Top 5 Supernatural Romance Anime – Great Characters, Worldbuilding, and Just Sweet Moments

Posted on by Karandi
Top 5 Supernatural Romance anime

It seems inevitable that someone who loves horror and fantasy but also love a good romantic comedy would somehow end up falling in love with supernatural romance anime. If nothing else, at least unlike supernatural romance fiction in western novels, it hasn’t yet been totally overrun with broody vampires or fallen angels that all seem like carbon copies of the last book you picked up.

And there are so many great titles to choose from.

What are my top 5 picks for Supernatural Romance Anime?

In order to keep my list from spiralling out of control I decided that the criteria for making the list had to be a great balance between the supernatural and romantic elements and the story had to work. As a result, Tsubasa Chronicles ended up getting left off the list even though I was sure that Syaoran and Sakura’s romance would end up here. But ultimately the romance takes a back seat to the fantasy journey between worlds and so it will simply get an honourable mention.

Number 5: Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai Episode 11 Mai Supernatural Romance Anime

Bunny Girl Senpai is an interesting title to kick off the list given each arc of the story introduces a separate supernatural element and another girl with a problem for Sakuta to solve. Which could very quickly have lead us into harem territory rather than making this a supernatural romance anime (I know harem stories are technically romance but they really deserve their own category).

However, while there are many girls that vie for Sakuta’s attention in this coming of age narrative, Sakurajima Mai, the titular Bunny Girl, remains his love interest throughout and while her problem is resolved in the first arc, their relationship doesn’t screech to a halt after that point.

This title may not leave audiences with quite the warm and fluffy feelings of some of the other titles on the list (and it certainly doesn’t have half the heart break) it’s a solid supernatural romance anime that presents both supernatural mysteries and a believable teen romance and manages to balance both elements in a way that makes it feel pretty satisfying to watch.

Number 4: Beyond the Boundary

Beyond the Boundary - Cute supernatural romance anime

Akihito and Mirai, the two main characters of Beyond the Boundary, are perhaps the most adorakable pair of characters in this list of supernatural romance anime.

Akihito with his jaded attitude to everything but his extreme glasses fetish and Mirai with her social awkwardness and clumsiness as an exorcist really do just perfectly suit each other and seeing them slowly open up to one another is utterly adorable.

That this happens while Mirai attempts to kill Akihito and becomes increasingly frustrated at his seemingly unkillable nature in a world where shades attack quite regularly leaving these characters in life-threatening (although sometimes quite silly) scenarios is what makes this story truly great. And seeing them stand by one another when things get really bad is an absolute joy.

While Beyond the Boundary isn’t without its issues, if you want a beautiful supernatural story with a powerful romance at the core you’ll certainly find it here.

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Number 3: Clannad

Clannad - Supernatural Romance Anime

Truth be told, I am not a huge fan of Clannad but it would be criminal to leave it off a list of supernatural romance anime given the following this one has. And realistically it ticks all the boxes as it builds up a very solid romance, and if you watch into Clannad After-Story you’ll see that romance progress to marriage and beyond so it certainly ticks all the right boxes there.

Now as to the supernatural side of this you’ll have to watch the whole thing to really get it as there is a parallel story running through this that doesn’t really resolve until much later. While some of the dramas the teens face at school have supernatural trappings it will play out largely like another harem romance until later in the piece.

Honestly, this one is a beautiful story but it never really clicked for me. Still, if supernatural romance anime is something you are looking for, you may very well want to check Clannad out as it certainly has enough fans and honestly it is very watchable (and while watching it is pretty compelling) even if it didn’t really stick with me afterward.

Number 2: Kamisama Kiss

Kamisama Kiss - Supernatural Romance Anime

A break from so many serious entries we have the hilarious and fun Kamisama Kiss making an appearance as my second favourite supernatural romance anime. Nanami and Tomoe are a great couple in this story, at least once they get over their initial attitudes toward one another, and the supernatural world building is very solid as Nanami goes from being a normal high school girl to learning what it means to be a god.

Over two seasons we’ll see these two get significantly closer to understanding one another and learn to depend on and trust the other (even if that is sometimes a bit difficult). Unfortunately, the anime doesn’t go far enough and we still haven’t seen where this romance leads.

