Fusion post: Top 5 Anime/Manga Couples

Hey there audience! 

In the spirit of ol' Saint Valentine (you know, the guy who was beheaded in Rome for marrying lovers in secret in opposition to the tyrannical rule of Emperor Claudius the Cruel?) Alice and I have gotten together to present our own personal Top 5 Anime/Manga Couples!

Now, Alice brought up a pretty good point when we were talking about the idea, we are guys and girls. In fact, I even think that it is safe to say that about 92% of all anime watchers on this planet are boys and girls.

So, not only will our lists and opinions differ semi-radically but the way that our readers will be looking at this lists might also play into this here... We will just have to see!

If we haven't included any of your favorites, we likely have not seen the anime that the couple is featured in. So we apologize in advance for that! 

We had hoped to post this on Valentines Day, but because science beckoned and we got into our writing/perfectionist modes, we came a bit late.

So without further adeu, we dive into the world of the animangaverse to ask the question "What is love?" and to ultimately decide from our viewing/reading experiences who plays that game the best.

Here are your countdowns offered by your very own dynamic duo: Alice and AvatarHippo!

We both hope you enjoy!

Skip Beat: Bits and Pieces of Tsuruga's Past

I've finally reached a high point in Skip Beat! We've seen some character growth from Kyoko and all the other characters, but one character in particular, Tsuruga Ren, has been given an incredibly obscure profile.
We don't know the full story behind the reason he became "Ren" and dropped his birth name (and personality) as "Koun". But after the "Heel siblings" arc, we start to learn more and more about Tsuruga's past as Koun, and why he tries so hard to protect the dark memories beneath it.

What did Ren do?

Skip Beat Chapter 149: The Wake After the Kiss

So incase you guys haven't hear, Kyoko lost her first kiss to Shoutaro...Shou of all people!! That poor child.
But after the big kiss scene, Ren reassured her that your first kiss isn't a kiss until you're feelings are put into it. He also shared a hilarious story about his first "kiss" after an accidental collision with a middle aged man.

aahaha...aahhhh. Poor Ren-kun :(

However, Kyoko being Kyoko keeps loosing her head over every little thing that reminds her of Sho. And trust me, that's a lot of things. But what Ren does to take her mind off him was....nnneeehhmmeehh  (that was fan girl speak for ya)

My face when I read this chapter

Peach Girl Episode 25: Momo's Final Decision

Episode 24 left off with Momo's shocking decision to stay with Toji. In episode 25, the two decide to go on a "short day trip" before they have to start worrying about college. Before the trip, Sae comes to Momo's house and tells her about Okayasu's (Kiari) trip to Shiranami the time he was late to their meeting. This, and a talk with Misao, makes Momo reconsider her actions. During her date with Toji, all she can think about is Okayasu.

Okayasu, on the other hand, goes with Sae to Shiranami in order to "throw out" his feelings for Momo. In his emotional moment, he loses the phone case that Momo made him. Sae, either worried about Okayasu or trying to play games with Momo, sends Momo a message from Okayasu's phone implying that he's at Shiranami about to commit suicide. Realizing that she may never see Okayasu again, Momo finally admits that she loves Okayasu more than Toji, and goes to Shiranami during a typhoon (much like Okayasu's previous trip). There, she finds Okayasu clutching on to her case, drowning because of the huge waves. The two kiss and get back together at the same beach they met. How romantic!

In all honesty, I was never really a fan of Toji. I thought that Okayasu and Momo had more of an emotional connection, where both of them were able to wait for each other's love. I'm incredibly happy about the ending (I was worried that Okayasu would be left alone for a minute there!). At first, especially when reading the description, I thought that this anime was going to be terrible. I mean, the way the described it on animefreak.com? "a girl who has tanned skin and looks like a playgirl..." it just seemed boring....but boy! I was sooo wrong. There was more drama in this than some bad telenova!  Here's a couple of screen shots from the last episode ^_^ :

Peach Girl: Toji vs Kairi- Who Do You Like More?

So, at first this love triangle seemed pretty predictable to me. Momo would have her turn with Toji, figure out that he was different from what her junior high self perceived him to be, and she would go to Kairi. However, that's not how it happened. Like I explained in my last post, Toji and Momo broke up because Toji was trying to protect Momo's reputation. Here's the sequence of events following this twist:

1. Momo and Kairi started dating
2. The two fell in love and Momo forgot about Toji
3. Sae fell in love with Kairi's evil older brother (the boy version of Sae)
4. Momo found out that Kairi's number one love was the school nurse, Misao.
5. The two break up, but get back together. Momo expresses her love to him, saying she'd wait as long as possible until he makes up his mind.
6. Sae starts dating Kairi's brother, almost gets raped by porn people, and repents.
7. Toji gets rejected by Misao and leaves Momo to "walk," promising to meet her at the station by noon if he chooses to stay with her. If he's late by five minutes, she'll give up.
8. Toji becomes Momo's co-worker thanks to Sae, and she learns the truth about why they broke up.
9. Toji learns that Momo is his one true love, but as always, shit happens and he ends up late.
10. Momo goes off to the beach and Toji followers her for emotional support.
11. Those two get back together and a hurt, exhausted Kairi who followed Momo all the out to where ever the hell she was in the middle of a typhoon realizes how selfish and stupid he has been.

