Hello, I'm Aina Sahalin. I'm ghostlightning's #1 crush in the Gundam Franchise.

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s a day to remember love! However, we won’t be doing a Macross post today because I want to share with you a great moment in animation. This is from Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team; one of my favorite installments of the franchise. One of the remarkable things about this show is the Capulets vs. Montagues kind of love story between a young commander in the Federation forces and an experimental mobile armor pilot from Zeon.

What makes the love story remarkable, among a number of reasons, is the sudden and utter turnaround in attitude by the Federation commander Shiro Amada after a sexual encounter with his paramour in the snowy mountains.

Aina is a beautiful work of character design.

Shiro was present at his homeland, Side 2, during the initial Zeon G3 poison gas attacks on the colonies in the first weeks of the One Year War, witnessing all of the fellow colony inhabitants die horribly around him, Shiro saved himself only because he was lucky enough to wear a sealed space suit. Witnessing this wanton civilian death filled Shiro with a deep hatred for the Zeon, and everything they stood for.

I was actually surprised, to be quite honest, of this declaration of hatred. In episode one he showed remarkable compassion to a Zeon pilot he engaged in space.

Despite this hatred, I never saw Shiro display any actual bloodlust. I saw in him an eagerness to prove himself as a leader to the more experienced members of the 08th MS Team, which led to several reckless moves. But that is all, I never got the impression that he is a hateful or bitter victim of war.

Again, it felt convenient that Shiro was especially hard-line anti-Zeon in this episode. Nonetheless, I accept that he does carry some bitterness after surviving the Zeon gas attack in his colony.

The pilot Shiro showed much compassion for in the first episode is Aina Sahalin herself, who was especially touched by his behavior. She too, was apparently led to think that the only good Feddie was a dead one.

Oh Shiro! They were freezing up in the mountains and his hands were showing symptoms of frostbite. Aina told him he needed to warm them, so Shiro used the Gundam's beam saber to make an onsen in the mountains.

For whatever reason, Aina left Shiro a treasured keepsake – a pocket watch that’s some kind of heirloom of the Sahalin. This encounter (Shiro actually brought down Aina’s mobile armor, though not without critically damaging his Gundam) allowed him to return it.

The pocket watch had a photo of Aina and Gineas Sahalin (her brother). Shiro had thought he was her boyfriend.

At first I thought this relationship was going to be a tad forced, but given the events of the first episode it felt inevitable. So I just kicked back and enjoyed the romance. It was quite romantic up in the mountains.

~chuu

I somehow always found Zeon girls hotter.

hmhmhm

And Aina happens to be the hottest.

You know you want to, Feddie.

He really tried not to look.

They actually started talking, getting to know about each other while in the hot water. To his credit, Shiro did his best to listen – even though he probably didn’t understand much about Gineas and what he and Aina did in their work on the ground. And I thought nothing more would come out of this romantic interlude, until…

You're going to make him blind, Aina!

Okay, I really thought to myself: Oh my, this is Gundam! (I had seen a naked Frau Bow taking a shower in the orignal series but that’s it)

It's hard not to imagine the siscon subtext in the show, to be quite honest.

And then the mist covers everything. The evils of war are pushed aside for the moment, to be confronted seriously later.

How's your hand Shiro?

And then, Aina’s rescuers arrive – to be met by the 08th MS Team search party. A battle inevitably ensues, and both Shiro and Aina are confronted by how fleeting their moment truly is.

War really sucks right now.

*love*

And then the changes in Shiro begin to manifest.

Of course you're not going to take that on your back, commander.

mmhm

And there you have it: a fully-formed pacifist.

Shiro would spend the rest of his career preventing further hostilities between the Federation and the Zeon, something his own team and his superiors get quite disturbed about. But yes, the power of love and Aina really turned this man (yes, he is. He attacked a Zaku II Prototype with a Ball)  into a daring pacifist. If you’ve never seen a Gundam show before, The 08th MS Team isn’t a bad show to start with at all. And if you’re a Gundam fan and you haven’t seen this, you simply must see it. I may seem to make light of it in this post, but this OVA is very very good.

—

Haven’t seen any Gundam at all? Don’t know where to start? Find your Gateway Gundam!

This post has spoilers, but you will be able to avoid them easily. I divided the sections via anime title so you can easily skip those you haven’t seen yet. I’ve put all images in separate slideshows (if you’re reading this post from a feed, you’ll need to visit the site to see the slides).

