http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/triangles.jpg

The first assumption in a relationship described as a LoveTriangle is that someone has got to go. Lots of good drama/comedy in that little conundrum.

Even if the writer chooses to challenge that assumption, there will be some pretty tricky footwork required to make it all come out to a resolution.

Here are the possible triangles. Put one to work.

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[[folder: Note: ]]
These are all point-in-time snapshots. Could be the situation at the beginning or it could be after some story has gone by.
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1. Alice must choose between Bob and Charlie.
* Put [[ArchieComics Archie]] in the 'a' spot, BettyAndVeronica in the other two.
* ''KashimashiGirlMeetsGirl'': Hazumu is A, Yasuna and Tomari are B and C.
* ''MegaManLegends'': Volnutt is the A, with Roll Caskett at B and Tron Bonne at C
* Kuno from ''[[RanmaOneHalf Ranma 1/2]]'' ''thinks'' he's in one of these with Akane and The Pigtailed Girl, but neither one wants anything to do with him.
* This is what the main love triangle evolves into in ToLoveRu, Rito as A, Lala and Haruna are B and C.
* ''MaisonIkkoku'': There are two of these that define the series.
** Godai (A) must choose between Kyoko (B) and Kozue (C)
** Kyoko (A) must choose between Godai (B) and Mitaka (C)
* Pretty much the plot of ''PeachGirl'' - Momo must choose between Toji and Kairi. (Of course, there's also a [[LoveDodecahedron ton of other characters involved]], but this is still the main focus.)
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2. Alice wants Bob, Bob wants Claire, and Claire wants Alice. This is the smallest interesting situation where AllLoveIsUnrequited.
* See ''TwelfthNight'': Orsino in the 'a' spot, Olivia at 'b', and Cesario/Viola on third.
* Jean-Paul Sartre's play ''No Exit'' is a classic example.
* The 1994 movie ''Threesome'' uses this setup with two men and a woman.
* The manga ''GirlXGirlXBoy'' has one of these triangles most of the way through.
* Natalia (Belarus), Ivan (Russia) and Toris (Lithuania) from ''AxisPowersHetalia''. With a twist: Belarus and Russia are [[BrothersisterIncest siblings]].
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3. Bob and Charlie want Alice. Alice is neutral toward, or not initially thinking in romantic terms of Bob and Charlie, or thinking about them ''[[ObliviousToLove at all]]''. Not a bad situation to be in, if you are Alice, though obviously a bit less so for Bob and Charlie. Some Alices will be tempted to see if there is any Type 7 (below) potential in the situation.
* See ''[[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307401/ Sabu]]'': Osue is at 'a', in the sights of both Sabu and Eiji, two friends from childhood.
* Ren (A) and his two best friends (a guy and a girl) in ''KazeNoStigma'', who are quite jealous of each other.
* Anne (A), in ''Anne of Avonlea'', with Chalie Sloane (B) and Gilbert Bylthe(C)- [[spoiler: although it is hinted that she was in denial of a type 4 towards Gilbert all along, or even a type 7 with Roy and Gilbert in Anne of the Island]]
** Also Ayano and Katherine. Kazuma just exploits them both (not that way!) for fun, though.
* Both versions of ''{{Mai-HiME}}'' contain type 3 triangles involving the main character(s):
** (anime) Reito (B) and Yuuichi (C) are both attracted to Mai (A).
** (manga) Yuuichi (A) is sought after by Mai (B) and Natsuki (C), since he is the "Key" to both of their [=HiME=] powers.
* ''{{Naruto}}'' has Ino and Sakura pine after Sasuke's affections, but he is not in love with either. Similarly, Naruto and Lee have feelings for Sakura, but she rejects them both in favor of Sasuke.
**[[spoiler:Sakura and Hinata over Naruto. Naruto is unwilling to believe that Sakura has feelings for him, and his reaction to Hinata's confession is unknown]].
* One possible interpretation of the Takeru-Hikari-Daisuke triangle in ''DigimonAdventure02'', with Hikari at A while Takeru and Daisuke are at B and C. See next configuration for the second possibility.
* In ''{{Clannad}}'', both Ryou and Kyou Fujibayashi are in love with Tomoya, but he picks Nagisa over either of them.
* ''TheBestYears'' has both Devon and Trent in love with Samantha in the first season. This triangle is repeated in the second season with Rich and Jake.
* This is how ''{{Touhou}}'' {{fanon}} portrays Marisa's [[ChickMagnet effect]] on pretty much [[HoYay every other character she meets]], but especially so with [[{{Hikikomori}} Patchouli]] and [[{{Tsundere}} Alice]]. [[MemeticMutation Marisa steals the precious things.]]
* ''MaisonIkkoku'': The majority of the series focuses on the pursuit of Kyoko (A) by Godai (B) and Mitaka (C)
* ''{{Peanuts}}'' starts here. Peppermint Patty and Marcie are both shown interested in Charlie Brown. Chuck/Charles isn't quite noticing of them ...
