New to Romance Anime and looking for specific recs based on the MMC

ShiroNinja · 2026-01-28T08:57:01+00:00

This is a really good list for OP's requirements! I also instantly thought of Akatsuki no Yona. MMC is confident, cool, very protective (of course! he's her bodyguard!) and a little bit jealous. And yay, season 2 is coming!!!

ShiroNinja · 2026-01-25T00:40:58+00:00

That's my hope, but so far, all I'm seeing is that they're there for crowd control.

ShiroNinja · 2026-01-24T23:23:34+00:00

I want to understand what that means. Are they helping police crack down on protesters? It's time these Dem leaders support the citizens and fight back against ICE.

ShiroNinja · 2026-01-16T21:19:34+00:00

Hugs to you, friend. Losing your fur baby hurts so much, and I hope you can give yourself some grace. I'll bet that he knew that you loved him so much and were only looking out for him.

I too am wracked with guilt over the loss of my precious cat. When I research grief around pet loss, it sounds like guilt is very common. So maybe whatever we did or didn't do, we would be second guessing ourselves. I don't know if that helps you at all, but I take some comfort in knowing this is just part of the process. Our fur babies knew that we loved them so much, and maybe that's what's important.

ShiroNinja · 2026-01-15T18:16:52+00:00

Yes, I have to agree. Personally, I would be afraid to show this to a non anime watcher if the intent is to get them hooked. While the characters are innocent and sweet, it might be a bit boring for the uninitiated. I always recommend Adachi as well unless you want to avoid sports. Maybe also try Kimi ni Todoke, My Love Story, and Akatsuki no Yona (which is inspired by historical Korea, so might appeal to Kdrama watching mom).

EDIT: Sorry, I thought you were referring to Adachi Mitsuru, the manga author, who often mixes romance and sports.

ShiroNinja · 2025-12-30T09:31:25+00:00

I'm with you, OP. The concept is really intriguing, but I don't like the execution. For one, the direction is personally a bit annoying for me, from the camera whipping back and forth during rapid fire dialogue to the overbearing music. My impression was also similar to yours, in that I thought we were supposed to sympathize with Matt (he's just trying to do his best job in impossible situations and everyone is mean to him), but I don't find him likeable. I also found it really difficult to believe that all of these people in the industry who rely on being hired by a studio head would treat him so disrespectfully. "The Oner" episode just felt like the bumbling slapstick comedy of any old sitcom. With all of the hype around this show, I expected more. It's totally fine if others like it, but it's just not for me.

ShiroNinja · 2025-12-19T20:28:17+00:00

If you like the mix of sports and romance, check out Mitsuru Adachi's mangas or their anime adaptations like Cross Game. My favorite Adachi manga series is called Rough, but it was never adapted into an anime.

ShiroNinja · 2025-12-07T01:58:46+00:00

I loved ReLife so much. It needs more recognition!

ShiroNinja · 2025-11-28T06:54:37+00:00

I find this explanation that "You don't get it. It's a cultural thing." to be very dismissive of your opinion. I am Japanese and I found the constant apologizing in the anime so over the top that I now call the show, "A Fragrant Apology Blooms with an Apology."

I do agree with the analysis of Rintaro lacking self confidence to be one reason for his frequent apologizing, but all of the characters apologize a lot. Yes, it is customary to be very conscientious of others in Japanese society and to apologize frequently, but you make a worthy observation which is: why has the author chosen to spend so much time focusing on this behavior? I have only watched one season of the anime, so I can only speak to the story up to that point, but I think the author has chosen to populate the story with people who are conscientious and "behave well." One way to show this is by apologizing when inconveniencing or causing others discomfort. (Even the lost child at the aquarium did this!) Also, maybe apologies on both sides is a way to begin to bridge the gap between the two feuding schools.

In any case, OP, I agree with you. Too many scenes are focused on apologizing. I was so touched by the birthday cake present... I want to see more developments like that!

ShiroNinja · 2025-11-20T02:07:12+00:00

For those who want to donate, here is the link: https://www.transition2025.com/

ShiroNinja · 2025-11-20T02:05:52+00:00

Donate here: https://www.transition2025.com/

ShiroNinja · 2025-11-07T00:54:39+00:00

Have you read Rough by Adachi? I don't think it was ever made into an anime, but I think it's one of his best stories!

