Comparison: Taki Kozaki v. Genji Higashiyama
I saw A LOT of comparisons of Genji to Taki but these boys are very different the most obvious common ground is they are their MC’s high school girlfriend and both of their MC’s are divorced. I happened to read nearly all of Genji’s stories and some of Taki’s. I’ve written comparisons of them. Major spoilers ahead. Due to the limitation on screenshots, I did not post many.
Similarities:
They live with the MC before marriage (Genji’s main story and Taki’s main story)
Both of them are rich (presumably) Genji’s a goal keeper and Taki is a real estate tycoon.
The boys are close in age to their MC. (Taki is one year his MC’s senior) and I believe the IYAT MC was in the same graduating class as Genji.
Both get injured during the main story, Taki shields a child from a falling champagne tower. Genji gets compound fractures.
Both of them have younger sprites and in both cases do not wear earrings (I say this because some other high school charaters produced by Voltage wear earrings)
Both have played sports (though Taki didn’t make his the profession) Genji is a goal keeper and Taki was a swimmer.
(So far) We have no sub-stories for either of the boys in which a clear explanation of their high school relationship came to be and ended.
Differences:
Taki interacts with MC’s ex-husband in his main story. Genji does not interact with Koichi (IYAT MC’s ex-husband) in his main story.
Taki doesn’t really know the MC’s best friend. Genji knows many of his MC’s friends from their alma mater
Taki’s MC is employed under him, Genji’s MC is an aspiring interior designer (although he does hire MC to design his interior)
After living with their respective MC’s Genji’s is the only one that moves out. Taki’s MC is a live-in maid.
Taki has a pet: Sydney!
Genji is reunited with the MC at a high school reunion 13 years after they broke up. Taki sees MC at a party after 10 years
Taki’s MC does not initially recognize him and Taki resents her (initially). Genji’s MC does recognize her and tries to flirt with her briefly. As for the MC, the IYAT MC recognizes Genji and in KOP she doesn’t recognize him.
Taki’s birthday is celebrated in his app (Main Story) and Genji’s isn’t (as far as I know).
Genji and his MC had a proper breakup and additionally, the MC agreed to wait for him. Taki walked out on his MC.
Taki’s MC poses as a fake fiancé, Genji’s cohabitation with MC leads him to issuing a statement - denying that the two are a couple. Genji does not build a relationship for his own benefit. Taki eventually does issue a press conference pertaining to his relationship with his MC
When Taki kisses MC (for the first time since they broke up) she doesn’t reject it. As for Genji, he kisses MC in a drunken state and MC slaps him.
Genji appears to hit a breaking point during his main story because of his injury. The majority of Taki’s route he supports his MC.
In other characters’ routes Genji does flirt with MC regardless of her being in a relationship (I think he brings her a bouquet of flowers in Koichi’s main story). As for Taki I believe he asks MC if she’s happy with Kiyohito.
Genji has an older brother - Soiji (who actually has a route) and I believe Taki is an only child.
My Analysis:
Taki: Taki is a self-confident man. He’s very decisive and has a tendency to be a little stoic. He initially has a cold exterior in which he believes money can solve problems and this upsets the MC. Once they get past that hurdle Taki gives through reason and comforting as to why MC’s divorce wasn’t her fault. He’s a good listener and he supports his MC. He’s a little introverted and kinda quiet.
Genji: when Genji comforts MC about her divorce his approach to it is “everyone has their highs and lows” he’s not the best listener and he tries to pitch in when it counts (which usually fails). Just like Taki he initially believes material items can solve his problems (by showering the MC with gifts). He has very good intentions but his execution (especially in his sequel) comes off as uncaring and self-centered. He’s a little extroverted and overconfident. I think his story focuses less on recovering from the divorce.
Conclusion: The main difference between Taki and Genji is that Genji and MC support each other as they go through a hard time. The compound fractures of Genji’s significantly impact his main story. The champagne tower falling on Taki does not influence the plot so significantly. Taki comforts his MC and with that being said I think she falls a little short in terms of strength. I think once both of the men become close to their respective MCs they value the little things
