How has the portrayal of romantic relationships in manga, anime, and comics evolved over the decades, reflecting societal changes?

Over time, the portrayal has evolved significantly. Earlier works often depicted more traditional gender roles and heteronormative relationships. More recently, there's been a substantial increase in diversity, including stronger female leads, more nuanced male characters, and a significant rise in LGBTQ+ representation (e.g., Boys' Love/Girls' Love genres moving from niche to mainstream). Storylines now frequently explore complex family structures, mental health issues, consent, and non-traditional relationship dynamics, reflecting changing societal views on love, gender, and personal identity.