Taiki's Love Life

Image: Ami and Maker. Among other Starlights fans that I've met and talked to online, there generally seems to be a consensus that not one, but two possible love interests exist for Taiki Kou.

The first and most obvious choice is Mizuno Ami. Ami seems to be the only member of the cast who possesses an intellect comparable to Taiki's. Ami is smart enough to compete with him for the top rank in their class. The two engage in a friendly academic competition, which soon expands to encompass their lives outside of high school as well. (Remember the card-playing scene in episode 184, when all of the cast members ended up at Usagi's house and decided to play cards? Taiki and Ami take the game . . . a bit too seriously.)

Although Taiki and Ami both have a lot in common, there are fundamental differences between the two that cause a lot of tension in the early episodes, especially number 177 ("Dreams and Romance Entrusted to the Stars! Taiki's Transformation"). Ami says that dreams and romance are an important part of people's lives, but Taiki scoffs at the idea. Taiki maintains that the world should be broken down into logical, scientific terms. "There's no need for dreams and romance in academics," he tells Ami. Although the two debate over the matter, they do eventually reach some sort of compromise. Taiki admits that dreams and romance are important, but is not willing to put as much faith in them as Ami is.

Taiki and Ami cross paths again after Tin Nyanko wounds Seiya. Ami wants to see Taiki, so she can tell him that it's not Sailor Moon's fault that Seiya got injured. In episode 191 ("When the Butterfly of Light Dances! Premonition of a New Wave"), Ami confronts Taiki and pleads with him not to dismiss Usagi as just another hindrance.

Taiki repeats his belief that it was Usagi's fault that Seiya was hurt. Ami tells Taiki that he doesn't understand his true feelings, and that he isn't saying what he really thinks of Sailor Moon. She says that Seiya only protected Usagi because he cares for her, and that Taiki ought to be able to understand that. "What would you do if someone important to you was in danger?" she asks him.

At that moment, a phage enters the scene and attacks Ami. She transforms into Sailor Mercury, but is quickly overwhelmed by the monster. Taiki watches silently, and then turns and walks away.

Taiki leaves Ami and returns to Seiya and Yaten. Taiki tells them what happened with the phage. Seiya gets angry at Taiki, and runs of to help fight the monster. Chagrined, Taiki pursues Seiya.

The Sailor Starlights enter the scene just as the monster is preparing to finish off Mercury and the Inner Senshi. Suddenly, Starmaker uses her "Star Gentle Uterus" attack and blasts the creature. Given an opening, Sailor Moon finishes the battle.

Afterward, the Three Lights, Ami, and her friends are gathered together. "We still don't completely trust you," Taiki tells Ami. "That's okay, because one day you will believe in us," Ami replies.

Image: Makoto and Taiki. We don't really see any more of Taiki and Ami together until the end of the season. Sailor Mercury performs the ultimate sacrifice by protecting Maker from Sailor Galaxia's attack. As a result, Mercury's starseed is taken and she dies. And yes, that IS Sailor Mercury that jumps in front of Maker. I watched that scene three times over just to make sure.

You may be wondering by now - who is the second possible love interest for Taiki? In all honesty, I wasn't so sure about this choice myself, but some good arguments by my friends convinced me. The second possible romance for Taiki involves Kino Makoto. The two of them did have great chemistry together in the episode where they appeared on a cooking show. And Makoto possesses a gentle, nurturing, and mature demeanor that would go very well with Taiki's personality.

It always important to remember, however, that Taiki could probably never have a romantic relationship with anybody, much less an Earthling, without some sort of explicit permission from Princess Kakyuu. Taiki's heart is devoted first and foremost to Kakyuu, period (albeit probably not in a romantic sense). Judging from his reaction to Seiya's love for Usagi, Taiki is of the opinion that any stirrings of romantic thoughts for anybody constitutes some sort of betrayal to Kakyuu.

Guest Commentary: Taiki and Romance

Lita-chan pointed out something interesting about Ami's and Taiki's respective image songs.

From the last verse of Ami's image song:
When I take a deep breath
It is wondrous
The setting evening sun
Makes the colors of my heart everywhere turn clear

From the first verse of Taiki's image song:

In the rain pouring down on me
Taking shelter without an umbrella
The sunset I had been hoping for
Is ruined by this gray

Ami, the optimist. Taiki, the pessimist. But both exhibit the other's qualities sometimes, too. I thought this was really interesting.

