Wow. That's almost scary. I've been thinking about writing a rant about this too, and you stole the words right out of my mouth (except better written). ^^;
I have a split relationship with romance. I've never really liked it - except in the few cases when I absolutely love it (Fushigi Yuugi comes to mind - Watase is the first author ever who managed to get me interested in a love story). Generally, though, it feels like it subtracts more from the story than it adds. Friendships on the other hand - what you define as "smarm" is what really makes me squee. ^_^
I think it has to do with the simpleness of friendship. Romantic love often seems to involve yearning and misunderstanding and whatnot. Friends can bicker and pretend they don't care at all, but when it comes down to it, they're there for each other. Not because they long for each others' bodies, but because they *care*. And that's what pulls my heartstrings.
Besides, there's the IC issue. A story has to be *extremely* well-written (and most aren't) in order to convince me that a friendship relationship should turn sexual. :P
As for GetBackers and Saiyuuki, heh. Yes. ^^ In the case of GB, Ban & Ginji *need* each other so much that I can't imagine either of them ever being with anyone else... And Saiyuuki - well, the boys have enough issues to deal with first that I don't think they've *been* in bed with each other - but the love is there. (and yes, that's 58/39 - don't take the monk away from his monkey!) Still, the greatness of Saiyuuki is the dynamics between all four of the guys (which shows clearly when one of them is missing! ^__^)
Anime fandoms do disappoint me. Just seeing so many people write Roy/Ed for FMA makes me shun away from that fandom. ^^;;
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winterfish
no subject
Date: 2004-02-24 03:14 am (UTC)I have a split relationship with romance. I've never really liked it - except in the few cases when I absolutely love it (Fushigi Yuugi comes to mind - Watase is the first author ever who managed to get me interested in a love story). Generally, though, it feels like it subtracts more from the story than it adds. Friendships on the other hand - what you define as "smarm" is what really makes me squee. ^_^
I think it has to do with the simpleness of friendship. Romantic love often seems to involve yearning and misunderstanding and whatnot. Friends can bicker and pretend they don't care at all, but when it comes down to it, they're there for each other. Not because they long for each others' bodies, but because they *care*. And that's what pulls my heartstrings.
Besides, there's the IC issue. A story has to be *extremely* well-written (and most aren't) in order to convince me that a friendship relationship should turn sexual. :P
As for GetBackers and Saiyuuki, heh. Yes. ^^ In the case of GB, Ban & Ginji *need* each other so much that I can't imagine either of them ever being with anyone else... And Saiyuuki - well, the boys have enough issues to deal with first that I don't think they've *been* in bed with each other - but the love is there. (and yes, that's 58/39 - don't take the monk away from his monkey!) Still, the greatness of Saiyuuki is the dynamics between all four of the guys (which shows clearly when one of them is missing! ^__^)
Anime fandoms do disappoint me. Just seeing so many people write Roy/Ed for FMA makes me shun away from that fandom. ^^;;