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* CrimeOfPassion: The ''Kizu Random'' StoryArc has the [[LossOfInhibitions inhibitions of the Student Cultural Society members suppressed at random times]], which sometimes also makes them react violently. Examples include Yui using excessive force on a pair of guys sexually harassing girls, Aoki fighting off the police officers arresting Yui, and Yui breaking the table in a fit of rage. This arc has led to some people outside the Student Cultural Society getting hurt and was also toned down in the anime.
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* BaffledByOwnBiology: When Taichi finds himself in Nagase's body for the first time, he freaks out confusedly as he squishes the breasts on her body and hears her voice coming from his mouth. The others also express various concerns about this and have their own freakouts during the various body swaps that follow.
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* WrongBathroomIncident: During the [[FreakyFridayFlip Personality Exchange phenomenon]], Taichi and Yui swap bodies randomly, which leads Taichi to go to the restroom to contact the others. He mistakenly enters the boys' restroom due to a force of habit, leading him to reluctantly enter the girls' restroom before contacting his friends on the phone.
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** [[spoiler:Yui to Aoki in ''Yume Random'' arc, where they [[TheyDo FINALLY]] [[RelationshipUpgrade become]] an OfficialCouple.]]
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** [[spoiler:Yui to Aoki in ''Yume Random'' arc, where they [[TheyDo FINALLY]] [[RelationshipUpgrade become]] an OfficialCouple.]]
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** Yui & Aoki: [[spoiler: TheyDo]].
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* TriangRelations: [[spoiler:Type 4 between Taichi, Iori and Inaba.]]
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''Kokoro Connect'' deals with what would happen if people could see different sides of their friends--their darkest and even their most vulnerable sides. Each arc addresses curious dilemmas such how someone would react if they switched bodies with someone else, especially the opposite gender, or what it would be like if people had no inhibitions. This series explores the ramifications such bizarre situations would have on the people themselves and how they might try to fix each others' failings and complexes as they discover them. It is a story of [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Ordinary High School]] friends dealing with the [[SliceOfLife ordinary struggles of teenagehood]], all the while in the middle of very [[FantasticComedy unordinary situations]], and how their friendships survive it all.
US and Canada viewers can watch this show legally on [[https://www.hidive.com/tv/kokoro-connect?q=Kokoro+Connect HIDIVE.]] The light novels were translated by J-Novel Club, with the first volume published on August 22, 2018.
The original light novel series currently consists of eleven volumes, three of which are side stories.
US and Canada viewers can watch this show legally on [[https://www.hidive.com/tv/kokoro-connect?q=Kokoro+Connect HIDIVE.]] The light novels were translated by J-Novel Club, with the first volume published on August 22, 2018.
The original light novel series currently consists of eleven volumes, three of which are side stories.
to:
''Kokoro Connect'' is a series of LightNovels written by Sadanatsu Anda and illustrated by Shiromizakana, which was published from 2010 to 2013. deals with what would happen if people could see different sides of their friends--their darkest and even their most vulnerable sides. Each arc addresses curious dilemmas such how someone would react if they switched bodies with someone else, especially the opposite gender, or what it would be like if people had no inhibitions. This series explores the ramifications such bizarre situations would have on the people themselves and how they might try to fix each others' failings and complexes as they discover them. It is a story of [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Ordinary High School]] friends dealing with the [[SliceOfLife ordinary struggles of teenagehood]], all the while in the middle of very [[FantasticComedy unordinary situations]], and how their friendships survive it all.
US and Canada viewers can watchthis show the anime adaptation legally on [[https://www.hidive.com/tv/kokoro-connect?q=Kokoro+Connect HIDIVE.]] The light novels were translated by J-Novel Club, Creator/JNovelClub, with the first volume published on August 22, 2018.
The original light novel seriescurrently consists of eleven volumes, three of which are side stories.
US and Canada viewers can watch
The original light novel series
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The anime, by Creator/SilverLink, ran for 17 episodes. A new arc covering the material from one of the books starts every few episodes. The series is separated like this:
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The anime, by Creator/SilverLink, ran for 17 episodes.episodes from July to December 2012. A new arc covering the material from one of the books starts every few episodes. The series is separated like this:
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[[quoteright:225:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/39665_2026.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:225: From left to right: Taichi, Inaba, Yui, Aoki, and Nagase.]]
->''Everyone has something they don't want others to know. There are things you're better off not knowing.''
-->-- '''Himeko Inaba'''
The "love and teen pentagonal comedy" follows the five members of Yamaboshi High's Student Cultural Society club--consisting of three girls and two boys--and their everyday lives as they deal with some very strange phenomena such as randomly switching bodies with each other or having their innermost desires unleashed. It is revealed that the phenomena are caused by a mysterious supernatural entity that goes by the name [[BigBad 'Heartseed']] who wants to be entertained.
''Kokoro Connect'' deals with what would happen if people could see different sides of their friends--their darkest and even their most vulnerable sides. Each arc addresses curious dilemmas such how someone would react if they switched bodies with someone else, especially the opposite gender, or what it would be like if people had no inhibitions. This series explores the ramifications such bizarre situations would have on the people themselves and how they might try to fix each others' failings and complexes as they discover them. It is a story of [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Ordinary High School]] friends dealing with the [[SliceOfLife ordinary struggles of teenagehood]], all the while in the middle of very [[FantasticComedy unordinary situations]], and how their friendships survive it all.
US and Canada viewers can watch this show legally on [[https://www.hidive.com/tv/kokoro-connect?q=Kokoro+Connect HIDIVE.]] The light novels were translated by J-Novel Club, with the first volume published on August 22, 2018.
The original light novel series currently consists of eleven volumes, three of which are side stories.
* Vol. 1 Hito Random [[note]]Random People[[/note]]
* Vol. 2 Kizu Random [[note]]Random Wounds[[/note]]
* Vol. 3 Kako Random [[note]]Random Past[[/note]]
* Vol. 4 Michi Random [[note]]Random Courses[[/note]]
* Vol. 4.5 Clip Time - Short Stories
* Vol. 5 Nise Random [[note]]Random Fakes[[/note]]
* Vol. 6 Yume Random [[note]]Random Dreams[[/note]]
* Vol. 6.5 Step Time - Short Stories
* Vol. 7 Asu Random (I) [[note]]Random Tomorrow (I)[[/note]]
* Vol. 8 Asu Random (II) [[note]]Random Tomorrow (II)[[/note]]
* Vol. 8.5 Precious Time - Epilogue
The light novels have a fan-translation [[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Kokoro_Connect here]].
The anime, by Creator/SilverLink, ran for 17 episodes. A new arc covering the material from one of the books starts every few episodes. The series is separated like this:
* Vol 1 - 5 episodes
* Vol 2 - 5 episodes
* Vol 3 - 3 episodes
* Vol 4 - 4 episodes
A PSP (non-canon) VisualNovel, ''Yochi Random'', has also been released on 22nd November 2012, featuring an original story taking place in an alternate timeline after the events of ''Hito Random'', with different, serious arc based on each of the 5 main casts' perspectives, as well as a number of comedic side arcs.
[[Characters/KokoroConnect We have a Character Sheet right here.]]
----
!!Tropes:
* AbhorrentAdmirer: Aoki for Yui, and Fujishima for Iori.
* AbsurdlyPowerfulStudentCouncil: In ''Asu Random II''. [[spoiler: When the entire school is trapped in an Isolation Dimension by Number Three, the Student Council steps up to keep order amongst the confused students, and its [[StudentCouncilPresident president]] has some very extreme ideas on how to escape the dimension.]]
* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler: One of Iori's stepfathers turned out to be like this and he became the reason why Iori started taking on adaptable personalities.]]
* AdaptationDistillation: The anime to the light novels and manga.
* AdaptationDyeJob: The eye and hair colors of some characters differ slightly between the anime and novel art.
* AdultsAreUseless: Averted, but the stuff the main characters go through is so weird they figure [[CassandraTruth no one would believe them]] if they asked for help. It also doesn't help that the supernatural entity toying with them leaves no evidence to work with.
* AllLoveIsUnrequited: Oh boy, is it! We have Aoki for Yui [[spoiler: initially]], Fujishima for Iori, Watase for Fujishima, Shiroyama for Iori, Setouchi for Shiroyama [[spoiler:(initially, but she managed to win the guy few months later in the novel)]] and for a brief time, Taichi would qualify this for Iori during the ''Michi Random'' arc.
** In the novel, we also have Misaki for Yui.
* AllMenArePerverts: Taichi and Aoki regularly share their porn with each other.
* AndTheAdventureContinues: Since the body switching ended so early, did you actually think Heartseed would stop messing around with the cast after just 5 episodes?
* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: The Desire Unleash phenomenon forces our heroes to give into all kinds of horrible impulses such as random acts of violence, verbally assaulting each other and eating lots and lots of food.
* BeachEpisode: The first Drama CD, "Summer, Swimsuits, and a Storm."
* BeautyContest: Iori wins one in ''Clip Time'', effectively earning the title "No.1 Beauty" of Yamaboshi High.
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Two of the three main girls seem to be falling for Taichi largely because of his willingness to help them out with their problems.
** Yui seems to be lowering her guard against Aoki as well because of this trope. Despite all of her attacks, insults, and rejections, he still wants to be with her.
* BetaCouple: [[spoiler:Aoki and Yui become this later to Taichi and Inaba. They have their rough moments, but tend to have it easier than the other two.]]
* BettyAndVeronica: Throughout ''Kako Random'' and ''Michi Random'', [[spoiler:Taichi is conflicted between Iori (Betty) and Inaba (Veronica). It takes some soul-searching, but he ultimately chooses Inaba.]]
* BigDamnHeroes: The CRC members do this in episode 17, [[spoiler: after Inaba is kidnapped by some thugs who ruined their club room along with the materials they were working on for a presentation.]]
* BigWordShout: Episode 5: "NAGASE!!!" [[spoiler:as Heartseed makes her fall into the river]], complete with FutileHandReach.
** Episode 17: [[spoiler:"INABA!!!" Complete with [[TakingTheBullet Taking The Lead Pipe]].]]
** Similar scenarios occur in the PSP visual novel, [[spoiler:1) when Iori was about to get hit by a truck and 2) when Inaba was plummeting onto the ground off a cliff.]]
* BlandNameProduct: Bazkin Robin ice cream, Inaba's VAIA laptop, Cola-Cola, Sontory (Suntory) and Melpis (Calpis) drinks, and a Seike (Seiko) clock all make appearances.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Heartseed's methods to interacting with the club members can seem rather strange to most people including the main characters, such as the random warping into different bodies, and especially episode 5 [[spoiler:when he takes over Iori's body and throws it off a bridge into the river below.]]
%%* BookEnds: At the end of episode 10, as Inaba leaves her home, she says goodbye to her brother who notes how [[DefrostingIceQueen she never does so]].
* BreakfastClub: The Cultural Research Club, made up of 5 people who wanted to join different clubs, but ended up as single-member clubs.
* BreakingTheFellowship: The various character's problems cause them to avoid each other during the Random Wounds arc. After some soul searching, however, they largely make amends for the strife they caused the group.
* BrickJoke: In Episode 9, Aoki requests Yui dress as a bunny girl and she refuses. Come Episode 17...
* BrokenBird: More like a cast of {{Broken Bird}}s. Each member seems to carry some type of emotional luggage.
* CerebusRollercoaster: The ''Random'' arcs are very dramatic with some comedic points sprinkled in. The ''Time'' side stories, on the other hand, are completely comedic SliceOfLife tales.
* ChekhovsGun: Taichi and Inaba look over the edge of a cliff and note that someone could die if they fell off it. Later, Heartseed implies that [[spoiler:Taichi]] has fallen to his death [[spoiler:but it's subverted; he fell out of a tree trying to rescue a kitten, and is uninjured. [[ExactWords Heartseed only said he "fell,"]] but [[BatmanGambit he knew Inaba (and the audience) would assume the worst]]]].
* ChekhovsSkill: In episode 3, Taichi taught Yui that the best way to defeat a man was to [[GroinAttack kick him in the balls]]. Then, in episode 17, [[spoiler: she beats one of Inaba's kidnappers with that same tactic]].
* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Taichi, as noted by Inaba. It has earned him the title, "Selfless Freak."
** {{Deconstructed|Trope}}: The series repeatedly points out the flaws in Taichi's supposedly "heroic" personality, which [[CharacterDevelopment he will learn to overcome.]]
* CreditsJukebox: If the endings are anything to go by, each arc has its own ED theme.
* CrucifiedHeroShot: [[spoiler: How Iori is posed when Heartseed forces her to leap off a bridge.]]
* CurbStompBattle: [[BigBad Heart]][[TheOmnipotent seed]] vs anyone.
* DarkSecret: In episode 4, when Inaba reveals her trust issues to Taichi, Taichi tells her a secret that he had hoped to carry with him to his grave: [[spoiler:he has masturbated to pictures of her in the past, as well as Iori and Yui.]] Inaba seems shocked at first, but then starts laughing. At the end of the episode, she also evens it out with her own secret: [[spoiler:she's done the same with his picture.]]
* DatePeepers: Iori and Yukina in ''Step Time''.
** The ''entire'' Cultural Club in ''Clip Time''. Yui is spied on in both instances.
* DeadpanSnarker: Inaba, 24/7. He mirrors her own cynical outlook on the world.
** Taichi quite frequently as well, which Inaba doesn't tolerate.
* DeconstructorFleet: Deconstructs ChronicHeroSyndrome, GenkiGirl, {{Tsundere}}, PluckyComicRelief, and AFriendInNeed, among other high school SliceOfLife / romance / drama tropes.
* DemonicPossession: Heartseed's method for communicating with the cast. It's unclear if he even has a physical body.
* DoesNotLikeMen: Justified, double subverted, then reconstructed with Yui. [[spoiler: She was a victim of attempted rape in middle school and, as a result, developed androphobia. She seemed to get along all right with the male characters, but people closer to her are somewhat able to tell she has a fear of men. Taichi then gives Yui a little push to start overcoming her fear. He does this by [[GroinAttack kicking her/himself in the balls.]]]] ItMakesSenseInContext.
* DomesticAbuse: [[spoiler:Iori's second father to her mother, which is why she changed her personality in the first place.]]
* {{Doppelganger}}: The ''Nise Random'' arc.
* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale: Taichi and Aoki get beat up a lot, don't they? Inaba specifically stops herself from hitting Iori when Taichi's in it.
* DysfunctionJunction: All five of the [=StuCS=] members have some sort of emotional baggage to deal with.
* EarlyBirdCameo: Several students who do not appear until much later in the novels can be seen as background characters early on in the anime.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: Everyone in the [=StuCS=] goes through hell over and over, but they always find their way back to each other.
* EpiphanyTherapy: Taichi's MO, though in reality he merely scratched on the surface of everyone's problem.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Heartseed was not pleased with [[spoiler:Number Two's over the top meddling with the cast.]]
** Let's not forget that Heartseed [[NotEvilJustMisunderstood didn't get Iori's phone wet]], even though what he did afterwards was pretty [[WhamEpisode messed up]].
* EverythingsBetterWithRainbows: The opening credits has a rainbow beam running through many of the happy scenes.
%%* FerrisWheelDateMoment: In ''Step Time''.
* FirstKiss: Taichi gives one to Iori while she's in Inaba's body in episode 5, [[spoiler:because Iori was going to die, and she wanted a memory from him before she went. Later, Inaba gets upset that he stole her first kiss, and threatens that it'll "cost" him big time.]]
* FirstNameBasis: The other four main characters all call Taichi by his first name. One can be forgiven for forgetting that Taichi's last name is Yaegashi, as the other characters rarely use it.
** Aoki and the girls call Yui by her first name, while Taichi sticks to her {{last name|basis}}.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Inaba's statement in Episode 4: [[spoiler:"Do you want me to fall for you too?"]] is this for her [[TheReveal Reveal]] in the second arc. Her getting upset at Taichi [[spoiler: stealing her FirstKiss counts as well]].
** [[spoiler:All the strange rumors that were spreading around the school during Fujishima's side story in the novel, setting up the stage for what was to come in the next and final arc of the series.]]
* FountainOfYouth: The ''Kako Random'' arc.
* FreakyFridayFlip: The ''Hito Random'' arc, although generally for short periods of time instead of the driving theme.
* AFriendInNeed: [[CentralTheme The series]].
** {{Deconstructed}} in ''Michi Random'' where [[spoiler: Iori is further frustrated and alienated by her friends' repeated attempts to help her. It culminates with Iori raging at Inaba for pretending to be her friend when Inaba has created many hardships for Iori in the past.]]
* TheGlomp: Yui does it to Aoki in episode 12.
* GotVolunteered: In episode 2 of the anime, Taichi is about to volunteer to help Fujishima with cleaning up litter when he and Inaba suddenly switch bodies.
* TheGreatestStoryNeverTold: The Cultural Club choose to keep their supernatural encounters secret from anyone outside of the club. [[spoiler: In ''Asu Random II'', a select few other characters like Rina and Iori's mother learn the truth.]]
