History UnresolvedSexualTension / AnimeAndManga

* Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye in ''Franchise/FullmetalAlchemist'' combine this with both BodyguardCrush and SubordinateExcuse. It's especially present in the [[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist manga]] and the ''Brotherhood'' anime, which also feature increasing UST between Ed and {{W|renchWench}}inry. The latter UST does eventually get a resolution. The [[PortmanteauCoupleName Royai]] UST is actually acknowledged by Riza in-series and used for [[TrickingTheShapeshifter her own ends]], [[Awesome/FullmetalAlchemist very awesomely.]] {{Word of God}} in the third art book says that [[spoiler:the series ended without them getting married because of the military's anti-fraternization law]]. The ''Chronicles'' book released in autumn 2011 does confirm that [[spoiler:they remain side by side for pretty much the rest of their lives, though whether TheyDo ever happens is still left open for interpretation]].

* In ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'', [[{{Tsundere}} Kaname]] and [[TheStoic Sôsuke]] -- namely the anime. At the end of the third season, ''just'' when it looks like they're finally at ''least'' going to hug, they're [[MomentKiller interrupted]]. Also, [[CoolBigSis Mao]] and [[ChivalrousPervert Kurz]] have a ''lot'' of UST [[spoiler:which is eventually resolved in the {{Light Novel}}s]].

* ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'' series features this between Mikuru and Kyon, although this tends to [[DieForOurShip depend on your camp]] and [[WMG/HaruhiSuzumiya which theories you may subscribe to]]. Unfortunately for them, [[RealityWarper Haruhi]] isn't about to allow that come hell or high water due to her own UST with him (as exemplified by [[spoiler:how Kyon saved the world from being remade by stealing a kiss from Haruhi, and the ending of Someday in the Rain]]), and on top of that it's also forbidden for Mikuru by {{time travel}}ler-rules. Her [[spoiler:future self tells him she's glad to see him again, which strongly implies that nothing ever came of it.]] If you believe UnreliableNarrator Kyon, [[spoiler:he doesn't take future Mikuru's suggestion that he kiss her younger self while she's asleep.]] But considering that he's likely to get written out of existence if he upsets Haruhi, he's got ample reason to not tell anyone if he did.

* ''Manga/InuYasha'':

* ''LightNovel/MariaWatchesOverUs'' introduces massive amounts of UnresolvedSexualTension between students at an all-girl high school.

* ''Anime/PhantomQuestCorp'': [[ChristmasCake Ayaka]] [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl Kisaragi]] has plenty with [[OccultDetective Detective]] [[PermaStubble Karino]], though she's stubborn and plays hard to get. She isn't above flirting with him and he certainly doesn't mind the attention. The series ends, leaving [[WillTheyOrWontThey the status of their relationship]] [[MaybeEverAfter up in the air.]]

* Revy and Rock from ''Manga/BlackLagoon''. Lampshaded by Eda in a conversation with Revy. This proves to be a sore subject with [[DarkActionGirl Revy]] as she obviously desires a relationship with [[NonActionGuy Rock]] but seems to have no idea how to broach the subject with him. Also counts as BelligerentSexualTension, seeing as how, you know... [[BloodKnight Revy]] has ''shot'' at Rock on ''several'' different occasions with full intent to kill, and regularly points her gun at him with death threats whenever he [[SlidingScaleofIdealismVersusCynicism gets particularly idealistic]]... [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther only to share a nice little romantic scene together]] [[SlapSlapKiss just moments after she tried to murder him]]. They ''really'' push BelligerentSexualTension to the limit.

* ''LightNovel/SpiceAndWolf'' revolves around Holo and Lawrence growing closer and closer over the course of a complicated game of banter and flirtation, while also being kept apart by [[MayflyDecemberRomance Lawrence's mortality]] and other issues. The tension seems like it's resolving itself in incremental steps, however.