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today I bare my heart out to you, and present all the fail I can remember from this dubious sub-hobby of shipping characters in their respective anime and manga. My track record is impressively awful, most notable in that in my own favorite show and franchise, my OTP lies dead in the water (or in space).

My qualification of a failed ship is simple: they did not end up together (never mind if it’s due to some kind of harem end). If there are still upcoming installments in the continuity, or if the manga is long-running and ongoing I’ll still mention my failed pairings based on the latest completed chapters as of today. IF YOU LIKE TO CARRY A TORCH, FEEL FREE TO DO SO. BUT I KNOW FULL WELL THE CORRUPTING DARKNESS THAT AWAITS YOU AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WATERY GRAVEYARD OF RABU-RABU.

Let’s get this out of the way: Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Toradora!

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Turn A Gundam

Bakuman

Honey and Clover

Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket

Legend of the Galactic Heroes

Mechafetish:

Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam

Mechafetish:

The Vision of Escaflowne

Mechafetish:

Cowboy Bebop

Both of us:

Further Reading

Waifus, more related to this post than you think [->]

THAT Anime Valentine’s Post [->]

Half-trolling (wtf) the previous post [->]

A thoughtful post on being an anime and manga fan on Vday (2DT 2010/02/14)

The best/worst Valentine’s Day Post EVAR [->]

I don’t know, maybe it’s because a lot of the people making these lists (or voting in these lists) know little about actual romance (or it may just be that I completely suck at research) . But then again, love stories prey on the inexperienced – inspiring fantasy in those who love the idea of love, rather than portray a cinematic version of the truth.

I realize that the thing about my dissatisfaction with these lists (and the shows I often see in them) has to do with a certain maturity, having gone through my own romances in life and therefore having a perspective of what moments ring true and how such stories play out.

I won’t dwell on what I think of the lists I came across, the people who made them, and the shows I found in them. There are dynamics there that I don’t fully understand, and I feel I’ve condescended quite enough (which is not my intention in this post) anyway. Instead, I offer my own list of shows that I feel has a strong ring of truth in them in their love stories, that I can enjoy them as such, even if perhaps the shows they belong to are not romance shows to begin with.

To give some perspective, here’s a short list of films that are (or have) love stories that I resonate with (in no particular order):

• Before Sunrise, and Before Sunset
• (I feel like I should put When Harry Met Sally here but if I’m honest I really preferred) Sleepless in Seattle
• As Good as it Gets
• Something’s Got to Give
• Greencard

It’s not like I can’t enjoy fluffier fare such as Shakespeare in Love, 10 Things I Hate About You, Roman Holiday, Sabrina, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s – but films from the above incomplete list are ones that gave me pretty strong feelings without breaking my brain.

I’m not technically comparing the above films to the anime I consume, they’re just there to give a handle of what kinds of love stories I feel strongly about. 10 years ago, Before Sunset would already have been there, as well as Greencard; but it took subsequent rewatches and the like over the next decade to confirm my tastes for the other films. But 10 years ago my list would also have stuff I’d be very embarrassed to mention now (due the romantic idiocy of the content). Hence, why I don’t really want to condescend here (though I don’t think I was able to avoid doing so) any further than I already have.

Without further ado, here are anime shows that I think well of in terms of the love stories therein. [SPOILERS HIDDEN, click and drag to select text to read]

Kare Kano

I immediately thought that it had one of the most intelligent takes on adolescence. Even if the characters themselves don’t resemble anyone I’ve ever known in high school, Miyazawa Yukino in particular is presented in such a complete and entertaining characterization that I easily swallow the histrionics involved in her romance with Arima Sochiro.

The extremities in their characterization actually serve to make the “realer” aspects of their romance stand out in high relief, and I can easily think of at least two moments that I was fully convinced of the show’s powers.

Toradora!

This show contains many things I’ve little patience for (a dragged-out realization by the characters regarding who they really love), but the show did well to make the characters very endearing. The high school love geometry does get some complexity without giving the lead male an implausible harem of admirers.

That said, I think the romance in the show (however nice) is secondary to what I find wonderful in its depiction of friendship, and of family.

Bakemonogatari

What compels me to the love story herein is the power, haughtiness and vulnerability on one side of the love story that is patient, kind, (even if otherwise cruel), and nurturing of the love and person on the other side.

