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Nappington · 2013-01-27, 06:23

I'm sick of two characters awkwardly tiptoeing around each other for 24 or 11 episodes before finally hooking up near the series finale. I'm looking at you,

Spoiler for Popular romance series that do this:

What I'm looking for are anime that develop a pairing early, and proceed to develop a distinct sense of a romantic relationship. Some good examples of this would be Bakemonogatari and Kareshi Kanojo. Amagami SS pseudo-falls in this category, especially with SS+. I'm watching through Naze no Kanojo X to see what it's like.

for example:

Spoiler for Kimi no Todoke:

Spoiler for Clannad:

Spoiler for Bakemonogatari:

Thanks in advance! My MAL should have a good list on what I've watched so far.

**Klashikari** · 2013-01-27, 06:29

Err... you do realize that Bakemonogatari has little "real couple" actions ongoing? We sure have some expressed lines with Hitagi but that's far as it goes.

Anyway, well, I think this season's Kotoura sure has such early couple vibes, although whether they go out early or not it yet to be determined.

Nappington · 2013-01-27, 08:07

Perhaps I should rephrase why I thought Bakemonogatari was so good at this.

Whenever Araragi and Senjougahara interact in Bake/Nisemonogatari, they feel like an actual couple does from a fairly realistic perspective - they're completely comfortable with each other: teasing, confiding, and general conversation, even if a lot of the action was implied. Most importantly, they didn't feel like a pair of strangers - there was virtually zero embarrassment involved once they got together. This is why I enjoyed their interaction so much, compared to other 'couples' who routinely grow beet red every second conversation because they happened to talk about something embarrassing.

As for Kotoura-san, I'm not really holding much hope for a fast romantic resolution, as nothing seems indicative of that happening.

totoum · 2013-01-27, 09:35

Doubt Nazo no Kanojo X will satisfy you

I'd go with Bokura ga Ita (though you have to wait a little but the couple will form) and Hotarubi no Mori e (nothing physical due to plot reasons but the interaction is there)

Sackett · 2013-01-27, 09:50

Try The Monster Next To Me

SeijiSensei · 2013-01-27, 10:25

REC is a good choice, and maybe Kamisama Hajimemashita as well. The latter has a couple of other potential contenders for the heroine's heart, but it's pretty obvious who she'll end up with.

Nodame Cantabile might be another choice, despite Chiaki's skittishness about recognizing his feelings for Nodame. The "acting like a couple part" happens a lot despite his claims; in the sequels they pretty much are a couple. It's also just an outstanding series that everyone should try. (subs dubbed stream).

Romance isn't the central focus of Oh! Edo Rocket by any means, but the main couple is established pretty much from the start, and they do feel comfortable with each other after a few episodes even if Seikichi doesn't want to admit his feelings.

jte742 · 2013-01-27, 11:06

How about Sukitte Ii na yo? They become a couple pretty quickly, and most of the series is spent with them getting used to being together. It can be a bit melodramatic at times, but it is still very enjoyable.

Seconding Nodame Cantabile as well.

Last Sinner · 2013-01-27, 11:08

Sukitte Iinayo (Say I Love You) is the one title that comes to mind.

Couple by the end of the 1st episode. There is a bit of embarassment on their part but not much. It's more people trying to split them apart. Female lead is quite unique in her personality.

kaitanuva · 2013-01-27, 12:01

Try Lovely Complex. The romance is fast paced and active, quite unlike the ones you listed.

I third Rec. The plot is pretty much the "reverse" of most romance animes...heh.

kitten320 · 2013-01-27, 13:10

Uuummm... Araragi is comfortable with every girl there and almost each one tries to make a move on him. Can't say I saw anything special between him and Senjouhara.

Otherwise best choice would be SAO. Even though I don't likes series story progression wise, romance in it is on a unique level when it comes to anime world. Pairing is established early, they live together, share kisses and do lots of other stuff. Probably your best choice romance vise.

Romeo + Juliet is a good one too. Couple gets together early and do share kisses. at some point they even live together.

Duno if it counts but there is also Inuyasha. Main couple gets together only at the end but there is MCs ex-girlfriend with whom they have some moments here and there.

Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai - if you don't mind something on boundary of harem. I really like this series, MC is very unique and barely ever gets embarrassed by anything. There is big variety of girls, some more shy than others, some more gutsy.

That's all I can think of.

Nappington · 2013-01-27, 13:25

Thanks for the recommendations.. From the ones that I've watched, I've found that My Little Monster falls into the trap of 'are we or aren't we?' trap. I love TWGOK, but it doesn't quite fall into this category that I'm looking for. I dropped SA:O because of the whole 'princess in a castle' thing they had going.