* In FullMetalAlchemist, this happens with Ed and Al (B and C) over Winry (A). Over time, there are hints that [[spoiler:Ed's love for Winry may actually be mutual]], which would potentially make it a type [[spoiler:4]] if [[spoiler:Al is still interested]]. Note that this is anime only, because in the manga it becomes quite obvious that [[spoiler:Ed and Winry truly love each other, and Al isn't interested at all.]]
* ''GirlGenius'' has Agatha (A), Gil (B), and Tarvek (C). Bit of a cross with Type 1, as Agatha likes both of them, and oscillates between which one she wants, but has not committed either way. An added twist is that Gil and Tarvek are each aware of the other, and hate each other (for reasons unrelated to Agatha, and have yet to be made clear).
** As of late, Agatha and Gil have started to express their feelings for each other, making this somewhat type four-ish (With Tarvek as A and Agatha at B). Predictably, when Agatha kisses Gil, [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20090831 Tarvek is not amused.]]
**That was still Gil in that last panel, he thought Agatha might have kissed Tarvek as well.
* From Season 3 of ''{{Angel}}'', Fred is A, Wesley and Gunn are B and C.
* The MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha StrikerS 4komas have one with Fate and Subaru over Nanoha, and with Caro and Lutecia over Erio.
* Trudy and Ki of GeneralProtectionFault are both attracted to Nick, who is struggling with his feelings for the two of them and his own attitudes toward relationships. After Nick and Ki get together, this turns into a Type 4.
* ''ICarly'' [[HideYourLesbians seems to imply this]], with Sam (B) and Freddie (C) both having a crush on Carly (A).
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4. Alice wants Bob, who is already in a relationship with Claire. Bob is unaware/neutral (leaving Alice as a HopelessSuitor), or is aware of the interest and can't/won't reciprocate. As the most complicated set of relations which is compatible with both monogamy and heterosexuality, this is very common.
* Saki longing for Kurumi who is devoted to Nakahito in ''SteelAngelKurumi''.
* Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and James Potter ended up this way, as revealed in ''HarryPotter and the Deathly Hallows''.
** Also, for a short time, Harry (A) pining over Ginny (B) who is with Dean (C).
* Eowyn, Aragorn and Arwen in ''LordOfTheRings''.
* Lennier (A), Delenn (B), and Sheridan (C) in ''[[BabylonFive Babylon 5]]''.
* [[YouSuck Ron (A)]] wants KimPossible (B), who is already in a relationship with [[ThePaolo Erik (C)]]. Ron won't make Kim aware of his feelings with Erik still around because.. well he's a YouSuck compared to 'perfect' Erik, and Kim is too happy with Erik to think about Ron.
* Justin, Elliot, and Sarah in ''ElGoonishShive''. Justin's gay, Elliot's not. Earlier in El Goonish Shive, Nanase was in Sarah's place, with Sarah being in Justin's, and Elliot thinking Sarah's attraction to him isn't serious so doesn't respond for fear of damaging their friendship until the issue is forced.
* ''ArrestedDevelopment'': Michael is A, Marta is B, GOB is C. Later became type 7 (and briefly type 5) when Marta returned Michael's feelings, but not long afterwards she dumped both of them when they got in a fight over her.
* The movies ''UnlawfulEntry'' and ''IndecentProposal''.
* ''{{Frasier}}'', for much of its run, with Niles at A, Daphne at B, and a series of Cs.
*Eponine, Marius and Cosette in ''LesMiserables''.
* Yuzuru Narazaki (A), Yukari Fujimaru (B), and Ryo Katsuragi (C) in ''PenguinRevolution'', first professionally (Yukari is Ryo's manager, and Yuzuru stages a very determined campaign to convince her to become his manager instead) and then romantically, with the added twist that as far as Yuzuru knows, [[SweetPollyOliver Yukari]] is a [[{{Bifauxnen}} man]].
* ''PushingDaisies'', with Olive at A, Ned at B and Chuck at C.
* ''MegaManBattleNetwork'' has Dex at A, with Maylu at B and Lan at C. Their [=NetNavis=] ([=GutsMan.EXE=], [=Roll.EXE=] and [=MegaMan.EXE=]) are in the same positions.
* ''MegaManStarForce'' manages to do this with ''four'' characters: Luna Platz (A) is a very big Mega Man (B) fangirl, but is [[{{Tsundere}} somewhat indifferent]] to Mega's regular-ego, Geo Stelar ([[TwoPersonLoveTriangle also B]]), who has a close friendship with IdolSinger Sonia Strumm (C).
* Disney's ''[[Film/BeautyAndTheBeast Beauty And The Beast]]'': Gaston is A, Belle is B and the Beast is C.
