Why Adachi Is Actually a Better Match for Yamada Than Ichikawa

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romanceking12 said:
Why Adachi Is Actually a Better Match for Yamada Than Ichikawa. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now I’m gonna say it

I get why people say Ichikawa is the “safer” choice, but Adachi feels like the more honest and human match. He’s openly perverted, yeah, but he’s also confident and straightforward about what he wants, which means Yamada never has to guess how he feels. He risks rejection, says the quiet part out loud, and doesn’t hide desire behind self-loathing or silence. Ichikawa spends most of the early story stuck in his head, barely acting, yet still gets rewarded by the narrative, while Adachi gets treated like a joke for being upfront. A lot of the discomfort with Adachi isn’t that he’s disrespectful—it’s that he’s too real about attraction. Preferring him isn’t missing the point of the story; it’s questioning why being awkwardly quiet is seen as more valid than being confidently honest, even when that honesty is messy and perverted

Honestly I couldn't disagree more, as the sport's festival episodes the whole point was Adachi barely knew anything about Yamada at all despite liking her, and she was simply not interested.

One can argue if Ichikawa is too much of a passive protagonist, which fair. But the entire show is about 2 people with genuine interest that realize they like each other, while also grow to be better just by being together. it's not about getting "rewarded" or not. They just like each other.

That said I also dislike a fuck ton Adachi's character but that's a whole another can of worms.

@PMC6 The sports festival actually proves the opposite of what you’re saying. Adachi does misread Yamada there—but that’s because the show deliberately limits him, while Ichikawa is constantly given private, low‑stakes access to her inner world. Ichikawa doesn’t “know her better” because of superior emotional skill; he knows her because he’s repeatedly placed in intimate situations the story engineers for him (library lunches, accidental alone time, inner monologues we as viewers hear). Adachi is stuck interacting with the public, performative Yamada—the same one everyone else sees—so of course his read is shallow.

And the idea that it’s “just two people who like each other” skips over how often Ichikawa’s progress comes after Yamada initiates or reassures him. The milk tea scene, the career talk, even the festival moments all happen once safety is already established by her openness. That’s not mutual growth in a vacuum; it’s growth inside a narrative bubble that protects Ichikawa while sidelining alternatives. You can like that romance—and it is well written—but pretending the show isn’t actively choosing who gets depth, access, and payoff just ignores how storytelling works

Jan 28, 11:56 AM

#6

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Reply to romanceking12

@PMC6 The sports festival actually proves the opposite of what you’re saying. Adachi does misread Yamada there—but that’s because the show deliberately limits him, while Ichikawa is constantly given private, low‑stakes access to her inner world. Ichikawa doesn’t “know her better” because of superior emotional skill; he knows her because he’s repeatedly placed in intimate situations the story engineers for him (library lunches, accidental alone time, inner monologues we as viewers hear). Adachi is stuck interacting with the public, performative Yamada—the same one everyone else sees—so of course his read is shallow.

And the idea that it’s “just two people who like each other” skips over how often Ichikawa’s progress comes after Yamada initiates or reassures him. The milk tea scene, the career talk, even the festival moments all happen once safety is already established by her openness. That’s not mutual growth in a vacuum; it’s growth inside a narrative bubble that protects Ichikawa while sidelining alternatives. You can like that romance—and it is well written—but pretending the show isn’t actively choosing who gets depth, access, and payoff just ignores how storytelling works

@Liental Calling Adachi “weird” for being upfront misses the point. Studies on social behavior show trust is built through consistent, engaged interaction under pressure. He navigates public and private moments, earns Yamada’s responses, and adapts to social cues. Ichikawa is passive, idealizes her from a safe bubble, and only looks good because the story sets him up. Objectively, Adachi’s messy, human engagement is the stronger connection

romanceking12Jan 28, 12:31 PM

Jan 28, 12:10 PM

#7

Zarutaku

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I thought I'd dismiss the title, but you actually convinced me.

*kappa*

Jan 28, 12:49 PM

#8

PMC6

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romanceking12 said:
@PMC6 The sports festival actually proves the opposite of what you’re saying. Adachi does misread Yamada there—but that’s because the show deliberately limits him, while Ichikawa is constantly given private, low‑stakes access to her inner world. Ichikawa doesn’t “know her better” because of superior emotional skill; he knows her because he’s repeatedly placed in intimate situations the story engineers for him (library lunches, accidental alone time, inner monologues we as viewers hear). Adachi is stuck interacting with the public, performative Yamada—the same one everyone else sees—so of course his read is shallow.

