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Plotline

Misaki is suddenly having some unexpected and odd problems. What started as a need for some college entrance exam tutoring has somehow led him to being romanced by a suave older man who also happens to be his big brother’s best friend.

Confused by all of his brand new emotions, Misaki struggles to deal with his suddenly very odd life. And if that wasn’t enough, his suitor, Usami, has plenty of issues of his own. A man-child who decorates his room with giant teddy bears and toys, Usami is a famous novelist who also writes steamy boys’ love novels on the side.

Junjou Romantica focuses on three different sets of lovers, each with their own compelling stories, these other three couples are introduced in Egoist, Terrorist, and Mistake. There is also another mini series called, 'Junjō Minimum', which is also in the CD dramas.

Characters

Junjo Romantica

Misaki Takahashi (高橋 美咲, Takahashi Misaki?)
18 yrs, 19 yrs in episode 8: The protagonist, younger brother of Takahiro. At the start of the series, Misaki is about to sit for his college entrance examinations. His dream is to go to Mitsuhashi University since that was the college his brother dropped out of so that he could begin taking care of Misaki after their parents died. Although seemingly childish and brash, Misaki is later revealed to be a person who is simply adamant on insisting against doing anything that might not be beneficial to anyone else. Misaki and Usagi eventually begin a relationship together which puzzles Misaki, who is unconfident about his feelings towards the older man.

Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai

Akihiko Usami (宇佐見 秋彦, Usami Akihiko?)
28 yrs: A popular author of non-fiction and erotic boys love novels, and the youngest recipient of the distinguished Naomori Award. His nickname is "Usagi", which means "rabbit" in Japanese. Usagi is Misaki's tutor for the upcoming entrance exams, and a very close friend of Takahiro (he, in fact, harbored an unrequited love for Takahiro for a long time). He and Hiroki were childhood friends.Shortly after meeting Misaki, Usagi realizes that he loves the younger boy and the two become lovers.

Voiced by: Hikaru Hanada

Haruhiko Usami (宇佐見 春彦, Usami Haruhiko?)
30 yrs: Akihiko's older half brother (they have different mothers). He is generally cold and disapproving towards his brother, though no one really knows why. After a brief apearance by him in the middle of the series he begins proclaiming that he 'loves' Misaki, but that was only after he found out how close he and Usagi were. When he begins sending Misaki flowers and saying he would take Misaki as his own, Usagi claims that Haruhiko was, 'always trying to take [his] things.'

Voiced by: Kōsuke Toriumi

Takahiro Takahashi (高橋 孝浩, Takahashi Takahiro?)
Misaki's older brother, and Akihiko's long-time friend. He was the subject of Akihiko's love interest for a long time, but never noticed Akihiko's feelings due to him being naive and having a somewhat air-headed personality. He is extremely caring towards his brother, even dropping out of school to support Misaki's studies after their parents died.

Voiced by: Kishō Taniyama

Junjō Egoist

Hiroki Kamijō (上條 弘樹, Kamijō Hiroki?)
28 yrs : A long-time friend of Akihiko's, who is an associate professor at the college Misaki studies at. He is a bit of a loner and is extremely passionate about classical Japanese literature, apparently having graduated at the top of his class. Hiroki was initially in love with Akihiko, his childhood friend. He is an example of the tsundere character archetype: he has a bad temper and is feared among his students, though he is actually shy and gets flustered easily.

Voiced by: Kentarō Itō

Nowaki Kusama (草間 野分, Kusama Nowaki?)
24 yrs : Orphaned without a name as an infant, he was named "Nowaki" ("typhoon" in Japanese) by the head of the orphanage because he was found in a heavy rain storm. Nowaki first meets Hiroki 6 years ago, when he is crying about his fruitless relationship with Akihiko, and goes on to insist that Hiroki become his tutor. He is currently studying to become a pediatrician. Nowaki is very kind and understanding.

Voiced by: Nobutoshi Canna

Junjō Terrorist

Yō Miyagi (宮城 庸, Miyagi Yō?)
35 yrs: A Literature Professor at Mitsuhashi University and a co-worker of Kamijo Hiroki. He was once married, but is now divorced most likely due to his indifference to feelings and emotions. His love interest is his ex-wife's younger brother. Miyagi is often playful when it comes to teasing Hiroki, though his true character is far more serious due to an event from his past.

Voiced by: Kazuhiko Inoue

Shinobu Takatsuki (高槻 忍, Takatsuki Shinobu?)
18 yrs : A young high school student (and the son of Mitsuhashi University's dean of literature and of Miyagi's boss) who believes it to be fate that he is in love with his ex-brother-in-law, Miyagi You. He would very much like Miyagi to take responsibility for Shinobu falling in love with him. He is often blunt and unreasonable, though is shown to have a softer side.

Voiced by: Daisuke Kishio

Junjō Mistake

Ryūichiro Isaka (井坂 龍一郎, Isaka Ryūichiro?)
Akihiko's editor and Haruhiko's childhood friend, he is 32 years old in the main timeline. Junjou Mistake takes place ten years before. He aspired to be a novelist, but his real talents lay in finding future best-sellers.

