History YMMV / JunjouRomantica

* ValuesDissonance: A complicated one involving Fuyuhiko, Haruhiko and his mother, and the Usami family. While not uncommon in the West for there to be illegitimate children, having or being one can still carry a degree of stigma. In Japan however, it could destroy a family's whole social standing and being a bastard was considered incredibly shameful. Natsuko's intense hatred of her husband may have originated largely from Fuyuhiko having an extramarital affair that resulted in his lover's child. Not only did Fuyuhiko favor Haruhiko and even adopt him into her family after his lover's death, if it were ever exposed the Usami Group was inherited by an illegitimate child, it could quite easily bring devastation to their entire company. However, it speaks volumes to how much Fuyuhiko loved Haruhiko and his mother. Fuyuhiko continued caring for them, trying to help Haruhiko's mother with the many hardships of being a single mother and attempt to guarantee Haruhiko a stable position and acknowledgement as his eldest son. Status of being an illegitimate child would most likely end any living Haruhiko made for himself and if any familial conflicts broke out legally between Akihiko and Haruhiko being half-siblings, Haruhiko would still be considered the elder brother as he was officially adopted. It may have also been a secondary motive why Fuyuhiko tried to arrange a marriage between Haruhiko with Kaoruko.

* ValuesDissonance: A complicated one involving Fuyuhiko, Haruhiko and his mother, and the Usami family. While not uncommon in the West for there to be illegitimate children, having or being one can still carry a degree of stigma. In Japan however, it could destroy a family's whole social standing and being a bastard was considered incredibly shameful. Natsuko's intense hatred of her husband and stepson may have largely originated with Fuyuhiko having an extramarital affair that resulted in his lover's child. Not only would this have already been a giant slight to her and the Usami, Fuyuhiko favored Haruhiko and even adopted him into her family after his lover's death. If it was ever exposed, it quite easily could bring ruin to the entire family's image. However, it speaks volumes to how much Fuyuhiko loved Haruhiko and his mother. Despite the hardships she faced as a single mother, she never spoke poorly of Fuyuhiko, who still continued to care for them and how he try and guarantee Haruhiko a stable job and acknowledgement as his eldest son. Status of him being an illegitimate child would most likely end any living Haruhiko made for himself and if any familial conflicts broke out legally between Akihiko and Haruhiko, despite being half-brothers, Haruhiko would still be considered the elder brother as he was officially adopted. It may have also been a secondary reason why Fuyuhiko tried and arrange a marriage between Haruhiko with Kaoruko.

* ValuesDissonance: A complicated one involving Fuyuhiko, Haruhiko and his mother, and the Usami family. While not uncommon in the West for there to be illegitimate children, having or being one can still carry a degree of stigma. In Japan however, it could destroy a family's social standing and being a bastard was considered incredibly shameful. Natsuko's intense hatred of her husband and stepson may have largely been due to Fuyuhiko having an affair that resulted in his lover's child. Not only would this have already been a giant slight to her and the Usami, Fuyuhiko favored Haruhiko and even adopted him into her family after his lover's death. If it was ever exposed, it quite easily could bring ruin to the entire family's image. However, it speaks volumes to how much Fuyuhiko loved Haruhiko and his mother. Despite the hardships she faced as a single mother, she never spoke poorly of Fuyuhiko, who still continued to care for them and how he try and guarantee Haruhiko a stable career and acknowledgement as his eldest son. Status of him being an illegitimate child would most likely end any living Haruhiko made for himself and if any familial conflicts broke out legally between Akihiko and Haruhiko, despite being half-brothers, Haruhiko would still be considered the elder brother as he was officially adopted.

* ValuesDissonance: A complicated one involving Fuyuhiko, Haruhiko and his mother, and the Usami family. While not uncommon in the West for there to be illegitimate children, having or being one can still carry a degree of stigma. In Japan however, it could bring ruin to a family's entire image and being a bastard was a considered an irredeemable flaw. It demonstrates just deeply Natsuko hated her husband and stepson, not only for the disgrace to her family, but the fact Fuyuhiko favored his lover's child, even officially adopting Haruhiko into the family. If any legal family conflicts broke out between the half-brothers, due to being eldest, Haruhiko would've had precedence. However, it displays how much Fuyuhiko and Haruhiko's mother loved each other, as he continued visiting her and how she never spoke ill of him. It also goes to show just how guilty Haruhiko felt his existence must've brought such hardships for his mother and dislike for his father being the cause of it all.

* ViewerGenderConfusion: [[DudeLooksLikeALady Misaki.]] Poor the clueless viewers who thought this series was just an average romance one especially to the homophobics.

