This seminal work features beautiful, angsty boys (bishōnen) in a German boarding school, but it is written by and for girls. The romantic storylines between male characters allow female readers to experience desire, jealousy, and heartbreak without the immediate constraints of their own female bodies. This created a “safe” distance, allowing for the exploration of power imbalances and emotional extremes that a heterosexual shōjo romance might render too threatening.

: The story of star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi, who are separated by the Milky Way and can only meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month [30]. Princess Kaguya

Research suggests that Japanese girls often approach romantic relationships with a mix of enthusiasm and trepidation. On one hand, they are socialized to value relationships and emotional connection; on the other hand, they face significant societal pressure to conform to traditional norms around dating, marriage, and family. A survey of Japanese high school girls found that:

: A fated reunion story about two individuals who met in high school in the 1990s and cross paths again 20 years later, inspired by Hikaru Utada’s songs [24, 25]. From Me to You (Kimi ni Todoke)

Emiko's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't been to a live music event in ages, and there was something about Taro's kind eyes that put her at ease. She agreed to attend, and they exchanged numbers.