Throughout the years, there have been countless romance anime that have come out. Some of these anime are hidden gems, while others make waves through the anime community. Not all romance anime are of the same quality though, and it can be hard to search for the very best.
Here, we are going to take a look at some of the best romance anime out there. These anime lean heavily into the romance aspect, with many being an emotional roller coaster. Remember, there are more romance anime out there than what’s on this list; this is just a handful of highly-regarded options for you to check out.
2019 to 2021
Seasons/Episodes
3 seasons (63 episodes)
First up, we have the 2019 version of Fruits Basket. This show originally came out in 2001 and only aired for a few months before ending. While this 2001 version was good, it didn’t cover all of the manga (as it was still coming out), and it didn’t bloom into the romantic drama that Fruits Basket is known for.
The 2019 Fruits Basket is a masterpiece, with an ensemble of characters all getting a chance to shine. The idea of ‘turning into a zodiac animal when hugged by a person of the opposite sex’ can sound silly, but Fruits Basket transforms this into an emotional story about the zodiac’s rule over the lives of helpless people.
2018
1 season (11 episodes and a 3-part OVA)
Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku is a mouthful, but trust us; this anime is a breath of fresh air if you are used to romance anime set in high school. Wotakoi takes the romance to the office, with four central characters who are all otaku.
The main male character, Hirotaka Nifuji, isan avid gamer,which is definitely relatable to us. There is even an episode thatputs the characters into an MMORPGthat they are playing. Overall, this anime is great if you are looking for an older romance that is still funny and quirky.
2019 to 2022
A-1 Pictures
3 seasons (37 episodes and a movie set after the third season)
Right from the start, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War made an impact, and it was for a good reason. This anime takes place in an elite private school, with the main cast of characters serving as members of the student council. The overall premise is simple; both Kaguya and Shirogane want the other to confess first.
Kaguya-sama is incredibly fast-paced, with segments (115 in total) being a ‘battle’ between the two. While some options on our list can be serious at times, Kaguya-sama leans into humor and silly situations. The side characters, such as Chika and Ishigami, are also worthy of having their own spin-off due to their likeability.
2014 to 2015
1 season (2 episodes and an OVA)
Your Lie In April is a classic romance anime focusing on two musicians; a pianist and a violinist. The main male character, Arima, was a piano prodigy prior to the show starting, but after his mother died, his world crumbled around him and he had a mental breakdown.
After meeting Kaori though, he regains his love for music. While the anime looks lighthearted, you should definitely be prepared to shed a few tears! This is an anime that will stick with you for a while and is worth watching if you have never seen it.
This is a movie! (1hr and 48min runtime)
Okay, we know the title of this one is weird, but it makes sense once you start watching (we won’t spoil it though!). In I Want To Eat Your Pancreas, we witness the main character read a diary from a girl who has a pancreatic illness, who turns out to be his classmate, Sakura Yamauchi.
I Want To Eat Your Pancreas is the story of the love these two share, but like Your Lie In April, you’re able to expect to shed a few tears. The anime handles a fatal illness in a beautiful and real way, making this one of our all-time favorites.
2007 to 2009
Kyoto Animation
2 seasons (44 episodes, plus 2 OVAs, 1 summary, and 2 extras)
If you’ve seen any anime, then you’ve probably heard of Clannad. The story of Clannad is a beautiful tale of love between Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa. Thisanime is based on the visual novelof the same name, which first launched in 2004. As a visual novel with multiple routes, you’re able to expect to see some of this worked into the anime.
The art style of Clannad can be polarizing to some, due to the stylized appearance of the characters (especially their eyes). Regardless of whether you like the art or not, Clannad has a great story and is a must-watch for romance anime fans.
2016
This is a movie! (1hr and 47min runtime)
We can’t talk about romance anime without mentioning Your Name. At first glance, this seems to be a simple romance anime set in high school, but it goes above and beyond. From a complex supernatural element to beautiful music (performed by Radwimps), Your Name is one of the best romance movies of all time.
It’s hard to express our love for Your Name without spoiling the plot, but if you are a fan of the movie, then be sure to check out the following anime.
These were all written and produced by the same person (Makoto Shinkai), and have a similar vibe with beautiful animation.
2005
1 season (12 episodes)
Paradise Kiss follows Yukari Hayasaka as she attends a normal high school in Tokyo. Shortly after the start of the anime, she gets drawn in by a group attending a fashion school. Within this group, she finds friendship and love, as well as some emotional drama.
This is my personal favorite anime of all time! I suggest checking out the manga, as well as other manga/anime from the mangaka, who is Ai Yazawa (the creator of Nana). Paradise Kiss is set in the same universe as Neighborhood Story; the main character in this is the older sister of Miwako from Paradise Kiss (the girl with pink hair).
This anime is incredibly realistic in terms of how romance is handled between people who have not quite matured yet. On top of this, Ai Yazawa is a pro at creating fashionable characters with unique senses of fashion.
2022
1 season (12 episodes and an OVA)
Sasaki and Miyano takes place in an all-boys high school, with the main character being Yoshikazu Miyano. This shy boy is a self-described fudanshi, which is a male fan of BL (boy’s love is romantic content between two males, but isn’t always explicit). This anime is a beautiful story of two high schoolers coming to terms with their sexuality and love for each other.
If you are looking for a cute show to give you the warm and fuzzies, then Sasaki and Miyano is the way to go. The anime deals with homosexuality in Japan, which is not often represented in media, making this a refreshing romance anime.
2021
2 season (26 episodes)
The second season is a collection of memories presented as side stories (Horimiya: The Missing Pieces)
Last but not least, we have Horimiya. If you aren’t a fan of tense drama, then Horimiya is the anime for you. Rather than miscommunications and unrequited love, this anime delivers a sweet friendship that turns into a deep love.
Horimiya has many characters, with each one getting a chance to shine. After finishing the first season, we also recommend watching Horimiya: The Missing Pieces. These are little stories that fill in the gaps of the show, giving you even more content to smile at while watching.