So, now that we've been caught up...Who do you think Momo will choose? 

You know, I used to be an Okayasu (Kairi) fan, but I really don't know anymore. Toji went through so much pain and suffering for Momo's sake. I can't imagine what he must have been feeling. It's hard being the one broken up with, but it's even harder being the breakerup-er and still being in love with the person. Hurting someone you love is more hurtful than being hurt.

The two make a good memory in a place with so many bad ones...Kairi

But, Kairi really is a sweet guy. And he was there for Momo in her toughest times, and I think that Momo actually loves Kairi more than Toji. However, he's such...and idiot! He kept telling Momo to wait, and wait. He even kissed Misao! I mean dude, is she really so special that you'd ignore a girl who'd put up with not being your number one love? Gah!

Their first kiss <3

I'm so confused!! Fact wise, Kairi has always been there for Momo and they seem to have a more emotional bond than Momo and Toji...but Toji hurt himself to protect Momo, and I find that incredibly caring and heroic. I wanna know what happens so bad!!! I guess I'll just have to wait and see :)

Fruits Basket: Bittersweet Yet Mostly Bitter Kiss

Yes!!!! The day has finally come! Tohru and Kyo finally kissed! But...it wasn't much of a victorious kiss. It was an incredibly heart touching, sad moment for the two of them. I deem this the best climax I've ever read. Here's the story of what happened...in picture style:

Tohru forgived Kyo for "killing" her mother, even saying that she disagreed with her mother not forgiving Kyo before she died. What did Kyo do? He said "you're disillusioned" and ran away...asshole -_-

Akito meets up with a crying Tohru, telling her how hurt and jealous she is of her. How everyone is now siding with Tohru and breaking the bond with Akito. Having just broken the bond with her mother, Tohru tells Akito the truth about bonds: that they don't last. However, she does say that there is still time to create new bonds and start over. So she reaches out her hand and says, "Let's be friends"

Ok, this part got me confused at first. I thought Tohru falling off the cliff was just a metaphor or delusion in Akito's mind, but people...that shit went down. Akito freaks out, having lost her first and only friend. Yuki finds Tohru first, on the floor bleeding, and Kyo follows.

Kyo says the sweetest things. Seeing Tohru laying in a pool of blood, he gets flashbacks of Kyoko. He breaks down, begging her not to leave. Not to give up. That even though she'll make mistakes, and mess up, that she still has to live. He needs her, and can't bear seeing her like this.

Tohru wakes up, begging Kyo now, to stop worrying. That she's alright, that it's ok. Kyo stops her, and then they kiss, both of them crying. 

I love this manga so much. It's the most heartwarming, heartwrenching, tear jerking manga I have ever read. I will admit it: I cried like a little baby in these few chapters.  This includes: *Chapters 120-123*

Akito is a Woman?: The Twisted Love Triangle

Akito, the evil little demon child of the Sohma household. Akito, the possessive child that rules the junishi. I've always wondered why he was so mean towards the women of the 12 zodiac. But now I understand...It's because he, himself, is a woman!

In chapter 97 we finally learn the reason why Kureno didn't want to see Arisa again. We not only learned that he was freed by the cruse, but that it was his choice to stay with Akito. Apparently, the fact that Kureno left the junishi affected her greatly. She then became incredibly possessive of Kureno. Since Kureno can't stand to see her cry, he puts his feelings for Arisa aside in order to not hurt Akito. Kureno seems to be sort of like Tohru, huh?
Apparently, Shigure used to be Akito's favorite, and he was deeply in love with her. In chapter 100 Shigure and Akito confront each other, and Akito explains that he kicked Shigure out because he slept with her mother, Ren. Due to Akito and Ren's bad relationship and hatred for each other, Shigure knew that doing that would force Akito to throw him out. However, instead of wanting to be thrown out because he wanted freedom, we learn that Shigure did it because he loved Akito. Since Akito slep with Kureno, Shigure felt betrayed and unloved by Akito. Once Akito learned his true reasons for sleeping with her mother, the two make up. Shigure tells her that he loves her, and the two end up sleeping together at the end of the chapter.
I find this all rather disturbing.

Pikachu's Love

You know, I feel like people have forgotten Pikachu's true love...Ketchup!! Does no one else remember the episode of that ghost town? I think it was called "Showdown at Dark City" or Ghost city or something. But when his ketchup bottle got slashed! Hahaha pikachu's face was so sad :(! That was their first encounter. Kawaii!!!

Is This Love?

