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7 Beauty & The Beast Couples

by Lynzee Loveridge,

In this week's Classic List, check these romances that are as old as time. While Emma Watson is shacking up with a water buffalo, these couples took their own chances it would normally be considered a mismatch.

One character is capable of immense, sometimes even supernatural strength while their partner is an example of grace and elegance. The two work as a balancing act for one another, with the "beauty" often calming the impulses of the "beast." In other cases the "beast" is hardly what he or she appears to be and is a victim of stereotypes. If they were only given a chance, everyone would see they aren't interested in beating kids up and taking their lunch money.

7. Nanami/Tomoe (Kamisama Kiss) Nanami is a down-on-her-luck girl who, through a series of both fortunate and unfortunate circumstances, becomes the god of a shrine when the real deity bails. Homeless, Nanami decided to shack up there, only to find its resident yokai is none too pleased to see her. Tomoe is a fox yokai, one of the few supernatural entities in Japanese lore that are actually attractive. It's doubtful that the pair's romantic attraction for one another would grow if he was a Tengu or a possessed teapot. As the new god, Nanami takes "ownership" of Tomoe who has shown to be pretty scary when he's not under someone's command. He's capable and has at times killed men by sword and with foxfire.

6. Shūji/Chise (Saikano) Regular, imperfect high school guy Shūji falls in love with war machine Chise while the rest of the world is going to hell in a handbasket. Both parties are trying to feel their way through a typical high school relationship but both more or less suck at it for completely different reasons. Shūji's reason is he's apparently very easily emotionally manipulated and can't keep his hands to himself. Chise's reason is she keeps getting abducted by the government for further weaponry add-ons to destroy whomever Japan is apparently fighting. This doesn't leave a lot of time for fumbling around in the dark or going to the amusement park for a date. There's also the added risk that she might blow his head off if he doesn't watch where his hands are going. Of course, Shūji isn't exactly a winner himself.

5. Takeo/Rinko (My Love Story!) Takeo is often regarded as an ogre by average folks and most of his female classmates. This is completely contrary to his character, because while Takeo could fill in for the Hulk, he's sweet-natured and an upstanding guy. It's these qualities and his larger-than-life physique that attracts the equally sweet Rinko Yamato. Rinko is tiny, and not just in comparison to her boyfriend. She's more traditionally attractive and enjoys things like baking cakes, spending Christmas together, and actually kissing her significant other. Takeo and Rinko are this week's cutest example, because despite their physical differences their hearts are a perfect match.

4. Hamel/Flute (Violinist of Hameln) Hamel is a stoic orphan with a bass-sized violin and a conspicuous horn on his head. After he uses his music to defeat invading demons, he begins a quest with a talking bird named Oboe and fellow villager, Flute. Hamel's personality in the manga versus the anime is wildly different, but his ability to transform into a powerful demon remains constant. Flute, despite her countryside appearance, is actually a princess. Her healing magic works as a foil to Hamel whenever he goes off the deep end.

3. Briareos and Deunan (Appleseed) He is a giant rabbit-looking cyborg and she's a bad-ass, professional member of the Olympus security force, E.S.W.A.T. Briareos wasn't always 75% machine. He used to be a regular, fleshy guy who happened to have a particular set of skills. He and Deunan bonded over war and bloodshed before an explosion landed him in his cybernetic body. The differences between Deunan and Briareos are few despite their appearances. Her childhood is equally traumatic and helped shape her into an unshakable, professional soldier. Together, they're an efficient team protecting Olympus from threats both foreign and domestic.

2. Yumi/Shishio (Rurouni Kenshin) Shishio really got lucky when he captured the affections of Yumi Komagata. Both were rejected by Meiji-era society. Yumi for her profession as a sex worker and Shishio for falling out of favor with the new government. He now lives covered in bandages that hide the burns from an attempted assassination. He then amassed a following who believed in his philosophy and supported his plans to overthrow the government that betrayed him. Yumi and Shishio's love appears genuine. She tends to his wounds and monitors his body temperature so Shishio doesn't overheat. Usually villain romantic relationships are one-sided, with one character devout to the other who in turn manipulates or abuses them. This isn't the case for Shishio and Yumi, who remain together even after death

1. Kyo/Tohru (Fruits Basket) It's hard being a cat. You're typecast as an antisocial, moody loner for one. If you're THE cat of the famous Chinese Zodiac story then you have the added bonus of being tricked by a jerk rat and missing out on the opportunity for astrological stardom. This is the basis for Kyo, one of the main two romantic interests for hardworking school girl Tohru. Like all the members of the Sohma family, Kyo turns into his animal counterpart. The cat, however, has an extra stipulation that's much more monstrous. And smelly. The cursed form is something Kyo finds immense shame in, but surely it's something a little "true love" can fix?

The new poll: What's your favorite Gundam opening theme?

The old poll: Which Spring 2017 anime series are you most looking forward to?

  1. Attack on Titan (TV 2/2017)
  2. My Hero Academia (TV 2)
  3. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Sword Oratoria
  4. Eccentric Family 2
  5. Natsume Yūjin-Chō Roku
  6. Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul
  7. Berserk (TV 2017)
  8. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
  9. Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Flat
  10. Clockwork Planet
  11. Eromanga Sensei
  12. Sakura Quest
  13. Atom The Beginning
  14. Granblue Fantasy the Animation
  15. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (ONA 2)
  16. Kabukibu!
  17. Kyōkai no Rinne (TV 3)
  18. sin Nanatsu no Taizai
  19. Fukumenkei Noise
  20. Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS


When she isn't compiling lists of tropes, topics, and characters, Lynzee works as the Interest Editor for Anime News Network and posts pictures of her son on Twitter @ANN_Lynzee.

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