Best Romance Anime

A good romance is enough to make anyone’s heart soar, and anime can bring these stories to life better than most mediums. There have been countless romantic tales told through Japanese animation throughout the years, from comedic stories to those that are deep and heartbreaking.

Fans of romance may have a hard time sifting through the thousands of choices to try and pick the perfect show to watch, especially since every season seems to introduce a handful of new series that have similar premises. Fortunately, the best romance anime stand out from the crowd in a big way.

Updated November 22, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Fall 2024 is more than halfway done, and the season’s romance shows have been pretty great. Let’s highlight the standouts.

Best Fall 2024 Romance Anime

Romance anime have always been popular, but they seem to have really picked up steam in recent years. Every season seems to include at least a couple of shows that either garner widespread acclaim or capture the popular zeitgeist. Fall 2024 is arguably not as stacked as Spring or Summer 2024, but it still has a lot of love to go around. More importantly, it has one of the best romance anime of the year.

Before jumping into the lineup’s best series (so far), there are a couple of honorable mentions:

• How I Attended an All-Guy’s Mixer is a cute rom-com about guys and girls who dress as guys. While not necessarily dating yet, three couples have been formed, and they are all likable.
• The Do-Over Damsel Conquers The Dragon Emperor is an OK fantasy romance option that features an OP female lead who travels back in time and ends up confusing her love for the eponymous emperor. Nina the Starry Bride is also an option, as is I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History.
• Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister is a harem, so it will not be for everyone. Still, the characters are generally quite likable, with all three girls having strong personalities.
• Ranma ½ is a classic, and the new version lives up to its reputation. Comedy is the name of the game, but Ranma and Akane’s relationship can get hearts fluttering too.

Blue Box

Blue Box had quite a lot of hype leading to its debut, which could have backfired if it got off to a rocky start. Fortunately, Telecom hit the ground running by delivering gorgeous animation, along with a faithful adaptation that instantly captures Chinatsu and Taiki’s charm and chemistry. Now, this is the definition of a slow-burn romance, so viewers should be prepared for a long buildup towards an actual relationship. Still, that can be entertaining if handled well, and Blue Box has done everything right so far.

Inspired by Chinatsu’s determination to maximize her basketball potential, Taiki aims for the nationals in badminton, an ambitious goal for a high school student who does not necessarily excel at the sport. Through an unexpected turn of events, they also end up living together, granting both Taiki and Chinatsu the opportunity to get closer. The two leads are great together, and they are backed by fantastic support characters, including Hina (who has a crush on Taiki). While also a sports series, Blue Box is primarily romance, and a great one at that.

Dandadan

Dandadan wears a lot of hats. The anime is hilarious, arguably among the funniest shows of not only Fall 2024 but also the entire year. The series also knows its way around action, delivering visual spectacles that never lose sight of the characters’ personalities and development. While nothing too deep, the supernatural (and sci-fi) elements are implemented well. So, after all that, how can Dandadan also be a great romance? Like, that is just too much.

The thing is, Momo and Ken’s friendship is arguably the best part of the story so far. They are ridiculously great together, and their banter somehow manages to be sweet despite both of them relying on the occasional insult. Episode 5 serves as a great demonstration of Dandadan‘s rom-com brilliance. With almost no action and focusing nearly exclusively on Momo and Ken’s awkward attempts to connect at school, this episode is delightful, endearing, funny, and just everything.

365 Days to the Wedding

Romance stories might end with an engagement, but they do not usually start with it. Offering a peculiar take on the genre, 365 Days to the Wedding revolves around two coworkers who pretend they are getting married in a year to avoid relocation. They must play the part of an in-love couple at work, but neither of them is experienced in this area.

Rika and Takuya are fairly socially awkward, and they never gave marriage or even relationships all that much thought. While they agree to an engagement based solely on convenience, the situation forces them to face something they were comfortable ignoring.

Now, on to the best non-airing romance anime.

32 Shikimori’s Not Just A Cutie

MyAnimeList: 6.92

This might be a controversial pick as Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie garnered a mixed response when it debuted during the Spring 2022 season. Signaled out as the “new” My Dress-Up Darling, Doga Kobo’s series was hyped up to be a show that it never pretended to be; this is a slice of life anime that happens to center around a couple, and Shikimori and Yuu Izumi are quite adorable together.

There are not all that many anime that start with the main couple already together, so Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie stands out as something unique right out of the gate. While not much happens in the individual episodes, they do combine to create a wholesome look into a young romance featuring two likable characters who are still inexperienced in love.