And the idea that it’s “just two people who like each other” skips over how often Ichikawa’s progress comes after Yamada initiates or reassures him. The milk tea scene, the career talk, even the festival moments all happen once safety is already established by her openness. That’s not mutual growth in a vacuum; it’s growth inside a narrative bubble that protects Ichikawa while sidelining alternatives. You can like that romance—and it is well written—but pretending the show isn’t actively choosing who gets depth, access, and payoff just ignores how storytelling works

Sure, it is just a romcom that bends over for the protagonist to have moments together regardless if they are realistic/logical or not. Like pretty much 99% of romances in anime, not arguung over that.

Difference is Yamada is actively seeking Ichikawa, not Adachi. She doesn't try to show her real self to Adachi so what's even the point you are saying. Affection is not just smth to win over if u are more assertive or smth like that.

The idea of "things would be different if x happens" well, yes of course, but that's not what the story is doing. Adachi and Yamada barely interact to have any chemistry, nor Adachi/Yamada really do much to change the status quo. Adachi is obsessive but aside trying to compete with Ichikawa, he really doesn't take Yamada's feeling into consideration or actually persue her to invite her or smth. The sport's festival is just him trying to justify himself by beating his crush's crush.

Also not even sure what you mean by its not growth because of "once safety is already established by her openness". I don't believe growth happens only with struggle, but also having a safe space with people you love also allows you to grow.

PMC6Jan 28, 12:54 PM

Jan 28, 12:54 PM

#9

E-Satie

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The series kind of feels like wishfullfilment so I get what you are trying to say still since we didn't get to see that side of Adachi can't say he is better match.

Jan 28, 1:00 PM

#10

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Reply to E-Satie

The series kind of feels like wishfullfilment so I get what you are trying to say still since we didn't get to see that side of Adachi can't say he is better match.

@E-Satie it’s a good story but a short loner socially awkward unpopular kid getting the hottest girl in class is just too fantasy. Not saying it don’t happen it’s just unrealistic

Jan 28, 1:04 PM

#11

uselessDM

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PMC6 said:

romanceking12 said:
Why Adachi Is Actually a Better Match for Yamada Than Ichikawa. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now I’m gonna say it

I get why people say Ichikawa is the “safer” choice, but Adachi feels like the more honest and human match. He’s openly perverted, yeah, but he’s also confident and straightforward about what he wants, which means Yamada never has to guess how he feels. He risks rejection, says the quiet part out loud, and doesn’t hide desire behind self-loathing or silence. Ichikawa spends most of the early story stuck in his head, barely acting, yet still gets rewarded by the narrative, while Adachi gets treated like a joke for being upfront. A lot of the discomfort with Adachi isn’t that he’s disrespectful—it’s that he’s too real about attraction. Preferring him isn’t missing the point of the story; it’s questioning why being awkwardly quiet is seen as more valid than being confidently honest, even when that honesty is messy and perverted

Honestly I couldn't disagree more, as the sport's festival episodes the whole point was Adachi barely knew anything about Yamada at all despite liking her, and she was simply not interested.

One can argue if Ichikawa is too much of a passive protagonist, which fair. But the entire show is about 2 people with genuine interest that realize they like each other, while also grow to be better just by being together. it's not about getting "rewarded" or not. They just like each other.

That said I also dislike a fuck ton Adachi's character but that's a whole another can of worms.

I mean how would Adachi ever learn more about her though? Ichikawa actively (although inadvertently) prevented him from getting her line id. He probably wouldn't have gotten it either way, but he was certainly trying at that point.

Of course we can't really know how serious he was about her since we never get any insights of his character, but I think saying that he doesn't like her because he doesn't know anything about her when he never really gets the opportunity to interact with her feels a bit unfair towards him.

uselessDMJan 28, 1:09 PM

https://www.honeyfeed.fm/u/34774/novels

Why must the products of man trouble me so?