There’s a ton of male wish-fulfillment here, but again the outlandishness of the characterization brings out what I find precious: that from a very hetero-male perspective, it is the woman who makes us feel the very best about ourselves.

Hataraki Man

Best fucking downer love story. I appreciate how neither partner is vilified or accused of causing the breakdown of what started as an already troubled relationship. Perhaps love story isn’t appropriate here, save for the massive amount of respect and regard I feel coming from both sides of the dead romance.

It’s what adds the pain to the outcome: that these are good people who quite deserve to be happy together, but find it impossible to anyway.

Crest|Banner of the Stars

The strengths of this love story in particular is rooted in the contrivances of its fantasy/SF setting, giving the characters what seems to be a great barrier that they’ve overcome; that there’s an unspoken thing in the universe that tells them that they shouldn’t be together, and yet they are.

This is interesting to me because it is all a matter of world-building and character nuance. There are no external conflicts or pressures that pry them apart. If anything the supporting cast is indeed quite supportive of their relationship. That said, there are moments big and quiet wherein the person who we are teased with as viewers gets to show strong feeling and love. This is the source of the romantic magic in the show.

Everything in the setting and story makes for an unreal cast that shows what feels to be a very real love.

—

I suppose I should include Honey and Clover, but I don’t really identify with most of the characters in the throes of their love stories… I enjoyed that show on almost in an entirely voyeuristic level. Also, Planetes – but since it sunk my ship I don’t have the same kind of affinity with the OTP despite both characters being awesome.

Like in film, I’m perfectly able to enjoy a fluffier love stories (Macross’ love triangles, Gundam 00’s Patrick x Kati, and a whole fleet of blush porn – the anime staple), but the above examples gave me what I feel are the things that ring true in love, as much as I’ve known it in my life.

I’m lucky that way. Happy Valentine’s Day from GMT+8. What shows would you recommend to me? To check what I’ve seen, here’s my anime list.

If you have not seen this film by Studio Ghibli, this blog post is not for you. Spoilers abound after the jump.

I made a heartfelt request for recommendations of anime love stories and/or romances a year ago, and I’m completely aghast that no one recommended Whisper of the Heart to me. Not a one. Well, it’s not like everyone who had a wide experience of viewing anime actually participated in the discussion, but it was a fairly good discussion as far as blog posts go.

For those who haven’t seen the film yet persist to read, suffice it to say that I recommend it wholeheartedly. It has the hand-crafted Ghibli animation magic that even in aged, un-remastered, standard definition .avi encoded viewing, rivals and perhaps surpasses peaceful, urban/suburban set juggernauts such as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, 5cm/second, and The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya. And as love stories go {and yes Disappearance is a (harem) love story}, it exceeds them by far in my romantic, shounen heart. Watch the film.

For those who have, let us celebrate Valentine’s Day with some Ghibli love.

The whole film is filled with quiet goodness, but there are two scenes that really, really took my breath away. The first is the impromptu jam session.

Shizuku at this point had two attractions, the first is for this mysterious Amasawa Seiji – a name that has appeared in the library card log of every book Shizuku has borrowed. She romanticized this character, as someone who must be quiet, reserved, and deep, to have read all those books. The other attraction is for this tall boy who picks on her. We know she’s attracted because she goes out of her way to see him, and more importantly, she’s turned down an admirer without specifying whether she likes someone else. That’s the dead giveaway.

But she doesn’t know they’re the same guy… and now, she’s softening up the harsh image of this tall boy who picks on her, asking about his violin crafting hobby, and begging for a performance. Of course he obliges, with the condition that she sings along. Readers, this kind of musical set-piece, is my favorite kind of scene¹ wherein there is a definite milestone in the romance. It won’t be spelled out yet, that will come later, but as a viewer, you’ll definitely know.

Just when you think it can’t get better, the old artisan arrives with his musician friends after delivering the most delightful clock I’ve ever seen in a film, and I initially thought they’d be there to just witness the love story bud. But no, that would be what a lesser film or show would do, complete with embarrassed looks and what not. This film went all out. The interlopers became part of the musical performance, and elevated the scene to the upper echelons of my regard.

Why  do I love this kind of scene? The set-piece nature reminds me how much of a fantasy the narrative is. It reminds me that it is a film, this isn’t real, but how lovely it is as crafted work: “LISTEN TO MY SONG!” This right now is when the kids fall in love and they don’t even know it, and this is when you know you’re in love with me too. Love, Whisper of the Heart.

