Love is one of the most potent sentiments that can be experienced or yearend for and inevitably people get drawn to a strong storyline that boosts love hormones. Fortunately, the entertainment form of anime usually portrays characters in the adolescent stage, when romance flourishes the most. Here we are with a review of the top and most popular romance anime of any time.
Though, it’s difficult to pick the “best” romance anime as it depends on personal preferences, however, here are some highly regarded romance anime. These are the anime of love and romance that obviously YOU CAN NOT GIVE A MISS!
the Best romance anime
Are you looking for a world to escape from reality and dream about in a land of romance? Here are 10 popular and highly-rated romance anime that guarantees entertainment.
Your Lie in April anime
“Your Lie in April” is an anime that uses traditional tools of love and romance to deal with personal trauma. A beautiful and emotional story about a pianist who loses his passion for music after his mother’s death. He meets a free-spirited girl who helps him rediscover his craving for music and life.
At the center of the anime, we find two souls united by music, although opposed by their way of seeing the world: Kosei and Kaori. The former, however, is unable to use his musical talent like before and cannot hear the sound of his own playing but Kaori helps Kosei to rediscover the lost talent. The characters are amazing and the animation is nothing short of spectacular.
“Your Lie in April” is a compulsory anime for all those who relish seeing their heart flutter.
Your Lie in April English dub is streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
My Little Monster anime
“My Little Monster”, also known as “Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun”, is a romantic comedy anime series that originally aired in 2012. The story follows Shizuku Mizutani, a studious and serious high school girl who focuses solely on her studies, and Haru Yoshida, a hot-tempered and socially awkward boy who is seen as a delinquent by his classmates. When Haru confesses his feelings to Shizuku, she initially rejects him but eventually develops feelings for him as they spend more time together.
The anime is known for its quirky and lovable characters, as well as its mix of comedy and heartwarming moments. It deals with themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery, and has gained a dedicated fan base. The anime has 13 episodes and the English dubbed versions are available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Toradora! anime
A classic romantic comedy about two high school students who help each other pursue their crushes, only to find themselves falling for each other instead.
“Toradora!” is a popular romantic comedy anime series that originally aired in 2008. The story follows Ryuuji Takasu, a high school student with a gentle personality but an intimidating appearance, and Taiga Aisaka, a tiny but fierce girl with a difficult personality. They both have crushes on each other’s best friend and decide to help each other win their crushes’ hearts. Along the way, they begin to develop feelings for each other and their relationship becomes increasingly complicated.
The anime is known for its well-developed characters, charming humor, and heartwarming moments. It has gained a dedicated fan base and is often recommended as one of the best romantic comedies in the anime community. The anime has 25 episodes and the English dubbed versions are available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Kimi Ni Todoke anime
“Kimi ni Todoke”, also known as “From Me to You”, is a romantic anime series that originally aired in 2009. The story follows Sawako Kuronuma, a shy and misunderstood high school girl who is often mistaken for a ghost or a horror movie character because of her appearance and personality. Despite her struggles to make friends, Sawako becomes popular among her classmates after she befriends Shota Kazehaya, a popular and outgoing boy who is kind to everyone.
The anime is known for its heartwarming story, likable characters, and beautiful animation. It deals with themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery, and has gained a dedicated fan base. The anime has 25 episodes and two seasons and is available on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Say ‘I Love You’ anime
“Say ‘I Love You'”, also known as “Suki-tte Ii na yo”, is a romantic anime series that originally aired in 2012. The story follows Mei Tachibana, a socially awkward and isolated high school girl who doesn’t have any friends or romantic interests. When she accidentally injures Yamato Kurosawa, the most popular boy in school, he takes an interest in her and starts pursuing her romantically.
The anime deals with themes of love, friendship, and self-confidence, and explores the challenges that come with opening up to others and allowing oneself to be vulnerable. It is known for its realistic and relatable characters, as well as its beautiful animation and soundtrack. The anime has 13 episodes and is available in the Crunchyroll catalog.
Clannad anime
“Clannad” is a romantic drama anime series that originally aired in 2007. The story follows Tomoya Okazaki, a delinquent high school student who is bored with his life and doesn’t have any aspirations. He meets Nagisa Furukawa, a shy girl who wants to revive the school’s drama club, and they become friends. As they spend more time together, Tomoya helps Nagisa overcome her shyness and find her passion, and they fall in love.
The anime is known for its emotional and touching story, as well as its memorable characters and beautiful animation. It deals with themes of love, family, and the importance of human connections, and has gained a dedicated fan base. The anime has 23 episodes and a second season, “Clannad: After Story”, which continues the story of Tomoya and Nagisa. It is available on various streaming platforms.
Pray Monogatari!! anime
“Monogatari” is a series of supernatural romantic comedy anime that started with “Bakemonogatari” in 2009. The series follows the story of Koyomi Araragi, a high school student who gets involved in various supernatural events and encounters different female characters with unique supernatural abilities and problems. The series is known for its complex plot, engaging dialogues, witty humor, and unique animation style.
