New 2024 Romance Anime

Like every other year, 2024 is overflowing with anime content. Each season contains a plethora of action, isekai, fantasy, and comedy shows, along with the occasional slice of life, horror, mecha, and magical girl series. Naturally, love stories are no exception, and the genre tends to be well-represented.

Romance anime arrive in many shapes, sizes, and subgenres, and this variety has been on full display throughout 2024. To make sure nobody misses any show they might be interested in, here are all the new 2024 romance anime that have been announced so far.

Updated November 17, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The year is steadily coming to an end, and 2024 will go down as a pretty great era for romance anime. Every season has included at least a couple of great series, and Fall 2024 is not an exception. The current quarter’s section has been updated, including the addition of You are Ms. Servant as it has enough romance qualities to qualify.

No movies or OVAs will be included. The same goes for ONAs.

A Sign Of Affection

Winter 2024

Based on a popular shojo manga that debuted in 2019, A Sign of Affection was one of Winter 2024’s better shows in any genre, not just romance. Since birth, Yuki has been hearing impaired, and she can at times struggle to connect with people. One day, she meets Itsuomi Nagi, a guy who can speak multiple languages (although not sign language). This chance encounter starts a heartwarming relationship centering around communication.

Although generally enjoyable, romance stories tend to stick to established tropes and dynamics. Consequently, A Sign of Affection‘s unique focus sets it apart from the crowd. The fact that both Yuki and Itsuomi are likable characters does not hurt either, and the secondary cast gets some attention as well.

The Demon Prince Of Momochi House

Winter 2024

On her 16th birthday, Himari inherits a house from her deceased parents, which she plans to make full use of despite rumors that it might be cursed. Once there, Himari finds three unwanted male guests who refuse to leave; before long, the young protagonist learns there is a good reason her new home is thought to be haunted.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House leans quite heavily into comedy and some action (especially during the first few episodes), while a romance between Himari and Aoi bubbles in the background. The manga is generally a fun read, and the anime is decent but suffers from a slow start that might put off viewers.

Tales Of Wedding Rings

Winter 2024

Tales of Wedding Rings is an isekai story that blends action, fantasy, romance, and harem elements. Debuting in 2014 and producing more than 70 chapters up to this point, the source material is reasonably successful and has a cult following. Satou loves Hime, a girl he has known for years; therefore, he naturally follows her to another world when she slips through a portal.

Once there, he learns that his friend is the princess of another world and is set to marry the next king. However, this can change depending on who possesses her ring, and Hime (or Krystal) is not the only princess with jewelry to hand out. As far as harem ecchi isekai anime are concerned, Tales of Wedding Rings can be enjoyable if someone goes in with relatively low expectations. Even though the whole story revolves around the male lead developing a harem, Kyrstal is 100% presented as Satou’s main love interest; however, the story’s genre-blend means that she often takes a backseat.

7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys A Carefree Life Married To Her Worst Enemy!

Winter 2024

Villainess anime have become commonplace, and while most fall within isekai territory, exceptions exist. Fall 2023’s Tearmoon Empire was one such example, and 7th Time Loop was another. Rishe has died six times already, reincarnating on the day she was dumped by her fiancé. Unfortunately, she always seems to meet a gruesome end after a while, despite her efforts to change her fate. Determined to make the next one count, she sets out to stop the start of a war that always breaks out, a process that involves getting to know Prince Arnold.

7th Time Loop offers mystery, comedy, drama, and heart-pounding romance. Rishe is the star of the story here, and her chemistry with Arnold is fantastic. While villainess stories are starting to become inescapable, this anime is one of the theme’s better examples.

The Foolish Angel Dances With The Devil

Winter 2024

While predominantly a comedy, The Foolish Angel Dances With The Devil should be able to scratch someone’s itch for romance, especially if they push through the first few episodes. Set in a universe where demons and angels are at war, Akutsu turns to the human world for assistance, and he decides to attend a high school in the hope of finding recruits. Once there, he meets a captivating girl named Lily who he feels an almost instant attraction to. Unfortunately, he learns that she is an angel.