But to fall in love is one thing, albeit this is what’s celebrated on Valentine’s Day. What keeps it being celebrated is the relationships moving forward, staying together. How does this film hold me in that regard. The second scene, is that of the ending. That marriage proposal that came from nowhere, them being in middle school, but given what we’ve come to know about Shizuku and Seiji, makes all the sense in romance.

Before we dismiss it as romantic fantasy outright, allow me to say this: I proposed to my now wife of five years and mother of my daughter on our second date. She didn’t say yes then², but I had known her about as much time as Seiji has known Shizuku up close; and less if we factor in how long he’s been stalking her. This is why this scene makes so much sense to me. When you choose someone, you just do.

The last thing I want to comment on is, how a romantic partner can inspire us to go beyond ourselves. When I knew I wanted to marry my now wife, I set aside my aspirations in being a writer and artist and set out to find corporate employment. I was successful at this and we had our big ‘ol wedding. For her, anything. It’s not like I’ll never write – I wrote more since I met her than I ever have in my life. Lightning strike me down if I say whatever writing I do does not gratify and fulfill me. Whisper of the Heart is the anime that made me want to be the little girl. There’s nothing that says Shizuku wouldn’t find more fulfillment as a writer than Seiji will as a violin craftsman, just as I know I’m fulfilled as a husband and father (who happens to write, work in a corporation, and make entrepreneurial ventures) as much as she is as a wife and mother (who happens to practice law and serve in the military).

Whisper of the Heart is my new favorite romance because it reminds me of how fantastic the romance in my own life is.

¹The other similar scene is from the anime Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad wherein Maho and Koyuki sing together in the neighborhood cultural festival for a band of fogeys. It was serendipitous as well, and just like Shizuku here in Whispers, Koyuki would fall in love with Maho in this scene.

²She proposed to me later on. Of course I said yes LOL.

The confession of love is something I find uniquely valued in anime. It’s not that it doesn’t exist in other media – it is the staple conclusion of most romance stories (particularly comedies). I do think that in anime it’s taken on a life of its own, subject of many dramatic, humorous, and both at the same time moments in a show.

I was going to save this post for next year’s Valentine’s Day (like I how I wrote the Whisper of the Heart post sometime in July 2011) but screw it (LOL the Wayans may be right and no one will be left to read it in 2013). I’m going to list three memorable confession scenes from the different anime I’ve seen. I’ve come up with a way to protect the reader from spoilers.

You may then share what you remember love for.

You won’t be able to see the slideshows if you’re reading this via a feed reader. You’ll have to go to the blog site.

Bakemonogatari

Macross Frontier (TV)

Overman King Gainer

All that goodness deserves an encore of one of the best OPs in anime ever.

CONFESSION OVER.

Your turn, what do you think are the most memorable confession scenes?

I don’t know, maybe it’s because a lot of the people making these lists (or voting in these lists) know little about actual romance (or it may just be that I completely suck at research) . But then again, love stories prey on the inexperienced – inspiring fantasy in those who love the idea of love, rather than portray a cinematic version of the truth.

I realize that the thing about my dissatisfaction with these lists (and the shows I often see in them) has to do with a certain maturity, having gone through my own romances in life and therefore having a perspective of what moments ring true and how such stories play out.

I won’t dwell on what I think of the lists I came across, the people who made them, and the shows I found in them. There are dynamics there that I don’t fully understand, and I feel I’ve condescended quite enough (which is not my intention in this post) anyway. Instead, I offer my own list of shows that I feel has a strong ring of truth in them in their love stories, that I can enjoy them as such, even if perhaps the shows they belong to are not romance shows to begin with.

To give some perspective, here’s a short list of films that are (or have) love stories that I resonate with (in no particular order):

• Before Sunrise, and Before Sunset
• (I feel like I should put When Harry Met Sally here but if I’m honest I really preferred) Sleepless in Seattle
• As Good as it Gets
• Something’s Got to Give
• Greencard

It’s not like I can’t enjoy fluffier fare such as Shakespeare in Love, 10 Things I Hate About You, Roman Holiday, Sabrina, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s – but films from the above incomplete list are ones that gave me pretty strong feelings without breaking my brain.