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa

Kaoru Asahina (朝比奈 薫, Asahina Kaoru?)
Kaoru is Ryūichiro's assistant, and came to work for the Isaka family when they helped the Asahina's out of a bad situation. Originally intended to be Isaka's playmate, he ended up becoming something more of a caretaker.

Voiced by: Ryōtarō Okiayu

List of Junjō Romantica episodes

Season 1: Junjō Romantica 2008-2008

Episode Title Japanese air date

1 "Jijitsu wa Shōsetsu yori mo Ki nari" (事実は小説よりも奇なり) April 10, 2008

We are introduced to the future main couple of the series, Junjō Romantica. Misaki Takahashi is an average student, trying to get into the Mitsuhashi University. When returning home, he finds his brother Takahiro in a rather intimate moment with his best friend, Akihiko Usami. Usami agrees on becoming Misaki's tutor to help him with the college entrance exam. While being at Usami's house, Misaki discovers a love novel starring Usami and his brother. Of course, Misaki freaks out and confronts the writer. When his study results increase, he grows more sympathy for Usami. He also understands later that Usami truly loves his brother, though Usami seems to develop feelings for Misaki. Misaki decides to live as a sponger in Usami's house, when his brother suddenly has to move to Osaka with his wife.

2 "Kōkai Saki ni Tatazu" (後悔先に立たず) April 17, 2008

It's been a month since Misaki started living in the house of Akihiko Usami. In the mean time, Misaki has managed to get into the departement of Economics at the Mitsuhashi University. Ever since the second day of school, everyone acts weird towards Misaki or doesn't want to get near him. His new friend, Sumi Keiichi tells him everyone probably wonders why he gets dropped off by school every day by Akihiko Usami, the famous writer, in a red sports car, nonetheless! Usami acts jealous when Misaki tells about his new friend, and Misaki asks himself if Usami just likes him because of his brother. Is he just a substitute? They get into a fight, but in the end they make up and Usami admits he was jealous. Usami realizes he is falling in love with Misaki and Misaki feels something is changing in him as well.

3 "Tatakeyo saraba Hirakaren" (叩けよさらば開かれん) April 24, 2008

We are introduced to the future Junjō Egoist couple. The episode starts with Hiroki Kamijou sitting on his own in the park. He thinks back to his fruitless relationship with Akihiko Usami, his childhood friend with whom he was in love. His thoughts are abrubtly disturbed when Nowaki Kusama, a medical student, launches a small toy rocket, that almost hits him by mistake. Nowaki sees him crying and immediately drags him off to a group of business men, who are all watching the rocket launch. Hiroki learns that Nowaki is an orphan and that the orphanage named him so because of a typhoon that occurred that day. Nowaki later insists on Hiroki becoming his tutor, to help him with the high school proficiency exam. Nowaki reminds him of Akihiko, what makes it so hard. Then Ahkihiko makes a surprise visit, but before things get worse, Nowaki interrupts them and confesses his love for Hiroki. He 'claims' he fell in love the moment he saw him. All he wants right now is Hiroki to fall in love with him.

4 "Anzu yoru Umu ga Yasushi" (案ずるより生むが易し) May 1, 2008

Misaki discovers yet another BL book about him and Usami. While he's upset he also angers Usami, but he is 'saved' when Usami's editor, Aikawa arrives. It seems like Usami is having some problems with deadlines. Because of Sumi-senpai, Misaki suspects Usami is having a relationship with Aikawa. This makes him very jealous. Misaki also wonders if the feelings he's having lately are genuine. When Usami leaves with Aikawa, Misaki eats chocolates filled with liquor, which causes him to feel tipsy. He falls asleep on of Usami's shirts. Usami realizes after this that Misaki does love him, though Misaki is still a long way from admitting it himself.

5 "Au wa Wakare no Hajime" (会うは別れの始め) May 8, 2008

6 years after the events of episode 3, Nowaki returns from America and is greeted (quite violently) by Hiroki. Hiroki having believed that Nowaki left without a word to him about where he was going or why. After Nowaki comes to see and him and, noticing Hiroki's obvious anger at him, tries to leave again only to be stopped by Hiroki who cannot bear to see Nowaki leave again. Nowaki also learns that Hiroki has become an assistant professor of Japanese Literature at Mitsuhashi University under Miyagi Yō.

The next day Hiroki awakens to find Nowaki gone and a note saying "I'll be back" causing him even more distress. Hiroki realises that he cannot continue with the pain of not really knowing how important he is to Nowaki and so leaves a note telling him "It's over"; moves house; and changes all his numbers. Soon after he is at work and sees Nowaki. Nowaki tries to reason with Hiroki and get him back but Hiroki doesn't want anything to do with him despite the fact that he is still in love with Nowaki. He tells him to leave through a shut door; Nowaki says he will wait for Hiroki at their 'usual' restuarant at 7 and turns to leave. However, Nowaki sees Miyagi entering the room Hiroki is in calling Hiroki "my sweet honey" and automatically jumps to the wrong conclusion: that Miyagi and Hiroki are lovers!

