Romance in anime has always been a melting pot of tropes, archetypes, and the occasional breakout character that redefines how relationships are portrayed. From classic tsundere dynamics to more complex portrayals of love and understanding, modern romantic anime has evolved significantly. Among these stories, A Sign of Affection and Horimiya stand as shining examples of how characters with depth and charm can elevate a simple love story to another level.

Izumi Miyamura from Horimiya is the epitome of the green flag | Credit: CloverWorks

Itsuomi Nagi from A Sign of Affection is a character widely regarded as the epitome of a “green flag”. However, Izumi Miyamura from Horimiya transcends the idea of being just a green flag; he’s an entire forest of positive traits; quickly becoming a fan-favorite not just for his layered personality but also for his dynamic with Hori.

Horimiya: Izumi Miyamura’s complex brilliance

At first glance,...