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I know there is already a relationship query thread for Aoi pairing preferences, but I thought this club could use a Poll. :D

Typically I do not get into romance pairings. I prefer the protagonist x antagonist and friendship relationships in stories better. But I cast my vote for Daigo-kun and Sakurai-san. I'm not overly fond of Komaki as a character, but I think the way Daigo interacts with her is adorable, and I find theirs the most solid romantic relationship. Sagaya x Nurse Takamizawa is cute, too, though!

And for those of you who vote for Kyouichi x Tatsuma, there is a pretty good poll/thread in the anime's forum to discuss the Gay subtext in Tokyo Majin. Just FYI.

Kyouichi and Aoi, as the anime blatantly emphasizes on a knight/princess kind of romance there, even though Aoi can handle battles very well. I just think it's the most possible, besides of course, Daigo and Komaki, in which I find their actions the cutest, especially on Daigo-kun's part.

Tatsuma? He should belong to me. >:3

/is killed

^ same
Tatsuma is just too cool for Aoi.. B-)

Tatsuma x Aoi for me.
Mostly just cause I associate myself most with Tatsuma and Aoi is my fav girl char. ;P

Well, I thought Tatsuma x Marie Claire was funny, but its more a fun thing rather than a really love-love thing.
Kyouichi x Anko > Kyouichi x Aoi.
(Well, cause I just prefer Tatsuma x Aoi really. xD)

Sakurai and Daigo are okay, they're just the set couple imo. Since it's so solid, it's probably just never gonna hit my first/fav couple.

Daigo x Komaki, cause they're quite an obvious pairing.

As for gay pairings, Kyouichi x Tatsuma & Aoi x Komaki. I have a best friend complex.

What about Kureha Mibu x Ukon Yatsurugi? Did anybody else get a yaoi vibe from the omake episode, where Ukon follows Kureha around because he's afraid of his mental state? I kinda thought that was cute...

However, I did not get the impression that Ukon was hot for Kyouichi. A friend of mine asked me that, but I don't think so. (I do think Ukon is bi-sexual, though, for the record. He seemed really interested in Aoi, too.)

Keep voting guys! We've passed 150 members, so I'd like to see at least 100 votes here!

To tell the truth I didn't want to vote for Kyouichi x (another girl Since I love him XD) sooooooo......I posted Kyouichi x Tatsuma :D I am happy that way XXXDDD

I like Kyouichi x Tatsuma. They are so cute together the way they always hang out and watch each others backs.

Although I do love the other pairings...that one is my favorite!! <3

But for those who don't like that pairing((Those who hate gays....)), my second choice would be Aoi x .....(Don't judge meh!) Tendo. Unusual yes, but I thought the might be good. Just the idea of bad guy and good girl sounds hawt.AW! Nevermind, I can go on forever! <3

Now that's somethin' different. *__* I could've seen a Marie Claire x Tendou pairing choice, but with Aoi... I never thought of that. Well, besides the instant where I could hear all the Tatsuma x Aoi fans gasp when it looked like Tendou grabbed her breast - when he was just going for the dagger in episode 13. (LOL)

I still feel there's the chance Tendou was the only canon-yaoi character in the series (if you see my post in the Gay subtext thread)...

By the bye, welcome to our group Cross_Snow! It's great to have you here, and participating! :)

If were basing on cuteness then I guess you can go superficial, but underneath lies the truth. The relationships are justified by mutual feelings, facial expressions, and moments together.

Kyouichi has the more dynamic relationship with the girls

Kouichi Names for people usu by there last name other times
Aoi- princess
Komaki- She man
Anko- stalker
Tats- by his first name
Daigo- by his last name

Initially, girls call Kyouichi Horaiji-kun by his last name however, by end season 1 Aoi calls him by his first name and so does he. Season 2 other girls start calling him by his first name, while other guys are still referred by their last name, which is more formal.

Kyouichi’s feelings

Why does Kyou go to school??? Obviously, he is set on being the protector in the slums of Tokyo. He doesn't pay attention in class and ditches classes. In addition, how does he end up a Senior year in HS? Shouldn't he have been held back?
Clearly, there is someone he has been going to school for and trying to maintain passable grades. He shows throughout season 1 strong feelings for Aoi.

