Recent releases such as A Sign of Affection and Cherry Magic serve as a strong reminder about the power of a good romance anime. Shoujo adaptations have created some of the most compelling anime, even if they tend to not receive the same level of attention as their shonen counterparts. As addictive as they are compelling, romance anime at their best are impossible to hit pause on.
This is just some of the many delightful series available. For a short and sweet tale of connection, check out Insomniacs After School on HiDive. For it’s watercolor effect and strong leads, Blue Spring Ride is also a strong, bite-sized option. Lovely Complex adapts the popular manga Lov Com by Aya Nakahara, about a tall girl who falls for a shorter boy, and 2023’s Loving Yamada at Lv999 is endlessly charming.
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Here are 15 romance anime to watch this Valentine’s Day season, available on streaming services such as Crunchyroll, HiDive, and Netflix.
Ouran High School Host Club (2006)
Director: Takuya Igarashi
Studio: Bones
Mangaka: Bisco Hatori
Oddly progressive for its time, Ouran High School Host Club is a delightful romp. Delivering a terrific balance of all things romantic and silly, the series follows a teenage girl mistakenly as a boy and enlisted (blackmailed) into joining her high school’s Ouran Host Club after breaking a vase. Hijinks naturally ensue as the club learns her true gender while utilizing her skills in entertaining their female clients. Possessing quick edits and strong direction, the series is a modern classic for a reason, as it maintains its frenzied, romantic-comedy energy throughout the entire series.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
Clannad (2007)
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Possessing the expected visual grandeur of any Kyoto Animation production, Clannad finds beauty in its peculiarities. There’s a dated quality to the series; at least the character designs by Kazumi Ikeda work beautifully with the traditional high-school romance the show is telling. Directed by Tatsuya Ishihara and written by Fumihiko Shimo, the series follows Tomoya Okazaki, a delinquent who believes life is dull and would rather disengage. This changes when he meets a female classmate, Nasiga. As he works to help Nasiga and, subsequently, four other girls at this school, Tomoya begins to believe that there’s more to life than he initially thought. It’s a clash of tones and style, with the vibrant backdrops and landscapes seemingly in opposition with some of the broader, cruder humor. But it all builds to a bittersweet effect as these characters all strive for something more.
Watch now on HiDive.
Toradora (2008)
Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai
Studio: J.C. Staff
Mangaka: Yuyuko Takemiya
Based on the manga series by Yuyuko Takemiya with illustrations by Zekkyō, Toradora charms with strong character work. The anime adaptation, directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai and written by Mari Okada, gorgeously brings this interwoven love story to life with a mix of meditative introspection and high-octane comedy.
The series follows the gentle-hearted, severe-looking Ryuji Takasu and the diminutive but fiery Taiga Aisaka. The two have crushes on each other’s best friends — Yusaku Kitamura and Minori Kushieda. Promising to help the other gain the affection of their respective crushes, the two develop a slow, sturdy friendship. The core of any food anime romance if we’re honest.
The platonic care between Ryuji and Taiga slowly develops into something more despite their reservations. The series is one of the best examples of slow-build storytelling as we grow to love these characters and their quirks. It is also gorgeously animated, from the prominent sunsets and early nighttime hues to the rare instances of action that are shockingly kinetic.
Watch now on Netflix.
Kimi no Todoke: From Me To You(2009)
Director: Hiro Kaburaki and Kenichi Matsuzawa
Studio: Production I.G.
Mangaka: Karuho Shiina
Based on the manga written and illustrated by Karuho Shiina, Kimi no Todoke: From Me To You follows Sawako Kuronuma, who is known for her resemblance to the Sadako character of The Ring series. Misunderstood until a test of courage, the series follows her growth as she makes friends and grows closer to the friendly Shouta Kazehaya, the most popular boy in her class. The dynamics between the characters develop organically, and the series plays with tropes while adding its own individualist flavor.
Watch now on Netflix.
