (BBall) faction? It seemed to have come out of nowhere... i'd prefer the old Hanai x Suou

Truth-kun

2006-06-17, 10:48

Flagger here. XD

Asou x Suou might be a good couple, but I think Asou is utterly jealous of Hanai.

Anime Online

2006-06-19, 08:42

Asou x Suou (Basketball faction) probably came up from 2nd Term, Episode#09. At 20:03, Asou has this look on him when Imadori was clinging to Mikoto. This scene was seen by Satsuki, which probably was the final straw for her to give up on Asou.

In any case, my vote goes out to Harima x Eri-chan. It seems fate has a knack for always throwing them together.

Shredder

2006-06-20, 00:51

Yep and she's already seen him undressed multiple times

Truth-kun

2006-06-20, 01:06

Twice already, and she had been very curious about it @_@.

*Hits head to remove dirty thoughts*

XD

kenjiharima

2006-06-20, 02:22

Question: kenjiharima, where did you get that pic in your sig from? Which episode?

:cool:
From the new School rumble PS2 game. Onigiri all the way! Yakumo x Harima
2nd fav - Kids Meal Faction

Schwub

2006-06-20, 15:28

I'm all for Flag, Onigiri comes up as a close second. Anything else I would be....okay....with I guess, but an absolutely NO is Oudou. Tenma is just too dense and immature for my tastes.

Shredder

2006-06-20, 20:32

Haha well, they both got turtles on their report cards

Truth-kun

2006-06-20, 20:36

But Harima got his turtles due to his absences, right?

And Tenma I must say is one dumb (funny though) character.

kamikazex

2006-06-21, 00:40

I'm all for Flag, Onigiri comes up as a close second. Anything else I would be....okay....with I guess, but an absolutely NO is Oudou. Tenma is just too dense and immature for my tastes.
agreeed thats what i think too
flag ftw

Shredder

2006-06-21, 01:23

Truth-kun

2006-06-21, 01:26

Well, he's like a harem-type character. If he was the lead, I bet it will turn out like one of those romance thingy and he always gets the girl, but his indecisiveness will prevent him from getting one right away. Ergo, too generic.

Harima FTW. Strongest personality. Funniest Character.

Shredder

2006-06-21, 01:31

Yes, he would be exactly like the male leads from Girls Bravo (closest resemblance due to size and looks), Maburaho or maybe Love Hina. That's why SR is different and cool, it allows for a lot more that isn't the same rehashed material

kenjiharima

2006-06-21, 06:42

Wikipedia says, "Curiously, according to the mangaka, his original intentions were having Nara Kentarō as the series' main character, but somehow he was defined as one of the least important ones."

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/76/SR_Nara.jpg/180px-SR_Nara.jpg

Haha could you guys imagine that, this joker instead of Harima

I imagined hard...REALLY HARD...Damn Kentaro...Keitaro...Yukinari...OMG the ledgendary!!! TENCHI MASAKI!!!

HARIMA KENJI - He's ALL ORIGINAL. THE BEST MALE CHARACTER maybe in all of the harem type anime.

Codex

2006-06-21, 21:14

Even though the series is defined as a "school love comedy", I actually rather dislike that aspect when it ends up being a comedy of errors; the parody/competition episodes are much more fun. I don't really enjoy watching the misunderstandings going on between Harima, Tenma, Eri and Yakumo. Tenma is too annoying for me to want to see her with anyone and while Eri has her softer moments, she has a mean streak. I don't really care who Harima ends up with either.

I do like Mikoto though and I was cheering for her and Hanai until I saw the basketball episodes. Now I'm not so sure, but as long as she ends up with someone who makes her happy, that's good. Karasuma is an interesting character too, but Tenma is just too ... bleh.

exs120

2006-06-22, 16:45

My fav is Onigiri.
The way the manga has been going, though, it seems more and more impossible.
But I believe that, maybe on a subconscious level, Yakumo does really like Harima. It's also just a theory, but maybe Yakumo can't read the minds of people she likes. I know Yakumo could read Harima's mind that one time when he confused her with Tenma, but maybe she hadn't quite liked him yet before that happened. After that fairy thing came was when she might have finally relized that she may actually like Harima. Of course she can read the mind's of people who like her, but maybe she can't read mind's the other way around if she likes someone. Just a theory though...

Decel

2006-06-22, 17:56

Onigiri is too awkward for me. I think that Harima's more of a big brother than anything, and that Yakumo sees it that way.

Shredder

2006-06-22, 21:11

Yeah, Imouto-san

Anime Online

2006-06-22, 23:38

I'm glad they went with Harima as the male lead instead of Nara Keitaro. I can't imagine how someone like Nara could possibly go up against Eri-chan. Not to mention the "rivalry" between Nara and Hanai for Yakumo would just look weak.

I think Harima sees Yakumo more as a friend and confidante. Yakumo might (and that's a big might) have some interest in Harima, but I think Yakumo is able to treat Harima differently from the other guys because he doesn't stifle Yakumo with "I like you!" thoughts.

kenjiharima

2006-06-23, 06:02

Oudou / Correct Path Faction: Harima x Tenma
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/harima_tenmaSD.jpg
Harima and an S.D. Tenma 1st apperance

Pen Faction: Harima x Mikoto
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/harimaNOAH_miko.jpg
Harima with the NOAH(Noah's Ark) Look and an S.D. Miko

Misson Impossible Faction: Harima x Akira
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/Harimanude_akira.jpg
The Macho look Harima and S.D. Akira

The Famous Flag / Jersey Faction: Harima x Eri
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/harimaBALD_eri.jpg
The Bald Harima and a running S.D. Eri

Onigiri / Riceball Faction: Harima x Yakumo
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/HarimaCOOL_Yakumo.jpg
The COOLEST Harima look with a cute S.D. Yakumo

Looks Like harima has different hair styles for each faction! ^__^

Truth-kun

2006-06-23, 07:18

Lotiman

2006-07-01, 09:46

Harima should stop loving Tenma and go for Eri

Lotiman

2006-07-01, 09:53

Yakumo already knows that Harima likes Tenma, which makes her "probable" feelings for Harima a bit more complicated. But since Yakumo wear such a pokerface, we couldn't know if she likes Harima "in that way". Knowing that, I left Onigiri faction knowing that the future looks grim.