The Monogatari series comprises several anime seasons and movies, including “Nisemonogatari,” “Monogatari Series Second Season,” “Owarimonogatari,” “Zoku Owarimonogatari,” and more. Each season and movie explores different themes and focuses on different characters’ stories while maintaining the overarching plot and character development.
The Monogatari series has gained a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim for its unique storytelling, memorable characters, and excellent production quality. It is available on various streaming platforms.
Ao Haru Ride anime
“Ao Haru Ride” is a romantic drama anime series that originally aired in 2014. The story follows Futaba Yoshioka, a high school girl who is known for her cute appearance but is disliked by other girls because of her outgoing personality. She reconnects with Kou Mabuchi, a boy she knew in middle school, who has become distant and cold since then. As they rekindle their friendship and develop feelings for each other, they must confront their past traumas and learn to communicate honestly with each other.
The anime is known for its beautiful animation, emotional story, and relatable characters. It deals with themes of first love, friendship, and self-discovery, and has gained a dedicated fan base. The anime has 12 episodes and an OVA and is available on various streaming platforms.
Lovely Complex anime
“Lovely Complex” is a romantic comedy anime series that originally aired in 2007. The story follows Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Ootani, two high school students who are known as the “All Hanshin Kyojin” because of their height difference – Risa is tall for a girl, while Atsushi is short for a boy. They start off disliking each other but eventually become friends and then develop romantic feelings for each other. However, their height difference and insecurities make their relationship complicated.
The anime is known for its humor, likable characters, and heartwarming story. It deals with themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and love, and has gained a dedicated fan base. The anime has 24 episodes and is available on various streaming platforms.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War anime
“Kaguya-sama: Love is War” is a romantic comedy anime series that first aired in 2019. The story follows two high school students, Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya, who are the top students at their prestigious academy. They both have feelings for each other, but their pride and stubbornness prevent them from confessing their love. Instead, they engage in a psychological battle to make the other person confess first.
The anime is known for its witty humor, clever plot twists, and endearing characters. It explores the complications and complexities of romantic relationships in a lighthearted and entertaining way. The anime has gained a huge fan following and critical acclaim for its clever writing, stunning animation, and unique approach to the romantic comedy genre. The anime has two seasons and is available on various streaming platforms.
One of the modern kings of comedy and romance and, to this day, the highest-rated anime in history on MAL. For this and surely much more, “Kaguya-sama: Love is War” is a MUST-watch for the love and romance anime genre.
Sono Bisque Doll wa koi wo Suru anime
“Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru” is a romantic comedy anime series that began airing in 2021. The story follows a shy high school girl named Wakana Gojou, who decides to join her school’s cosplay club to try to overcome her social anxiety. There, she meets the club’s president, a handsome and talented cosplayer named Marin Kitagawa. As Wakana becomes more involved in the club and Marin’s life, she develops romantic feelings for him, and the two begin to navigate their growing attraction.
My Dress Up Darling anime is known for its endearing characters, charming humor, and heartwarming story. It explores themes of self-acceptance, personal growth, and the power of shared passions. The anime has gained a dedicated fan following for its unique premise and refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre. It is currently airing and available to stream on various platforms.
Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo anime
“Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo” is a romantic comedy anime series that originally aired in 2012. The story follows Sorata Kanda, a high school student who is forced to move to Sakura Hall, a dormitory for problematic students, after he is unable to take care of a stray cat. There, he meets Mashiro Shiina, a brilliant artist who is unable to take care of herself and needs constant supervision. As Sorata helps Mashiro with her daily life, he begins to develop feelings for her, but their relationship is complicated by their different personalities and ambitions.
The anime is known for its endearing characters, witty humor, and heartfelt story. It explores themes of personal growth, friendship, and the complexities of relationships. The anime has gained a dedicated fan following for its relatable characters and its ability to balance comedy and drama. It has 24 episodes and is available to stream on various platforms.
Golden Time anime
“Golden Time” is a romantic drama anime series that aired in 2013. The story follows Tada Banri, a freshman college student who lost his memories after an accident. He starts his new life at a law school in Tokyo and meets a beautiful and free-spirited girl named Kaga Kouko. As they spend more time together, they develop a close relationship, but Banri’s forgotten past and Kouko’s emotional baggage threaten to pull them apart.
The anime is known for its realistic portrayal of relationships and complex characters. It explores themes of identity, loss, and self-discovery, and has gained a dedicated fan base for its poignant storytelling and stunning animation. The anime has 24 episodes and is available to stream on various platforms.
Fruits Basket anime
“Fruits Basket” is a romantic drama anime series that originally aired in 2001 and was later remade in 2019. The story follows Tohru Honda, an orphaned high school student who meets the mysterious Sohma family and becomes entangled in their family curse. Members of the family are possessed by the spirits of the Chinese zodiac animals and transform into their respective animals when they are under stress or embraced by someone of the opposite sex. As Tohru becomes closer to the Sohma family and learns more about their curse, she also finds herself developing romantic feelings for some of the family members.
The anime is known for its complex characters, heartwarming story, and poignant exploration of themes such as family, love, and acceptance. It has gained a huge fan following and critical acclaim for its beautiful animation, compelling storytelling, and memorable characters. The Fruits Basket anime has a total of 63 episodes between the two adaptations and is available to stream on various platforms.
