10 Best Romance Anime of All Time

Romantic Anime We Love to Love

It’s really not that hard to figure out what the romance genre in anime is all about. Essentially, it’s about love, romance, and the characters going all lovey-dovey. Usually, romantic and sweet moments come together. It's all about love and tenderness—and most of the time, there are added twists of drama and comedy.

As I’ve watched plenty of romance anime, I’ve built a collection of my personal favorites. Below you will find 10 anime series that represent the best in the genre. I've also added additional smaller lists that cover more subgenres in the romance category. Ready or not, here they are!

Top 10 Romance Anime

1. My Little Monster (aka Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun)
2. Kimi ni Todoke
3. Special A
4. Clannad
5. Golden Time
6. The Pet Girl of Sankurasou (aka Sakurasou no Pet no Kanojo)
7. Blue Spring Ride (aka Ao Haru Ride)
8. Maid Sama! (aka Kaichō wa Meido-sama!)
9. Lovely Complex (aka Love Com)
10. Toradora!

1. My Little Monster (2012)

Japanese Title: Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

Episodes: 13 + OVA

We’ve come to the much-anticipated revelation. I don’t know if you will agree with me, but in my opinion, the best romance anime is My Little Monster (aka Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun). I really encourage you to watch it. I mean, it has all the elements necessary to be a truly awesome romance anime.

It’s unique, sweet (very sweet actually), cute (the love story is so adorable it will easily tug your heartstrings), very wholesome (which is a rarity today), and very lovable. There are many more reasons why this anime is a masterpiece, but I’ll leave those for you to discover.

It all starts when Shizuku Mizutani, a cold high-achiever student, is tasked by a teacher to deliver some handouts to a student named Yoshida Haru, a student who was suspended from school. Haru is very touched by Shizuku’s delivery, claiming that only a friend would do that (even though it wasn’t really Shizuku’s intention).

Shizuku is really cold, earning her the nickname “Dry Ice,” while Haru is very innocent and clueless to the social workings in the world. Both are aloof and weird in a way. From their first meeting, Haru feels a spark in his heart towards Shizuku, so from then on he follows Shizuku. Soon enough, both deal with blossoming feelings and emotions as well as colorful complications arising from within their hearts.

2. Kimi ni Todoke (2009–11)

Episodes: 38

This is a rare gem in the romance department of anime. I know most won’t watch it based on first impressions, but as they say, don’t judge a book by its cover. Or should I say, don’t judge a romance anime by its title, poster, or summary!

Kimi ni Todoke is very unique in the sense that it showcases elements that are very original to the romance genre. And I must say, it’s super effective! From the characters, to the art, to the sound, to the story, and in its grand total, Kimi ni Todoke is a show that any seasoned romance anime lover (or even just a casual watcher) will relate to and love with all their heart.

Being known in class as Sadako because of her creepy demeanor, Kuronuma Sawako is extremely misunderstood and awkward with everyone. On the other hand, Kazehaya Shouta is super popular in class and is well-known as a very kind and friendly guy with a really refreshing presence.

Given Shouta’s personality, he’s the only one who’s willing to approach Sawako and talk with her, much to Sawako’s delight. It’s the first time she has befriended someone and she is so thankful. She feels blessed and hopeful that it’ll be the start of something new.

3. Special A (2008)

Episodes: 24

Now this one’s so interesting that you’ll be very pleased watching it. Special A is another romantic comedy-drama show where the characters fall in love with each other. In this one, it’s not just one pair of friends that falls in love, but most of the characters. Each one has a story to tell, and most of the time the stories are very heartwarming and sweet.

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Add that to the fact that the main pair are always fighting each other for supremacy. You'll be entertained at how funny they are until the moment that they actually develop feelings and fall in love. Until the very end, Special A keeps the romantic pace up.

Being both best friends and rivals since they were children, Hikari Hanazono and Kei Takashima have a bond where they are always clawing at each other. Actually, they’re rivalry is one-sided, with Hikari always being second to Kei.

Now they’re both in high school in a special class of the most brilliant and elite—the Special Class A. As she always does, Hikari shall do her best to snatch the number 1 spot from Kei at all costs. But then, as the battle goes on, feelings from deep within their hearts suddenly manifest.

If you like this series, check out 7 Anime Like Special A.