Harima should stop loving Tenma and go for Eri. I don't think Yakumo knows he likes Tenma since she cant read his mind. Yakumo looks pretty but she is a boring characters.

Truth-kun

2006-07-01, 15:15

Harima should stop loving Tenma and go for Eri. I don't think Yakumo knows he likes Tenma since she cant read his mind. Yakumo looks pretty but she is a boring characters.

In Episode 24/25 of Season 1, when Yakumo and Harima we're rushing his manga, Yakumo noticed that the manga characters looks alike like Harima and Tenma. After that, she noticed that they are getting along very well. At that time, Harima admitted (not directly though) and he said to keep it a secret.

Shredder

2006-07-01, 15:51

Yakumo looks pretty but she is a boring characters.Yeah, her character is drawn similarly to Eri's but she doesn't have the flair. Or the voice!

Fishbait

2006-07-02, 07:12

Flaggggggg

Well, I guess sometimes I'm a Kids Meal too since I honestly wouldnt mind either one of them

Bloody Marry wouldnt be too bad either lol

ZhangKhaiEn

2006-07-08, 04:45

Yakumo also has a solid suspicion that Eri likes Kenji.. As does Mikoto that Eri is jealous of Yakumo..

I voted Onigiri, btw =p

Truth-kun

2006-07-08, 06:06

As does Mikoto that Eri is jealous of Yakumo..

I think the only friend of Eri that doesn't know that she likes Harima is Tenma. Which is not a surprise :heh:

ZhangKhaiEn

2006-07-08, 06:36

How many characters know that Harima likes Tenma, though?

1. Yakumo (probability 90%, kenji's manga is obvious)
2. Akira (probability 90%, she knows... everything.. >_>)
3. Itoko (100%. She even helped him.)
4. Kenji's animals (100%, they rioted...........)
5. Eri (?%, sooner or later, she'll know.. How would she view Tenma as a rival? And more interestingly, how would she react knowing that BOTH Tsukamoto sisters are her rivals, but at different ways?)

Any more?

Truth-kun

2006-07-08, 07:32

EDIT: argh my first entry is just so wrong. I was thinking the opposite.

adding to the list
6) Karasuma (around 70%, from the "Confession episode)

Anyways, Eri probably has no idea that Harima likes Tenma.

kenjiharima

2006-07-09, 06:13

How many characters know that Harima likes Tenma, though?

5. Eri (?%, sooner or later, she'll know.. How would she view Tenma as a rival? And more interestingly, how would she react knowing that BOTH Tsukamoto sisters are her rivals, but at different ways?)

Any more?

Hehe...Tsukamoto sisters VS Sawachika. This makes things more complicated, Harima is just to chicken sh!t to admit his love to Tenma and too afraid to get re-jected, well at least he's not indecisive like all the other anime guys, but if he does admit it's THE END of SR.

ZhangKhaiEn

2006-07-09, 14:53

but if he does admit it's THE END of SR.
Not really~ because:

1. Tenma might just answer him the same way he answered Tennouji: "I already have someone in my heart, I'm sorry.", breaking Kenji's oh-so delicate heart.
2. Eri will start to talk behind Tenma's back... (ala Mikoto Incident) ...which leads to more conflict that needs closure. boo Eri.
3. What about the other characters' relationships? I'm sure those would need closure too.
4. YAKUMO CHANNNNNNNNNN. She hasn't confessed yet. (or has at least self-admitted to rival Eri for Kenji)

Reason #4 is my top reason why the series wouldn't end yet.

Deathkillz

2006-07-09, 15:05

knowing yakumo she would just let Eri have harima cause shes just to shy to fight for him >.<

ZhangKhaiEn

2006-07-09, 15:17

We wouldn't know. :D

She (kind of) fought for Kenji in the school play. There's just something in her eyes that hold a deeper meaning to their sempai-kouhai relationship...

kenjiharima

2006-07-10, 00:18

Speaking of School Play did anyone noticed that when Eri was about to give the kiss Harima closed the curtains and the second time he shouted "I don't want your kiss!". But when Yakumo was going to give the kiss to Harima, he was'nt even moving. Hmm...Onigiri faction may still have a chance if Yakumo would develop a backbone or be her old-self when she was young in the manga.

Turambar

2006-07-10, 06:08

Mmm, Kids meal for me plz!

Actually I'm usually flag most of the time but that's because there are more flag development chaps/eps than there are onigiri, but when the onigiri ones come around I switch all of a sudden :P

kenjiharima

2006-07-11, 03:56

Flag/Jersey is funny and romantic, but onigiri is SO sweet you can get tooth decay and it has it's shares of funny moments. AGH!! Gimme KIDS MEAL!!! HAAARRREEEMMMAAA!! >_<

Swampstorm

2006-07-11, 15:22

knowing yakumo she would just let Eri have harima cause shes just to shy to fight for him >.<
There are two much bigger reasons:
1) Yakumo has not demonstrated a romantic interest in Harima.
2) Harima has not demonstrated a romantic interest in Yakumo.

Most people get excited about the Flag/Onigiri rivalry (while it lasts) because it seems to reduce the series to the familiar harem anime formula - the love story appears to be a competition to see who can 'win' the main protagonist. In actuality, though, the 'rivalry' is little more than a plot device to explore Eri's feelings of inadequacy over a couple of story arcs. We tend to assume that Yakumo has feelings for Harima for the purposes of constructing a love triangle between the three; note, however, that while there is a lot of innuendo that is suggestive of romance (a guy and a girl who are often alone in a room together), there is nothing there that actually establishes an interest on either side.