Fruits Basket movie also got a 2022 release.
Nana anime
“Nana” is a romantic drama anime series that aired in 2006. The story follows two young women, Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu, who meet on a train to Tokyo and become roommates. Nana Osaki is a punk rock singer who dreams of becoming a successful musician, while Nana Komatsu is a naive and romantic girl who is searching for love and a sense of purpose. As they navigate their lives in the city and their complicated romantic relationships, they also form a deep and enduring friendship.
The anime is known for its complex characters, emotional depth, and realistic portrayal of relationships. It explores themes of love, friendship, and personal growth, and has gained a dedicated fan base for its compelling storytelling and memorable soundtrack. The anime has 47 episodes and is available to stream on various platforms. However, it is worth noting that the anime does not have a conclusive ending, as the manga on which it is based is ongoing and the anime was not continued due to the author’s illness.
Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai anime
“Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai” is a drama anime series that aired in 2011. The story follows a group of childhood friends who are brought back together after the tragic death of their friend, Menma. Menma appears to her former friends as a ghost and asks them to grant her wish so that she can finally rest in peace. As the group works to uncover Menma’s true wish, they also confront their unresolved feelings about her death and their relationships with each other.
The anime is known for its emotional depth, poignant storytelling, and beautiful animation. It explores themes of grief, loss, and the complexity of childhood friendships. The anime has gained a dedicated fan base for its ability to capture the bittersweet nostalgia of childhood and the pain of growing up. It has 11 episodes and is available to stream on various platforms
His and Her Circumstances anime
“His and Her Circumstances” (also known as “Kare Kano”) is a romantic comedy anime series that aired in 1998. The story follows two high school students, Yukino Miyazawa and Soichiro Arima, who are both high-achieving students and seemingly perfect on the outside. However, when they start dating, their true selves are revealed, and they must navigate their growing relationship while also dealing with their personal issues and insecurities.
The anime is known for its relatable characters, witty humor, and exploration of complex themes such as identity, self-acceptance, and the challenges of growing up. It has gained a dedicated fan base for its unique visual style, innovative storytelling techniques, and relatable portrayal of teenage relationships. The anime has 26 episodes and is available to stream on various platforms.
Ouran High School Host Club anime
“Ouran High School Host Club” is a romantic comedy anime series that aired in 2006. The story follows Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at the prestigious Ouran High School, who accidentally breaks an expensive vase belonging to the school’s Host Club. To pay off her debt, Haruhi is forced to join the Host Club, a group of handsome male students who entertain female clients with their charm and hospitality. As Haruhi becomes more involved with the Host Club and its eccentric members, she finds herself developing unexpected friendships and romantic feelings.
The anime is known for its hilarious humor, engaging characters, and clever parody of shoujo romance tropes. It explores themes of gender identity, social class, and the power of friendship. The anime has gained a large and dedicated fan base for its unique blend of comedy, romance, and satire, as well as its memorable characters and beautiful animation. The anime has 26 episodes and is available to stream on various platforms.
Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun Anime
“Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun” is a romantic comedy anime series that aired in 2014. The story follows high school student Chiyo Sakura, who has a crush on her classmate Umetaro Nozaki, a popular shoujo manga artist. When she confesses her feelings to him, he misunderstands and gives her an autograph instead. Chiyo soon discovers that Nozaki is a manga artist and becomes his assistant, helping him create his popular romance manga series. As they work together, Chiyo develops a deeper understanding of Nozaki’s eccentric personality and begins to fall in love with him even more.
The anime is known for its clever humor, quirky characters, and playful parody of shoujo manga tropes. It explores themes of creativity, friendship, and the awkwardness of adolescence. The anime has gained a dedicated fan base for its unique blend of comedy and romance, as well as its colorful and expressive animation. The anime has 12 episodes and is available to stream on various platforms.
Hyouka anime
“Hyouka” is a mystery and slice-of-life anime series that aired in 2012. The story follows high school student Houtarou Oreki, who has a talent for solving mysteries but tries to avoid getting involved in anything that requires too much effort. However, when he joins the school’s Classic Literature Club, he finds himself drawn into various mysteries and puzzles alongside his curious and energetic fellow club members.
The anime is known for its captivating storytelling, complex characters, and stunning animation. It explores themes of personal growth, friendship, and the importance of curiosity and creativity. The anime has gained a dedicated fan base for its unique blend of mystery and slice-of-life elements, as well as its memorable characters and intricate plotlines. The anime has 22 episodes and is available to stream on various platforms.
Honorable mentions for the Top and best romance anime
Although the above-compiled list of outstanding romance anime is more for personal taste, however, we must not forget that there are many names that need to be mentioned. In this sense, I can highlight names such as “Kaichou wa Maid-sama!”, “Spice and Wolf”, or “Hotarubi no Mori e” and more recent ones like “Orange” or “ReLife”.
Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming anime and all your favorite titles. In the meantime, don’t forget to let us know your picks from the best anime movies of all time, the best English Dubbed Anime, and the Best Netflix Anime, and let us know all of your favorite titles in the upcoming Winter 2023 anime season!