With a Romeo & Juliet-style premise and a penchant for comedic silliness, The Foolish Angel Dances With The Devil is a cute romcom about enemies-turned-partners. The early episodes can be frustrating as they mainly consist of the angel humiliating the devil, but the anime slowly adopts a more wholesome tone as it moves along.

Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With The Lamp

Winter 2024

Yuin’s Doctor Elise web novel was adapted into a manhwa in 2017, lasting for roughly four years before ending in 2021. In a unique twist, the protagonist is a terrible person who, after being killed, reincarnates in Korea. Deciding to specialize in medicine, Elise has a good run but winds up meeting her end again, only to be reincarnated as her former awful self. Now, she plans to set things right and carve a positive future for herself, which involves taking her love life in a healthy direction.

Doctor Elise was not among Winter 2024’s most memorable isekai or romance anime, with the series losing momentum quickly as it moved along. The first episode arguably represented the show’s peak, and it never really reached that high bar again.

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!

Summer 2024

Getting the Boys Love train started on the right not for 2024, Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! can be slightly off-putting due to its title, particularly for newcomers who are not that familiar with this theme. However, the show is a pretty charming romance that even subverts some BL tropes.

Powered by his virginity, Adachi develops the ability to read people’s minds, which quickly exposes that his popular work college, Kurosawa, has a thing for him. As he does not identify as gay, Adachi is not quite sure how to process this information, and he goes on a journey of self-discovery as he slowly realizes that he would rather get to know Kurosawa better than keep him at a distance. While the core idea sounds a bit silly, Cherry Magic uses Adachi’s ability to break down Kurosawa’s actions, showing that this seemingly confident character is rife with insecurity and doubt.

Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included

Spring 2024

Like any genre, romance tends to revisit a few basic concepts. Manga (and anime) love to throw an “average” guy with a “quirky” girl who might have an element of mystery to them. Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included does not hide its selling point: the male lead suddenly finds himself living with a spiritual being.

Good-natured but unaccustomed to the ways of humankind, Towa, the eponymous angel, is inexperienced but also very willing to learn. Fortunately, Shintarou is more than ready to help his new roommate out. Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included is likable fluff. The characters are inoffensive and pleasant, without necessarily being that interesting. This anime offers a fine way to spend 20 minutes per week, especially if someone enjoys their romances to come with a healthy dose of harem and comedy tropes.

Spice And Wolf: Merchant Meets The Wise Wolf

Spring 2024

Isuna Hasekura’s Spice and Wolf light novel is a beloved fantasy romance classic, and it produced a great anime adaptation in 2008. That version has aged well and is an easy recommendation, but it only covers a fragment of the source material. Consequently, a new version is now out, one created in celebration of the property’s 15th anniversary.

Spice and Wolf revolves around Lawrence and Holo’s relationship. The former is a traveling merchant with aspirations of opening a shop; meanwhile, the latter is a goddess who has grown disillusioned with her circumstances. Together, they go on a journey filled with charm, beauty, and bargains. While still airing its 25-episode run, Spice and Wolf should go down as one of the year’s best romance anime.

At the bare minimum, Holo will be among 2024’s best female anime characters, as she is the definition of charming. Not to take anything away from Lawrence, a great male lead in his own right, but the merchant is utterly overshadowed by the wise wolf, who is firmly established as one of the best-written characters in the romance genre (any version, to be honest). Holo has a strong personality that blends intelligence, hopefulness, and world-weariness, creating a persona that is both relatable and also undeniably singular.

A Condition Called Love

Spring 2024

A Condition Called Love seemed destined for an adaptation as the manga is more than popular enough to justify it. The series is one of the more interesting romance anime of 2024, but viewers should be warned that the story is not 100% wholesome all the time. Hotaru has very little interest in romance, but she decides to accept Hananoi’s request for a date when he asks her out in public. While they make for a relatively cute couple, Hananoi is also fairly intense, to the point of bordering on obsession and unhealthy behavior.