Speaking of School Play did anyone noticed that when Eri was about to give the kiss Harima closed the curtains and the second time he shouted "I don't want your kiss!". But when Yakumo was going to give the kiss to Harima, he was'nt even moving. Hmm...Onigiri faction may still have a chance if Yakumo would develop a backbone or be her old-self when she was young in the manga.
Actually, he was sweating bullets until she told him that she was only going to fake it. This was already discussed in some depth in the Ep.6 thread.

Flag/Jersey is funny and romantic, but onigiri is SO sweet you can get tooth decay and it has it's shares of funny moments. AGH!! Gimme KIDS MEAL!!! HAAARRREEEMMMAAA!! >_<
If you're mainly deciding based on 'sweet', you'll find yourself converting, soon enough. ;)

Deathkillz

2006-07-11, 15:28

Swampstorm

2006-07-11, 16:49

^ true so far yakumo only got close to harima cause she wanted to talk about animals and being helpful to him when he asked her to help him with his manga...but still isnt there a chance where yakumo starts to develop interest in harima? and whts wrong with getting a kiss from yakumo -___- harima has bad tastes...
There's always room for future developments for any possible faction - none of us know what KJ is thinking, after all. That being said, there's nothing that really distinguishes Onigiri from Marker, MI, or Pencil in that regard, except for the fact that Yakumo is generally considered to be more popular than Tae, Akira, and Mikoto.

The real difficulty here is that Eri has fully developed a romantic interest in Harima, and there's little chance of her breaking that off without getting hurt in the process. Aside from the entertainment value of the pairings, my only real interest is in seeing Eri get the happy ending that she deserves.

kenjiharima

2006-07-12, 05:01

Hmm..nahh I need to be loyal to my favorite Onigiri/ Kids meal. Harima needs more than one woman if you ask me. (HAREMMA ^^)

I like Eri btw, especially when her hair is down.

ZhangKhaiEn

2006-07-12, 05:15

There's nothing that really distinguishes Onigiri from Marker, MI, or Pencil in that regard, except for the fact that Yakumo is generally considered to be more popular than Tae, Akira, and Mikoto.
Nu uh. The reason Onigiri has that much of a following because it is also the most likely of the other factions (with the close exception of Flag) to succeed. No contest there. (unless the future chapters give us an unexpected twist..)

[...] seeing Eri get the happy ending that she deserves.
I don't see how the spolied, backstabbing, loudmouth should deserve Kenji more than the calm, softspoken, and gentle Yakumo.. >_<;;

Don't get me wrong~ I'm not as anti-flag as I sound.. ^_^;; Eri's actually my second choice directly after Yakumo~

I must admit, Flag is indeed the most likely pairing that KJ will push through with. Second most likely will be Oodou and third will be Onigiri, IMO. Nevertheless, I'll still be cheering for imouto-san~! n_n

Also, I find it interesting how Onigiri and Flag factions always argue about the best match, but when asked who their second choice would be.. Bingo! It's Eri for Onigiri and Yakumo for Flag.. xD (Everybody just.. hates Tenma.. huh..? xD)

haiz123321

2006-07-12, 09:28

tenma shuld go with the kappa guy and let harima have 2 chicks instead :D

Swampstorm

2006-07-12, 11:00

Nu uh. The reason Onigiri has that much of a following because it is also the most likely of the other factions (with the close exception of Flag) to succeed. No contest there. (unless the future chapters give us an unexpected twist..)
You need to take into account the effect of the current storyline on your perspective. Someone in the middle of reading the Eri vs. Mikoto or Eri vs. Tae portions of the manga will percieve the associated factions as being more relevant. People who have been following along with the anime's Eri vs. Yakumo rivalry are bound to assume that Onigiri is more important. When you examine an overview of the manga, however, each rivalry only constitutes a part of the overall story. What's more, each rivalry exists entirely in Eri's mind - the central conflict of these story arcs isn't between Eri and her rival, but are instead between Eri and herself. The resolution of each "rivalry" results in character growth and development for Eri.

Based on what I've seen, Onigiri behaves exactly the same as the others. Eight months is a long time.

I don't see how the spolied, backstabbing, loudmouth should deserve Kenji more than the calm, softspoken, and gentle Yakumo.. >_<;;
This is where our attitudes towards the series differ. From your statement, you seem to equate "happy ending" with "winning Harima". As I mentioned in an earlier post, this is probably related to the harem anime phenomenon - we tend to view the romance genre as a sort of sporting event where we can root for our favourite team. SR, by contrast, is character driven - the real value of the series comes from watching the characters grow, mature, and achieve their dreams.

As of the present moment, we have the opportunity for a win-win situation. As of late, we've seen Yakumo learning to open up to her friends, and we've seen a bright future in store for her with Sara in college. Yakumo's future happiness is in no way dependent on a relationship with Harima, especially in light of the fact that she hasn't developed a romantic interest in him, to date. In Eri's case, however, there's a strong body of evidence to suggest that an ending without Flag will be an unfulfilling one.

In order to justify the Onigiri approach, you would need to demonstrate that Eri should not have a happy ending, and that Yakumo should. The usual approach to rationalize this is by portraying Eri as evil (thus deserving to suffer) and by portraying Yakumo as angelic (thus deserving of happiness) - as you have attempted to do here. The problem with this approach is that it depends on using character stereotypes that have little basis in reality.

You claim that Eri is "selfish" - which is likely based on the fact that she is introduced to us as the classic rich, spoiled princess type. Yet, throughout the series, we see plenty of examples to the contrary. From the importance that Eri places on taking the time to cook a meal for her father, to her interactions with children and the sick, it becomes evident that 'selfless' is a much more appropriate label for Eri than 'selfish'. Eri, similar to Tenma, is more externally focused - her strengths come from her kindness towards others and her genuine interest in their welfare, and her weaknesses come from her dependance on others for validation and her resulting lack of self-esteem. Another important point to note is that Eri tends to do her good deeds in secret - the support that she gives to Tenma in Ep.5 S1, the encouragement that she gives to Akira in Ep.4 S2, the financial assistance that she gives to Harima in Ep.12 S2 are all excellent examples of this. This approach adds an element of genuineness to Eri's good deeds that makes them stand out - she actively avoids the praise and personal gain attached to those acts. The observations made about Eri during Ch.185 should really drive the above points home, as well.