31 Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again

MyAnimeList: 7.49

Romance manga and anime focus heavily on teen love, which makes sense since most stories target the shonen and shojo demographics. Still, some adult-starring shows do exist, even if they tend to be rare. Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again is a somewhat refreshing take on the genre since its main characters – Shozo and Ine – have been together for roughly 50 years, and their cute and subtle interactions reflect their long history together. Now, a supernatural twist causes the protagonists to revert to their 20s, so the story is not a full exploration of elderly love; however, the changes are mostly physical rather than mental, so the characters still act their real ages.

Despite mostly focusing on comedy, Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again investigates a couple of interesting themes like mortality, all the while touching upon the couple’s relationships with their children and grandchildren. Shozo and Ine are fantastic together, sharing a rapport born out of comfort and safety stemming from years of support. That said, the show does love to have them blush at the mere thought of showing affection in public, which can feel a bit cliché at times.

30 Bakemonogatari

MyAnimeList: 8.33

It is a bit of a stretch to describe Bakemonogatari as a romance, but this season of Monogatari establishes and spotlights Koyomi Araragi and Hitagi Senjougahara’s relationship. These two come together under “unusual” circumstances, and while their initial meetings involve a staple to the face, they eventually hit it off thanks to Araragi’s relentless drive to help Senjougahara deal with a curse.

For all the weirdness that defines Monogatari, this romance is strangely healthy. Araragi and Senjougahara are made for each other, and despite the story introducing plenty of other girls for a potential harem, this relationship does not falter.

Monogatari
rarely focuses on romance, so this recommendation is mostly for those who like dialogue-driven mysteries.

29 Sing “Yesterday” For Me

MyAnimeList: 6.88

Sing “Yesterday” for Me portrays romance in such a realistic way it’s incredibly refreshing when compared to other anime. It also takes the classic love triangle and runs with it in an unexpected direction at the end of the show. We won’t spoil it, but the ending is incredibly satisfying and shows how failed romances sometimes can still end in strong friendships.

It’s even directed by Yoshiyuki Fujiwara, the director of famous anime like Attack on Titan and Sword Art Online. It’s amazing to see him so masterfully move to a show that presents itself drastically differently from his other works.

28 Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!

MyAnimeList: 8.34

Arguably Summer 2024’s biggest surprise, Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! is fantastic and should satisfy people craving either romance or comedy. Rather than revolving around a main couple (at least, not initially), the story follows a guy (Nukumizu) who befriends three girls after they experience heartbreak.

Although poking fun at tropes like the childhood friend, Makeine treats its characters’ sorrow with seriousness, allowing the girls to process their emotions without ridicule. Nukumizu can sometimes seem like he is just along for the ride, but he has developed a cute dynamic with all three girls. While romance is a big part of the equation, Makeine focuses more on friendship and moving on than direct relationships. It is a refreshing take that lends itself well to humor and drama.

Makeine
‘s lack of a central romantic relationship might limit its appeal to viewers specifically craving entries in this genre.

27 My Happy Marriage

MyAnimeList: 7.85

My Happy Marriage was quite comfortably Summer 2023’s best romance anime. Based on Akumi Agitogi’s novel series, the story takes place during an alternative version of the Meiji Restoration era that incorporates supernatural elements. While coming from a reasonably well-off family, Miyo has lived a hellish life under the thumbs of her awful stepmother, stepsister, and biological father. Looking to get rid of her for good, her family packages Miyo as a potential wife for an infamous military figure known for pushing women away within days, and a rejection would spell the end for the protagonist. However, Kiyoka not only takes a liking to Miyo but becomes fascinated (and enraged) by her family’s treatment.

My Happy Marriage does not shy away from showing the long-lasting effect of Miyo’s abuse at the hands of her family. Robbed of her sense of self-worth, the protagonist needs time to recover, even within the safety of Kiyoka’s presence. In the latter’s case, he is a fascinating figure who has some ulterior motives for his initial interest in Miyo, although his feelings for her seem genuine.

When focusing on Miyo and Kiyoka’s relationship, My Happy Marriage is sweet and heartwarming; however, the anime does not knock everything else out of the park. The supernatural elements can feel out of place, and the villains are hatable but also one-dimensional.

26 Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian

MyAnimeList: 7.74

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian is a confident rom-com that balances tropes and novelty to create a whole that is comforting and captivating. At its core, this is a simple story about two intelligent teenagers who are slowly exploring their feelings for each other, although they tend to take a roundabout way of expressing their interest. While they enjoy lightly teasing each other, they are also supportive and generally friendly.