* MagnificentBastard: Isaka. Repeatedly. Especially when it comes to Akihiko, Haruhiko and Misaki, although there's a very good reason he's the director of Marukawa publishing.

*** Misaki seems eerily like a victim of Gaslighting as he seriously doubts, is conflicted, or feels helpless over simple life choices almost every chapter (which also constantly mocks his ignorance) and wonders if should trust Usami more than himself. It's only after spending time with characters whose actions literally mirror [[https://people.howstuffworks.com/cult7.htm cult deprogramming]] [[https://m.wikihow.com/Deprogram-a-Religious-Cult-Member methods]] that he's able to express some assertion and autonomy.

** Let's not even start on Akihiko's constant interference with Misaki's social life: controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or random vacations), unwanted gifts, interrupting conversations Misaki's having with others (usually rivals, or encouraging self-reliance), demands he solve all of Misaki's personal problems, and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in. It's saying something when your relationship is far more problematic than the one with the issue of a ''seventeen-year age gap'', and when the love rivals (who also are quite flawed) are much more well-adjusted, given how they're portrayed as the opposite in most anime.

*** Misaki seems eerily like a victim of Gaslighting as he's seriously doubting, conflicted, or feels helpless over simple life choices almost every chapter (which also frequently mocks his ignorance) and often wonders whether he should trust Usami more instead. It's only after spending time with characters whose actions literally mirror [[https://people.howstuffworks.com/cult7.htm cult deprogramming]] [[https://m.wikihow.com/Deprogram-a-Religious-Cult-Member methods]] that he's able to express some assertion and autonomy.

* UnfortunateImplications: As shown in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVyh_IM3Ik video]], Christian and Anastasia from ''Literature/FiftyShadesOfGrey'' relationship can reflect a cult indoctrination more than an actual couple. Apart from some coincidental details being alike (collestudent dating a well known son of a rich family), Akihiko and Misaki can be eerily similar to those two in that respect. For some good parallels:

*** You know something's up when almost every chapter's closing is about Misaki seriously doubting, conflicted or asking his brother for help over even the simplest life decisions, or mocking his ignorance and it's only after spending time with characters whose actions literally mirror [[https://people.howstuffworks.com/cult7.htm cult deprogramming]] [[https://m.wikihow.com/Deprogram-a-Religious-Cult-Member methods]] that he's able to express some assertion and autonomy.

* EarWorm: Kimi Hana is very addicting song indeed, with all meaning of to never let go off your hand.

* MemeticMutation: Shinobu and cabbages.

* UnfortunateImplications: As shown in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVyh_IM3Ik video]], Christian and Anastasia from ''Literature/FiftyShadesOfGrey'' relationship can reflect a cult indoctrination more than an actual couple. Apart from some coincidental details being alike (college student dating a well known son of a rich family), Akihiko and Misaki can be eerily similar to those two in that respect. For some good parallels:

** Within just the first episode, Akihiko goes through ''six'' of the eight steps. Akihiko somehow draws Misaki into a discussion of their lives ([[QuestionableConsent even after what happened]]), which ends in Misaki agreeing to let Usami tutor him. It starts showing when Misaki's first reaction is to show his test results to Usami instead of Takahiro. Then it ends with Akihiko claiming the last time someone ever see him cry was when he was a baby and Misaki would be the only one he'd ever let see in such a state. With all that Akihiko is able to control what Misaki looks like and attempt to get have sex with him again by saying what an honor it is to have won his affection despite the latter's resistance. Misaki's closing thoughts being how his "sympathizing with a pure hearted romantic" may be his downfall, yet still wondering to his brother about his uncertainty of the danger of the place he's living at.
*** You know something's up when almost every chapter's closing is about Misaki seriously doubting, conflicted or asking his brother for help over even the simplest life decisions, or mocking his ignorance and it's only after spending time with characters whose actions literally mirror [[https://people.howstuffworks.com/cult7.htm cult deprogramming]] [[https://m.wikihow.com/Deprogram-a-Religious-Cult-Member methods]] that he's able to express some perception and autonomy.

** Whenever Misaki expresses having an independent life or Akihiko seeing a possibility of separation, he manipulates Misaki's into staying with him. He guilts Misaki by saying how his world revolves around him and couldn't imagine them being apart, or how hurt he'd be if Misaki left. In the manga, the plot of a chapter in his next BL novel is about Misaki failing to get a job.

*** You know something's up when almost every chapter's closing is about Misaki seriously doubting, conflicted or asking his brother for help over even the simplest life decisions, and it's only after spending time with characters whose actions literally mirror [[https://people.howstuffworks.com/cult7.htm cult deprogramming]] [[https://m.wikihow.com/Deprogram-a-Religious-Cult-Member methods]] that he's able to express some basic autonomy.