All characters have their share of strengths and weaknesses. Yakumo, too, doesn't match up with the "perfect girl" type that she is introduced to us as. Compliance is not the same thing as acceptance - Yakumo often agrees to be helpful, but rarely takes the initiative to do good deeds on her own. In addition, her early interactions with Hanai demonstrate hidden aggression lurking within her character - which later turn out to be directed primarily at Tenma (Ch.174). Yakumo, like Harima, is more internally focused - her strengths come from her ability to validate herself and her strength of character, and her weaknesses come from her inability to emotionally connect with others and her lack of genuine social interest.

Neither character is "good" or "evil". Your preferences depend entirely whose weaknesses strike you as more acceptable. May all the characters in SR be as happy as they can be.

Also, I find it interesting how Onigiri and Flag factions always argue about the best match, but when asked who their second choice would be.. Bingo! It's Eri for Onigiri and Yakumo for Flag.. xD (Everybody just.. hates Tenma.. huh..? xD
I beg to differ - Oudou is actually my second choice. I don't support the alternate Harima factions (Marker/MI/Onigiri/Pencil) because neither side is interested. A Flag or Oudou pairing means that only one character who isn't successful in his/her romantic endevours - either Eri or Harima. All of the other pairings result in two characters who are unsuccessful, with the purpose of pairing up two characters who aren't even romantically interested in each other, to begin with.

While my relative preferences for Flag and Oudou vary with the story, the main distinction that I see between those two factions is the approach that each takes towards building a relationship. Harima, for the most part, is focused on "winning" Tenma over - he's sees a relationship with Tenma as a means of fulfilling his desires, rather than as a means of fulfilling hers. That being said, Harima has done the occasional "heroic" act for Tenma from time to time, which always seems to do wonders for my esteem of that faction.

Deathkillz

2006-07-12, 11:17

Eri isnt selfish...she is just stuck up at times (being rich and all) and besides she can be sweet when she wants to...classic tsundere chara IMO :)

xxxluckyxxx

2006-07-13, 02:53

this would be my choice XD

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/lahawks/yak_har_eri.jpg

its just that i want to see what harima would do in later episodes, but i like eri so far, cuz yakumo hasnt really shown anything for harima:D

npal

2006-07-13, 03:34

^ That would be my choice, too, but there's no way you could pull that in real life without being the owner of Playboy :p

haiz123321

2006-07-13, 05:18

omg swamp u have a long post there lol

just4kickz

2006-07-14, 06:09

Harima should have both girls. But Yakumo is sorta boring.
Btw, whats that thing that Harima wears to keep his hair slicked back?

kenjiharima

2006-07-14, 06:51

Harima should have both girls. But Yakumo is sorta boring.
Btw, whats that thing that Harima wears to keep his hair slicked back?

Yakumo is not boring, she's just the typical quite,shy girl who has a hot headed past.

Harima's hair is long and using a "GIRLS" headband he brushes it up. It can work in real life, I got alot of freinds that looks like harima, but
with out the glasses. BTW my cousin said in season1 harima looks like a rapist because of the HIGE, now she can't get over him that
how handsome he is w/out the hige. ACK!! Girls really!! XD

this would be my choice XD

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/lahawks/yak_har_eri.jpg

its just that i want to see what harima would do in later episodes, but i like eri so far, cuz yakumo hasnt really shown anything for harima:D

NICE!!! OHH YEAH!!! <<<(Quote taken from Harima and Shuuji)

Deathkillz

2006-07-14, 08:17

NICE!!! OHH YEAH!!! <<<(Quote taken from Harima and Shuuji)

haha i was thinking the same thing...
@just4kickz ~ you sed yakumo is boring...burn in hell -.-

p.s j/k :heh:

haiz123321

2006-07-14, 10:13

lmao i think he really shuld burn in hell :p

kenjiharima

2006-07-19, 05:18

Ahh!! Now I know why there is an Asou X Mikoto... aSOU Mikoto SOU
^__^

Either way if Yakumo was not created by KJ(Kill Joy Kobayashi Jin) in the manga, I think she'll be the the competitor against the famous flag faction.

Shiryuu

2006-07-19, 09:32

renzeru

2006-07-20, 01:49

:DFlagger all the way.:bow:

haiz123321

2006-07-26, 03:08

actually yakumo managed to read harima's brain once (1st season episode 2) but after that she cant read anymore :p

gimmecash

2006-07-27, 00:51

Yakumo + Harima b/c she earned it and Harima needs her. This is a typical love scene, however, it represents the majority. What was the kids meal faction? Was that the Lala + Imadori faction?

LCeh

2006-07-27, 01:00

I don't know, I am torned between Onigiri and Flag. Harima ending up with either one of them would be great.

Kaioshin Sama

2006-07-27, 01:28

Damn I thought this thread was about Super Robot factions and I was gonna go with the Jyuusenkitai from Dancougar, but it looks to be something else entirely. :(

kenjiharima

2006-07-27, 01:50

Yakumo + Harima b/c she earned it and Harima needs her. This is a typical love scene, however, it represents the majority. What was the kids meal faction? Was that the Lala + Imadori faction?

Kids meal faction is the harem Harima X Yakumo X Eri, meaning Harima will end up with the two girls. Flag + Onigiri = Kids Meal. Mmmmm...Yummy! :p

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/Kidsmealfaction.jpg

Deathkillz

2006-07-27, 08:33

Kids meal faction is the harem Harima X Yakumo X Eri, meaning Harima will end up with the two girls. Flag + Onigiri = Kids Meal. Mmmmm...Yummy! :p

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/Kidsmealfaction.jpg

to bad to say thats not gona happen :(
therefore im with the onigiri faction all the way :D yakumo needs to be loved!!!

gimmecash

2006-07-27, 20:32

Nice one Kenjiharima :)
I would love to see polygamy; however, that's rare. So I'll go Yakumo X HArima cuz she earned it.

