I selected this based on my preference, but these are also good to watch.
1. My teen romantic comedy snafu
If you have the time, this is definitely worth watching. The story centers on Hikigaya Hachiman, an antisocial high school student with a cynical outlook on life, who has no friends or girlfriend. His life takes a turn when his teacher forces him to join the “Volunteer Service Club,” where he meets the heroine, and the story unfolds from there.
2. 3D kanojo : real girl
This anime holds a special place in my heart as it was my first romance anime, and it truly moved me. I highly recommend it. 3D Kanojo: Real Girl follows the story of two characters—an emotionally inexperienced boy who struggles to express his feelings, and a girl determined to help him break free from his shell. Hikaru, a devoted otaku, falls in love with the heroine, and their journey unfolds from there. Definitely give it a try!
3. Tonikaku kawaii
This anime is absolutely perfect! I’ve even dreamed of something like this happening in my own life (though, of course, it’s not possible), so seeing it play out in the anime was such a joy. Our main protagonist, Nasa Yuzaki, falls in love at first sight after a fateful encounter with the mysterious Tsukasa. When Nasa confesses his feelings, she responds, “I’ll date you, but only if we get married.” And so, their adorable and heartwarming newlywed life begins! If you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for? Go check it out!
4. Horimiya
If you’re into romance anime, you’ve probably heard of this one. For those who haven’t, this romantic comedy follows Miyamura, a low-key and quiet student at school but quite the opposite outside of it. He crosses paths with Hori, our heroine who is both beautiful and intelligent. As the story unfolds, the two grow closer. It’s the perfect anime to watch if you’re looking for something heartwarming with a blend of humor!
5. Saekano how to raise a boring girlfriend flat
This is one of the most captivating and addictive anime I’ve seen! The male protagonist’s hard work, ambition, strong determination, and leadership qualities kept me hooked through every minute. Saekano follows high school otaku Tomoya as he pursues his dream of creating the most compelling harem visual novel. To achieve this, he recruits the talented illustrator Eriri, bestselling author Utaha, and the seemingly ordinary Megumi as the model for the main character. The dynamic between this quartet, along with the romance, makes it a great watch!
6. My first girlfriend is a gal
When you hear the term “gal,” you might think you know what our heroine is like, but appearances can be deceptive. You can’t judge someone’s character just by how they look. Junichi, a second-year high school student, is a bit of a loser, along with his three close friends who spend their time playing games and reading magazines about girls.
His friends set him up to ask out Yukana Yame, a “gal” who is not only stylish but also very pretty. To everyone’s surprise, including Junichi’s, Yukana actually accepts his proposal. The anime follows the ups and downs of their developing relationship.
7. Masamune kuns revenge
Masamune was mistreated as a child by a girl named Aki Adagaki, and to get revenge, he transforms himself into a smart and attractive young man. He transfers to Aki’s school with the intention of making her fall in love with him, only to break her heart. However, as he gets closer to Aki, he uncovers her layered personality and starts to question his motives. What makes this anime stand out is how it tackles themes like revenge, self-discovery, and the highs and lows of relationships in a way that truly resonates. Personally, I loved the hero’s backstory and his transformation, which made me watch the anime.
8. The familiar of zero
Even with four seasons, I watched all of them because this anime has the perfect blend of romance, comedy, action, reincarnation, and pure entertainment. Our heroine, Louise, is a mage with the nickname “Louise the Zero” due to her constant failures in magic. During a test to summon a familiar – a spirit servant who supports its owner, she ends up summoning Saito, a human from Earth. The anime explores Saito’s adventures in this new world while living with the arrogant noble, Louise. It’s an enjoyable ride full of unique dynamics and fun storytelling!
9. Nisekoi
I found the characters in Nisekoi more captivating than the story itself, which is full of twists and turns. The plot revolves around Ichijou, the heir to a yakuza family, and Chitoge, the daughter of a rival gang leader. In order to stop a gang war from breaking out, the two are forced to pretend they’re in a romantic relationship. Each wears a counterfeit key meant to fit a mysterious locket owned by Ichijou—connected to a promise he made with a girl a decade ago.
As the story progresses, Ichijou’s life gets more complicated as he encounters other girls—like Kosaki Onodera, Tachibana, and Tsugumi—each potentially holding keys to his locket and connections to his past. Nisekoi is a romantic comedy brimming with misunderstandings, love triangles, and plenty of humor as Ichijou navigates his feelings while trying to unravel the mystery of his childhood promise.