Although calling out the male protagonist’s conduct at times, it is a slow process; consequently, A Condition Called Love might leave a rather sour taste in a viewer’s mouth. Hananoi can be controlling and invasive of Hotaru’s space, creating an uncomfortable dynamic that is difficult to support.

An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How To Love Your Elf Bride

Spring 2024

A male protagonist purchasing a female slave is, admittedly, not the greatest starting point for a romance, but quite a few light novels, manga, and anime utilize this trope. Most are not great, but An Archedemon’s Dilemma is something of an exception.

The light novel debuted in 2017, with a manga adaptation following the year after. The property has a positive reputation on the whole, and the anime showcases why that is the case. Zagan and Nephy are surprisingly adorable together, and the former’s goal to free the latter from her bonds makes their master-servant dynamic easier to digest. They are also both powerful and demonstrate their capabilities often, lessening the power dynamic to an extent. Zagan’s awkwardness around Nephy is also quite charming and fits his backstory well.

Astro Note

Spring 2024

An anime original, Astro Note is a wacky comedy with a romantic edge. After being let go from his chef job, Takumi is offered a new position as a live-in cook at a boarding house, which he only accepts because he has a crush on the residence’s caretaker, Mira. Unbeknownst to the love-struck guy, she also happens to be an alien.

Astro Note‘s director, Shinji Takamatsu, is experienced in comedy, working on classics like Gintama, School Rumble, and Grand Blue. That resume shines through the Spring 2024 series, with the humor being aggressive, energetic, and potentially polarizing. The romance mostly takes a backseat, being used as a plot point rather than anything substantial.

Grandpa And Grandma Turn Young Again

Spring 2024

A candidate for the cutest 2024 romance anime, Jii-san Baa-san Wakagaeru is about an elderly couple, Shouzou and Ine, who suddenly regain their youth. In a charming twist, this development does not change their dynamic all that much, and they wind up generally doing the same things that they always did.

Jii-san Baa-san Wakagaeru is a lighthearted slice of life centering around an endearing married couple who are comfortable with each other. The anime translated the manga well, with both Ine and Shouzou regularly showing their affection for each other. At times, they do come across as a bit too shy considering they have been together for decades by this point in the story, but these moments are mostly cute.

Mission: Yozakura Family

Spring 2024

Losing his family at a young age, Taiyou is largely alone, although he has one close friend in Mutsumi Yozakura. However, one day, the teenager finds himself targeted for death by his classmate’s brother, a situation that winds up revealing that Mutsumi comes from a family of spies. Long story short, Taiyou needs to marry Mutsumi to survive; in turn, he plans to become the best possible spy to ensure his bride also remains safe.

Mission: Yozakura Family blends action, drama, humor, and romance, creating a fun romp with very few slow or dull moments. As a shonen jump property, the story leans heavily into Taiyou’s training and the family’s missions, which are generally entertaining. That said, Taiyou and Mutsumi are refreshingly comfortable around each other; at one point, the former drank from the same straw as the latter and did not panic about sharing an “indirect kiss.”

Vampire Dormitory

Spring 2024

Vampire anime do not come around often, and Vampire Dormitory could hit the mark with fans of the theme’s romantic side. Crossdressing as a guy, the homeless Mito is approached by Ruka, a vampire who does not like the taste of men’s blood but also cannot drink from women. Due to believing Mito to be a guy, Ruka suggests that she come to live with him, which she accepts.

Vampire Dormitory is a fairly typical shojo romance, and the anime does not deliver too many surprises. That said, there is nothing wrong with predictability if it is executed well, and this series is largely fine.

Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers

Spring 2024

While most isekai stories tend to go down the harem route, exceptions naturally exist. Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers opts to focus on an established couple, with Flio and Fenrys coming together quite quickly in the light novel. The anime emphasizes their “marriage” heavily as well, and they make for an endearing duo.