** The shippers probably went ballistic over the romance of this series: three valid pairings for the male lead alone, and enough done by one side or the other to establish the attraction as canon. The relationship between the two {{Tsundere}}s, Kallen and Lelouch, was especially frustrating because practically all the moments they had were interrupted by a character or an event, that is until [[spoiler: she stole a kiss from him near the end, only to get completely ignored by him, [[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim for a good reason]].]]. The other two love interests were [[NaiveEverygirl Shirley]] [[spoiler:who spent most of the series with a crush on Lelouch and then died one episode after [[RelationshipUpgrade Lelouch finally come to actually notice and acknowledge the girl's feelings]]]] and [[SugarAndIcePersonality C.C.]] [[spoiler:who spent most of the series helping Lelouch just so she could pass her curse of immortality onto him in the end and die]]. There was also that fact that [[RelationshipWritingFumble she]] ''[[RelationshipWritingFumble kissed]]'' [[RelationshipWritingFumble him a lot]].\\\

* ''Manga/DeathNote'' gives us [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist L]] and [[LightIsNotGood Light]], who get a considerable amount of FoeYay (especially during their ChainedHeat stage) involving handcuffs, hidden cameras, coffee, a heart-to-heart in the rain, [[StrangeMindsThinkAlike shared internal monologues]], [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments a Misa-instigated circle-dance]], and [[RuleOfSymbolism one really awkward foot massage]], amidst other things. Then after [[spoiler: [[CradlingYourKill L]] [[AntagonistInMourning dies]]]]...

** ''Anime/MazingerZ'': Kouji and Sayaka were the couple defined BelligerentSexualTension. In spite of being attracted to each other, fierce competitiveness and pride issues on both sides prevent them from reaching an understanding and being together. It was not so bad in the original manga, though. And in another manga version, they kissed when they thought Kouji was going to die. He survived, but Kouji avoided Sayaka for a while because he was still too afraid and insecure.

* ''LightNovel/MariaWatchesOverUs'' introduces massive amounts of UnresolvedSexualTension between [[SchoolgirlLesbians students of an all-girl high school]].

** Saya's even dreamt about Hirano banging her, during which, her thought bubble [[{{visual innuendo}} dipped between her legs and wiggled]]; causing her to [[LuminescentBlush blush]] [[LooksLikeSheIsEnjoyingIt and moan.]] And in the ''[[BeachEpisode "Drifters of the Dead"]]'' OVA, he wound up humping a broomstick [[MushroomSamba while hallucinating]] it was her.

** Saya's even dreamt about Hirano banging her, during which, her thought bubble [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar dipped between her legs and wiggled]]; causing her to [[LuminescentBlush blush]] [[LooksLikeSheIsEnjoyingIt and moan.]] And in the ''[[BeachEpisode "Drifters of the Dead"]]'' OVA, he wound up humping a broomstick [[MushroomSamba while hallucinating]] it was her.

* ''Manga/SasamekiKoto'': There is truckloads of this between Ushio and Sumika from, to the point that it's become somewhat famous for it, which is why the image for the main page features the two. No other series will have you screaming at the characters to "Just get together, already" as much as this series.

* ''Manga/AxisPowersHetalia'':
** [[WillTheyOrWontThey Italy and Germany...]] [[ShipTease So much]] [[OfficialCouple Italy and Germany]].
** In one episode, America and England are arguing and France actually says (in the English dub) "When you two are done relieving sexual tensions, we have a meeting we need to finish!"
** The movie, ''Hetalia: Paint it, White'' has plenty of UST for France and England. It's almost as if [[WriterOnBoard someone was pushing it]].
** Then there's Switzerland when he bumps into Austria at the grocery store and a painfully awkward lunch follows...

* ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'':
** [[IDidntMeanToTurnYouOn A more one-sided example]] is that of Setsuna toward Konoka. This gets turned up to [[MemeticMutation nine thousand]] for the Spring and Summer anime specials. [[spoiler:It started to resolve from chapter 252 with an epic Pactio. Doesn't seem to be one-sided, either (Konoka was the aggressive one during the kiss).]]
** Negi has some form of this with most of the primary female cast members.
** There's also a good chunk of this between [[BetaCouple Kotarô and Natsumi]].

* ''LightNovel/MariaSamaGaMiteru'' introduces massive amounts of UnresolvedSexualTension between [[SchoolgirlLesbians students of an all-girl high school]].

** In one episode, American and England are arguing and France actually says (in the English dub) "When you two are done relieving sexual tensions, we have a meeting we need to finish!"

