Opposite Gender Protagonists: Difference between revisions

# There should be two characters clearly identifiable as the protagonists. A [[Ragtag Band of Misfits]] does not count. Similarly, a trio of [[Two Girls and a Guy|two girls and one boy]] or [[Two Guys and a Girl|two boys and a girl]] is also disqualified.

[[Battle Couple]] is related, where there is an explicit romance between the leads. A Battle Couple may be of the same sex ([[Ho Yay]]!), but Opposite Gender Protagonists cannot. Furthermore, a Battle Couple must see battle, whereas people in Opposite Gender Protagonists don't. A [[Slice of Life]] story does not work with a Battle Couple<ref>Unless you're making "Slice of Life of a Dungeon Diver" or something like that.</ref>, but is made more powerful using Opposite Gender Protagonists. These characters may be a [[Brother-Sister Team]]. A typical combination is [[The Hero]] with their [[Love Interest]].

Contrast [[Heterosexual Life Partners]], [[Platonic Life Partners]] — where the couple don't have to be the main characters ''and'' they are not dating — [[Two Guys and a Girl]], and [[Two Girls and a Guy]]. If the trope is used, then expect some variation on [[Boy Meets Girl]].

{{examples}}

** Asbel and the titular Nausicaä in ''[[Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind]]'', predating the studio. Nausicaä is easily the main character, playing a much bigger role than Asbel. Asbel only has a major role in the second act. Still, that doesn't stop them from sharing sweet scenes and helping each out when they land in the deadly Sea of Decay.

** Sheeta and Pazu from ''[[Laputa: Castle in the Sky]]'', who is almost the textbook example of this trope. The two go on adventures, face many difficulties, and are even separated at one point, before uniting with each other. In other words, it's a typical [[Boy Meets Girl]] plot. Being children racing against the military and finding a [[Castle in the Sky]] is difficult, and them being the protagonists strengthens their relationship.

** Fio and Porco from ''[[Porco Rosso]]''. Porco is a [[Ace Pilot]], and Fio a brilliant engineer. Fio jumps on Porco's plane to ensure he'll pay his debt back ''and'' to assist him with his newly modified plane. Fio's hand in marriage is used in a wager at the end of the film. Their interactions and Fio's [[Plucky Girl]] attitude provides humorous interactions. Porco barely wins the wager, and sends Fio away with Gina. The two leads do not engage in a romance, and Porco chooses Gina to be with at the end.

** Seiji and Shizuku in ''[[Whisper of the Heart]]'', where the relationship is developed into a romance. The two start out bickering, with Shizuku disliking Seiji as he mocked her lyrics for the [[Real Song Theme Tune]] "Country Roads". Later, while singing and playing music at night, they get over their differences and start forging a relationship. Shizuku, believing that she is lacking in talent and is lost for what to do in life, looks up to Seiji, a violin maker. She eventually picks up writing, and writes the titular ''Whisper of the Heart'' [[Story Within a Story]]. This relationship gives audiences a reason to care when Seiji eventually departs to Italy, as well as allows them to understand the significance of the moment when Seiji returns.

** Haku and Chihiro in ''[[Spirited Away]]''. Haku helps Chihiro navigate the perils of the spirit world, and helps her get a job, find her parents, and avoid being turned into a pig. In return, Chihiro helps Haku remember his [[I Know Your True Name|true name]], and to help him move on from being Yubaba's apprentice. A romance between the two ensues, resulting in a [[Free Fall Romance]] when Chihiro informs Haku about his true name as the two start [[Holding Hands]]. All of this makes the film emotional when the two inevitably have to say goodbye at the end.

** The Baron and Haru in ''[[The Cat Returns]]''. Them being two completely different species does not stop a bond forging between them. Haru seeks the Baron for help after being blessed with gifts she ''does not'' [[My New Gift Is Lame|want]]. All she did was save a cat from a truck! She does ''not'' need to marry this crazy Cat King's son. Knowing she will be dragged off to the Cat Kingdom, she talks to the Baron and asks for help. When Haru is inevitably taken to the Cat Kingdom, the Baron leads Haru back to the human realm. After the adventure, Haru even admits that she has a little crush on the Baron.

** Aaron and Therru in ''[[Tales From Earthsea]]''. There are less character dynamics, due to the relative inexperience of director Goro Miyazaki, than in other Ghibli productions. The two aren't together for long stretches of the runtime, only reuniting in a [[Deus Ex Machina]] at the end.

