Romance anime shows number in the 1000’s. There’s a lot more than genres like Seinen, and you can expect a
Every single year.
Especially because it can be paired with things like:
- Slice of life
- Comedy
- Fantasy
- Ecchi
And other genres to add a little spice.
Let’s get into what I feel is some of the best
1. Toradora
Whether it’s a slice of life list, comedy, and in this case: romance, you can’t leave out
It’s a legendary anime in the
You have a
First set of episodes have the Tsundere cliché trope of girl hitting guy, but it starts to break away from that and gets serious.
That’s when this anime starts to mould into a solid
2. Kanon
Kanon is an anime series you might not have heard of, unless you’re a Kyoto Animation fan.
It’s overshadowed by Clannad, the more popular anime with a similar art style.
Kanon is a
Yuuichi forgets his memory, and he discovers a forgotten past along the way. With some
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3. Rent A Girlfriend
Rent A Girlfriend is one of the most popular to hit the industry since 2020. Though not everyone is sold on the anime.
The main character is what Americans like to call SIMP, because he puts
The real star of this
Bottom line: if you want a
It’s cringe but magnetizing.
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4. Plastic Memories
Plastic Memories is a short
It all starts when they go on a mission together in the first episode, which ends with a bit of comedy and some emotional moments.
When it comes to
We’re talking Violet Evergarden levels of emotion, sadness, and storytelling that will pull on your heart strings.
5. Inuyasha
Inuyasha, especially with its new remake is still a
To this day,
The thing with Inuyasha though is you also get some solid fight scenes, action, and even villains from start to finish.
It’s a
6. Boarding School Juliet
Boarding School Juliet is a like cliché Romeo and Juliet story, with a blonde female MC and a Japanese male character. But the anime turns out to be better than it seems.
Inuzuka has always liked Persia, and he confesses in the first episode. But because of their reputation they have to keep their
The plot follows from there, and you get plenty of comedy, action, fights, and of course: romantic moments that keeps things sweet.
7. Clannad
Clannad is an absolute
You have season 1 where the anime is light on emotions, and focuses on building up characters and gives you some comedy.
Then the 2nd season turns the emotional dial up to the max, with one of the biggest plot twists a
The designs might be dated depending on your perspective, but the anime deserves a watch.
Masterpiece in my eyes.
8. TONIKAWA: Over To The Moon For You
Tonikawa is another
Unlike
It’s diabetes turned into an anime, with
I knew this anime would be a killer from the moment it was announced.
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9. Engaged To The Unidentified
Engaged To The Unidentified is an anime like Kanon, in the sense that there’s a lot of mystery involved. And some fantasy, but it’s subtle.
On the surface though is the
There’s no fan service but there are innuendo’s and a lot of Loli jokes and sarcasm. Mainly from Benio (older sister of Kobeni).
It’s an anime that goes unnoticed.
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10. Maid Sama
Maid Sama is another
It’s a
The main character: Misaki Ayuzawa has “issues” with men, stemming from parent problems at home.
As the student council president she’s hard working to the point of insanity, and secretly works as a maid until her love interest accidentally discovers her secret.
11. Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is a
The main female character: Tohru Honda is homeless after her mum dies, and she’s taken in by the Sohma family.
With a new and improved remake of the series, the
12. Danmachi
Danmachi is about Bell Cranel, an amateur adventurer who’s almost killed by a beast. But his life is saved by Ais Wallenstein, a blonde swordsman who’s well known and powerful.
This gives him the inspiration to get stronger. And his “useless” goddess Hestia helps in anyway she can.
You can already see some cliches from the introduction, and that’s where some of the
Not my favorite, but the anime deserves credit.
13. Love, Chuunibyou, & Other Delusions
Chuunibyou is a person who believes in superpowers, supernatural beings, and all that childish stuff even as a teenager or older.
Rikka Takanashi defines the word “Chuunibyou” and the nonsense of this anime is cantered around her. With Yuta Togashi becoming interested in her.
For the first 5 or so episodes you’ll cringe. But the anime gets good and the
A 3rd season is needed at this point.
14. Sukitte Ii na yo
Sukitte Ii na yo, translated to “say I love you” is a shoujo/romance series. Mei Tachibana is an introvert who avoids people, and getting too close to them.
In the past she’s bullied and experiences the dark side of “friends” and how people can behave towards you. So she keeps her distance.
She’s relatable.
Yamato, the male MC find her interesting because of the way she keeps to herself, and is closed off. And that’s how the
It’s a decent
15. Monthly Girls Nozaki Kun
Nozaki Kun is actually the name of the main character, who’s a
Chiyo Sakura is the female MC who falls for Nozaki, but he’s too dense and stupid to take notice.