In comparison to the other girls names, he could have called Aoi a spoiled brat or some other derogatory word but chose princess instead, a feminine and beautiful description.
He stalks her from tree, episode 2. He continues tough love telling her go home where she belongs and describing how dark the world is. Episode 3, Kyou forcefully grabs her and tells her to go home, but she doesn't submit and he listens to her. He was trying to protect her and her ideals from the cruel world. Tatsumi acknowledges the two as a sign of affection. After she demonstrated a strong resolve and willing to go fight alone, Kyouichi chose to join up, supported her decisions, and protected her in battle Episode 5.

On the next episode he begs the Doctor to save Aoi there must be something you can do. Episode 7, Aoi has something on her mind in class. Kyou notices her not taking notes and worried about her. He listens to her wen he was about to kill bee girl. Episode 9, Everyone is worried about Sakurai, but Kyouichi says he is worried about the other one after traumatic death of bee girl.

Episode 10 Kyou misses her smile in class and visions her there in her seat. At night he walks her home and tells her if anything is on her mind to tell him. He opens up to her instead of usual avoidance. She smiles and thanks him. He knows something is up with her. So, he stalks Kisaragi for answers about Aoi. Kisaragi says she has the power to destroy the world and that he will kill her. Kyouichi says he will stop him and protect her no matter what.

Aoi’s Feelings
Aoi smiles and waves at Kyouichi during class. She always submits to his tough love, however she does stand her ground when she wants too. Episode 4 Kyouichi glows in her eyes when he shows concern for the safety of Anko. However, Kyouichi's tough love acts and ignoring Aoi's advances acts as a double edge sword. She then found common ground with Tats with their marks.

She was jealous when Tats was dating Sayo. S2E1 she got a haircut and hopes Tats notices, but instead led a fight between Komaki and Kyouichi. Komaki asks him what did he do to her. S2E5 She tried to confess to Tats when they are alone together. However, he doesn't respond to her feelings.

S2E10, she opens up to Kyouichi and realizes that all this time he has been protecting her, from seeing cruel side of the world and danger. She pleas to him how does he see her and ask if he leaves who is suppose to protect her even tho, everyone there is several times stronger. She admits feeling safe around him and that is why she demands to go with him.She says she will wait for him holding his treasured sword cover. She cries when Kyou's name is called.

Komaki’s Feelings
Episode 10. He is only one to give Komaki's courage back. He grabs her and teases her about being man-woman. He says maybe ur woman then we should do it. She slaps him with blush look. He says I want you to return back to normal and leaves. She smiles and recovers her strength.He calls Komaki by first name on episode 12 and tells her to stop atking Kisaragi and she calms down, while other didn't affect her.

They still fight on season 2 he shifts from calling her she man during lighten humor and Komaki during serious time, where she listens. Season 2 Episode 10 Komaki looked heartbroken while touching her heart when Kyouichi is alone with Aoi. This leads to her only option to be with Daigo.

Anko
I really don't know how this happen they didn't show anything happening until S2E9 out of the blue. She had more scenes with Tatsuma alone time in season 1.

Tatsumi Feelings
Tatsumi love is hard to show since he willing to fight for anyone, smile, calls all girls by their last name, so there is barely any differentiation.

Based on Season 2 episode 5, Tatsumi had a chance to confess to Aoi but didn't and knew how she felt. He just stood there. Unlike Aoi, he showed emotions for Sayo.

He even has images of her Season 1 episode 7 Tendou sees images of Tat's memories 4 friends in dark background and Sayo in light flower field. He bought her gifts, tried to keep a secret from his only best friend in the world Kyouichi, he went with her knowing it was trap, and almost died for her.

Season 2 episode 5 again he sees image of Sayo. Season 2 episode 10 out of all the characters to motivate him to continue the fight was Sayo.

In my eyes, the relationships can be summed up

Season 1 Love

Kyouchi -> Aoi (quite obivous only one he calls by first name and princess, tough love to protect her ideals and herself, listens to her, goes to school for her)
Aoi-> Tatsuma (at first she shows feelings for Kyouichi, but after episode 9 he showed empathic feelings and their destiny might be entwined together then 10 she's jealous)
Tatsuma X Sayo (Tendou fought Tatsuma for first time, he saw Tats friends, then he say Sayo in field of flowers episode 10) Sayo likes him blushes and he went to die for her.

