"Romantic Tension" recommendations?

[KateWalker]

Sorry, since I'm a newbie, I'm posting like crazy.

Anyway, I am looking for recommendations for "romantic anime". I just started to get into anime over a year ago, so even though I've seen a lot, I'm still an anime newbie.

For example, I like stories with "romantic tension". Two characters who maybe get on each other's nerves, but fall for each other eventually. Like a female character with a strong personality who falls for another female character. Or a female character that catches the notice of a male character and he's annoyed with her at first, because she's so headstrong, etc, but he eventually falls for her. It doesn't have to be sexual tension (although that doesn't hurt either) but more romantic tension. (I suppose they could be considered kind of the same thing)

I know, silly, but as jaded as I am, I still like a bit of romance in things I watch, and that even includes anime sometimes.

So, thank you in advance for any recommendations.

I just like stories with strong females, whether straight or lesbian, that make someone fall for them, or they fall for someone. I kind of dig that. I just like romantic tension in movies!

 

[Overread]

only anime that I have seen that fits this would be the Ghost in the Shell series - specifically the TV series - Motoko and Batou (SP)
whole series has the strong lead of Motoko (female) and even though her costum is rather risky in the first series its got a mature line, and a gripping storyline

 

[Reading_fanatic]

you could try
Inuyasha (has a love triangle for a long time)
Trinity Blood had some tension there

 

[Thadlerian]

Sometimes, most animé seem to fit your description, KateWalker. "Two characters who maybe get on each other's nerves, but fall for each other eventually." sounds very much like the way romance is usually handled, not only in animé, but in standard fantasy as well. However, there is an annoying tendency for this to be played down as soon as more important plot elements appear.

To be safe, you can try Ranma 1/2, which is available both as animé and manga.

 

[Carmine Boy]

A couple of anime come to mind.

Kare Kano - The two main leads squabble for the first 4 episodes (best part of the whole series). Their interactions were funny and became quite sweet. The moment when the two of them finally were a couple was a very "awwwwww" moment.

Paradise Kiss - The main guy is confident while the main girl is sort of lost and the guy helps her find herself. Somewhat surprisng ending.

 

[KateWalker]

only anime that I have seen that fits this would be the Ghost in the Shell series - specifically the TV series - Motoko and Batou (SP)
whole series has the strong lead of Motoko (female) and even though her costum is rather risky in the first series its got a mature line, and a gripping storyline

I've seen Ghost In The Shell. (the movie) I keep forgetting, it's an ongoing series. I'll have to check it out again.

you could try
Inuyasha (has a love triangle for a long time)
Trinity Blood had some tension there

Thank you!

Sometimes, most animé seem to fit your description, KateWalker. "Two characters who maybe get on each other's nerves, but fall for each other eventually." sounds very much like the way romance is usually handled, not only in animé, but in standard fantasy as well. However, there is an annoying tendency for this to be played down as soon as more important plot elements appear.

To be safe, you can try Ranma 1/2, which is available both as animé and manga.

You know, it's funny. You're right, there's actually quite a bit of romantic tension in a lot of anime, but it tends to not go anywhere, just like you said in so many of them. It gets to a certain point, but then the main story takes over, or the romantic tension just stops, or gets sidetracked. That's one of my only complaints about anime sometimes. Things that get sidetracked! Thank you for the recommendations though.

A couple of anime come to mind.

Kare Kano - The two main leads squabble for the first 4 episodes (best part of the whole series). Their interactions were funny and became quite sweet. The moment when the two of them finally were a couple was a very "awwwwww" moment.

Paradise Kiss - The main guy is confident while the main girl is sort of lost and the guy helps her find herself. Somewhat surprisng ending.

Thank you! I also like a lot of humor in anime, and I like the "squabbling" element with certain characters. That just adds to the tension!

 

[scalem X]

How about the most famous one?

Love Hina. Funny and a bit romantic.

18+
-Shin angel (although some scenes are really adult, the atmosphere is just romantic most of the time)
-There's this one with a girl that can change into a dragon, also really nice, although I've seen only the first part, I think it's a trilogy.

Will add some more, but have to go.

 

[Connavar]

School Rumble is the best IMO.


Very funny and very romantic. High school romance but in a fun way.

 

[scalem X]

oh and peach girl.

 

[KateWalker]

How about the most famous one?

Love Hina. Funny and a bit romantic.

18+
-Shin angel (although some scenes are really adult, the atmosphere is just romantic most of the time)
-There's this one with a girl that can change into a dragon, also really nice, although I've seen only the first part, I think it's a trilogy.