Shiryuu

2006-07-27, 20:38

yakumo needs to be loved!!!
I'm pretty sure Hanai is already doing that...

Xellos-_^

2006-07-27, 20:40

I'm pretty sure Hanai is already doing that...

Hanai is scary stalker. He went form being funny to just plain creepy.

Green Flags FTW :D

kenjiharima

2006-07-27, 23:12

Originally Posted by Deathkillz
to bad to say thats not gona happen
therefore im with the onigiri faction all the way yakumo needs to be loved!!!

Yeah! Yakumo and Kenji-kun (do i sound like Itoko?) make a great pair. And Harima is Yakumo's Type of guy!

Remember the guy in the manga Harima drew is him! It reflects his attitude and emotions. And good LORD
look what she has to say. I always think many people are forgetting those words from Yakumo... T_T
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/Ilikethisguy.jpg

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^
Hanai is scary stalker. He went form being funny to just plain creepy

You're right! That's not love that's obsession!! XD

Deathkillz

2006-07-28, 10:48

Remember the guy in the manga Harima drew is him! It reflects his attitude and emotions. And good LORD
look what she has to say. I always think many people are forgetting those words from Yakumo... T_T
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/Ilikethisguy.jpg

/cheer!!! thats the yakumo i want to see :D even tho hanai is sweet :uhoh: hes too forceful on yakumo >.<

Shredder

2006-07-28, 18:10

Hanai's seen about 5 or 10 min of screen time in the last many eps. Better than Karasuma but I guess they are very deliberately being relegated to side character roles in favor of the central players. I'm starting to miss the other guys, maybe they should throw in a more inclusive ep. With the original cast anyway--Lala and Co I can manage without.

AnbuItachi

2006-07-28, 19:43

i like Karasuma x Yakumo, that would be cool :D

Deathkillz

2006-07-28, 22:02

^ lol if that happened i can imagine wht their daily life would be at home...*silence*

sedukshun

2006-08-03, 16:46

^ hahah true true

Well for me it's Harima X Tenma all the way...i really wish Harima to have his dreams come true. As u can see in my sig ;P im a true fan lol

Asianknight82

2006-08-03, 16:59

i0td

2006-08-03, 21:56

I think if Harima were to go for Yakumo, Eri would be distraught, while if Harima were to go for Eri, I think Yakumo wouldnt be that bent over about it. Call me crazy but I just get that vibe from the characters personalities.
Agreed. And of course, Hanai is always right beside her, so Yakumo will have other things to worry about :heh:

I have been a fan of Harima x Tenma from the start. The Imadori x Ichijou connection is cool, but it needs more development!

thundrakkon

2006-08-04, 01:15

I think if Harima were to go for Yakumo, Eri would be distraught, while if Harima were to go for Eri, I think Yakumo wouldnt be that bent over about it. Call me crazy but I just get that vibe from the characters personalities.

That just goes to show how much class Yakumo has. She always wants to do what is best for Harima and would be happy as long as he is happy. In that regards, she is stronger in that she can move on if that were to ever happen. Yakumo may be quiet, but people tend to not realize how strong a character she really is.

Shiryuu

2006-08-04, 01:53

I have been a fan of Harima x Tenma from the start.
Tenma has a lot of feelings for Karasuma, and in the birthday ep., Karasuma seems to have feelings for Tenma (even in the war eps. it seemed like it). HarimaXTenma doesn't seem very likely anymore.

Veni-vidi-vici

2006-08-04, 13:55

I just found this series recently and finally caught up. Can't believe I missed this great series.
Anyways, I don't really know why but I'm rooting for Yakumo and Harima. To me, it just seemed right/better... I don't know, maybe I feel a little sorry for Yakumo, she doesn't have anyone else to match with (Harima is the only guy she really has any real contact with); unless you count Hanai, well, if Hanai get together with Yakumo I think a part of my soul would die. (That's basing on Hanai's current character, if he changes later then it would be different.)
Well, I guess I'll try to figure out why I'm really rooting for riceball.

P.S. First post. Nice to meet you all.

Zishi

2006-08-04, 14:46

Ofcourse it is Eri X Harima, ;)

thundrakkon

2006-08-04, 15:02

Well, I guess I'll try to figure out why I'm really rooting for riceball.

P.S. First post. Nice to meet you all.

Welcome, fellow riceballer. You definitely have some great potential, so join in the fun.

From what I heard, the rest of this season will probably not go much with Yakumo, but she is still great whenever they show her.

Yakumo just is that good hearted, good intentions type of character that you just cannot hate; well, unless you hate good natured people... She never intentionally tries to hurt Harima or even insults him in any way. She doesn't try to exact revenge at all, even if he did mistreat her in anyway. She is just a character that you love to root for because of those reasons (and many, many more).

Enjoy the ride!

i0td

2006-08-04, 15:35

Tenma has a lot of feelings for Karasuma, and in the birthday ep., Karasuma seems to have feelings for Tenma (even in the war eps. it seemed like it). HarimaXTenma doesn't seem very likely anymore.
You are absolutely right and I agree. After what happened at Tenma's bday, it is definitely implied that there is a renewed spark between the two even though on the whole, Karasuma (only 60 seconds of overall screen time in this season) is still missing in action lol. this needs more development. I don't mind a Harima x Eri/Yakumo finish (very likely Eri as one can see from the later episodes), but nonetheless, I'll always be a fan of the Harima x Tenma connection however unlikely it may be.