* ''FinalFantasyIV'': Kain (A) is fond of Rosa (B), but she and Cecil (C) are [[OfficialCouple in love with each other]].
* ''{{Cyrano de Bergerac}}'' is a classic (and tragic) example: [[TheCyrano Cyrano]] (A) is in love with Roxane (B), who in turn loves and is loved by Christian (C). The ugly Cyrano [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy wants Roxane to be happy]] above all else, so he agrees to protect Christian as they go to war, while lending his poetry and wit to Christian to ensure he'll win Roxane's heart. It gets a bit more complicated by the end, but this arrangement is the basic premise.
* May or may not have been the case in ''MetalGearSolid 4'', with Snake at point A and Otacon and Naomi in B and C.
* ''CollegeRoomiesFromHell!!!'': [[{{Yandere}} April]] is A, [[ManipulativeBastard Mike]] and [[BerserkButton Marsha]] are B and C. Hilarity and bloodshed ensue.
** After Dave gets together with Blue and Margaret's SkaterBoySyndrome sets in, another one of these develops, with Margaret at A, Dave at B, and Blue at C.
* ''StrawberryPanic'' centers on ''two'' of these triangles. The first consists of Tamao, Nagisa, and Shizuma as A, B, and C respectively; the second is Yaya, Hikari, and Amane.
* The second possible interpretation for the Takeru-Hikari-Daisuke triangle in ''DigimonAdventure02'' has Daisuke/Davis at A, Hikari/Kari at B and Takeru/T.K. at C.
* FantasticChildren gives us Sess(/[[SpellMyNameWithAnS Seth]]) as A, Tina as B and Soran as C.
* Any given RanmaOneHalf triangle, with Ranma and Akane as the B/C couple, with any particular individual fiancee at A.
* In ''Fans!'' this triangle arises with Rumi as A, Rikk as B and Alisin as C. [[spoiler: That is until the situation turns into a contented 8.]]
* The first three seasons of ''{{The Office}} (US)'' play out like this with Jim and Pam. In Seasons 1 and 2, Pam and Roy are engaged to be married but Jim is desperately in love with Pam. The role is reversed in Season 3 when Jim gets over his hopeless romance and starts dating Karen, while Pam realizes Jim isn't so bad and Roy is actually pretty rotten boyfriend material.
* ''Brand Upon the Brain'' gets bonus points for ''diagramming this onscreen''. Guy (a) and Sis (c) fall in love with Chance (b), and also with Wendy, (b in another triangle that has the same a and c.) The individual they think is Chance is actually Wendy in drag, so both triangles resolve in Sis's favor. (Guy faints when he realizes precisely what's going on.)
* In ''GeneralProtectionFault'', the triangle between Trudy(a) and Ki(c) over Nick(b) is initially a BettyAndVeronica triangle, but eventually, Nick gets into a relationship with Ki and Trudy tries to separate the two.
** Similarly, during Fooker(b)'s time working for the UGA after his cover is blown, Maddie(a) becomes attracted to him, while he's still loyal to Sharon(c), insisting that he should move on.
* Occurs a ''lot'' in ''ZeroNoTsukaima'', with Saito at point B and Louise at point C. Saito is generally aware, but doesn't do anything too serious.
* ''{{Fushigi Yuugi}}'''s main love triangle is in this format: Hotohori(A), Miaka(B), Tamahome(C).
** So is the secondary love triangle: Yui (A), Tamahome(B), Miaka(C).
** If you go by the theory that Yui is a PsychoLesbian then there is also, Yui(A), Miaka(B), and Tamahome(C).
* In the later ''{{Outlander}}'' books, Lord John is A, while Jamie and Claire are B and C.
* ''KimagureOrangeRoad'' pulls this one off nicely, with a slight twist. It does it twice. Hikaru is most definitely the A point, with Kyosuke at B and Madoka at C. They keep things somewhat hidden for the most part, however, from just about everyone except Madoka's boss at the cafe, and very occasionally, someone who won't say anything about it. Why? Hikaru is Madoka's friend from childhood, and she doesn't want to hurt her. Which makes Hikaru think Kyosuke is hers, which then turns it into the very next example mixed with, in Hikaru's mind at least, this example. Yuusaku, the unrequited boy that's loved her for years, at point A, Hikaru at point B, and Kyosuke at point C. The kicker is that Kyosuke thinks of her as a sister, and only really goes along with some of her antics because he just doesn't want to hurt her. Somewhat convoluted? Only in theory. Watch and see how simple it really plays out to be.
** This applies more to the anime than the manga. In the manga, he showed romantic interest in both of them, and even came pretty close to settling for Hikaru. In the anime, he remains completely faithful to Madoka from beginning to end, he just doesn't want hurt Hikaru or deal with trouble that it would bring.
* Presumably happens with Jiraiya (A) who is attracted to Tsunade (B), who was briefly in a relationship with Dan (C) in ''{{Naruto}}''.