Is this love, is this love, is this love, that they're feeling?? Muahaha! The cat and mouse finally have something in common. And what is that? They've finally admitted that they love Tohru!! (Though Kyo said it more straightforward)

Yuki's Moment

After an encounter with Akito at the Sohma's beach house, a shaken Yuki takes a walk to sort out his thoughts. He then meets Tohru, who was searching worriedly for the others (who had gone to visit Akito in the guest house). The two share the sight of a shooting star, while Yuki tells Tohru what he's been feeling. He says that he knows exactly what will happen when he opens the "tightly closed lid"( I still am not sure what he's refering to here, but I think it has to do something with his past with Akito). He finally tells Tohru that he was the young boy who help Tohru when she was a little girl, explaining the mystery of the baseball hat. The fact that Tohru was the first person to need him, made Yuki realize how important she was to him. Yuki and Tohru share a heartfelt moment under the stars. Yuki kisses her forehead, and whispers soft words to her. Yet, behind the love, we still feel Yuki's pain, and Tohru's worry.

"You're just like the sky above...touching my heart with bittersweet sadness
...and yet, so dear and precious to me"

Kyo's Moment

Okay, so I'm gonna stop hiding this from you guys - I'm a total Kyo fan. He's just so...gaahh. And he and Tohru seem perfect for each other! Now, to the recap. Akito calls Kyo to his room, where we learn of Kyo's unfortunate future. If he doesn't "beat" Yuki before the end of his highschool career, he will be imprisoned and face the same fate as his Shishou's grandfather (past cat spirit). 

Akito throws insult after insult towards Kyo, saying that he was a monster, that he killed his mother, that he didn't deserve to love or be loved. However, it's when he calls Tohru a monster that Kyo snaps. He shouts at Akito, telling him how scared Tohru was of his true form. But, dispite her fear, she kept holding his hand* and accepted him and his true form. If she had let go, he would definitely have ran away from everyone. That's when he recalls Momiji's story of the foolish traveler and, with teary eyes, he thinks to himself..."How is it, that I love her so much?" 

"Had it been too unbearable not to love you?"

My eyes began tearing up since chapter 59 (Yuki's moment), but chapter 62 and 63 pushed me over the edge. Poor Kyo- He's the "monster" of the family. A boy who has been bashed and blamed for the death of his mother. A boy who has no future to dream of, whose fate is to be confined in a dark room. The thought that Tohru opened his heart into believing that he can love, and the selflessness he shows towards her just breaks my heart...in such a happy way. Is that even possible?
*Note: In the manga, Yuki was not with them, and Tohru and Akito did not encounter each other in this chapter (unlike the anime).

Favorite Pokemon Ships (short for relationships)

Ash Ketchum was my first crush. I mean, what six year old little girl wouldn't fall in love him and Pikachu? Pokemon has been in my heart since I was a little kid, but only now have I realized the love written between the lines of this story. However, the sad reality of it all is that the pairings we desperately want to see, will never happen. But who says a girl can't dream? Here's my list of favorite Pokemon couples:
1. PokeShipping (AshxMisty): It's the first Ash ship ever. I find these two to be perfectally suited for each other. Though they fight, we all know that they deeply care for each other. Misty is my favorite pokegirl, and her strong personality matches Ash's stubbornness.

ContestShipping (DrewxMay): I'm not as into this ship as pokeshipping, but it does kinda remind me of Special A. They are constantly competing against each other, and that competition created a bond that no one else had with her. They went through losses and wins together, supporting each other, and that strengthened their relationship.

IkariShipping (PaulxDawn): I have no reason or proof why this ship would work. I just think that those two look really cute together. And who knows? Maybe Dawn's carefree attitude will loosen Paul up a bit.

Shugo Chara Love: Amuto

Just by watching the first episode of Shugo Chara, I knew that this ship would eventually happen. I mean, the whole anime is pretty Sailor Moon-esque. Amu is Sailor Moon and Ikuto is Tuxedo Mask. It even has the phedophile thing goin on too. But, I sadly admit that I am a total fan of this relationship. I mean, Ikuto is a sexy beast! Compared Tadase (who could easily be mistaken for a girl), he just seems right for Amu. He's more real, he's more mature, and his story is so touching, that there's no way he couldn't be with her. Everyone roots for the underdog, right? Not only that, he's the "I don't want to hurt others so I isolate and emotionally harm myself for their benefit" type. My past anime experiences have told me that the guys like this always get the girl.

Think this is a perverted kiss on the lips? Nope! That was a kiss on the cheek!

However, aside from anime protocall, I just think he's right for her. Compared to Tadase, I believe that he truly loves her. From the beginning he saw past her outer characters to the true Amu, whereas Tadase was first in love with Amulet Heart. Ikuto's feelings were pure. He wasn't being superficial (Amu is 5 years younger than him), and always set his boundaries when it came to their love. In the manga, he says that he loves her, and that he would wait until she was older. The fact that a 17 year old, hormone-crazy kid would wait for a 12 year old to grow up speaks wonders to me. Though he did do some pretty sexual things to her, he never actually did anything overly perverted. Every kiss he gave her was in places other than the lips. I think he did this to preserve the innocence in her that he loves so much. He knows that she still needs to grow up and experience those things when she's ready, and he's willing to wait for that time to come. In the Shugo Chara! Encore! manga, Amu finally admits that she loved Tadase for his outer character, but loved Ikuto for who he really was.