Why Is Indirect Kissing So Common in Anime?

Indirect kissing is so common in anime that many fans, particularly viewers of romance anime, will have an image that comes to mind when they hear that term. Whether it’s the hilarious bit from Kaguya-sama where Shinomiya is freaking out about the prospect of an indirect kiss with her crush, or the scene in Your Name where Taki drinks from a container Mitsuha spit in, something about the indirect kiss is inescapable in anime at large. This may seem odd at first glance because even though people won’t generally share germs with strangers, a lot of people share a drink or bite of food from a loved one or friend without much thought. Clearly, there is something more weighty about this in anime and manga.

Although it may seem a strange phenomenon, there is a lot of precedent in media for the indirect kiss being a significant issue. Couples sharing a milkshake, for example, often suggests a seriously romantic atmosphere, as do two people sharing a cigarette. The intimacy is created here by the familiarity the gesture creates. There’s a level of trust involved in putting one's mouth on something that someone else also put their mouth on. Considering this and the fact that indirect kisses are seen as important mostly by teenage characters who are inexperienced with physical affection or romance, it’s easy to see why this gesture is commonplace. It’s a way of expressing affection that takes some of the direct pressure off, while still adding a level of intimacy to character interactions.

One great example of a weighty indirect kiss is the imagery of Himeno and Aki sharing a cigarette in Chainsaw Man. It’s implied multiple times throughout the series that these two have an almost romantic relationship, though their physical contact is rather limited in the grand scheme of the story, especially considering Himeno’s death early on during Season 1.

Himeno convinces Aki to become a smoker at the beginning of their partnership, musing that having an addiction gives one a purpose in life. In this particular scene, Aki quickly overcomes his insistence that he will only smoke this one cigarette, later asking Himeno to share her last one with him. This is such a brilliant moment because it takes a friendship that borders on the intimate and romantic and transforms it with so little obvious physical affection. Aki’s loss of Himeno is also signified by the imagery of smoking later on, where he finds himself unable to enjoy a cigarette after her death. This shows the ways in which sharing even the most indirect closeness can seriously impact a relationship and the people in it.

This obsession is the catalyst for their relationship, and although it is objectively nasty, it’s also an interesting take on what’s usually a more sweet and innocent trope. Considering the general lack of physical contact between the two, the consumption of Urabe’s drool is for Tsubaki akin to kissing or hugging -- just a different, if strange way of connecting physically with her. What this does for the story is undeniably interesting. It makes for a compelling relationship out of something somewhat icky, showing that physical touch can take on many different forms depending on the couple. Although this series is more of an underground classic for obvious reasons, its use of indirect physical contact really makes it stand out in the romance anime subgenre.

The indirect kiss is clearly a significant trope in anime and manga, and it’s not hard to see why. This element of a story allows couples to grow closer and display affection without the stereotypical big kiss or grand declaration of love. Although that doesn’t mean the indirect kiss is superior to those romantic beats, it does showcase its legacy and importance within the medium.