* GroinAttack: In episode 3 of the anime, Taichi in Yui's body delivers one to Yui in Taichi's body. [[{{Hilarity Ensues}} Then they switch back.]]
* HeroicBSOD: Everyone has one at some point, though they [[PowerOfTrust always overcome them]].
* HiddenDepths: Arguably everyone. For example, Yui, who loves cute things and is usually the quiet one, is actually a karate champion.
** Also Mr Gotou, who's a professional level saxophone player despite his HippieTeacher appearance and attitude. He's even had offers from professional jazz bands.
* IdiotBall: The reason why Taichi and Aoki thought it was a good idea to take cute pictures of themselves while controlling Inaba and Yui's bodies. Also, they did so in the '''Cultural Society's clubroom''' of all places!
* ImaginaryLoveTriangle: Though nearly all the club members get involved in complex emotional scenarios at one point or the other, Taichi and Yui seem to play this straight, especially in Aoki's mind. [[spoiler: Come the beginning of Episode 12, he's not the only one who thinks so either.]]
* IronicEcho: "If you're worried about something, say something!"
* IsThatCuteKidYours: Various people ask this in episodes 11 and 12 when 4 of the 5 members start reverting to younger ages due to No.2's phenomenon.
* ItAmusedMe: Heartseed's motivation. [[OrangeAndBlueMorality Or so he says.]]
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: When Iori runs away, Taichi chases after her, but doesn't know where she went. He asks Fujishima, who says she saw Iori run through the front gate, then gives him the key to her bike, and tells him that he's the one she needs right now.
** [[spoiler: Inaba also attempts to invoke this trope for Iori and Taichi, but ultimately subverts it herself.]]
* LastNameBasis: Aoki and Inaba are almost always called by their last names. Aoki and Inaba's first names, which are rarely used, are Yoshifumi and Himeko, respectively.
* LighterAndSofter: The anime distilled and toned down some of the harsher elements from the novel. For a few examples:
** Hito Random, [[spoiler:Taichi was swapped out of his body and was prevented from reaching out for Iori as she plummets into the river.]]
** Kizu Random, [[spoiler:the anime distilled some of the casts' darker desire during their individual BSOD moments, such as Taichi smashing things in his room, Inaba shoplifting, etc. And Inaba also appeared to be much less of a jerk than she did in the novel.]]
** Michi Random, [[spoiler:Iori appeared less of a jerk as well. The footage at the end of episode 15, in the novel, Iori didn't just lash at Inaba. She [[BreakThemByTalking verbally crushed her to the point where Inaba broke and collapsed on spot]]. Also, the kidnapping was arguably more violent in the novel.]]
* LetsGetDangerous: Anytime Yui breaks out her karate skills.
* LossOfIdentity: Iori (while in Aoki's body) wondered if this would happen to them if they keep swapping bodies with each other, since the soul is intangilbe and invisible. [[spoiler:She started assuming different personas to accomodate other people, and found she didn't know who her true self was any more.]]
** [[spoiler:Taichi, when he begins to realize his obsession with being selfless is controlling his life.]]
* LossOfInhibitions: The ''Kizu Random'' arc has this happen to the club members when they feel powerful desires.
* LovableSexManiac: Fujishima, a card-carrying LoveFreak, describes herself as a "Missionary of Love." Her EstablishingCharacterMoment was throwing herself at Iori, asking if she needs help groping herself.
%%** [[YouNeedToGetLaid Yukina]]
* LoveAtFirstSight: Aoki for Yui, which he tells her during his LoveConfession.
* LoveConfession: Aoki has given several to Yui, who also has repeatedly rejected him.
** Played straight [[spoiler: with Taichi towards Iori in episode 5. She smiles when she hears it, but then her body is taken over by Heartseed, and he apologizes as he throws her body into the river.]]
** [[spoiler:Inaba gives one to Taichi in episode 10. While he appreciates the thought, he tells her he's currently in love with Nagase, but Inaba says she already knew that. And since they're not dating, she figures she still has a chance, and tells him that both Nagase and herself agreed to compete for him fairly.]]
** Yui gives one to Taichi in episode 12. [[spoiler: However, she just said it as an example of her current issue of avoiding the subject, which she's been doing the entire time since her attempted rape and how she used to be strong but now relies almost solely on everyone else.]]
** [[spoiler:Chihiro gave one to Yui near the end of the ''Nise Random'' arc during their sports event, which distracted Yui enough for Chihiro's team to win, as he had planned.]]
** [[spoiler:Yui to Aoki in ''Yume Random'' arc, where they [[TheyDo FINALLY]] [[RelationshipUpgrade become]] an OfficialCouple.]]
** [[spoiler:Taichi to Inaba, to earn her back after their SecondActBreakUp. A long confession, in a church, with mementos, completing with a kiss. [[EarnYourHappyEnding Jeez, he really went all out]].]]
* LoveEpiphany: Inaba has one with the help of Heartseed of all people.
* LoveHurts: The main reason why Inaba was skipping out on club activities around episodes 7-9 was because [[spoiler:she was in love with Taichi, but didn't want to act on her impulses with him as she believed that it would destroy the group's friendship if they found out, and more importantly, Iori's feelings, which causes the latter to lash out at her in episode 10 for burdening herself like that.]]
* MaleGaze: A couple throughout the series towards Inaba and Iori.
* ManIFeelLikeAWoman: Happens to everyone during the first arc.
* ManipulativeBastard: The others tend to think of Inaba as one.
%%** Played straight with Heartseed.
* MasturbationMeansSexualFrustration: PlayedForLaughs in episode 4, where two of the HormoneAddledTeenager characters, Taichi and Inaba, reveal to each other that they've masturbated while thinking of classmates before, ''including each other''. Inaba thinks it's funny, but Taichi finds the whole ordeal embarrassing.
* TheMatchmaker: Inaba, who loves shipping Iori and Taichi at any given opportunity. [[spoiler: However, she does ''not'' take Taichi kissing Iori in Inaba's body [[Main.UnstoppableRage very well]]...]]
** [[spoiler: MatchmakerCrush: Inaba also has feelings for Taichi, as it turns out.]]
%%* AMindIsATerribleThingToRead: See {{Telepathy}} below. And then a different variation in the ''Yume Random'' arc.
* MistakenForGay: Aoki and Taichi get this when they visit Nana, [[spoiler: Aoki's ex girlfriend]].
* MountainOfFood: Episode 9 when Yui accidentally buys a feast of junk food off a rogue impulse. A impulse-fueled binge ensues.
** A more serious example, Heartseed [[spoiler:claims he and Taichi are in many ways similar in the ''Yume Random'' arc.]]
* NotWhatItLooksLike: Having experienced a body switch (with Iori, no less) for the first time, Taichi naturally decides to check his suddenly female body just to be sure. At that moment, ClassRepresentative and lesbian, Fujishima, shows up and enthusiastically offers to help the apparent Iori grope herself. Hilarity ensues.
** Episode 6: Taichi says this word for word when caught by Aoki and Yui after [[spoiler: Inaba has her inhibitions suppressed and [[ThanksForTheMammary comes onto him.]]]]
* OhCrap: Taichi gets this expression when Inaba tells him that will be reprecussions when he [[spoiler:kisses Iori in her body]]. She gives him a SlasherSmile and [[EvilLaugh laughs evilly]].
** Setouchi has this look after an angry Iori finds her in episode 16 [[spoiler: after the latter finds out the former was indirectly responsible for destroying everything her friends had been working hard on.]]
* OneHeadTaller: Aoki, the tallest member and Yui, the smallest
* PassingTheTorch: In ''Precious Time'', Chihiro and Shino become the Cultural Club president and VP respectively.
* PoorCommunicationKills: The whole drama in the ''Michi Random'' arc might have been averted had [[spoiler:Iori been more open to her friends or her friends been more intuitive to catch on to the cause of her angst.]]
* RapeAsBackstory: [[spoiler: Yui was assaulted in middle school, and developed androphobia as a result.]]
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Everyone gets one from Inaba sooner or later, [[HeroicSelfDeprecation even herself]].
** Taichi gives one to Inaba, harshly berating her for running away and abandoning their companions. A tear can be seen in Inaba's eye before she walks off and he snaps out of it.
** Heartseed essentially does this to Inaba in episode 9. He tells her about her insecurities and trust issues, and how her attempts to hide her true feelings [[spoiler: for Taichi]] is causing strife within the group that she also is trying not to break up.
** Iori also does this to Inaba in episode 15 when the latter tries to dig into why she's going through her HeroicBSOD and doesn't seem to want anyone's help. [[spoiler: Iori then flat out tells her she hated how Inaba kept pushing her to date Taichi, and when she finally considered it seriously, Inaba then decides she likes him too, and messes things up as a result. Then when Iori rejected him the second time he confessed to her, she also hated Inaba getting on her case about that as well.]]
