Merry Christmas everyone! I thought that what this winter needs a
little heating up with soome romance, so I’m going to do my top 5
favourite couples from josei series that I’ve enjoyed. It was tough to
boil it down, but I think these couples are all dynamic and interesting
for different reasons. So let’s get to the list!
These two are as much a polar opposite as you can get. But what I love about them is that music brings them together! For anyone who plays an instrument you’ll understand the magnetic force that music can have on one musician to another. And even those who just enjoy music will know how attractive a musical talent really is. I also enjoyed the banter of the two characters, the sensible Chiaki and the kooky Nodame who can’t sit still. It takes a while for the two to warm up to each other, but watching their relationship unfold is the highlight of the series.
One of my favourite josei manga features this couple which takes a typical relationship dynamic and spins it on its head. Sumire takes in Momo as her ‘pet’ and learns to love his easy-going kindhearted nature over time. The story of their love takes up the entirety of the story, but is interesting from beginning to finish. It really makes you question exactly what conventions can be broken while still having a fulfilling relationship with another person.
Who knew I’d include a homosexual couple on this list! But it’s definitely a well-warranted addition. The relationship between them starts when they’re preteens and blossoms into something quite moving bythe time they’ve reached adulthood. Living in a dystopian future
these two still make it work, by being equal partners they fight together in an admirable and emotionally moving way. And you want to fight along with them the whole way through. Their relationship feels real and deep, and I enjoyed the development of it the whole way through the series.
This series is little talked about but I think deserves some attention, especially on this list. The series features one of the most heartbreaking couples in the josei genre. Atsushi dies as a young adult barely married to Rokka, leaving her with a lot of emotional trauma that she has to deal with growing up into an adult. Atsushi continues to look over her, even in the afterlife, and it’s a beautiful take on a tragic story. Their relationship is key to the story as the two of them learn to move on from what once was. I loved how real the scenario felt, and how upsetting it was to think about how fleeting relationships can really be (even in ways we might not realize). For those who love a good drama, this couple is probably one you’d want to check out in Natsuyuki Rendezvous.
I had to put this couple as number 1. Mostly because I love this series immensely. Anyone who considers themselves a josei fan and has not watched this series should watch or read it immediately! That aside, this couple is the most dynamic and real of all the others on this list. Their relationship is beyond complicated, (mostly because they’re both still learning to grow up and mature) and so their actions feel dramatic and important because they’re learning to work everything out. Relationships are rarely so black and white, and they’re always stepping stones towards learning more about yourself and what you want out of life. Yukari’s and Johji’s relationship demonstrates this perfectly. If you feel like you haven’t learned enough about love check out this series, it will give you a crash course into the complexities (and the beauty) of real life.
In Japan Christmas is considered a holiday about love, couples and romance, so naturally I hope this list fills you with lovey dovey feelings on a love filled holiday! Whether it be love for your family, or those who are particularly special to you, I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
5. Chiaki and Nodame from Nodame Cantabile
These two are as much a polar opposite as you can get. But what I love about them is that music brings them together! For anyone who plays an instrument you’ll understand the magnetic force that music can have on one musician to another. And even those who just enjoy music will know how attractive a musical talent really is. I also enjoyed the banter of the two characters, the sensible Chiaki and the kooky Nodame who can’t sit still. It takes a while for the two to warm up to each other, but watching their relationship unfold is the highlight of the series.
4. Sumire and Momo from Tramps Like Us/Kimi Wa Petto
One of my favourite josei manga features this couple which takes a typical relationship dynamic and spins it on its head. Sumire takes in Momo as her ‘pet’ and learns to love his easy-going kindhearted nature over time. The story of their love takes up the entirety of the story, but is interesting from beginning to finish. It really makes you question exactly what conventions can be broken while still having a fulfilling relationship with another person.
3. Shion and Nezumi from No. 6
Who knew I’d include a homosexual couple on this list! But it’s definitely a well-warranted addition. The relationship between them starts when they’re preteens and blossoms into something quite moving bythe time they’ve reached adulthood. Living in a dystopian future
these two still make it work, by being equal partners they fight together in an admirable and emotionally moving way. And you want to fight along with them the whole way through. Their relationship feels real and deep, and I enjoyed the development of it the whole way through the series.
2. Rokka and Atsushi from Natsuyuki Rendezvous
This series is little talked about but I think deserves some attention, especially on this list. The series features one of the most heartbreaking couples in the josei genre. Atsushi dies as a young adult barely married to Rokka, leaving her with a lot of emotional trauma that she has to deal with growing up into an adult. Atsushi continues to look over her, even in the afterlife, and it’s a beautiful take on a tragic story. Their relationship is key to the story as the two of them learn to move on from what once was. I loved how real the scenario felt, and how upsetting it was to think about how fleeting relationships can really be (even in ways we might not realize). For those who love a good drama, this couple is probably one you’d want to check out in Natsuyuki Rendezvous.
1. Yukari and Johji from Paradise Kiss
I had to put this couple as number 1. Mostly because I love this series immensely. Anyone who considers themselves a josei fan and has not watched this series should watch or read it immediately! That aside, this couple is the most dynamic and real of all the others on this list. Their relationship is beyond complicated, (mostly because they’re both still learning to grow up and mature) and so their actions feel dramatic and important because they’re learning to work everything out. Relationships are rarely so black and white, and they’re always stepping stones towards learning more about yourself and what you want out of life. Yukari’s and Johji’s relationship demonstrates this perfectly. If you feel like you haven’t learned enough about love check out this series, it will give you a crash course into the complexities (and the beauty) of real life.
In Japan Christmas is considered a holiday about love, couples and romance, so naturally I hope this list fills you with lovey dovey feelings on a love filled holiday! Whether it be love for your family, or those who are particularly special to you, I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
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