12 Best Romance Anime You Can’t Miss Watching

Love stories are a big part of anime, and the best romance anime are considered some of the best overall. Whether they are for young people or grown-ups, romance anime comes with great plots and has a huge fan base out there.

One thing that makes romance anime special is that they focus on the characters. Unlike fantasy or sci-fi shows that might get away with not-so-memorable characters, a good love story needs to have characters you care about. If that’s not there, the story won’t work out. 

Romance anime series stand out because they focus on the characters and their relationships. If you are looking for the best romance anime series, you have come to the right place. For all the romance anime fans out there, we have shortlisted the best series and the list is right below!

1. Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!

Starting the list with Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions, a rom-com that playfully makes fun of some aspects of school life. The story follows Yuuta Togashi, who used to act like he had special powers called Dark Flame Master in middle school. 

Now, he wants to move on from that phase. But things get tricky when he meets Rikka Takanashi, a quirky girl with even more silly ideas. The show is heartwarming and has lots of everyday humor. Plus, it has one of the best endings in romantic anime for girls.

2. Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War

Kaguya-Sama: Love is War is like a clever game between top students Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya. It might seem as intense as Death Note, but the only big question is who will do something silly in each episode. The catch is that Miyuki and Kaguya are in love, but they won’t admit it.

The show follows their funny attempts to make the other confess their feelings. If you are hoping for a lot of serious stuff, you might not find it here because the show focuses more on making you laugh. But don’t worry, some really sweet and romantic moments will fans happy.

3. Fruits Basket

If you are a romance anime fan and haven’t watched Fruits Basket yet, you are missing out on a great story. The story is about a girl named Tohru whose mom dies in a car accident and she ends up living with the mysterious Sohma family. Even though there’s sadness, Tohru gets caught up in the family’s drama. 

The Sohma family is cursed to turn into animals from the Chinese Zodiac when they are stressed. Tohru tries to help them break this strange curse. Fruits Basket is a sweet romance series and has two adaptations. But the 2019 version is the one that finishes the whole story from the manga.

4. The Tatami Galaxy

The Tatami Galaxy is about a guy at Kyoto University who feels lonely and regrets not spending his time on things he likes. He spent his years trying to join clubs that didn’t interest him and creating trouble between couples. He gets an idea after talking to Ozu, but before he can do anything, he is transported back in time.

What makes the anime great is the exciting story and trippy visuals that are different from other series. Even though the show’s theme is self-reflection, it explores the protagonist’s love life and his proposal to the girl he loves.

5. Sing “Yesterday” For Me

Sing “Yesterday” for Me is a breath of fresh air when it comes to showing romance in anime. It’s super realistic, unlike many others. The show starts with a love triangle, but it takes a surprising turn at the end. We won’t give it away, but the ending is satisfying. It proves that even when romances don’t work out, they can still turn into lifelong friendships.

The director of the anime, Yoshiyuki Fujiwara, is the same person who directed hit anime series like Sword Art Online and Attack on Titan. It’s awesome to see him handle a show that’s different from his other famous works.

6. My Happy Marriage

My Happy Marriage is adapted from a book series by Akumi Agitogi. The protagonist, Miyo, comes from a well-off family and has a tough time with her mean dad, stepmom, and stepsister. Her family tries to get rid of her by setting her up with a military guy known for rejecting wives within days. But the military guy, Kiyoka, actually likes Miyo and gets upset about how her family treats her.

The show doesn’t hide the impact of Miyo’s bad treatment by her family. She struggles with feeling worthless, even when she is with Kiyoka. Speaking of Kiyoka, he is an interesting character with some hidden reasons for being interested in Miyo, but he cares about her.

7. Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is a funny show about people at work, mainly focusing on two couples. Narumi Momose and Hirotaka Nifuji, who just got together, and Hanako Koyanagi and Tarou Kabakura, who have been a couple for a while. 

The first couple is in the spotlight most of the time, and even though the show is more about humor, the second couple’s relationship is shown pretty realistically.

Hirotaka and Narumi have known each other since they were kids, but Narumi didn’t think of Hirotaka as a potential love partner. This uncertainty about their relationship is a constant theme throughout the series.

8. My Little Monster

My Little Monster is a funny romance anime with an unusual pair of characters. This anime series is perfect for those who want some light-hearted romance. It revolves around Shizuku Mizutani, a smart but friendless girl, and Haru Yoshida, a troublemaker known for being violent. 

The anime is all about how people can become friends unexpectedly. Haru and Shizuku become friends because both of them are without friends. Even though Shizuku isn’t great at socializing, they start to like each other. While there aren’t a lot of romantic scenes in My Little Monster, that’s what makes it easy to watch.

9. Komi Can’t Communicate

Komi Can’t Communicate is based on a well-known manga. The story is all about Komi, who struggles to make new friends at school. Even though she is famous, she lacks friends. This is because of her poor social skills as she finds it difficult to talk to others.

When Hitohito Tadano finds out about Komi’s problem, he decides to help her by being friends with her. This leads to a sweet and funny story with some memorable moments. The only drawback for romance anime lovers is that the relationship between Tadano and Komi is often put aside while Komi tries to make friends with her classmates.

10. Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You

Tonikawa: Over the Moon for You starts with some excitement as Nasa Yuzaki is saved by a mysterious girl from a deadly truck accident. Although he is injured, he is desperate to find this girl and take her out on a date. Fortunately, she agrees, but with the unusual condition that they get married. 

After this unique start, the show becomes more about romantic moments and less about drama. Unlike many anime that save big surprises for the end, Tonikawa leaves the intense stuff early on and each episode is a treat for romance fans. If you haven’t watched this anime yet, you should do it now!

11. Romantic Killer

Romantic Killer makes fun of harem and romance anime while still appreciating the good things about both genres. The story follows Anzu, a girl who dislikes boys. Her life is turned upside down by a magical being. It takes away the things she enjoys and makes her the main character in a reverse harem story.

Although this anime is more about comedy, the story still takes the relationship of the characters seriously. Anzu is a great lead, and the guys who might be her love interest are well-developed. Romantic Killer is for anyone who wants to have a good laugh while enjoying a love story.

12. The Dangers In My Heart

The Dangers in My Heart packs a lot into a short time. At first glance, it seems like just another story where a popular girl falls for a regular guy, but there’s something more to it that you realize eventually. The story revolves around an average guy named Ichikawa who daydreams about not-so-nice things. 

On the other hand, Anna is a lively but shy girl who loves modeling. They bump into each other at the school library and become friends. Anna tries to inspire Ichikawa to become more outgoing, and she is successful. Anna is also a well-rounded character with her own weaknesses and insecurities.

Conclusion

Romance anime brings heart-warming stories and genuine emotions. With engaging plots and beautifully animated love stories, these series have a unique charm. For fans of the genre, these shows offer an exciting experience with their rich romantic tales. As you continue to explore more romance anime, make sure to add the ones mentioned in this post in your watch-list!