AnimeSuki Forums

NightSamurai · 2010-01-19, 16:41

I'm looking an anime/manga romance/drama in which you can see the romance develop over time. I'd like to stay away from shoujo as it tends to be too unrealistic (though if you know something that fits the bill I'll definite give it a try anyway). The best example I can think of would be Suzuka, where the couple starts out in school and develops from there. Any recommendations are much appreciated.

Theowne · 2010-01-19, 17:00

The best example, IMO, is Maison Ikkoku. This is a very long show, but if you're looking for gradual development of a relationship from initial attraction right to the very end, that's where it's most evident.

james0246 · 2010-01-19, 18:34

Nodame Cantabile. The romance only really develops by the end of the first season, then it shows slight improvement over the next season, and now we are in the final season of the show...

Saiunkoku Monogatari is another good one...it might be a little too "childish" for you, though.

Seitsuki · 2010-01-19, 18:54

Fruits Basket. Nothing but speculation for most of the series, and even then you probably guessed wrong, but you'll still tear up ;_; The manga not the anime tho, that ends halfway through

Troilism · 2010-01-19, 21:41

you might like zegapain. It's a little more than just romance but it's a great anime where the guy actually gets with the girl I want him to get with <.<

Very touching show. The mech fights are nowhere NEAR the show's priority, so if you're not into that stuff don't worry because the story is quite good.

Proto · 2010-01-19, 23:29

It seems that theowne wouldn't agree with this one, but the best example I can think of is Cross Game. A show where the couple has to literally start from a negative mark, and where the relationship is very subtly, but firmly and steadly developed.

Guardian Enzo · 2010-01-20, 01:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proto

It seems that theowne wouldn't agree with this one, but the best example I can think of is Cross Game. A show where the couple has to literally start from a negative mark, and where the relationship is very subtly, but firmly and steadly developed.

Sigh... I hate to be a broken record and I'm sure the thread is getting sick of it, but I agree that Cross Game fits. No one could possibly argue that the romance evolves too quickly, that's for sure.

Sackett · 2010-01-20, 16:39

Maison Ikkoku and Cross Game are both good choices for this.

Probably Honey and Clover too.

MamoruUsagi · 2010-01-20, 16:53

I like series where it shows the couple dating and in a relationship. It's good to show the relationship progress.

Bokura ga Ita
Mars
Kare First Love
The Devil Does Exist
Happy Hustle High
Kare Kano
Paradise Kiss
High School Debut
Fushigi Yuugi
Ayashi no Ceres
Marmalade Boy
Ultra Cute
Wild Act

show the couples in relationships as well as the development.

-KarumA- · 2010-01-20, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikita

Fruits Basket. Nothing but speculation for most of the series, and even then you probably guessed wrong, but you'll still tear up ;_; The manga not the anime tho, that ends halfway through

this, the manga is very good and the anime a lot of fun

adding Kimi ni todoke to the list. Girl that is misunderstood due to her name and appearance becomes friends with people thanks to a popular guy from her class and so it goes on into romance X3

CeDeR · 2010-01-20, 18:58

I agree Cross game fits the bill.Very good character development although a lil bit repetitive IMO.

Haak · 2010-01-21, 04:36

I recommend Honey and Clover and Toradora!

Kotohono · 2010-01-21, 04:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haak

I recommend Honey and Clover and Toradora!

I'd second Toradora, it does it really well too.

devildog23 · 2010-01-21, 13:37

Try REC I watched it a while ago so I sorta forget how it goes, but I know it fits what your looking for. A very good short series.

Aquillion · 2010-01-23, 14:12

For something more recent, I recommend Bakemonogatari. I think a lot of romance fans overlooked it because its description didn't imply that it was really focused on the development of one-on-one romance, but it really is. It devotes entire episodes to the male and female lead bantering back and forth developing their relationship.

Sackett · 2010-01-23, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquillion

For something more recent, I recommend Bakemonogatari. I think a lot of romance fans overlooked it because its description didn't imply that it was really focused on the development of one-on-one romance, but it really is. It devotes entire episodes to the male and female lead bantering back and forth developing their relationship.

Bakemonogatari has a bit of romance, but struck me as more of a Japanese Twilight Zone.

SeijiSensei · 2010-01-23, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by devildog23

Try REC I watched it a while ago so I sorta forget how it goes, but I know it fits what your looking for. A very good short series.

I second REC. I scrolled through this thread looking to see if someone had recommended this already. You can watch the entire series in an evening.