** The manga and anime have this in spades, diamonds, clubs, and [[HurricaneOfPuns especially hearts]] between Keiichi and Belldandy. They're not only the OfficialCouple, they practically live like a married couple, look like one to everyone else whenever they leave home, they have several [[ShipperOnDeck 'shippers on deck]], and it's obvious to viewers/readers they want a RelationshipUpgrade. Then why hasn't their relationship moved past kindergarten-level? Not only is Keiichi is extremely shy, a law against physical relationships between goddesses and mortals puts a lock on some of his more physical urges. Also Belldandy has stated that she is not ready to fulfill his desires; not to mention she appears to be oblivious to all things sexual. Still, with all the heartwarming they've shared, resolving the tension seems like a ForegoneConclusion.\\\

* The ''Mazinger'' series:
** ''Anime/MazingerZ'': Kouji and Sayaka were the couple defined BelligerentSexualTension. In spite of being attracted to each other, fierce competitiveness and pride issues on both sides prevent them from reaching an understanding and being together. It was not so bad in the original manga, though. And in another manga version, they kissed when they thought Kouji was going to die. He survived, but Kouji avoided Sayaka for a while because he was still too afraid and insecure.
** ''Anime/GreatMazinger'': Tetsuya and Jun. You would think the issue of them being adoptive siblings would be the main issue, but it is not. Tetsuya is an ObliviousToLove IdiotHero FULL of issues -he is the {{Trope Maker|s}} for BrokenAce, JerkassWoobie and InferioritySuperiorityComplex in HumongousMecha anime-, and he is obsessed with piloting Great Mazinger and fighting the Mykene Empire because he thinks if he does not, his life will be worthless and his adoptive father will love him no longer. Hence, he is unable to notice Jun's ''very'' obvious advances and flirting. And Jun is a {{Tsundere}} with plenty issues herself and little tolerance for oblivious fools. So they keep their BelligerentSexualTension throughout the entire series.
* ''Manga/AhMyGoddess''

* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' is chock full of this (mainly between Shinji and Asuka and between Misato and Kaji). Of course, [[MindScrew it doesn't really]] [[GainaxEnding go anywhere]]. Okay, Misato and Kaji's was resolved (and then they got screwed. Figures).
** Lampshaded in Hikari and Toji's case. Shinji is commenting to Asuka how Hikari asked him a lot of stuff about Toji while tending to him after an accident.
---> '''Shinji''': That's weird, you know. She's always so hostile to him.
---> ''(Beat)''
---> '''Asuka''': [[CatchPhrase What are you, stupid?]] [[IResembleThatRemark That's because she likes him]].
* ''Anime/CodeGeass''. The shippers probably went ballistic over the romance of this series: three valid pairings for the male lead alone, and enough done by one side or the other to establish the attraction as canon. The relationship between the two {{Tsundere}}s, Kallen and Lelouch, was especially frustrating because practically all the moments they had were interrupted by a character or an event, that is until [[spoiler: she stole a kiss from him near the end, only to get completely ignored by him, [[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim for a good reason]].]]. The other two love interests were [[NaiveEverygirl Shirley]] [[spoiler:who spent most of the series with a crush on Lelouch and then died one episode after [[RelationshipUpgrade Lelouch finally come to actually notice and acknowledge the girl's feelings]]]] and [[SugarAndIcePersonality C.C.]] [[spoiler:who spent most of the series helping Lelouch just so she could pass her curse of immortality onto him in the end and die]]. There was also that fact that [[RelationshipWritingFumble she]] ''[[RelationshipWritingFumble kissed]]'' [[RelationshipWritingFumble him a lot]].\\\

* ''LightNovel/MariaSamaGaMiteru'' introduces massive amounts of UnresolvedSexualTension between [[SchoolgirlLesbians students of an all-girl high school]].

* ''Manga/InuYasha''

* ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima''

