The greatest romance anime is enough to make anyone's heart soar, and this industry can bring these stories to life better than most other media. 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, usually blending strong characterization with heart-racing moments, tragedy, and joy.
Updated January 8, 2026, by Mark Sammut: Winter 2026 is just starting to roll out, but it is too early to recommend any currently airing anime. Consequently, we have added a couple of new sections: Quick Picks and Best Romance Anime by Mood/Sub-Genre/For Beginners.
Quick Picks: Best Romance Anime To Watch Right Now
Before we get to the individual anime, let's quickly highlight a few recommendations across a range of categories. The goal of this section is to guide people who are just looking for a romance anime to watch right now and are not particularly interested in diving into the rankings.
|
Category |
Top Pick |
Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
|
Best Overall |
Fruits Basket |
An all-time shojo masterpiece, Fruits Basket is arguably the most complete anime, one that delivers laughs, lore, trauma, development, and heartwarming scenes. |
|
Best Wholesome |
My Love Story!! |
A really cute romance anime that gets to the relationship quickly and mostly just lets the main couple be adorable together. |
|
Best Sad Romance |
Your Lie in April |
The definitive anime tearjerker, Your Lie in April is an emotional rollercoaster in the best possible way. |
|
Best for Beginners |
Horimiya (& The Missing Pieces) |
Blends romance, slice of life, and comedy well, all the while having a lovable cast of characters. |
35 Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
MyAnimeList: 8.13
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024
- Network
- Tokyo MX, BS11, Tochigi TV, Chukyo TV, KYT
- Japanese Title
- Make Heroine ga Oosugiru!
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Takibi Amamori
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
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.
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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.
34 Maid Sama!
MyAnimeList: 7.99
Maid Sama!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2010 - 2010-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Japanese Title
- Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Hiro Fujiwara
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
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.
33 Dandadan
MyAnimeList: 8.49 (Season 1)
Dandadan
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Studio
- Science Saru
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Yukinobu Tatsu
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu
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. The best anime of 2024 went on to produce a sequel season that was also one of 2025's greatest releases.
32 The Pet Girl Of Sakurasou
MyAnimeList: 8.05
The Pet Girl of Sakurasou
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 9, 2012
- Japanese Title
- Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Hajime Kamoshida
- Streaming Service(s)
- HIDIVE
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.
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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.
31 Yuri!!! On Ice
MyAnimeList: 7.90
Yuri on Ice
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2017-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Creator
- Sayo Yamamoto, Mitsurō Kubo
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
One of the most famous boys' love anime of all time, Yuri!!! On Ice is a bit of an odd option for the romance genre. While love drives the main characters to an extent, the show primarily tells a sports story, albeit one that gradually builds up the relationship between Victor and Yuuri. Consequently, viewers who go in specifically craving a romance might be disappointed by the anime's lack of focus on that aspect.
All that being said, Yuri!!! On Ice is pretty great. The animation is top-notch, the characters are either endearing, complex, or both, and the ice-skating sequences are thrilling. Victor and Yuuri also make a good couple, even if the anime only shows the early days of their romance.
30 My Happy Marriage
MyAnimeList: 7.72 (Season 1)
My Happy Marriage
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2023 - 2025
WHERE TO WATCH
- Japanese Title
- Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon
- Studio
- Kinema Citrus
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- Based On
- Novel & Light Novel
- Creator
- Akumi Agitogi
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
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 hateable but also one-dimensional.
29 Tomo-chan Is A Girl!
MyAnimeList: 7.74
Tomo-chan Is a Girl!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2023 - 2023
- Japanese Title
- Tomo-chan wa Onnanoko!
- Studio
- Lay-duce
- Number of Episodes
- 13
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Fumita Yanagida
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
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.
28 Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku
MyAnimeList: 7.92
Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for an Otaku
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018-00-00
- Directors
- Yoshimasa Hiraike
- Writers
- Fujita
- Japanese Title
- Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Number of Episodes
- 11
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Fujita
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
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.
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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.
27 Romantic Killer
MyAnimeList: 7.95
Romantic Killer
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2022
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- DOMERICA
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Wataru Momose
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
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.
26 The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
MyAnimeList: 7.85
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2023 - 2023-00-00
- Network
- Tokyo MX
- Directors
- Tomio Yamauchi, Hiroyuki Okuno, Michita Shiraishi, Kanji Wakabayashi, Akira Kato
- Japanese Title
- Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken
- Studio
- Project No.9
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Saekisan
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
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.
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