The male protagonist is summoned to serve as a kingdom’s hero, but his weak stats cause him to be banished. However, he eventually learns that he is much stronger than he initially presumed; more importantly, he quickly meets a demon wolf who takes a shine to him.

Fenrys and Flio make for a cute couple, and they bounce off each other well. Despite having quite a robust roster of characters, the anime presents these two as its main and only couple, allowing them to flourish while building a few reasonably healthy friendships along the way.

Welcome Home

Spring 2024

Spring 2024 had something to offer both Boys Love and Girls Love fans. Part of the Omegaverse, Tadaima, Okaeri envisions a world with a more fluid gender system, including people known as Omegas who can give birth regardless of their gender. Despite being quite common, Omegas face regular discrimination, something Masaki is very familiar with. While dealing with past trauma, Masaki is trying not to pass on his fears to his children, whom he is raising alongside Hiromu.

Relevant and powerful, Tadaima, Okaeri frames its social commentary through a lovable family dynamic. Hiromu and Masaki are not only great parents to Hikari and Michiru but they are also a supportive couple who have been through their share of challenges, ones that left scares but made them stronger.

Unnamed Memory

Spring 2024

It only takes a single beautiful moment to make a romance; conversely, one terrible choice can have the opposite impact. Unnamed Memory had quite a few things going for it, mainly a powerful female lead. Looking to break a curse that has rendered him incapable of having a child with most women, Oscar turns to Tinasha, a powerful witch, for a solution. After rejecting his marriage proposal, the latter agrees to live with the former for a year while searching for a cure. In the meantime, their relationship gradually strengthens, suggesting they might end up together.

Oscar’s romantic interest in Tinasha is fairly one-sided, and he can be rather aggressive with his declarations of love. While these exchanges are mostly playful, the one exception paints the male lead in such a negative light that he has yet to recover (and the same can be said for the main romance). Anyone who has watched the anime will know the scene, but a jealous Oscar robs Tinasha of her abilities and threatens to take advantage of her (as a prank/punishment). The moment came out of nowhere and did not fit his character, at least not up to that point.

Whisper Me A Love Song

Spring 2024

While The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio has only implied romance so far (albeit with an unexpectedly forward bath scene), Whisper Me a Love Song is very much about two teenagers falling for each other, even if they might not fully understand what they are experiencing. Blown away by her senpai’s performance at their school’s opening ceremony, Himari confesses her admiration to Yori, who mistakenly takes it as a declaration of love. As she falls for the younger girl, Yori decides to spend more time with Himari to see if there might be genuine romantic feelings between them.

Whisper Me a Love Song is somewhat slow-going for a Girls Love show, as the subgenre tends to prefer stories that move at a quick pace. However, Yori and Himari are instantly affable, and their scenes are constantly adorable. The supporting characters are also solid, for the most part.

Unfortunately, the anime lost a lot of steam as it moved along and, as of this moment, is still on hiatus.

My Wife Has No Emotion

Summer 2024

Another AI-themed romance, My Wife Has No Emotion revolves around a human man and his android partner. This time, Takuma specifically buys Mina to keep his apartment clean and cover the chores, and that is the extent of their relationship at first. However, things gradually start to change after Takuma mentions that Mina is like his wife, which the robot takes as an order that she should try to fulfill that role.

The anime is kind of uneven. On the one hand, Mina and Takuma’s dynamic is wholesome and cute; conversely, it is weird and borderline uncomfortable. Sure, Mina has some agency, but she is still Takuma’s property, creating an imbalance that is not great for a romance. Takuma also does not come across as particularly endearing, especially in the first few episodes.