Also, Naia Zifu added more comments.

How can such a perfectly matched couple be so hard to get together? It's obvious Taiki-sama is everything Ami-chan's looking for: She's said she wants someone like Einstein; who else in the show is as smart and good at thinking scientifically as Taiki-sama? She equates love with academic competition; she and Taiki-sama seem to have not just academic competition going, but they seem to enjoy competing in all things. They're both quiet people who love to read and study. Sure, Ami's a lot more naive and innocent, but that's just part of her charm. I see lots of chemistry between them in the series, and I really think they could've had something if not for the mission . . .

Maybe it's just my general aversion to Mako, but I can't see she and Taiki-sama together. Mako seems too much like a normal, boy-crazed, gossipy teen-ager to me, which I think would really start to get on Taiki-sama's nerves after a while. Since Ami's much more sensible than her friends most of the time, I think she's much better for a smart, sophisticated girl like Taiki-sama :-) .

Li Kagiwa adds:

Sometimes, its really hard for me to think that Taiki doesn't have some affection for Usagi. Remember the time that Usagi made Taiki laugh hard enough to make him a freak? Just exaggerating! Anyways, this also gave me the idea - could it also be possible that Taiki wants to separate Usagi from Seiya because he is a bit jealous, that Seiya found his love? And how about him, still gloomy with his single status? Another thing is, he could also be jealous of Usagi because he wanted to share more fun times with her, more than Usagi with Seiya. Though not specified in the anime, no proofs etc, could there be very faint hints, which could trigger the imagination of the fans? Perhaps, in my opinion. On the other hand, Ami likes Taiki. They share something in common, their intelligence and passion for their princess. Could it also be them? Could be, if Taiki trusts the inner senshi and if he can be sure he wouldn�t fall head over heels like Seiya did towards Usagi!

