Anime as a whole is a diverse industry. It caters to a spectrum of tastes and sexual orientations. Romance anime is no different. But, certain things make this genre more interesting than others. There’s something about how these shows can capture the tenderness and complexity of human relationships – the unexplained thrill of forging unexpected connections.
The following romance anime can evoke a longing for simpler, perhaps even better, times. They offer a familiar yet perfect escape from daily life – a glimpse into what ifs, could’ve beens, and alternate realities you might have lived. They might even inspire you to take a leap of faith, finding the courage to pursue love in all its forms, anywhere and anytime.
10. Insomniacs After School
Are you having trouble sleeping? Well, Ganta and Isaki do. Insomniacs After School follows these nocturnal classmates, finding solace in their struggles and each other’s company. Instead of tossing and turning all night or scrolling through social media, they spend their quiet hours stargazing at the abandoned school observatory.
Insomniacs After School is daring in its exploration of the concept and power of human connection and how it deals with loneliness. The romance anime genre could be a little saturated, so this series felt like a fresh take on romantic chemistry and development. It’s a sweet show that features genuine romance for Ganta and Isaki’s age—one deserving of a spot in this lovable list.
Gracie Qu from Anime Trending said this about the romance anime: “Despite its faults, I still enjoyed the anime. The heart of the story still lies in the romantic relationship between the two leads, and the romance is ultimately what kept me going in watching the series.“
9. My Happy Marriage
Arranged marriages might seem old-fashioned, but My Happy Marriage proves that even arranged marriages can blossom into love. It follows Miyo, a girl who’s treated worse than Cinderella. Faced with a bleak future, she’s sent away for an arranged marriage to a powerful military leader, Kiyoka. To everyone, he’s a cold and ruthless man. But, to Miyo’s surprise, he’s a sweetheart.
On the surface, My Happy Marriage might seem like your ordinary “Cinderella” story, but it’s more than just that. While the romance is there, this anime also emphasizes the emotional challenges the characters are going through. Alongside that, the series also sprinkles in a bit of mystery and action without the need to sacrifice the lighthearted tone.
8. Bloom Into You
Adolescence can have you playing with your feelings—and Yuu Koito experiences this firsthand. Bloom Into You follows the late bloomer (see what I did there?) and inexperienced lover, Yuu Koito. She has always dreamed of falling in love, but the day never came to fruition. Although on the receiving end of many confessions, she still doesn’t feel the butterflies in her stomach. That wasn’t until she met Tokou Nanami, a fellow girl who had never experienced love before as well.
Bloom Into You explores the true meaning of love and how complex it is. It teaches its viewers that love comes in all shapes and sizes through Yuu’s journey. Genuine and refreshing, Bloom Into You offers audiences an unlikely glimpse into LGBTQ+ relationships in a way mainstream media desperately tries but rarely gets right.
7. Cinderella Chef
The Cinderella Chef takes the concept of “out of place” to a whole new level with a dash of romance and a whole lot of food. This anime follows Ye Jiayao, a culinary rockstar. After an unsuccessful food experiment, she gets sent back into time to Imperial China as Ye Jin Xuan.
As she wakes up in a completely different era, she is kidnapped by a bandit group led by Xia Chun Yu—an undercover agent of the king who infiltrated the group to stop them from dethroning the king. The two then undergo a fake marriage, but little does Xia Chun Yu know that he’s slowly falling for Ye Jin Xuan’s warm cooking and personality.
My Cinderella Chef throws you into a time machine of food, hilarity, and love. This anime focuses on cooking with a cute romance plotline served as a side dish, and it does it so brilliantly. So, if you’re looking for something new on the table, it can be the perfect addition to your must-watch romance anime list!
6. Skip & Loafer
Skip and Loafer follows Mitsumi, a bright-eyed girl who ditches her country roots and heads to Tokyo for a fancy high school. She’s all about changing the world like a cuter version of Greta Thunberg, not until she’s met with the harsh reality of life in the city.
