Romance films and series delve into passion, emotion, and the challenges of love. By skipping romance anime, fans miss out on riveting storylines. Even if it’s a shonen anime with romantic tension or a dark fantasy with a budding relationship, anime often incorporates romance.
While some use it as a subplot, many anime highlight evolving romantic bonds.
For those seeking emotional love stories, whether complex, angsty, or the timeless will-they-won’t-they, here are the 10 popular romance anime to watch.
Dance Dance Danseur
I never imagined I’d enjoy an anime about ballet, but MAPPA Studio anime proved me completely wrong. The animations are breathtaking, and the characters’ expressions remain etched in memory. Kudos to MAPPA for delivering yet again!
The voice actors, particularly Junpei’s, were spot-on. The main character’s swift growth in the initial episodes is captivating, making it easy to resonate with his journey into the ballet world. It’s quickly rising as one of the season’s best anime – it’s unfortunate that many haven’t given it a chance.
Snow White with the Red Hair
“Snow White with the Red Hair” (Akagami no Shirayukihime) showcases the enchanting tale of Shirayuki, a girl with unique red hair, and her love story with Zen, the second prince of Clarines.
It’s a serene and visually striking anime to watch, boasting vibrant characters, notably the cheerful and humorous Obi. For those inclined towards romance, magic, and fantasy genres, this anime is a must-watch. It’s a pity they didn’t create another season.
Inuyasha
“Inuyasha” is a romance anime I doubted initially, yet it completely won me over. Blending romance with comedy, action, adventure, fantasy, and horror (leading to censorship of some episodes in certain countries), it’s a compelling watch.
Despite its lengthy 160 episodes diluting the narrative and a few weaker episodes, the brilliance of “Inuyasha” is undeniable. Its characters remain ever-engaging, from Miroku’s playful advances on women to Kagome juggling school and battles in medieval Japan.
Fruits Basket
This series stands out as one of the best romance anime I’ve ever watched. For those who’ve seen it, you likely share my sentiment. For those who haven’t, I wish I could use one of three wishes to erase my memory of it, just to experience it afresh.
I genuinely envy newcomers to this series; the blend of secrets, sacrifice, traditional conflicts, suspense, and the intricate weaving of relationships is simply unparalleled. It’s truly remarkable.
Toradora!
While browsing out of boredom, I stumbled upon “Toradora!” and it quickly became one of the best anime I’ve ever watched.
The character designs are remarkable and the plot is captivating. The protagonists stand out, ranking among my all-time favorites from the numerous anime I’ve seen.
The show deeply moved me, to the point where I binged it, forgoing sleep. By the finale, I was emotional and immediately re-watched it. Despite its unassuming appearance, “Toradora!” is exceptional. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out on something truly special!
The Ancient Magus’ Bride
Set in a mystical world, “The Ancient Magus’ Bride” is a romantic slice-of-life anime series that is a must-watch. It ran from October 2017 to March 2018, was followed by a three-part OVA in September 2021, and its second season launched in April 2023.
The plot revolves around Chise Hatori, an orphaned high schooler marginalized by society. Seeking a fresh start, she auctions herself and is purchased by Elias Ainsworth, a towering humanoid with an animal-skull head, whose presence is more demonic than human.
Horimiya
After completing the anime series, I was compelled to read the manga for the first time. While the characters and their dynamics were captivating in the anime, it left me with many questions. Delving into the manga deepened my love for the narrative.
It’s one of those tales that make you wish you could be a part of its universe. While I’m reluctant to give it a perfect score due to the ending, I genuinely yearn to see the journey of Hori and Miyamura beyond school and witness the evolution of their relationship.
Your Lie in April
Released in May 2015, “Your Lie in April” is among the best romance anime, adapted from Naoshi Arakawa’s manga. It tracks the journey of Kosei Arima, a young piano prodigy traumatized by his mother’s death, rendering him unable to hear his own piano playing.
Two years of living in a colorless world change when he meets the vibrant violinist, Kaori Miyazono. Through her, Kosei rediscovers music and love, even as he senses her affection towards his friend Ryota.
Your Name
Drawing from Japan’s history of natural disasters, “Your Name“, a romantic fantasy film from 2016, chronicles the lives of high schoolers Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyamizu. Unexpectedly, they start switching bodies despite being strangers.