This is a rom com series so the
Still a pretty solid show that goes unnoticed these days.
16. Yona Of The Dawn
Yona Of The Dawn is an anime series that’s in desperate need of a 2nd season. And it’s been years at this point.
Yona is a princess. Former princess. Because at it turns out, they planned to kill her off but she survives and escapes with Hak, a man who’s grown up with Yona.
While they’re on the run, Yona learns to fight and becomes stronger on the inside and out. And decides to gather allies to protect herself.
It’s one of the funniest
17. Maou Yuusha
Maou Yuusha is about a demon girl and a hero. Yuusha actually means “Hero” in English. With Maou translating to “Demon King”.
It’s about how both characters end up working together to build a better society and world. With education being a means to make it happen.
The concepts in this series besides the
Definitely an underrated anime that also could have been so much more.
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18. Snow White With The Red Hair
Snow White With The Red Hair is about Shirayuki, a hard working and diligent female MC with bright red hair.
She’s not privileged and yet she doesn’t let this bring her down or get in the way of her principles and being self sufficient.
Part of this is what Zen, a prince with white hair becomes attracted to. Even to the point of breaking the rules and being a rebel.
It’s a nice
19. Elfen Lied
Elfen Lied is a unlikely
The main character: Lucy, is a Diclonius. A human experiment gone wrong. And she’s being hunted down by the government who want her dead.
Diclonius have vectors that vibrate fast enough to slaughter anyone within distance. So naturally this anime is filled with murder and violence.
By the end of this strange
20. Shakugan No Shana
Shakugan No Shana started out in 2005 (the adaptation). And has become one of the more popular fantasy,
With a total of 3 seasons there’s a lot of content to get through, but despite the large universe and the power systems, the anime didn’t go further than that.
The
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21. Nana
Nana doesn’t have the best name for an anime series, as far as uniqueness. But it’s simple and to the point.
Both main characters are called Nana Komatsu, and Nana Osaki.
After meeting on the train to Tokyo, they find themselves living next door to each other in a flat/apartment.
The anime explores their individual sex lives,
It’s relatable. Especially for 20 year olds going through a similar phase.
22. Skip Beat
Skip Beat is another seemingly forgotten
Kyoko Mogami is a naïve, insecure girl who lives with her boyfriend who’s working to get into showbiz. But Kyoko works two jobs for him, pays HIS bills, and pours her life and bank account into this man.
He doesn’t give a sh*t about Kyoko, and after she realizes it one night and wakes up to reality, he breaks up with her.
She’s out to get revenge and gets into showbiz herself with nothing but vengeance driving her actions, regardless of experience or talent.
This is what makes Skip Beat so unique in the way it plays itself out, and the eventual
Easily one of the greatest female characters of all time.
23. Spice And Wolf
Spice And Wolf is an adventure series between a self proclaimed wise wolf, and a man named Kraft Lawrence. Who happens to be a merchant.
He travels and makes money from the equivalent of stocks and savvy investments. With Holo the wise wolf helping him, making them both ideal partners.
Besides the mellow
It’s in a league of its own.
24. Bloom Into You
Bloom Into You is a “diet” Yuri type of series. You do get kissing scenes, but it doesn’t go further than that.
The main character: Touko Nanami is a lesbian. But she hides her urges and interests after discovering she’s “into” Yuu, another MC.
The
In this anime it highlights the struggles of having to hide your preferences for the same sex, out of fear of being judged. Or even losing your job.
So many characters besides the main one’s are living a “secret” lifestyle only their partners are aware of.
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25. Quintessential Quintuplets
Quintessential Quintuplets is part harem, part
Based in and out of school, Uesugi is hired to teach 5 twins and help them improve their awful grades.
Some of the Nakano sisters become romantically interested in Uesugi, one obvious character being Miku Nakano.
26. Sankarea: Undying Love
Sankarea: Undying Love is another series that deserves a 2nd season, but never went on to have it.
It’s about Chihiro, a guy who wants a zombie girlfriend. And his curiosity leads him to his wish.
There are some dark scenes in this anime. Seriously messed up stuff. But it’s an anime that makes you think and can’t be directly compared to other
It’s
Other Relevant Romance Anime:
- After The Rain.
- Saekano.
- Kamisama Kiss.
- Rascal Doesn’t Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai.
- Chrono Crusade.
- School Rumble.
- Kimi ni Todoke.
- Your Lie In April.
- Nisekoi.
- Nodame Cantabile.
- Golden Time.
- Your Name.
- Lovely Complex.
- Oregairu.
- Sword Art Online
- Cardcaptor Sakura.
–
Which
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