** Aoki and Taichi have a [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech "Reason You Suck"]] war in episode 8.
* RedOniBlueOni: Iori's red to Inaba's blue.
* RelationshipUpgrade: [[spoiler: Inaba and Taichi]]
** [[spoiler: And later Yui and Aoki]]
* RubberFace: Inaba does it to Aoki in episode 11.
* RunningGag: Taichi being accused of being [[ShesNotMyGirlfriend everyone's boyfriend]]. Yes, [[MistakenForGay everyone's]].
** Also played with in the visual novel, where one of the scenes, depending on the player's choice of action, Taichi will end up groping ANY one of the other 4 members of the cast. To fuel the tease, besides the endings with either Inaba or Iori, the game also features gag endings with Yui, Aoki and Fujishima. And then there is that "harem route".
* SadisticChoice: [[spoiler: Heartseed gives the group the choice of which personality will die with Iori's body.]]
* SacredFirstKiss: [[spoiler: Inaba does ''not'' take it well when she hears from Iori that the latter shared her first kiss with Taichi in the former's body. To fuel the ShipTease, technically both girls had shared their FirstKiss with Taichi.]]
** [[spoiler: Inaba's grudge is played for laugh in the PSP visual novel. In one of the side route ending, Fujishima stole a kiss from Iori. Inaba and the rest of the club try to comfort Iori, but as soon as Iori starts lamenting that it was her first kiss, Inaba immediately shifts to a nonchalant attitude and said: "You gave away your first kiss already... with MY BODY! This is what you get for using someone else's body without care!"]]
* SecondLove: Between Yui and Aoki, it turns out that [[spoiler:Aoki used to love a girl similar to Yui.]]
** [[spoiler: Inaba is this for Taichi.]]
* SecretKeeper: Taichi is usually the go-to guy for the various characters regarding their issues. [[spoiler: Then in episode 11, No.2 forces him to keep the current situation a secret from everyone else, lest he wants all of the club members reverting to a younger age for the rest of their lives. And then when Inaba and Iori wonder how long their current situation would last, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero he lets it slip]] that it shouldn't be long. Which then causes both girls to start grilling him about exactly how much he knows.]]
* ShapedLikeItself: Heartseed is using vague mind-control to make the gang act upon impulse. In Iori's case, no one notices a difference.
-->'''Inaba:''' They seemed to write it off as Iori being herself.
-->'''Iori:''' That was the worst part! If everyone thinks I'm being myself when I suddenly shout "Yahoo!" in the middle of class, what does that say?
-->'''Taichi:''' That you're the sort of person who likes to shout "Yahoo!" in the middle of class.
* SheIsNotMyGirlfriend: In episode 2, when the class rep asks Taichi what his relationship with Iori is, he proudly boasts that they're dating. Cue a shocked Inaba looking at him making that proclamation. [[spoiler:In actuality, Inaba and Taichi had switched bodies, and Inaba claimed to be doing it to help [[ShipperOnDeck move their relationship along]], as well as get the class rep away from Iori. Taichi was not happy about it nonetheless.]]
** Taichi's response when his sister calls Iori his girlfriend in episode 6.
** And then in episode 12 he has to explain, that neither Inaba nor Yui is [[MakesSenseInContext the mother]] [[IsThatCuteKidYours of his kid]]. [[MistakenForGay And he isn't Aoki's boyfriend either]]. He sure gets it a lot.
* [[HeWillNotCrySoICryForHim She Will Not Cry So I Cry For Her]]: Played with. [[spoiler: When it looks like she is about to die, Iori tries to be strong and spends her last moments cheerfully speaking to each of friends while not shedding a tear herself. Everyone else, on the other hand, can barely keep it together. Everyone, that is, except for Taichi who refuses to cry so that Iori may be allowed to.]]
* ShipTease: [[Main.ChronicHeroSyndrome Taichi]] tends to be the receiver of this. Main pairings teased so far are [[Main/SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl Taichi/Iori]], [[Main/ShipperOnDeck Taichi]]/[[Main/MatchmakerCrush Inaba]], [[Main/BecauseYouWereNiceToMe Taichi/Yui]], and [[Main/ChivalrousPervert Aoki]]/[[Main/DoesNotLikeMen Yui]].
* ShipperOnDeck: Inaba for Taichi and Iori. [[spoiler: [[MatchmakerCrush She actually seems to be a little ''too supportive'' of the two... ]]]]
* ShoutOut: There is a poster in the clubroom of Wrestling/TheUndertaker and Taichi has a Wrestling/JohnCena poster in his room.
* SliceOfLife: With a hint of drama, supernatural and romance.
* SplitPersonality: Or personaliti''es'', for that matter. While not as potent as a JekyllAndHyde case, it's arguably just as bad-- when she was younger, [[spoiler: Iori began assuming any persona she felt was necessary to please or placate a person or situation. Now that she no longer needs to assume a persona, she never really developed her own sense of self, and as a result, she worries that she'll lose the definition of who she is.]] Her dilemma is made that much worse with the [[FreakyFridayFlip Freaky Friday Flips]].
** [[spoiler:However, in Episode 5, Taichi successfully argues that her making personas is no different to anybody else adapting to a given scenario.]]
** [[spoiler:Not as successful as you would think. By the events of episode 14, she began to be aware of her darker feelings, and mistakes those as her true self while dismissing her friendly persona as yet another facade, not realizing that they all define who she is.]]
* StatusQuoIsGod:
** Iori tells Taichi in episode 6 that [[spoiler: they should put off a relationship for now due to Heartseed screwing with them, which would likely complicate matters. He agrees to it.]]
** Inaba tells Nagase she wanted to put this trope into effect as to why she was trying to hard to get her and Taichi together. Nagase gives her a good tongue lashing regarding that.
* {{Telepathy}}: In the ''Michi Random'' arc. [[AMindIsATerribleThingToRead Not as cool as it sounds.]]
* TemptingFate: In episode 10, while taking out some trash on the field trip, both Inaba and Taichi notice that the garbage collection area is right in front of a steep cliff. Taichi mentions reading that he was going to have bad luck today according to his horoscope, but assures Inaba the only way he'd fall was if he jumped off deliberately. Cue Heartseed showing up later in the episode to tell Inaba that Taichi had a little accident and fell...
* ThanksForTheMammary: [[spoiler: Taichi to Inaba in episode 6 after she got her lust unleashed.]] Fortunately, Yui and Aoki arrive at the scene before the situation got any further.
* ThereAreNoTherapists: Iori, Inaba and Yui each have some kind of psychological issue they struggle with. Though this is justified since, at the beginning of the series, all three deliberately hid their issues as best they could.
* TheyreCalledPersonalIssuesForAReason: {{Inverted}}. Most of the problems in this series are only solved by the characters opening up to and asking each other for help.
* ThreePlusTwo: Arguably, Taichi, Iori and Inaba compose the three, while Yui and Aoki are the two. Though each character has [[CharacterDevelopment their fair share of the limelight.]]
* TonightSomeoneDies:
** In episode 5, Heartseed visits to tell the other club members that [[spoiler:Iori will die in 30 minutes. He gives the rest of them the chance to volunteer to take her place, but ultimately they decide Iori will die with her body and says her goodbyes to the rest of the club. Ultimately, her life was saved]].
** [[spoiler: Invoked in episode 10, when Heartseed takes over Nagase again, this time to tell Inaba that Taichi had a little accident and fell. She immediately fears the worst, and wonders if Taichi really did fall off the cliff they saw earlier in the episode. Then its subverted again when it turns out Taichi only fell a short ways from a small tree while trying to rescue a cat.]]
* TookALevelInJerkass: Taichi in the later episodes. Some of the other characters call him out on it.
** Inaba in episodes 7-10.
** Iori in episodes 14-16.
* TournamentArc: The Couples Battle Royale in ''Precious Time''.
* ATragedyOfImpulsiveness: The ''Kizu Random'' arc has the club members lose their inhibitions when extremely passionate. Some of the hurt results without having an episode trigger.
* TriangRelations: [[spoiler:Type 4 between Taichi, Iori and Inaba.]]
* UnresolvedSexualTension: Between Iori and Taichi. [[spoiler: And later Taichi and Inaba, though both cases are eventually settled after ''Michi Random'']].
* VillainousRescue: Heartseed comes to the [=StuCS=]'s aid near the end of the ''Kako Random'' arc when they are completely at the mercy of Number 2's phenomenon.