Daigo -> Komaki (quite obvious)
Komaki -> Kyouichi (because she blushed after him calling her woman, and smiles after he asks her to return back to her old self, finally got the courage to fight again)

Season 2

Anko ->? (i guess from all the stalking) Kyouchi X Aoi (at end of S2E10)

Tatsuma X Sayo

Daigo X Komaki (heart broken from Kyouichi after he was alone with Aoi were together alone, instead settles with Daigo)

Maiko X Reiji

Raito X fan girl

Wow, that's pretty nicely researched but I have a few comments anyway---

I agree with most of the things you say, like

Kyouichi -> Aoi throughout season 1~2
Anko -> Kyouichi at the end of season 2

BUT, I disagree with Tatsuma taken out of the equation for Aoi by S2E10.
Yes, she mentioned that she noticed everything about Kyouichi and stuff; the thing about fighting wasn't necessarily 'physically' fighting either (so the others being stronger, didn't really matter that much). It was about mental fighting, and Tatsuma could obviously NOT be mentioned because he was the reason Kyouichi would leave so, it would've been like...

Tatsuma is gone, and then the last one she could rely on was Kyouichi, if Kyouichi would have been gone, then she would have nobody in her opinion. Who more important is to her, is never really mentioned, Aoi shows repeatedly that she's sad about Tatsuma (disappearing), but Kyouichi leaving her as well, was too much. So, yeah she (might) have some feelings for Kyouichi, but she (definitely) still has some for Tatsuma too.

As for Aoi 'almost crying' when Kyouichi's name was called; you can look at that a little biased, (basically, Tatsuma AND Kyouichi are gone ;_;). Also, at the end S2E12, she cried/shed tears (more obviously) for Tatsuma, with the 'arigatou' part. But you can view it as missing Kyouichi as well, even though he wasn't the focus of the memory.
( It still doesn't say anything! )

Then about that part of Aoi confessing, yes, she sort of tried it, but Tatsuma didn't continue that conversation probably because;
1) He knew he would have end up having to battle and likely being attached to her would put her through suffering. (This is done by Kyouichi except he actually told her to stop fighting...because they both knew she doesn't want to fight (and in the end, 'can't fight'))
Then about Saya appearing in Tatsuma's mind, you could say that he's afraid of becoming attached with Aoi in that fashion, because she might suffer like Sayo did. (It depends how you view it)
2) He was struggling with his feelings about his teachings at that time. Killing, protecting, stuff like that. His hands killed, didn't protect. How could he be with someone like Aoi (with her kindness), if he considered himself a 'killer'?
(3) It wasn't supposed to be a dramatic love anime...lol)

Then about Sayo appearing (along with Tendou) to support him in S2E9... Aoi was already there, she spoke to everyone.. it would be awkward if she stopped her eye and walked over to him, or appeared to him as a 'spirit' while being alive, right?
It after all was, 'fighting for everyone they couldn't protect, that they hurt, to bring a future where everyone could smile' after all.

...I guess it depends on how you see it, lol. Priorities? ._.

Oh about the Anko, why she liked Kyouichi at the end, is because he basically did the same thing he did for Aoi at S2E10, in a different fashion... I think. XD

I have to say batman3456, I'm impressed! It's not often I find fans with such thought-out opinions on the characters - and you even know all the episode numbers by heart. Wow! :)

Basically, this poll is to see who everyone's favorite pairing is, canon or not, because I know there's a lot of implications in the anime that is all perspective. Some is possibly fan-service; it's obvious (to me) the anime is cheering for Kyouichi x Aoi, but in the manga, it's clearly Tatsuma x Aoi (because in the manga, it's Kyouichi x Arisa). In all areas of the franchise, I personally still like Kyouichi x Aoi, if you couldn't tell by the Aoi pairing preference? thread. ;)

Although I have to disagree with you on certain things. For instance:


Kyouichi calling Aoi hime (princess) is meant derogatory. Context, not literal. He's essentially calling her "high and mighty" or "spoiled rich girl". I used to call a girl in school "princess" too, and I certainly did not mean to imply she was beautiful and regal; I meant it as she was a snotty, you-know-what 'cuz her daddy had money. ~_~ Anyway, that is why he stops calling her that when they all become real friends.


I didn't get the impression that Aoi was jealous of Sayo. She was more disappointed because Tatsuma, at that point, was the only one she felt she could talk to. When she saw him with Sayo, she simply backed off. I do feel like she may have had a crush on Tatsuma, but it wasn't lasting; you could see she didn't rely on him so much in season two.

When did she make an implication that she wanted Tatsuma to notice her hair cut? My impression was she was embarrassed by her friends noticing, because when Komaki mentions it, she goes off on how it wasn't a big deal. And she didn't lead Komaki to bicker with Kyouichi - I didn't see that, either. That teasing is how their friendship displays itself! (And I'm not gonna say that Tatsuma being the only one to notice that Kisaragi also cut his hair means something romatical, either. LOL)


That's so interesting! I think you're the first person to bring up a possible Kyouichi x Komaki relationship. However, I personally think it's misreading her display of emotions.