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian works primarily due to depicting its leads as being on equal footing. Sure, Alisa is somewhat idolized, but she has insecurities that help ground her. Masachika is also highly competent and not just an “average” dude who miraculously attracts the eye of his school’s most popular girl.

25 Tomo-chan Is A Girl!

MyAnimeList: 7.82

Based on a popular and completed manga by Fumita Yanagida, Tomo-chan Is a Girl! was one of Winter 2023’s funniest rom-coms. Tomo and Jun are very close friends, so much so that the latter can only see the former as a buddy. As Tomo is very much interested in taking their relationship to the next level, Jun’s inability to see her as a potential romantic partner is an issue.

Although romance drives its characters, Tomo-chan is a Girl! is primarily a comedy. The likable Tomo and Jun bounce off each other well, and they are complemented by hilarious characters like Misuzu and Carol. Still, Tomo and Jun have pretty good chemistry that builds convincingly throughout the season. There are plenty of romance anime that struggle to sell why their leads are made for each other, but Tomo-chan does not have that issue.

24 Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku

MyAnimeList: 7.94

Teen romances tend to hog the limelight when it comes to anime, but there are a couple of exceptions. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is a workplace comedy mainly about two couples: the newly formed Hirotaka Nifuji and Narumi Momose and the established Tarou Kabakura and Hanako Koyanagi. The former duo take center stage for the most part, and while the series focuses more on humor than romance, the latter is depicted quite realistically.

While they are childhood friends, Narumi did not see Hirotaka as a potential romantic partner, and this uncertainty remains a constant throughout the show’s run. Unfortunately, the anime’s short length means that it only scratches the surface of these relationships, but Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is an entertaining ride while it lasts.

23 Romantic Killer

MyAnimeList: 8.04

Romantic Killer parodies romance and harem anime, all the while still respecting the strengths of both genres. Anzu has no interest in boys and spends all her time playing games and eating chocolate; one day, a magical being appears and turns the girl’s life on its head, taking away the things she loves and forcing her into the role of a reverse harem lead. Unsurprisingly, Anzu is less than amused, particularly when she learns that she suddenly has romance-leaning friendships with guys she basically does not know.

Domerica’s anime is, first and foremost, a comedy. The goal of most scenes is to inspire audiences to laugh, something Romantic Killer achieves quite often. That said, the style of humor reflects the anime’s origin as a shonen manga, so expect a lot of exaggerated facial expressions.

While not always striving to pull at heartstrings, the story takes its characters and their relationships seriously. Anzu is a fantastic lead, and the guys introduced as her potential partners are well-developed. Romantic Killer is for anyone who wants to both laugh at and enjoy a love story.

22 The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

MyAnimeList: 7.81

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten makes a great first impression thanks to a few factors. For one, Project No.9’s animation is clean and detailed, particularly the character models. Secondly and more importantly, the main characters have instant chemistry; the moment Amane extends his umbrella to a soaked Mahiru, sparks fly.

Even though most of the series has the leads together on screen, The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten does an admirable job of exploring them as individuals while simultaneously strengthening their friendship.

21 Maison Ikkoku

MyAnimeList: 8.19

Rumiko Takahashi is rightfully hailed as an all-time great mangaka. Responsible for classics like Inuyasha, Ranma 1/2, and Urusei Yatsura, Takahashi’s masterpieces tend to fall within the shonen sphere; however, she has a few seinen stories under her belt. Maison Ikkoku is probably the author’s most mature work, especially when it comes to romance. While Takahashi’s three big shonen properties touch upon the theme in many ways, they generally prioritize other genres, be it comedy or action. Maison Ikkoku is, first and foremost, a romance, albeit one that comes with its share of drama, character development, and humor.

The main pairing is Kyouko and Yuusaku, both of whom are interested in each other but are held back by their circumstances. The former has only recently lost her husband, and she is not quite ready to move on just yet. While obviously in love with Kyouko, Yuusaku does not feel deserving of her, at least not while he is still a student. The anime follows both of their journeys as they mature, heal, and misunderstand each other. The secondary characters are also great in their own right.

20 Insomniacs After School

MyAnimeList: 8.08

When it comes to pure, unfiltered romance, Insomniacs After School was Spring 2023’s magnum opus. Based on Makoto Ojiro’s respected seinen manga, the anime follows two students who cannot fall asleep, a curse they carried alone until they met each other at their school’s observatory. Isaki and Ganta strike an instant connection, one that gradually intensifies as they work to revitalize the Astronomy Club, an endeavor fueled by their desire to retain access to their new hideout.