* VoicesAreNotMental: When the club members swap bodies, their voices stay with their bodies, but their mannerisms and speech patterns stay. [[spoiler:Iori uses this to trick Taichi at one point into making him think she was actually Inaba.]]
* WhamEpisode:
** Episode 5, which takes a very dark and dramatic turn in contrast to the fairly lighter earlier episodes.
** Invoked in episode 10, when Heartseed once again shows up to tell Inaba that Taichi fell. She thought he may have fell down the cliff from earlier, [[spoiler: but it turns out that he fell from a small tree while trying to rescue a cat. Both Taichi and the cat were okay, but Inaba imagined the worst.]]
** Episode 16, [[spoiler:Iori going on an rampage of fury and then Inaba being kidnapped at the end.]]
* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Aside from Heartseed, this is the great mystery that the characters try to figure out.
* WhatTheHellHero: Happens a few times throughout the series, but they immediately regret what they did, such as Yui beating up some guys, or [[spoiler: Taichi]] accidentally knocking Iori over and causing her to hit her head on a cabinet while arguing with [[spoiler: Aoki.]]
* WhichRestroomDilemma: Happens when members of the club switch bodies with the opposite sex. Also leads to some [[HilarityEnsues hilarious moments]] when they forget and go into the wrong bathroom. Inaba asked the rest of the club which of them had made that particular mistake, and ''all'' four of them raised their hands.
* WillTheyOrWontThey
** Taichi & Iori: [[spoiler: [[BetterAsFriends They Don't]]]].
** Yui & Aoki: [[spoiler: TheyDo]].
* WouldHitAGirl: [[spoiler:Taichi]] in episode 8 though his inhibitions were forcibly lost at the time when arguing with [[spoiler:Aoki]] and afterwards he deeply regrets it.
* YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre: Iori to Inaba in Episode 10 when she finally puts together the clues as to why Inaba has been avoiding the club and her friends.
* YouAreNotAlone: Ultimately the theme of the series. Specific instances highlighted below.
** Once again, Iori to Inaba in Episode 10, reminding Inaba that she has friends who truly love her.
** The entire [=StuCS=] to Iori in Episode 13.
----
[[caption-width-right:225: From left to right: Taichi, Inaba, Yui, Aoki, and Nagase.]]
->''Everyone has something they don't want others to know. There are things you're better off not knowing.''
-->-- '''Himeko Inaba'''
The "love and teen pentagonal comedy" follows the five members of Yamaboshi High's Student Cultural Society club--consisting of three girls and two boys--and their everyday lives as they deal with some very strange phenomena such as randomly switching bodies with each other or having their innermost desires unleashed. It is revealed that the phenomena are caused by a mysterious supernatural entity that goes by the name [[BigBad 'Heartseed']] who wants to be entertained.
''Kokoro Connect'' deals with what would happen if people could see different sides of their friends--their darkest and even their most vulnerable sides. Each arc addresses curious dilemmas such how someone would react if they switched bodies with someone else, especially the opposite gender, or what it would be like if people had no inhibitions. This series explores the ramifications such bizarre situations would have on the people themselves and how they might try to fix each others' failings and complexes as they discover them. It is a story of [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Ordinary High School]] friends dealing with the [[SliceOfLife ordinary struggles of teenagehood]], all the while in the middle of very [[FantasticComedy unordinary situations]], and how their friendships survive it all.
US and Canada viewers can watch this show legally on [[https://www.hidive.com/tv/kokoro-connect?q=Kokoro+Connect HIDIVE.]] The light novels were translated by J-Novel Club, with the first volume published on August 22, 2018.
The original light novel series currently consists of eleven volumes, three of which are side stories.
* Vol. 1 Hito Random [[note]]Random People[[/note]]
* Vol. 2 Kizu Random [[note]]Random Wounds[[/note]]
* Vol. 3 Kako Random [[note]]Random Past[[/note]]
* Vol. 4 Michi Random [[note]]Random Courses[[/note]]
* Vol. 4.5 Clip Time - Short Stories
* Vol. 5 Nise Random [[note]]Random Fakes[[/note]]
* Vol. 6 Yume Random [[note]]Random Dreams[[/note]]
* Vol. 6.5 Step Time - Short Stories
* Vol. 7 Asu Random (I) [[note]]Random Tomorrow (I)[[/note]]
* Vol. 8 Asu Random (II) [[note]]Random Tomorrow (II)[[/note]]
* Vol. 8.5 Precious Time - Epilogue
The light novels have a fan-translation [[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Kokoro_Connect here]].
The anime, by Creator/SilverLink, ran for 17 episodes. A new arc covering the material from one of the books starts every few episodes. The series is separated like this:
* Vol 1 - 5 episodes
* Vol 2 - 5 episodes
* Vol 3 - 3 episodes
* Vol 4 - 4 episodes
A PSP (non-canon) VisualNovel, ''Yochi Random'', has also been released on 22nd November 2012, featuring an original story taking place in an alternate timeline after the events of ''Hito Random'', with different, serious arc based on each of the 5 main casts' perspectives, as well as a number of comedic side arcs.
[[Characters/KokoroConnect We have a Character Sheet right here.]]
----
!!Tropes:
* AbhorrentAdmirer: Aoki for Yui, and Fujishima for Iori.
* AbsurdlyPowerfulStudentCouncil: In ''Asu Random II''. [[spoiler: When the entire school is trapped in an Isolation Dimension by Number Three, the Student Council steps up to keep order amongst the confused students, and its [[StudentCouncilPresident president]] has some very extreme ideas on how to escape the dimension.]]
* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler: One of Iori's stepfathers turned out to be like this and he became the reason why Iori started taking on adaptable personalities.]]
* AdaptationDistillation: The anime to the light novels and manga.
* AdaptationDyeJob: The eye and hair colors of some characters differ slightly between the anime and novel art.
* AdultsAreUseless: Averted, but the stuff the main characters go through is so weird they figure [[CassandraTruth no one would believe them]] if they asked for help. It also doesn't help that the supernatural entity toying with them leaves no evidence to work with.
* AllLoveIsUnrequited: Oh boy, is it! We have Aoki for Yui [[spoiler: initially]], Fujishima for Iori, Watase for Fujishima, Shiroyama for Iori, Setouchi for Shiroyama [[spoiler:(initially, but she managed to win the guy few months later in the novel)]] and for a brief time, Taichi would qualify this for Iori during the ''Michi Random'' arc.
** In the novel, we also have Misaki for Yui.
* AllMenArePerverts: Taichi and Aoki regularly share their porn with each other.
* AndTheAdventureContinues: Since the body switching ended so early, did you actually think Heartseed would stop messing around with the cast after just 5 episodes?
* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: The Desire Unleash phenomenon forces our heroes to give into all kinds of horrible impulses such as random acts of violence, verbally assaulting each other and eating lots and lots of food.
* BeachEpisode: The first Drama CD, "Summer, Swimsuits, and a Storm."
* BeautyContest: Iori wins one in ''Clip Time'', effectively earning the title "No.1 Beauty" of Yamaboshi High.
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Two of the three main girls seem to be falling for Taichi largely because of his willingness to help them out with their problems.
** Yui seems to be lowering her guard against Aoki as well because of this trope. Despite all of her attacks, insults, and rejections, he still wants to be with her.
* BetaCouple: [[spoiler:Aoki and Yui become this later to Taichi and Inaba. They have their rough moments, but tend to have it easier than the other two.]]
* BettyAndVeronica: Throughout ''Kako Random'' and ''Michi Random'', [[spoiler:Taichi is conflicted between Iori (Betty) and Inaba (Veronica). It takes some soul-searching, but he ultimately chooses Inaba.]]
* BigDamnHeroes: The CRC members do this in episode 17, [[spoiler: after Inaba is kidnapped by some thugs who ruined their club room along with the materials they were working on for a presentation.]]
* BigWordShout: Episode 5: "NAGASE!!!" [[spoiler:as Heartseed makes her fall into the river]], complete with FutileHandReach.
** Episode 17: [[spoiler:"INABA!!!" Complete with [[TakingTheBullet Taking The Lead Pipe]].]]
** Similar scenarios occur in the PSP visual novel, [[spoiler:1) when Iori was about to get hit by a truck and 2) when Inaba was plummeting onto the ground off a cliff.]]
* BlandNameProduct: Bazkin Robin ice cream, Inaba's VAIA laptop, Cola-Cola, Sontory (Suntory) and Melpis (Calpis) drinks, and a Seike (Seiko) clock all make appearances.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Heartseed's methods to interacting with the club members can seem rather strange to most people including the main characters, such as the random warping into different bodies, and especially episode 5 [[spoiler:when he takes over Iori's body and throws it off a bridge into the river below.]]
