Romantic anime series
Romantic shows are a good watch whether you are happily attached or severely lacking in the love department. If you feel a void in your non-existent love life or you just want to see some heart fluttering action, then give these 20 best romantic anime series a try.
1. The World is Still Beautiful (2014)
Image credit: MyAnimeList
The World is Still Beautiful follows the story of Livius Ifrikia, the ruler of the Sun Kingdom, and Nike Lemercier, the youngest Rain princess. The two are starkly different in personality – Livius is cocky, cunning, and smart, while Nike is naive, straightforward, and fierce.
Nike is forced to marry Livius to prevent him from conquering the Rain Dukedom. Meanwhile, Livius wishes to take advantage of Nike’s gift to call forth the rain for the benefit of his kingdom.
Image adapted from: Inori WorlD
Becoming Livius’ wife was just the start of Nike’s many adventures as she struggles to get Livius to open up. Along the way, she gets involved in the conspiracies against Livius and fights valiantly to protect him. The pair learn to trust each other and eventually fall in love after getting to know one another on a deeper level.
Genre: Adventure, Romance, Fantasy
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
2. Blue Spring Ride (2014)
Image credit: IMDb
Blue Spring Ride tells the tale of 16-year-old Futaba Yoshioka and her old crush, Kou Tanaka, who now goes by Kou Mabuchi. After disappearing from Futaba’s life back in middle school, Kou reenters her life once again in high school.
As they reunite, old feelings are re-ignited. But past misunderstandings and new problems will stand in the way of their happiness.
Image credit: IMDb
This teenage romance balances between love, comedy, and angst as you watch how fate toys with the main characters and how they struggle with their feelings for one another.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama, School life
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes, 2 OVAs
Available on: Netflix
3. From Me to You (2009 – 2011)
Image credit: IMDb
Sawako Kuronuma and Shota Kazehaya are polar opposites. Sawako is an ostracised loner, while Shota is a popular and athletic student who is loved by the student populace. Their lives become intertwined one fateful morning, when Sawako helps Shota find his way to school on their first day of high school.
Image credit: IMDb
Sawako’s appearance causes her to be easily misunderstood by her peers. but with the help and encouragement of Shota, she begins to open up and make friends in school. Through a series of class activities and events, their classmates get to know Sawako for who she really is – a kind, friendly, and shy girl.
Image credit: Zerochan
Sawako and Shota begin to have romantic feelings for each other, but many troubles await them. From Me to You follows the story of Sawako and Shota as they learn how to be brave when it comes to love.
Genre: Slice of life, Romance, Drama, School life
Length: 2 seasons, 25 (S1), 13 (S2)
Available on: Crunchyroll
4. My Little Monster (2012)
Image credit: MyAnimeList
If there’s one thing the unsociable and book-smart Shizuku Mizutani and the infamous “monster” Haru Yoshida have in common, it’s the fact that both of them have difficulty understanding human social behaviour and handling relationships.
Image credit: Okami46
Through their subsequent interactions, Shizuku learns that Haru is kind and gentle, contrary to the “monster” label given to him, and her cold demeanour begins to melt.
Image credit: IMDb
After Shizuku and Haru acknowledge their affection for one another, they then embark on a journey to figure out how to handle relationships – romantic relationships, friendships, and family relations – in their own awkward and unique ways.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Slice of life, School life
Length: 1 season, 13 episodes, 1 OVA
Available on: Netflix
5. Girl Demon Zakuro (2010)
Image credit: IMDb
Girl Demon Zakuro follows the story of seven individuals – three male lieutenants and four female yokai (demons) – who have to work together in the Ministry of Spirit Affairs. Although Kei Agamaki is absolutely terrified of the supernatural, he is forced to gather his courage and cooperate with yokai Zakuro, Susukihotaru, Hoozuki, and Bonbori, together with Riken and Ganryu.
Image credit: Crow’s World of Anime
Despite his initial fear and misconceptions involving spirits, Kei is drawn towards Zakuro and overcomes his fear of the supernatural. As they work closely to defeat evil demons and maintain the harmony between humans and spirits, the two slowly develop feelings for each other.
Image credit: Zerochan
Throughout the series, we see how their opinions of each other change for the better, how they work to keep the peace in Japan, and how they eventually make their mutual feelings known to each other.
Genre: Demons, Historical, Romance, Military, Supernatural
Length: 1 season, 13 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
6. My Love Story!! (2015)
Image credit: IMDb
My Love Story!! is a comedic love story between high school students Takeo Gouda and Rinko Yamato.
However, Takeo is not your typical shoujo male lead as he has an intimidating presence and towering stature. His love life isn’t smooth sailing because of his appearance and low self-esteem. To make matters worse, his childhood best bud, Makato Sunakawa, happens to be the school heartthrob.