4. Clannad (2007–08)

Episodes: 23 + OVA

I’ll be surprised if you’ve never heard of Clannad (or Clannad: After Story, 2008–09). These are two of the best drama anime out there. And not only that, they're also by far two of the best romance anime! Did you know that there isn’t even a single kissing scene between the lovers here? That’s correct, there isn’t!

But the romance and drama is high enough to completely rub that off and focus on the relationships. Love has never been this lovely and beautiful in an anime. I can almost feel the characters’ sentiments in this one. While walking to school one day, the unmotivated Okazaki Tomoya notices a girl who suddenly mutters the name of some kind of food.

The girl’s name is Nagisa Furukawa, and unbeknownst to both, it’s just the start of the rollercoaster of love and life where they’ll first start as friends until they get attached to one another. But of course, no legit rollercoaster is without a bump. It’s just the start of their romantic, heartwarming, and even heart-wrenching story.

If you enjoyed this anime, check out 8 Anime Like Clannad.

5. Golden Time (2013–14)

Episodes: 24

If you haven’t seen Golden Time yet, then I suggest you do now. In my own opinion (and I think many will agree), Golden Time is one of the most realistic romance anime that exists today. It isn’t just all about being lovey-dovey, it also tackles the struggles and the complications of being in a relationship.

As a matter of fact, the show did this by featuring very realistic characters that you could easily relate to. Even the story on its own is very decent. It has romance, comedy, drama, and they all fit together to tug your heartstrings and show the reality of relationships and love.

Starting his life as a law student in college in the city, Tada Banri gets lost on his first day trying to get to school. Fortunately, he meets another guy named Mitsuo Yanagisawa who’s in the same situation he is. Then from out of the blue, a beautiful girl named Kaga Kouko suddenly appears and smashes a bouquet of flowers into Mitsuo’s face.

As weird as it is, Koukou is Mitsuo’s childhood friend who’s overly obsessed with him. Trying to escape from her, Mitsuo enrolls in the school but Kouko manages to follow him. Now, Banri is caught up in the situation and he’s going to be the one who changes the course of this crazy situation.

If you enjoy this series, be sure to check out 10 Anime Like Golden Time.

6. The Pet Girl of Sakurasou (2012–13)

Japanese Title: Sakurasou no Pet no Kanojo

Episodes: 24

Sakurasou no Pet no Kanojo, also known as The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, is a show that tackles love and romance on a whole new level. It’ll give you the impression that it’s yet just another senseless harem anime with overblown clichés and fanservice, but that’s totally wrong!

This show proves that it can be very complex, in a good way, while totally rubbing off the initial impressions. First, it doesn’t only talk about romance, it speaks on love in general. Second, the characters are surprisingly well-developed, as is the plot and story. Lastly, as I’ve said, everything’s surprisingly good, so giving it a chance is definitely a must! The combination of many great elements with romance and love produces a very good blend with this one.

As a second-year student who can’t seem to abandon cats, Handa Sorata was left with no choice but to move into a place where he can bring home and take care of his cats. That place where he’s gonna live is called Sakurasou, a place where oddballs like him end up.

Everything’s pretty normal though, except the fact that all the students that live there have their own weird habits and quirks. A few days later, a girl, who’s the oddest of them all (super brilliant but doesn’t how to take care of herself), is going to live in Sakurasou, where Sorata is going to be in charge of taking care of her.

7. Blue Spring Ride (2014)

Japanese Title: Ao Haru Ride

Episodes: 14

Despite being a fairly recent anime, Ao Haru Ride stands out as a great romance show that conforms with today’s standards. The art, visuals, and animation were superb. The story? It wasn’t shabby at all! Actually, it was very pleasing and well-balanced.

Plus, the characters and their development (especially romantic development) shined very brightly. Everything fell into place and delivered a perfect combination of elements befitting of a heartwarming story.

Having been disliked by her classmates in middle school because of her cute girl features, Yoshioka Futaba had to wait for her middle school life to end so she could start anew. Because of this, she wasn’t able to confess her feelings to the boy she loved, Tanaka-kun.

Now in high school, Yoshioka has changed her personality into something very unlady-like (opposite to what she was before) so as to not repeat her experiences in middle school. Soon she meets her middle school crush again, but with a different name. Tanaka-kun is now Mabuchi Kou, and he reveals that he liked Yoshioka in the past. But now everything has changed. Have their feelings as well?

If you enjoy this series, check out 7 Anime Like Blue Spring Ride.