%%* BookEnds: At the end of episode 10, as Inaba leaves her home, she says goodbye to her brother who notes how [[DefrostingIceQueen she never does so]].
* BreakfastClub: The Cultural Research Club, made up of 5 people who wanted to join different clubs, but ended up as single-member clubs.
* BreakingTheFellowship: The various character's problems cause them to avoid each other during the Random Wounds arc. After some soul searching, however, they largely make amends for the strife they caused the group.
* BrickJoke: In Episode 9, Aoki requests Yui dress as a bunny girl and she refuses. Come Episode 17...
* BrokenBird: More like a cast of {{Broken Bird}}s. Each member seems to carry some type of emotional luggage.
* CerebusRollercoaster: The ''Random'' arcs are very dramatic with some comedic points sprinkled in. The ''Time'' side stories, on the other hand, are completely comedic SliceOfLife tales.
* ChekhovsGun: Taichi and Inaba look over the edge of a cliff and note that someone could die if they fell off it. Later, Heartseed implies that [[spoiler:Taichi]] has fallen to his death [[spoiler:but it's subverted; he fell out of a tree trying to rescue a kitten, and is uninjured. [[ExactWords Heartseed only said he "fell,"]] but [[BatmanGambit he knew Inaba (and the audience) would assume the worst]]]].
* ChekhovsSkill: In episode 3, Taichi taught Yui that the best way to defeat a man was to [[GroinAttack kick him in the balls]]. Then, in episode 17, [[spoiler: she beats one of Inaba's kidnappers with that same tactic]].
* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Taichi, as noted by Inaba. It has earned him the title, "Selfless Freak."
** {{Deconstructed|Trope}}: The series repeatedly points out the flaws in Taichi's supposedly "heroic" personality, which [[CharacterDevelopment he will learn to overcome.]]
* CreditsJukebox: If the endings are anything to go by, each arc has its own ED theme.
* CrucifiedHeroShot: [[spoiler: How Iori is posed when Heartseed forces her to leap off a bridge.]]
* CurbStompBattle: [[BigBad Heart]][[TheOmnipotent seed]] vs anyone.
* DarkSecret: In episode 4, when Inaba reveals her trust issues to Taichi, Taichi tells her a secret that he had hoped to carry with him to his grave: [[spoiler:he has masturbated to pictures of her in the past, as well as Iori and Yui.]] Inaba seems shocked at first, but then starts laughing. At the end of the episode, she also evens it out with her own secret: [[spoiler:she's done the same with his picture.]]
* DatePeepers: Iori and Yukina in ''Step Time''.
** The ''entire'' Cultural Club in ''Clip Time''. Yui is spied on in both instances.
* DeadpanSnarker: Inaba, 24/7. He mirrors her own cynical outlook on the world.
** Taichi quite frequently as well, which Inaba doesn't tolerate.
* DeconstructorFleet: Deconstructs ChronicHeroSyndrome, GenkiGirl, {{Tsundere}}, PluckyComicRelief, and AFriendInNeed, among other high school SliceOfLife / romance / drama tropes.
* DemonicPossession: Heartseed's method for communicating with the cast. It's unclear if he even has a physical body.
* DoesNotLikeMen: Justified, double subverted, then reconstructed with Yui. [[spoiler: She was a victim of attempted rape in middle school and, as a result, developed androphobia. She seemed to get along all right with the male characters, but people closer to her are somewhat able to tell she has a fear of men. Taichi then gives Yui a little push to start overcoming her fear. He does this by [[GroinAttack kicking her/himself in the balls.]]]] ItMakesSenseInContext.
* DomesticAbuse: [[spoiler:Iori's second father to her mother, which is why she changed her personality in the first place.]]
* {{Doppelganger}}: The ''Nise Random'' arc.
* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale: Taichi and Aoki get beat up a lot, don't they? Inaba specifically stops herself from hitting Iori when Taichi's in it.
* DysfunctionJunction: All five of the [=StuCS=] members have some sort of emotional baggage to deal with.
* EarlyBirdCameo: Several students who do not appear until much later in the novels can be seen as background characters early on in the anime.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: Everyone in the [=StuCS=] goes through hell over and over, but they always find their way back to each other.
* EpiphanyTherapy: Taichi's MO, though in reality he merely scratched on the surface of everyone's problem.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Heartseed was not pleased with [[spoiler:Number Two's over the top meddling with the cast.]]
** Let's not forget that Heartseed [[NotEvilJustMisunderstood didn't get Iori's phone wet]], even though what he did afterwards was pretty [[WhamEpisode messed up]].
* EverythingsBetterWithRainbows: The opening credits has a rainbow beam running through many of the happy scenes.
%%* FerrisWheelDateMoment: In ''Step Time''.
* FirstKiss: Taichi gives one to Iori while she's in Inaba's body in episode 5, [[spoiler:because Iori was going to die, and she wanted a memory from him before she went. Later, Inaba gets upset that he stole her first kiss, and threatens that it'll "cost" him big time.]]
* FirstNameBasis: The other four main characters all call Taichi by his first name. One can be forgiven for forgetting that Taichi's last name is Yaegashi, as the other characters rarely use it.
** Aoki and the girls call Yui by her first name, while Taichi sticks to her {{last name|basis}}.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Inaba's statement in Episode 4: [[spoiler:"Do you want me to fall for you too?"]] is this for her [[TheReveal Reveal]] in the second arc. Her getting upset at Taichi [[spoiler: stealing her FirstKiss counts as well]].
** [[spoiler:All the strange rumors that were spreading around the school during Fujishima's side story in the novel, setting up the stage for what was to come in the next and final arc of the series.]]
* FountainOfYouth: The ''Kako Random'' arc.
* FreakyFridayFlip: The ''Hito Random'' arc, although generally for short periods of time instead of the driving theme.
* AFriendInNeed: [[CentralTheme The series]].
** {{Deconstructed}} in ''Michi Random'' where [[spoiler: Iori is further frustrated and alienated by her friends' repeated attempts to help her. It culminates with Iori raging at Inaba for pretending to be her friend when Inaba has created many hardships for Iori in the past.]]
* TheGlomp: Yui does it to Aoki in episode 12.
* GotVolunteered: In episode 2 of the anime, Taichi is about to volunteer to help Fujishima with cleaning up litter when he and Inaba suddenly switch bodies.
* TheGreatestStoryNeverTold: The Cultural Club choose to keep their supernatural encounters secret from anyone outside of the club. [[spoiler: In ''Asu Random II'', a select few other characters like Rina and Iori's mother learn the truth.]]
* GroinAttack: In episode 3 of the anime, Taichi in Yui's body delivers one to Yui in Taichi's body. [[{{Hilarity Ensues}} Then they switch back.]]
* HeroicBSOD: Everyone has one at some point, though they [[PowerOfTrust always overcome them]].
* HiddenDepths: Arguably everyone. For example, Yui, who loves cute things and is usually the quiet one, is actually a karate champion.
** Also Mr Gotou, who's a professional level saxophone player despite his HippieTeacher appearance and attitude. He's even had offers from professional jazz bands.
* IdiotBall: The reason why Taichi and Aoki thought it was a good idea to take cute pictures of themselves while controlling Inaba and Yui's bodies. Also, they did so in the '''Cultural Society's clubroom''' of all places!
* ImaginaryLoveTriangle: Though nearly all the club members get involved in complex emotional scenarios at one point or the other, Taichi and Yui seem to play this straight, especially in Aoki's mind. [[spoiler: Come the beginning of Episode 12, he's not the only one who thinks so either.]]
* IronicEcho: "If you're worried about something, say something!"
* IsThatCuteKidYours: Various people ask this in episodes 11 and 12 when 4 of the 5 members start reverting to younger ages due to No.2's phenomenon.
* ItAmusedMe: Heartseed's motivation. [[OrangeAndBlueMorality Or so he says.]]
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: When Iori runs away, Taichi chases after her, but doesn't know where she went. He asks Fujishima, who says she saw Iori run through the front gate, then gives him the key to her bike, and tells him that he's the one she needs right now.
** [[spoiler: Inaba also attempts to invoke this trope for Iori and Taichi, but ultimately subverts it herself.]]
* LastNameBasis: Aoki and Inaba are almost always called by their last names. Aoki and Inaba's first names, which are rarely used, are Yoshifumi and Himeko, respectively.
* LighterAndSofter: The anime distilled and toned down some of the harsher elements from the novel. For a few examples:
** Hito Random, [[spoiler:Taichi was swapped out of his body and was prevented from reaching out for Iori as she plummets into the river.]]
