Because toon characters are so expressive, small gestures carry massive weight. Focus your scenes on:

In 3D toon worlds, silhouettes are king. Use contrasting character designs to drive the narrative:

Pair a character made of sharp angles and cool colors (reserved, perfectionist) with one made of round shapes and warm tones (bubbly, chaotic).

Create a custom animation where characters interact while standing still—like one absentmindedly fixing the other’s hair or collar.

Use subtle material swaps or lighting changes. A character’s cheeks might literally glow pink or their eyes could slightly enlarge (the classic "heart-eyes" trope, but modernized) when their partner enters the room.

Utilize the eye-tracking features of your rig. A character caught staring who quickly darts their eyes away when noticed is a universal, charming romantic beat that works perfectly in 3D.