Your Lie in April (2014)
Director: Kyōhei Ishiguro
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Mangaka: Naoshi Arakawa
To call Your Lie in April a romance buries the lead a bit. Yes, romance is a theme throughout the series, though most of that romance is laden with tragedy and what if’s. Really, the series finds its main love story through the characters’ ability to transcend loss through mutual admiration. It will make you cry buckets of tears each time you put yourself through the emotional ringer of watching this devasting yet life-affirming coming-of-age drama.
Based on the manga series written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa, the story follows young pianist Kо̄sei Arima, who loses the ability to perform the piano after his mother’s death. Sound and color re-enters his life after meeting violinist Kaori Miyazono, who is stricken with a debilitating illness.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
My Love Story!! (2015)
Director: Morio Asaka
Studio: Madhouse
Mangaka: Kazuma Kawahara
Primarily concerning itself with empathy and sincerity, My Love Story!! is an absolute gem. Based on the manga series written by Kazuma Kawahara and illustrated by Aruko, the series shines a light on an unlikely hero. The hulking Takeo Gōda might not appear to be your prototypical love interest, which makes him so charismatic. His romance with Yamato Rinko is sweet and wholesome, and their emotions are refreshingly mutual from the very start.
Takeo’s friendship with the quieter Makoto Sunakawa is just as important as the central romance. Enliven by energetic animation and pleasant, calming color stories, the series is a balm for those needing a pallet to cleanse. The series will have you longing for more by the time it ends, nudging you to press play on the first episode again.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
Yuri on Ice (2016)
Director: Sayo Yamamoto Jun Shishido
Studio: MAPPA
Anyone who has yet to admit to themselves that Yuri on Ice is a romance watched a different show. Yes, the interior lives of figure skaters are compelling, and the animation by MAPPA is superb, but the draw is the romance between Yuri and his coach, Victor. Their developing feelings for one another, as Yuri battles his own inner demons and insecurities, are beautifully rendered.
The more we learn about them individually, the more we care about them together, as their fate becomes more and more destined to be. There’s plenty to love from the series, with or without the romance element, and Yuri himself is a fascinating character whose self-hatred is beautifully explored. But the defiance of their romance anchors it and makes it something special.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (2018)
Director: Yoshimasa Hiraike
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Mangaka: Fujita
It’s always nice to see an anime — especially a shojo anime — focused on characters outside their adolescence. It’s only part of why Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii) works so well. From A-1 pictures and based on the manga written and illustrated by Fujita, the story is a refreshing reminder that sometimes great love stories are borne from shared interests — something that should be celebrated more.
The main couple, Narumi Momose and Hirotaka Nifuji fall for one another not just because they share interests but because they approach those interests the same way — with enthusiasm and curiosity. Despite its surroundings, their story is adult and grounded without ever relenting in the humor and heart that envelops it.
Watch now on Prime Video.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (2019)
Director: Shinichi Omata
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Mangaka: Aka Akasaka
Based on the manga written and illustrated by Aka Akasaka, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War superbly highlights what makes a great romantic comedy — the ensemble. Yes, the heart of the series remains the love story, but without a colorful group of supporting players, the series might’ve run out of steam. An abundance of wit fuels the series as we watch the relationship between student council president Miyuki Shrogane and vice president Kaguya Shinomiya develop.
Seemingly perfect for one another, the two resent the idea publically despite, internally, being head over heels for the other. But both are too stubborn to admit “defeat” (re: confess) first, leading to a long, tumultuous courtship. Few anime will have you laughing harder, from ingenious panel animations and chaotic direction to the consistent running gag of how inept the president is. But add to all of this the excessive charm that Chika Fujiwara, Yu Ishigami, and Miko Iino bring to the table, and the series is a winner.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
Given (2019)
Director: Hikaru Yamaguchi
Studio: Lerche
Mangaka:Natsuki Kizu
Music and camaraderie heal trauma in the insightful BL series Given. Ritsuka Uenoyama, on the verge of quitting music, meets the quiet Mafuyu Satō. As he begins to give Mafuyu lessons, he falls back in love with music while developing burgeoning feelings for Mafuyu. But the series isn’t just concerned with their love story, spending time and OVAs with bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji.