** Kizu Random, [[spoiler:the anime distilled some of the casts' darker desire during their individual BSOD moments, such as Taichi smashing things in his room, Inaba shoplifting, etc. And Inaba also appeared to be much less of a jerk than she did in the novel.]]
** Michi Random, [[spoiler:Iori appeared less of a jerk as well. The footage at the end of episode 15, in the novel, Iori didn't just lash at Inaba. She [[BreakThemByTalking verbally crushed her to the point where Inaba broke and collapsed on spot]]. Also, the kidnapping was arguably more violent in the novel.]]
* LetsGetDangerous: Anytime Yui breaks out her karate skills.
* LossOfIdentity: Iori (while in Aoki's body) wondered if this would happen to them if they keep swapping bodies with each other, since the soul is intangilbe and invisible. [[spoiler:She started assuming different personas to accomodate other people, and found she didn't know who her true self was any more.]]
** [[spoiler:Taichi, when he begins to realize his obsession with being selfless is controlling his life.]]
* LossOfInhibitions: The ''Kizu Random'' arc has this happen to the club members when they feel powerful desires.
* LovableSexManiac: Fujishima, a card-carrying LoveFreak, describes herself as a "Missionary of Love." Her EstablishingCharacterMoment was throwing herself at Iori, asking if she needs help groping herself.
%%** [[YouNeedToGetLaid Yukina]]
* LoveAtFirstSight: Aoki for Yui, which he tells her during his LoveConfession.
* LoveConfession: Aoki has given several to Yui, who also has repeatedly rejected him.
** Played straight [[spoiler: with Taichi towards Iori in episode 5. She smiles when she hears it, but then her body is taken over by Heartseed, and he apologizes as he throws her body into the river.]]
** [[spoiler:Inaba gives one to Taichi in episode 10. While he appreciates the thought, he tells her he's currently in love with Nagase, but Inaba says she already knew that. And since they're not dating, she figures she still has a chance, and tells him that both Nagase and herself agreed to compete for him fairly.]]
** Yui gives one to Taichi in episode 12. [[spoiler: However, she just said it as an example of her current issue of avoiding the subject, which she's been doing the entire time since her attempted rape and how she used to be strong but now relies almost solely on everyone else.]]
** [[spoiler:Chihiro gave one to Yui near the end of the ''Nise Random'' arc during their sports event, which distracted Yui enough for Chihiro's team to win, as he had planned.]]
** [[spoiler:Yui to Aoki in ''Yume Random'' arc, where they [[TheyDo FINALLY]] [[RelationshipUpgrade become]] an OfficialCouple.]]
** [[spoiler:Taichi to Inaba, to earn her back after their SecondActBreakUp. A long confession, in a church, with mementos, completing with a kiss. [[EarnYourHappyEnding Jeez, he really went all out]].]]
* LoveEpiphany: Inaba has one with the help of Heartseed of all people.
* LoveHurts: The main reason why Inaba was skipping out on club activities around episodes 7-9 was because [[spoiler:she was in love with Taichi, but didn't want to act on her impulses with him as she believed that it would destroy the group's friendship if they found out, and more importantly, Iori's feelings, which causes the latter to lash out at her in episode 10 for burdening herself like that.]]
* MaleGaze: A couple throughout the series towards Inaba and Iori.
* ManIFeelLikeAWoman: Happens to everyone during the first arc.
* ManipulativeBastard: The others tend to think of Inaba as one.
%%** Played straight with Heartseed.
* MasturbationMeansSexualFrustration: PlayedForLaughs in episode 4, where two of the HormoneAddledTeenager characters, Taichi and Inaba, reveal to each other that they've masturbated while thinking of classmates before, ''including each other''. Inaba thinks it's funny, but Taichi finds the whole ordeal embarrassing.
* TheMatchmaker: Inaba, who loves shipping Iori and Taichi at any given opportunity. [[spoiler: However, she does ''not'' take Taichi kissing Iori in Inaba's body [[Main.UnstoppableRage very well]]...]]
** [[spoiler: MatchmakerCrush: Inaba also has feelings for Taichi, as it turns out.]]
%%* AMindIsATerribleThingToRead: See {{Telepathy}} below. And then a different variation in the ''Yume Random'' arc.
* MistakenForGay: Aoki and Taichi get this when they visit Nana, [[spoiler: Aoki's ex girlfriend]].
* MountainOfFood: Episode 9 when Yui accidentally buys a feast of junk food off a rogue impulse. A impulse-fueled binge ensues.
** A more serious example, Heartseed [[spoiler:claims he and Taichi are in many ways similar in the ''Yume Random'' arc.]]
* NotWhatItLooksLike: Having experienced a body switch (with Iori, no less) for the first time, Taichi naturally decides to check his suddenly female body just to be sure. At that moment, ClassRepresentative and lesbian, Fujishima, shows up and enthusiastically offers to help the apparent Iori grope herself. Hilarity ensues.
** Episode 6: Taichi says this word for word when caught by Aoki and Yui after [[spoiler: Inaba has her inhibitions suppressed and [[ThanksForTheMammary comes onto him.]]]]
* OhCrap: Taichi gets this expression when Inaba tells him that will be reprecussions when he [[spoiler:kisses Iori in her body]]. She gives him a SlasherSmile and [[EvilLaugh laughs evilly]].
** Setouchi has this look after an angry Iori finds her in episode 16 [[spoiler: after the latter finds out the former was indirectly responsible for destroying everything her friends had been working hard on.]]
* OneHeadTaller: Aoki, the tallest member and Yui, the smallest
* PassingTheTorch: In ''Precious Time'', Chihiro and Shino become the Cultural Club president and VP respectively.
* PoorCommunicationKills: The whole drama in the ''Michi Random'' arc might have been averted had [[spoiler:Iori been more open to her friends or her friends been more intuitive to catch on to the cause of her angst.]]
* RapeAsBackstory: [[spoiler: Yui was assaulted in middle school, and developed androphobia as a result.]]
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Everyone gets one from Inaba sooner or later, [[HeroicSelfDeprecation even herself]].
** Taichi gives one to Inaba, harshly berating her for running away and abandoning their companions. A tear can be seen in Inaba's eye before she walks off and he snaps out of it.
** Heartseed essentially does this to Inaba in episode 9. He tells her about her insecurities and trust issues, and how her attempts to hide her true feelings [[spoiler: for Taichi]] is causing strife within the group that she also is trying not to break up.
** Iori also does this to Inaba in episode 15 when the latter tries to dig into why she's going through her HeroicBSOD and doesn't seem to want anyone's help. [[spoiler: Iori then flat out tells her she hated how Inaba kept pushing her to date Taichi, and when she finally considered it seriously, Inaba then decides she likes him too, and messes things up as a result. Then when Iori rejected him the second time he confessed to her, she also hated Inaba getting on her case about that as well.]]
** Aoki and Taichi have a [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech "Reason You Suck"]] war in episode 8.
* RedOniBlueOni: Iori's red to Inaba's blue.
* RelationshipUpgrade: [[spoiler: Inaba and Taichi]]
** [[spoiler: And later Yui and Aoki]]
* RubberFace: Inaba does it to Aoki in episode 11.
* RunningGag: Taichi being accused of being [[ShesNotMyGirlfriend everyone's boyfriend]]. Yes, [[MistakenForGay everyone's]].
** Also played with in the visual novel, where one of the scenes, depending on the player's choice of action, Taichi will end up groping ANY one of the other 4 members of the cast. To fuel the tease, besides the endings with either Inaba or Iori, the game also features gag endings with Yui, Aoki and Fujishima. And then there is that "harem route".
* SadisticChoice: [[spoiler: Heartseed gives the group the choice of which personality will die with Iori's body.]]
* SacredFirstKiss: [[spoiler: Inaba does ''not'' take it well when she hears from Iori that the latter shared her first kiss with Taichi in the former's body. To fuel the ShipTease, technically both girls had shared their FirstKiss with Taichi.]]
** [[spoiler: Inaba's grudge is played for laugh in the PSP visual novel. In one of the side route ending, Fujishima stole a kiss from Iori. Inaba and the rest of the club try to comfort Iori, but as soon as Iori starts lamenting that it was her first kiss, Inaba immediately shifts to a nonchalant attitude and said: "You gave away your first kiss already... with MY BODY! This is what you get for using someone else's body without care!"]]
* SecondLove: Between Yui and Aoki, it turns out that [[spoiler:Aoki used to love a girl similar to Yui.]]