* In season 2 of ''{{Gundam 00}}'', '''A'''ndrei Smirnov wants Louise Hale'''[[SpellMyNameWithAnS v/b]]'''y, who is in a [[StarCrossedLovers long-distance relationship]] with Saji '''C'''rossroad. Their corresponding points are already in their names.
* While [[MemeticSexGod everyone wants]] Shiki Tohno in ''{{Tsukihime}}'', the most 'love trianglesque' relationship would be both Ciel and Arcueid in love with Shiki, and him reciprocating based on what route you're playing. Canon ending is Arcueid. Akiha and Ciel also form a triangle, and Ciel loses again... no wonder she's so irritated in ''KagetsuTohya''.
* ''{{Mai-Otome}}'' (anime): Tomoe (A) is [[StalkerWithACrush madly in love]] with Shizuru (B). Unbeknownst to her, Shizuru is [[OfficialCouple already committed]] to Natsuki (C). However, Tomoe believes that Arika is the (C), and spends almost the entire anime [[MurderTheHypotenuse attempting to bump her off]].
* The most likely theories concerning Ninjette (A), Thugboy (B), and {{Empowered}} (C) is that they make up type 4 or [[LesYay type 6]]. The letch decorating Emp's coffee table apparently ''wants'' it to eventually end up as [[{{OT3}} type 8]], but no luck so far.
*Shakespeare's AMidsummerNightsDream, Demetrius is A, Hermia is B, Lysander is C.
* Cook/Effy/Freddie in ''{{Skins}}'' (A/B/C respectively) reaches this point at the end of series 3.
* ''MahouSenseiNegima'' has, as of chapter 252, [[spoiler:an all-girls triangle with Setsuna and Konoka as the couple, and [[PsychoLesbian Tsukyomi]] [[StalkerWithACrush in love]] with Setsuna]]. The latter apparently doesn't know about the former.
* Breifly, (and ThisTroper means ''briefly'') introduced in the Canadian series ''LifeWithDerek''. Noel (A) garners feelings for [[BrainyBrunette Casey]] (B), who, at the time, was dating [[JerkJock Max]]. Noel was shown as a sort of fuel for the reason Casey and Max broke up [[spoiler: because Noel technically reintroduced her old interests to Casey that went away after she and Max got together]], but a relationship never truly developed between them except until the episode ''Just Friends'', where [[spoiler: Casey wants to prove that a male and female can be just friends and uses Noel as an example, but Noel (still harboring a few feelings for Casey) assumes she wants to start a relationship.]] In the end, they decide to become [[spoiler: StraightWillAndGrace]], which was VERY disappointing for ThisTroper.
** It seemed to simply get worse when Noel becomes BrotherChuck and Casey begins a relationship with [[spoiler: Truman]].
* Warcraft III introduces the love relationships of Illidan, Tyrande and Malfurion. Illidan(A) Loves Tyrande(B)who has been in love with Malfurion (C) Who reciprocates affection towards her. One of the best Missions of Frozen Throne is where Illidan and Malfurion work together to save their mutual love.
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5. Alice loves Bob, but Bob loves Claire. Claire doesn't have feelings for either. If Alice comes to realize it, it could end up as IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy. Or [[MurderTheHypotenuse attempted murder]]. Depends on the author. This can potentially involve more than three people, with Claire having feelings for David, David having feelings for Emily, and so forth.
* Willow wants Xander who wants [[BuffyTheVampireSlayer Buffy]], particularly in the early part of season one. Once Buffy decides she wants Angel, it becomes quadrilateral. Ah, high school.
* In ''SlamDunk'', Sakuragi is in love with Haruko, who is in love with Rukawa (who doesn't seems to be interested in anything but basketball).
* Commonly seen in situations where A [[TheCyrano helps B to seduce C]] whilst either harbouring a crush all the time or developing one as the plot unfolds, ala ''SchoolDays'' or ''AmericanPie 2''.
* ''{{Stingray}}'': Atlanta wants Troy who wants Marina (in spite of which Atlanta likes Marina).
* ''[[{{Shakespeare}} All's Well That Ends Well]]'': Helena loves Bertram, who's attracted to Diana.
* ''Some Kind of Wonderful'' has this sort of triangle with Watts as A, Keith as B, and Amanda as C.
* ''{{Peanuts}}'': Lucy (A) is (terribly) infatuated with Schroeder (B), who's only interested in playing his piano (C).
* In ''{{Naruto}}'' Hinata has feelings for Naruto, Naruto and Lee have feelings for Sakura, and Sakura and Ino have feelings for Sasuke, who cares more about revenge than romance. In Kakashi Gaiden, Obito is in love with Rin, but never told her, and Rin is in love with Kakashi, who states he doesn't deserve her for abandoning her.
