The most polarizing protagonists of romantic anime

Key takeaways

• Haruki lacks compassion for a dying comrade, but transforms over time.

• Naoya’s seriousness in love leads to callousness and a controversial relationship dynamic.

• Kotonoha’s loneliness and attachment issues lead her to manipulative behavior in search of love.

Typical romantic anime protagonists They are quite likable and relatable, as they embody desirable traits such as a strong sense of fidelity, compassion, and determination. However, not all main characters are the same and some of them make questionable decisions that surprise and create conflict within the story.

These flawed protagonists paint a much more realistic portrait of the lovers and their complex choices by subverting conventional expectations of romance. Although some of their actions or decisions are reprehensible, they are not necessarily bad, as they often act out of fear, insecurity, or sometimes even past trauma. Its unpredictable nature adds more layers to the story and polarizes viewers. These are some of the The most polarizing protagonists of romantic anime. that you might want to know.

5

Tomoya Okazaki (Clannad)

The criminal who changed his life

• Okazaki’s apathetic and directionless approach to life can be frustrating.

Tomoya Okazaki had a difficult childhood, as he lost his mother in a horrible accident when he was young. While growing up in the city of Hikarizaka, he lived with his alcoholic father, who was neglectful and frigid. One day, he hit Tomoya against the wall so hard that he dislocated himself, after which he was forced to give up basketball. Naturally, he grew up developing a very cynical worldview.

If you feel like crying you should not hold back your tears. You should let it all out while you can… because when you grow up, sometimes you can’t cry even if you have something to cry about.

Tomoya had no interest in school and was frequently late to class. He often visited his friends for a night out after missing all his classes during the day. His emotional immaturity permeated every aspect of his life, making any serious consideration of his future seem impossible.

Tomoya’s apathetic attitude toward life can be frustrating, but he experiences a dramatic change in his motivations after befriending Nagisa Furukawa. She not only gives him a new direction in life but also slowly transforms him as a person just by her presence. Tomoya continues to make amends for his past mistakes and faces the responsibilities he had been avoiding.

4

Haruki “Boku” Shiga (I want to eat your pancreas)

Shiga’s eventual transformation and change of heart humanizes him as a character

• Boku’s coldness towards a dying companion makes him an extremely problematic character.

haruki from I want to eat your pancreas He is an introverted young man who prefers to get lost in his books and is painfully inconsiderate of the people around him. When he comes across his classmate Sakura’s emotional secret diary, and she tells him about her struggle with an incurable pancreatic disease, he feels no compassion for her and offers little emotional support.

Even if we are not blood relatives, I will be your family from now on.

Haruki’s unfriendly and distant behavior is rooted in his personal difficulties in forming relationships. Due to his inclination towards isolation and his aversion to emotional attachment, he is reluctant to express himself, which frequently leads to insensitive encounters.

However, Sakura’s relentless positivity and openness soon push Haruki to fight his aversion to relationships and be more honest with himself. Over time, Boku is able to overcome his fear of disappointing others and allows himself to love and be loved in return. While Haruki’s transformation is refreshing, his attitude toward Sakura’s painful struggle with her illness is too callous to overlook. He seems to be trying to make up for his actions, but that still doesn’t justify his coldness towards Sakura during the most difficult moments of her life.

3

Naoya Mukai (Girlfriend, Girlfriend)

Naoya’s callous expectations make him a horrible partner

• Mukai’s honesty and directness are both his strength and his weakness.

Since Naoya Mukai fell in love with his childhood friend Saki Saki, he spares no effort to win her affection. His dedication to winning her over despite several rejections highlights his commitment as a lover. He is also a sincere person whose extreme honesty frequently leads him into absurd situations.

Naoya’s sincere and direct approach to romance, while commendable, paves the way for his repulsive disregard for emotional boundaries. Demonstrating his callous nature, Naoya shamelessly dates Nagisa and Saki Saki simultaneously. His lack of self-control and disregard for people’s feelings soon culminate in even more problematic circumstances that make him a polarizing protagonist.

2

Kotonoha Katsura (School Days)

The introverted girl who becomes an obsessive lover

• Katsura’s attachment issues paved the way for his manipulative behavior and questionable decisions.

Kotonoha is a reserved high school student who is known for her introverted nature and calm demeanor. Although her peers consider her incredibly beautiful, Katsura’s lack of a social life makes it nearly impossible for her to form close friendships. Interestingly, his polite and gentle nature barely makes any difference to his loneliness, as any hope of connection with others is thwarted by his emotionally distant and withdrawn personality.

It is not until Kotonoha meets Sekai and Makoto that she begins to experience a change in her social life. Although the bond gives him a sense of belonging, it soon becomes toxic, as he becomes obsessively dependent on his relationship with Makoto. Her attachment issues with him bring out the worst in Kotonoha, as she is willing to go to any lengths to keep him with her. Katsura then frequently resorts to questionable tactics to maintain her control over Makoto, as manipulation and emotional blackmail begin to become second nature to her.

1

Kazuya Kinoshita (Rent-A-Girlfriend)

The indecisive lover who resorts to lying to hide his insecurities

• Kinoshita’s deep-seated insecurities have far-reaching consequences.

Kazuya Kinoshita Rent a girlfriend He is an indecisive young man who falls in love with the rental girlfriend he hires after his partner, Mami, unexpectedly leaves him. Due to his low self-esteem, he frequently resorts to lying when faced with uncomfortable truths or difficult circumstances. Since Kazuya is an emotionally driven individual, he can sometimes make decisions that lack common sense and are detrimental to him in the long run. Furthermore, his cowardly nature prevents him from living his life true to his desires and emotions, as he tends to get carried away by the expectations of others.

When Grandpa died, my grandmother took over everything, both the store and my dad, and kept us all afloat. So for our family, Grandma is, well, she might as well be God. And God only has one dream for me: to find a good girl before I die.

Although Kazuya’s fear of rejection traps him in a cycle of confusion and guilt, he still has an encouraging attitude toward those close to him. In fact, he selflessly helps others and is willing to go the extra mile to support his friends, leaving his interests in the background. His kind nature allows him to make sacrifices without expecting anything in return. He has also shown moments of bravery under intense pressure, especially for Chizuru. At the end of the day, Kazuya Kinoshita is a complex character. His low self-esteem and insecurities are relatable to many people, but he can also be maddeningly indecisive and immature, making him difficult to support.