Platonic "Annie Hall" Love in Anime; DOES IT EVEN EXIST!?

[Ronin Aquila]

Silly, is it not, that the first girl you meet in an anime series is THE girl that you are destined to end up with.

True, first love may be sweet. However, as shown in the Woody Allen classic "Annie Hall", love more often than not is traumatic and fails 9 out of 10.

However, it does not mean it is not worth it. The process of love itself is often more memorable, tender and rewarding than the ending itself. And even if it does not result in a successful consumation of two lovers, the friendships that frequently result from the bonding process is often stronger and far more precious than any romantic relationship can ever be.

Such a pity relationships in anime do not often result in an "Annie Hall" ending of close friendship. With few exceptions, hard feelings of resentment and bitterness is the usual result of a failed Anime relationship, with the exception between Tenkawa Akito and Megumi of Nadessico.

Is there ANY other anime out there that have pure platonic and yet still tender and caring relationships between two characters of the opposite genders?

[mrgazpacho]

Fio and Marco in "Porco Rosso" - but then again, he already had Gina, and was about 30 years older than Fio.

Lupin and Clarisse in "Castle Of Cagliostro" - similar comparisons, with Fujiko instead of Gina.

Half the Patlabor team :)

I haven't seen the Eva movies - did Hikari ever come back? She was so sweet...

[Ronin Aquila]

Unfortunately, the directors were so preoccupied with focusing on the anihilation of the human race that they relegated her presence to non existence, and our favourite "girl next door" presumably is also anihilated into primordial soup with the rest of the homo sapiens population.

And damn, judging from the short list of platonic relationships that have shown up so far, it is obvious that Anime Directors out there have never heard the song "How can we be lovers if we can't be friends."

[mrgazpacho]

Oh and also...

In "Wings Of Honneamise" Shiro tried to take it further, and copped an ornament on the back of his head for his troubles... :lol:

But there were no hard feelings!

[kusinagi-kun]

Originally posted by mrgazpacho

In "Wings Of Honneamise" Shiro tried to take it further, and copped an ornament on the back of his head for his troubles... :lol:

But there were no hard feelings!



amazingly.

also in the 'platonic' category,

Asuka / Shinji (*though that may be an illusion of Asuka fan-boys*)

Hiroshi / Artificial Marie (Metal Angel Marie)

Dr Clay / Washuu (Tenchi OVA)

Tenchi / Tenchi's Mom (Tenchi Movie 1)

Sugeshita / Takeyuchi (Blue Seed)

[Dryden-san]

I'm not entirely sure about this, but what about Miaka and Hotohori? I know they came close at least once, but it wouldn't seem to count. They never follow through, and it was just because Miaka was in one of her "Oh, I can never be with Tamahome, what shall I do?" moods. You don't have to like Miaka, but Hotohori is awesome.

And I'm not getting into the details of Asuka and Shinji's relationship. Even though I think they end up together in the end, it seems to happen out of sheer desperation as much as anything else. There certainly wasn't any friendship beforehand.

[Asuza_chan]

What about Shinji and Misato? Thatcounts I think, I mean, he's a horny kid, but he never really tried to get with her, and she's kinda slutty but she never really made a move on him unles... *SPOILERS*














you count that kiss in the last movie, but I don;t think that counts, cuz she was about to die.

[Ronin Aquila]

Sad, is it not, that as indicated by Mr Kusanagis list, that platonic relationships can almost never exist with two people of a close age gap? Damn, the film "When Harry Met Sally" must have influenced anime BAD!!

[mrgazpacho]

Also - Ninja Scroll.

[Ronin Aquila]

You do mean Kibagami Jubei and Kagero of the said anime, don't you, mrgazpacho

By the way, VERY kawaii Rei icon there!!

[mrgazpacho]

Yeah - if she didn't die, I reckon they woulda gone on forever without even kissing...

Rei is cute - although in a way, Hikari is "nicer" - maybe 'cos she's more human...

[Ronin Aquila]

Well, Hikari is more of an "intelligent, self righteous, overacieving spunk" with a truckload of charm and charisma, like Ryuzaku Umi of "Magic Knights Rayearth."

Rei, however, is the graceful, dignified and elegant lady of Evangelion.

[mrgazpacho]

Another "non-couple": Kusinagi and partner Bateau from GitS.