• not cliche character-wise, or cliche pairing
• doesn't necessarily have to be very diff
• nothing too sexual nor a lot of girls made to appear sexy (short clothes, big breasts, etc). I don't mind few characters like that
• not fantasy / historical, not cartoon-like behavior (e.g: Nodame Cantabile), not very dramatic

e.g.

1. Haru x Kiyo (tho disappointed that the happenings became cliche) - abt very tall girl, and a goal-oriented high achiever guy who doesn't like wasting his time (a bit rudely turns down confessions). male mc has a bit charact development

2. Hibi chouchou - I don't like this. She's just pretty, I find it as a really shallow basis for romance. Don't like her character too, I only like the male lead

3. Wotakoi - female mc is hiding her being an 'otaku'. manga is too random, but the anime has 'more story' bc their relationship development is quite focused

4. Hirunaka no Ryuusei - imo male mc has diff 'persona' (acts differently - professional, casual)

5. Tsubaki-chou - bottom-line, they were both just lonely people due to some circumstances. May sound like a drama manga, but it's not

Others: My Little Monster, Kimi ni Todoke (tho male mc is cliche)