** [[spoiler:Sakura confesses to Naruto, who isn't willing to accept it, and Lee's apparently still interested in her, getting quite shocked and upset at her confession]].
* Quite a few Miyuki Nakajima songs. Most well-known example is "Akujo," where the singer is A, the man she's singing to B, and Mariko C.
* ''CollegeRoomiesFromHell!!!'' has one of these after Blue makes her entrance, with Blue at A, Dave at B, and Margaret at C. This later turns into a type 4, see above.
* ''TheBestYears'' had this love triangle in season one. Dawn had feelings for Trent, but he had feelings for Samantha instead.
* ''MaisonIkkoku'': A few more of the triangles from the series include:
** Kozue (A) wanting a deeper relationship with Godai (B) who pines after Kyoko (C)
** Yagami (A) wanting a relationship with her teacher Godai (B) who pines after Kyoko (C)
** Asuna (A) wanting a relationship with Mitaka (B) who pines after Kyoko (C)
* ''SchoolRumble'': Harima (A) pines after Tenma (B) who pines after Karasuma (C), who (at least initially) shows no interest in her or anyone.
** Of course this is only the main triangle from the start of the series. By the end, a rather expansive LoveDodecahedron has evolved.
* The situation in the [[SuperMarioBrosSuperShow Legend of Zelda cartoons]], edging on Type 4. Link (B) likes Zelda (C), who [[WellExcuseMePrincess knows full well what a loser he is]], and whenever she decides he's being cute enough to get a kiss, [[TakahashiCouple circumstances intervene]]. Meanwhile, Spryte (A) is in lust with Link, often bashing Zelda right before trying to come on to Link...who prefers his girls a little taller than three inches. (Incidentally, Spryte is one of the two girls in the series who he actually does get kissed by.)
* For Most of ''MySoCalledLife'', the Brian (A) - Angela (B) - Jordan (C) love triangle was of this type. Many people think it still is; the rest saw it mutate to #4. In "Life of Brian", it briefly became a rectangle with Delia (uh, A'?), but Brian quickly destroyed that with the IdiotBall.
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6. Alice wants Bob and Claire, who are already in a relationship. In this one, the "want" may not be sexual in nature, or some or all of the players could be gay/bisexual.
* Tatewaki Kuno in ''[[RanmaOneHalf Ranma 1/2]]'' is the "a" in this scenario (although he doesn't know/won't admit it), with Ranma ([[GenderBender as a girl]]) and Akane as "b" and "c". Arguably, "a" could be any of the others involved in this LoveDodecahedron.
* ''SailorMoon'' {{Fanon}} [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation theorizes]] that Rei Hino (a), Mamoru Chiba (b), and Usagi Tsukino/Sailor Moon (c) are in this stage. In canon, their relationship was more of a type 4 triangle.
* Played for (very uneasy or extraordinarily guilty) laughs in ''RockyHorrorPictureShow'', in which Dr. Frank-N-Furter (a) seduces both Brad and Janet (b, c) with practically the same dialogue in back-to-back scenes. [[SoBadItsGood Yes, it's that kind of movie.]]
* In the webcomic ''BoyMeetsBoy'', Tybalt (a) tries to seduce Harley (b) away from Mikhael (c), who used to be his boyfriend. It's implied that Tybalt still has residual feelings for Mikhael, so his fixation on Harley probably has to do with jealousy as much as with desire.
* It's very easy (and entertaining) to read the Sid (a)/Michelle/Tony triangle in ''{{Skins}}'' this way.
* [[SuzumiyaHaruhi Kyon and Mikuru]] (b and C) are mutually attracted to each other, while [[SuzumiyaHaruhi Haruhi]] (a) lusts after both. And Oharuhi-sama gets what she wants... HilarityEnsues.
* In the ''OuranHighSchoolHostClub'' manga, Hikaru is a, Tamaki is b, and Haruhi is c. Tamaki and Haruhi are not, due to complicated circumstances in a relationship with one another yet in spite of a [[spoiler: mutual attraction]]. Hikaru is attracted to Haruhi but also feels loyal to (and loves?) Tamaki.
* Arguably the case in ''[[HoneyAndClover Honey and Clover]]'' with Shuji being the third wheel for Rika and her husband in the past. The [[LoveDodecahedron rest of the series]] can't really be listed on this page.
* In ''[=~Rosario+Vampire~=]'', while Yukari is initially [[LesYay attracted to Moka]], she eventually becomes attracted to Tsukune, too, after he and Moka [[IOweYouMyLife save her life]].
* 99% of GirlOnGirlIsHot scenarios (the girls being B and C, obviously), usually with A fervently wishing for a Type 8.