Van-kun · 2010-01-24, 21:46

i third Toradora..

second Bokura ga Ita..

and i'd recomend Lovely Complex.. perhaps?

kk2extreme · 2010-01-24, 23:44

dn angel and my favorite is onegai teacher

Full Metal Coast · 2010-01-26, 22:14

Please Teacher
Itazura Na Kiss
Special A
Rec
Bakemonogatari
Spice and Wolf

2010-01-19, 16:41	Link #1
NightSamurai Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hawaii Age: 36	Developing Romance I'm looking an anime/manga romance/drama in which you can see the romance develop over time. I'd like to stay away from shoujo as it tends to be too unrealistic (though if you know something that fits the bill I'll definite give it a try anyway). The best example I can think of would be Suzuka, where the couple starts out in school and develops from there. Any recommendations are much appreciated.

2010-01-19, 17:00	Link #2
Theowne 耳をすませば Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 34	The best example, IMO, is Maison Ikkoku. This is a very long show, but if you're looking for gradual development of a relationship from initial attraction right to the very end, that's where it's most evident. __________________ My Site - Reviews collection, Sheet music, and etc. Anime reviews/blog, piano arrangements, Studio Ghibli..

2010-01-19, 18:34	Link #3
james0246 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: East Cupcake	Nodame Cantabile. The romance only really develops by the end of the first season, then it shows slight improvement over the next season, and now we are in the final season of the show... Saiunkoku Monogatari is another good one...it might be a little too "childish" for you, though. Last edited by james0246; 2010-01-19 at 18:56.

2010-01-19, 18:54	Link #4
Seitsuki Onee! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Auckland, NZ	Fruits Basket. Nothing but speculation for most of the series, and even then you probably guessed wrong, but you'll still tear up ;_; The manga not the anime tho, that ends halfway through __________________ thanks to Patchy ♥

2010-01-19, 23:29	Link #6
Proto Knowledge is the solution Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 39	It seems that theowne wouldn't agree with this one, but the best example I can think of is Cross Game. A show where the couple has to literally start from a negative mark, and where the relationship is very subtly, but firmly and steadly developed. __________________ How to play Japanese games in Linux

2010-01-19, 21:41	Link #5
Troilism Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008	you might like zegapain. It's a little more than just romance but it's a great anime where the guy actually gets with the girl I want him to get with <.< Very touching show. The mech fights are nowhere NEAR the show's priority, so if you're not into that stuff don't worry because the story is quite good.

2010-01-20, 16:39	Link #8
Sackett Cross Game - I need more Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: I've moved around the American West. I've lived in Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Oklahoma Age: 44	Maison Ikkoku and Cross Game are both good choices for this. Probably Honey and Clover too. __________________ Cross Game - A Story of Love, Life, Death - and Baseball. What more could you want?

2010-01-20, 16:53	Link #9
MamoruUsagi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005	I like series where it shows the couple dating and in a relationship. It's good to show the relationship progress. Bokura ga Ita Mars Kare First Love The Devil Does Exist Happy Hustle High Kare Kano Paradise Kiss High School Debut Fushigi Yuugi Ayashi no Ceres Marmalade Boy Ultra Cute Wild Act show the couples in relationships as well as the development.

2010-01-20, 18:58	Link #11
CeDeR Inactive Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Usa	I agree Cross game fits the bill.Very good character development although a lil bit repetitive IMO.

2010-01-21, 04:36	Link #12
Haak Me, An Intellectual Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK Age: 33	I recommend Honey and Clover and Toradora! __________________ MAL \| AnimeSuki Choice Awards 2020 Winners

2010-01-21, 13:37	Link #14
devildog23 Summerlurking Join Date: Jul 2007 Age: 32	Try REC I watched it a while ago so I sorta forget how it goes, but I know it fits what your looking for. A very good short series.

2010-01-23, 14:12	Link #15
Aquillion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003	For something more recent, I recommend Bakemonogatari. I think a lot of romance fans overlooked it because its description didn't imply that it was really focused on the development of one-on-one romance, but it really is. It devotes entire episodes to the male and female lead bantering back and forth developing their relationship.

2010-01-24, 21:46	Link #18
Van-kun Wounded Warrior Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Depths of the Forest..	i third Toradora.. second Bokura ga Ita.. and i'd recomend Lovely Complex.. perhaps?

2010-01-24, 23:44	Link #19
kk2extreme Your wife is hot... Join Date: May 2008 Location: At your house fixing A/C	dn angel and my favorite is onegai teacher

2010-01-26, 22:14	Link #20
Full Metal Coast -Gantzer- Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia - Down Where The City Meets The Sea Age: 35	Please Teacher Itazura Na Kiss Special A Rec Bakemonogatari Spice and Wolf __________________