Insomniacs After School has pitch-perfect pacing, and the anime does a splendid job of showcasing not only the leads’ alienation due to their insomnia but also the subtle comforts they find in each other. Although ripe with romantic tension, the show prioritizes establishing Ganta and Isaki’s friendship before taking the next step, demonstrating there is more to their connection than just a shared plight.

19 Kokoro Connect

MyAnimeList: 7.74

Kokoro Connect takes a tried and true love triangle scenario and adds a supernatural twist to it. The story follows students, Taichi, Iori, Yui, Yoshifumi, and Himeko who are all part of their school’s Student Cultural Research Club. The group lead a normal life until a mysterious being named Heartseed gifts them with supernatural abilities.

From then on they experience various sensory phenomena, testing their relationships and bringing to light various aspects of their personalities they’d have rather kept hidden. The anime has tons of great character development, making for an interesting experience throughout.

18 Maid Sama!

MyAnimeList: 8.01

Maid Sama! has many tropes that would sink lesser romance anime: the male lead is too flawless, the “strong” female protagonist is repeatedly reduced to a damsel, and a love triangle is introduced for no reason. These elements are not executed particularly well by Maid Sama!, but the anime makes up for its shortcomings through sheer personality.

Maid Sama! is all about the relationship between the heartthrob Takumi Usui and the man-hating student council president Misaki Ayuzawa. While Takumi takes most things in his stride, Ayuzawa is far more disciplined as she has to balance her busy school, home, and work lives. Once Takumi learns that Ayuzawa works in a maid cafe, he takes the opportunity to see a different side of the student council president.

17 A Sign Of Affection

MyAnimeList: 8.23

A Sign of Affection is a wholesome romantic comedy about college-age love and communication. While not the story’s only pairing, Yuki and Itsuomi are its main duo, and they are irresistible right out of the gate. Yuki is hearing-impaired, so she communicates through sign language, text, and by reading lips; meanwhile, Itsuomi loves to travel the world and learn languages. When they meet on a train, they feel an instant connection, something they decide to build on during their next encounter.

A Sign of Affection has done an impressive job of capturing the intense emotion synonymous with falling in love, culminating in a beautiful moment toward the end of the opening episode. The older cast is also not just for show, as the series has a more mature tone than most romance anime. As the season has progressed, Yuki and Itsuomi have steadily grown more comfortable around each other, and their interactions are nearly always cute.

16 Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai

MyAnimeList: 8.24

In the case of Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai, romance takes a backseat while simultaneously being the best part of the series. The anime revolves around Sakuta Azusagawa, a high school student who just has a way of finding girls who are suffering from Adolescence Syndrome, an affliction that manifests from their insecurities.

While the series is split into multiple arcs featuring different girls, the highlight is the first saga revolving around Mai Sakurajima, an actress who strikes a close relationship with Sakuta. Sakuta and Mai’s dynamic sizzles with romantic tension, warmth, and wit. Although not often the focus, their relationship builds nicely throughout the remaining arcs, culminating in a satisfying feature film sequel.

15 My Dress-Up Darling

MyAnimeList: 8.22

Wakana Gojou and Marin Kitagawa live in totally different worlds. Totally isolated and reserved, Gojou has no friends and keeps himself separated from everyone else out of fear that he would be mocked for his interest in hina dolls. Conversely, Kitagawa is popular, outgoing, and confident.

While these two would usually never meet, Kitagawa is interested in cosplay and learns that Gojou might be the perfect person to make outfits for her. Wholesome, funny, and brilliantly animated, My Dress-Up Darling is a relatively conventional romance anime that does the genre’s tropes extremely well.

14 Toradora!

MyAnimeList: 8.07

Toradora! is a classic slice-of-life rom-com and one that serves as a great introduction to the genre. The story follows Ryuji Yusaku and Taiga Aisaka, two students with crushes on the other’s best friend.

The two are treated as outcasts, Ryuji due to his intimidating appearance and Taiga for her explosive temper, and so both band together to help the other with their love life. The series explores the dynamic between the two leads and the various mishaps that occur throughout their efforts to help each other.

13 The Pet Girl Of Sakurasou

MyAnimeList: 8.08

The Pet Girl of Sakurasou follows an eccentric group of characters through a journey of growth and self-discovery. After Sorata Kanda is kicked out of his school’s main dorms, he’s forced to move into the disesteemed Sakura House.

There, Sorata gets to know several talented but troublesome students. When a peculiar young artist moves into the dorms, Sorata is tasked with helping her adjust to her new life. The series explores the dynamic between the dorm mates, their individual goals, and how their relationships intertwine.