Starting off with episode 1, we have the “infamous princess carry,” or in other words the scene that kicks off the potential romance between Kotetsu and Barnaby. We witness this scene in a critical moment in Kotetsu’s life. As a hero just a little past his prime, Kotetsu has had more than his fair share of close calls; episode one best showcases this as Kotetsu, after haphazardly fulfilling his role as a hero, falls mid-air when his five-minute long “Hundred Power” expires. Covering his eyes in fear of the expected impact, Kotetsu suddenly finds himself cradled in the arms of a yet unidentified rookie hero, Barnaby.

Though only brief, this first “princess carry” cements what will become a motif that bookends the series with elements suggestive of boys love. For those with fujoshi glasses, this foreshadows Kotetsu falling for Barnaby and vice versa. Despite the odd couple bickering that shortly ensues after their first encounter, from the very start Kotetsu and Barnaby’s relationship appears to portend more than that typical co-workers.

Moving on from their first encounter, we have the key point that signifies Barnaby’s heart softening to Kotetsu’s constant attention. From the first episode, differences in personality create tension between Barnaby and Kotetsu as they work together as a hero team. Yet, despite these tensions, Kotetsu slowly begins to warm towards Barnaby, attempting to “guide” him as a veteran hero. Barnaby, however, does not take well to Kotetsu’s concern, which brings us to episode 8. In this episode, Kotetsu goes out of his way to protect Barnaby from harm, injuring himself in the process. Upon returning home after witnessing Kotetsu’s sacrifice, Barnaby begins wondering why Kotetsu even bothers with him despite their constant fighting.

Why indeed. For those watching Tiger and Bunny, Barnaby’s sudden realization of Kotetsu’s care represents what can be interpreted as the beginning of reciprocated feelings between the title characters. Barnaby’s awareness and Kotetsu’s injury starts the ball rolling for the man-to-man bonding that develops in the following episodes.

Building off of the last episode, episode 9 acts more as a filler episode that mixes a shirtless Kotetsu, a sympathetic and concerned Barnaby, an ample supply of alcohol, and a well-timed scene cut to stimulate plenty of fan service titillation. In this episode, hero duties forces Kotetsu (along with Dragon Kid and the NEXT son of Stern Bild’s mayor) to stay overnight at Barnaby’s apartment. While Dragon Kid actually does work, Kotetsu and Barnaby share a heart to heart moment over a couple of drinks that, in the following scene cut, leads the two sprawled suggestively in the living room the next morning.

What exactly occurs that night leaves much to the (romantic or perhaps erotic) imagination. For those familiar with Tiger and Bunny doujinshi and fan art, you’ve probably seen your fair share of this scene; for the uninitiated, be prepared to relive this memorable and shippable scene.

Shippable moments in Tiger and Bunny do not only appear in filler episodes. They are permeate critical plot points in the series, as can be seen in episode 13, the climax of the first cour. Right up until this point, Kotetsu and Barnaby’s relationship slightly sours as Stern Bild faces potential destruction with the sudden appearance of Jake Martinez, a serial killer who appears to be responsible for the death of Barnaby’s parents. The source of the trouble between Kotetsu and Barnaby resides in an issue of trust: Barnaby begins to think Kotetsu does not believe in him. As such, Barnaby turns his back on Kotetsu.

But, even with his back against Kotetsu, Kotetsu is still there to catch his fall, as in the key scene in which Kotetsu, despite having life threatening injuries, runs to Barnaby to tell him how to defeat Jake Martinez during a fate deciding battle between the two. To understand the full impact of this scene, one truly has to see it. However, to best summarize it, this scene and episode 13 as a whole illustrates how BL/yaoi moments rely not only on blatant fan service, but also on small emotional moments and the exchange of trust.

Last but not least, we have the Kotetsu’s “dying” scene in episode 24. Here, in this moment of distress, we see the pinnacle the intimacy between Kotetsu and Barnaby. While it is not sealed with a kiss, it is reinforced with an admission from Barnaby that he has been learning to cook fried rice for Kotetsu. Paired with heart wrenching music and a tearful Barnaby, it would be difficult to not view this scene romantic for those with fujoshi vision.

Again, like the admission of trust in episode 13, we find that BL/yaoi stimulating scenes depend not only on (erotic) representations of the male body, but also that of more human, heartfelt elements such as trust, friendship, and (at times interpreted) love.