Image credit: IMDb
Takeo falls in love with Rinko after saving her from a molester. However, he believes that Rinko, just like any other girl, will fall for Makoto instead. Unbeknownst to Takeo, the one Rinko loves is him.
Image credit: IMDb
My Love Story!! is about the cute love story between the muscular giant Takeo and tiny angel Rinko as they go through a series of hilarious events, try to clear up misunderstandings, and later boldly begin their relationship with each other.
There’s a live-action version that was released in 2015, with Ryohei Suzuki and Mei Nagano starring as its main characters. The film was well-received by fans of the series and praised for its great acting.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School life
Length: 1 season, 24 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
7. Toradora! (2008 – 2011)
Image credit: IMDb
Toradora! is a romantic comedy that follows Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka, both of whom have looks that drastically differ from their actual personalities. Ryuji looks like a fierce delinquent, but he is understanding and has a heart of gold. Taiga looks like an adorable and gentle girl due to her small build, but she is fierce like a tiger.
A hilarious turn of events causes Ryuji and Taiga to discover that both of them have crushes on each other’s best friends. The duo tries to help, but somehow always have their plans backfire on them.
Image credit: Wrong Every Time
As they spend more time together, they begin developing feelings for each other. However, no anime love story goes smoothly – Ryuji and Taiga will have to overcome issues that arise from their contrasting personalities, as well as external circumstances that stand in the way of their budding relationship.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School, Slice of life
Length: 1 season, 25 episodes, 1 OVA
Available on: Netflix
8. RDG: Red Data Girl (2013)
Image credit: P.A. Works Official Website
Izumiko Suzuhara is a shy and plain-looking girl who has spent her entire life in a shrine deep in the mountains, together with her guardian Yukimasa Sagara and his son Miyuki.
Image credit: asianfanfics
Trained to be a lifelong protector of the shrine and its deity, Miyuki cannot believe that Izumiko is the vessel for the goddess Himegami. However, his opinion of Izumiko being dull and weak changes after he witnesses the power inside her. They move to Tokyo to attend Hojo High School, and grow closer as they go through thick and thin together.
Miyuki feels unworthy of Izumiko and fears that he is incapable of protecting her. As the series progresses, we see the struggles of Izumiko and Miyuki as they battle against evil supernatural forces and do what it takes to keep each other safe, all whilst coming to terms with their feelings.
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Romance
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
9. The Story of Saiunkoku (2006 – 2008)
Image credit: IMDb
The stereotype that being born in a noble family means a life of comfort and prosperity cannot be further from the truth for Shuurei Kou, as she has to work multiple jobs to feed the family. Her life gets a glimmer of hope when she is suddenly offered a large sum of money to pretend to be a concubine of the young but lazy emperor, who needs to learn how to be a proper ruler.
She meets Ryuuki Shi, the newly appointed king, and discovers that he is completely different from what the rumours make him out to be. As Shuurei helps Ryuuki become a good emperor, her past desire to become a court official reignites. Sadly, women are not allowed to work in the government, according to the kingdom decree.
Image credit: IMDb
The Story of Saiunkoku follows Shuurei in her journey to achieve her dreams and bring positive change to an old and rigid system. Ryuuki and Shuurei work hard to help each other attain their goals and love blossoms through the process.
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Drama
Length: 2 seasons, 39 episodes each
Available on: DVD
10. Love Lab (2013)
Image credit: Amazon
Love Lab follows the lives of the students in Fujisaki Girls’ Academy as they learn about love. Natsuo Maki is regarded as a perfect lady and is the role model of all the girls in school. But she secretly practises her kissing techniques on a body pillow and her embarrassing act is caught by Riko Kurahashi, a tsundere tomboy.
Image credit: Anime-Planet
Riko discovers that Natsuo isn’t the graceful lady everyone thinks she is, but a teenage girl who desires romance. Riko is later roped in to help Natsuo on her self-proclaimed “Love Lab” project, where they do funny experiments to better understand “love”.
Image credit: Mahou Tofu
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School life
Length: 1 season, 13 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
11. Maid Sama! (2010)
Image credit: IMDb
Maid Sama! follows the story of Misaki Ayuzawa, who is the smart and independent student council president at Seika High School. However, she has a secret no one can find out – she works part-time at a maid cafe to help make ends meet. Takumi Usui, a good-looking genius from her school, later becomes privy of her secret.
Image credit: IMDb
Usui uses this secret to get closer to the seemingly fearless Misaki. However, the clueless Misaki, who doesn’t have much experience in the love department, fails to realise Usui’s feelings for her. She also stubbornly refuses to admit her growing affection for the blonde-haired male.
