History Main / MoeCouplet

* ''Webcomic/{{Alfie}}'''s presence cracks open Ozge's mask of taciturn native guide to reveal a bashful young romantic who is [[NotSoDifferent much the same sort of misfit]]. Ozge in turn sparks [[LadykillerInLove legitimate romantic feelings]] in a self-admitted (if [[CovertPervert rather closeted]]) "dirty woman." [[FanNickname Smol & Tol]] look cute together too.

* The ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' manga and ''Brotherhood'' have Scar and May Chang. The former is a tall, brooding serial killer who targets states alchemists who rarely breaks out of his stoic demeanor, whereas May Chang is a cute little girl and far more emotional than Scar could ever be. Scar starts out as the Elric Brothers' enemy, May started out as an ally (mainly Alphonse's). Coincidence or not, the two somehow find each other and start traveling together (alongside Yoki and Marco), although the emphasis lies between the two opposite characters between Scar and May. This allows Scar to show more of his softer side, while May's innocence is confronted with the darker aspect of the story's progession. Notably, the two don't use the same alchemy the people of Amestris are using, which later becomes important to solve the mystery of the series.

* This is why pairing ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} up with one of many younger female superhero compatriots, whether it's ComicBook/KittyPryde, ComicBook/{{Rogue}}, ComicBook/{{Jubilee}}, Armor, [[ComicBook/PowerPack Katie Power]], or [[ComicBook/MsMarvel Kamala Khan]] works so well. They soften Wolverine's image and bring out one of his few positive qualities: being an incredibly loyal PapaWolf. He in turn helps them gain several badass points.

* Mai Tokiha in ''Anime/MaiHime'' evolves into this. Leaving the [[ShipToShipCombat Shipping Wars]] aside in regards to Yuuichi, her relationship with her brother Takumi shows off her [[CoolBigSis mature qualities]]. Later iterations effectively pair her with Mikoto (a highly marketable but otherwise potentially [[TheScrappy annoying]] character) which lets her fully assume a motherly mode that doesn't conflict with her badassness and letting Mikoto's clingy qualities be endearing.

* Setsuna from ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' emotes much in the same way Motoko from ''Manga/LoveHina'' does. Both are popular characters in their series, but Setsuna's affection towards a ([[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation controversially]]) oblivious character seem more tolerated by the fandom.
** For example, girl wearing cat ears and glasses - {{moe}}. Two girls wearing cat ears and glasses, one with a crush on the other, walking around a festival - [[http://www.mangafox.com/manga/mahou_sensei_negima/v28/c251/18.html moe that pierces the heavens]].

* Latvia and Sealand in ''Webcomic/AxisPowersHetalia''. Sealand helps Latvia not be a twitching emotional wreck and Latvia keeps Sealand grounded in reality.

* In Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'s [[Anime/PokemonHeroes 5th Movie]], Ash and Legendary-of-the-film Latias have this trait in abundance. Despite the obvious InterspeciesRomance, their interactions are so sweet and cute that [[PortmanteauCoupleName [=AltoShipping=]]] is still a rather popular couple in the fanbase despite the movie having come out back in 2002.

* Any of the master/apprentice tandem in Manga/{{Aria}}. Any time one of the pair is the focus of an episode, it allows you to see them [[RomanticTwoGirlFriendship bonding]] in a really sweet way, show the cutest sides of the younger one, and make the CoolBigSis qualities of the older one shine the brightest. Especially with Akira and Aika, as it shows their "[[{{Tsundere}} dere]]" side the best.

* ''Webcomic/AxisPowersHetalia'' fanfic ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11886910/1/Gankona-Unnachgiebig-Unità Gankona, Unnachgiebig, Unità]]'': Italy brings warmth and joy to the tough and harsh Germany and the cold and calculating Japan.
* Mimi and Elle in ''[[FanFic/{{Bird}} Bird]]'' are a somewhat tragic take on the concept. Mimi [[PowerIncontinence has little control]] of [[PlayingWithFire her powers]] and is ostracized as a result. [[TheOphelia Elle]] has similar difficulties, but the worlds she creates are soothing or beautiful. However, she can't engage her peers easily because of her fugues. Mimi is the only one who engages Elle, and Elle is the only one that sticks with Mimi- even though they are dysfunctional and Mimi is sometimes physically dangerous.

* [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1111.jpg Demonstrated]] in ''Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub'', even though Honey (the short blond one) is actually ''{{older|ThanTheyLook}}'' Mori (the tall dark-haired one). Lampshaded when Kasanoda makes it apparent that without Hunny, Mori is just as intimidating as he is.

* Similarly, Yumi in ''[[LightNovel/MariaSamaGaMiteru Marimite]]'' has this kind of relationship with several characters compared to the one she has with Sachiko, leading to the fan-joke that Yumi could create her own ReverseHarem.

[[quoteright:233:[-[[Manga/AzumangaDaioh https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sakaki-chiyo.jpg]]-] ]]
[[caption-width-right:233: A supposed [[ShrinkingViolet loner]] and a [[{{Moe}} cute]] [[CheerfulChild child]] come together to form... a protective [[CoolBigSis older sister]] and an [[UpToEleven even]] ''[[{{Moe}} cuter]]'' [[CheerfulChild child]].]]

