In a friends-to-lovers trope, two characters who are initially friends slowly develop romantic feelings for each other. This can be a gradual process, an extremely slow burn, or it can happen suddenly. The key is that the two characters have a strong foundation of friendship before they start dating.
This trope is popular among fans because it is seen as a more realistic way for relationships to develop. In real life, most people start out as friends with the person they end up dating. The friends-to-lovers trope also allows for a lot of character development. The two characters can learn more about each other and grow as people as they get to know each other better.
Top 5 Friends-to-Lovers Trope in Anime
5. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
The two main characters are Narumi Momose and Hirotaka Nifuji. Narumi is an office worker who is in love with anime, manga, and video games. She is afraid to let people know about her hobbies because she doesn’t want to be judged. Hirotaka is a game developer who is also an otaku. He is more open about his hobbies and is always willing to help Narumi with hers.
Narumi and Hirotaka become friends and eventually fall in love. They must learn to balance their love lives with their hobbies, which can be challenging at times. However, they are both determined to make their relationship work.
4. Lovely Complex
The story follows the lives of two high school students, Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Ootani, who are both very tall for their age. Risa is 172 cm (5’8″) tall, and Atsushi is 156 cm (5’1″). They become friends and help each other overcome their insecurities about their height.
Risa and Atsushi eventually start to develop feelings for each other, but they are both too shy to admit it. They also have to deal with the challenges of being in a relationship with someone who is so different from them in height. Watch it here!
3. 5 Centimeters Per Second
The film is divided into three chapters, each of which tells the story of Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara, two childhood friends who are separated by distance and time.
The friends-to-lovers trope is significant in 5 Centimeters Per Second because it shows how distance and time can affect relationships. It also shows how difficult it can be to maintain a relationship when you are not physically close to the person you love. The film is a beautifully animated and heartbreaking story about the loss of love and the passage of time.
2. Kanon
The story follows the life of Yuichi Aizawa, a high school student who returns to his hometown after spending five years in Tokyo. He is reunited with his childhood friends, Ayu Tsukimiya, Mai Sakurajima, and Nayuki Minase.
Yuichi soon learns that his friends are all troubled in their own way. Ayu is shy and withdrawn, Mai is struggling with her studies, and Nayuki is suffering from a mysterious illness. Yuichi tries to help his friends, and in the process, he begins to develop feelings for them. The friends-to-lovers trope is significant in Kanon because it shows that love can blossom between two people who are already close friends. Watch it here!
1. Golden Time
The story follows the life of Banri Tada, a college student who suffers from amnesia. He meets Kouko Kaga, a cheerful and outgoing girl, and they become friends. As they spend more time together, Banri begins to develop feelings for Koko.
However, Banri’s amnesia makes it difficult for him to move on from his past. He also has to deal with the challenges of being in a relationship with someone who is so different from him. It also shows that love can be a healing force, helping people to overcome their problems and find happiness. Watch it here!