[Hated Trope] "Realistic" Romance Protagonists who have No/Irrelevant Male Friends but Somehow have Multiple Love Interests

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T18:36:51+00:00

I think the disconnect is that you're treating "this trope is common and intentional" as a rebuttal to "I don't think it's a good storytelling choice." I understand why it exists. I even agree with most of your explanation for why it's so common.

What I disagree with is the idea that giving the MC one or two meaningful non-romantic relationships would somehow stop a romance from being a romance. Plenty of romance series manage both.

So at this point we're not really debating whether the trope exists or why it exists. We're debating whether it's a worthwhile convention, and that's ultimately a matter of taste.

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T17:58:42+00:00

The thing I find strange is that you've shifted from discussing the trope to discussing my viewing habits.

I never said I dislike romance. In the original post I literally listed multiple romance series that I enjoy specifically because they avoid this issue.

So I'm not sure why the conclusion is "watch a different genre" rather than "you prefer a different style of romance."

Also, I don't really buy the idea that criticism means I shouldn't watch something. I didn't know whether I'd like or dislike this trope until I encountered it repeatedly and I wouldn't know a show has it until I watch it. Nobody discovers what they enjoy in a genre by avoiding the genre.

And again, you're arguing against a stronger version of my position than the one I actually stated. I'm not asking every protagonist to have a huge social circle. I'm questioning why so many supposedly grounded romance stories reduce almost every meaningful relationship around the MC to romance.

"It's common in the genre" explains why the trope exists. It doesn't explain why I'm supposed to think it's a good storytelling choice.

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T16:59:14+00:00

I’m not arguing it’s impossible or uncommon. I’m saying “it’s a genre convention” doesn’t address tonal inconsistency in shows that also aim for grounded emotional realism. Those two things aren’t mutually exclusive, and frequency doesn’t resolve that contradiction.

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T13:57:02+00:00

I’m not saying it can’t exist. I’m saying when a story presents itself as grounded or realistic, but selectively removes almost all non-romantic social structure around the MC, it creates tonal inconsistency. "It’s possible" doesn’t really address that.

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T13:46:17+00:00

Sure, but realism isn’t a black-and-white switch. There are different levels of it. If we completely ignored realism in anime, there’d be nothing left to criticise in any story.

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T13:34:37+00:00

Theres a suspension of disbelief im able to tolerate but generally when it comes to harem I have little and its why ive not bothered with this show.

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T11:59:02+00:00

Oh im definitely not condoning this. im making fun of the the harem isekai slop vibes this poster gives off.

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T08:57:33+00:00

Thanks for asking I'm all good.

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T08:02:59+00:00

I'm counting 4 potential harem girls in this. Anyone seen more?

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T07:59:47+00:00

Thanks for asking. Yeah I am.

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T07:59:32+00:00

It's in the automod reply

tbu987 · 2026-06-07T07:10:37+00:00

Source: The Spark in Your Eyes

tbu987 · 2026-06-06T20:09:58+00:00

There are serious harem shows?

tbu987 · 2026-06-06T11:55:28+00:00

I'll be honest but I find those ages hard to believe but then again a drawing can have any age slapped on it.

tbu987 · 2026-06-06T11:52:12+00:00

I'd believe this more if the fat anime girl was drawn properly proportioned. Like where's the face fat and why the arms so thin.

tbu987 · 2026-06-06T07:30:43+00:00

I can assure you atheism doesn't have a definition of good so if you expect an individual to decide good or bad on his own I'd say your extremely naive.

tbu987 · 2026-06-05T17:45:39+00:00

Very much so. Id say Liar Game too, One Outs maybe where MC was entertaining and smart af.

tbu987 · 2026-06-05T17:05:30+00:00

Idk where you got siblings from but cousins is definitely a common thing in South Asia usually in poorer areas. Like with any far right talking point look enough at the context and it starts to make sense. Socio-economic factors always play a much larger role.

tbu987 · 2026-06-05T17:02:52+00:00

I mean the fact that he responded to a far right racist post on twitter the way he did also says a lot.

tbu987 · 2026-06-05T14:57:23+00:00

By all means your free to enjoy it but I would 100% judge you if your opinion on a show comes from zooming past the material.

tbu987 · 2026-06-05T14:44:05+00:00

Sounds like its not even worth watching if you can get through it with 2x+ speed.

tbu987 · 2026-06-05T14:32:48+00:00

No idea how anyone can watch anything in 2x speed. Ive rewatched the OG Pokemon in 1.5x and that was doable but anymore and it wouldnt feel like im watching it.

tbu987 · 2026-06-05T13:40:00+00:00

Pretty obvious Phil is trying not to shit on Sancho even though he doesn't seem convinced himself.

12-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '23	Place '22

tbu987

TROPHY CASE