8. Maid Sama! (2010)

Japanese Title: Kaichō wa Meido-sama!

Episodes: 26 + OVA

While Kaichō wa Meido-sama! has a simple story, its set of characters (especially the leading characters) are so well-made that they carry the story far enough to shine bright. The characters are very relatable and likable. As many romantic moments there are, there’s an equal number of quirky, comedic moments that come along.

Overall, Kaichō wa Meido-sama! is a very heart-warming romantic comedy anime that has little to no unnecessary complexities, which prompts it to deliver a pure love story with its own notable quirks and memorable moments.

When an all-boys school suddenly turns co-ed, the only foreseeable struggle that’s bound to happen is that the new girl students will be intimidated and feel awkward. Ayuzawa Misaki takes the responsibility of being the student council president in order to rule the school with an iron-fist and keep the balance in place (much to the boys’ disapproval because of her harshness towards them).

To keep up her appearances as the student council president with the iron-fist, Misaki has to keep her after school job a secret. She works as a very gentle and sophisticated maid in a café. One day, the popular heartthrob Usui Takumi finds out her well-kept secret.

9. Lovely Complex (aka Love Com) (2007)

Episodes: 26 + OVA

If I could describe Lovely Complex in two words, I’d say cute and sweet! It’s in the name, after all. It’s an adorable and super sweet romantic comedy love story. High school student Atsushi Otani is really short, and Riza Koizumi is really tall for a teenage girl. Those traits wouldn’t really be an issue on their own, but as extremes of one other in the same class, these two tend to stand out as a perfect comedy duo.

Being the opposites of each other, Otani and Risa are always arguing and bickering about their own complexes. But surprisingly, they have some particular similarities that only the two of them share. Hence, the start of their very sweet, very cute, very funny, and most of all ... very lovely complex.

10. Toradora! (2008–09)

Episodes: 25 + OVA

It’s romantic, it’s comedic, and even sometimes very dramatic! Toradora! is one romance anime everyone can truly enjoy. From the beginning, the characters are fairly hostile to each other until their true feelings and emotions are revealed. Everything is executed perfectly here. Some elements may seem very cliché, but even those things are handled in a very brilliant way. You’ll get captivated by the story.

Takasu Ryuuji looks like a delinquent because of his intimidating eyes and stares. Aisaka Taiga, on the other hand, looks small and gentle, but she is actually as fierce as a tiger. Both Ryuuji and Taiga have their own crushes—coincidentally, on each other's best friends.

So when Taiga mistakes Ryuuji’s bag for his best friend's, her secret crush is revealed. Now, Taiga is intent on pulverizing Ryuuji for knowing his secret, but he later discovers that Ryuuji also has a crush on her best friend. The two cooperate and form a pact to help each other win over their respective crushes.

If you enjoy Toradora!, check out 10 Anime Like Toradora!

Recommended High School Romance Anime

You may notice that a few entries on this list take place in a high school setting. It is a common backdrop in romance anime since it covers a universal place and time where young love blooms.

If you are particularly fond of young high school romance in your anime, you can check out these recommendations.

• True Tears
• Wolf Girl & Black Prince
• His and Her Circumstances
• ReLife
• Tsuki ga Kirei

Recommended Romantic Comedy Anime

The genre most related to the romance category of anime is arguably the comedy genre. Like other mediums of entertainment, the two genres work cohesively to deliver moments that are as heartwarming as they are humorous.

If you need some laughs with your romance, check out some of these anime series.

• School Rumble
• Wagnaria!!
• Haganai
• Chobits
• Nisekoi

Comments

Rin on September 14, 2020:

Kimi ni todoke,i can't move on with this anime..i don't know why...

niskoi4life on September 02, 2020:

what bought nisekoi

Ur FaVoRiTe NiHiLiSt on August 18, 2020:

I've only watched Toradora before so i voted for it :p

Soledad on August 14, 2020:

Itazura na kiss is the best romantic anime. Ever.

unknown on July 08, 2020:

Domestic no kanojo is the best anime in this genre.