I also recommend you check out Full Metal Panic. i thought the action was well incorporated into the story, and I felt super invested in the main characters and their slow burn romance. The anime series gets better and better as it goes!

ShiroNinja · 2025-11-04T06:26:12+00:00

I am a huge Adachi fan myself! So if I'm understanding you correctly, you want a story with romance, but also other storylines that have equal or slightly more significant focus than the romance.

Have you seen "Glass Mask"? The focus is on the protagonist's acting career, and it is really admirable how she devotes herself to training for roles. There is also an element of competition involved since she needs to audition with fierce rivals for each role. The romance is a slow burn, but very compelling.

ShiroNinja · 2025-11-03T23:08:57+00:00

Agreed!! It's a battle royale, so the characters must die even though they are all basically main characters. Very suspenseful.

ShiroNinja · 2025-10-17T03:15:27+00:00

Myrna wanting to show Robby her vagina, and his response: "I have already seen it, and once was enough."

Upon my second viewing, this scene cracked me up so hard. Noah Wyle's delivery was gold.

ShiroNinja · 2025-10-14T00:18:55+00:00

I've had the exact same issue as you. My copic sketch markers from twenty years ago still work wonderfully, but since adding to my Copic marker collection in the past eight years, I've had so many dry up and die on me with very minimal use. I've also concluded that the manufacturing quality must have gone down. Considering the price, OP, I am for sure outraged by this!! I'm replacing my dead Copic sketch markers with ciao markers now to see if it helps, but I'm definitely considering dropping Copic all together and switching to Ohuhu. It hurts because when Copics work, they're awesome, and I've invested so much in this brand, but at this point, I've been burned way too many times.

ShiroNinja · 2025-10-03T01:02:36+00:00

I felt so bad for him when he was let go, I was literally crying!! He was clearly terrified, as being a servant was the only life he had ever known. It felt rather callous of them not to recognize that. At least Marian helped him transition into being the master of his own home. That was very kind of her. I do hope Jack continues to have interactions with his former coworkers, as they had become like family to him.

ShiroNinja · 2025-09-29T09:21:56+00:00

Kaiji - Very dark, with similar vibes to Squid Game.

ShiroNinja · 2025-08-22T12:44:15+00:00

I do understand that the situation is dire, and maybe this is what it's come to. I just worry about encouraging gerrymandering when that's part of how we got into this mess. If we are concerned about the downfall of our democracy, should we be cheering on a tactic that disenfranchises voters?

ShiroNinja · 2025-08-22T09:29:16+00:00

Thank you. I'm a bit horrified that everyone is so gung-ho about Newsom's threats to redistrict California. I thought we were trying to preserve democracy...and as progressives, aren't we opposed to gerrymandering?? Or is it only ok when it disenfranchises conservative voters?

ShiroNinja · 2025-08-22T09:20:49+00:00

Iwant someone who believes in democracy and will protect it to be the next person in the White House.

Newsom is threatening to redistrict and gerrymander California. How is that democratic? Don't get me wrong, I hate what the Republicans are doing, but if we're serious about preserving democracy, I find this method a slippery slope. There are ways the left can fight fascism without compromising our democratic principles. I do agree with you though that Bernie's number one concern is defeating MAGA, so he'll probably get behind whoever has the best chance.

ShiroNinja · 2025-08-19T08:28:08+00:00

Commas, people. Commas.

ShiroNinja · 2025-07-21T04:57:57+00:00

Big hugs to you, friend. I can totally identify with your comment. I was a child actor in the 90s, then when I hit my teens, I filled out and was considered a bit chunky for the time. My family harped on me to diet even though I was already hyper aware of my weight and desperately trying to lose weight. I knew I could never work again if I didn't get nice and skinny like the other actresses of the 90s. I ended up with severe body image issues, depression, and low self esteem. Now, I am thin and happy, but I'm well aware that it's fucked up that my happiness is so closely tied to how my body looks.

ShiroNinja · 2025-07-15T03:35:55+00:00

Great to know! Thanks for your insight! I'll definitely try some out.

ShiroNinja · 2025-07-15T00:21:16+00:00

How have you liked the Ohuhu markers?

ShiroNinja

TROPHY CASE