Image credit: sumiko
The hard-headed Misaki learns to rely on Usui for help instead of shouldering all her burdens by herself. Maid Sama! shows how Misaki, Usui, and other characters in the show grow and mature as individuals, as well as how they learn to face love boldly.
Genre: School life, Romance, Comedy
Length: 1 season, 26 episodes, 1 OVA
Available on: Netflix
12. Special A (2008)
Image credit: IMDb
Special A tells the tale of two childhood friends and rivals, Hikari Hanazono and Kei Takishima. They are both gifted and intelligent, being smarter than people their age. Hikari and Kei are rivals in academics and sports, with Hikari always coming in second despite her best efforts. She follows Kei to study at Hakusenkan, in the hopes of beating him one day.
Image credit: Divine
There, they attend a class known as Special A with five other geniuses: Ryuu, Megumi, Jun, Tadashi, and Jun. As Hikari is too focused on her goal of beating Kei in their challenges, she fails to realise that Kei is secretly in love with her.
Image credit: IMDb
Special A follows the lives of these seven high schoolers as they deal with competition, learn how to handle friendships, and mature a little in the love department.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School life
Length: 1 season, 24 episodes
Available on: DVD
13. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (2013 – 2020)
Image credit: IMDb
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU follows the lives of three people who are struggling in their own way: the sharp-witted loner Hachiman Hikigaya, the smart and brutally honest Yukino Yukinoshita, and Yui Yuigahana, the popular and outgoing girl who cannot express herself truthfully due to her fear of losing friends.
Image credit: IMDb
The lives of these high schoolers get intertwined after Hachiman ends up joining the Volunteer Service Club – a club that will extend assistance to any student who requires their support in achieving their goals. Together, Hachiman and Yukino are thrown into situations where they have to help others solve their problems, with Yui as their first “client”.
The relations between these three deepen because of an accident. Hachiman had helped to save Yui’s dog from getting hit by a car, which belonged to Yukino’s family, but unfortunately ended up getting hospitalised himself.
Image credit: souchousama
Both girls harbour romantic feelings for Hachiman as they grow closer. Although he is aware of their affections, Hachiman believes that their feelings come from a sense of guilt towards him due to the accident.
Thus begins a complicated love triangle between Hachiman, Yukino, and Yui as they go through high school helping others out as the club, and maturing as individuals.
Genre: School life, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Length: 3 seasons, 13 (S1), 13 (S2), 12 (S3), 2 OVAs
Available on: Crunchyroll
14. The Pilot’s Love Song (2014)
Image credit: IMDb
The Pilot’s Love Song is an emotional story that speaks of a forbidden love between sworn enemies. Tasked with a mission, Kal-el Albus – who is actually Prince Karl of the fallen Balsteros Empire – goes to Isla, an island floating in the sky.
At Isla, Kal attends Cadoques High’s Aerial Division, where he meets Claire Cruz. He falls in love with Claire at first sight, and they become flying partners. Their somewhat carefree days at Isla are disrupted when a war against the air tribe breaks out.
Image adapted from: NIS America
Besides the war, Kal and Claire will also have to face the truth about their real identities as Prince Karl and Nina Viento, a major ally of the Wind Revolution that overthrew the Balsteros Empire.
Image adapted from: Zero120
Their relationship becomes complicated as they are supposed to be sworn enemies. Kal and Claire will have to put the past behind them in order to bravely move forward into the future together.
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Romance
Length: 1 season, 13 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
15. Golden Time (2013 – 2014)
Image credit: IMDb
Banri Tada starts life afresh at a law school in Tokyo after he is discharged from the hospital, but he still suffers from memory loss. He later befriends Mitsuo Yanagisawa, and they become fast friends. Banri’s new college life becomes full of drama and excitement after he meets the beautiful and straightforward Kouko Kaga, who is Mitsuo’s childhood friend.
Image credit: IMDb
As Banri starts a new chapter of his life in college, he will begin to discover who he is, make new friends, and eventually fall in love with Kouko. After Kouko realises Mitsuo will never reciprocate her romantic feelings for him, she will come to love and care for Banri as they get to know each other better.
Image credit: IMDb
However, moving on to the future is easier said than done because Banri’s past starts to catch up to him. Memories of his past and accident haunt him and interfere with his relationship with Kouko. Golden Time is an emotional story that deals with amnesia, past trauma, old flames, new-found love, and a strong desire to move forward in life.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Length: 1 season, 24 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
16. Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! (2012 – 2014)
Image credit: IMDb
Yuuta Togashi wants nothing to do with his chuunibyou past. Chuunibyou is a term that’s used to describe immature teenagers who believe that they have special powers. All he wishes for is to start afresh in high school and lead a normal, uneventful life.
