This is a fun area. It seems that just about everybody loves Hotohori, some in different ways that others, up to and including a drunkard bandit from Tasuki's group that didn't care that he was a man. Hotohori is an incredibly loveable character because (among other things) he's just so damn cute. Granted, during the series we mostly see his lonliness and love for Miaka, but in all those funny comic relief moments, his innocent Hotohori-ness shines through and that is why fangirls and guys alike, as well as most of Konan, love this gentle-hearted emperor. Here I'll go through the different people around him and how they love him or he loves them. Miaka This is pretty obvious. The man spent most of his teenage years dreaming about the day she'd appear and he wasn't disappointed in the least that she turned out to be a bouncy fifteen year old instead of a sophisticated woman. In fact, that probably only made him love her more, since his serious personality really needs somebody as cheerful as Miaka. Unfortunately, the love isn't reciprocated and he suffers much heartbreak on her account. Sigh. The angst. Nuriko Until Nuriko was revealed to be one of the Suzaku Seishi, he was pretty much invisible to Hotohori, despite his intense desire to be with the emperor and to comfort him and despite the fact that s/he was a court "lady". Yes, Nuriko is attracted to Hotohori and crossdresses; deal. It's incredibly sweet how much Nuriko cares for Hotohori. He loves him to the extent of hurting when he sees how lonely His Highness is. Unfortunately for Nuriko, Hotohori sees him only as a friend. Tamahome No, these two aren't in love with eachother, but there's some pretty intense competition for Miaka's affections between them for a while. The thing I find cool is that Hotohori, knowing Miaka loves Tamahome and not him, steps down from the competition so they can be together, and still manages to be friendly with Tamahome and respect him. Houki Houki, a friend of Nuriko's, is the woman Hotohori eventually marries. Whether or not he loved her or just needed an heir to the throne and some comfort, we don't know, but Houki becomes the empress and gives Hotohori a son and heir before he *sniff* dies. back |