* The anime ending of ''{{Kuroshitsuji}}'' implies this with Ciel (B), Elizabeth (C), and Sebastian (A), with Sebastian having already proven to have very strong feelings for Ciel and previously shown to be rather fond of Ciel's fiancee...and when Ciel is talking about Elizabeth as they boat down the River [[spoiler: Styx]], Sebastian's dialogue has implicit {{I Want My Beloved To Be Happy}} for Elizabeth while comforting Ciel in [[spoiler: his last moments of technical life]].

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7. The classic "affair" set up. Alice is in a relationship with Bob, but she's also in a relationship with Charlie. Both Bob and Charlie don't know each other or suspect the other connection. Much of the drama/comedy comes from all the work needed to make sure that the space between B and C stays free from any sort of information flow. A lot of geography between the two helps, or maybe a good social divide.

Alternately, it can be more of a "polygamous" relationship, with B and C fully aware of the other's relationship with A, but either lacking any feelings toward one another, or actively disliking one another (but unable to do anything about it without potentially ceding A to her rival).

* ''{{Casablanca}}'' falls into this category, with A=Ilse, B=Rick, C=Laszlo.
* The [[KingArthur Arthurian]] LoveTriangle is generally portrayed as being either of this type, or of type #5.
* An interesting take on this appears in ''[[RandallAndHopkirkDeceased Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)]]'' wherein B (Marty) is dead. Normally this would leave A (Jeannie) and C (Jeff) to get on with things, but B has come back as a ghost only C can see, constantly haranguing him about it, leaving poor A oblivious to this.
* Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin and Jean Seberg in ''Paint Your Wagon''. Not necessarily an affair, so much as both Clint and Sam are married to the female lead.
* There's a version where everybody knows what's going on in ''If I Pay Thee Not In Gold'' (by PiersAnthony and MercedesLackey): Ware is some sort of magical entity (called a "demon" for want of a better term) who [[GenderBender changes genders]] when he/she has sex; he/she also must have both partners be completely faithful to him/her, or he/she will cease to be. So he/she "marries" both the Protagonist (woman) and a man, and pretty much has to have sex with one right after the other in order to maintain his (prefered) masculine form. At one point, Ware must go somewhere without his mates, and they are seriously tempted to make out... but the thought of Ware vanishing brings them to their senses, and when he returns, he joyfully explains that he expected them to be tempted but the fact that he's still here means they were strong enough not to give in.
** While this situation might be squicky enough for most of us from the get-go, it's even a little more complex in the book: the Heroine comes from a society where women rule and all men are servants or slaves, so while she warms to the idea of Ware being her equal in a relationship, it's a little harder for her when she has to adjust to the other man, who's from a society where men are not inferior, and isn't about to kowtow to her like every other man she's ever met.
* "The Rangers Three" in "[[ForgottenRealms The Shadow of the Avatar]]" trilogy go somewhere here. Sharantyr just does not wants to abandon either and focus her attention on only one; Belkram and Itharr know this, but stay VitriolicBestBuds they were.
* A non-affair version in ''MahouSenseiNegima'': Both Nodoka and Yue are in love with Negi, who seems to have feelings for both of them.
** However, Nodoka's [[CovertPervert self-mind-reader]] reveals that her first choice of a "solution" is, in fact, an [[TenchiSolution affair of sorts]].
*Twilight has Jacob and Edward both after Bella. Eventually this is fixed when Jacob Imprinted on Bella's infant daughter.
* While it was more a problem of attraction rather than infidelity, this was a problem faced by [[{{ComicBook/Spider-Man}} Peter Parker]] back when he was with Gwen Stacy and had some feelings (mostly shallow ones) for Mary Jane Watson. Gwen seemed to have won, though Mary Jane clocked up some points in overtime. We don't discuss OneMoreDay.
** [[FantasticFour Reed and Sue]] are married with children, but Sue and Namor have had feelings for one another for years. They've only ever acted on them in alternate universes, but they've had a ''lot'' of alternate universes together.
* A pretty common place for superheroes in general to be. [[DependingOnTheWriter Writers are often divided]] on whether or not characters should end up married or what have you, so they introduce multiple love interests to muddy the waters. See {{Superman}} (Clark and Lois or Lana), [[{{ComicBook/Batman}} Nightwing]] (Dick and Starfire or Oracle), or {{Batman}} (Bruce and Catwoman or Talia. Or Zatanna, Wonder Woman, Sasha Bordeaux...)
* The affair between Almasy and Katharine Clifton in TheEnglishPatient is either this (except that Almasy works with her husband, so isn't oblivious to her other relationship); or it's a Type 8, if you go with the HoYay.
* Emily, Naomi and Katie more or less fit this in ''{{Skins}}''. Emily is A, in that she and Naomi love each other (eventually - it takes a while for Naomi to reciprocate, meaning this starts as Type 10), she and Katie love each other, and Katie hates Naomi and wants her to fuck off and die. Oh, and Emily and Katie's love for each other stems from the fact that they're twins - you'd better believe that the show milks the {{Twincest}} vibe for all it's worth. (The drama is derived from Katie's fear that Naomi's interference will leave her on the wrong end of a Type 4, and her non-understanding of the fact that the triangle starts as Type 10 and not Type 4 - she's convinced that Naomi is the evil lesbian trying to steal her sister, when it's actually Emily who's crushing hard on Naomi...)