Beyond the original songs created for the series, the anime finds depth in the grief Mafuyu is processing while developing new feelings. Capturing the spark of youth that drives us to pursue our passions, the series marries easy, relatable charm with introspection.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
My Dress up Darling (2021)
Director: Shinichi Fukuda
Studio: CloverWorks
Mangaka: Keisuke Shinohara
From CloverWorks, My Dress Up Darling sparkles due to the characters inherent charisma and their mutual admiration for specific creative endeavors. The series follows Gojo, a young man in high school who has a passion for crafting traditional hina dolls. Socially awkward, he bonds with the popular Marin Kitagawa who encourages him to pursue his interests while asking him to help her create her cosplay costumes. Like many great romance anime, My Dress Up Darling discovers it’s loveable, heartfelt center through the mutual, shared interests of it’s leads and the way they build the other up.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
Komi Can’t Communicate (2021)
Director: Ayumu Watanabe
Studio: OLM
Mangaka: Tomohito Oda
There’s such a zany, hectic energy to Netflix’s Komi Can’t Communicate that it’s easy to be distracted by the romance. But it’s the sweet and wholesome slow burn between Komi and Tadano that keeps the series from floating away. As the two endure the wild personalities that inhabit the walls of their high school their friendship grows into something reliable and genuine. The feverish comedy defines the series tone but it’s their dynamic that keeps us coming back.
Watch now on Netflix.
Horimiya (2021)
Director: Masashi Ishihama
Studio: CloverWorks
Mangaka: Hiroki Adachi
Produced by CloverWorks and based on the manga written and illustrated by Hiroki Adachi, Horimiya stuns. With bright-eyed clarity and a distinct tone, the series (and its successor, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces) expertly weaves together a story of romance and character growth. Playing on the opposites attract trope, the series follows the popular Kyouko Hori and the gloomy, unpopular Izumi Miyamura.
Beyond the walls of their high school introduces different versions of their perceived characters. Hori is harried and caring for her young brother, while Miyamura presents a rebellious image, tattooed and decked in piercings. How the two come together is one of the series’ joys, finding strong emotional pulls in their individual stories and romance. Miyamura, in particular, receives a robust and potent storyline about self-acceptance and love. Gorgeously animated with a heartening score, its grip on a viewer’s heart is tight.
Watch now on Crunchyroll,
Sasaki and Miyano (2022)
Director: Shinji Ishihira
Studio: Studio Deen
Mangaka: Shō Harusono
Brought to life with infectious vigor, Sasaki and Miyano capture a youthful spirit through its visuals. Based on the manga series by Shō Harusono, the series takes its time in developing the central romance. That said, Shūmei Sasaki falls fast for his underclassman Yoshikazu Miyano, even if that latter takes his time returning his affections. This is high school romance anime goodness, and it’s bucking trends and centering a gay couple.
The slow build allows viewers to understand the two and their personalities better, with quiet, romantic beats sprinkled throughout. While Miyano feels a level of embarrassment over his love for BL manga, especially as a male reader, it’s his interest that initially links him and Sasaki, with Sasaki using it as a means to bond. The series, along with the OVA Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation, lovingly naturally develops their story.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
Skip and Loafer (2023)
Director: Kotomi Deai
Studio: P.A. Works
Mangaka: Misaki Takamatsu
Romance anime continues into today and has moved into a more sienen format. While romance isn’t at the forefront of Skip and Loafer, which is just as enamored with platonic friendships, it’s certainly a driver. This is evident from the opening, where Mitsumi Iwakura and Sōsuke Shima gleefully dance across the screen. With its pastel palette, soft lines, and springy, vivacious score, the anime delivers an air of Ghibli-esque whimsy. While the series, based on the manga by Misaki Takamatsu, highlights how all types of relationships are integral to our individual growth, the burgeoning something between Mitsumi and Sōsuke is unbearably sweet. This is especially true as we watch both learn from the other, their opposing traits inspiring them to seek their own individual growth.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
Romance anime offers some of the most heartfelt stories and allows for strong character growth. From mid-2000s favorites to the most recent releases, there’s plenty to explore for new and old fans.