That said, Kamisama Kiss is one anime that leaps immediately to mind when thinking of great supernatural romance anime and it is one I’ve binged watched on multiple occasions because it is just great fun.

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Number 1: Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket - Tohru and Kyo Supernatural romance anime.

With Fruits Basket 2019 finally coming to a close with the Final Season, I can now say that this is my favourite supernatural romance anime. While the second and third seasons get significantly darker as we delve more into the curse of the Souma’s, Tohru’s relationships with the zodiacs continue to grow and season three doesn’t just see her romance come to fruition but pretty much every character ends up with someone.

It is impossibly sweet and heart-breaking viewing and I dare someone to try watching it without having a good cry more than once along the way. But as with all romances we do eventually get to the happily ever after phase which more or less makes you cry again but in a different way.

Anyway, if you’ve followed my coverage of Fruits Basket as it has been airing you will know I love the characters, love how the narrative develops and ultimately am very satisfied with how the anime came to an end. It totally deserves this top spot on the list.

Top 5 Supernatural Romance anime

What are your favourite supernatural romance anime?

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Top 5 Characters with Completely Inappropriate Occupations

Posted on by Karandi
Top 5 Inappropriate

This week I want to look at characters who are just completely inappropriate occupations. I’m going to be honest, keeping the list to 5 was challenging given how many anime characters are just ill suited for their job, so I really look forward to seeing who you guys would have added to the list.

Please Note – There are spoilers below. You have been warned.

Honourable mentions this week go to Kuroko Shirai as a Judgement Officer in A Certain Magical Index, Naoya Touhara as a Toy is Astarotte No Omocha and Mephisto as a Principal in Ao No Exorcist. But as I said before, I had a really long list to start with, so there are plenty of other characters that probably should have been mentioned.

Which characters did I think have completely inappropriate occupations?

How did I make my selection? I really thought about which character’s job bugged me the whole time I watched their show. If it was intruding into my thoughts regularly and I was questioning why they were doing what they were doing, they probably ended up on my final list.

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Number 5: Ayako Matsuzaki as a Shrine Maiden in Ghost Hunt

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  • Character with a completely inappropriate occupation - Ayako
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Even the other characters in Ghost Hunt laugh when Ayako introduces herself as a Shrine Maiden and it becomes obvious throughout the series that even though she knows a lot about being a Shrine Maiden she isn’t one.

Even the monk (the rock band member monk who also should be mentioned in this list for inappropriate occupations) explains to Mai (and the audience) that Ayako just doesn’t operate the way Shrine Maiden’s should. That and her attitude toward anything that seems like work earned her a place on the list as she seems to be in a completely inappropriate occupation.

Number 4: Kisuke Urahara as a Shopkeeper in Bleach

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This one is more just because it seems like there is no reason why Urahara’s shop in Bleach hasn’t just gone bankrupt. He is a lousy shop keeper and his pretense that that is all he is is blatantly ridiculous, particularly when you see what is underneath the shop. Now, admittedly, he is kind of in retirement after a fairly eventful life so he can do whatever he wants, but if he wanted to run a shop surely he should show just a little more interest in doing it well.

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Number 3: Sanae Furukawa as a Baker in Clannad

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I’ll admit that this was probably a cheap shot but if you can’t bake, don’t be a baker. That kind of makes sense to the rest of us but Sanae Furukawa is persistent if nothing else. As much as there are moments in Clannad I really enjoyed, seeing Sanae’s reactions to honest responses to her bread was not one of them. What bugs me is that she still bursts into tears at the slightest criticism when you would think she would either get over it or learn to bake. And how does she manage to not get any better if she is doing it every single day?

Number 2: Teletha Testarossa as a Captain in Full Metal Panic

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While there is nothing wrong with Tessa’s intelligence and her dedication to her crew, temperamentally she is not suited to command and there are a myriad of other characters in Full Metal Panic who could. This comes across so often in the series. She struggles making the tough calls when her crew are in danger, she is a teenage girl and at times feels the need to act that way, and she is also unreasonably stubborn on certain issues. None of these would make her a very effective captain and assuming that an entire crew would just loyally fall behind her because she’s cute is just a little insane.

