Ask John: What Anime Character Would John Marry?

Question:
what anime character would you like to marry?

Answer:
A few years ago I composed an “Ask John” article to answer the question of which anime girl I’d most like to date. I answered GE999’s Maetel. Which character I’d like to marry is a tougher question because a lifetime commitment requires a fairly thorough familiarity with the potential partner’s personality. (While it’s true that plenty of people marry without thorough familiarity of their spouse’s personality, America also has a very high divorce rate.) I’m sure that we all know that the way a person is now may not be the way that same person is in ten or twenty years. Mikuru Asahina seems to be a popular prospect among Japanese fans, and the Suzumiya Haruhi anime does provide a glimpse of Mikuru’s personality as a teen and as an adult. But that glimpse clearly illustrates that Mikuru’s personality changes as she matures. So the superficial traits that may be attractive now can’t be trusted to base a lifetime relationship on. The Lucky Star girls are also especially popular prospective mates. While I adore Konata’s otaku tendencies, I can’t be certain that be a responsible equal partner in the trials that naturally arise from a lifelong marriage commitment. Kagami is an adorable character, but in the relatively short time that viewers get to spend with her, there’s no way to tell if her mood swings and tendency toward critical nit-picking will level out or become more pronounced and prickly.

I may be getting a bit obscure with my selections, but they are honestly those which come to mind. Knowing my own personality, Patlabor’s Kanuka Clancy seems like a possible match for me because she’s very pragmatic, responsible, and level-headed. At the same time, she’s resilient and adaptable enough to fit in with the oddballs of SVC-2. Although the Patlabor anime never illustrates Kanuka “loosening up,” I’ve always had the impression that she’s capable of comfortably being both serious and businesslike, and relaxed, feminine, and even sexy when she chooses to be. Kanuka seems like a mature woman who’s capable of being a committed and passionate wife, lover, and even mother.

Since watching the Chikyu Bouei Kazoku (Earth Defense Family) TV series back in 2001 I’ve considered Seiko Daichi one of anime’s most sexy and believable mothers. She’s physically attractive; she’s clearly an effective mother; and she’s obviously a woman that evaluates character and personality before superficial appearances. Saiko is neither an idealized wife nor perfect wife; she’s a realistic, modern adult woman that feels devotion to her family and job, but hasn’t entirely lost her girlish spirit of fun and adventure. She seems like a woman that any man could comfortably and happily live with through good and bad times.

Belldandy of Ah! My Goddess and Onegai Teacher’s Mizuho Kazami seem like obvious and too easy candidates.

Finally, if my answer is a bit too serious and rational, a slightly more “fun” spousal selection would be Nogizaka Haruka because she’s cute and demure; she loves moe anime; and she’s rich.