* ''Anime/TransformersCybertron'': Lori & Coby, [[ToyShip despite being 12 and 13 respectively]], have enough UST to sink [[InconsistentDub Shockwave]]/Tidal Wave. Finally resolved in the distant finale where they are shown to have gotten married.
* Spike and Faye from ''Anime/CowboyBebop''. Mostly [[AllLoveIsUnrequited one-sided]], on Faye's part. Spike seems rather hung up on Julia. However, Watanabe once stated in an interview that "Spike may have feelings for Faye, he's just not one to outwardly express them." Considering the type of person Spike is, it makes sense.
* Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye in ''Franchise/FullmetalAlchemist'' combine this with both BodyguardCrush and SubordinateExcuse. It's especially present in the [[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist manga]] and the ''Brotherhood'' anime, which also feature increasing UST between Ed and {{W|renchWench}}inry. The latter UST does eventually get a resolution. The [[PortmanteauCoupleName Royai]] UST is actually acknowledged by Riza in-series and used for [[TrickingTheShapeshifter her own ends]], [[Awesome/FullmetalAlchemist very awesomely.]] {{Word of God}} in the third art book says that [[spoiler:the series ended without them getting married because of the military's anti-fraternization law]]. The ''Chronicles'' book released in autumn 2011 does confirm that [[spoiler:they remain side by side for pretty much the rest of their lives, though whether TheyDo ever happens is still left open for interpretation]].
* In ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'', [[{{Tsundere}} Kaname]] and [[TheStoic Sôsuke]] -- namely the anime. At the end of the third season, ''just'' when it looks like they're finally at ''least'' going to hug, they're [[MomentKiller interrupted]]. Also, [[CoolBigSis Mao]] and [[ChivalrousPervert Kurz]] have a ''lot'' of UST [[spoiler:which is eventually resolved in the {{Light Novel}}s]].
* ''Godchild'' and ''Manga/CountCain'' fall into this trope easily. Half of the series is Cain kicking some ass the other half is having angsty dialogue with manservant Riff about how they'll accompany each other to hell and other such lovely things. Despite all of this the manga-ka Creator/KaoriYuki claims they weren't a couple in the ''Manga/AngelSanctuary'' art book.
* ''Manga/{{Vassalord}}'' IS this trope. Except it kind of gets resolved. Kind of. But not really as Charley and Johnny still haven't done it despite obviously WANTING to. Charley walks in on Johnny showering without a problem.
* ''Manga/HanaKimi'' has a ''lot'' of this. We've got a [[WholesomeCrossdresser girl disguised]] [[{{Bifauxnen}} as a boy]] rooming with a boy that knows she's a girl but she doesn't know he knows, and they both have crushes on each other. And then another boy has a crush on her, but doesn't know she's a girl. ''Tons'' of WillTheyOrWontThey. Plus, taking place at an all-boys BoardingSchool, there's a ton of HoYay between male side characters.
* ''Manga/SayonaraZetsubouSensei'' also has a lot of this, essentially the upshot of every single girl in the class being in love with the teacher. He is almost pathologically resistant to their affections (ethical concerns aside), but is painfully aware of the UST, which is why he has stopped resisting Tsunetsuki's stalking as doing so only spurs her to more extreme behavior. The class exists in a kind of equilibrium where the UST never quite boils over, at least until somebody or something kicks over the anthill, such as Nozomu's arranged marriage in season 1, his flirtatious body-double in Zan, and an out-of-left-field love-confession from a random student in the same season.

* ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'' is chock full of [=UST=] for a bunch of pairings, but particularly Rosette and Chrono. In the manga, Chrono accidentally [[ShowerOfAwkward walks in on Rosette when she's taking a shower]], and in the anime at one point Rosette shakes her rear end in Chrono's face in an attempt to get a favor out of him. In both versions they later become the OfficialCouple.
* Daisuke Moriyama's ''Manga/WorldEmbryo'', repeats ''Chrono Crusade'''s structure. Amane × Riku was interrupted by Amane's death. So now we have Rena × Riku (lampshaded massively due to them being "Mom" and "Dad" to Nene, potential kiss interrupted by [[MomentKiller Nene]]), [[{{Squick}} Riku × Nene]], Yui × Riku (averted), [[spoiler: Yui × Takao (averted by death)]], Hayato × Suzu (come on, she helps him with going to the toilet and bathing...), Kota × Mizaki, etc.
* Kirihara from ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack'' had a few potential love interests that never went anywhere. Most of the tension is with the protagonist Hei (despite the fact that she's trying to catch him), who she seems to have developed a crush on in his ObfuscatingStupidity NiceGuy persona, while he mostly doesn't seem to notice. Another is her second-in-command, a man too shy to admit it who later professes his love for her-- unfortunately for him, [[ResetButton both of them lost their memory of the incident afterward]] and it was one-sided. Her interactions with Jack Simon/November 11 could potentially be seen this way as well. [[spoiler:Turns out she's still after Hei two years later, and is in fact approaching StalkerWithACrush and SingleTargetSexuality territory.]] Also, her crush on Hei may not have been completely one-sided; she's one of a grand total of two people he [[TheStoic actually mentioned any of his feelings or opinions to]].
* There's so much tension between [[MindGameShip Battler and Beato]] in ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'' that it's not even funny. [[spoiler:It's confirmed canon in the fifth and sixth arcs.]]
* ''Manga/ToLoveRu''