** The JJ/Cook/Freddie {{bromance}} ends up as this too - Cook and Freddie have been torn apart over Effy, and it's only the awesomeness of JJ that's left holding the PowerTrio together.
* There was an episode of ''{{Bones}}'' where Brennan decided that more than one relationship was only logical, as one person couldn't fulfill all of her needs. She wound up dating a good-looking guy who pleased her sexually but bored her intellectually, and a smart but unattractive guy she loved talking with. She insisted to Booth that they were both rational and mature, and would understand... if she ever told either of them. [[spoiler: In the end, they found out and both of them dumped her.]]
*In {{Tenchi Muyo}}, both Ayeka and Ryoko love Tenchi, and he loves them back. They also hate each other, and constantly scheme to be his sole posessor. Tenchi, for his part, [[TenchiSolution successfully navigates]] his two relationships, keeping the two in a balance in which neither decides not being with him at all would be better than sharing him.

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8. Straight-up threesome. In polyamorous circles this is called a ''triad''. Not necessarily sexual in nature.
* Vyse, Aika, and Fina in ''SkiesOfArcadia''. Whether "a" is Vyse or Fina is open to interpretation.
* Marina, Ursula, and Vlad from Kim Stanley Robinson's RedMarsTrilogy seem to fall into this category, though we never see them closely enough to be entirely certain.
* Eric, Beth, and Kory, the main characters of the first two books of the ''Bedlam's Bard'' series by MercedesLackey, are in one of these. Definitely sexual in this case; Kory is bi, Beth is attracted to both guys, and Eric spends the first book struggling with the idea that he is bi (although he doesn't struggle very hard). Results in a happy, magical (literally) threesome, at least for a while.
* ''{{Cabaret}}'', although it's never really harmonious.
* Seen in Paul Kidd's TalkingAnimal novel ''TheFangsOfKaath'' when one of the three main protagonists, Raschid, marries BOTH of the others, Sandhri and Yariim, who have also been feeling a growing attraction towards each other.
*Sora, Riku, and Kairi of ''KingdomHearts'' are heavily implied to have this kind of relationship (although it may not be sexual in nature).
* In the (awesome) French film ''Les Chansons d'Amour'', the main character and his girlfriend of several years start a three-way relationship with a co-worker of his.
* In the DistantFinale of ''ShoujoSect'', this has become the case with Shinobu, Momoko, and Maya, after evolving from a type 4 at the end of the main arc (with Maya being attracted to Shinobu, who'd just started a relationship with Momoko but didn't mind Maya's feelings).
* In an episode of DarkAngel there's a (throwaway) mention of a man who hired a detective agency on his wife only to learn that she has been cheating on him with his mistress. (What's left unresolved is whether he should consider it good or bad news.)
* Hikaru, Lantis and Eagle in ''MagicKnightRayearth'' end up as this - though Type 9 seems to apply, as well.
*Grandia II, with Ryudo, Elena, and Millenia (at the end)
* Serph, Sera, and Heat seem to end up in some variant of this at the end of DigitalDevilSaga (assuming you made the right choices), though [[spoiler:considering by the time it's completely resolved, A and B have literally become one hermaphroditic self as Seraph through the power of true love and enlightenment, it might not count.]]

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9. Bob and Charlie are attracted/loyal to each other but are also attracted/loyal to Alice.
* Pick a MarySue fic (more specifically, any RelationshipSue fic). MarySue is at 'a', of course, and B and C are occupied by lesser mortals who have been enchanted away from their sexual identities, loyalties, duties, and all other responsibilities by the mesmerizing beauty of her violet eyes. Naturally, MarySue is too noble to allow them to depart the Righteous Path.
* ''MyFatherTheHero'', where a girl tells the boy she likes that her father, who has taken her on a holiday, is actually her lover. Wackiness ensues.
* In ''HarryPotter'', Ron and Hermione are a case of OppositesAttract. But one thing they do have in common is their shared loyalty/affection toward Harry.
* In ''FinalFantasyVIII'', Seifer's henchmen, Fujin and Raijin, are utterly loyal to him. As he grows more distant, they start to depend more and more on each other, eventually parting ways with their leader.
* This type also applies to [[SiblingTriangle Sibling Triangles]], such as the one in the manga {{Touch}}.
*This variant occurs in DoctorWho. The Doctor at A, Jack at B, and Martha at C. The Doctor, wary of relationships to [[CartwrightCurse himself]] and [[AnythingThatMoves Jack]], tries to keep all three relationships platonic.
