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Junjou Romantica: Pure Romance (純情ロマンチカ/ピュアロマンス Junjō Romanchika^?, lit. "Pure-Hearted Romantica"), stylized as Junjou Romantica ~Pure Romance~, is a yaoi series by Shungiku Nakamura. It focuses on three storylines; the main couple, which comprises the bulk of the books, and two other male couples which provide ongoing side stories (Junjo Egoist and Junjo Terrorist). It has expanded into several cd-dramas, a manga series with a spin-off running in Asuka Ciel, a light novel series running in The Ruby with a spin-off and a 24-episode anime series.

Shungiku Nakamura has written a "sequel" to Junjou Romantica (mentioned above), titled Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi (lit. The Best First Love in the World) focusing on a shōjo manga editor and his first love, which was also animated by Studio Deen in 2011.

SPOILER ALERT

Misaki Takahashi and Akihiko Usami (pen name is Akihiko Usagi) make up the main pairing who is known as Junjou Romatica.

Misaki Takahashi is the eighteen year old younger brother of Takahiro Takahashi. At the start of the series, Misaki is about to sit for his college entrance examinations. His dream is to go to Mitsuhashi University since that was the college his brother dropped out of so that he could begin taking care of Misaki after their parents died. Although seemingly childish and brash, Misaki is later revealed to be a person who is simply adamant on insisting against doing anything that might be troublesome for anyone else. This is due to the fact that he still blames himself for his parent's death (believing that if he had not asked them to hurry home, they would not have sped in the rain and crashed). Misaki and Usami eventually begin a relationship together which puzzles Misaki, who is unconfident about his feelings towards the older man.

Akihiko Usami is a twenty-eight year old popular author of fiction and erotic boys love novels, and the youngest recipient of the distinguished Naomori Award. His nickname is "Usagi", which means "rabbit" in Japanese. Usagi is Misaki's tutor for the upcoming entrance exams, and a very close friend of Takahiro (he, in fact, harbored an unrequited love for Takahiro for a long time). He and Hiroki were childhood friends. Shortly after meeting Misaki, he finds that Takahiro has gotten engaged. Seeing how upset this makes Misaki on Usagi's behalf, Usagi realizes that he loves the younger boy and the two become lovers.

Hiroki Kamijō and Nowaki Kusama make up the pairing known as Junjou Egoist.

Hiroki Kamijō is a long-time friend of Akihiko's, who is an associate professor at the college Misaki studies at. He is a bit of a loner and is extremely passionate about classical Japanese literature, apparently having graduated at the top of his class. Hiroki was initially in love with Akihiko, his childhood friend. He is an example of the tsundere character archetype: he has a bad temper and is feared among his students, though he is actually shy and gets flustered easily. He is often called "Demon Kamijo" by the students. Hiroki is now in a relationship with Nowaki and Nowaki calls him Hiro-san.

Nowaki Kusama was orphaned without a name as an infant, he was named "Nowaki" ("typhoon" in Japanese) by the head of the orphanage because he was found in a heavy rain storm. Elders call him "Wacchan" Nowaki first meets Hiroki 6 years ago, when he is crying about his fruitless relationship with Akihiko, and goes on to insist that Hiroki become his tutor. Originally studying to become a social worker, he changes his mind and is currently studying to become a pediatrician. Nowaki is very kind and understanding, particularly towards Hiroki.

Yō Miyagi and Shinobu Takatsuki make up the pairing known as Junjou Terrorist.

Yō Miyagi is a literature professor at Mitsuhashi University and a co-worker of Kamijo Hiroki. He was once married, but is now divorced most likely due to his indifference to feelings and emotions. His love interest is his ex-wife's younger brother. Miyagi is often playful when it comes to teasing Hiroki, though his true character is far more serious due to an event from his past.

Shinobu Takatsuki is an eighteen year old high school student (and the son of Mitsuhashi University's dean of literature and of Miyagi's boss) who believes it to be fate that he is in love with his ex-brother-in-law, Miyagi Yo. He would very much like Miyagi to take responsibility for Shinobu falling in love with him. He is often blunt and unreasonable, though is shown to have a softer side.

Ryuichiro Isaka and Kaoru Asahina make up the pairing known as Junjou mistake.

This pairing is not apart of the original series but tells more of back story for two characters since it takes place ten years before the orignal plot.

Ryūichirō Isaka is Akihiko's editor and Haruhiko's childhood friend, he is 32 years old in the main timeline. He and his assistant Asahina are the main characters of the short comics released with the DVDs, Junjou Mistake. Junjou Mistake takes place ten years before the main Romantica storyline. Isaka aspired to be a novelist, but his real talents lay in finding future best-sellers.

Kaoru Asahina is Ryūichiro's assistant, and came to work for the Isaka family when they helped the Asahina's out of a bad situation. Originally intended to be Isaka's playmate, he ended up becoming something more of a caretaker.

Labels: Anime