Jan 28, 1:12 PM

#12

PMC6

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uselessDM said:

PMC6 said:

Honestly I couldn't disagree more, as the sport's festival episodes the whole point was Adachi barely knew anything about Yamada at all despite liking her, and she was simply not interested.

One can argue if Ichikawa is too much of a passive protagonist, which fair. But the entire show is about 2 people with genuine interest that realize they like each other, while also grow to be better just by being together. it's not about getting "rewarded" or not. They just like each other.

That said I also dislike a fuck ton Adachi's character but that's a whole another can of worms.

I mean how would Adachi ever learn more about her though? Ichikawa actively (although inadvertently) prevented him from getting her line id. He probably wouldn't have gotten it either way, but he was certainly trying at that point.

Of course we can't really know how serious he was about her since we never get any insights of his character, but I think saying that he doesn't like her because he doesn't know anything about her when he never really gets the opportunity to interact with her feels a bit unfair towards him.

Adachi asked him for her number, not her tbf. I wouldn't count that as trying or at least more than any of Ichikawa's early advancements

And about "Of course we can't really know how serious he was about her since we never get any insights of his character..." I personally feel that's the point? Sure more power to u if you ship them, nobody has a sayung on that but u, that said, saying it's a better pairing with what if's with barely any interaction well, that's where I disagree with you

PMC6Jan 28, 1:15 PM

Jan 28, 2:29 PM

#13

Liental

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@romanceking12

I was just stating the why of it. I don't know where you got your studies from, for trust to be formed under pressure. I only see that being true for joining an institution like (military, police, fire fighter, where stressful situations exist in the environment). But I just look at it logically.

I interact with my coworkers regularly, it doesn't mean I trust them beyond them performing their duties. With the track history they have and same with me versus the trust for a partner.

They don't have the same level of trust that my family members, and close friends have from the amount of time I spent with them to feel comfortable being myself. So continuing from my last post. Speaking as an introvert aswell I relate to Ichikawa to an extent, my family and close friends know my personality and how I am versus how my coworkers perceive me as the guy that doesn't talk much (with mutiple coworkers throughout my current work life telling me how they viewed me). I don't have the need to express myself or talk about myself to people I don't know very well past an acquaintance since it feels unnecessary. It would be the samething for a potential girlfriend, I wont let out all that I am until later with time. I don't know why I'm like that I just am.

How I'm able to talk about myself freely in a forum chat is the sense of anonymity. Versus being face to face.

Jan 28, 4:30 PM

#14

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Your wrong by the simple fact that yamada seems to not be interested in him at all, also Adachi just being interested in Yamada because he’s a perverted teenage boy while ichikawa actually takes the time to learn about Yamada and her passions is a crazy thing to just brush off what stopped Adachi from taking the time to do that

DrHouse67Jan 28, 4:36 PM

Jan 28, 4:58 PM

#15

FreedomKME

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You are completely ignoring all the development both main characters have, on their own and together, all to try to fit some weird and skewed narrative about compatibility but that is actually about possession. You are completely ignoring Yamada as a human being.

Jan 28, 5:30 PM

#16

Crazyboy640

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theres a bonus chapter in the manga where Yamada gets the ick over adachi talking to her so i doubt they'll make a good couple

Jan 28, 6:17 PM

#17

GakutoDeathGlare

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Safer choice? He's like the only choice lol, there's next to no development or any sort of meaningful interaction between Yamada and Adachi, what is this cope?

Jan 28, 7:32 PM

#18

Suprgamr123

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Did you even watch the show? Love is not about who's the "best match".

Jan 28, 7:59 PM

#19

Whitingbolt

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Sure, let's not mention Adachi's complete lack of emotional maturity at all. Especially when the point of maturity is constantly brought up when interpreting Yamada's character. The reason the show works is because both Ichikawa and Yamada are able to look past themselves and see what the other needs, rather than have to ask. You'd have an awfully bland and sorry relationship if you had to ask your partner constantly how they were feeling and what they needed. Not to mention an extremely boring romance drama. Being loud and open about your feelings to anyone and everyone you meet doesn't show you're more reliable and easy to be around; it shows you're incapable of any sort of deep and meaningful emotional connection. Your inability to censor yourself causes you to cast the delicate and unspoken feelings of those around you in forgotten shadows. I couldn't disagree with anything you said more.