* Revy and Rock from ''Manga/BlackLagoon''. Lampshaded by Eda in a conversation with Revy. This proves to be a sore subject with [[DarkActionGirl Revy]] as she obviously desires a relationship with [[NonActionGuy Rock]] but seems to have no idea how to broach the subject with him. Also counts as BelligerentSexualTension, seeing as how, you know... [[BloodKnight Revy]] has ''shot'' at Rock on ''several'' different occasions with full intent to kill, and regularly points her gun at him with death threats whenever he [[SlidingScaleofIdealismVersusCynicism gets particularly idealistic]]... [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther only to share a nice little romantic scene together]] [[SlapSlapKiss just moments after she tried to murder him]]. They ''really'' push BelligerentSexualTension to the limit.
* ''Manga/PokemonAdventures'':
** Winona and Wallace had a falling out in the past. Wallace is very much still interested in continuing the relationship, even going so far as turning down the Champion position to be a Gym Leader as to spend more time with her. Winona, on the other hand, despite the many hints that she ''does'' still love him, has insecurity issues about having a stronger boyfriend. The last we see of the two ends with Winona musing about why their relationship failed the first time.
** Sapphire and Ruby aren't much better. Which becomes interesting when you think about who their mentors are. (Hint, look up.)
* ''Manga/HayateTheCombatButler''. It's probably the second place for the story's existence. Between Nagi and Hinagiku you could probably drown standing up, and then there's four other girls after Hayate. And that's ''before'' you look at Wataru.
* ''Manga/SasamekiKoto'', There is truckloads of this between Ushio and Sumika from, to the point that it's become somewhat famous for it, which is why the image for the main page features the two. No other series will have you screaming at the characters to "Just get together, already" as much as this series.
* Akira and Fumi from ''Manga/SweetBlueFlowers'' enter such a phase in the manga, after [[spoiler:Fumi confesses to a hapless Akira]]. It ends in [[spoiler:them becoming a couple]].
* After the TimeSkip in ''Manga/BunnyDrop'', Rin and Kouki are in this stage. [[spoiler:In the end, they don't get together, and Rin ultimately ends up with ''Daikichi'' instead.]]
* Orcelito and Kiliko of ''[[Manga/PlusSi +C: Sword and Cornett]]''. There's just no other way to describe it.
* ''LightNovel/SpiceAndWolf'' revolves around Holo and Lawrence growing closer and closer over the course of a complicated game of banter and flirtation, while also being kept apart by [[MayflyDecemberRomance Lawrence's mortality]] and other issues. The tension seems like it's resolving itself in incremental steps, however.
* ''Manga/AxisPowersHetalia''
** [[WillTheyOrWontThey Italy and Germany...]] [[ShipTease So much]] [[OfficialCouple Italy and Germany]].
** In one episode, American and England are arguing and France actually says (in the English dub) "When you two are done relieving sexual tensions, we have a meeting we need to finish!"
** The movie, ''Hetalia: Paint it, White'' has plenty of UST for France and England. It's almost as if [[WriterOnBoard someone was pushing it]].
** Then there's Switzerland when he bumps into Austria at the grocery store and a painfully awkward lunch follows...
* When you really think about it, ''Manga/SoulEater'' seems to be leaning toward this, despite WordOfGod saying that most of the relationships were going to remain platonic.
** Tsubaki proves to be [[spoiler:the horniest member]] of the TrueCompanions, which is explained when Black☆Star admits that they [[spoiler:[[NotWhatItLooksLike sleep together in the same room]]]].
** Soul constantly uses Maka's [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial lack of sex appeal]] as the reason for everything from why they don't get along earlier on in the manga to why no one has requested her as a partner in the later chapters. The chapter of Lust, however, would suggest he's lying. Maka also complains that he doesn't refer to her as being like an angel, despite Ox referring to Kim the same way. Doesn't quite work out when you consider the fact that Ox and Kim are ''[[OfficialCouple boyfriend and girlfriend]]'', not partners. Soul does eventually give in and call her an angel during their fight with [[{{Yandere}} Gopher]], although [[TheLancer he]] might just be being [[SarcasmMode sarcastic]].
* ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}''
** Alucard and Integra. It's especially apparent in the manga, where she acts like a {{Tsundere}} towards him and he tells her that her resolve and will for battle "[[InLoveWithYourCarnage excite]]" him.
** Also, Pip and Seras, [[spoiler:at least in the beginning.]]
* It gets so bad between Haru and Elie in ''Manga/RaveMaster'' that Lucia, the main villain who spends less than an hour's time total with them over the course of the entire series, is able to instantly spot it and claim they'll be old and grey by the time they get around to holding hands.
