Two People, One Family, One Facebook Page?

Among the many things I found interesting about Sword Art Online, I found the marriage concept interesting. Players who got married in the game gained access to their spouses weaponry; they shared useful items in the game.

Anti-climactic, I know. How is that any different than couples sharing assets in real life? That's what I found interesting! The game was surprisingly realistic in that way. The idea of people joining together not only in real life but in their virtual lives is interesting.

I recently came across a Mashable article about people combining their virtual worlds - not through online games - through social media. It's apparently a growing trend for couples to blog together, have joint Instagram accounts, etc. However, some people are not so open to that concept.

No one wants to be Scumbag Steve and Stacy...

Personally, I have mixed feelings about this. 

On the one hand, it's kind of sweet that couples want to share a typically private part of their lives with each other. (I mean, they do that in every other form of life, right?) Also, as a friend of newlyweds, a joint social network is a great way of watching a real-life love story unfold.

On the other hand, it is a little creepy. Perhaps it's unsettling because it is so uncommon, but the idea of a joint social network sounds like a couple smothering each other. It's a subtle sign that these two individuals no long exist; there is only "the couple". It's disconcerting to friends who were there before "the couple" existed.

How much do you want to bet DJ Jazzy Jeff doesn't hang around as much anymore?

What's the proper etiquette for this? Is it too soon to join accounts if you're not married? If the relationship doesn't work out, what happens then? Is it something to put in a prenup? This is far too complicated for me.

Social media is an extension of yourself, of sorts. It often represents the way you want others to see you. (Whether accurate or not.) I suppose sharing an online medium with a romantic partner is a way of publicizing the way you want others to perceive your relationship... No different than being in a public space in the real world...

What do you think? Should couples share social networks?

Share your thoughts on Facebook.  

Demons Do It Better

Aside from Toonami back in the day, I'd have to say InuYasha was the show that got me into anime. The story of a girl and a demi-dog-demon falling in love in search of sacred jewel shards and peace from the evil Naraku somehow spoke to me.

What made InuYasha such a great love story was InuYasha himself. Unlike many anime men (Tenchi, Goku, Tomoya, etc.), InuYasha is not generally kind. Instead, his demeanor can be rude, apathetic, and harsh. After all, he originally wants to use the sacred jewel to become a full demon...

This hard outer-shell makes it that much sweeter when his true feelings for Kagome begin to surface.

This is a pattern when it comes to my favorite anime romances. The romances I can watch over and over all involve a couple who have to discover that they are capable of love before jumping into a relationship.

Example?

Take the classic Dragonball Z rivalry: Goku vs. Vegeta! Although Goku had to learn what women were first, he knew what love was and that he was capable of it...

Vegeta, however, was more focused on physical strength and pride to even fathom an insignificant thing like falling in love. Likewise, everyone around him knew him to be a pig-headed, arrogant jerk, so no one saw love as an option for him either. But Bulma was able to open his eyes a little so that he could "see what life had to offer him."

She had him at "Hey, Homeboy!"

This character development is irresistible in romantic anime relationships because it is a sign of hope. It says: Even the biggest jerks in the universe are capable of love. I'm not sure how good of a message that is, but... it is certainly entertaining!

Lately, I've been hooked on the fairly new anime Kamisama Kiss (Kamisama Hajimemashita). Similar to InuYasha in a lot of ways, the story follows a young girl named Nanami as she goes through life as the newest land god. Along the way, she builds romantic feelings for her familiar, Tomoe - a fox yōkai who must obey her every command.

Now that's how you seal a contract!

The two get off to a rough start, but things change and it's fun to watch the development. If you like InuYasha, you will love this show! 

It sounds strange, but those slow-burning, twisted romances are the best. Sure, guys who are looking for love are great, too. (And by no means do I think rudeness is a way to a woman's heart.) However, there is value to keeping your heart off your sleeve! Only allow those one-of-a-kind girls into your heart, and hold onto them!

"The Female species...such an enigma!" - Vegeta