Jan 28, 8:23 PM

#20

_Shash_

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One of Adachi's lines really was "I wish I could be FWB with Yamada", but yeah, he could've been a better match for her, because he is so honest and outspoken about what he wants.

Jan 28, 8:31 PM

#21

Theredapple1

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I think your completely ignoring yamada and not treating her like a charcter like she would be with any confident guy that talks to her.

but thats not her, she likes ichikawa she likes the moody quitness of him how hes kind to her. Like I dont know why you think she would like the confident type when she probably already rejected them before like when we are introduced shes pretty popular wouldnt be surprised if she had some people confess to her. It was the slow build that make yamada fall for her its just its harder to tell since the story is told from ichikawas pov

Jan 28, 9:15 PM

#22

humzassgss

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romanceking12 said:
Why Adachi Is Actually a Better Match for Yamada Than Ichikawa. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now I’m gonna say it

I get why people say Ichikawa is the “safer” choice, but Adachi feels like the more honest and human match. He’s openly perverted, yeah, but he’s also confident and straightforward about what he wants, which means Yamada never has to guess how he feels. He risks rejection, says the quiet part out loud, and doesn’t hide desire behind self-loathing or silence. Ichikawa spends most of the early story stuck in his head, barely acting, yet still gets rewarded by the narrative, while Adachi gets treated like a joke for being upfront. A lot of the discomfort with Adachi isn’t that he’s disrespectful—it’s that he’s too real about attraction. Preferring him isn’t missing the point of the story; it’s questioning why being awkwardly quiet is seen as more valid than being confidently honest, even when that honesty is messy and perverted

I don’t agree. The only thing Adachi cared about Yamada was her looks. She felt uncomfortable around him because of that. And good on her for that and staying away from him.

Jan 28, 9:28 PM

#23

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I don’t even see this series in your watched list there’s just a bunch of hentai

DrHouse67Jan 28, 9:34 PM

Jan 29, 1:29 PM

#24

ZQuago

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Ah Hell nah! I can see where you're coming from but the relatability of the two main leads is why their relationship works, they both have a form of anxiety because of their experiences and wear a mask for the public.

How does Adachi being more forward mean that they are a better match? Being with him wouldn't help Yamada grow much like how the main relationship helps the two of them.

Jan 29, 9:33 PM

#25

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Sep 2021

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Only desperate loser would say this

Jan 29, 9:34 PM

#26

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Never mind, i know where're u come from. Couldn't expect more from porn enjoyer.

Jan 29, 9:40 PM

#27

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Reply to E-Satie

The series kind of feels like wishfullfilment so I get what you are trying to say still since we didn't get to see that side of Adachi can't say he is better match.

@E-Satie in what world this show is wish fullfilment?? This show literally one of the most grounded romance out there with natural development & realistic character. But i kind see where u're come from

Jan 30, 2:52 PM

#28

False_Entity

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Reply to Mmamaajjasnz

@E-Satie in what world this show is wish fullfilment?? This show literally one of the most grounded romance out there with natural development & realistic character. But i kind see where u're come from

@Mmamaajjasnz i love this show but it kinda is. The anime’s MC just feels like wish-fulfillment — flustered, apologetic, and passive. I’d rather watch someone who knows what they want and goes for it than a character who exists just for audience projection

Feb 1, 12:08 PM

#29

kleb90

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Reply to False_Entity

@Mmamaajjasnz i love this show but it kinda is. The anime’s MC just feels like wish-fulfillment — flustered, apologetic, and passive. I’d rather watch someone who knows what they want and goes for it than a character who exists just for audience projection

@False_Entity In fact, it’s the exact opposite: people love confident characters because they want to project themselves onto them and gain confidence. Realistic characters like Ichikawa, who are aware of their own weaknesses and strive to overcome them, are not liked because they reflect weakness, insecurity, and reality itself. Nobody likes that.

Jin-woo from Solo Leveling or Rentaro from The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really Love You are the perfect examples of wish fulfillment.

Feb 1, 3:35 PM

#30

Kaiki-SMD1991

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If only, ANY MC from ANY shoe could have the spine to say what they think and want.
We would save 3000+ Hours.

