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Many times, we all believe that anime is packed with Shonen and Isekai, but in reality, it is one of the most versatile media and is full of different shows. While the aforementioned genres are great and full of amazing anime, the romance genre has grown considerably, bringing us some of the best shows out there. So, whether you like a story with a wolf companion, a girl who acts out different characters for her love interest, or a ruthless competition between two school council members, we’ve made a list of the 10 best romance anime ever.
10. Gamers!
While we’ve had many shows of teenage characters playing games to save their lives, there was one where romance revolved around video games. Gamers! is, to this day, one of the best shows any fledgling anime fan can watch to open the floodgate of other romantic shows. It features a fantastic cast of characters in a school setting, top-notch humor, a superb opening, and an endearing story. Sadly, it only had one season, and we haven’t heard anything about a continuation for seven years. Still, it is one anime that many remember fondly, and even rewatch due to only having 12 episodes.
9. Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions
Initially, we all thought Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions would be a run-of-the-mill anime revolving around the Chunibyo syndrome, or, in other words, that thing that makes you believe you’re Goku throughout your teenage years. However, it runs much deeper than that. This syndrome is one that many characters use as a self-defense mechanism and the thing that brings our cast together. It is a story full of romance, moments that will make you cry on the spot, and unforgettable situations packed with excellent humor. Plus, if you ever met someone who couldn’t let their anime persona go, you’ll feel at home with this show.
8. Pseudo Harem
Pseudo Harem is one of the newest romance anime of the block that quickly climbed to become one of the best ever. The story centers around two characters who belong to the theater club at school. Rin, the new high school student, and Eiji, a boy who dreams of having a harem. With the former falling in love with the latter, she decides to act out different characters to give Eiji his own harem. And the best thing is that it is a one-woman harem, assuming that’s a thing now. I know the premise sounds too simple and fan-service-y, but it isn’t. It is surprisingly mature, funny, and highly heartwarming. Truly one of the best shows of 2024.
7. A Sign of Affection
A Sign of Affection remains one of the best romance anime due to how highly inclusive it is and how it moves away from the cliches of the genre. The show tells the story of Yuki, a hearing-impaired college student who meets a globetrotting classmate. Since Yuki has always seen and felt the world as something isolated, once she meets a student who’s traveled around the globe, her world opens up a little, thus starting one of the best and most romantic escapades ever. While the show presents a few dramatic situations, it never falls into cliches that will make your eyes roll. On the contrary, it presents a lot of mature resolutions and an endearing ending that will satisfy many.
6. Spice and Wolf
Moving away from the modern setting, we have Spice and Wolf. Many will remember this legendary show that fortunately got a remake in 2024. The story features a merchant who one day finds a wolf deity in his cart. With the deity wanting to reach her hometown, the merchant, Kraft, promises to take her there. It is a bit of a slow burn at first, but it is one of the most amusing romance shows ever. It’s one of the few anime shows that focuses on the growth of characters through a long journey, which culminates in one of the most memorable endings of all time.
5. My Dress-Up Darling
My Dress-Up Darling might’ve arrived as a fan-service-fueled show, but it actually has one of the most endearing plots in the genre. It follows the story of Gojou, a hino doll maker who one day meets Marin, an aspiring cosplayer. The latter quickly enlists Gojou’s help to make her cosplay outfits, and romance quickly unfolds. Yes, there is a lot of fan service, but it is done perfectly. Sadly, we’re still waiting for the second season, which we hope arrives sooner rather than later.
4. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
Another one that swooped in to steal the spotlight in 2024 was Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! Often, we’ve seen shows where a breakup or the start of a relationship marks the end of a story. But what happens after? Makeine explains the latter, where our trio of female protagonists deal with broken hearts and try to move on as they watch their high school crushes stay with others. Add in an unlikely protagonist, a strong side cast of characters, and gorgeous animation by A-1 Pictures, and you have one of the most amazing recipes for a show ever created.
3. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
At first, I thought I’d find a show full of fan service with a girl wearing a bunny costume every episode—I was wrong. This show revolves around Puberty Syndrome, a strange condition that affects teenagers in supernatural ways. From being invisible to everyone to developing an alter ego that manifests physically and even memory loss, this show touches upon the hardships of the turbulent teenage days while sprinkling superb romance on top. Also, it has one of the best female leads in a romance anime ever, giving it another reason to stand among the crème de la crème.
2. Kimi ni Todoke
Regardless of how long you’ve been an anime fan, chances are you’ve heard of Kimi ni Todoke from someone. It shouldn’t be a surprise, as it is one of the best romance anime out there. Before we had Komi-san, Sawako, not Sadako, was the top shy girl in anime. As the most reserved girl in school, she only had one dream: to become friends with everyone and get the attention of Kazehaya, the school’s hottie. Without spoiling much, she manages to do it, but it is a long, heartwarming, and fun journey everyone will want to watch. If there’s one romance anime you should watch before jumping into others, it is this one, hands down.
1. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
We’ve made it to the best romance anime ever, and fortunately, Kaguya-sama: Love is War still holds the crown even after finishing. The thing that makes Kaguya-sama such a fantastic show is how it combines humor and romance in the most amazing ways. Both Kaguya and Shirogane want to force the other to confess their love, but at the same time, they are dying to speak up. It’s a show full of misunderstanding, chaotic humor, superb fan service, and the best school cast ever made. Even if more shows air in the future, no one will be able to take the champion belt away from the crew at Schuchi in Academy.