6 "Wazawai Tenji te Fuku to nasu" (禍転じて福となす) May 15, 2008

Continues where the last episode left off. Nowaki, contemplating Miyagi and Hiroki's relationship, is asked to greet a professor coming in from America who taught him at 2. He agrees believing he can still meet Hiroki, but the flight is delayed. Hiroki goes to the restaurant an hour early and waits for Nowaki wondering what he can say. Nowaki rushes to the restaurant already late. Hiroki continues sitting but eventually leaves believing Nowaki doesn't love him anymore. Nowaki makes it just as Hiroki leaves but does not see him. Miyagi witnesses a dripping wet Hiroki in his office and attempts to 'comfort' him but is stopped by a violent Nowaki. Nowaki drags Hiroki away but ends up chasing him into the library. Here Nowaki admits that he wanted to be the kind of man that Hiroki was proud to be a lover of, Hiroki breaks down and admits that he loves Nowaki. They make up *hint hint*. Nowaki moves in with Hiroki. Hiroki finds dozens of letters to him that Nowaki never posted, he refuses to give them up as he is so happy just to have them. Episode ends with Hiroki remembering that he was the one who advised Nowaki to go and study abroad in America.

7 "Kawaii Ko ni wa Tabi o sase yo" (可愛い子には旅をさせよ) May 22, 2008

Misaki is having a hard time with Usagi again. He has a hard time picturing himself as Usagi's lover despite having had sex with him and admitting that he may love him. Usagi's answer "Let's go on a date." They go on a date and end up at a fancy restaurant. Misaki is actually enjoying himself till Usagi's editor-in-chief, Isaka-san, turns up and Misaki realizes that he hardly knows anything about Usagi's past. After a drunk Isaka has been removed it switched to Usagi and Misaki in a ferris wheel. Misaki gets mad at the fact that Isaka knew more about the past Usagi than he did. Usagi is happy knowing that Misaki is jealous over him again and tells him that he loves him. Misaki tries to block it out but ends up having sex with Usagi again once they get home. The next day Misaki finds a brochure on different restaurants with loads of tags in the pages. Realizing that Usagi went through so much trouble to pick a place to eat with him he goes to thank him only to be stopped by the appearance of another AkihikoxMisaki erotica novel. After the ending credits Takahiro, Misaki's elder brother, phones Usagi. Usagi tells Misaki to leave the room. When Usagi returns he tells Misaki that Takahiro is coming back to Tokyo and is going to take Misaki back.

8 "Tabi no Haji wa kaki Sute" (旅の恥はかき捨て) May 29, 2008

Opens with Misaki being told he is going to go back to living with Takahiro. Misaki believes that he has become a burden to Usagi-san so doesn't object. He goes to visit his brother in Osaka before Takahiro comes back to Tokyo. At his brother and sister-in-law's home he realises this is what a normal family should feel like but ends up getting mad when Takahiro starts criticizing Usagi. Misaki begins to notice he feels so lonely. Usagi is at home and constantly thinking about Misaki. It is revealed that he let Misaki go because Takahiro said that Misaki blames himself for their parents deaths. He asked them to hurry home and they sped home in the rain and crashed. Misaki now does everything he can not to become a burden to anyone or to ask too much of them. Misaki phones Usagi from the train station but Usagi accidentally says something that upsets him.

Usagi tells Misaki to wait there and turns up. He drags Misaki onto a different train and tells him he won't ever let him go. Misaki is forced to decide with what he actually wants to do but manages to get out of it by saying that he just doesn't want to cause trouble for Usagi. Usagi asks him to stay with him and Misaki says yes. They spend the night together in a private sleeper car. The next day Misaki sees that they are in Sopporo, Usagi says it is a birthday present for Misaki. Episode ends revealing Usagi's small obsession with Marimo.

9 "Nasake wa Hito no Tame nara zu" (情けは人の為ならず) June 5, 2008

A small mini sidestory on how Hiroki and Akihiko met. Goes back to Hiroki meeting Akihiko in his private hideaway when he was ten and then Akihiko showing up at school the next day. The two quickly become friends. Akihiko spends a lot of time with Hiroki, and when Hiroki breaks down in tears due to all the pressure from the clubs he's in, kisses him. Afterwards, Akihiko sleeps over at his house. Soon after Hiroki is taken to Akihiko's house. In Akihiko's room he sees some notepads filled with stories and ends up reading one of them. Akihiko comes back and tries to snatch the pad away from Hiroki but Hiroki tells his it's really good and asks to read the rest. Akihiko agreees and the two form a pact that only Hiroki can read his stories. Ends with Hiroki freaking out at the fact that he could be in love with Akihiko.

10 "Shōnen yo Taishi o Dake" (少年よ大志を抱け) June 12, 2008

Introduction of future Junjō Terrorist couple.

11 "Suki koso mono no Jōzu nare" (好きこそものの上手なれ) June 19, 2008

Junjō Terrorist couple.

12 "Sode suri Au mo Tashōnen" (袖すり合うも他生の縁) June 26, 2008

Junjō Romantica couple.

I love the series. I made an AMV with Misaki and Usagi too! PM me if you want me to send the link.