If there is any message I learnt from anime & manga, it is to explain your thoughts explicitly because people are incredibly stupid.

Not that people even act that way in real life.

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Feb 1, 5:36 PM

#31

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Reply to Kaiki-SMD1991

If only, ANY MC from ANY shoe could have the spine to say what they think and want.
We would save 3000+ Hours.

If there is any message I learnt from anime & manga, it is to explain your thoughts explicitly because people are incredibly stupid.

Not that people even act that way in real life.

@Kaiki-SMD1991 Yeah, exactly. The bold, straightforward, dominant MC who just says what he wants? He almost never gets the girl (or the harem) in most romance/light novels. Japanese authors love the dense, indecisive self-insert protag who does nothing and still wins through “kindness” and endless misunderstandings—because real confidence and clear communication would kill the filler and wish-fulfillment fantasy.
A guy with actual spine ruins the escapism—no risk, no rejection, just vibes.

Sakuta from Bunny Girl Senpai is such a breath of fresh air though—he openly flirts, teases, and calls Mai out directly without all the blushing hesitation. It’s refreshing as hell compared to the usual “I can’t possibly confess” crowd.

Feb 1, 5:54 PM

#32

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Reply to DrHouse67

Your wrong by the simple fact that yamada seems to not be interested in him at all, also Adachi just being interested in Yamada because he’s a perverted teenage boy while ichikawa actually takes the time to learn about Yamada and her passions is a crazy thing to just brush off what stopped Adachi from taking the time to do that

@DrHouse67 Yeah, spot on—Yamadа has zero romantic vibes for Adachi (she barely notices him beyond polite classmate energy), and his crush is mostly shallow teen horniness at first—no deep dive into her passions, insecurities, or snack quirks like Ichikawa does (e.g., noticing her modeling stress or library munchies).
But that’s the rub: the story never gives Adachi those quiet, intimate moments to grow beyond comic relief. He gets sidelined for laughs (like his early peeking gags or White Day underwear plan flop), while Ichikawa’s brooding earns proximity and development. Adachi’s bold “I like her looks, deal with it” honesty gets shut down, but it’s direct—no guessing games—vs. Ichikawa’s early headspace objectification (murder plots included).

Canon-wise, Adachi loses hard and gracefully: that S2 Ep11 cavalry battle is peak—Ichikawa hits him with the “You only see the surface, she’s way more than cute!” speech in the rain, headbutts him to keep fighting, and Adachi yields, accepting they’re the real deal. He even congratulates them later while cursing his luck.

So yeah, Adachi doesn’t “earn” her because the plot rigs it for the quiet underdog. But in a world prizing messy, confident honesty over slow-burn subtlety, his vibe could feel more human. The narrative favors Ichikawa—great arc—but it makes loud desire look lesser.

Feb 1, 6:02 PM

#33

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romanceking12 said:
@Kaiki-SMD1991 Yeah, exactly. The bold, straightforward, dominant MC who just says what he wants? He almost never gets the girl (or the harem) in most romance/light novels. Japanese authors love the dense, indecisive self-insert protag who does nothing and still wins through “kindness” and endless misunderstandings—because real confidence and clear communication would kill the filler and wish-fulfillment fantasy.
A guy with actual spine ruins the escapism—no risk, no rejection, just vibes.

Sakuta from Bunny Girl Senpai is such a breath of fresh air though—he openly flirts, teases, and calls Mai out directly without all the blushing hesitation. It’s refreshing as hell compared to the usual “I can’t possibly confess” crowd.

Except Adachi is too scared to get to know yamada or confess to her, he’ll he needed his mommy to give chocolate to a girl he says he doesn’t have a crush on, you know who does talk to yamada and confess to her ichikawa does that

Feb 1, 6:08 PM

#34

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romanceking12 said:
@DrHouse67 Yeah, spot on—Yamadа has zero romantic vibes for Adachi (she barely notices him beyond polite classmate energy), and his crush is mostly shallow teen horniness at first—no deep dive into her passions, insecurities, or snack quirks like Ichikawa does (e.g., noticing her modeling stress or library munchies).
But that’s the rub: the story never gives Adachi those quiet, intimate moments to grow beyond comic relief. He gets sidelined for laughs (like his early peeking gags or White Day underwear plan flop), while Ichikawa’s brooding earns proximity and development. Adachi’s bold “I like her looks, deal with it” honesty gets shut down, but it’s direct—no guessing games—vs. Ichikawa’s early headspace objectification (murder plots included).

