Love at first sight is a theme found in media as a whole. Many anime use this trope to ignite the flames of a new relationship within a series. Many times, couples find their happily ever after together. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case.
For one reason or another, some romances aren't meant to be. Sometimes these unlucky couples find tragedy that brings their relationship to an end. Meanwhile, others discover they aren't as right for each other as they first believed. No matter the reason, these couples give fans a realistic view of love and remind them that romance isn't always sunshine and rainbows.
10 Kouta And Lucy's Budding Romance Ends In Tragedy (Elfen Lied)
In the series Elfen Lied, Kouta and Lucy develop feelings for each other as kids almost immediately after they meet. However, due to Lucy's troubled life and instincts as a Diclonius, tragedy ends their love before it can begin. In a rage, Lucy kills Kouta's family right in front of him, leaving him traumatized and scarred. They don't see each other again until adulthood, with Kouta no longer remembering Lucy or what she did. As the series progresses, he slowly begins to remember everything. Somehow, despite her actions, Kouta forgives her and realizes he still loves her. Unfortunately, they still cannot be together, as Lucy finally gives herself up to the Research Facility that has been after her since her escape.
9 Ashitaka And San Live In Two Different Worlds (Princess Mononoke)
The Studio Ghibli classic Princess Mononoke features Ashitaka, who is captivated by San the moment he sees her. While she doesn't trust him at first, she begins to open up to him as they spend time together. He proves himself to be trustworthy, showing that he genuinely cares for her and the creatures of the forest. They work together to put an end to the feud between the forest and the humans of the nearby village, forming a close and strong bond in the process. It is unknown where their relationship goes, but they seem to part ways as San remains in the forest and Ashitaka joins the humans of the village.
8 Ahiru Is Fated Never To Be With Her Prince (Princess Tutu)
At the start of Princess Tutu, Ahiru is only a mere duck. She falls in love with Mytho when she sees him dancing. She then becomes a girl, gaining the ability to transform into Princess Tutu to restore the pieces of her beloved Prince's heart. As Mytho slowly regains his feelings, he finds himself drawn to Princess Tutu.
Though he doesn't realize it fully, he has also fallen for her. However, when his heart is finally restored, his true feelings resurface. All along his heart has belonged to Rue, who loved him from the start. In the end, Ahiru returns to her original duck form, happy that she has fulfilled her role as Mytho and Rue start their happily ever after.
7 Hatori Erases All Memories Of Himself From Kana (Fruits Basket)
Two years before the beginning of Fruits Basket, Hatori and Kana Sohma instantly fall in love after Kana becomes his assistant. The two become a couple and after two months, Hatori goes to Akito to ask for permission to marry Kana. Enraged by their love, Akito attacks and injures Hatori. Kana is crippled by the guilt of what happens and falls into a deep despair that she cannot escape from. To spare her heart and allow her a new chance at happiness, Hatori erases her memories of him and their love. He lets her go and gives her a chance to start over, free of guilt, and she finds happiness with someone else.
6 Tsukasa And Isla's Love Is Destined For Disaster (Plastic Memories)
Tsukasa and Isla fall in love almost immediately after meeting in Plastic Memories. However, Isla is afraid to give in to her feelings because she only has a short time left to live. Despite this, Tsukasa is determined to be with her and live out her remaining days together. Tsukasa stays with her from then on, making sure her final days are the happiest she's known. When her time is finally up, she thanks Tsukasa for loving her and for everything he has given her. She then dies in his arms, leaving him devastated.
5 Death Brings Kamina And Yoko's Relationship To An End (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
Kamina and Yoko seem meant for each other from the start in the series Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Kamina is immediately infatuated with her, and though she finds him irritating, Yoko feels the same way deep down. As they fight side-by-side, their feelings for each other grow stronger.
On the eve of the Beastman War, they finally express their true feelings and share their first kiss. Unfortunately, their first kiss is also their last, as Kamina is killed in battle. Yoko never seems to fully recover from this loss and never does get a happy ending with someone else.
4 Kousei And Kaori's Love Ends Before It Can Begin (Your Lie In April)
Kaori falls in love with Kousei the moment she sees him when they are children in the series Your Lie in April. However, she is never able to approach him until they are in high school. After they meet, she is determined to reignite the spark in Kousei so that he can love playing the piano again. They both fall in love but are never able to confess their feelings to each other. Their relationship ends before it can even begin after Kaori suddenly dies, finally succumbing to her illness after a life-long battle.
3 Korra And Mako Just Can't Make It Work (The Legend of Korra)
In the sequel series The Legend of Korra, Korra and Mako have an instant attraction when they first meet. Mako becomes Korra's first love, and she tries to win him over throughout the first season. Despite the complications of the love triangle they find themselves in, they eventually become an official couple at the end of Season 1. Almost immediately into Season 2, they begin to have problems that ultimately lead them to break up. From that point, there are small hints throughout the series suggesting they may get back together or that they at least still have feelings for each other. In the end, however, they just remain good friends, which seems to work best for them.
2 Hyakkimaru Is Scarred By The Death Of His Love (Dororo)
Hyakkimaru and Mio develop feelings for each other not long after they meet in the series Dororo. Her presence entrances and calms him, and her beautiful voice gives him comfort. With the hope they bring each other, it seems the two are meant to be. Their love comes to a quick end, however. Mio is slaughtered by Kagemitsu's troops, along with the children under her care. Their deaths, especially Mio's death, send Hyakkimaru into a murderous rage. This tragedy changes something in Hyakkimaru, and he becomes much more ruthless from then on.
1 Yamcha And Bulma Aren't Meant To Be After All (Dragon Ball)
Bulma is smitten with Yamcha the moment she sees him in the Dragon Ball franchise. It takes no time at all for them to fall in love and develop a relationship. It also takes no time at all for their relationship to become overwhelmed with problems. Yamcha focuses more on training than Bulma, leaving her feeling neglected. This feeling boils into anger, and Bulma constantly lashes out at Yamcha, blaming him for everything wrong with their relationship. For years after, they have an "on-again, off-again" sort of relationship, with Yamcha flirting with other girls at every turn and Bulma becoming angrier and angrier. Bulma eventually leaves Yamcha for good, soon after beginning her relationship with Vegeta. Their relationship is still going strong till today.