10. Golden time
The story centers on Tada Banri, a college student who loses all memories of his past after a serious accident leaves him with amnesia. Seeking a fresh start and wanting to escape his troubled past, he enrolls in a private law school in Tokyo. There, he meets Mitsuo, who has also moved away from his hometown to distance himself from his overbearing childhood friend, Koko Kaga. Banri and Mitsuo quickly become friends, but things take an unexpected turn when Koko enrolls at the same university and develops feelings for Mitsuo.
As Banri and Koko spend more time together, they grow close and eventually fall in love. However, Banri’s lost memories and the emotional weight of his past begin to resurface, creating obstacles for their relationship. I found the ending particularly satisfying and appreciated how it resolved the story in a way that was enjoyable to watch.
11. Button tier Character tomazaki
Although the animation can sometimes appear a bit dull, the plot and story provide a strong foundation that makes this a solid romance anime. Fumiya, the main character, is an outstanding gamer in Japan, yet he struggles with social interactions and communication. He sees himself as a bottom-tier character, but everything changes when he encounters Aoi Hinami, the most popular girl in school, who is also his rival in the game. She approaches him with a request to help her get better at gaming.
As they spend time together, Fumiya begins to understand himself better and gradually enhances his social skills, communication skills, and personal development. And this journey of self-discovery adds significant depth to the story, making it a captivating experience. Definitely a one-time watch anime.
12. Rascal does not dream of bunny girl senpai
To be honest, the bunny girl was the main reason I decided to watch this anime. It combines elements of the supernatural, mystery, and romance. The story covers Sakuta Azusagawa, a high schooler who encounters strange supernatural events, each tied to the emotional struggles faced during adolescence.
The plot kicks off when Sakuta meets Mai Sakurajima, a former child actress who has become invisible to everyone except him. Their first encounter happens when Mai is dressed in a bunny girl costume. Sakuta takes it upon himself to help her with her unique situation, and they quickly become friends.
As the story unfolds, he encounters other girls facing their own unusual supernatural phenomena. Together with Mai and his other friends, Sakuta works to help these girls resolve their issues caused by these supernatural occurrences.
13. The quintessential quintuplets
Fuutarou Uesugi, a high school student, takes on the role of a private tutor for the Nakano quintuplets: Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, and Itsuki. Each sister possesses unique personalities and different academic strengths. The anime explores Fuutarou’s efforts to encourage the girls to study, along with their sweet romantic moments together. He also assists them in addressing their personal issues. Although all the sisters develop feelings for him, he ultimately has to decide on one to be his life partner. To discover who he chooses as his wife, you’ll need to watch the anime!
14. And you thought there is never a girl online
If you’ve ever played RPG games, you’ll easily relate to this anime. The story follows Nishimura, a high school student known as “Rusian” in the online game. And in the game, he is married to a character named “Nekohime,” whom he assumes is a male player in real life. However, he later discovers that Nekohime is actually Ako Tamaki, a girl from his own school.
Ako struggles to separate the game world from real life, firmly believing that her in-game marriage to Rusian is real in both realms. This misunderstanding leads to a series of comedic and awkward situations as Rusian, along with his friends from the game, tries to help Ako grasp the difference between the virtual and real worlds. Watching this anime was a lot of fun!
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. What is romance anime all about?
Romance anime typically focuses on love stories between characters, often highlighting emotional growth, relationships, and the challenges that come with falling in love.
2. Which romance anime are considered classics or must-watch?
A few all-time favorite romance anime that have touched many hearts are Your Name and Toradora!, Clannad, Fruits Basket, and Kimi ni Todoke. These shows are well-known for their touching stories and strong emotional impact.
3. Can romance anime mix with other genres?
Yes, many romance anime blend with genres like comedy, fantasy, drama, or even action. For example, Horimiya combines romance with slice-of-life, while Inuyasha mixes love with fantasy and adventure.
4. Where can I legally watch romance anime?
You can watch romance anime on popular streaming services like Crunchyroll, Netflix, Funimation, and Hulu. The availability of anime titles can vary based on your location, as streaming rights often differ from one region to another.
5. What are some trending romance anime recently?
Some recent fan-favorite romance anime include Horimiya, Kaguya-sama: Love is War, My Dress-Up Darling, and A Sign of Affection. These shows have gained popularity for their fresh characters and heartfelt storytelling.
6. Is romance anime suitable for all age groups?
It depends on the anime. Some series are perfect for younger audiences or teens, while others tackle mature themes more suited for adults. Always check the age rating before watching.
7. Are there romance anime with LGBTQ+ stories?
Yes, the genre has become more inclusive. Shows like Given, Bloom Into You, Yuri!!! on Ice, and Citrus explore LGBTQ+ relationships and have been praised for their representation.