Deathkillz

2006-08-04, 16:22

yakumo is FTW :D another supporter for the Onigiri faction :)

bluerogue

2006-08-10, 18:15

kenjiharima

2006-08-13, 03:13

I don't understand how people could connect with tenma. Tenma has the mentality of a four year old, and she doesnt show any hints of maturing any time soon. Honestly speaking, I'd prefer the harima x yakumo or harima x eri pairing... it has sooooooo much more potential to it.

Tenma is too simple minded, and hard to connect to.

She seems to be the only character the makers of SR didnt develop. She doesnt have any hidden depth, she needs to become "more human" more real, as my creative writing teacher puts it, to be a viable pairing with harima...

I don't find a single likable quality in her. I cringe whenever I see harima bash Eri... Makes me sad that they won't end up together...

One word "LOLITA". She looks like a young elementary girl and not a highschool girl if it's sexually.

Also many people find cute and clumsy, stupid girl characters attractive...well for some anime fans though, but not me. She also like Mihoshi(Tenchi-Muyo) similar, but not the same level. Tenma's level is lower than Mishoshi's! :D Or maybe the same level I dunno :heh:

Amirali

2006-08-20, 13:32

Quote:
Originally posted by bluerogue:
"I don't understand how people could connect with tenma. Tenma has the mentality of a four year old, and she doesnt show any hints of maturing any time soon. Honestly speaking, I'd prefer the harima x yakumo or harima x eri pairing... it has sooooooo much more potential to it."

Well, I agree that her immaturity and denseness can be annoying at times, but occasionally she does seem genuinely sweet. Like when she cheered on her sister with Harima (and disguised herself to test him, lol). Also, when she toook Harima in off the street because he had no other place to stay, or when she tried to sabotage Sawachika's engagement because she knew she wasn't happy with it.

The problem with the character is that its only a step from merely being cutesily stupid, to being insensitive to others' feelings. That's why it sometimes can be hard to "connect" with her. I don't agree with Bluerogue totally about her having no engaging characteristics, but they do need to emphasize her kindness and ability to empathize and give people the benefit of the doubt. As it is, I'm getting tired of how she frequently jumps to conclusions about people without thinking things through.

Edit: Sorry if I'm straying off the main topic of the thread; just thought that bluerogue had a valid point that Iw ould like to address.

Eri

2006-08-20, 15:59

Flag of course. :cool:

i0td

2006-08-20, 18:03

Flag of course. :cool:
Who would've guessed otherwise? :)

kvnphm1

2006-08-26, 02:22

Flag fraction here! But i'm a little worry about the ending to episode 19. Tenma better not come back!

Owaranai Destiny

2006-09-09, 04:53

Seems to be plenty of Flag faction supporters here...But I'll go with the Onigiri, thank you. I think the pairing's pretty compatible and quite plausible too.

On a side note, I do like the Flag faction pairing...Just that they come in a close second. :p

cyw1988

2006-09-09, 05:15

Flag FTW!!!

Moon Eclipse

2006-09-10, 19:30

FLAG! Yakamo is the only one other than Eri that deserves Harima and she's not interested in him in that way :p All other are undeserving of such a nice guy

dieseltrain

2006-09-10, 20:09

Onigiri faction all the way. I just don't see anyone else worthy of Yakumo other than Harima. It just they don't know they like each other yet, probably won't find out till the end of the manga. It takes some serious patience to see their relationship develop.

Moon Eclipse

2006-09-10, 20:29

I don't know... I think Yakamo might end up single in the end... as sad as that might be

dieseltrain

2006-09-10, 20:50

I don't know... I think Yakamo might end up single in the end... as sad as that might be

still gotta keep the onigiri faith.

lavarock

2006-09-10, 21:40

Onigiri here, but if Flag happend as the end of the series I will live with it, as it's my 2nd choice.

Realistically, if they chose to close the series with some OVA (since it seems like there is no definite ending for S2) or another season. I would say it will be TenmaxKarasuma and Harima left alone. Obviously Harima doesn't seems to let go of Tenma. There needs to be some serious plot development to make Harima change his mind. I think at some point the author will move the plot forward, and I believe now it's close to that point.

horsdhaleine

2006-09-13, 05:10

Harima x Tenma of course! i don't have any reasons to like eri...

horsdhaleine

2006-09-13, 05:44

I don't understand how people could connect with tenma. Tenma has the mentality of a four year old, and she doesnt show any hints of maturing any time soon. Honestly speaking, I'd prefer the harima x yakumo or harima x eri pairing... it has sooooooo much more potential to it.

Tenma is too simple minded, and hard to connect to.

She seems to be the only character the makers of SR didnt develop. She doesnt have any hidden depth, she needs to become "more human" more real, as my creative writing teacher puts it, to be a viable pairing with harima...

I don't find a single likable quality in her. I cringe whenever I see harima bash Eri... Makes me sad that they won't end up together...
i can relate to tenma! different people have different tastes. you didn't find a single likable quality in her, but in my case i didn't see any single likable quality in eri. in fact i was quite annoyed at her when she bashed miko-chan (S1) just bec of harima. sono type wa daikirai! tenma is not that simple minded! and eri is so spoiled and princess-y in a way i don't like. ._.

._.

Owaranai Destiny

2006-09-13, 07:50

Everyone has their own qualities and bad points. ^^ I feel that Tenma's so-called 'immaturity' is a unique trait of her own. Besides, there's the fact that she cares about others much.

On the other hand, Eri may have a princess-like behavior due to her upbringing and her family, but she showed us that there is a better side to her than that already.

Still....HarimaxYakumo for me. :D

DragoonKain3

2006-09-13, 08:20

Hmm, there was no poll when I first posted here, though now I'm glad to see that the flute faction is highest ranked non-Harima faction. Childhood friends FTW!

rooboy

2006-09-13, 11:04

I actually almost voted for Basketball and Flute - really, except for Imadori I like any faction that involves Suou and/or Asou.

horsdhaleine

2006-09-13, 19:27

too bad only 18 voted for harima x tenma... :( i really want them to be together... comedians belong together!

eri is better off with harry mckenzie i think... why nobody thinks of that? the animators should have done a scene with them. the kakkoi guy and the ojosama... better pair!