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings In Russian

Summer 2024

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings In Russian has a pretty simple hook that lends itself well to both comedy and romance. Sleeping through lessons, Kuze comes across as lazy, something a girl in his class, Kujou, regularly reprimands him for. Hard-working and disciplined, the latter secretly has feelings for her classmate, which she reveals in Russian under the assumption that nobody else speaks the language. However, Kuze is an exception, although he prefers to keep that fact to himself.

One of the most hyped-up anime of Summer 2024, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian largely lived up to its pre-debut momentum. Alya and Kuze’s banter is generally delightful, especially since both members are presented on equal footing. Sure, they engage in some light teasing, but it is playful and usually advances their relationship. Although a bit slow at times, the anime pursues Alya and Kuze’s romance to an extent, building gradually towards their end goal while continuously exploring them as individuals. Alya also has a pretty good roster of secondary characters, with Yuki arguably stealing the show.

Pseudo Harem

Summer 2024

Pseudo Harem starts as more of a slice of life comedy with romantic subtext than a full-blown romance, but Eiji and Rin are obviously into each other. As Eiji wants to be popular and surrounded by adoring girls, Rin decides to use her acting ability to take on the persona of different waifus, feeding into her senpai’s fantasy. Her antics are all in good fun, and he is generally along for the ride. Naturally, Rin has a thing for Eiji, but the latter struggles to pick up on the not-so-subtle cues.

Pseudo Harem pokes fun at harem tropes without looking down on them, all the while telling an adorable slow-moving romance between two awkward but charming teenagers. Mostly structured like a skit comedy, episodes typically cover a couple of moments and situations that are fairly inconsequential but help strengthen the pair’s dynamic. Rin and Eiji are instantly great together, and it all comes across as effortless.

Senpai Is An Otokonoko

Summer 2024

Tackling relevant and challenging themes, Senpai Is an Otokonoko takes a modern look at sexuality and gender identity. The “senpai” in question is Makoto Hanaoka, a guy who cross-dresses as a girl at school. The story primarily revolves around Makoto’s relationships with Saki Aoi, a younger girl who loves her senpai, and Ryuuji Taiga, a close friend who is dealing with his own complicated feelings. While not extremely dark, Senpai Is an Otokonoko tells a grounded story that tries to explore all three characters’ lives, personalities, and sexualities.

Senpai Is an Otokonoko explores gender norms in a way that sets it apart from nearly every other anime, especially since it does not fit the Boys Love or Girls Love subgenres. Makoto is complex, but they are not the only character who is granted the spotlight. Ryuuji is particularly interesting.

Days With My Stepsister

Summer 2024

Days with My Stepsister is a loaded title that might paint an inaccurate picture in a lot of people’s heads. For the most part, this anime should tell a fairly grounded slice-of-life story about a newly formed family, albeit one that sprinkles in some romance as it goes along.

Yuuta and Saki are roughly the same age, and they also go to the same school. When their parents marry, they suddenly find themselves sharing a roof. Some initial awkwardness aside, they quickly form a bond and begin to help each other out. Romance is obviously the end goal, but it is not the only focus of the story. Yuuta and Saki are both trying to get used to depending on each other, especially since they are both quite dependent.

Twilight Out of Focus

Summer 2024

Recently, every season seems to produce one notable Boys Love anime, and their quality has been consistently decent. While perhaps not reaching the same heights as Welcome Home, Twilight Out of Focus was another great addition to this theme, one that explores a few different relationships throughout the season.

Initially, the anime might seem to revolve solely around Mao and Hisashi, roommates who gradually realize their feelings go beyond friendship; however, they only take center stage for the first couple of episodes, eventually moving aside for two other blossoming couples. Each dynamic is different as well, and they are not necessarily always perfect matches for each other.

The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies

Summer 2024

An adaptation of Cocoa Fujiwara’s final manga before the mangaka’s untimely passing in 2015, The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies is a cute rom-com that twists the magical girl genre on its head. Mira is leading the charge to destroy Earth, while Mimori is humanity’s first line of defense. However, things take a strange twist when the villain finds himself falling in love with the magical girl. Primarily focusing on comedy, The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies is funny and sweet.

