Grand Blue – Who Will Kitahara End Up With?

Romantic subplots in comedy anime often spark endless debates among fans, and Grand Blue is no exception. Beneath its wild humor, absurd drinking contests, and the constant chaos of college life, there’s a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) undercurrent of romance — or at least the potential for it. At the heart of that conversation is one big question: Who will Iori Kitahara end up with?

Iori Kitahara is not your typical romance protagonist. From the moment he steps into the seaside town of Izu for his university life, his grand dreams of a picture-perfect college experience get thrown into the deep end — literally — when he’s dragged into the world of diving… and relentless partying. The series is a hilarious whirlwind of alcohol-fueled chaos, embarrassing dares, and bizarre friendships, but tucked away in the madness are moments that hint at deeper emotional connections.

The Candidates – Who Are the Potential Love Interests?

1. Chisa Kotegawa – The Most Likely Choice

When most fans think about Iori’s possible romantic partner, Chisa Kotegawa immediately comes to mind. She’s the first female lead introduced, and her dynamic with Iori develops naturally throughout the series. Their relationship begins with friction — Chisa isn’t exactly thrilled with Iori’s shameless antics — but over time, she sees beyond his wild side.

• Why Chisa is the frontrunner:
  • The story positions her as the primary female lead.
  • She shares a genuine hobby with Iori: diving.
  • The series sprinkles hints of mutual care and admiration despite the comedy-driven misunderstandings.
• Challenges to this pairing:
  • Chisa’s feelings are rarely made explicit. While there are moments of jealousy and blushes, she’s not openly romantic toward Iori.
  • Much of their relationship is comedic, and Grand Blue thrives on avoiding direct romantic progression for the sake of humor.

2. Azusa Himekawa – The Wild Card

Azusa is outgoing, confident, and a bit of a free spirit. She flirts with Iori often, sometimes just to tease him, other times in ways that could be interpreted as genuine affection.

• Why Azusa could be a contender:
  • She openly compliments Iori, sometimes more than Chisa does.
  • Their banter feels natural, and she’s not shy about pushing boundaries.
  • She’s a wild, unpredictable character who matches Iori’s chaotic energy.
• Challenges to this pairing:
  • Most of her flirtation seems more playful than serious.
  • She enjoys stirring the pot rather than pursuing a straightforward relationship.
  • There’s no major romantic subplot between them in the manga so far.

3. Other Possibilities – But Unlikely

While a few other female characters interact with Iori, most are either played for comedic effect or exist outside the main romantic narrative. Given Grand Blue’s focus on humor and slice-of-life antics, the odds of a surprise romance with a side character are slim.

Manga vs. Anime – Does the Source Material Give Us Clues?

The anime adaptation of Grand Blue covers only part of the manga, which is still ongoing. In the manga, Iori’s relationship with Chisa gets a bit more development, though not in the traditional romance anime sense. Instead of dramatic love confessions, we get more shared moments, subtle jealousy, and hints that their bond is growing.

However, Grand Blue’s creator, Kenji Inoue, has made it clear that comedy comes first. The romance is secondary — if not tertiary — to the humor, and much of the joy comes from watching relationships evolve organically rather than being pushed into romantic territory.

That being said, manga readers often point out that Chisa’s reactions to Iori have shifted over time. While she’s still quick to scold him, there’s a noticeable warmth and acceptance of his antics compared to their first interactions.

The Case for Chisa Kotegawa

When analyzing Grand Blue from a storytelling perspective, Chisa is positioned as the endgame pairing for Iori. Romantic comedy tropes often follow certain patterns:

• The First Girl Rule – In many romantic comedies, the first female character introduced with significant screen time ends up being the main love interest.
• Mutual Growth – Iori and Chisa both learn from each other. Iori becomes more serious about diving, while Chisa loosens up and participates in more lighthearted moments.
• Teasing as Foreshadowing – Their comedic misunderstandings, though often ridiculous, are classic markers of a slow-burn romance.

While the manga hasn’t explicitly confirmed anything, these narrative elements strongly point toward Chisa as the likely person Iori will end up with.

Why the Romance Moves So Slowly

Fans who are used to romance anime with faster development may find Grand Blue frustrating when it comes to romantic progress. But this pacing is deliberate:

1. Comedy Priority – The central charm of Grand Blue lies in its over-the-top humor. A full-blown romance would shift the tone and pacing.
2. Long-Term Payoff – By keeping romance subtle, the series can extend the will-they-won’t-they tension for maximum engagement.
3. Realistic University Life Vibes – Not every college romance moves quickly, and Grand Blue reflects a more natural, sometimes chaotic approach to relationships.

Fandom Speculation and Popular Opinion

On forums like Reddit and MyAnimeList, fan polls overwhelmingly favor Chisa as Iori’s endgame partner. Instagram fan pages often share panels and moments from the manga that hint at romantic progress, and YouTube breakdowns frequently compile Chisa x Iori scenes as evidence.

However, there’s still a strong subset of fans who enjoy Azusa’s chaotic chemistry with Iori and argue that her unpredictability makes for a more entertaining pairing. This split in the fandom ensures that the romance debate will stay alive until the manga makes things official.

What to Expect in the Future

If the manga continues its current trajectory, fans can expect:

• More Subtle Development – Small, almost throwaway moments that show Chisa warming up to Iori.
• Jealousy Episodes – Situations where one of them reacts to perceived romantic competition.
• Gradual Confession Setup – The series may eventually build to a heartfelt confession, but only after much comedic deflection.

Given Kenji Inoue’s writing style, the actual moment of romantic resolution may happen near the end of the series — or as a final punchline in true Grand Blue fashion.

Final Thoughts – Who Will Kitahara End Up With?

While nothing is set in stone, the overwhelming evidence from both storytelling patterns and fan analysis points toward Chisa Kotegawa as the person Iori Kitahara will end up with. Their shared passion for diving, mutual respect beneath the comedic insults, and steady development over time make them the strongest pairing candidate.

That said, Grand Blue thrives on unpredictability. Kenji Inoue could easily flip the script for one final laugh. Until then, fans will keep scouring every chapter for hints, enjoying the hilarious ride along the way.

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