Love in anime is the thing that dreams are made of. Anime delves deep into emotional storytelling, delivering heartwarming stories of young love and soulmates, regardless of their background, orientation, or gender. Anime tells beautiful, slow-burning stories that often focus on emotional maturity and connection while still placing a spotlight on attraction and infatuation.
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However, not all love stories end in happiness. Often, anime deal with unrequited love and tell stories of toxic relationships that are unbalanced, leaving one carrying the weight of both sides. One-sided relationships are very common in anime and make for entertaining, albeit tragic stories. Here are some of the most one-sided romances in anime.
Miroku And Songo
The Love That Stood On Shaky Foundations
One of the most hilarious couples in Inuyasha is the complex chemistry between Sango and Miroku. Songo, the lone survivor of a clan of deme hunters, becomes entangled with a lecherous monk with a black hole in his hand. As the two begin to journey together, Miroku constantly makes advances on Songo, wishing for them to be married and have children.
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The issue arises because of Miroku's possible short lifespan. Miroku makes advances on every beautiful woman he meets, which pushes Songo away. Throughout the series, Songo constantly keeps Miroku in check and fends off his lecherous ways.
Inuyasha
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2000 - 2004-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Creator
- Rumiko Takahashi
- Number of Episodes
- 193
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Tubi
Yasu And Nana - NANA
An Unrequited Love Eclipsed By Something Stronger
The relationship between Nana and Yasu is one of the most lamentable relationships in the series, even among the many toxic relationships on display. Yasu serves as the drummer for Nana Osaki's band, the Black Stones, and is depicted as the dependable and mature brother figure in her life. Unfortunately, Yasu and Nana's history is muddled with unresolved emotions, an intimate connection, and an unhealthy dependence on one another. While Nana dated Ren, Yasu suppressed his feelings for her, wanting her to be happy. But as Nana and Ren had their ups and downs, she constantly retreated back to the safety and trust of Yasu, placing him in a torturous position.
- Release Date
- 2006 - 2007
Cast
-
Rebecca Shoichet -
Kelly Sheridan
-
Matthew Erickson
-
David A. Kaye
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Creator
- Ai Yazawa
- Number of Episodes
- 47
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, HIDIVE
Sajou And Aika - The Dreaming Boy Is A Realist
A Young Crush With No Traction
The Premise of The Dreaming Boy is a Realist revolves around Wataru Sajou, a young high school boy who is head-over-heels for Aika Natsukawa. He can always be found following her around, audaciously flirting with her, and invading her personal space. While Wataru feels strongly for Aika, she has a much more volatile reaction to his affection. Growing more and more tired of his company by the second, Aika turns Wataru down at every turn. Nonetheless, Wataru would follow Aika to the ends of the Earth for a chance at her heart, even if there's no hope for their future.
- Studio: Studio Gokumi, AXsiZ
- Number of Episodes: 12
Escanor And Merlin - The Seven Deadly Sins
The Strongest Can Not Overcome The Matters Of The Heart
Escanor is one of the strongest members of the seven deadly sins, known as the lion sin of pride, who controls the powers of the Sun. Throughout the series, Escanor lets his powerful feelings of devotion and love for Merlin, the sin of gluttony, be known to anyone who will listen. Escanor expresses his feelings in a beautiful manner befitting of his reputation and boastful nature. Unfortunately, Merlin is unable to reciprocate her feelings as her heart has already been smitten by Meliodas. Escanor chases Merlin all the way to his death, but never feels the warmth of genuine affection in return.
The Seven Deadly Sins
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2021-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Creator
- Nakaba Suzuki
- Number of Episodes
- 100
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Light And Misa - Death Note
A Toxic Relationship Wrapped In Murder And Manipulation
One of the most toxic and one-sided relationships in anime history, Light Yagami and Misa Amane are partners in crime who set out to remake the world in Light's image. After obtaining the power of the Death Note, Misa dedicates her life to Light as she is a true believer in his cause.
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Misa expresses her deep love for Light and offers him all that she is to use as he sees fit, even if he doesn't intend to love her back. Light, as the death God, Kira keeps crime in check by murdering the guilty. Upon realizing that Misa has obtained the Shinigmai Eye, he takes full advantage of her and feeds into her delusion of them being a loving couple.
Death Note
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 4, 2006
Rize And Kaneki - Tokyo Ghoul
A Love That Led To Tragedy
Tokyo Ghoul is a dark and twisted nightmare that seamlessly blends horror and supernatural elements into an action-packed story. However, the series has powerful emotional storytelling revolving around the main character, Ken Kaneki. Kaneki's descent into the world of Ghouls was triggered by his young crush on Rize Kamishiro. After Kaneki confessed his feelings, the two were scheduled to go on a date with each other.
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Unfortunately, Rize had no intention of reciprocating Kaneki's feelings and instead sought to devour him. Unbeknownst to Kaneki, Rize was a man-eating Ghoul, and had it not been for a freak accident, he would have been her next meal. As the series progresses, Kaneki and Rize develop a symbiotic relationship as Kaneki experiences trauma after trauma.
Tokyo Ghoul
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2018-00-00
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Creator
- Sui Ishida
- Number of Episodes
- 48
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
Naruto And Sakura
The Main Character Plays Second Fiddle To The Girl Of His Dreams
The love triangle between Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura is one of the primary plotlines of the series, playing into the rivalry between the two future saviors of Konoha. Naruto has a massive crush on Sakura; unfortunately for him, she only has eyes for Sasuke. Throughout the series, Sakura constantly rejects and berates Naruto's advances while openly admiring Sasuke, even after he becomes a wanted criminal. Naruto still retains his strong feelings and dedicates himself to Sakura's happiness, even if it's not with him until the end of the series.
Naruto
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2002 - 2007-00-00
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Creator
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Number of Episodes
- 220
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, The Roku Channel, Amazon Freevee, Hulu, Hoopla, Pluto TV, Tubi