* [[{{Adorkable}} Gus]] and [[TheCutie Cornchip Girl]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}''

* Kaguya and Ishigami in later chapters of ''Manga/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'', once they develop their LikeBrotherAndSister relationship make for some of the sweetest and most wholesome moments in the entire series. It also helps to hammer home just how much Kaguya has changed since the beginning of the series when Ishigami was terrified of her.

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]

[[folder:WebOriginal]]

* The titular duo of ''WebComic/PixieAndBrutus''. Pixie's a tiny, affectionate, ConstantlyCurious [[CuteKitten kitty]] who adores her "big brother," Brutus. Brutus is a retired military service dog who responds to everything with [[TheComicallySerious the utmost seriousness]], and, upon seeing how small and defenseless she is, takes it upon himself to "protect" Pixie. And so begins the {{WAFF}}iest webcomic around!

** As for Japan and Greece, while they may not have as obvious an OppositesAttract dynamic as Japan and America do, their [[BirdsOfAFeather similarities]] ''and'' more subtle differences in personality end up enhancing their {{Moe}} points. Not only are they both {{Kindhearted Cat Lover}}s, which has a [[CuteKitten built-in cuteness factor]], but Japan can give off the subtle impression that underneath his stoic exterior lies a [[{{Kuudere}} sweet, warm-hearted, and even shy soul]] without it being overwhelmed by louder personalities (and him possibly coming across as a less endearing/moe [[TheStoic Stoic]] instead) when petting Greece's cats or simply being at ease with him, and Greece's laidback, easygoing nature makes him the ideal partner to patiently deal with Japan's emotional reticence and romantic/sexual awkwardness. Ironically, they're the only pair (mostly) confirmed to have had sex in canon, but the fact that most (and arguably, the best) fanworks for them focus much more on the tranquility and harmony of their dynamic than on sex, and that it's difficult to imagine Greece ever forcing himself on Japan or making him truly uncomfortable in spite of his ReallyGetsAround reputation, makes them a true Moe Couplet. (Not to mention that it's quite easy to write them as an [[HappilyMarried established romantic couple]] without compromising their natural dynamic.)

* ''Series/HoratioHornblower'': This was part of the logic for including Archie Kennedy as a recurring character. Horatio tends to keep a lot to himself, and having a more expressive friend of his own rank and age gives Horatio someone he can open up to in a way that he can't with his superior officers or subordinates, and Archie's sarcastic tendencies make a good contrast with Horatio's more serious demeanor. The fact that Archie is a {{Woobie}} also gives the normally stoic Horatio a chance to express his ''[[KuuDere deredere]]'' side through his concern for his friend.

* [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1111.jpg Demonstrated]] in ''Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub''.
** Lampshaded when Kasanoda makes it apparent that without Hunny, Mori is just as intimidating as he is.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

[[folder: WebOriginal]]

* [[ProjectAko Project A-ko]]: C-ko is [[TheCutie small, cute]], and [[FragileFlower vulnerable]], which inspires A-ko to act as the protective "big sister" whenever she defends C-ko.

* Any of the master/apprentice tandem in Aria. Any time one of the pair is the focus of a episode, it allow to see them [[RomanticTwoGirlsFriendship bonding]] in a really sweet way, show the cutest sides of the younger one, and make the CoolBigSis qualities of the older one shine the brightest. Especialy with Akira and Aika, as it show their "[[{{Tsundere}} dere]]" side the best.

* [[Franchise/MetalGear Snake and Otacon.]] Otacon [[DefrostingIceQueen warms Snake up]] and [[MoralityChain restrains him from going over the edge,]] while Snake helped Otacon out of his shell and grounded him. The fact that all of their interactions from VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2 on are a barrel of cuteness hovering somewhere between HappilyMarried and LikeAnOldMarriedCouple doesn't hurt.

* This was part of the logic for including Archie Kennedy as a recurring character in the ''HoratioHornblower'' TV series. Horatio tends to keep a lot to himself, and having a more expressive friend of his own rank and age gives Horatio someone he can open up to in a way that he can't with his superior officers or subordinates, and Archie's sarcastic tendencies make a good contrast with Horatio's more serious demeanor. The fact that Archie is a {{Woobie}} also gives the normally stoic Horatio a chance to express his ''[[KuuDere deredere]]'' side through his concern for his friend.

* For comparison, the ''Anime/ProjectAKo'' series may have been an early invoker of this trope, and the only thing keeping C-ko's otherwise annoying personality barely in check.

* ''Fanfic/TheSecondTry'': Rei Ayanami of all girls and Aki, a lost child she finds wandering the streets of Tokyo-3 and [[ImTakingHerHomeWithMe ends up taking home with her]]. That kid's CutenessProximity Field is practically a superpower! Rei carries on with this trope in sequel web-manga ''Fanfic/AkiChansLife''... [[spoiler: In addition to being Aki's CoolAunt, seeing as she's Shinji and Asuka's KidFromTheFuture.]]