Mira and Mimori, obviously, carry this 2024 romance anime hard, and they are basically in every scene. Although stilted at times, their banter is generally heartwarming and evolves gradually with each new episode, so it is not just the same thing repeated until the end of time. At the end of the year, The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies will not be 2024’s best romance anime; however, Mira and Mimori should be contenders for its best couple.

Love Is Indivisible By Twins

Summer 2024

Shihon Takamura’s Koi wa Futago de Warikirenai follows Jun and the Jinguuji sisters, with the former initially dating the older sibling (Rumi). However, complicated feelings arise due to Rumi knowing that Naori has a huge crush on Jun, so she decides to break things off to set the stage for those two to date. Obviously, things just get more complicated from there.

Love Is Indivisible by Twins is a weird watch. Rumi and Naori are both interesting characters in their own right, and they have chemistry with Jun that allows their relationships to shine. However, despite being one of the few Summer 2024 romance anime to quickly form a couple, the dates are dragged down by melodrama. The show also surprisingly lacks much in the way of comedy, opting for a SOAP-esque tone instead. There is nothing wrong with that, but it might not be exactly what every viewer is craving.

Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!

Summer 2024

Too Many Losing Heroines! warrants a special mention as a slice of life comedy that happens to revolve quite a bit around the characters’ romantic lives and failings. Kazahiko Nukumizu becomes involved with three girls at school after he sees their love confessions fall on uninterested ears.

Lost love drives Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! forward, but romance between the characters is not necessarily the focus. So far, Kazuhiko comes across as more of a friend to the girls rather than a potential love interest. Still, the anime is great, particularly the humor and the animation. The girls are all very likable, and their heartbreak is understandable and not particularly melodramatic.

Atri: My Dear Moments

Summer 2024

Based on a game rather than a manga or light novel, Atri: My Dear Moments is one of a few android-based romance anime airing in 2024. Set in a terrifying future where rising sea levels have eradicated most dry land, leaving humanity with little room to maneuver, the story revolves around Natsuki Ikaruga, a guy who is struggling to survive, and Atri, an android girl he happens to awaken.

As Frontwing and Makura’s visual novel is highly regarded for its characters and world-building, the adaptation has more than enough great material to create something special. The show mostly hit the ground running so far, delivering a decent range of episodes that established the world, Natsuki’s challenges, and Atri’s personality. Admittedly, Atri’s design makes her look quite a bit younger than Natsuki, but their dynamic is not that focused on romance.

Murai In Love

Fall 2024

Primarily a comedy but also with a fair few romantic elements, Murai in Love tackles a taboo subject as the central pairing involves a female teacher and a male student. It should be noted that Murai, the student, falls in love with Tanaka, the teacher, and the former goes out of his way to try and become the “perfect” partner, based on the latter’s love for Otome games.

The 2018 web manga can be pretty funny at times, and it was successful enough to inspire a Japanese live-action drama as well. The anime adaptation has a few amusing bits, although it has mostly slipped by without attracting too much attention.

Murai in Love
is an ONA and would usually not be included. However, it is available on Hulu, so might as well give it a quick mention here.

I’ll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History

Fall 2024

Another villainess isekai story, I’ll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History finds its female lead awakening as the “bad” character in her favorite otome game: Alicia Williams. The original character is “evil” in as basic of a way as possible, with her just being awful to everyone around her but not doing anything particularly interesting or unique. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the protagonist sets out to become the greatest villainess imaginable.

I’ll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History has been mostly decent so far, as long as a viewer does not mind a story that mostly involves tropes. The romance is arguably one of the weaker elements, largely due to Alicia being far younger than her main suitor, Duke Seeker. They are just a bit awkward together.

Tying The Knot With An Amagami Sister

Fall 2024

While mainly a recommendation for harem fans, Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister also fits the romance genre. Uryuu moves into a shrine and meets three sisters (and shrine maidens), and he learns that he will have to marry one of them. As far as set-up goes, this is quite conventional and straight-to-the-point, and the show’s success rate comes down entirely to the main characters.