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Number 1: Sadao Maou as a MgRonalds Employee in The Devil is a Part Timer

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Kind of an obvious choice given the occupation is the entire joke but The Devil is a Part-Timer was made for this list. It isn’t right that Satan would be flipping hamburgers in a fast food shop and yet here he is, planning his world conquest as he works his way up the managerial ranks. I love that he’s ambitious and hard working but it is still a totally inappropriate profession for his character (even if he is apparently amazing at it).

What are your thoughts? Which other characters are completing jobs they probably shouldn’t be?

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Clannad and Clannad After Story Series Review

Posted on by Karandi
clannad3

Overview:

It seems really unlikely that you don’t already know what Clannad is about but just in case, the story mostly follows Tomoya who runs into Nagisa on her way to school talking to herself. Seems she is a bit worried because she’s had to repeat a year due to ill health and she’s worried she won’t know anyone. Tomoya isn’t exactly the most reliable assistant given his own personal traumas but the two of them are going to try to make it.

Review:

This is going to be fairly short because my overall feeling with Clannad is that while it was fun to watch not much of it sticks afterward. Almost instantly my memory becomes hazy. I know there are plenty of female characters that Tomoya helps along the way during the first season, but other than Nagisa and Fuuka none of them really left any kind of impression (other than the genius who can kill people with the sound of her violin – okay they don’t die but they look like they wish they could die).

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After Story has a far more lasting impression but that is because the story focusses on what happens after they are done with school and is pretty much about Tomoya and Nagisa’s relationship which then leads to Tomoya building a relationship with his child and finally facing his own issues with his father. It is a far more focussed story and while the other characters all make appearances, it is clear who owns the story and it has far more emotional strength as a result. Still, After Story only works because of the ground work Clannad did in the first place so it isn’t as though we don’t learn about these characters as they go about fixing everything.

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I often wonder why male anime protagonists feel that they have to help every sad anime girl that they encounter but clearly it is a necessity as is the girl then following said guy around like they have no existence outside of said guy and guys other rescued girls. Even when it is clear the guy is with or going to end up with one of the other girls. Just keep hanging around and maybe you’ll get your screen time.

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Tomoya’s one male friend fares a little better because at least you remember him, even if it is only because he gets beaten up almost every time he appears. It is a running gag, and like many of the comedy moments in the series, one I wasn’t so fond of. And yet, for all that they literally use this character as a punching bag, Sunohara’s existence is kind of essential to the series and his few actually dramatic moments work well.

The story does take a fairly serious look at a range of high school and life issues. Some of these are quite moving and relatable and others are recognisable even if you don’t have any personal experience. This focus on real drama kind of lifts this show from just being another generic high school harem thing.

Basically if you like slow high school stories that have a lot of drama but are peppered with the usual kind of comedy moments and scenarios than Clannad is quality viewing. While watching it, the show draws you in with its visuals and music, and while none of the other things really stuck with me, while watching I didn’t have any criticisms other than the fact that it felt like I’d seen pretty much all of this before. After Story made me cry but it was working really hard to achieve that so full credit for them succeeding at their goals.

As for me, I liked this well enough while watching but not enough that I’d go for another round any time soon. Definitely a case of having experienced it, enjoyed it, and now moving on.

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Top 5: Must-Watch Anime Sequels

Posted on by Karandi
Tuesday's Top 5

I tend to run sequels down a lot (see Feature Discussing Anime Sequels and Prequels), which is sometimes justified, but occasionally there are anime sequels, part 2’s, and follow ups that actually do add something to a series and are fairly enjoyable to watch.

So I decided to think about all the good anime sequels out there for a top 5 list. This is my opinion and I’ve chosen sequels that I felt added something actually necessary to a story but were entertaining in their own right. I’d love to know what some of your favourite anime sequels are.

I did however disqualify long running shows without clear divisions between seasons (Bleach etc).

Please Note – There will be spoilers below.