Tokyo is the opposite of her sleepy hometown – think crowded streets, confusing subway lines, and classmates who seem like they’ve got their whole lives figured out. Just as she is about to spiral, she meets her complete opposite in Sōsuke. He’s chill, helpful, and an overall fun guy. If you need a reminder that, sometimes, strong friendships and personal growth can fulfill you just as much as watching a grand love story unfold, this one is for you.
5. Just Because!
Watching Just Because! will take you back to the bittersweet times of graduation and the friendships you thought would last forever but didn’t. It follows a group of high school students in their last semester and the drama that comes with the arrival of a new transfer student, Eita Izumi. Izumi had lived there throughout his middle school years but had to leave due to the nature of his father’s work. In his return four years later, he develops new relationships and rekindles some old ones. What awaits this group of students as they draw closer to the end of this chapter of life?
Each person has their own story and there’s always meaning behind their actions. This is what this romance anime tries to convey to its fans. It deals with love triangles, misunderstandings, and finding one’s place in the world—so the usual high school stuff! It’s a grounded romance anime that portrays the emotional rollercoasters teenagers go through, so make sure to buckle up!
Bloom Reviews said this about the series: “I feel like this series is worth checking out just for the characters and extreme detail put into every scene. If you like character-driven, slice-of-life I think you’ll like this series.“
4. The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten follows Amane, a high-schooler down on his luck and feeling like a left sock. His neighbor, Mahiru, is the complete opposite – a total stunner with brains, beauty, and the domestic skills of a culinary master.
One snowy day, Amane catches a cold and collapses harder than your phone battery after a night of TikTok-ing. As Mahiru spots Amane having a hard time, she vows to nurse him back to health. Naturally, Mahiru’s pampering of Amane leads them to develop feelings for each other. It’s pretty obvious, though, who falls for who first.
Overall, The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten is a wholesome romance anime that highlights how one kind act can change your entire life. Plus, the humor from the two lead’s contrasting personalities works incredibly well in the anime’s favor as well.
3. Honobono Log
Honobono Log is a series of two-minute shorts that will make your day. This heartwarming slice-of- life story revolves around Kouhei, a single dad struggling to raise his daughter, Tsumugi, after his wife passes away. Overwhelmed with responsibilities, Kouhei receives a helping hand from a fellow student in Kotori, who uses her mad cooking skills to lighten their load.
If it isn’t obvious already, Honobono Log isn’t your average romance anime. It’s about the beauty of everyday moments. Do you remember the last time you shared a meal with your family and how comfortable it felt? The show perfectly captures how bonding with kindred spirits is key to healing the deepest wounds. Don’t be surprised if you get the sudden urge to raid your fridge after binge-watching Honobono Log.
2. My Senpai is Annoying
My Senpai is Annoying is a rom-com that explores the age-old question: can teasing be a weird form of affection? Futaba is a total girl boss who’s constantly the target of her senpai, Harumi Takeda’s, playful jabs. A walking tease, Harumi needles Futaba, calling her a “child” and playfully tormenting her at every turn. At first, Futaba considers a strongly worded email, but slowly, she drops her walls as she starts to see a different side to him.
The dynamic between Futaba and Harumi is undeniably delightful. Despite their huge differences (an awkward height joke), they still manage to create a healthy, cute, and genuine relationship with an unhealthy amount of friendly banter. Featuring two of the most lovable characters in all of romance anime, hilarious comedy, and a surprisingly relatable office setting, My Senpai is Annoying is a reminder that love can sprout in the most unexpected places.
1. Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence
Meet Cecilia, the village’s most revered saint whose power is what keeps everyone safe in their homes. But, she’s not the savior everyone thinks she is. Cecilia’s more of a couch potato who’d very much prefer to watch Netflix than save the world.
Only Pastor Lawrence, the kind and hardworking caretaker of the church, holds the key to her secret. He acts as her guardian angel, cooking her meals, doing her chores, and embodying the ultimate boyfriend material. This rather simple romance anime explores the hilarious relationship between these two – expectedly full of awkward situations and laugh-out-loud moments.
Boston Bastard Brigade said this about the anime: “Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence is a fun and relaxing anime, one that will entertain anyone no matter what their faith is.“