I'll check out Rec, Lovely complex (and eventually) Nodame Cantabile. I'm on the fence on Sukitte Ii na yo, while Bokura Ga Ita seems a tad bit too dramatic for me based on the reviews.

Keep 'em coming! Really appreciate the recommendations so far.

**Klashikari** · 2013-01-27, 13:28

Bokura Ga Ita would definitely frustrates you big time, considering how the main heroine is quite undecisive. At least, it is nowhere close to the angst possible you can get with Suzuka

kitten320 · 2013-01-27, 13:32

Yeh, story in second SAO arc was a disaster.

Nappington · 2013-01-27, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klashikari

Bokura Ga Ita would definitely frustrates you big time, considering how the main heroine is quite undecisive. At least, it is nowhere close to the angst possible you can get with Suzuka

I read the Suzuka manga, and it was quite possible the most awful experience in watching manga/reading anime I've ever had. My goodness, that series was a trainwreck consisting of 166.5 chapters of indecisiveness that made we want to cut myself. Of course, that's my personal opinion.

Akka · 2013-02-03, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nappington

I'm sick of two characters awkwardly tiptoeing around each other for 24 or 11 episodes before finally hooking up near the series finale.

Oh God, I totally have your back here, pal. That's also one of the things I hate the most in animes, and which is, sadly, far too common...

Quote:

What I'm looking for are anime that develop a pairing early, and proceed to develop a distinct sense of a romantic relationship. Some good examples of this would be Bakemonogatari and Kareshi Kanojo.

On this one, though, I'm a bit

, because actually one of the reason I disliked Bakemonogatari was precisely how there was absolutely NOTHING when it came to emotions or chemistry. Senjogahara feels like a troll, not a girlfriend.
I also somehow disagree with Clannad : you're spot-on for the first season (it was actually rather embarassing to see them suddednly all awkward and idiotic), but the second season, they ARE a couple, living together and the like, so I don't really get your gripe.

Anyway, to answer your initial question :
Sword Art Online manage to actually have a real couple forming relatively early and in a believable way.
Ef is four love-stories which are pretty mature, natural and believable. And beautiful.
Crest/Banner of the Stars may or may not be to your liking. The heroes are never "strictly speaking" declaring their love for each other or kissing or the like. BUT they very clearly ARE in a relationship starting from the first season.

On a somehow different note, but somehow related :

Kamisama Dolls, Another and Chuunibyou tends to have "natural" romances (that is, a plot that doesn't have this horrible tendency of teasing you "this will happen" and then find a contrived and idiotic reason why the situation isn't resolved ; the romances progress rather logically and organically) but the resolution still tends to happen in the later part and there isn't a "couple life".

trickdaddy · 2013-02-03, 22:29

Try Spice and Wolf

It's pretty interesting, two seasons.
Kraft Lawrence A traveling merchant, finds a girl in his cart with wolf ears and a tail. He ends up promising This girl, called Horo the wise wolf, that he will take her to her homeland in the far north.
Good fantasy/romance. Whilst they don't confess till the end, its obvious they like each other through sigbs of jealousy, embarrassment, hugging, etc.

It may sound weird, I thought it did at first, but afterwords I wished I'd watched it earlier. Great anime, 100% reccomended.

Laiin · 2013-02-06, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitten320

Otherwise best choice would be SAO. Even though I don't likes series story progression wise, romance in it is on a unique level when it comes to anime world. Pairing is established early, they live together, share kisses and do lots of other stuff. Probably your best choice romance vise.

(Sword Art Online) SAO is a really good one indeed, I would highly recommend this one. As stated by Kitten, ist has a very unique and heartwarming romance which I have never found in any other anime.. It has some fighting in it (since its set inside a virtual reality game) but later starts revolving more around their relationship than the game(s) itself.

I must say though, if you do decide to start watching, don't stop until around episode 8 or so, otherwise you might get the wrong impression of the main genre. (no worries, the first 8 eps are awesome too! :P)

PS: my signature photo is a pic of when they live together

just FYI

Laiin · 2013-02-06, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nappington

I dropped SA:O because of the whole 'princess in a castle' thing they had going.

Whoops... didn't see this post... sorry

I never saw it as a "princess in a castle" thingy, but if it's not to your liking, it can't be helped

Bern-san · 2013-02-13, 14:46

What about Hiyokoi? A love story between very timid short girl and a very tall popular guy. They released an OVA about it.
Sukitte ii na yo (the manga is better than the anime) is basically about Mei and her relationship with Yamato along with the stories of other couples
Paradise Kiss where the main couple hook up in the first episodes
Arakawa Under the Bridge, although they are a weird couple since the guy has no experience with girls and the girl believes she's an alien. They have their cute moments though but is basically comedy.