* Delia(A), [[VictoriousChildHoodFriend Eric]](B) and [[UnluckyChildhoodFriend Fitz]](C) in ''Vanishing Acts'' by JodiPicoult, only Delia and Eric are engaged, which makes it also have elements of Triang Relation #4. Fitz eventually [[spoiler: gets Delia]], though.
* In "{{Peanuts}}", Peppermint Patty and Marcy are both fond of Charlie Brown but are often perceived to [[HoYay be more than just friends]]
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10. Alice and Bob are in a relationship, but Bob is attracted to Claire. How sympathetically Bob is played [[TheUnfairSex depends on their gender]]. Similar to Type 4, but with a different point of view.
* Simon's attraction to Jenny despite being in a relationship with Maggie in ''{{Teachers}}''
* Early [[{{Frasier}} Niles and Daphne]] again, this time with Maris at A, Niles at B and Daphne at C.
* {{Angel}}: Lilah as A, Wesley as B and Fred as C.
* ''TheBestYears'' second most popular love triangle in season two where Noah is A, Robyn is B, and Kathryn is C
* ''MaisonIkkoku'': Kozue (A) is dating Godai (B) who is two wishy-washy to break up with her, while he pines over Kyoko (C)
* ''ShaunOfTheDead'': David (A) and Dianne (B) have a relationship but [[spoiler:it turns out that David has an unrequited crush for Shaun's girlfriend Liz (C)]].
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11. The classic affair set up with a twist. Alice is in a relationship with Bob and Charlie, but Bob becomes attracted/loyal to Charlie. Bob and Charlie may or may not know about the other's involvement with Alice. This situation is clearly the fault of Alice, who failed to control the information flow properly. ''Bad'' philanderer! No biscuit!
* The interpretation of [[KingArthur the Arthurian triangle]] that Marion Zimmer Bradley gives in ''The Mists of Avalon''.
* Incredibly, this is the ''resolution'' of the love triangle in ''{{Fans}}'' (at least where the original ending left things).
* In {{Toradora}}, this is the case with Ryuuji (A), Minori (B) and Taiga (C). This is a very strange twist of MatchmakerCrush. Taiga is trying to set up Ryuuji (who starts to take care of her) with Minori (who is Taiga's best and initially only friend). Taiga develops an emotional dependence on Ryuuji, who develops feelings as well. It turns out that Minori already had a crush on Ryuuji, but also had strong feelings for Taiga. Taiga remains good friends, but doesn't quite reciprocate Minori's feelings. Since the OfficialCouple is actually the title of the show/novels, [[ForegoneConclusion bummer for Minori.]] Since everyone in this triangle is too nice to betray anyone, this draws out for a while
*Rose, [[AnythingThatMoves Jack]], and [[DoctorWho The Doctor]]. Rose would be a, Jack would be b, and The Doctor would be c. Rose and The Doctor are heavily implied to have feelings for one another in the first season of the new Doctor Who series. When Jack shows up, its obvious that there's something between him and Rose as well. However, while Jack initially simply seems to feel competitive towards The Doctor, the feelings seem to develop into... [[UnrequitedLove something else]].
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12. Alice and Charlie are in a relationship, often married, but Alice likes Bob and Bob likes/is loyal to Charlie. Depending on genders this can be a hilarious or very tragic set up.
* The relationship between the main characters in ''BeingJohnMalkovich''.
* The backstory to ''SlingsAndArrows'', with A being Ellen, B being Oliver, and C being Geoffrey.
* In Arthurian legend, this is how the relationship between Guinevere (A), Lancelot (B), and Arthur (C) plays out, with Lance torn between his attraction to Gwen and his loyalty to Arthur.
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13. Alice must choose between Bob and Charlie, but Bob is also attracted to Charlie. Could arise in a gay/bisexual situation, or could be non-sexual in nature. The non-sexual setup might be something like a boy (A) wants to please his dear old Mum (B) and wants to do naked things with his girl (C). Dear old Mum likes the girl, and monopolizes her attention with shopping trips and general girl-to-girl socializing stuffs that greatly reduce C's naked-fun time.
* ''PennyAndAggie'': Put Michelle at A, Stan at B, and Rich at C.
* ''Candi'': Bisexual Trevor is at A, having to choose between Laura at B and Matt at C. Laura is attracted to Matt, though she won't admit it.
* Eric in ''That70sShow'' was in the second situation for an episode. He was dating Donna and loyal to his mother, Kitty. Kitty and Donna then start going out shopping and lunching, cutting down on Eric's happy naked fun time with Donna.
**Wouldn't that make it a category 12 then. since Donna and Kitty mutually like each other?
* FateStayNight's sequel reveals a situation only implied before with Rider and Sakura in love with Shirou and Rider feeling [[LesYay supreme loyalty]] to Sakura. Her [[{{OT3}} solution]] is a bit unique, though.
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