Why do Childhood Friend Never Win?

What is the childhood friend trope in anime?

The Childhood friend trope is a popular narrative used in many romance anime where the protagonist has a childhood best friend who harbors romantic feelings towards him/her.

The childhood friend cliche builds suspense and drama, immersing viewers into the storyline.

Every cliché about childhood friends has a tragic conclusion in which the protagonist’s current romantic interest triumphs over the childhood.

But why does every trope about childhood friends finish in such a depressing way? That’s what we’ll discuss presently.

Featuring from the ‘Childhood Friend vs New Girl‘ Saga

4 Reasons Why does the childhood friend never win?

Previously on the saga

7 Disappointing Anime where the Childhood Friend Loses

1. They Realize their feelings way too late

The childhood friend never succeeds because they realize their true feelings too late.

The main character and the childhood friend grow up together, enjoying each other’s company and spending most of their time together.

Despite their shared history, the childhood friend only recognizes their true feelings for the protagonist when a new romantic interest appears comes into the picture.

The new romantic interest triggers jealousy in the childhood friend, making them realize they loved the protagonist all along.

But it’s too late; the protagonist now has developed feelings for the new romantic interest, leaving the childhood friend with a bitter ending.

2. Distance grows them apart

The biggest plot hole in the childhood friend cliché is the separation that occurs when they are kids.

As they grow apart, their feelings for each other fade.

For example, in the anime Fuuka, childhood sweethearts Yuu and Hinashi fell victim to this curse.

Hinashi loved Yuu, and Yuu loved her back. However, when Hinashi moved away to pursue music, the distance weakened their bond.

When they finally reunite, Hinashi still loves Yuu, but Yuu has fallen for his new love interest, Fuuka.

3. Someone better comes along the way

One of the reasons for the downfall of the romantic pursuits of the childhood friend is love triangles.

Because the protagonist and his childhood friend are oblivious to each other’s feelings, the introduction of a new romantic interest floods the protagonist’s heart with excitement.

Reasons why the protagonist falls for the new girl

The new girl might be more beautiful than her childhood friend
The new girl might not be bossy like her childhood friend
The protagonist might idealize the new girl, seeing her as a perfect match, while taking the childhood friend for granted
The new girl may have romantic feelings for the protagonist, unlike her childhood best friend

4. Friends to lovers is no easy task

Indeed, transitioning from friends to lovers can be a complex and challenging journey. One person may dread rejection or misinterpret signals, resulting in awkwardness or shame.

Trying to transition from friends to lovers can be difficult since it causes them to second-guess their actions because if things don’t work out, it may jeopardize their cherished friendship. This dilemma often stops childhood friend to courageous enough to ask out their best friend.