In that first scene you mentioned, Kyouichi is the one to give her courage back because he's the one that always brought out her angry side; he didn't mean any of those words he said to get her riled up - he just knew that was a trait of his she disliked. Komaki and Kyouichi really have much the same personalities, so they have that in common, which is why Kyouichi probably understands how to "work with her". And Komaki didn't blush because she was attracted to him or turned on - she blushed because he was talking sex-smack and she was mortifed. *_*

Again, Kyouichi telling Komaki to calm down and stop screaming at Kisaragi in episode 12 wasn't because she was in love with him - it was because she was surprised. I stand by the fact they are so similar, and obviously Kyouichi had beaten on Kisaragi for attacking Aoi, too. So Komaki was stunned and subdued that this same man was telling her her own outburst was enough. They empathized.

You really don't give the Daigo x Komaki relationship much credit. I didn't get the notion Komaki was settling for Daigo. Throughout season one, it was clear she had no interest in boys or dating - that's why she never saw the signs of Daigo having feelings for her. But by season two, after Daigo was always protecting her, she was obviously returning his emotions. At the end, when Daigo is trying to explain how he wanted a family, she's the one that understands, and offers him her hand. She accepted his feelings, and returned them. And I'm fairly sure that scene was before the one you mention, where Komaki overhears Kyouichi telling Aoi that Tatsuma followed Yagyuu to China... which, by the way, I feel is not her displaying disappointment that Kyouichi was choosing Aoi, but moreso her own fears of having to return to the battlefield. If you'll recall, her previous conversation with Aoi at the sakura tree was her expressing her hopes the fighting was all over. Kyouichi going after Tatsuma was basically a sure sign to her that her wishes were going to be trampled. "Touching her heart" was, to me, more of a clutching her hand to her chest in panic or depression.


First, let me just say I actually support Tatsuma x Sayo. I think they're cute together, and their history is tragic and deep. However, the only feeling I got from Tatsuma towards Sayo was guilt. He met her dead, and he reunited with her dead. He flat-out told her he knew she was a zombie, but he wanted to show her some kindness, happiness, in her final days. Even if it meant following her into a trap. He wanted to protect her. But all of it, in my opinion, was out of grief and guilt. Tatsuma is super-sensitive like that, so I'm sure he also blamed himself for her original death in the CROW arc (because they were fighting Karasu when she got killed). Does that make true love? I dunno because Tatsuma is so soft towards all the girls, as just is his way.

As Tsunamu pointed out, this is an action highschool anime, not a dramatic love story - so I don't think all the character interactions can (or should) be taken into romantic implications. Thank you, though, for another thoughtful conversation! I love all this dialogue you got going!!

So~ who did you vote for in the poll, batman3456? ;D

Yeah, I have to add on hlwar with the Komaki part,
At the end, the 'heartbreak' she shows, is actually because it was confirmed that Tatsuma is still fighting (for them), and that everything didn't end as hlwar said.


You could take this when Aoi was looking at Tatsuma after commenting on Kisaragi's hair and their eyes met. I guess you could see it as a girl thinking (why didn't he comment about my hair) or something. (Maybe he did though!)


Lol, wow I never thought about this not being love, but you might be right. Tatsuma repeatedly has shown this kind of kindness, even to girls that were already taken, dead and attacked him.

For example, he already felt very guilty about not saving the girl with the pig-tails in episode one, even though he knew something was going to happen to her. (shown in episode 3) then with Sayo, it was the same. He decided that unlike that girl, he'd try to protect her; though what I wonder is, whether he even realized the deal she made with Tendou--that she would get a prolonged life or her parents would be revived if she gave him trouble. Rather than him only realizing that she was 'revived'.
(Well, at least, Sayo did fall in love with Tatsuma)

Then when with Aoi; they both actually probably like each other, but it wouldn't really be expanded on because Daigo is the one with the family issues and there's already the whole Daigo x Komaki that goes throughout the whole series. (And Kyouichi ...and Kisaragi are there too)
If they added a Tatsuma x Aoi x Kyouichi triangle-love-relationship (more openly), it'd turn into some romance-drama anime rather than...yeah. Anyways--

