15 Best Romance Anime (2024)

Over the last few years, several genres of anime have evolved to become all-time favorites of fans. But no matter which genre you are watching, love or romance is something that can be found as a side story in every anime. Given the potential of the romance genre, several mangakas have adopted it as the primary theme of their story and shaped them to have fans addicted to the romance genre.

No matter how much you love a romantic story, you can always get something new to watch from the never-ending list of anime shows. But for those who want to start a fresh journey with the romance genre, it's better to try the best out of the best ones first. So, here are some selected shows that will never disappoint you.

15 Fruits Basket

MAL Rating: 7.69

Why watch Fruits Basket?

• A good blend of Comedy and romance.
• Some great lessons to learn, like self-control and empathy.

It's hard to find an anime like Fruits Basket, which has delivered romance, comedy, and supernatural settings with such brilliance. While you will also love the 2001 anime adaptation of the series, the one adopted in 2019 was far superior, making it a masterpiece.

After losing her mother in an incident, Tohru decides to move in with the Soma family. But Tohru is surprised after learning that all the twelve family members can turn into the animals of the Chinese zodiac sign. Instead of leaving the family to deal with everything on their own, Tohru decides to stay with them and help break their curse.

14 Yuri On Ice

MAL Rating: 7.90

Why watch Yuri on Ice?

• Strong support for the LGBTQ+ community.
• The series explores cultural richness.

Yuri on Ice is completely different from Given, but the depiction of same-sex love makes them fall on the same line. Although the major genre for the series remains sports, it has so much more to offer than just skating. The series has also won several awards in different categories, including the Anime of the Year award, Best Opening, Best Ending, Best Couple, Best Animation, and many more.

Katsuki Yuri is a Japanese skater who decides to retire after a terrible defeat in the Grand Prix Final. But, little did Yuri know, his life as a skater had just started, as a video of his performance was posted online, which is seen by Russian skater Victor Nikiforov. Victor travels to Japan and becomes his coach, after which they share a deep relationship.

13 Clannad

MAL Rating: 7.99

Why watch Clannad?

• Really funny and charming alongside good romance.
• A show with a really emotional story.

Clannad was based on a visual novel by Fumihiko Shimo, which aired from 2007 to 2008. Not every romance anime is supposed to have a happy and comic theme. Sometimes, the story is created to make the viewers burst into tears, and Clannad is one such story of a young guy named Tomoyo and his classmate Nagisa.

Tomoya Okazaki lives a hard life that makes him hate everything and everyone. But, his dull life starts to fill with colors after meeting Nagisa, who is repeating the class due to illness. Nagisa doesn't live a great life either, but soon they both start to find meaning in their lives when they start to share a great bond of friendship.

12 Kamisama Kiss

MAL Rating: 8.10

Why watch Kamisama Kiss?

• A great blend of romance and supernatural setting.
• The show has a strong female lead.

How often do you witness a series portraying the love between a human and a supernatural entity? That's the kind of love you will find in Kamisama Kiss, a Japanese manga written by Julietta Suzuki. If you like Inuyasha and Fruits Basket, other great romance anime shows, then you should try Kamisama Kiss as well, as some people consider it similar to them.

Nanami Momozono's childhood was ruined by her father, who lost everything to gambling. As a result, Nanami has nowhere to go unless she finds Mikage, who offers her his home as a return favor for saving him from a dog. The home turns out to be a shrine, and Mikage is no ordinary person either. There she meets Tomoe and falls in love with him. Tomoe also loves Nanami, but their love is considered taboo.

11 Ouran High School Host Club

MAL Rating: 8.16

Why watch Ouran High School Host Club?

• A unique show with a gender-bender theme.
• The series is hilariously funny.

School-life romance never seems to go out of fashion. But, Ouran High School Host Club is different than what you expect it to be. In an interview, the manga artist of the series, Bisco Hatori, stated that Ouran had been created as a parody of Shojo anime, a category of anime that is focused on targeting young and adult women. And the story of the series given below will make you understand why that's true.

The main character of the series, Haruhi Fujioka, accidentally breaks a precious pot in the Third Music Room of the school, after which she has no choice but to work as an errand boy in the Ouran Academy Host Club. At first, no one is able to identify her true gender, but due to her great skills, she is made a full-time host in the club.

10 Horimiya

MAL Rating: 8.20

Why watch Horimiya?

• Balance of Slice of Life and Romance
• Realistic and Relatable Relationships

It's one of those anime that will make you fall in love from its very first episode. From animation to the story, everything about Horimiya is simply perfect. What makes the series hilarious are the comical bits and the daily life problems of high schoolers that you will witness in the show.

The series will introduce you to Kyoko Hori, an extrovert girl in school who seems to be an introvert in her home, and Izumi Miyamura is the complete opposite of Kyoko. Though they seem very different, their relationship soon grows stronger when they discover each other's hidden identities and promise to keep them a secret from each other.

9 My Dress-Up Darling

MAL Rating: 8.21

Why watch My Dress-Up Darling?

• Inspires us to follow our dreams.
• A story with unconventional romance.

A shy and timid female character and a tough, outspoken guy falling in love have been the setup of most romance shows. But My Dress-Up Darling reversed the concept to make things unique, and it seemed to work just perfectly for the creators as it became one of the best shows of 2022. The second season of the series was also greenlit, which we can expect to drop soon.

Marin Kitagawa and Gojo Wakana are high school students in the same class. They never talk to each other until Marin discovers Gojo's passion for making Hina Dolls, after which she asks for his help to make a cosplay dress. Marin's passion for cosplaying brings them closer to each other than ever before, and soon they develop feelings for each other.