** [[spoiler: Inaba is this for Taichi.]]
* SecretKeeper: Taichi is usually the go-to guy for the various characters regarding their issues. [[spoiler: Then in episode 11, No.2 forces him to keep the current situation a secret from everyone else, lest he wants all of the club members reverting to a younger age for the rest of their lives. And then when Inaba and Iori wonder how long their current situation would last, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero he lets it slip]] that it shouldn't be long. Which then causes both girls to start grilling him about exactly how much he knows.]]
* ShapedLikeItself: Heartseed is using vague mind-control to make the gang act upon impulse. In Iori's case, no one notices a difference.
-->'''Inaba:''' They seemed to write it off as Iori being herself.
-->'''Iori:''' That was the worst part! If everyone thinks I'm being myself when I suddenly shout "Yahoo!" in the middle of class, what does that say?
-->'''Taichi:''' That you're the sort of person who likes to shout "Yahoo!" in the middle of class.
* SheIsNotMyGirlfriend: In episode 2, when the class rep asks Taichi what his relationship with Iori is, he proudly boasts that they're dating. Cue a shocked Inaba looking at him making that proclamation. [[spoiler:In actuality, Inaba and Taichi had switched bodies, and Inaba claimed to be doing it to help [[ShipperOnDeck move their relationship along]], as well as get the class rep away from Iori. Taichi was not happy about it nonetheless.]]
** Taichi's response when his sister calls Iori his girlfriend in episode 6.
** And then in episode 12 he has to explain, that neither Inaba nor Yui is [[MakesSenseInContext the mother]] [[IsThatCuteKidYours of his kid]]. [[MistakenForGay And he isn't Aoki's boyfriend either]]. He sure gets it a lot.
* [[HeWillNotCrySoICryForHim She Will Not Cry So I Cry For Her]]: Played with. [[spoiler: When it looks like she is about to die, Iori tries to be strong and spends her last moments cheerfully speaking to each of friends while not shedding a tear herself. Everyone else, on the other hand, can barely keep it together. Everyone, that is, except for Taichi who refuses to cry so that Iori may be allowed to.]]
* ShipTease: [[Main.ChronicHeroSyndrome Taichi]] tends to be the receiver of this. Main pairings teased so far are [[Main/SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl Taichi/Iori]], [[Main/ShipperOnDeck Taichi]]/[[Main/MatchmakerCrush Inaba]], [[Main/BecauseYouWereNiceToMe Taichi/Yui]], and [[Main/ChivalrousPervert Aoki]]/[[Main/DoesNotLikeMen Yui]].
* ShipperOnDeck: Inaba for Taichi and Iori. [[spoiler: [[MatchmakerCrush She actually seems to be a little ''too supportive'' of the two... ]]]]
* ShoutOut: There is a poster in the clubroom of Wrestling/TheUndertaker and Taichi has a Wrestling/JohnCena poster in his room.
* SliceOfLife: With a hint of drama, supernatural and romance.
* SplitPersonality: Or personaliti''es'', for that matter. While not as potent as a JekyllAndHyde case, it's arguably just as bad-- when she was younger, [[spoiler: Iori began assuming any persona she felt was necessary to please or placate a person or situation. Now that she no longer needs to assume a persona, she never really developed her own sense of self, and as a result, she worries that she'll lose the definition of who she is.]] Her dilemma is made that much worse with the [[FreakyFridayFlip Freaky Friday Flips]].
** [[spoiler:However, in Episode 5, Taichi successfully argues that her making personas is no different to anybody else adapting to a given scenario.]]
** [[spoiler:Not as successful as you would think. By the events of episode 14, she began to be aware of her darker feelings, and mistakes those as her true self while dismissing her friendly persona as yet another facade, not realizing that they all define who she is.]]
* StatusQuoIsGod:
** Iori tells Taichi in episode 6 that [[spoiler: they should put off a relationship for now due to Heartseed screwing with them, which would likely complicate matters. He agrees to it.]]
** Inaba tells Nagase she wanted to put this trope into effect as to why she was trying to hard to get her and Taichi together. Nagase gives her a good tongue lashing regarding that.
* {{Telepathy}}: In the ''Michi Random'' arc. [[AMindIsATerribleThingToRead Not as cool as it sounds.]]
* TemptingFate: In episode 10, while taking out some trash on the field trip, both Inaba and Taichi notice that the garbage collection area is right in front of a steep cliff. Taichi mentions reading that he was going to have bad luck today according to his horoscope, but assures Inaba the only way he'd fall was if he jumped off deliberately. Cue Heartseed showing up later in the episode to tell Inaba that Taichi had a little accident and fell...
* ThanksForTheMammary: [[spoiler: Taichi to Inaba in episode 6 after she got her lust unleashed.]] Fortunately, Yui and Aoki arrive at the scene before the situation got any further.
* ThereAreNoTherapists: Iori, Inaba and Yui each have some kind of psychological issue they struggle with. Though this is justified since, at the beginning of the series, all three deliberately hid their issues as best they could.
* TheyreCalledPersonalIssuesForAReason: {{Inverted}}. Most of the problems in this series are only solved by the characters opening up to and asking each other for help.
* ThreePlusTwo: Arguably, Taichi, Iori and Inaba compose the three, while Yui and Aoki are the two. Though each character has [[CharacterDevelopment their fair share of the limelight.]]
* TonightSomeoneDies:
** In episode 5, Heartseed visits to tell the other club members that [[spoiler:Iori will die in 30 minutes. He gives the rest of them the chance to volunteer to take her place, but ultimately they decide Iori will die with her body and says her goodbyes to the rest of the club. Ultimately, her life was saved]].
** [[spoiler: Invoked in episode 10, when Heartseed takes over Nagase again, this time to tell Inaba that Taichi had a little accident and fell. She immediately fears the worst, and wonders if Taichi really did fall off the cliff they saw earlier in the episode. Then its subverted again when it turns out Taichi only fell a short ways from a small tree while trying to rescue a cat.]]
* TookALevelInJerkass: Taichi in the later episodes. Some of the other characters call him out on it.
** Inaba in episodes 7-10.
** Iori in episodes 14-16.
* TournamentArc: The Couples Battle Royale in ''Precious Time''.
* ATragedyOfImpulsiveness: The ''Kizu Random'' arc has the club members lose their inhibitions when extremely passionate. Some of the hurt results without having an episode trigger.
* TriangRelations: [[spoiler:Type 4 between Taichi, Iori and Inaba.]]
* UnresolvedSexualTension: Between Iori and Taichi. [[spoiler: And later Taichi and Inaba, though both cases are eventually settled after ''Michi Random'']].
* VillainousRescue: Heartseed comes to the [=StuCS=]'s aid near the end of the ''Kako Random'' arc when they are completely at the mercy of Number 2's phenomenon.
* VoicesAreNotMental: When the club members swap bodies, their voices stay with their bodies, but their mannerisms and speech patterns stay. [[spoiler:Iori uses this to trick Taichi at one point into making him think she was actually Inaba.]]
* WhamEpisode:
** Episode 5, which takes a very dark and dramatic turn in contrast to the fairly lighter earlier episodes.
** Invoked in episode 10, when Heartseed once again shows up to tell Inaba that Taichi fell. She thought he may have fell down the cliff from earlier, [[spoiler: but it turns out that he fell from a small tree while trying to rescue a cat. Both Taichi and the cat were okay, but Inaba imagined the worst.]]
** Episode 16, [[spoiler:Iori going on an rampage of fury and then Inaba being kidnapped at the end.]]
* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Aside from Heartseed, this is the great mystery that the characters try to figure out.
* WhatTheHellHero: Happens a few times throughout the series, but they immediately regret what they did, such as Yui beating up some guys, or [[spoiler: Taichi]] accidentally knocking Iori over and causing her to hit her head on a cabinet while arguing with [[spoiler: Aoki.]]
* WhichRestroomDilemma: Happens when members of the club switch bodies with the opposite sex. Also leads to some [[HilarityEnsues hilarious moments]] when they forget and go into the wrong bathroom. Inaba asked the rest of the club which of them had made that particular mistake, and ''all'' four of them raised their hands.
* WillTheyOrWontThey
** Taichi & Iori: [[spoiler: [[BetterAsFriends They Don't]]]].
** Yui & Aoki: [[spoiler: TheyDo]].
* WouldHitAGirl: [[spoiler:Taichi]] in episode 8 though his inhibitions were forcibly lost at the time when arguing with [[spoiler:Aoki]] and afterwards he deeply regrets it.
* YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre: Iori to Inaba in Episode 10 when she finally puts together the clues as to why Inaba has been avoiding the club and her friends.
* YouAreNotAlone: Ultimately the theme of the series. Specific instances highlighted below.
** Once again, Iori to Inaba in Episode 10, reminding Inaba that she has friends who truly love her.
** The entire [=StuCS=] to Iori in Episode 13.
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