End S1 more or less says its Tatsuma x Aoi, (not to the extent of Daigo x Komaki @ S2, but...)
Tatsuma admits (and shows) repeatedly that he needs Aoi (although he later says we). Then his parents part (S1E14), well, it might just be left out that he writes about Komaki and stuff, but by the parents' way of talking, you'd guess that he writes about Aoi as someone he's interested in.
S2, for the first few eps, doesn't focus so much on neither Tatsuma nor Aoi, and when it does, it shows that Aoi is there for Tatsuma. Tatsuma is important to Aoi, but I can't really figure out in what way.. like romantically or best friend-style. Same for Kyouichi though, you'd just assume it's romantically cause it's girl x boy. xD

(LOL) Maybe I'm not girly enough, or I just don't like romance genres enough to feed off the implications, but I really didn't see longing in Aoi's look here. Granted, I haven't seen that episode in awhile, but I thought maybe she was more embarrassed because Kisaragi was the one who cut her hair. *shrugs*

I did notice in the first episode of season two how much they showed Aoi stealing glances at Tatsuma. But again, I didn't see romance. Rather, I thought she almost looked worried about him. I felt it was more an implication of all the hardships coming towards Tatsuma. Like season one's happenings affected Aoi, and Tatsuma was the one to support her emotionally through it, perhaps Aoi sensed tragedy coming for Tatsuma, and she wanted to be there in turn? Suspense building on that all-prevailing notion of Fate.

Also, Aoi seemed to fall into the backdrop in season two, in my opinion. The focus was off her Bosatsu-gan and on to the Vessels. In that sense, I felt like Aoi was not showing the same deep connection to Tatsuma as she did before, which is why I feel she merely had a crush on him and it had died. The focus moreso went to Kyouichi and Tatsuma's friendship, and the strength of their friendship as a group. That's what I saw, anyway.

That actually sums up my opinion. What I took away from Dai ni Maku was how much Tatsuma influenced the others, how all of their friendships started, and grew stronger - and how they all grew stronger as induviduals - because of meeting Tatsuma. Even Kisaragi stated much the same, when he told the group after Tatsuma's foster parents were slain that "they owed much to Tatsuma", implying they needed to help him as he'd done for them.


I'm sure he suspected something of the sort. Although there was no possible way Tatsuma could know the details, he had to have suspected Tendou after their previous encounters together. Seeing Sayo "alive" again was itself a warning sign, one that even had Kyouichi worried. Remember before Tatsuma left with Sayo, Kyouichi tried talking with him; the dark manner in which he approached his best friend, and his foreboding tone, told me Kyouichi even felt something was not quite right with her return, and their relationship.


When do you think Tatsuma admitted and showed his need for Aoi (and by need I assume you mean romantically)? In my opinion, I felt like his stating WE need you to Aoi should be taken at face-value, spoken from a boy who is honest (to the extent he lies badly). But again, maybe I missed something...

(LOL) Yeah, I guess they already had too much going on for Aoi's love-life, having Kyouichi and Kisaragi already fighting between themselves, having Tatsuma join in would simply be too much. And I'm sure Tatsuma wouldn't want to put himself negatively between all his friends; I rather think Tatsuma would never cross the line with Aoi because of his dear friendship with Kyouichi, because he knows he likes her.

Lol, there wasn't any 'particular' emotion in the stare. You can basically add in every thought you can think of except ones that are 'too extreme' and they all fit with that expression, so if you want Tatsuma x Aoi, you can look at it that way. xD


Yeah, pretty much. But that's exactly why I can't really figure it out; is it romantically or just as a 'close relationship'. You can look at it the way you want it, I suppose, except that they definitely be considered close.


I do not exactly think the crush died completely, but as you said the focus wasn't on the crush (anymore) so it would not be obvious, or not apparent at all.


No, I didn't mean it romantically... but you could think of it as 'selfish'. He did clearly say "I" need you at first. You can take it as I need you to be there (for/with me); he's not the only one though, that's why he changed it to "we". That's how I got it anyway.
The other times he needed her were less obvious, and she wasn't...as useful, lol. But it stood out again when she had to use her eye again.
That part I actually found very ironic. Aoi telling everyone to "stand up and fight, no matter how many times you're brought down, to stand up." And then an episode later, she can't "fight" anymore.

Though, sounds pretty solid too. XD


Yeah, I guess so. I guess he only figured out that Sayo would have to lead Tatsuma into trouble for a reason and he was willing to go through with it. Kyouichi's senses aren't as good, so he knew something was off but let Tatsuma do what he wanted cause there was still Aoi.