I’m not technically comparing the above films to the anime I consume, they’re just there to give a handle of what kinds of love stories I feel strongly about. 10 years ago, Before Sunset would already have been there, as well as Greencard; but it took subsequent rewatches and the like over the next decade to confirm my tastes for the other films. But 10 years ago my list would also have stuff I’d be very embarrassed to mention now (due the romantic idiocy of the content). Hence, why I don’t really want to condescend here (though I don’t think I was able to avoid doing so) any further than I already have.

Without further ado, here are anime shows that I think well of in terms of the love stories therein. [SPOILERS HIDDEN, click and drag to select text to read]

Kare Kano

I immediately thought that it had one of the most intelligent takes on adolescence. Even if the characters themselves don’t resemble anyone I’ve ever known in high school, Miyazawa Yukino in particular is presented in such a complete and entertaining characterization that I easily swallow the histrionics involved in her romance with Arima Sochiro.

The extremities in their characterization actually serve to make the “realer” aspects of their romance stand out in high relief, and I can easily think of at least two moments that I was fully convinced of the show’s powers.

Toradora!

This show contains many things I’ve little patience for (a dragged-out realization by the characters regarding who they really love), but the show did well to make the characters very endearing. The high school love geometry does get some complexity without giving the lead male an implausible harem of admirers.

That said, I think the romance in the show (however nice) is secondary to what I find wonderful in its depiction of friendship, and of family.

Bakemonogatari

What compels me to the love story herein is the power, haughtiness and vulnerability on one side of the love story that is patient, kind, (even if otherwise cruel), and nurturing of the love and person on the other side.

There’s a ton of male wish-fulfillment here, but again the outlandishness of the characterization brings out what I find precious: that from a very hetero-male perspective, it is the woman who makes us feel the very best about ourselves.

Hataraki Man

Best fucking downer love story. I appreciate how neither partner is vilified or accused of causing the breakdown of what started as an already troubled relationship. Perhaps love story isn’t appropriate here, save for the massive amount of respect and regard I feel coming from both sides of the dead romance.

It’s what adds the pain to the outcome: that these are good people who quite deserve to be happy together, but find it impossible to anyway.

Crest|Banner of the Stars

The strengths of this love story in particular is rooted in the contrivances of its fantasy/SF setting, giving the characters what seems to be a great barrier that they’ve overcome; that there’s an unspoken thing in the universe that tells them that they shouldn’t be together, and yet they are.

This is interesting to me because it is all a matter of world-building and character nuance. There are no external conflicts or pressures that pry them apart. If anything the supporting cast is indeed quite supportive of their relationship. That said, there are moments big and quiet wherein the person who we are teased with as viewers gets to show strong feeling and love. This is the source of the romantic magic in the show.

Everything in the setting and story makes for an unreal cast that shows what feels to be a very real love.

—

I suppose I should include Honey and Clover, but I don’t really identify with most of the characters in the throes of their love stories… I enjoyed that show on almost in an entirely voyeuristic level. Also, Planetes – but since it sunk my ship I don’t have the same kind of affinity with the OTP despite both characters being awesome.

Like in film, I’m perfectly able to enjoy a fluffier love stories (Macross’ love triangles, Gundam 00’s Patrick x Kati, and a whole fleet of blush porn – the anime staple), but the above examples gave me what I feel are the things that ring true in love, as much as I’ve known it in my life.

I’m lucky that way. Happy Valentine’s Day from GMT+8. What shows would you recommend to me? To check what I’ve seen, here’s my anime list.

If you have not seen this film by Studio Ghibli, this blog post is not for you. Spoilers abound after the jump.

I made a heartfelt request for recommendations of anime love stories and/or romances a year ago, and I’m completely aghast that no one recommended Whisper of the Heart to me. Not a one. Well, it’s not like everyone who had a wide experience of viewing anime actually participated in the discussion, but it was a fairly good discussion as far as blog posts go.

For those who haven’t seen the film yet persist to read, suffice it to say that I recommend it wholeheartedly. It has the hand-crafted Ghibli animation magic that even in aged, un-remastered, standard definition .avi encoded viewing, rivals and perhaps surpasses peaceful, urban/suburban set juggernauts such as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, 5cm/second, and The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya. And as love stories go {and yes Disappearance is a (harem) love story}, it exceeds them by far in my romantic, shounen heart. Watch the film.

For those who have, let us celebrate Valentine’s Day with some Ghibli love.

