I honestly can't picture a single romance novel or story like this...

[ThatchYena]

I see a lot of human X non-human romance novels and stories floating around. Stories about humans romancing vampires, werewolves, mermaids, even dragons and such.

However, are there any stories out there where a human has fallen for a cartoon character? I'm talking about a setting similar to Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Bonkers or Toontown where humans co-exist with fictional cartoon characters who have been given life.

It doesn't have to be a copyrighted character, it could be a fully original cartoon love interest who sweeps the protagonist off their feet and does all sorts of Looney Tunes style gags involving pulling objects out of thin air, relying on rule of funny and surviving TNT explosions and anvils to the head.

Bonus points if the romance novel is gay/MLM. (Example: Roger Rabbit dating Eddie Valiant instead of Jessica Rabbit or Lucky Piquel X Bonkers).

I'm aware of the movie Cool World but I'm looking for something a bit more wholesome and whimsical and a lot less femme fatale love interest. I'd just love to see a story of a human romancing a quirky, wisecracking reality-warping yet friendly cartoon animal that may or may not wear large white gloves who would drop an anvil on the head of anyone who dares harm their human lover in like a protective yet toony fashion.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

It's really hard to even think about how that would go, because you'd have to write how a cartoon character feels against your skin, or the way they would kiss, or make out, and eventually have sex.

It would take a genius writer to be able to properly illustrate, in words, how to write a romance between a human and a character of the two-dimensional world. I mean, you COULD, but you'd basically have to re-write the laws of physics, of materials and elements, you'd basically have to re-write a whole different universe. And think about questions like "how does a cartoon character feel against skin?" "How does it taste?" (most likely, inky and acidic, and would be really bitter to kiss, frankly.), "how do they move?", etc. etc. etc.

I mean, one could go CRAZY writing something like that, and it would make a hell of a challenge. *^^*

 

[ThatchYena]

It's really hard to even think about how that would go, because you'd have to write how a cartoon character feels against your skin, or the way they would kiss, or make out, and eventually have sex.

It would take a genius writer to be able to properly illustrate, in words, how to write a romance between a human and a character of the two-dimensional world. I mean, you COULD, but you'd basically have to re-write the laws of physics, of materials and elements, you'd basically have to re-write a whole different universe. And think about questions like "how does a cartoon character feel against skin?" "How does it taste?" (most likely, inky and acidic, and would be really bitter to kiss, frankly.), "how do they move?", etc. etc. etc.

I mean, one could go CRAZY writing something like that, and it would make a hell of a challenge. *^^*

I guess it would all depend on the lore of toons in the universe of the story that explains how it would feel to physically make out with a classic squash and stretch style cartoon character. It's worth remembering that toons come in all shapes and sizes. Some are humanoid, some are anthropomorphic animals, some are even inanimate objects with faces that talk like the Brave Little Toaster. So some toons have fur and probably feel soft while others are made out of hard things like concrete or metal.

Maybe when toons are initially made, they are born from ink but start taking on physical features of whatever thing they are drawn to be like getting fur, scales, skin, etc.

Basically, dating an average toon would be a lot like dating a powerful indestructible trickster God who most likely has shapeshifting powers (Wild takes for example) for comic effect.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

I guess it would all depend on the lore of toons in the universe of the story that explains how it would feel to physically make out with a classic squash and stretch style cartoon character. It's worth remembering that toons come in all shapes and sizes. Some are humanoid, some are anthropomorphic animals, some are even inanimate objects with faces that talk like the Brave Little Toaster. So some toons have fur and probably feel soft while others are made out of hard things like concrete or metal.

Maybe when toons are initially made, they are born from ink but start taking on physical features of whatever thing they are drawn to be like getting fur, scales, skin, etc.

Basically, dating an average toon would be a lot like dating a powerful indestructible trickster God who most likely has shapeshifting powers (Wild takes for example) for comic effect.

Like I said, we're talking about someone with a pure genius level and with a creativity factor of 11 being able to write something like that and actually make it believable as a real romance story. I certainly can't do it. It's not about my level of intelligence or creativity - I'm just not that creative. I can't imagine what it would be like, and if I can't imagine it, I can't write it. *^^*

PAPER. Toons would feel like paper, obviously, because every toon is born from paper.

Hmm. Maybe I could write something like this.

 

[ThatchYena]

Like I said, we're talking about someone with a pure genius level and with a creativity factor of 11 being able to write something like that and actually make it believable as a real romance story. I certainly can't do it. It's not about my level of intelligence or creativity - I'm just not that creative. I can't imagine what it would be like, and if I can't imagine it, I can't write it. *^^*

PAPER. Toons would feel like paper, obviously, because every toon is born from paper.

Hmm. Maybe I could write something like this.

It's worth noting that not all toons would be paper. More modern cartoon characters are either CGI or created on computers using digital software. Maybe older toon characters from the hand-drawn era days would be made of paper. Toons could also be treated as ink golems of some sort. Possibly synthetic beings with synthetic bodily fluids like blood, sweat and tears. Personally, I think I'd go with a synthetic life form route over a paper one given the different types of media toons can spawn from.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

It's worth noting that not all toons would be paper. More modern cartoon characters are either CGI or created on computers using digital software. Maybe older toon characters from the hand-drawn era days would be made of paper. Toons could also be treated as ink golems of some sort. Possibly synthetic beings with synthetic bodily fluids like blood, sweat and tears. Personally, I think I'd go with a synthetic life form route over a paper one given the different types of media toons can spawn from.

No, I guarantee you every toon in the world, every toon that's ever been created, started out life on paper. You can't possibly quibble with me on that. *^^* No matter if they are 3D or not, at some point, it was drawn on paper first. 3D characters need a 2D reference, after all. And a 2D reference would be on paper. I'm quite sure I'm right.

 

[ThatchYena]

No, I guarantee you every toon in the world, every toon that's ever been created, started out life on paper. You can't possibly quibble with me on that. *^^* No matter if they are 3D or not, at some point, it was drawn on paper first. 3D characters need a 2D reference, after all. And a 2D reference would be on paper. I'm quite sure I'm right.

But if toons were made of paper, they wouldn't be indestructible and fall apart very quickly. I'm thinking more along the lines of synthetic life forms with some ink mixed in. Also, what about cartoon characters who aren't initially drawn on paper but start off as graffiti on concrete walls? By that logic, wouldn't that make the toon a being of stone? Also, I'm sure there are plenty of artists who did initial sketches on electronic devices as opposed to paper. Not every artist or cartoonist uses paper as a medium.

 

[Nekyo]

This might be a bit of a stretch, but I have a story that could fit the vibe you're looking for—Ailove: My Electric Wife.

It's a near-future human x android romance where the main character basically designs his ideal anime waifu and has her custom-built as a wife. The story leans more slice-of-life and emotional with some fun chaos, but the idea of bringing a fictional character archetype to life and falling for her is very much at the core.

It’s not Looney Tunes-style slapstick, but instead is like sci-fi android antics, like her being an Ai powered android with lots of knowledge and super abilities that feels spiritually similar from a different angle.

And definitely not femme fatale as Kyria might be the cutest to ever exist (bias much? ?)

If you’re open to something anime-flavored, character-driven, and a little surreal in its own grounded way, it might click. >.< (still slow to update though as it's my sweet side project rather than my main)

Ai♡Love: My Electric Wife

In the near future, android partners—once a luxury—are finally available to the public. Hunter Yuuei, an overworked salaryman, has saved up enough to purchase one. Her name is Kyria: an advanced AI companion designed to be the perfect partner. But perfection doesn’t mean predictable. Kyria is...

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