** Let's not even start on Akihiko's constant interfere with Misaki's social life: controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or random vacations), unwanted gifts, interrupting conversations Misaki's having with others (usually rivals, or encouraging self-reliance), demands Misaki let him solve all his personal problems, and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in. It's saying something when your relationship is far more problematic than the one with the issue of a ''seventeen-year age gap'', and when the love rivals (who also are quite flawed) are much more well-adjusted, given how they're portrayed as the opposite in most anime.

** Every time Misaki starts thinking about having a life independent of Akihiko or Akihiko seeing a possibility of separation, it's because of guilt due to how often Akihiko says his life revolves around Misaki and can't imagine them being apart or how hurt Akihiko's going to be without him that he stops.
*** You know something's up if it's after spending time with characters whose actions literally mirror [[https://people.howstuffworks.com/cult7.htm cult deprogramming]] [[https://m.wikihow.com/Deprogram-a-Religious-Cult-Member methods]] that Misaki starts expressing some autonomy.
** Whenever an argument starts between the two, it almost always ends up with them having sex (often with [[NoMeansYes Misaki protesting initially]]) which seemingly fixes the problem.
** Let's not even start on Akihiko's constantly trying to interfere with Misaki's social life controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or random vacations), the unwanted gifts, and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in. It's saying something when your relationship is far more problematic than the one with the issue of a ''seventeen-year age gap'', and when the love rivals (who also are quite flawed) are much more well-adjusted, given how they're portrayed as the opposite in most anime.

** Every time Misaki starts thinking about having a life independent of Akihiko, it's because of guilt due to how often Akihiko says his life revolves around Misaki and can't imagine them being apart or how hurt Akihiko's going to be without him that he stops.

** Let's not even start on Akihiko's constantly trying to interfere with Misaki's social life, controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or random vacations), unwanted gifts, and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in. It's saying something when your relationship is far more problematic than the one with the issue of a ''seventeen-year age gap'', and when the love rivals (who also are quite flawed) are much more well-adjusted, given how they're portrayed as the opposite in most anime.

* UnfortunateImplications: As shown in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVyh_IM3Ik video]], Akihiko and Misaki are eerily similar to Christian and Anastasia in ''Literature/FiftyShadesOfGrey'', and their relationship can reflect a cult indoctrination more than an actual couple. Here are some good examples as to why:

** Let's not even start on Akihiko's constantly trying to interfere with Misaki's social life, controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or random vacations), unwanted gifts, and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in. It's saying something when your relationship is far more problematic than the one with the issue of a ''seventeen-year age gap'', and when the men portrayed as the love rivals are much more well-adjusted (given how they're portrayed as the opposite in most anime).

* UnfortunateImplications: As shown in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVyh_IM3Ik video]], Akihiko and Misaki are eerily similar to Christian and Anastasia in ''Literature/FiftyShadesOfGrey'', and their relationship can reflect a cult indoctrination more than an actual couple. Every time Misaki starts thinking about having a life independent of Akihiko, it's because of guilt due to how often Akihiko says his life revolves around Misaki and can't imagine them being apart or how hurt Akihiko's going to be without him that he stops. Whenever an argument starts between the two, it almost always ends up with them having sex (often with [[NoMeansYes Misaki protesting initially]]) which seemingly fixes the problem. Let's not even start on Akihiko's constantly trying to interfere with Misaki's social life, controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or random vacations), unwanted gifts, and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in. It's saying something when your relationship is far more problematic than the one with the issue of a ''seventeen-year age gap'', and when the men portrayed as the love rivals are much more well-adjusted (given how they're portrayed as the opposite in most anime).

* UnfortunateImplications: As shown in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVyh_IM3Ik video]], Akihiko and Misaki are eerily similar to Christian and Anastasia in ''Literature/FiftyShadesOfGrey'', and their relationship can reflect a cult indoctrination more than an actual couple. Every time Misaki starts thinking about having a life independent of Akihiko, it's because of guilt due to how often Akihiko says his life revolves around Misaki and can't imagine them being apart or how hurt Akihiko's going to be without him that he stops. Whenever an argument starts between the two, it almost always ends up with them having sex (often with [[NoMeansYes Misaki protesting initially]]) which seemingly fixes the problem. Let's not even start on Akihiko's constantly trying to interfere with Misaki's social life, controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or random vacations), unwanted gifts, and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in. It's saying something when you're relationship is far more problematic than the one with the issue of a ''seventeen-year age gap'', and when the men who are also vying for Misaki's affections are far more well-adjusted (given how they're portrayed as the opposite in most anime).