This leads to upheaval in their lives, mitigated only by notes they leave for one another. As Taki develops feelings for Mitsuha and tries to reach her, their body-swapping ceases. Determined, Taki embarks on a journey to find her. A heads up: keep tissues on hand.
Ouran High School Host Club
“Ouran High School Host Club,” based on the manga by Bisco Hatori, is a must-watch romance anime. It follows Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at Ouran Academy who, after accidentally breaking an expensive vase, is mistaken for a boy by the Host Club due to her androgynous appearance and attire.
When her true gender is revealed and her talent for entertaining girls becomes apparent, she’s made a Host. Meanwhile, club members, including Tamaki Suoh, Kyoya Ootori, and the twins Hikaru and Kaoru, develop feelings for her.
Remake Our Life!
Remake Our Life delves into the life of Hashiba Kyouya, a 28-year-old game developer who finds himself jobless when his company goes under. As he reflects on the choices of his past and the successes of his peers, he’s unexpectedly transported ten years back, just before starting college.
Faced with a second chance, Kyouya grapples with making the “right” choices and pondering their ripple effects on those around him. The series adeptly merges an engaging premise with a well-crafted character ensemble.
Its exploration of “what-ifs” and life’s crossroads will resonate with many. Boasting commendable animation and distinct character design, this is a must-watch for anime enthusiasts interested in introspective narratives.
I’ve Always Liked You
“I’ve Always Liked You” is a 2016 romantic anime film adapted from the Honeyworks’ “Kokuhaku Jikko Iinkai ~ Ren’ai Series!” Vocaloid song project. It centers on high school friends navigating love confessions.
Natsuki Enomoto, a senior at Sakuragaoka High School, harbors feelings for her childhood friend, Yu Setoguchi. Instead of confessing, she claims she’s just practicing her love confessions on him. However, when classmate Koyuki Ayase asks her out, Natsuki is compelled to genuinely express her love for Yu.
A Whisker Away
This film merges elements reminiscent of Studio Ghibli and classic Disney animations, which are often key features in anime shows that are romantic. However, this doesn’t make it particularly stand out. While the animation is decent, it doesn’t shine.
The cinematography and soundtrack are commendable. The narrative doesn’t evoke the same emotions as renowned Studio Ghibli or CoMix Wave Films productions. The characters are satisfactory, with the exception of the main antagonist.
Welcome To The N.H.K.
This anime follows a recluse, Sato, whose primary interaction is with his computer. His routine is interrupted when he meets Misaki, a girl determined to help him reintegrate into society through nightly park meetings. To avoid her, Sato collaborates with his manga-obsessed neighbor Yamazaki to create a game.
As the story unfolds, it blends dark comedy with sincere examinations of social isolation. While Sato may be seen as a societal misfit, the narrative refrains from degrading him entirely. This anime is mature but not overly explicit, and it’s a must-watch for those interested in poignant tales hoping for character happiness.
Love Tyrant
This anime draws parallels to “Death Note,” but with a romantic twist. It features Guri, a quirky Cupid-esque character using magic to make couples fall in love.
Despite her endeavors, the boy she’s fond of is smitten with a rather unstable girl, and he seeks a drama-free relationship. While somewhat entertaining, the anime lacks lasting impact. With stronger story and character development, it could’ve easily earned an 8 or 9 from me!
5 Centimeters Per Second
“5cm Per Second” stands out as one of the best romance anime I’ve ever encountered, offering a deeply touching experience. It’s structured as a short film divided into three episodes, each capturing relationships during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
While its narrative is straightforward, the series shines in its profound emotional depth, beauty, and relatability. As viewers, we find ourselves deeply connected to the characters, feeling as if we truly understand their experiences, making it a cinematic masterpiece.
Beyond the Boundary
In a realm where supernatural entities live alongside humans, Akihito Kanbara, a high schooler, seems ordinary but has a secret. He’s a half-youmu, possessing rapid healing abilities rendering him virtually immortal.
One day, he prevents a girl from jumping off the school’s rooftop, only to discover she’s Mirai Kuriyama, a rare bloodbender. This class is ostracized and hunted in the supernatural community. By saving her, Akihito inadvertently gets entangled in her conflicts, vowing to shield her from dangers.
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