But his desire is for nought when he meets Rikka Takanashi, his new classmate who happens to be suffering from chuunibyou tendencies and is somehow privy to his past.
Image adapted from: Luffy Dragneel
Although he wants nothing to do with the chuunibyou life, Yuuta comes to care for Rikka. This comedic love story follows Yuuta and Rikka as they learn how to love and date despite Rikka’s chuunibyou tendencies.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama, School life
Length: 2 seasons, 12 episodes each, 2 OVAs
Available on: Netflix
17. Dream-coloured Patissiere (2009 – 2010)
Image credit: IMDb
Dream-coloured Patissiere is a food anime that follows the story of Ichigo Amano, a naive and sweet girl who has a strong love for pastry. She is later invited by Henri Lucas, a well-known professional patissier, to attend St. Marie Academy. The prestigious academy specialises in nurturing the next generation of highly skilled patissiers.
There, Ichigo befriends the popular boys of the school – Sennosuke Andou, Satsuki Hanabusa, and Makoto Kashino – who are all geniuses at making desserts.
Image credit: The Pantless Anime Blogger
Kashino is initially rude and judgmental of Ichigo, but later warms up to her as they work together with Andou and Hanabusa to win the Grand Prix, an international desserts competition.
Image credit: Tigressfan10689
Kashino and Ichigo grow closer, and he begins to fall in love with her after recognising her talent and seeing how hard she works to achieve her dreams.
They work alongside each other to become even better at making desserts, and they make a promise to confess to one another after they have achieved their goals.
Genre: School life, Romance, Slice of life
Length: 2 seasons, 50 (S1), 13 (S2), 1 OVA
Available on: Crunchyroll
18. School Rumble (2004 – 2008)
Image credit: IMDb
School Rumble is a rom-com full of hilarity as Tenma Tsukamoto and Kenji Harima strive to confess to their respective crushes. Tenma is in love with the eccentric Oji Karasuma but struggles to confess her feelings to him. Unbeknownst to Tenma, her tough-looking classmate Kenji is in love with her.
Thus begins a love triangle between Tenma, Karasuma, and Kenji. Watch to see how Tenma and Kenji try to make their feelings known to their crushes, only for their plans to backfire comically on them.
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School life, Shounen
Length: 2 seasons, 26 episodes each, 4 OVAs
Available on: DVD
19. Say “I Love You” (2012)
Image credit: IMDb
Say “I Love You” is a story of love, growth, trust, and companionship. Mei Tachibana is a loner girl who develops trust issues after getting betrayed by her friends back in elementary school. Since then, Mei has kept to herself to prevent a repeat of the past.
However, Yamato Kurosawa, a popular and extroverted boy from Mei’s school, abruptly enters her life after saving her from a creepy stalker.
Image adapted from: jenai
Mei’s life then takes a 180° turn after their fateful encounter. Yamato pursues Mei and they begin a romantic relationship. However, their relationship is tested by different factors – misunderstandings, insecurities, past actions coming back to haunt them, as well as love rivals.
Image credit: IMDb
Through the ups and downs, Mei and Yamato learn to cherish each other, and the relationships they have with the people around them. Thanks to Yamato, Mei learns to trust again and open her heart to others. In turn, Mei changes Yamato to become a better individual too.
Genre: Drama, Romance, School life
Length: 1 season, 13 episodes, 1 OVA
Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll
20. The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behaviour (2014)
Image credit: IMDb
The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behaviour follows the story of six unique and eccentric individuals – Kazunari Usa, Ritsu Kawai, Shirosaki, Mayumi Nishikino, Sayaka Watanabe, and Sumiko – who live together in the Kawai Complex.
Kazunari decides to stay at the complex because of his desire to get to know Ritsu on a personal level, his shy and bookworm senior from high school.
Image credit: IMDb
Kazunari and Ritsu grow closer to one another. As time passes, Kazunari also falls deeper in love with Ritsu and later begins to pursue her romantically.
Image credit: IMDb
The romantic comedy is full of hilarious moments and relatable scenarios. Watch to see the funny interactions between the residents of the Kawai Complex, how Kazunari deals with each of their eccentricities, and how a sweet romance blossoms between the two main characters of the series.
Genre: Slice of life, Comedy, Romance, School life
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes, 1 OVA
Available on: Crunchyroll
Romantic anime series to watch to fill the void in your heart
From cute school romances to a touching star-crossed love story, we’ve compiled a list of romantic anime series to watch when you just want a little spice in your lives. FOMO? We don’t know her.
Check out these articles for more animes to watch:
- Sports anime to get your heart racing
- Nostalgic 90s anime series
- Anime based on Japanese myths
- Horror anime series
- 20 iconic anime series
Cover image adapted from: IMBb, MyAnimeList, and IMDb
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