Sorry for posting two new threads in one day! You know me and my reading binges...

I'm looking for a reversal of the usual friends-to-lovers trope. Instead, I want to read about lovers that become friends, preferably on-screen - as in, they go from being actual lovers/spouses IN THE ACTUAL MANGA (as opposed to just in the past) to being friends IN THE ACTUAL MANGA - even if there's some ugliness/confusion between those two phases. And I'm not just talking about a relationship of convenience/circumstance, or something... There should be actual, mutual feelings of love/attraction that then turn into actual, mutual feelings of genuine friendship. Absolutely platonic, non-romantic friendship.

However, if that's not possible, I'll also accept stories in which two people are currently being shown as good friends (or even best friends), but it is made clear that they used to be lovers in the past (possibly through flashbacks, or through them reminiscing/joking about it, or their friends/acquaintances talking about it). But it's made obvious; it's not just implied. I'm not interested in anything on a subtextual/implied level (surprise!).

Let's call the first scenario - on-screen lovers to friends - Scenario A.

And the second one - past lovers to current friends - Scenario B.

When making recommendations, please specify which scenario your rec fits into!

Oh, and - at least ONE of the two characters has to be THE protagonist.

It DOES NOT COUNT if they become lovers again after becoming friends. I'm looking for a one-way street, here...! Only lovers to friends.

Example of what does count: Doushiyoumo Nai Keredo. In the main couple, one of the guys is still good friends with his ex-wife, and their friendship is shown on-screen, even if their past relationship is not. Scenario B.

Another example of what does count: Dear Green: Hitomi no Ounowa. Scenario B. Again, two guys are currently dating, but they're both still very good friends with one of the guys' ex-girlfriends, who eventually finds out about them... and isn't surprised.

Example of what does not count: Kare wa Tomodachi. Why doesn't it count? Because while the current 'friends' definitely used to be lovers - and that particular part of their lives is even shown on-screen (supposedly scenario A), the problem is that one of them still isn't ready to view the other in a purely platonic light, as just friends, and that creates heaps of problems for everybody. Remember that I'm looking for a genuine, mutual friendship at the end of it...

Another example of what does not count: Say I Love You. Again, the male lead is apparently just good friends with the girl he slept with, but she's still in love with him (so far - there are signs that she's moving on, though, which is good!). He thinks of her as just a friend, but she doesn't. So it doesn't count.

Recommend, please!

Last edited by tartufo at 7:30 pm, Jan 26 2011

Kimi wa Pet I'm pretty sure counts for scenario A. (Weak try, I know >>)

I can only think of Marmalade Boy (scenario b, their parents from lovers to friends and stuff) but you've more than probably read it already.

Thanks, drolemil! Lol @ the 'weak try' - no such thing.

@jameh, I appreciate the rec , but the parents aren't the protagonists, and I'm requesting a manga in which at least one of the friends/ex-lovers is the protagonist (I've bolded that part in my thread, now, to catch people's attention!). Thanks, though!

Cat Street (you've probably already read it)
Honeymoon Salad (it's been a while since I read it so not sure)

That's not fully scanlated, I've read up until the most recent scanlated chapter (32 I think) and I've always gotten the feeling that there still exists the chance that they're going to get back together.

You've probably already read it, but After School Nightmare is the only one I can think of now.

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Living Game for scenario B

Tenshi Ja Nai!!

I'll put this as a spoiler just in case, but



So I think it fits, as it's a pretty big part of the manga, even though the description may make it seem like the main girl and the main guy ALWAYS have feelings for each other and don't date anyone else.

Thanks a lot, geometry! I hadn't read Tenshi Ja Nai far enough to know that this was how it went... Obviously, I need to resume reading it immediately!

I think Yasu and Layla/Reira or Hachi and Nobu from Nana
After they broke up.. sorta fix their relationship.
But i think it's a bit painful for Hachi-Nobu to finally accept that they are not lovers anymore
And Shouji (Hachi's 2nd bf.. which made her come to Tokyo)..

Last edited by comel at 9:06 am, Jan 28 2011

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Scenario A - Cappuccino





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Go to work, send your kids to school;
Follow fashion, act normal;
Walk on the pavement, watch T.V.;
Save for retirement, obey the law.
Repeat after me: I am free.

Oh, yeah...! Thanks, Saons!

And comel, too! <3