Cryonosis · 2013-02-13, 21:30

Surprised no one has mentioned Ah! my Goddess yet. While K1's awkwardness is key to the series, from episode 1 on there is no question to either the viewer or the other characters that he and Belldandy are a couple.

Saishuu Heiki Kanojo is a war romance were the two main characters are dating, break up and start up again.

Kimi ga Nozomu Eien After the first episode the main male hooks up into relationship with one of the girls and the story is about the other girl pulling him away.

2013-01-27, 06:23	Link #1
Nappington Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013	Early developing romance in which the characters feel like a couple I'm sick of two characters awkwardly tiptoeing around each other for 24 or 11 episodes before finally hooking up near the series finale. I'm looking at you, Spoiler for Popular romance series that do this: Toradora, Kimo no Todoke, Clannad What I'm looking for are anime that develop a pairing early, and proceed to develop a distinct sense of a romantic relationship. Some good examples of this would be Bakemonogatari and Kareshi Kanojo. Amagami SS pseudo-falls in this category, especially with SS+. I'm watching through Naze no Kanojo X to see what it's like. for example: Spoiler for Kimi no Todoke: The first kiss, and then... nothing. Really? Spoiler for Clannad: Have they even kissed once over the span of both seasons? Did she conceive by Immaculate conception? Spoiler for Bakemonogatari: I absolutely love how Araragi and Senjougahari actually feel like an real couple, and that neither of them are embarrassed with their relationship Thanks in advance! My MAL should have a good list on what I've watched so far. __________________ MyAnimeList

2013-01-27, 06:29	Link #2
Klashikari 阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv180 Graphic Designer Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Belgium, Brussels Age: 37	Err... you do realize that Bakemonogatari has little "real couple" actions ongoing? We sure have some expressed lines with Hitagi but that's far as it goes. Anyway, well, I think this season's Kotoura sure has such early couple vibes, although whether they go out early or not it yet to be determined. __________________ [Sig art: Kagura Yuu, Nunukko, Maku Rako & Mishima Kurone] / [Twitter] Last edited by Klashikari; 2013-01-27 at 06:46.

2013-01-27, 08:07	Link #3
Nappington Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013	Perhaps I should rephrase why I thought Bakemonogatari was so good at this. Whenever Araragi and Senjougahara interact in Bake/Nisemonogatari, they feel like an actual couple does from a fairly realistic perspective - they're completely comfortable with each other: teasing, confiding, and general conversation, even if a lot of the action was implied. Most importantly, they didn't feel like a pair of strangers - there was virtually zero embarrassment involved once they got together. This is why I enjoyed their interaction so much, compared to other 'couples' who routinely grow beet red every second conversation because they happened to talk about something embarrassing. As for Kotoura-san, I'm not really holding much hope for a fast romantic resolution, as nothing seems indicative of that happening. __________________ MyAnimeList

2013-01-27, 09:35	Link #4
totoum Me at work Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Age: 36	Doubt Nazo no Kanojo X will satisfy you I'd go with Bokura ga Ita (though you have to wait a little but the couple will form) and Hotarubi no Mori e (nothing physical due to plot reasons but the interaction is there) __________________

2013-01-27, 09:50	Link #5
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	Try *The Monster Next To Me* __________________ Cross Game - A Story of Love, Life, Death - and Baseball. What more could you want?

2013-01-27, 10:25	Link #6
SeijiSensei AS Oji-kun Join Date: Nov 2006 Age: 74	REC is a good choice, and maybe Kamisama Hajimemashita as well. The latter has a couple of other potential contenders for the heroine's heart, but it's pretty obvious who she'll end up with. Nodame Cantabile might be another choice, despite Chiaki's skittishness about recognizing his feelings for Nodame. The "acting like a couple part" happens a lot despite his claims; in the sequels they pretty much are a couple. It's also just an outstanding series that everyone should try. (subs dubbed stream). Romance isn't the central focus of Oh! Edo Rocket by any means, but the main couple is established pretty much from the start, and they do feel comfortable with each other after a few episodes even if Seikichi doesn't want to admit his feelings. __________________ Taking Anime Seriously - Politics by the Numbers - Sports by the Numbers - MAL List - Avatars - Images

2013-01-27, 11:06	Link #7
jte742 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Denver Age: 34	How about Sukitte Ii na yo? They become a couple pretty quickly, and most of the series is spent with them getting used to being together. It can be a bit melodramatic at times, but it is still very enjoyable. Seconding Nodame Cantabile as well.