* UnfortunateImplications: As shown in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVyh_IM3Ik video]], Akihiko and Misaki are eerily similar to Christian and Anastasia in ''Literature/FiftyShadesOfGrey'', and their relationship can reflect a cult indoctrination more than an actual couple. Every time Misaki starts thinking about having a life independent of Akihiko, it's because of guilt due to how often Akihiko says his life revolves around Misaki and can't imagine them being apart or how hurt Akihiko's going to be without him that he stops. Whenever an argument starts between the two, it almost always ends up with them having sex (often with [[NoMeansYes Misaki protesting initially]]) which seemingly fixes the problem. Let's not even start on Akihiko's constantly trying to interfere with Misaki's social life, controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or random vacations), unwanted gifts, and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in. It's saying something when you're relationship is far more problematic than the one with the problem of a ''seventeen-year age gap'', and when the men who are also vying for Misaki's affection are far more healthier examples (given how they're portrayed as the opposite in most anime).

* UnfortunateImplications: As shown in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVyh_IM3Ik video]], their relationship can reflect a cult indoctrination more than an actual couple. Every time Misaki starts thinking about having a life independent of Akihiko, it's because of guilt due to how often Akihiko says his life revolves around Misaki and can't imagine them being apart or how hurt Akihiko's going to be without him that he stops. Whenever an argument starts between the two, it almost always ends up with them having sex (often with [[NoMeansYes Misaki protesting initially]]) which seemingly fixes the problem. Let's not even start on Akihiko's constantly trying to interfer with Misaki's social life, controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or random vacations), unwanted gifts, and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in.

* TheWoobie: Misaki. It's hard not to feel bad for him after finding out about his past. He once again become this while dealing with the other members of the Usami family.

* UnfortunateImplications: As shown in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVyh_IM3Ik video]], their relationship can seem more like a cult indoctrination than an actual couple. Every time Misaki even starts thinking about having a life independent of Akihiko, his thoughts typically wander towards either how hurt Akihiko's going to be for his actions or just how much his life revolves around Akihiko and can't imagine them being apart. Whenever an argument starts the two about the subject, it almost always breaks down into them having sex (often with [[NoMeansYes Misaki protesting initially]]). Let's not even start on Akihiko's constantly trying to interfer with Misaki's social life, controlling his location (whether through the carrides to and from places or the unwanted vacations), and then all the times he insists Misaki do something the latter wasn't comfortable with until he finally gives in.

* UnfortunateImplications: Misaki teeters close to being a LoveMartyr. It seems every time Misaki even starts thinking about having a life independent of Akihiko, his thoughts throughout typically wander towards either how hurt Akihiko's going to be for his actions or just how much his life revolves around Akihiko and can't imagine them being apart. Whenever an argument starts between the two about it, it almost always breaks down into them having sex (often with [[NoMeansYes Misaki protesting initially]]). While it's completely normal for a couple to want to live together, Fuyuhiko had pointed out whether Akihiko saying Misaki was staying with him was a decision made by Misaki himself or decided solely by Akihiko. And when Misaki finally [[spoiler: does decide to move out]], Akihiko disapproves he came to this decision all on his own. While the reoccurring theme throughout those chapters was supposed to be cooperation in order to fix a problem, Akihiko literally begs Misaki to stay with him instead of maybe reaching a reasonable agreement.
** To point, Akihiko drags him home, throws him on the bed, says he'd rather Misaki be indebted to him in-order to keep them together (granted, Misaki did point out the flaws of that). But like clockwork, Misaki apologizes, feeling bad that he's hurt Usagi's feelings again, and promises he'll never leave Usagi alone. Cue the next scene of them having sex and everything being all right.

** Shinnosuke Todo. He's likable for his supportive and kind personality, his {{Adorkable}} nature, and being one of the very few characters who is ''not'' attracted in any way towards [[DudeMagnet Misaki]].

** Ijuuin [[FanNickname "Pedojuuin"]] Kyo. There was so many rape jokes about him with Misaki and some fanfics where he forces on the latter sexually since his [[NoSenseOfPersonalSpace touchy]] attitude towards Misaki besides [[StalkerWithACrush always appear out of nowhere and "coincidentally" meet him]] in the few latest chapters.

** Shinnosuke Todo. He is found likable for his supportive and kind personality, his {{Adorkable}} nature, and being one of the very few characters who does ''not'' hold any attraction of the romantic or sexual kind towards [[DudeMagnet Misaki]].