The whole film is filled with quiet goodness, but there are two scenes that really, really took my breath away. The first is the impromptu jam session.

Shizuku at this point had two attractions, the first is for this mysterious Amasawa Seiji – a name that has appeared in the library card log of every book Shizuku has borrowed. She romanticized this character, as someone who must be quiet, reserved, and deep, to have read all those books. The other attraction is for this tall boy who picks on her. We know she’s attracted because she goes out of her way to see him, and more importantly, she’s turned down an admirer without specifying whether she likes someone else. That’s the dead giveaway.

But she doesn’t know they’re the same guy… and now, she’s softening up the harsh image of this tall boy who picks on her, asking about his violin crafting hobby, and begging for a performance. Of course he obliges, with the condition that she sings along. Readers, this kind of musical set-piece, is my favorite kind of scene¹ wherein there is a definite milestone in the romance. It won’t be spelled out yet, that will come later, but as a viewer, you’ll definitely know.

Just when you think it can’t get better, the old artisan arrives with his musician friends after delivering the most delightful clock I’ve ever seen in a film, and I initially thought they’d be there to just witness the love story bud. But no, that would be what a lesser film or show would do, complete with embarrassed looks and what not. This film went all out. The interlopers became part of the musical performance, and elevated the scene to the upper echelons of my regard.

Why  do I love this kind of scene? The set-piece nature reminds me how much of a fantasy the narrative is. It reminds me that it is a film, this isn’t real, but how lovely it is as crafted work: “LISTEN TO MY SONG!” This right now is when the kids fall in love and they don’t even know it, and this is when you know you’re in love with me too. Love, Whisper of the Heart.

But to fall in love is one thing, albeit this is what’s celebrated on Valentine’s Day. What keeps it being celebrated is the relationships moving forward, staying together. How does this film hold me in that regard. The second scene, is that of the ending. That marriage proposal that came from nowhere, them being in middle school, but given what we’ve come to know about Shizuku and Seiji, makes all the sense in romance.

Before we dismiss it as romantic fantasy outright, allow me to say this: I proposed to my now wife of five years and mother of my daughter on our second date. She didn’t say yes then², but I had known her about as much time as Seiji has known Shizuku up close; and less if we factor in how long he’s been stalking her. This is why this scene makes so much sense to me. When you choose someone, you just do.

The last thing I want to comment on is, how a romantic partner can inspire us to go beyond ourselves. When I knew I wanted to marry my now wife, I set aside my aspirations in being a writer and artist and set out to find corporate employment. I was successful at this and we had our big ‘ol wedding. For her, anything. It’s not like I’ll never write – I wrote more since I met her than I ever have in my life. Lightning strike me down if I say whatever writing I do does not gratify and fulfill me. Whisper of the Heart is the anime that made me want to be the little girl. There’s nothing that says Shizuku wouldn’t find more fulfillment as a writer than Seiji will as a violin craftsman, just as I know I’m fulfilled as a husband and father (who happens to write, work in a corporation, and make entrepreneurial ventures) as much as she is as a wife and mother (who happens to practice law and serve in the military).

Whisper of the Heart is my new favorite romance because it reminds me of how fantastic the romance in my own life is.

¹The other similar scene is from the anime Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad wherein Maho and Koyuki sing together in the neighborhood cultural festival for a band of fogeys. It was serendipitous as well, and just like Shizuku here in Whispers, Koyuki would fall in love with Maho in this scene.

²She proposed to me later on. Of course I said yes LOL.

The confession of love is something I find uniquely valued in anime. It’s not that it doesn’t exist in other media – it is the staple conclusion of most romance stories (particularly comedies). I do think that in anime it’s taken on a life of its own, subject of many dramatic, humorous, and both at the same time moments in a show.

I was going to save this post for next year’s Valentine’s Day (like I how I wrote the Whisper of the Heart post sometime in July 2011) but screw it (LOL the Wayans may be right and no one will be left to read it in 2013). I’m going to list three memorable confession scenes from the different anime I’ve seen. I’ve come up with a way to protect the reader from spoilers.

You may then share what you remember love for.

You won’t be able to see the slideshows if you’re reading this via a feed reader. You’ll have to go to the blog site.

Bakemonogatari

Macross Frontier (TV)

Overman King Gainer

All that goodness deserves an encore of one of the best OPs in anime ever.

CONFESSION OVER.

Your turn, what do you think are the most memorable confession scenes?