Fortunately, Amagami Sister has a pretty decent core trio. Uryuu is a confident and direct male lead who has specific and likable goals that have nothing really to do with the girls. For the latter, Yuna, Asahi, and Yae are all charming in their own right, and they have wildly different personalities.

365 Days to the Wedding

Fall 2024

Now, this is a fun twist on the romance genre. To avoid a transfer overseas, Takuya and Rika decide to pretend they are getting married in a year, despite barely ever interacting. Thrusting themselves into this new-found fake romance, they must play their part to ensure they do not find themselves in Siberia.

Ashi Productions is not necessarily known for its romance adaptations, but the studio has created its share of classics over the decades. While still early days, 365 Days to the Wedding has been an interesting ride so far, one that provides a fairly unique look at love and marriage. The leads are not exactly brimming with charisma, but they can be relatable.

Blue Box

Fall 2024

One of the most highly anticipated romance anime of 2024, Blue Box has been a fixture of modern shonen manga since its 2021 debut. In a nice change of pace, Kouji Kiura’s manga also fits the sports genre, which does not cross over with romance all that often (but when it does, the results are usually great).

Taiki and Chinatsu are both striving to excel in their chosen fields, although the latter is generally more talented than the former. When they wind up living together, the stage is set for their friendship to blossom and potentially turn into something more. Blue Box does such a great job of setting up Taiki and Chinatsu as not only individuals with clear motives but also friends who have enough chemistry to become something more. The animation is also gorgeous.

Dandadan

Fall 2024

This might be a bit of a stretch since Dandadan covers so many different genres, most prominently comedy and action, but romance is a big part of the equation, even if it might be relegated to subtext for long stretches. The story is squarely built on Momo and Ken’s relationship, one that starts with a bet and gradually morphs into something precious.

Their banter sizzles from their opening scene, blending humor and character depth seamlessly. While they have a somewhat antagonistic dynamic at times, they become supportive of each other quite quickly, going so far as to defend the other person’s honor.

How I Attended an All-Guy’s Mixer

Fall 2024

Another series that focuses on cross-dressing, How I Attended an All-Guys Mixer chronicles the progress of three relationships, all of which feature guys dating women who dress as men for their jobs. The title refers to the couples’ initial encounter, a mixer that Tokiwa, Kohaku, and Hagi attend without the knowledge of their dates’ progressions; consequently, they are caught off guard. Nevertheless, this group date pays off.

A romantic comedy that shines a spotlight on a part of Japanese culture that is not often represented in anime, How I Attended an All-Guys Mixer is pretty refreshing, especially due to feature college-age students rather than the typical high schoolers. While not instantly in relationships, the anime quickly establishes three couples, all of whom are endearing.

Puniru Is a Cute Slime

Fall 2024

There is nothing quite like the love between a boy and a slime. Well, Kotaro might contest that as the teenager struggles to accept that the slime he created as a child can now morph into a girl. Humor and romance ensue.

Puniru Is a Cute Slime could be a bit polarizing since its humor occasionally leans into obnoxious territory, particularly when it comes to the eponymous slime. Rather than a romance, this anime is better viewed as a gag comedy.

Ranma ½ (2024)

Fall 2024

A cause for celebration, Ranma ½ has made its big comeback. While primarily a comedy, Ranma 1/2 incorporates plenty of romance, even if it is mostly designed to make fun of the genre’s tropes. Ranma and Akane are an iconic duo by this point, and the new series quickly establishes their dynamic, which starts as pure hatred.

Ranma ½ is just a blast, and the 2024 adaptation retains the source material’s wicked sense of humor while utilizing top-tier animation worthy of such a timeless property. While maybe not the most romantic Fall 2024 anime, Ranma ½ is among the most entertaining.