** Ponyo and Sousuke in ''[[Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea]]''. The characters are both around five years old, but that doesn't stop the trope from being used for romance. Ponyo, after tasting Sousuke's blood, wishes to become human. Once the "boy loses girl" and "boy finds girl" part of [[Boy Meets Girl]] happens, the two get [[The Glomp]] and play in Sousuke's house. After a massive flood caused by Ponyo's departure, throwing off the world's balance, Sousuke's mum Lisa departs to look after elderly residents, leaving the two alone for the night. When she didn't return the next morning, the two set out to search for them. The film focuses on the two navigating the environment, as well as the journey of Ponyo becoming human.

** Arrietty and Sho in ''[[The Borrower Arrietty]]''. Arrietty is a member of a race of [[Lilliputians]] called the Borrowers who take things from humans they won't miss. Sho is a human with heart problems, needing a quiet, secluded environment to live in. The [[Huge Guy, Tiny Girl]] dynamic between the two, as well as the fact that Arrietty isn't allowed to visit the boy -- human beings are perceived as dangerous by Borrowers -- make this pairing stand out. The two are dependent on each other: Sho needs someone to support him with his heart condition; and Arrietty is powerless due to her small size, and needs help from a human to navigate the confusing world. Thus, placing them at the center of the film strengthens their relationship, and gives audiences a feeling of sorrow when they inevitably have to part.

** Umi and Shun in ''[[From Up on Poppy Hill]]''. The two work together to save the ''Quartier Latin'' clubhouse. The clubhouse is set to be demolished, making way for a new generation and moving on from the past, giving them something to work towards. They take a trip to Tokyo to convince the head of the school board to let it stay. Umi is called the "Goddess of Good Luck" by other students, so her and Shun make a powerful combination while doing this. These events are backdropped by a romance blooming between the two characters, adding intrigue to their character dynamics.

** Sutemaru and the titular Princess Kaguya in ''[[The Tale of the Princess Kaguya]]''. Sutemaru does a [[Diving Save]] to save Princess Kaguya from a charging boar and calls her [[Affectionate Nickname|"Little Bamboo"]] to reflect how quickly she grows up. A major plot point revolves around Princess Kaguya trying to return to the [[Arcadia]] lifestyle she and Sutemaru lived before being forced to move into the capital. Their relationship provides something special for Princess Kaguya to return to. Sutemaru is established to be helpful, kind, and most importantly genuine, whereas members of royalty are established to be fake, and contrived, wishing only to marry Princess Kaguya for her beauty instead of who she really is.

** The unnamed man and titular red turtle in ''[[The Red Turtle]]''. The man is washed up on the deserted island the turtle resides in. The turtle, wishing for companionship, prevents the man from leaving, destroying his bamboo raft when he tries to get out. Insistent on leaving the island, the man flips over the turtle and leaves her beached. After [[Humanity Ensues]] with the turtle, the man starts looking after the turtle — well, girl — and becomes genuinely nice towards her. They even have kids, and survive on the island as a family, growing old.

* ''[[Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms]]'' stars Maquia and Erial. This is an interesting case, due to their age difference. It's clear that Maquia is the protagonist, however Erial, being the orphaned child, plays a huge role in the film, as the film focuses on his growing up and interactions with his mother Maquia, who does not age and is stuck looking eternally young. Instead of the heroes facing an external conflict, the first part of the film sees the heroes facing an internal conflict between themselves, before introducing an external source of conflict with a war.

* In ''[[Your Name]]'', Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyamizu.

== [[Music]] ==

== [[New Media]] ==

* Dr. Eva Rosalene and Dr. Neil Watts in ''[[To the Moon]]'', returning in the sequel ''[[Finding Paradise]]''. They are two professionals travelling around to fulfil their clients' wishes before they die, and their interactions provide plenty of snarky responses, hilarious dialogue, and fun moments, contrasting with the emotional stories of the clients they help such as Johnny.

** Within Johnny's story, he and River also qualify for this trope, as the two support each other throughout their lives and fall in love.

== [[Visual Novel]]s ==

== [[Western Animation]] ==

* The Pine siblings Dipper and Mabel in ''[[Gravity Falls]]'', where they go on wacky hijinks around the town they stayed in for the summer.

== [[Other Media]] ==

== [[Real Life]] ==

{{reflist}}