Watch these heartwarming and playful anime next if you enjoyed Kaguya-sama: Love Is War’s push-and-pull romance.
Anime romantic comedies are a popular genre that never goes out of style. These tales are some of the best around because they include the typical tropes, relatable characters, as well as sweet, sweet confessions of love. Presently one of the biggest romance anime shows is Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, featuring two stubborn high schoolers who don’t want to be the first ones to admit their feelings to each other.
The first to confess will be looked down upon and regarded as the lesser. Miyuki and Kaguya are both equally motivated to emerge triumphant on the battlefield of love, with their honor and pride on the line!
In an incredible display of wits and intellect, the two try everything they can to trick the other into confessing first. The show is filled with hilarious squabbles, cute moments, and lovable characters. Those looking for anime like Kaguya-sama: Love Is War should check out these other romance-based anime next.
Every season, anime fans around the world enjoy brand new rom-com and slice-of-life shows.
As more series with heartfelt storylines, relatable and lovable characters, and slow-burn relationships are being debuted, fans of Kaguya-sama have more and more shows to start watching.
Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san
A friend who knows everything about you should be a benefit, but this is not the case with Nishikata.
He is teased every day by Takagi, who uses her extensive knowledge of his behavior to predict exactly how Nishikata will react to her teasing, making it nearly impossible for Nishikata to make a successful comeback. Even so, Nishikata vows that one day he will make Takagi blush from embarrassment when she is made fun of by him.
As an individual, Takagi is endowed with a cute face and a clever mind. Despite not being a prodigy or gifted with extraordinary skills, she thinks outside the box to outsmart Nishikata. Takagi also has a charming, youthful personality which makes her quite likable. She teases Nishikata, but it’s more than just teasing. Each time they interact, she wants to know him better, and in doing so, they unintentionally grow closer.
Nishikata is pretty much the boy who gets beaten by the master of teasing Takagi. The show often tries to make the audience anticipate with a thrilling feel whether he can ever beat her or not.
There are simple games involving erasers to more complex mind games with emotions. It’s the kind of show that shows games are more than just winning. Nishikata himself is an average kid with an average personality and living an average life.
Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumei shitemita
Many believe that science can explain the universe’s countless phenomena rationally. There are, however, many aspects of our existence that science has not yet been able to fully comprehend with numbers. The concept of love is perhaps the most infamous of these. Perhaps it seems impossible to apply scientific theory to such a complex emotion, but a pair of clever Saitama University researchers are up for the challenge.
Ayame Himuro, bold and beautiful, declared her love for Shinya Yukimura outwardly one day, her fellow logical and level-headed scientist. With no experience with romance himself, Yukimura questions what constitutes love in the first place and if he is in love with Himuro.
Both oblivious to the complexities of love, the two embark on a series of detailed experiments on one another to see whether they exhibit the human attributes that signal love for one another.
Can Himuro and Yukimura, with the support of their friends, successfully apply scientific theory to quantify the feelings they show for one another as they begin their intimate analysis?
Who would’ve thought two super-smart people would be so dumb over something. It’s hilarious. But it’s not just those two who can be given credit for being wonderful characters in this show. The characters in the anime are all part of the scientific community, specifically researching data science. The students in the lab are all about scientific reasoning and experiments.
Best of all, this anime is informative, as when Yukimura or Himuro comes along with mathematical or scientific jargon, a bear named Rikekuma comes along that explains it.
Toradora!
Ryuuji Takasu is a good-natured high school student who enjoys housework, but in contrast to that, he has an intimidating face, which makes people label him a delinquent. Unlike Taiga Aisaka, who is a tiny, doll-like student, she is anything but a pretty and delicate individual. Taiga is known in the school as the “Palmtop Tiger” due to her wooden katana and fiery personality.
The two students cross paths after making an embarrassing mistake. As Ryuuji discovers, Taiga actually has a sweet side: she adores the popular vice president, Yuusaku Kitamura, who happens to be his best friend. Ryuuji then reveals that he has a crush on Minori Kushieda, Taiga’s best friend!
This romantic comedy follows the odd duo as they embark on a quest to help each other deal with their crushes, forming an unlikely alliance along the way.
The story stays away from cliches and is relatively unpredictable for a love story. The characters are the heart of this series. They have distinct personalities and are realistic and believable. It’s impossible to have a “super” character who is too good or too cool for school. It doesn’t have “that annoying” character who is snobby or stuck-up, which can sometimes be a problem for tsundere characters.
Each character has a weak side or a moment of insecurity, which makes them more relatable. Additionally, it makes for many comedic scenes as well as emotional ones. However, the best part of the story is the chemistry and interactions between all the characters and how each of them changes as their relationship grows.
Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun
Chiyo Sakura, a cheerful high school girl, is deeply in love with the oblivious Umetarou Nozaki. To Chiyo’s consternation, when she confesses to her beloved Nozaki, he presents her with an unfamiliar autograph. The stoic teenager turns out to be a respected shoujo mangaka, publishing under the name Sakiko Yumeno! Due to a series of misunderstandings, Chiyo becomes one of Nozaki’s manga assistants.