TsumaSho/If My Wife Became An Elementary School Student

Fall 2024

Now, that title might raise concerns about the story’s content. However, If My Wife Became an Elementary School Student is a relatively wholesome story about grief and moving on following a personal tragedy. A decade after his wife passed away, Keisuke meets her reincarnated version. The latter decides to help the former move on while also helping her daughter, who has become isolated over the years.

TsumaSho is not a conventional romance since, well, the female lead is 10 years old; however, it touches upon themes that are rarely explored by anime in general. The anime is willing to get heavy at times as well, so it is not a wacky slice of life that hints at things like depression.

You are Ms. Servant

Fall 2024

Similar to isekai, romance often leans into wish-fulfillment territory, which is not innately a negative trait. There is nothing wrong with power fantasies, and the same can be said for series that allow viewers to teleport themselves into the protagonist’s shoes as they experience a fluffy and exciting love story. You are Ms. Servant is a rather blatant example, with the ordinary male protagonist suddenly finding himself living with a beautiful maid who just wants to do everything right by him. Also, she is a former assassin with plenty of blood on her hands, although she wants to leave that life behind.

You are Ms. Servant is entertaining, almost exclusive thanks to Yuki (the maid). Pandering as the character might be, she is still charismatic, funny, and frequently badass. Her assassin background grants her a sliver of tragedy, but it primarily serves as a source of humor. The male lead, Hitoyoshi Yokoya, is inoffensive but quite forgettable. He represents the average person, albeit one who is quite mature for his age. While not the most interesting character to ever grace the romance genre, he has decent chemistry with Yuki.

Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii

Fall 2024

Based on a popular seinen manga that has been going on since 2017, Yakuza Fiancé revolves around Yoshino and Kirishima, two representatives of different yakuza families who are forced to marry to create a relationship between the two. As far as premises are concerned, this one is very much a trope.

Yakuza Fiancé‘s art style can be off-putting at first since it seems to call back to shows from the 2000s, which is not a bad thing by any means. The same can be said about the story, especially since Yoshino is pretty much forced into interacting with a guy she has no interest in knowing. However, their dynamic grows a lot more interesting at the end of the first episode.

The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor

Fall 2024

Somewhat similar to Winter 2024’s 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!, The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor follows a female lead who is falsely accused and killed but then gets a second chance at life when she travels back in time to six years earlier. When she reawakens, she decides to jokingly confess her love to the dragon emperor, knowing his future involves a lot of bloodshed. To her surprise, he reciprocates the gesture.

A fantasy comedy with a romance element, Do-Over Damsel has a big age difference between its two leads. Beyond that, the female protagonist is pretty great and proactive.

Nina The Starry Bride

Fall 2024

Nina the Starry Bride is named after its main heroine, a street urchin orphan who has led as harsh of a life as possible. Things take a strange turn when she finds herself in the custody of the local prince, who decides that she will step into the shoes of the recently deceased Prince Alisha. While this might sound better than living on the streets, Nina is essentially a prisoner in the palace, and she knows that her future is still very much in danger.

Nina is the star here, and she has retained most of her charm in the anime adaptation. The story incorporates adventure elements quite heavily, so it is not just a romance.

2024 Anime With Romantic Subtext Or Elements

While containing plenty of proper, full-blown romance anime, 2024 also has plenty of shows that incorporate some romantic subtext, be it flirting between the protagonists or just hints at potential future relationships. These series cannot be described as romance anime, but they are still worth watching if someone enjoys romance in their anime.

If one of the above anime ends up having more romance than initially anticipated, it will be promoted to a full entry.

2024 Romance Anime Sequels

Naturally, 2024 has plenty of romance anime sequels as well; in fact, these projects have mostly outshined the new additions to the genre, at least in terms of exposure. The Dangers in My Heart will probably go down as the year’s best romance anime, and Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You also made its long-awaited return, producing its first anime content in more than a decade.

The following shows have all been announced for the year.