8 Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai

MAL Rating: 8.24

Why watch Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai?

• A good mix of romance and supernatural.
• Explores social issues like health, bullying, and identity crises

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is an anime especially made for Romcom fans! What makes it special is that it mixes romance and tricky stuff like puberty syndrome. This show stands out because it's not just about love; it talks about real-life issues in a unique way. The main guy, Sakuta, helps people with these strange problems. It's not just a love story; it's clever, funny, and gets into feelings. If you're into Romcoms that mix love and deeper stuff, this anime might just be what you need.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai follows Sakuta Azusagawa, who discovers a mysterious phenomenon called "Adolescence Syndrome." He meets Mai Sakurajima, a girl dressed as a bunny, unseen by others. They unravel oddities affecting teenagers, each with unique struggles like time loops and body swaps.

7 Weathering With You

MAL Rating: 8.28

Why watch Weathering With You?

• Unique Take on Weather Manipulation.
• The movie showcases breathtaking animation.

Weathering With You is a breathtaking romance anime that'll make your heart skip a beat! What makes it special? It's the stunning animation - the rain looks so real, and the scenes are like colorful paintings! But it's not just pretty; it's about love facing tough choices and the power of hope. This movie teaches us about sacrifice and following your heart, even when things get stormy. If you want a visually stunning love story that'll make you feel hopeful, this movie is your way to go.

Hodaka, a teenager, moves to Tokyo and meets Hina, a girl with a unique gift - she can control the weather. Together, they form a business to bring sunshine into people's lives. But Hina's power demands a sacrifice, and as their bond strengthens, tough choices need to be made.

6 Given

MAL Rating: 8.32

Why watch Given?

• Music plays a central role in the series.
• Authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships.

Given is one of the least-known names in the romance genre, but it's definitely worth your time if you want to understand the meaning of love in a broader sense. It's one of the few series to bring the LGBTQ group onto the screens. You can binge-watch Given in just one day, as it has just eleven episodes.

The series doesn't focus on the love story of two particular characters, but different arcs bring forth the relationship between different characters who work together in a music band. A short one-hour Given movie is also available that you can stream on Crunchyroll.

5 Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

MAL Rating: 8.41

Why watch Kaguya-sama: Love is War?

• A unique concept of turning love into battle.
• Intellectual battles for love.

Sometimes, love is not just a sweet relationship between those who love and care for each other; instead, it's more of a psychological war. This unique setup of the series makes it different from other romance anime. The manga of Kaguya-sama: Love is War has ended, and a sequel film is currently in the making. So, it's the perfect time to watch the series.

Miyuki Shirogane is the student council president of the Shuchiin Academy, while Miyuki Shirogane is the vice president. Despite loving and caring for each other, their pride never allows them to confess their love. So, they try to trap each other in situations where they have to show love and care for the other.

4 I Want To Eat Your Pancreas

MAL Rating: 8.55

Why watch I Want To Eat Your Pancreas?

• The movie tackles real-life problems.
• A movie that teaches us a lot.

Here's a touching anime that dives into real-life struggles with grace. It's not just a sad story; it's about friendship and understanding life's fragility. What makes it so good? It's honest and shows both happiness and sadness in life. Anyone looking for a heartfelt tale about connections and life's ups and downs should watch it. Critics appreciate it for being raw and real, showing emotions in a way that sticks with you.

A high school boy discovers a classmate's secret diary revealing her terminal illness. Despite their differences, they bond over time, sharing moments and experiences. As they grow closer, the girl's impending fate affects their friendship. The story follows their journey, exploring their evolving relationship amidst the girl's illness.

3 Your Lie In April

MAL Rating: 8.65

Why watch Your Lie in April?

• Really stunning and detailed visuals.
• Romance anime mixed with musical theme.

If you're a true romance genre fan, it would be hard to believe that you haven't watched this series already, but if you really haven't, then you're missing one of the best anime shows so far. The series brings out every emotion in you from time to time and leaves you with an experience that is hard to deliver with words.

Arima Kousei used to be a piano prodigy who had stopped playing since his mother passed away. But Arima's life changes after he meets Kaori Miyazono in the park, a brilliant violinist who guides him to enter the world of music again.

2 Your Name

MAL Rating: 8.84

Why watch Your Name?

• Intriguing body-swap plot.
• A blend of supernatural and realistic elements.

Your Name mixes romance with mind-bending Sci-Fi in a magical way! The characters face struggles like distance and destiny messing things up. What's special? It's not just about love; it's about connection; finding someone even when the odds are against you. The blend of breathtaking animation and a story that hits the heart makes it stand out.

Two teenagers, Taki and Mitsuha, mysteriously swap bodies and live sporadically. Initially confused, they adapt to each other's routines and start leaving messages to communicate. As they try to understand this phenomenon, they grow curious about each other. Determined to meet, they discover a heartbreaking truth, a natural disaster separated them by time.

1 Violet Evergarden

MAL Rating: 8.67

Why watch Violet Evergarden?

• A journey of self-discovery.
• Very detailed animation and visuals.

Violet Evergarden isn't just your typical romance; it's a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and understanding your own emotions. The animation is breathtaking, capturing emotions like no other. Romance fans should watch it because it's more than just lovey-dovey moments; it's about understanding emotions and the power of connection.

Violet Evergarden, a former soldier in a war-torn world, seeks purpose after the war's end. She becomes an "Auto Memory Doll," writing heartfelt letters for others to understand emotions she once struggled with. Her journey unfolds as she learns empathy, the power of words, and the depth of human emotions through various encounters. Amid her quest to understand "I love you," she discovers her own feelings.

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