Swampstorm

2006-09-14, 01:05

too bad only 18 voted for harima x tenma... :( i really want them to be together... comedians belong together!
Isn't Karasuma a comedian, too? Harima x Tenma, Karasuma x Tenma, and Eri x Harima all have their own share of humor potential.

eri is better off with harry mckenzie i think... why nobody thinks of that? the animators should have done a scene with them. the kakkoi guy and the ojosama... better pair!
Eri hasn't talked to Harry thus far, so there really is no reason for the pairing. It only seems to work on a superficial level - just to pair off the blonde foreigners. For that matter, why not pair off Nara and Tenma? They both seem to share some of the same qualities, and at least one side is interested. Or would you rather see Tenma and Tennouji? One side is interested there too, and you still get to see Tenma paired up with an entertaining delinquent. :rolleyes:

kenjiharima

2006-09-14, 01:16

taichikun14

2006-09-14, 01:18

harima x tenma ALL THE WAY!!!!! :D

Swampstorm

2006-09-14, 01:28

Well a Harry X Eri won't be a bad idea...

As you can see Harry is in the background of Harima
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/harimaBALD_eri.jpg

And you can see here Asou is in the background of Harima Noah...
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f154/harimadez/harimaNOAH_miko.jpg

IMHO...I think that Asou and Mikoto are relatively dating now maybe due to the fact out of the endings of the OVA. Maybe KJ MIGHT, but not sure, pair Eri to Harry or to another blonde guy. This must be the BIG OVA influences...

To pull that sort of thing off, you need to introduce in the alternative fairly early on. We just haven't seen Eri interact with any other guys to this point. I could claim that any guy could end up with any girl, by your reasoning.

KJ doesn't design those ending sequences.

Owaranai Destiny

2006-09-14, 01:47

I prefer not to think too much and assume here and there. In the end, what you wish to see and what is logical is all that matters, regardless of events that might link up one thing to another or OVA endings.

Eri

2006-09-14, 01:58

Yes, we'll see when the manga's over. I'd prefer an Eri x Harima ending but it's JK who'll decide about it. :( :)

Owaranai Destiny

2006-09-14, 04:48

Yes, we'll see when the manga's over. I'd prefer an Eri x Harima ending but it's JK who'll decide about it. :( :)

:heh: I don't believe you have much reason to worry. As much as I am a fervent Onigiri supporter, the most logical ending of a pair would be Harima and Eri. It's a mixed feeling for me here. :twitch: Likewise, we've never seen Yakumo interacting with other guys as much as Eri with Harry, but that's another story.:eyespin:

Eri

2006-09-14, 06:32

:heh: I don't believe you have much reason to worry.

What I actually worry about is a Harima x nobody ending. ^^' ;) But I'm pretty confident for Eri x Harima, there are too many indications they'll end up together.

rooboy

2006-09-14, 08:59

If I had to bet money I would probably bet on a Harima x nobody ending. ;)

Darklightz

2006-09-14, 10:13

Hime + Hige forever!

Owaranai Destiny

2006-09-14, 11:10

You mean Ojou and Hige...:heh:

Sexalicious

2006-09-14, 12:24

The more I watch this show the more I just want Harima (and a few other characters, especially both Eri and Yakumo) to end up happy.

horsdhaleine

2006-09-14, 22:06

this needs a pasta faction : tougou x tenma
and a g-penne faction : harima x tenma x tougou

:p

Eri

2006-09-15, 04:21

Eri x Harry and Tenma x Tougou, you have really weird ideas hors d'haleine (french nickname ?). ^^'

Shredder

2006-09-15, 12:02

Well a Harry X Eri won't be a bad idea...Ah, that one hadn't occurred to me. The two stereotypical whites getting together--pale, blonde, stuck up, high maintenance (as they're portrayed). Such a glamorous pair. I could go for it. Harima in his current state's pissing me off anyway, he may as well end up alone.

Owaranai Destiny

2006-09-16, 04:11

It isn't that bad...Considering the chance of something like that happening is practically next to none compared to Mission Impossible as well. Why not? The only problem is that there is virtually no interaction between Ojou and Harry.

Steak

2006-09-17, 00:33

I don't know if this is posted elsewhere but what about Akira and Karasume together? I know they never talk but they don't have to! Their love of wierd costumes will hold them together! But seriously they are both wired enough for it.

On another note Yakumo is the best but she doesn't really fit Harima
I mean they would just sorta sit around drawing manga or something.
Which is why HarimaxEri what i'm cheering for as they will have some proper chemistry/drama together!
Same with Tenma, I just can't see them togther, even his wild fantasies of them together seem forced to me.

Ojou and Harry. well it would be like clones being together, A pair should complete each other not mirror each othe... like HarimaxEri

Childhood friends and Apple Juice as well.

closing thought
Yakumo is too good for all of them! save her for me!:heh:

Shredder

2006-09-17, 02:14

Ojou and Harry. well it would be like clones being together, A pair should complete each other not mirror each othe... like HarimaxEriThe two all knowing weirdos, Akira and Karasuma, should in fact get together. Then can try to best each other in strange stunts and costumes.

I don't think pairs should try to complete each other. Better in reality to have lots of similarities. Eri and Harry would make a fine pair, and it even sounds good. And damn they would look good.

jianfish

2006-09-18, 00:57

Well, I'll go for the any-faction-but-HarimaxTenma faction...

Not that I really lean towards either Eri or Yakumo but please please don't give me HarimaxTenma...
It would be a great injustice to either girls.

lordjuggernaut

2006-09-18, 02:00

ah....... the great debate.....
i am a kidsmeal........... junkie........... .... ( for the want of a better term!!!)
( as if you didn't know that...)
however.. the way things are going..... Eri would get Harima......and i pray... yes i pray...... there would be a little side "strawberry panic..." btwn eri and yakumo....

ich Ein bin PERV!!!!!

