In honor of my birthday yesterday, I want to list some of my favorite shoujo couples. Slight spoiler warning: Most of the series have concluded but most of the couples in this list have become canon
11. Amu and Ikuto, Shugo Chara!
Although they don’t become official in the manga, due in part to the age gap, Amu is only 12 at the end of the series, and Ikuto is 17. They are one of my faves. They understand each other. Amu brings out Ikuto’s soft side. He often saves her and Amu saves Ikuto from himself.
10. Takuto and Mitsuki, Full Moon O Sagashite
This was the manga that made me fall in love with the work of Arina Tanemura. I love Takuto and Mitsuki because although originally brought together by supernatural circumstances,h what truly unites them as a couple is their shared passion for music. Takuto is dedicated to Mitsuki above all else, even when she loses herself. Mitsuki, in turn, learns to treasure him.
9.. Maron and Chiaki, Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne
Another Arina Tanemura couple. Chiaki in his Kaitou form as Sinbad is kind of a jerk to Maron in her Kaitou form Jeane. As Chiaki, although he starts off as an annoying flirt, his genuine love for Maron becomes apparent fairly quickly. Maron, in turn, has a crush on him almost immediately. They even have a lovely scene in a church where the two profess their love.
8. Takumi and Misaki, Kaichou Wa Maid Sama!
I sincerely, truly, honestly love Takumi for how devoted he is. Granted, a person like him would be a red flag in real life due to his obsessive/possessive nature. Although she learns to rely on him as a friend, it takes Misaki a while to take Takumi’s interest in her seriously. They become a very sweet couple.
7. Kyoko and Ren, Skip Beat!
Skip Beat! It seems like the never-ending manga, but I have been rooting for these two for years. They both need to truly accept themselves for who they are before they can have their own happily ever after. Even though Sho, as the catalyst of the series, is a major jerk, I appreciate that he was voiced by no other than Mamoru Miyano in the anime.
6. Sano And Ashiya, Hana Kimi
My favorite gender-bender manga is the all-boys school love story of Ashiya and her high jump champion crush, Sano Izumi. The whole cast is an absolute riot. I love Nakatsu and his Nakatsu vision the most.
5. Natsume And Mikan, Gakuen Alice
Never have I felt such angst for a bunch of ten-year-olds. In terms of their love story Mikan and Natsume are a great example of enemies, to friends, to lovers.
4. Zero And Yuuki Vampire Knight
I loved the idea of this couple from chapter one. Zero truly loves Yuuki way before she ever acknowledges him. I also love them together aesthetically too. All art featuring the two is beautiful. The anime does the couple no justice. Zero will always be the true knight of the series to me.
3. Rui And Tsukushi Hana Yori Dango
While I love Tsukasa, Rui and Tsukushi have always made more sense to me as a couple. They mellow each other out in the best way. The friendship between them is truly genuine. Bonus, Rui is played by my boo Oguri Shun in one of the many live-action adaptions of the manga. Oguri Shun also plays Sano in Hana Kimi.
2. Kyo and Tobru Fruits Basket
My favorite cat boy and his number one fan do much growing to get to each other. I loved every tender moment between them and waited patiently for the original 23-volume series to be translated. I’m so happy with the new anime because we see more of their animated moments. I hope we get closer to the manga’s ending in season three of the anime.
1. Usagi Mamoru
Usako and Mamo Chan have loved each other past, present, and future. The original anime tends to make Usagi’s love for Mamo Chan seem rather one-sided. I think the manga and Crystal do a much better job showing the depth of the couple’s devotion to one another.