2013-01-27, 11:08	Link #8
Last Sinner You're Hot, Cupcake Join Date: Aug 2008 Age: 42	Sukitte Iinayo (Say I Love You) is the one title that comes to mind. Couple by the end of the 1st episode. There is a bit of embarassment on their part but not much. It's more people trying to split them apart. Female lead is quite unique in her personality. __________________

2013-01-27, 12:01	Link #9
kaitanuva Member Join Date: Jul 2012	Try Lovely Complex. The romance is fast paced and active, quite unlike the ones you listed. I third Rec. The plot is pretty much the "reverse" of most romance animes...heh.

2013-01-27, 13:10	Link #10
kitten320 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007	Uuummm... Araragi is comfortable with every girl there and almost each one tries to make a move on him. Can't say I saw anything special between him and Senjouhara. Otherwise best choice would be SAO. Even though I don't likes series story progression wise, romance in it is on a unique level when it comes to anime world. Pairing is established early, they live together, share kisses and do lots of other stuff. Probably your best choice romance vise. Romeo + Juliet is a good one too. Couple gets together early and do share kisses. at some point they even live together. Duno if it counts but there is also Inuyasha. Main couple gets together only at the end but there is MCs ex-girlfriend with whom they have some moments here and there. Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai - if you don't mind something on boundary of harem. I really like this series, MC is very unique and barely ever gets embarrassed by anything. There is big variety of girls, some more shy than others, some more gutsy. That's all I can think of. __________________ My anime list

2013-01-27, 13:25	Link #11
Nappington Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013	Thanks for the recommendations.. From the ones that I've watched, I've found that My Little Monster falls into the trap of 'are we or aren't we?' trap. I love TWGOK, but it doesn't quite fall into this category that I'm looking for. I dropped SA:O because of the whole 'princess in a castle' thing they had going. I'll check out Rec, Lovely complex (and eventually) Nodame Cantabile. I'm on the fence on Sukitte Ii na yo, while Bokura Ga Ita seems a tad bit too dramatic for me based on the reviews. Keep 'em coming! Really appreciate the recommendations so far. __________________ MyAnimeList

2013-01-27, 13:28	Link #12
Klashikari 阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv180 Graphic Designer Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Belgium, Brussels Age: 37	Bokura Ga Ita would definitely frustrates you big time, considering how the main heroine is quite undecisive. At least, it is nowhere close to the angst possible you can get with Suzuka __________________ [Sig art: Kagura Yuu, Nunukko, Maku Rako & Mishima Kurone] / [Twitter]

2013-01-27, 13:32	Link #13
kitten320 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007	Yeh, story in second SAO arc was a disaster. __________________ My anime list

2013-02-03, 22:29	Link #16
trickdaddy Level 5 Esper Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Illinois	Try Spice and Wolf It's pretty interesting, two seasons. Kraft Lawrence A traveling merchant, finds a girl in his cart with wolf ears and a tail. He ends up promising This girl, called Horo the wise wolf, that he will take her to her homeland in the far north. Good fantasy/romance. Whilst they don't confess till the end, its obvious they like each other through sigbs of jealousy, embarrassment, hugging, etc. It may sound weird, I thought it did at first, but afterwords I wished I'd watched it earlier. Great anime, 100% reccomended.

2013-02-13, 14:46	Link #19
Bern-san Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009	What about Hiyokoi? A love story between very timid short girl and a very tall popular guy. They released an OVA about it. Sukitte ii na yo (the manga is better than the anime) is basically about Mei and her relationship with Yamato along with the stories of other couples Paradise Kiss where the main couple hook up in the first episodes Arakawa Under the Bridge, although they are a weird couple since the guy has no experience with girls and the girl believes she's an alien. They have their cute moments though but is basically comedy. __________________

2013-02-13, 21:30	Link #20
Cryonosis ~Desu Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Springs Age: 42	Surprised no one has mentioned Ah! my Goddess yet. While K1's awkwardness is key to the series, from episode 1 on there is no question to either the viewer or the other characters that he and Belldandy are a couple. Saishuu Heiki Kanojo is a war romance were the two main characters are dating, break up and start up again. Kimi ga Nozomu Eien After the first episode the main male hooks up into relationship with one of the girls and the story is about the other girl pulling him away. __________________ The danger from computers is not that they will eventually become as smart as man, but that we will agree to meet them half way. Computers are a lot like air conditioners, they both work great until you open windows. Linux is only free if your time is worthless.