Will add some more, but have to go.

I don't mind if some have a more "adult" element in them. I don't mind nudity and things like that.

School Rumble is the best IMO.


Very funny and very romantic. High school romance but in a fun way.

You know, even at 33, I still enjoy stories about high school romance. Brings back memories!




Thanks guys!

 

[KateWalker]

I'll give an example of a series I saw recently that was not only a good sci-fi story, but had characters I loved.

Burst Angel. Loved the "implied" lesbian relationship between Jo and Meg, along with the goofy girlie snarkiness between them. Loved Amy too. I love that girlie sarcasm in so many anime stories.

Another one was Witch Hunter Robin. Although I was very disappointed to never see that relationship actually come to anything more then just the two of them "disappearing" at the end of the movie series. Even though Robin was kind of submissive in her personality, it was fun to see her "fluster" Amon.

Heh. I love that. Makes me wish I was 16 again and back in high school when you first discover "romantic tension" and boys.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

I'll give an example of a series I saw recently that was not only a good sci-fi story, but had characters I loved.

Burst Angel. Loved the "implied" lesbian relationship between Jo and Meg, along with the goofy girlie snarkiness between them. Loved Amy too. I love that girlie sarcasm in so many anime stories.

Another one was Witch Hunter Robin. Although I was very disappointed to never see that relationship actually come to anything more then just the two of them "disappearing" at the end of the movie series. Even though Robin was kind of submissive in her personality, it was fun to see her "fluster" Amon.

Heh. I love that. Makes me wish I was 16 again and back in high school when you first discover "romantic tension" and boys.

Not sure if I should actually recommend this, seeing as how it's rather, um....on the hard side, but the Bible Black series-assuming you can sit through the thing-has characters Imari and Minase who're just like that...or would've been. It has a bit of a fantasy/horror meld to it, since it deals with a witchcraft club, but it would be labeled as "hentai" so if you don't care for that sort of thing, forget about it.

 

[scalem X]

Mm Bible Black, well I guess there's some romantic tension here and there in between the sex and violence.

series like: onegai teacher

To be honest I haven't seen that much anime. But on this site (100% legal), you can search some of the donloads and look for the once with romance in the description.

 

[KateWalker]

Not sure if I should actually recommend this, seeing as how it's rather, um....on the hard side, but the Bible Black series-assuming you can sit through the thing-has characters Imari and Minase who're just like that...or would've been. It has a bit of a fantasy/horror meld to it, since it deals with a witchcraft club, but it would be labeled as "hentai" so if you don't care for that sort of thing, forget about it.

I've heard of Bible Black. I'm familiar with hentai. I've been thinking of checking it out. (for the story of course )

 

[KateWalker]

Mm Bible Black, well I guess there's some romantic tension here and there in between the sex and violence.

series like: onegai teacher

To be honest I haven't seen that much anime. But on this site (100% legal), you can search some of the donloads and look for the once with romance in the description.

Thanks!


My brother buys bootlegs actually. (I got into anime by watching his collection) It's the only way he can afford to buy a series new. They're so expensive otherwise.

 

[Bibliophile]

Check out Zero No Tsukaima. Very strong female, romantic tension, and sometimes quite funny. I was pleasantly surprised with this one.

 

[Iqeret]

Well, for sheer shoujo fluff, I'd say Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers). In cyberpunk, Armitage III might work. Hmm... Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is a possibility, but the tension is pretty background. (The first VHD is also good, but the female lead doesn't come across as strong as Leyla does in Bloodlust.)

 

[McMurphy]

I recommend Escaflowne. The series is absolutely loaded with romantic tension. Mind you, I said the series. There is a film version, but, while the animation is top notch, a certain amount of the charm of the characters and their relationships with each other is lost.

The series is also rather short in comparison to most other animes, so it becomes easy on the pocketbook if you are interested in buying it, and it is easier to rent the entire collection at your local video store.

 

[tyr]

scalem x, you mentioned Onegai Teacher. If you like it, you might try the sequel: Onegai Twins. Both animes have the same themes: romance and science fiction.
... Or have you watch Onegai Twins? My bad...

Anyway...
My personal favorite is The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. A romantic comedy with only 14 episodes. This anime has unusual storytelling (for anime).

 

[scalem X]

well tyr, I'd love to check it out, but you know I need time! Maybe I should get a girlfriend who loves anime, then I can spend time with her while watching anime. Time spent twice as well.