Anime Sequel Honourable Mentions

Sailor Moon, Natsume Yuujinchou (not sure if this counts as long running without clear division so left it off the list, but every season is amazing), Full Metal Panic (Second Raid is fantastic), and Noragami (Second season was amazing, but where’s the third as this story still isn’t finished). There are plenty of other amazing anime sequels I could have gone with but we don’t want to be here all day.

Best Anime Sequel Number 5: Clannad After Story

Don't tell me Clannad season 2 didn't make you cry - this is one anime sequel that knocks it out of the park.

I’d be the first to say that Clannad wasn’t really my thing as an anime. It is a beautiful story and there are some really great elements to it, but it just isn’t my type of show. That said, I watched through all of it and even cried so it works well enough and for people who like the genre it is probably an even more moving experience. After Story is a perfect follow up to the original series.

It narrows the focus to the main characters, though all the other characters are still there, and it legitimately adds to their characters. Not to mention, it finally reveals what was going on during some of the stranger moments in season one. As a sequel or follow up it does everything a show needs to and is perfectly entertaining on its own (though you’ll probably miss some of the character moments if you haven’t sat through season 1).

Horizon

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Best Anime Sequel Number 4: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai

Higurashi is simply a question without season 2. A necessary anime sequel.

Follow up to Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (or When They Cry, When the Cicadas Cry, or whatever other title you’d like to give it), this is a fantastic sequel. I actually watched this first, not knowing it was the second part, and while the first loop was a bit confusing due to me not having a clue who anyone was, I soon figured out what was going on and this is the part of this series that actually solves the mystery of who is behind the tragedy. 

While the first season is fine, by itself it is unsatisfying. Lots of loops, lots of violence, there are clues and character moments, but it doesn’t end. Season 2 builds on all those clues and character moments and gives us a very dramatic final confrontation. It legitimately works by itself as a story and is highly entertaining (you know, if you are in to horror).

Best Anime Sequel Number 3: Kimi ni Todoke

While season one is a frustrating slow burn, you need season two to really get to the happy end of this romance. Anime sequels worth watching.

Now this is more just an ongoing story. Season 1 has our main character, Sawako, slowly coming out of her shell and making friends. Yes, there’s a guy involved and there’s romantic insinuations, but the romantic aspect decidedly takes a back seat to building confidence and friendships. Having already established that in season 1, season 2 squarely turns the focus on Sawako’s ongoing relationship with Kazehaya and whether it is respect or love she feels.

For someone who has only just learned about friendship, there’s a lot that can go wrong as she treads her way into romance and season 2 takes us through all the ups and downs until we finally get to the moment we’ve all been waiting for. An excellent follow up on a very cute romance.

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Best Anime Sequel Number 2: Snow White With the Red Hair

Seriously - who didn't want more of Zen and Shirayuki. Anime sequel so worth waiting for and please give us more.

Possibly this is a theme given how many relationship heavy shows have ended up on this list, but I really felt Shirayuki and Zen had more story to tell after season 1, and season 2 proved that right though not as I expected. Rather than focussing fully on their relationship, season 2 kind of scattered the focus giving lots of other relationships time to develop and be revealed.

It was deeply satisfying seeing various characters have their moment, while an overall narrative involving Shirayuki’s kidnapping played out, but it did kind of leave the show with little time at the end to address the main question of Shirayuki and Zen. Which of course means we’re left with a sweet but not final ending and why is there no season 3?

Still, this sequel does the job of advancing the characters and the plot logically and adding to what we know about them and the world, so it succeeds even if it still felt unfinished.

Best Anime Sequel Number 1: Assassination Classroom

The ending of Assassination Classroom - this is the way to end an anime sequel.

Much like Kimi ni Todoke, season 1 of this focussed very much on building the characters up. They were learning skills, facing themselves, overcoming past difficulties, before they had the final test when the class was put in legitimate danger. Season 2 shifts the focus dramatically to the motive for the assassination and trying to find a way around it, dividing opinions and characters.

While there’s definitely some filler in season 2, the sheer number of excellent character moments, before we get to the very final and necessary conclusion, makes this a sequel that was needed and it delivered on the promise way back in season 1. Thoroughly enjoyable watch though one could argue the end was dragged out just a little too long. Despite that, it was unforgettable.

Be sure to share your favourite anime sequels in the comments.

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