Love ME pLease on July 06, 2020:

i hope they release the 2nd season of Kaichou Wa Maid-sama, I really love this anime and its ending I finish reading the manga

me on July 04, 2020:

im pretty sure ther is going to be a 2 season

Naruto on July 01, 2020:

When will new season of tsuki ga kirei coming out

eman mouslim on June 25, 2020:

kaichou wa maid sama is so cool , i really loved it so much , even when the end wasnt that amazing , but , still i love it

Luqman Dark on June 22, 2020:

Tonari no k Kaibutsu it's ending really great, warmth and beautiful after I already finish read in manga

person on June 21, 2020:

Snow white with the red hair!!!

Alyfox on June 13, 2020:

Hello? Yagate Kimi ni Naru?

heh on June 11, 2020:

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso wasnt in the top 10 mostly because there was a tragic and painful death....

Reema on June 04, 2020:

Yes I agree that the ending to Tonari no Kaibutsu-Kun is not very good.

Luqman on May 26, 2020:

My little monster is absolutely great if you finish read it's ending in manga

ImARandomSenpai on May 05, 2020:

Sakurasou no Pet no Kanojo for me is the best.. That Girl is soooo fcking cute, love the way she says "Sorata" xD

JM Rillera on April 29, 2020:

I just finished Kimi Ni Todoke both the live Action, the Anime Series and the Manga but until now I can't really move on. One of the best romantic Anime read/watch. The the romantic love, love for family and love for friends,and forgiveness was there. I'm very happy that it was on the Top 2.

Nan's Balls on April 27, 2020:

Average list.

One Week Friends, Erased, Kaguya-Sama and, most prominently, Your Lie in April destroy most of this list, but thats just me,

shenuli on April 15, 2020:

i really like romantic animes

from the list my favorites are maid sama and wolf girl and black prince

cant wait to watch the others

AshbySan on April 08, 2020:

I'm going, to be honest, I was coming here to find a new anime to watch and it just brought me back to memory lane I've watched all of these and while I might not agree with all of the locations of the anime I agree that they are all in my top ten all super rewatchable I wish to say I love you was on this if I'm going, to be honest, but I still wouldn't want to move any of these romances off of this list, I loved it and really like all of these anime so much.

Simona on April 02, 2020:

I haven’t seen most of these, I’m starting to get into romance anime recently. I typically watch psychological/horror animes or adventure animes. However I seem to have a sweet spot for romance... I would suggest “Given” it deals with romantic feelings in a realistic yet subtle way, and it highlights difficulties in life that are pretty relatable. There’s grief, doubt, self discovery and romance. And some characters struggle with their personal morals and sexuality. Another anime I would suggest is “orange”. It’s not specifically romance, it has a super natural theme to it also. However, it portrays friendship, jealousy, romance, and regret very strongly and well. It is suspenseful, and every character is well developed. Hope this helps! And I’ll be sure to check out these animes : )

Reyan on April 02, 2020:

Kamisama Hajimemashita is so good

Emily on March 13, 2020:

How did Blue Spring Ride make it but Say I Love You didnt?

Mike on March 07, 2020:

These are all some great shows i haven't even heard of them. Can't wait to watch them all. So far My Love Story and quintessential quintuplets are my favorites but that is because i enjoyed the characters a lot. I think everyone choice is great and can't wait to divulge in my unhealthy romance anime obsession lol.

geeky_ on March 03, 2020:

Why Bokura ga Ita wasn't here??

jeniffer on January 18, 2020:

I've been reading a lot more manga recently than anime, and right now I'm in the middle of a new series, The Greatest Wolf of My Life

Ramen on January 02, 2020:

i love this list and think maid sama is the best anime

but like i would of expected sao to be on there and maybe ouran high school host club!

Lily-chan on December 15, 2019:

Kamisama kiss is a great romance anime I lovd this list though

To be honest harem genre isn't my fav type but I totally recommend masabe kun no revenge and yamada kun and the 7 witches they might be considered as harem but there is one main love interest

Besides there are a lot of cute scenes of the main couple

I loveeeeee ao haru ride, my little monster, toradora, golden life, maid sama, ouran high school and wolf girl and black prince

Kenzaki on December 12, 2019:

Where is Tsuki ga Kirei?????