* ''Manga/FairyTail'' has this developing between Erza and Jellal, mostly due to Jellal's getting arrested or suffering from a massive GuiltComplex. Even having a moment where they end up LiterallyFallingInLove not getting them together because Jellal stops ''in the middle of a KissingDiscretionShot'', having decided he doesn't deserve her, and attempts to sink their ship by claiming that he's actually gotten a fiancee over the TimeSkip. Erza is aware of the lie, and the two have since been shown looking at each other while the other's back is turned.
* ''Manga/HighschoolOfTheDead'' has copious amounts between [[{{Meganekko}} Saya]] and [[{{Otaku}} Hirano.]]
** Saya's even dreamt about Hirano banging her, during which, her thought bubble [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar dipped between her legs and wiggled]]; causing her to [[LuminescentBlush blush]] [[LooksLikeSheIsEnjoyingIt and moan.]] And in the ''[[BeachEpisode "Drifters of the Dead"]]'' OVA, he wound up humping a broomstick [[MushroomSamba while hallucinating]] it was her.
** The anime plays up the UST between Takashi and Saeko, by [[DidTheyOrDidntThey implying they may have had sex]] during episode 9. There's a {{kissing discretion shot}}, then it {{fades to black}}. The next morning, Saeko appears to be either adjusting her skirt, or her underwear, as she exits the temple behind Takashi. And during the OVA, he hallucinates about having sex with her (again).
* ''Manga/MaidenRose'' begins right after the OfficialCouple have just resolved their sexual tension, and then immediately skips six months ahead where UST reappears in full force, especially after Klaus swears to never touch Taki again, thinking that's what Taki wants. It leads to things like 40-panel-long hugs.
* This began to emerge between ''Manga/{{xxxHOLiC}}'' protagonist Kimihiro Watanuki and his employer Yuuko Ichihara in the last few volumes leading up to [[spoiler: Yuuko's death and disappearance]], and stayed for the remainder of the series, at least on Watanuki's end. Aside from the big aforementioned [[DeadAllAlong complication]], there's the issue that Yuuko tends to keep her feelings distant because the nature of what she sells means it isn't wise for her to allow herself to become too emotionally invested in others. Then there's the fact she also has played something of a motherly-mentor role to Watanuki and is [[Really700YearsOld quite a few years older than him.]]
** [[spoiler: Though Watanuki later also ceases to age when he succeeds her, so at least that fact in particular would stop mattering so much.]]
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': In the ''[[WholeEpisodeFlashback Everything but the Rain]]'' arc, there's a lot of this between Ryuuken Ishida and [[NinjaMaid Kanae]] [[BodyguardCrush Katagiri]] despite the fact Ryuuken's family want an ArrangedMarriage between him and his cousin [[spoiler:Masaki Kurosaki. When that plan falls through, Ryuuken and Kanae MarryForLove. Kanae's death is [[PlotTriggeringDeath inseparably linked]] to Masaki's death.]]
* ''Manga/DeathNote'' gives us [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist L]] and [[LightIsNotGood Light]], who get a considerable amount of FoeYay (especially during their ChainedHeat stage) involving handcuffs, hidden cameras, coffee, a heart-to-heart in the rain, [[StrangeMindsThinkAlike shared internal monologues]], [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments a Misa-instigated circle-dance]], and [[RuleOfSymbolism one really awkward foot massage]], amidst other things. Then after [[spoiler: [[CradlingYourKill L]] [[AntagonistInMourning dies]]]]...
* ''Manga/KimiNiTodoke'' is ''made'' of this trope; mostly between [[TwiceShy Sawako and Kazehaya]] and especially in early chapters. The side couples have their moments, too, though.
* ''Anime/PhantomQuestCorp'': [[ChristmasCake Ayaka]] [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl Kisaragi]] has plenty with [[OccultDetective Detective]] [[PermaStubble Karino]], though she's stubborn and plays hard to get. She isn't above flirting with him and he certainly doesn't mind the attention. The series ends, leaving [[WillTheyOrWontThey the status of their relationship]] [[MaybeEverAfter up in the air.]]
* An especially bad case in ''Anime/YuGiOh'' - in the manga, there was a good deal of this between Anzu and Yami Yugi, with a love tester implying they were more compatible than Anzu and Yugi and him saving her from danger several times. She later said that Yugi is Yugi, and is fine just how he is. However, this triangle mostly disappeared when Yami Yugi begins to become more of a separate identity, with Yugi referring to him having his own feelings and identity. Anzu shows concern when Yami Yugi gets hurt and worries about the effect regaining his memories will have, but her main source of conflict is that she assumed that the real Yugi was a fusion of both counterparts. Yugi never confesses his obvious crush, Yami has little page time solely with Anzu, and Anzu herself bottles her attempt to tell Yami her feelings before the Ceremonial Duel starts.
** Also happens with Mai and Joey, and is made worse in the anime when she returns for a filler arc but drives off without confronting him, having turned against Joey specifically prior to this moment.

