10 Anime Romances That Challenge Hollywood’s Love Stories

Romance in anime has gained a pretty harsh reputation, but there are a few romantic anime series that would put even the best Hollywood love stories to shame. These anime romances are so amazing, heart-warming, and emotionally cathartic, they could make any viewer jealous.

The best romances in anime come in all shapes and sizes. There are couples learning more about one another, couples who fall in love at first sight, and couples who have been together for decades, learning how to fall in love with each other all over again.

There are a ton of great romantic anime series, but only a select few feature couples that seem like they were made for one another. These couples take the genre to its peak, showing the world that romance in anime is one of the best reasons to watch the art form.

10

Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again

Animated By Gekkō, Based on the Manga By Kagiri Araido

Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again is a refreshing take on love that feels like it should have been created decades ago. The story features the titular Grandpa and Grandma as they find an apple tree in their orchard with a golden apple. After eating the apple, the pair are returned to their physical youth.

As youngsters once again, Grandpa and Grandma get a rare do-over. They learn why they fell in love with one another all over again, and they spend time in their new bodies doing all the things they never got a chance to while they were younger.

9

Spy x Family

Animated By Wit Studio and CloverWorks, Based on the Manga Series By Tatsuya Endo

Spy x Family isn’t just one of the best romance anime series around; it’s one of the best action-packed comedic anime series as well. Spy x Family is one of the few anime series that blends multiple genres together masterfully, becoming much more than just a sum of its parts.

Loid Forger’s romance with Yor is entirely by accident, but it works so well. Loid is the greatest spy in the world, and his fake wife Yor Forger is the world’s greatest assassin. They’re meant to be together in every way, and with Anya doing what she can to make her fake family real, they just might get together after all.

8

More Than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers

Animated By Studio Mother, Based on the Manga By Yūki Kanamaru

More Than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers could hardly be called a realistic romance anime, but it isn’t trying to be. The series is set in a high school where students are paired with someone of the opposite gender. The newly made couple is to live together, and they’re graded based on how well they get along.

The protagonist of the series doesn’t get match up with the girl he has a crush on. Instead, he’s paired up with the most attractive girl in school. It’s a hilarious problem that could only happen in anime, but the series does a great job of making the most out of its ridiculous premise.

7

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

Animated By Project No.9, Based on the Light Novel By Saekisan and Hanekoto

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten might be another romance that is too good to be true, and that’s the point. The series stars two characters who are relative outcasts at their schools. They find out they live right next to one another, and a romance quickly ensues.

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten hits the nail on the head with its title. The titular Angel does a great job of taking care of the protagonist in a way everyone dreams of. The protagonist, Amane Fujimiya, does a great job of treating Mahiru Shiina like the Angel everyone knows her to be.

6

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku

Animated By A-1 Pictures, Based on the Manga By Fujita

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku has no business being as adorable as it is. It’s a heart-warming series from the very first episode, and somehow, it only gets better from there. The characters are the stars of the series, shining a light on the most awkward parts of being a human in the cutest ways possible.

The two main characters are otakus to their cores. Narumi Momose tries to keep her otaku addiction to herself, but when she meets her childhood best friend Hirotaka Nifuji at her new job, she realizes that being open about what she loves might not be as bad as she thinks.

5

Blue Box

Animated By TMS Entertainment, Based on the Manga By Kouji Miura

While there are a ton of unrealistic romance anime out there, Blue Box stands out because of how real it is. It might be one of the most realistic romance anime series ever made, and that’s why each moment feels so visceral. Taiki Inomata is caught in the love triangle of the century, and the poor teenager has his hands full figuring it out.

Most romance anime series only show the highs of romance. Blue Box is ambitious in its effort to show a romance for what it really is, highs and lows included. There are times when Taiki doubts himself, doubts that his crush likes him, and has to muster the courage to say some of the most difficult things one person has to say to another.

4

Skip and Loafer

Animated By P.A. Works, Based on the Manga By Misaki Takamatsu

Watching Skip and Loafer feels like drinking a cold glass of water on a hot summers day. It’s relaxing, refreshing, and encouraging in the best ways possible. At its core, Skip and Loafer is an incredibly simple series that takes its down-to-earth premise to new heights.

The franchise stars Mitsumi Iwakura as a country girl transferring to a high school in the big city. She’s over her head most of the time, but with her aunt, new friends, and handsome classmate Sōsuke Shima, life might be a lot more enjoyable in Tokyo than Mitsumi thought.

3

My Dress-Up Darling

Animated By CloverWorks, Based on the Manga By Shinichi Fukuda

My Dress-Up Darling features a near perfect romance between its main characters. There’s no arguing that Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojo were made for one another, and Marin knows it. She’s one of the best girls in anime, and her incredibly extroverted attitude is infectious.

Marin and Wakana have almost too much in common. They both love the world of cosplay, and they each occupy one side of it. Wakana loves creating costumes, and Marin can’t wait to try them out. Together, they’re two peas in a pod and two characters who are destined to be with one another.

2

A Sign of Affection

Animated By Ajia-do Animation Works, Based on the Manga By Suu Morishita

In just a handful of episodes, A Sign of Affection has established itself as one of the best romance anime series ever made. It’s one of the best anime series to watch that is less than 15 episodes long too, as anyone can watch this entire series in a single weekend.

A Sign of Affection stars Yuki Itose as a 19-year-old college student with congenital hearing loss. She’s lived her life in her shell, but when she meets Itsuomi Nagi, her whole life is turned upside down. She finds someone she wants to learn more about, and the series navigates their blossoming relationship beautifully.

1

Horimiya

Animated By CloverWorks, Based on the Manga By Hiroki Adachi

To call Horimiya a staple of the romance genre would be an understatement. It’s so good that it has become a template for all romance anime to come after, and it’s not hard to say that there might not be another romance anime series quite like it.

Horimiya is perfect in its efforts. It doesn’t try to be anything that it isn’t, and there isn’t a single moment of the series that feels like it’s too much. It’s the perfect depiction of a character’s first ever relationship, and the series is filled with some of the most enjoyable personalities in the art form.