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	Taiki's Love Life Among other Starlights fans that I've met and talked to online, there generally seems to be a consensus that not one, but two possible love interests exist for Taiki Kou. The first and most obvious choice is Mizuno Ami. Ami seems to be the only member of the cast who possesses an intellect comparable to Taiki's. Ami is smart enough to compete with him for the top rank in their class. The two engage in a friendly academic competition, which soon expands to encompass their lives outside of high school as well. (Remember the card-playing scene in episode 184, when all of the cast members ended up at Usagi's house and decided to play cards? Taiki and Ami take the game . . . a bit too seriously.) Although Taiki and Ami both have a lot in common, there are fundamental differences between the two that cause a lot of tension in the early episodes, especially number 177 ("Dreams and Romance Entrusted to the Stars! Taiki's Transformation"). Ami says that dreams and romance are an important part of people's lives, but Taiki scoffs at the idea. Taiki maintains that the world should be broken down into logical, scientific terms. "There's no need for dreams and romance in academics," he tells Ami. Although the two debate over the matter, they do eventually reach some sort of compromise. Taiki admits that dreams and romance are important, but is not willing to put as much faith in them as Ami is. Taiki and Ami cross paths again after Tin Nyanko wounds Seiya. Ami wants to see Taiki, so she can tell him that it's not Sailor Moon's fault that Seiya got injured. In episode 191 ("When the Butterfly of Light Dances! Premonition of a New Wave"), Ami confronts Taiki and pleads with him not to dismiss Usagi as just another hindrance. Taiki repeats his belief that it was Usagi's fault that Seiya was hurt. Ami tells Taiki that he doesn't understand his true feelings, and that he isn't saying what he really thinks of Sailor Moon. She says that Seiya only protected Usagi because he cares for her, and that Taiki ought to be able to understand that. "What would you do if someone important to you was in danger?" she asks him. At that moment, a phage enters the scene and attacks Ami. She transforms into Sailor Mercury, but is quickly overwhelmed by the monster. Taiki watches silently, and then turns and walks away. Taiki leaves Ami and returns to Seiya and Yaten. Taiki tells them what happened with the phage. Seiya gets angry at Taiki, and runs of to help fight the monster. Chagrined, Taiki pursues Seiya. The Sailor Starlights enter the scene just as the monster is preparing to finish off Mercury and the Inner Senshi. Suddenly, Starmaker uses her "Star Gentle Uterus" attack and blasts the creature. Given an opening, Sailor Moon finishes the battle. Afterward, the Three Lights, Ami, and her friends are gathered together. "We still don't completely trust you," Taiki tells Ami. "That's okay, because one day you will believe in us," Ami replies. We don't really see any more of Taiki and Ami together until the end of the season. Sailor Mercury performs the ultimate sacrifice by protecting Maker from Sailor Galaxia's attack. As a result, Mercury's starseed is taken and she dies. And yes, that IS Sailor Mercury that jumps in front of Maker. I watched that scene three times over just to make sure. You may be wondering by now - who is the second possible love interest for Taiki? In all honesty, I wasn't so sure about this choice myself, but some good arguments by my friends convinced me. The second possible romance for Taiki involves Kino Makoto. The two of them did have great chemistry together in the episode where they appeared on a cooking show. And Makoto possesses a gentle, nurturing, and mature demeanor that would go very well with Taiki's personality. It always important to remember, however, that Taiki could probably never have a romantic relationship with anybody, much less an Earthling, without some sort of explicit permission from Princess Kakyuu. Taiki's heart is devoted first and foremost to Kakyuu, period (albeit probably not in a romantic sense). Judging from his reaction to Seiya's love for Usagi, Taiki is of the opinion that any stirrings of romantic thoughts for anybody constitutes some sort of betrayal to Kakyuu. Guest Commentary: Taiki and Romance Lita-chan pointed out something interesting about Ami's and Taiki's respective image songs. From the last verse of Ami's image song: When I take a deep breath It is wondrous The setting evening sun Makes the colors of my heart everywhere turn clear From the first verse of Taiki's image song: In the rain pouring down on me Taking shelter without an umbrella The sunset I had been hoping for Is ruined by this gray Ami, the optimist. Taiki, the pessimist. But both exhibit the other's qualities sometimes, too. I thought this was really interesting. Also, Naia Zifu added more comments. How can such a perfectly matched couple be so hard to get together? It's obvious Taiki-sama is everything Ami-chan's looking for: She's said she wants someone like Einstein; who else in the show is as smart and good at thinking scientifically as Taiki-sama? She equates love with academic competition; she and Taiki-sama seem to have not just academic competition going, but they seem to enjoy competing in all things. They're both quiet people who love to read and study. Sure, Ami's a lot more naive and innocent, but that's just part of her charm. I see lots of chemistry between them in the series, and I really think they could've had something if not for the mission . . . Maybe it's just my general aversion to Mako, but I can't see she and Taiki-sama together. Mako seems too much like a normal, boy-crazed, gossipy teen-ager to me, which I think would really start to get on Taiki-sama's nerves after a while. Since Ami's much more sensible than her friends most of the time, I think she's much better for a smart, sophisticated girl like Taiki-sama :-) . Li Kagiwa adds: Sometimes, its really hard for me to think that Taiki doesn't have some affection for Usagi. Remember the time that Usagi made Taiki laugh hard enough to make him a freak? Just exaggerating! Anyways, this also gave me the idea - could it also be possible that Taiki wants to separate Usagi from Seiya because he is a bit jealous, that Seiya found his love? And how about him, still gloomy with his single status? Another thing is, he could also be jealous of Usagi because he wanted to share more fun times with her, more than Usagi with Seiya. Though not specified in the anime, no proofs etc, could there be very faint hints, which could trigger the imagination of the fans? Perhaps, in my opinion. On the other hand, Ami likes Taiki. They share something in common, their intelligence and passion for their princess. Could it also be them? Could be, if Taiki trusts the inner senshi and if he can be sure he wouldn�t fall head over heels like Seiya did towards Usagi! << Return to Melody \| Main Index >>		Melody: Info Main Index The Mission Seiya Kou Taiki Kou Yaten Kou Items Powers Kakyuu-hime The Truth Mother Planet Kinmoku Pun Music Listing Discography Materials Fuku Study Seiyuu International Articles Seiya and Usagi Taiki's Love Yaten's Love Taiki x Yaten Seiya v. Haruka Others Manga Synopsis Quotables Commentary English Manga Mixx Nitpicks Mythology Astronomy Shinto Hindu Zodiac Blood Type Roses Names Birth Stones