“Are they girl friends or are they girlfriends?” is one of the age-long questions that seems to have no easy answer. While conveying or decoding subtle relationship dynamics in drawings can be tricky at times, studying each element can make the whole experience more fun and immersive. Hand placements, age, and the focus of the characters’ gazes can all serve as clues to the nature of their relationship, as well as the setting of the illustration. Of course, not every relationship is strictly platonic, familial, or romantic, and that ambiguity can sometimes add to the story’s depth and intrigue.

If you’re looking for more inspiration on how to draw two people together, perhaps this feature can inspire you!

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Enjoy these beautiful drawings of twins!

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Elias Ainsworth and Chise Hatori (from The Ancient Magus' Bride) have a relationship that has grown from seemingly impossible circumstances.

Have any of the creatively matched pairs below warmed your heart?  

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While dates are typically known as romantic outings between two lovers or soon-to-be lovers, it's not uncommon these days for it to describe a planned outing between friends. It can be heartwarming to see a seemingly well-suited couple at events like summer festivals, the local shopping mall, or even just casually strolling through town.

Have any of the cute couples below given you any ideas for your next date?

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Sometimes the romantic kiss scenes of our favorite movies or shows can be the most exciting part, don't you think? After spending time watching these characters grow to appreciate each other and find not only common ground but a shared romantic spark, it's only natural to want to see them seal things with a kiss.

The moment between Howl and Sophie (from Howl's Moving Castle) was poignant because it was her kiss that helped Howl come back to himself.

Do you find yourself gushing at any of the kiss scenes depicted below?

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There are so many ways to show someone you care. Perhaps one of the simplest is to take them by the hand. Whether it’s best friends happily clasping hands as they take a stroll, taking the hand of a loved one as you quietly watch the sunset, or joining hands with your special someone on a date, this casual gesture is one of the best ways to make your bond visible to the world.

The bond between Madoka and Homura (from Puella Magi Madoka Magica), who’ve been through hell and back for each other, is abundantly clear.

Is there a pair of characters below with a bond that outshines the others?

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Loyalty and faithfulness are highly valued traits in Japan, so characters who are fiercely loyal to those they serve are quite common in Japanese media. Maybe they’re a knight dedicated to protecting their princess, or perhaps they’re a bodyguard to a member of the nobility.

Kokushibo is Muzan Kibutsuji’s (from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) dedicated Upper Rank One among the Twelve Kizuki. Do you recognize any of the other characters below?

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There’s something intensely affectionate about staring into someone else’s eyes, especially when you’re super close together. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic moment, although it can definitely get your heart pounding when your crush’s forehead is practically touching yours…

What do you think about the scenes featured below?

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There are many different reasons why you’d want to hug another person. The mass media typically depicts passionate romantic embraces, but it’s not uncommon to spot characters comforting one another or hugging someone they’ve missed quite dearly. Gold Ship is clearly just teasing Mejiro McQueen (from Uma Musume Pretty Derby).

Of the illustrations below, which do you think is the best depiction of an embrace? 

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Piggyback rides are the easiest way to carry another person. Parents might give their children a ride, and older siblings might carry the younger ones. Sometimes a friend might even do the lifting! It highlights a level of intimacy between the two individuals, as it can be symbolic of taking on the burden of another.

As such, there’s plenty of art on pixiv featuring this! Minato Namikaze carrying his son Naruto with his partner Kushina (all from Naruto) is certainly a hit in the feels...

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Humans aren’t really made to go forth in this world alone. You need a companion at your side to get through the trials and tribulations of life. They might be someone of romantic or professional interest, or they might just be the best animal buddy ever.

Ash and Pikachu (from Pokémon) are probably one of the most iconic duos in anime, but do you recognize the other partners below?

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While family relationships can vary drastically depending on culture and circumstances, siblings often have a special bond. Older brothers looking out for their little sisters is commonplace in anime — as is its counterpart, “teasing”. You’ve definitely heard the inevitable “onii-san!” when watching an anime featuring any of the siblings below.

The Kinomoto siblings (from Card Captor Sakura) are two iconic characters from the 1990s, and Gyutaro and Daki (from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) are just adorable in the illustration below! Do you recognize any of the other brothers and sisters pictured here?

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Forehead kisses are one of the iconic ways to show you care. They can be purely platonic, like between good friends, or even a way of showing parental love. In romantic situations, they almost seem to hold an extra layer of meaning, since a forehead kiss seems so much purer.

It’s easy to cheer for Usagi (from Sailor Moon) getting a forehead kiss from her love, but what sort of relationship do you think the other illustrations feature?

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Whether it’s a height difference between siblings, lovers, or even past selves, the contrast is always quite noticeable in illustration. But that’s the appeal, isn’t it?

Ed and Al (from Fullmetal Alchemist) have one of the most iconic height differences in anime, and the difference in Hawks (from My Hero Academia) shows his growth as a hero. How do the other contrasts below make you feel?

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Agokui (顎クイ, lit. "gently lifting a chin") is a pose in which one lightly tilts up another's chin with a finger, bringing the pair closer through eye contact. It's an embarrassingly cliché pose, but the more attractive your partner, the more it's likely to make you go doki-doki.

See for yourself which of these illustrations makes your heart skip a beat or two!

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Take a look at the cute artwork we're featuring in this article; feeling sleepy already?

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Shoulder rides are most common among young children and their parents or older siblings as a means of carrying them when they’re tired. However, it’s not uncommon for adolescents to try carrying people this way, and it can even be a cute way couples show their affection.

Have you ever carried someone on your shoulders like Gold Ship (from Uma Musume Pretty Derby)?

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In East Asian mythology, it’s believed that people are bound to their true love by a red thread that connects them even before they meet. Regardless of whether or not that's true, it can be fun to imagine just who might be waiting for you…

Just who do you think is at the end of the thread in the works below?

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In Japanese, two people intertwining their fingers while holding hands is called 恋人つなぎ (koibito tsunagi, lit. “lover’s connection”). When characters are drawn in this pose, it can show how close they are.

From the illustrations below, which characters holding hands look the cutest?

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First dates (and maybe second, third, and tenth dates) with your crush are always a nerve-wracking experience. At the same time, there’s a giddy excitement. It’s not just the date itself that’s fun, it’s all the time spent planning and making decisions down to what you’ll be wearing.

Which of the illustrations below captures the theme “date” the best? 

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