Owaranai Destiny

2006-09-19, 08:16

Well, with the latest episode aired, I'll simply take the chance to pray for Onigiri instead, seeing as there might be a possible resolution to Harima's feelings for Tenma, as well as the truth behind Yakumo's. :D

garywafu

2006-09-20, 05:13

As long as Onigiri Ending will be given by KJ.. I'm satisfied with that..

@lordjuggernaut
Hohoho! Hey dude! You're here too.. This is my first post btw.. :P

kenjiharima

2006-09-21, 03:22

As long as Onigiri Ending will be given by KJ.. I'm satisfied with that..

Yo garywafu tone down your signiture to one sig. read the anime Animesuki rules. ;)

Silvery.Seraph

2006-09-23, 11:26

Under the moon&Bloody Mary
In other words,I just want to have more fun.
And ... where's the celibate factions ...Elizabeth factions ... Goddess factions ...(if you know what they are...OTL)

Serapindal

2006-09-23, 20:05

I think you can tell from my sig. ;)

tacobueno

2006-09-23, 21:46

Hmm goin off that...

How come there's no Sarah X Yakumo Faction? Kinda figured that might be a fun possibility with b38.

Sexalicious

2006-09-23, 22:14

I think that's considered as a faction, but not a major possibility hence not in the poll.

Yuri-wise I think Youko x Itoko is the only likely possibility.

Sogoro

2006-10-14, 02:42

Flag ftw; its always fun watching them two argue and fight with one another.

canza

2006-10-14, 21:11

I totally choose the Flag faction!!!!!!!!!!! Harima and Eri are supposed to be with each other....Tenma should just get out of the way......Yakumo....meh......

The two all knowing weirdos, Akira and Karasuma, should in fact get together. Then can try to best each other in strange stunts and costumes.

I don't think pairs should try to complete each other. Better in reality to have lots of similarities. Eri and Harry would make a fine pair, and it even sounds good. And damn they would look good.

No they wouldn't...................they both have blonde hair...that's all....and we hardly know anything about Harry, so no relationship!

Azuma Denton

2006-10-20, 05:50

Well i think that Eri n Harry isnt a fine couple.
Their personality doesnt match each other.

Vermouth

2006-10-24, 13:42

I'm a Flag fan since Harima and Eri's first meeting :P
I voted Flute too, but even if it doesn't happen, I will not be too sad...
I can also accept Onigiri, but if the author chooses Oudou, I'll kill him :P

DribCC

2006-10-31, 17:09

It needs to be True Oudou, Oni Giri, and Applejuice. If it doesnt end like that there will be total anarcy in the streets

CowMix

2006-12-05, 19:37

Harima x Tenma is such a shitty couple, sorry Harima but besides both being idiots, romantically i don't see any sparks there.

Harima x Eri, interesting, rich girl x poor delinquent type of thing.

Harima x Yakumo, makes sense, maybe the most sense out of all three.

Harima x Noone, the best couple :P

wontaek

2006-12-06, 03:11

Forever

2006-12-06, 05:24

wontaek

2006-12-06, 14:45

Harima X None is too pitiful for him. He at least should deserve one. And let it be Yakumo then!

Riceball FTW!:D

I still think Harima is unworthy to hold Yakumo's hand.

Moon Eclipse

2006-12-09, 15:14

K, I'm cheering for Flag myself but honestly I think that Eri would win if both Yakamo and Eri were to one day realize they both have feelings for Harima. Why? Yakamo is too docile when it comes to her own satisfaction and fulfilment. She will do almost anything for people she wishes to help, put herself at risk, stand up for people, help them, support them whatever. But when it comes to herself she's very submissive. She just doesn't have it in her at this point to be agressive and assertive enough to compete against Eri who has demonstrated herself to be a lot more assertive and agreessive in obtaining that which satisfies her.

wontaek

2006-12-10, 11:35

Swampstorm

2006-12-11, 18:46

They both know of their feelings towards Harima. Only reason Eri has a chance is that unless Karasuma makes everyone belive that he consider Tenma as his girlfriend, Yakumo will support the relationship between Harima and Tenma and won't do anything to jeopardize it. If Eri starts being much nicer to Harima and everyone around her, Harima can't help but notice it, since he is the only person who frequently is harmed by Eri, and he may start to think about Eri more than Tenma. Eri better not get Yakumo angry, for that might make Yakumo pursue Harima more aggressively, and it will be almost impossible for Eri to overcome the lead Yakumo has built in Harima's mind.
Again, the point that you seemed to have missed is that this is a story. You don't need to be able to see a path to the finishline to know that it exists. The odds don't matter - and in fact, chances are that the least probable outcome is the most likely one to occur. Underdogs always have an advantage.

The difference between a story and a random string of events is that the story is built with a central concept or idea in mind. Everything ties back to that central idea, which gives the story a unified feel as a whole. That's one of the reasons why the story is likely to end when it comes full circle with Karasuma's departure in March.

With regards to Onigiri, the reason that the faction is unfeasable is simply because the events of the story are not built around it. At the very best, its entire existance is tied back to Flag. You can see Harima and Eri interact on their own. By contrast, have you ever had a moment where you saw Yakumo and Harima interact where it was not linked back to some conflict within Eri?

The other point working against Yakumo is the nature of her success against Eri. In a matchup between Eri and Yakumo, Yakumo will always win. Why is this balanced? The answer is simple - Yakumo isn't conciously entering into conflict against Eri, so she isn't actually trying to antagonize Eri. The real conflict lies with Eri's inadequacies - it's really a battle of Eri against herself.

Do you really expect Yakumo to suddenly decide, 200+ chapters in the series, that she loves Harima, and use her God Mode Hax to win him over, coasting effortlessly throughout the series after Eri has overcome so many obstacles and put in so much effort just to get where she is?

And we haven't even factored Hanai into the equation, either. :p