Well, unlike 01, 02 actually does have some romance in it. This doesn't bother me because the show is not saturated with it (although the fan community is -_-.) and it's realistic enough - kids getting crushes on each other, etc. And most of the cast is now of the age where it wouldn't be unreasonable for them to have some sort of relationship.
Having romance in 02 also works better than in 01 because it *is* in the real world. When you're busy worrying about monsters eating you, you're less likely to be admiring so-and-so's dreamy eyes. What I mean is, kiddie crushes and relationships are much more realistic in a school/real life setting. School, as I remember it (hahahahahaaa, I don't have to go to school any moooore! ^_^.), was just full of who-likes-who and are-you-going-to-ask-him-out stuff.
Unfortunately, 02 pretty well laid to rest the idea of a Joe-Mimi or Joe-Sora romance, but I discovered I actually like the idea of Sorato (Matt-Sora). I was pretty unenthusiastic about it before, but when it became a canon relationship, and I saw pictures and all, I thought it was kind of cute. And it works.
Not that we've gotten that far in the series ourselves... (Everyone: Leto, shut up about living in Australia already.) But I do like Sorato. I think it's very funny, actually, because of how many people it enraged. In my experience, a huge number of Matt fans hated Sora even before she was his romantic interest, so just think how much more they'd hate her now that she's ruined any chance of Taito. *lol*
Anyway, here are some common 02 pairings and what I think of them.
Davis - Kari - probably not. ^_^; It'd be nice for Davis to get a break once in a while, but Kari really very obviously doesn't love him... It's just a crush and it's kind of cute. ^_^.
Davis - Ken - this seems to be enormously popular with everybody but me. ^_^;; I thought it was pretty obvious that Davis was interested in girls, and Ken ends up fathering three children with a woman, so... ^_^;;
Yolei - Davis - don't see it happening, personally. I can't see Davis with someone who would boss him around endlessly. I think Yolei would dominate most relationships she was in, so I can't envision these two together; they have too much spirit.
Yolei - Ken - this is one that actually happens. It came as a bit of a surprise to me that they were married 25 years in the future and had three children. Because during most of the 02 series, Yolei has a crush on Ken but that's about it. I think these two make a pretty boring or weird couple. I don't know why, but I just don't like it much. Still, if it's canon, it's canon. ^_^;
Yolei - Izzy - (You can pair up Yolei with practically anybody, she's so keen on guys. ^_^;;) I think Yolei and Izzy as a couple is cuter than Yolei and Ken. Something about those two together is kind of dynamic, more interesting.
TK - Kari - there was some evidence for these two as a couple in the series, such as them shyly saying they cared for each other, and Takeru's image song, etc. I was kind of surprised that they didn't get together - they're such strong friends and so close that I find it hard to imagine them living totally separate lives in the future.
Ken - Kari - no opinion on this. I don't think I've seen those two even interact yet. It might be interesting but I don't think I could see them together; they might be a little too alike.