* ''Manga/MyWifeIsTheStudentCouncilPresident'': Izumi and Ui are a pair of horny teens, who live together without adult supervision. The only reason they haven't torn each other's clothes off and fucked like rabbits, is because their friends and neighbors [[RunningGag keep]] [[MomentKiller interfering]] before it can happen.

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' has this with [[OneTrueLove Hinata]], beginning in the [[WarArc Fourth Shinobi World War Arc]] and continuing on into ''Anime/TheLastNarutoTheMovie''. Judging by the dialogue from the other characters, it's actually been going on for much longer than that. If one were to [[RewatchBonus read/watch the entire series all over again]], there ''are'' hints of it lingering throughout the entire narrative, pushed to the background as camaraderie and friendship were in the forefront. Naruto's [[NoSocialSkills lack of social graces]] meant he never realized that a lot of his interactions with Hinata ''did'' have underlying romantic tension, at least in her view, as Naruto has always considered her as a friend until the movie The Last.
* In ''Manga/TokyoGhoul'', relationships where the tension is resolved seem to be as rare as unicorn tears.

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' has this with [[OneTrueLove Hinata]], beginning in the [[WarArc Fourth Shinobi World War Arc]] and continuing on into ''Anime/TheLastNarutoTheMovie''. Judging by the dialogue from the other characters, it's actually been going on for much longer than that. If one were to [[RewatchBonus read/watch the entire series all over again]], there ''are'' hints of it lingering throughout the entire narrative, pushed to the background as camaraderie and friendship were in the forefront. Naruto's [[NoSocialSkills lack of social graces]] meant he never realized that a lot of his interactions with Hinata ''did'' have underlying romantic tension, primarily because he's never really understood [[WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove romantic love]] and misconstrued [[LikeBrotherAndSister his brotherly relationship with Sakura]], which was often PlayedForLaughs for the sake of comic relief, as romantic instead.

* ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'' series features this between Mikuru and Kyon, although this tends to [[DieForOurShip depend on your camp]] and [[WMG/SuzumiyaHaruhiNoYuutsu which theories you may subscribe to]]. Unfortunately for them, [[RealityWarper Haruhi]] isn't about to allow that come hell or high water due to her own UST with him (as exemplified by [[spoiler:how Kyon saved the world from being remade by stealing a kiss from Haruhi, and the ending of Someday in the Rain]]), and on top of that it's also forbidden for Mikuru by {{time travel}}ler-rules. Her [[spoiler:future self tells him she's glad to see him again, which strongly implies that nothing ever came of it.]] If you believe UnreliableNarrator Kyon, [[spoiler:he doesn't take future Mikuru's suggestion that he kiss her younger self while she's asleep.]] But considering that he's likely to get written out of existence if he upsets Haruhi, he's got ample reason to not tell anyone if he did.

