Romance anime has a reputation for being cheesy which it lives up to quite well. Shoujo is a genre of anime that has mostly been dominated by the high school girl with unrequited love. While that holds true for a lot of series, there are some anime that made that trope a little more thrilling, memorable and heart-warming.
Romance anime is often blended with genres like fantasy, drama, and comedy. This list is a blend of old and new romance anime that left a mark on the viewers. Not only were they a delightful watch, but some of these anime were also discontinued despite being widely popular. But no worries! Even if the anime isn’t renewed, the manga for all of these has reached its conclusion.
Without further ado, check out some of the romance anime that you absolutely should watch!
Blue Spring Ride
Blue Spring Ride or Ao Haru Ride began as a manga serialized in Shueisha’s Margaret Comics from 2011 to 2015. The anime adaptation by the same name was released in 2014. Unfortunately for the fans, the anime never concluded the events of the manga. The series by Io Sakisaka remains one of the most memorable shoujo anime of the 2010s.
The plot revolves around Futaba Yoshioka and Mabuchi Kou. Futaba behaves uncharacteristically unfeminine to avoid being abandoned by her friends. As a 6th grader, her first love Kou, leaves, and moves to a different city. Despite not having interacted much, Futaba developed a crush on him. Years later in high school, Kou moves back, now a completely different person. Futaba and Kou have a bickering friendship. As Kou starts opening up again, their relationship finds the potential to grow again in the middle of challenges.
The anime has a rating of 7.7/10 on My Anime List. For the end of the story, reading volume 13 of the manga is recommended.
Kimi Ni Todoke
In one of the sweetest romance anime, there are, Kimi ni Todoke or Reaching You should make your list. With 2 seasons of the anime released from 2009 to 2011, the manga lasted much longer and covered much more than the anime did. The manga series by Karuho Shiina was serialized in Shueisha’s Bessatsu Margaret from 2006 to 2017 and has 30 volumes published.
The plot revolves around Sawako Kuronuma, a timid high school student who is often compared to Sadako from ‘The Ring’ because of her hair and lack of social skills. Shouta Kazehaya is the most popular guy in school and refreshingly, is a very nice person. Sawako and Shouta are unaware that they both like each other and keep having awkward and wholesome interactions still love rivals that start coming up.
The series even has a live-action adaptation and as frustrating as the confusion and misunderstandings are, Kimi ni Todoke makes for a perfect Romance anime recipe. The series has a rating of 8/10 on My Anime List.
Kaguya Sama Love is War
One of the most popular romance anime at the moment, Kaguya Sama Love is War is a must-watch anime! Along with the upcoming OVA coming in 2021, Kaguya Sama is also expected to be renewed for Season 3. The manga by Aka Akasaka was initially serialized in the Weekly Young Jump before being adapted into an anime series.
The story revolves around high-school students Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane, the vice-president and president of the student council at Shuciin Academy. Hilarity ensues when they engage in elaborate tactics as love each other but are too proud to admit it and try to make the other confess.
Along with their pride, Kaguya and Mizuki are constantly surrounded by miscommunications and speculations about their mutual feelings, which they are not aware of. They keep trying to confirm the feelings of the other and ultimately have their plans foiled by uncertainty or interruptions.
This anime series has a rating of 8.68/10 on My Anime List. Don’t forget to check out our predictions for Kaguya Sama Love is War Season 3!
Kaichou Wa Maid Sama
Kachou wa Maid Sama or The Student Council President is a Maid is one of the evergreen titles in the Shoujo genre. If your type of romance anime has a bickering couple with a dash of tsundere, this is your cup of tea. The manga for the series was serialized from 2005 to 2013. The anime adaptation of the series was released in 2010 and yet again, was one of the titles which never received a Season 2.
The story revolves around Misaki Ayuzawa, the first female student council president of her school, which was originally an all-boys school. In transitioning to a co-ed school, the Demon President Misaki makes sure everyone is comfortable and the school functions properly. Misaki has a tough personality and usually has to the person who gets everything done. Things change when Takumi Usui, a mysterious yet very popular student takes an interest in her, thus beginning a roller-coaster of a relationship.
The anime series is rated an 8/10 on My Anime List. Among romance anime, this one is perhaps one of the most well-known and yet underplayed.
Fruits Basket
Anime fans are often skeptical of reboots, but Fruits Basket proved everyone had no reason to worry. With the recent season finale, the rebooted Fruits Basket is a must-watch for lovers of romance anime. The first version of the anime adaptation was released in 2001. The 2019 reboot aimed to adapt the entirety of the original manga which was serialized from 1998 to 2006.
The plot for the anime revolves around Tohru Honda, an orphan who comes across the Soma family. The twelve members are afflicted by the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac. She promises to keep their secret and continues to live with them. She witnesses their pain and does her best to soothe them. Her presence has a good influence on the signs as she feels determined to break their curse.
The final season of the anime has a rating of 9.1/10 on My Anime List.
What Are Your Favourite Titles in Romance anime?
This shortlist is definitely not exhaustive. Anime like Nodame Cantebile, Toradora, Nisekoi, and Winter Sonata are some of the anime you must watch if you like the romance genre. Nodame Cantebile is a vastly popular series with a soulful blend of comedy, romance, and music. As said before, some of these anime series are incomplete and their manga would be a great way to know their complete story.
Let us know which titles are on your must-watch list and stay tuned for more updates, news, and recommendations from us!