2D-kun on November 15, 2019:

I finished Golden Time weeks ago, and to see it in this list, is pretty great. It is realistic in so many ways, it tells you that nothing is easy in this world, but you gotta keep on going, even if it means leaving behind precious memories. Also, 2D-kun for the win!!!!

kae on November 01, 2019:

I've watched a lot of rom anime buh I think koi to Uso is best so far..

emma on October 09, 2019:

Kimi ni Todoke really is my favorite out of this list (tho Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is a close second !!!) i really loved the unexpected aspect of this anime, especially of the main character, it's not too cliché but sweet enough for all the romance lovers out there. Something i really love about kimi ni todoke is the fact that it addresses all types of love, not only romantic love but also love through friendship, trusting new people and letting yourself, well, be yourself with the people around you, opening up and learning to trust your friends and be honest. I really feel like this anime did an amazing job accurately portraying all the themes it approaches.

Ann on July 26, 2019:

Where is Skip Beat in the list

hey on June 22, 2019:

My favorite one is - Darling in the fraxx

Princess Madeline Joy on June 10, 2019:

So really good list! But Ouran Highschool Host Club isn't here T_T

Haneen on May 16, 2019:

How about angel of death

T on May 06, 2019:

Kamisama Kiss rules, really. Watch the OVAs, the whole thing is beautiful

WIBS on May 04, 2019:

i want to add rascal does not dream of bunny girl senpai. Its frickin hanging in my head for a long long time. :))))))))

Khushbakht Tiwana on March 25, 2019:

Where is kamisama kiss/ kamisama hajimemashita,still world is beautiful,Snow White with the red hair,Utta no prince sama,The ultimate stalker

_purrrple on February 15, 2019:

Kamisama Kiss // Kamisama Hajimemashita definitely. the OVAs in here are very important as it explains everything. no one's ever topped that yet ^_^ 。

Princess on January 09, 2019:

Oh! Come on, Special A is deserved to be on #1 spot. Please watch special a so that you can judged fair. Uh oh.

Striddle210 on January 03, 2019:

Maid sama deserves #1 spot!

NANI on December 25, 2018:

Maid sama number one??? you gotta be kidding me. its good, but not THAT good.

Spice and wolf is much more romanti

Pepper on December 06, 2018:

You can find Toradora on crunchyroll

Lia on December 05, 2018:

I have watched Toradora episode 1 but i can't find episodes 2,3,4 and etc. I am really disappointed because i am really interested in this anime romance series, so is there by any chance that when you list these anime romance series you can put under it where it would be best to watch them for example: Youtube English Dub so we won't have to be going back and forth looking for the episodes. Thank You.

Otaku on December 02, 2018:

where is kimi no iru machi dude??

Gage666 on November 24, 2018:

Wish I could find one I like. I kinda like Tsundras but hate it when it turns to a haram or just over played drama. Toradora was way to long and had a garbage ending. IMO* Like I don't mind them fighting or even like fight flirting kinda of thing you know like they argue and tease each other but are only like that with each other and then they eventually end up together. Basially happy ending or like My love story. Problem is not many are like that. I liked cross game and Baby steps but not enough romance moments in them either. Kinda same thing I hate with normal shows or non anime shows like Bones and the mentalist. Those to shows took like 8 seasons for the romance to develop.

animelover on November 18, 2018:

omg I love my little monster

JC on November 07, 2018:

Where is "Your lie in April".

oyku on October 25, 2018:

I think akagami no shirayukihime HAS to be in this list

LovelyRi on October 22, 2018:

I think Devils Line would be a good addition to this list. Great anime, hoping for a season 2.

Dj on October 03, 2018:

For romance:maid sama

For love:Tornadoes

For life:clannad

Meka on September 25, 2018:

Most of these I've seen, but not all. I watched My Little Monster yesterday, and I can see why it was your top pick. All in all its a solid top 10, i do agree with the other post some the other Animes that could have made the cut.

TheLostGuy on September 13, 2018:

Why kaichou wa maid sama season 2 doesn't come out i really want to watch it

Person on September 07, 2018:

You should really watch beyond the boundary it doesn't have a lot of romance scenes but the end is very emotional

Rafi on September 05, 2018:

You can also add tada kun never falls in love...

abbyscrumbies on September 04, 2018:

i wish rom com animes could be this good again. Somehow currents animes genre are going towards to the ecchi and harem types.

mangopy on August 26, 2018:

If you want set your standard. Watch Kamisama Kiss until the last OVA. You'll understand why if you watch it. I may not watched a lot but then all other romance anime can bow down to it.

Other recommendations (ones I've watched):

Kuragahime aka Princess Jellyfish (a gem, one my fave because of the comedy)

Dusk Maiden Amnesia (quite sad and lovely,