* ''Manga/DeathNote'' gives us [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist L]] and [[LightIsNotGood Light]], who get a considerable amount of FoeYay (especially during their ChainedHeat stage) involving handcuffs, hidden cameras, coffee, a heart-to-heart in the rain, [[StrangeMindsThinkAlike shared internal monologues]], [[CrowningMomentOfFunny a Misa-instigated circle-dance]], and [[RuleOfSymbolism one really awkward foot massage]], amidst other things. Then after [[spoiler: [[CradlingYourKill L]] [[AntagonistInMourning dies]]]]...

* Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye in ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' combine this with both BodyguardCrush and SubordinateExcuse. It's especially present in the manga and the ''Brotherhood'' anime, which also feature increasing UST between Ed and {{W|renchWench}}inry. The latter UST does eventually get a resolution. The [[PortmanteauCoupleName Royai]] UST is actually acknowledged by Riza in-series and used for [[TrickingTheShapeshifter her own ends]], [[Awesome/FullmetalAlchemist very awesomely.]] {{Word of God}} in the third art book says that [[spoiler:the series ended without them getting married because of the military's anti-fraternization law]]. The ''Chronicles'' book released in autumn 2011 does confirm that [[spoiler:they remain side by side for pretty much the rest of their lives, though whether TheyDo ever happens is still left open for interpretation]].

* ''Manga/PokemonSpecial''

* Akira and Fumi from ''Manga/AoiHana'' enter such a phase in the manga, after [[spoiler:Fumi confesses to a hapless Akira]].

** The manga and anime have this in spades, diamonds, clubs, and [[HurricaneOfPuns especially hearts]] between Keiichi and Belldandy. They're not only the OfficialCouple, they practically live like a married couple, look like one to everyone else whenever they leave home, they have several [[ShipperOnDeck 'shippers on deck]], and it's obvious to viewers/readers they want a RelationshipUpgrade. Then why hasn't their relationship moved past kindergarten-level? Not only is Keiichi is extremely shy a law against physical relationships between goddesses and mortals puts a lock on some of his more physical urges. Also Belldandy has stated that she is not ready to fulfill his desires; not to mention she appears to be oblivious to all things sexual. Still, with all the heartwarming they've shared, resolving the tension seems like a ForegoneConclusion.\\\

** The manga and anime have this in spades, diamonds, clubs, and [[HurricaneOfPuns especially hearts]] between Keiichi and Belldandy. They're not only the OfficialCouple, they practically live like a married couple, look like one to everyone else whenever they leave home, they have several [[ShipperOnDeck 'shippers on deck]], and it's obvious to viewers/readers they want a RelationshipUpgrade. Then why hasn't their relationship moved past kindergarten-level? Not only is Keiichi is extremely shy a law against physical relationships between goddesses and mortals puts a lock on some of his more physical urges. Also Belldandy has stated that she is not ready to fulfill his desires; not to mention she appears to be oblivious to all things sexual. Still, with all the CrowningMomentsOfHeartwarming they've shared, resolving the tension seems like a ForegoneConclusion.\\\

** Kaneki has a whole UnwantedHarem that he seems incapable of reaching resolution with, most notably Touka and Tsukiyama. Both end up having a discussion about whether or not Kaneki is better off without them in his life, while admitting they understand how the other feels about ''not'' having Kaneki in their lives. For his part, Kaneki awkwardly goes through cycles of keeping the people important to him at a distance and otherwise avoiding admitting how much he actually cares about them.

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' has this with [[OneTrueLove Hinata]], beginning in the [[WarArc Fourth Shinobi World War Arc]] and continuing on into ''Anime/TheLastNarutoTheMovie''. Judging by the dialogue from the other characters, it's actually been going on for much longer than that. If one were to [[RewatchBonus read/watch the entire series all over again]], there ''are'' hints of it lingering throughout the entire narrative, pushed to the background as camaraderie and friendship were in the forefront. Naruto's [[NoSocialSkills lack of social graces]] meant he never realized that a lot of his interactions with Hinata ''did'' have underlying romantic tension, primarily because he's never really understood [[WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove romantic love]] and misconstrued [[LikeBrotherAndSister his brotherly relationship with Sakura]], which was very often PlayedForLaughs for the sake of comic relief, as romantic instead.