Important takeaways
- Some of the best “opposites attract” couples in anime show how different personalities can work well together.
- Romances like Toradora and Fruits Basket highlight the dynamic between characters who complement each other despite initial differences.
- Shows such as My Dress Up Darling and Nodame Cantabile portray couples with contrasting characteristics that positively influence each other.
One of the most common tropes in the romance genre is the concept of “opposites attract.” This trope essentially puts two characters together who shouldn't like each other or work romantically. But somehow their differences compliment each other, and they end up making a great couple.
Anime has a large number of great “opposites attract” couples, which explore this trope very well. It should be noted that this list will look at couples who are different in personality rather than class, or status, so a couple like Kiyoka and Miho from My happy marriage will not be displayed. These romances show that different personalities can work together in harmony.
8 Haru & Legosi (Beastars)
It doesn't get more opposites attracting than this
Beastars was a weird one, leaning into its thriller tones. It was made predominantly with CGI and followed anthropomorphic animals, which was not something anime fans thought they would enjoy in 2019. It turned out pretty well though.
The main draw was the relationship between Haru and Legosi. Haru is a white rabbit, a herbivore with some dark shadows hanging over her. Legosi is a strong wolf who keeps to himself, but also fights his dark urges. The two may not seem to work at first glance, but they do. Legosi is shown to be a strong character with the will to be better than his circumstances dictate. Beastar's got a second season and fans are waiting for the third.
7 Akane & Yamada (My Love Story With Yamada-Kun at Lv999)
A simple story that is well done
Akane was dumped by her boyfriend for a girl he met in a video game. Suffering from it, she eventually meets Yamada, her polar opposite who wants nothing more than to sit indoors and play video games, and romantic hijinks ensue.
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 leaned into the opposites attract trope. Akane is a spunky, popular girl, while Yamada is on the exact opposite end of the spectrum with her quiet demeanor. Yamada-kun does a good job of pacing the romance, as the two get to know each other better and grow as people. Akane develops into a more trusting person after her breakup with her ex, while Yamada becomes more open and mature.
6 Ryuuji & Taiga (Toradora)
A double opposites attract situation
Ryuuji is a gentle person who finds himself entangled with the fiery Taiga, who can become quite violent when upset.
What makes the opposites attract aspects so fascinating Toradora is the dual nature of it.
On the surface, Ryuuji has a stern face and looks like a criminal, causing people to avoid him. At the same time, Taiga looks like a simple and maybe even fragile little girl. But under the surface, Ryuuji is the nicer one who loves housework, while Taiga is the wild and violent one. Both the surface and the underside are opposites.
5 Gojou & Marin (My Dress Up Darling)
Romance And Cosplay
My dress up baby came out with a bang in 2022 and was one of the best romantic anime of the year. It followed Gojou Wakana, a skilled hina doll maker who wants to become a great craftsman like his grandfather.
He meets Marin, who also has a secret side to her: she loves to cosplay. The two team up and as they try on new costumes, their romance grows. It's clear that the two are opposites in every way, and would never have gotten together if it weren't for their shared interests. Marin and Gojou are a joy to watch. They both love what they do and never judge each other for who they are, making them a great couple to root for.
4 Kyo & Tohru (Fruit Basket)
A simple hug turns him into an animal
Kyo Soma and Tohru Honda are a classic couple that was introduced to a younger fan base when the remake of Fruit basket was released in 2019. Tohru is a sweet girl who is kind to a fault, while Kyo is a broken boy who is afraid of hurting those he cares about.
Kyo and Tohru are really opposites and at first felt like a relationship that wouldn't work, but as fans got to know them better, they fit more and more. Tohru would temper Kyo, while he could make Tohru be more true to herself.
3 Hori & Miyamura (Horimiya)
Two lovers with things to hide
Miyamura Izumi has a rather daring sense of fashion, but hides it away at school. Meanwhile, Hori Kyouko is a combination of beauty and brains, but is in truth a homebody who finds it difficult to socialize. It is the two who through circumstances meet.
The relationship between Hori and Miyamura is cute because they complement each other. There is a sense of opposites attracting, but also an underlying similarity between the two souls. That's what makes them connect so deeply. A major characteristic of the relationship is the openness and honesty with which the two communicate. Many romance anime thrive on miscommunication and uncertainty, but this was never the case with Miyamura and Hori.
2 Arima & Kaori (Your Lie In April)
A story of immortality
Arima Kousei lost the ability to hear his music after his mother's death. His fingers on the keyboard simply went numb throbbing. But when he meets Kaori Miyazono, his world begins to fill with color.
Your lie in April is a beautiful performance that explores the concept of living on even after death. But the romantic story between the two main characters is where the show shines. The quiet and humble Arima finds herself captivated by the more confident and outgoing Kaori. The romance between the two is bittersweet. Anyone could see how perfect they were as a team, but tragedy lurked around the corner. In the end, there is sadness at the missed potential of such a healthy couple, but joy that they existed together in the first place.
1 Shinichi & Noda (Nodame Cantabile)
Love and classical music are a perfect mix
Shinichi Chiaki should be a world-renowned musician, but because of his fear of flying, he can't go further than Japan. His life changes when he meets Megumi Noda, a brilliant pianist who absolutely hates structure.
Shinichi is a perfectionist who has to get everything just right, while Noda is more than happy to roll with his mistakes. The two complement each other well, and they start to influence each other. Noda begins to appreciate structure more, while Shinichi begins to loosen up, even just a little. It's definitely worth watching. As a big plus, the later seasons explored the couple as a couple with the real problems that couples face.
