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 January 18, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Enough episodes of Winter 2025 have aired to highlight the season’s best new romance anime, at least up to this point. That could change over the coming months, but these shows are certainly worth checking out.

Best New Winter 2025 Romance Anime

The Winter 2025 anime season has been pretty good, even if it might not quite have the same quantity of big names as its immediate predecessor. Still, the quarter has most preferences covered to an extent. Action fans will want to keep an eye on Solo Leveling, Sakamoto Days, Blue Exorcist, and Ubel Blatt. Meanwhile, comedies like I’m Living with an Otaku NEET Kunoichi!?, From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!, and The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You should deliver plenty of laughs. Honestly, the latter is not a bad shout for romance fans either, as long as they do not mind harems.

Every season includes a few love stories, and Winter 2025 is no exception. Blue Box is airing its second cour run, and it has been joined by a fair few romance anime. As sequels like My Happy Marriage and Unnamed Memory do not need an introduction, let’s focus on Winter 2025’s best new romances.

Can You Keep A Secret?/I Have A Crush At Work

While there are always exceptions, most notable seasonal anime typically announce Western streaming services. Unfortunately, I Have a Crush at Work has not gone down this route for now, making it difficult to find the show legally outside of Japan. Putting aside sequels, this workplace comedy is arguably Winter 2025’s best romance anime, and it is also one of the season’s funnier series.

Yui and Masugu are dating, but they want to keep their relationship hidden at work since it would unnecessarily complicate matters. Consequently, they act cold to each other around coworkers, only to be all lovey-dovey in private. However, their passion for each other tends to spill over at the office. The premise is nothing too unusual, but I Have a Crush at Work is just pleasant and cute.

Honey Lemon Soda

Honey Lemon Soda is based on a popular shojo manga that has been ongoing for nearly a decade and even spawned a 2021 live-action movie. This story clearly has legs and an audience, and its appeal is easy to understand. Honey Lemon Soda is almost like the quintessential shojo romance.

A shy, bullied girl, Ishimori, enters high school with the hope of a fresh start, and she is specifically interested in her class’ resident cool boy, Miura. This chapter of her life starts somewhat rough, but Ishimori quickly finds herself in Miura’s orbit, with the latter pushing her out of her comfort zone. There is nothing wrong with sticking to an established formula, and Honey Lemon Soda does not need to reinvent the wheel to be a worthy addition to the romance genre.

The adaptation has been high quality as well, with J.C.Staff delivering great animation.

Blue Box (Fall 2024 Continuation)

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.

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

30

Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again

MyAnimeList: 7.48

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.

29

Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!

MyAnimeList: 8.19

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.

MyAnimeList: 8.63

Dandadan wears a lot of hats. The anime is hilarious, arguably among the funniest shows of 2024. 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.

27

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.

26

My Happy Marriage (Season 1)

MyAnimeList: 7.74

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.

25

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.

24

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.

23

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku

MyAnimeList: 7.93

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.

22

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.

21

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

MyAnimeList: 7.83

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.

20

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.

19

Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!

MyAnimeList: 7.71 (Season 1)

Kyoto Animation has helmed a number of beloved anime, with Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! standing as one of many. The series revolves around a condition called Chunibyo. The term is used to describe adolescents with grandiose, unrealistic delusions.

Having grown out of his delusional phase, Yuta Togashi looks to have a normal high school life. Things are thrown out of whack when a classmate of his, Rikka Takanashi, reminds him of his past and tries to drag him back into the world of Chunibyo through her own delusions. The series explores the relationship between the two as Yuta discovers what triggered Rikka’s delusions.

18

A Sign Of Affection

MyAnimeList: 8.22

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.

17

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.

16

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.

15

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.

14

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.

13

Ouran High School Host Club

MyAnimeList: 8.16

Ouran High School Host Club is a reverse harem that is full of lighthearted and impactful moments. After breaking an antique vase belonging to her school’s Host Club, Haruhi Fujioka is forced to pay off her debt by posing as a boy and working as a host herself.

The series does a great job of not only expanding upon Haruhi’s character and motivations but on those of her fellow hosts as well. This is a great show for Shojo fans, with a memorable cast of characters carrying it throughout its run.

12

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

MyAnimeList: 8.41 (Season 1)

All is fair in love and war and this anime proves it! Instead of a typical romance, Miyuki and Kaguya use their intense intellect and skills to attempt to force the other one to confess their love first. Neither wants to lose and be considered lesser next to the other.

Their adventures running the student council at an elite school with their friends are beyond hilarious while still providing moments that will make viewers yell, “AWWWWWW” out loud. Season 3 of Kaguya-sama: Love is War aired in Spring 2022, and while the new episodes were largely comedic, the anime steadily increased the time devoted to furthering the relationship between Miyuki and Kaguya, all the while touching upon some other romances.

11

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.