Canon-wise, Adachi loses hard and gracefully: that S2 Ep11 cavalry battle is peak—Ichikawa hits him with the “You only see the surface, she’s way more than cute!” speech in the rain, headbutts him to keep fighting, and Adachi yields, accepting they’re the real deal. He even congratulates them later while cursing his luck.

So yeah, Adachi doesn’t “earn” her because the plot rigs it for the quiet underdog. But in a world prizing messy, confident honesty over slow-burn subtlety, his vibe could feel more human. The narrative favors Ichikawa—great arc—but it makes loud desire look lesser.

I’m really confused as to why you think Adachi has the potential you think he does he’s a generic side character a common stereotypical school boy that’s in countless other anime he never really has any potential and he was never meant to like I said before he’s not really more inclined to ask for what he wants at all he’s just slightly more sociable

Feb 1, 6:17 PM

#35

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Reply to DrHouse67

romanceking12 said:
@Kaiki-SMD1991 Yeah, exactly. The bold, straightforward, dominant MC who just says what he wants? He almost never gets the girl (or the harem) in most romance/light novels. Japanese authors love the dense, indecisive self-insert protag who does nothing and still wins through “kindness” and endless misunderstandings—because real confidence and clear communication would kill the filler and wish-fulfillment fantasy.
A guy with actual spine ruins the escapism—no risk, no rejection, just vibes.

Sakuta from Bunny Girl Senpai is such a breath of fresh air though—he openly flirts, teases, and calls Mai out directly without all the blushing hesitation. It’s refreshing as hell compared to the usual “I can’t possibly confess” crowd.

Except Adachi is too scared to get to know yamada or confess to her, he’ll he needed his mommy to give chocolate to a girl he says he doesn’t have a crush on, you know who does talk to yamada and confess to her ichikawa does that

@DrHouse67 ok your right. Maybe I’m projecting because it’s a super common thing in rom-coms and anime where side characters like Adachi flash these appealing traits (bold confidence, zero filter, straightforward energy) that feel way more fun or “real” than the MC’s endless awkwardness and self-doubt, but they get brushed aside or sidelined so the protagonist can have his big redemption/growth arc and win the girl.

Feb 1, 6:21 PM

#36

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romanceking12 said:
@DrHouse67 ok your right. Maybe I’m projecting because it’s a super common thing in rom-coms and anime where side characters like Adachi flash these appealing traits (bold confidence, zero filter, straightforward energy) that feel way more fun or “real” than the MC’s endless awkwardness and self-doubt, but they get brushed aside or sidelined so the protagonist can have his big redemption/growth arc and win the girl.

It’s common very simply because humans love underdogs, someone who rises up from no one to someone, I mean it’s not fun to hear about a rich person winning the lottery is it

Feb 2, 5:01 AM

#37

Kaiki-SMD1991

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romanceking12 said:
@Kaiki-SMD1991 Yeah, exactly. The bold, straightforward, dominant MC who just says what he wants? He almost never gets the girl (or the harem) in most romance/light novels. Japanese authors love the dense, indecisive self-insert protag who does nothing and still wins through “kindness” and endless misunderstandings—because real confidence and clear communication would kill the filler and wish-fulfillment fantasy.
A guy with actual spine ruins the escapism—no risk, no rejection, just vibes.

Sakuta from Bunny Girl Senpai is such a breath of fresh air though—he openly flirts, teases, and calls Mai out directly without all the blushing hesitation. It’s refreshing as hell compared to the usual “I can’t possibly confess” crowd.

Every word 💯.

It is depressing how little the medium gets from a good protagonist.

It does not have to ruin shows, or make them boring with a lack or filler. But when your characters have a spine you can do so much more.

Instead of repeating the 70,000 tropes found in every show, you can actually write something new. Yet, that is not appealing to any of these authors, as they know they can get paid if they follow the formula.

This is how you get every popular genre being the exact same, and every show that does not conform to that gets slandered as awful by people who watch the same exact shows every day.

Depressing cycle.

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5 hours ago

#38