Throughout the humorous events that ensue, she befriends a number of her oddball schoolmates, including Mikoto Mikoshiba, her seemingly shameless fellow assistant, and Yuu Kashima, the “Prince of the School.” Chiyo is followed in Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun as she tries to assist Nozaki with his manga in the hopes that he will notice her feelings.
The show’s strongest feature is its cast of characters, each of them is truly distinctive in their own way. With all of the diverse characters, you get amusing situations that really make the show stand out, and their personalities elevate comedy to a whole new level.
Sakura is a girl who attempts to get close to her crush on a regular basis but is often misunderstood. She’s a terrific person who improves the show with her retorts and delusions about what she believes will happen, but it doesn’t. She forms a bond with Nozaki over time, which leads to genuine friendship and a lighthearted vibe that makes you grin at every scene.
Second, there’s Nozaki, a manga artist who is frequently misunderstood. He looks like he gets into fights, but he stays up late to draw and produce manga, and it’s really simply aches and pains from the constant drawing and late nights. He’s completely oblivious to Sakura’s feelings, which he makes up for with some amusing reactions to what he believes she’s doing.
Ouran Koukou Host Club
Haruhi Fujioka is a brilliant scholarship candidate with no rank or title, making her an unusual species at Ouran Academy, a prestigious school for kids with a high pedigree. When Haruhi unlocks the door to Music Room #3 in search of a quiet place to study, she unintentionally enters the Host Club.
The club, which is led by the princely Tamaki Suou, is where the academy’s girls are entertained by gorgeous boys with too much free time. Kyouya Ootori, the “Shadow King,” the mischievous Hitachiin twins Kaoru and Hikaru, the youthful Mitsukuni Haninozuka, also known as “Honey,” and his strong protector Takashi “Mori” Morinozuka are among the other members.
Haruhi ends up breaking a vase that is worth eight million yen in a desperate attempt to get away from the hosts and is forced to become the eccentric group’s general errand boy to repay her large debt.
She is then quickly elevated to full-time male host due to her convincingly masculine looks, natural amiable demeanor toward girls, and fascinating commoner status. Soon Haruhi is swept up in a glitzy whirlwind of elaborate cosplays, fine dining, and exciting shenanigans that only the opulent Host Club can pull off.
Throughout the show, the fourth wall is rarely standing. Occasionally, this show will try to tug at your heartstrings, and it almost always succeeds. It’s a touch corny, but for the most part, the cast is likable and makes the anime incredibly heartwarming. It’s easy to develop a favorite host, but there isn’t a single member of the cast who’s unentertaining or who outstays their welcome.
No matter what gender you are, you’ll find it funny, and it can range from smart to stupid at the same time. The wackiness is enough to make you laugh out loud, but there is also sufficient character development to keep you interested in what is happening.
Komi-san wa, Comyushou desu
Hitohito Tadano is a typical teenager who enters his first day of high school with a clear goal in mind: to stay out of trouble and blend in as much as possible. Unfortunately, he fails right away as he sits next to Shouko Komi, the school’s madonna. His classmates now regard him as someone to eliminate if they want to sit next to the most attractive girl in the class.
Komi is immensely popular and well-liked, despite her mysterious persona. Her long, dark hair adds to her beauty and grace. However, she has terrible anxiety and a communication disorder, which stops her from fully engaging in social interactions with her classmates.
When Komi is left in the classroom by herself, a series of events forces her to interact with Tadano by writing on the blackboard as if they were having a one-way conversation. Tadano is the first one to realize she can’t communicate effectively, so he picks up the chalk and begins to write as well. He ultimately figures out that Komi’s goal for high school is to make one hundred friends. As a result, he chooses to lend her a hand, becoming her first-ever friend in the process.
Komi-san is a series that takes its time properly building up the necessary development and progress in its story for the characters and the series’ supposed growth. Komi-san’s premise does not present or offer up anything new to the anime franchise; the story and its characters are brilliantly blended into an awe-inspiring show with an endless charm.
Given a large number of characters in this anime, the character development is extremely impressive. Almost every character is given the screen time and spotlight they deserve. The characters are really relatable too.
Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
Being the first female student council president isn’t easy, especially when your school just transitioned from an all-boys high school to a co-ed one. Aptly nicknamed “Demon President” by the boys for her strict disciplinary style, Misaki Ayuzawa is not afraid to use her mastery of Aikido techniques to cast judgment onto the hordes of misbehaving boys and defend the girls at Seika High School.
Even the ideal Ayuzawa has a big secret: she works part-time as a maid at a maid café to help support her financially troubled family.
She’s been able to keep her job a secret from her fellow students and maintained her flawless image as a stellar student until one day, Takumi Usui, the most popular boy in school, walks into the maid café. He could destroy her reputation with her secret, or he could twist the student council president around his little finger and use her secret as an opportunity to get closer to her.
While Maid Sama may not appear to be the most creative anime, it does deviate from the norm. It doesn’t stick with the cliche of either the ultra-cool bishounen or super-strong bishoujo being the best. Usui and Misaki are quite evenly matched.
Misaki is a fantastic character who is the type of girlfriend you’d want to hang out with and trust. She makes the show addictive to watch since she is a character you can appreciate, relate to, and empathize with.
Maid Sama also has a good comedy style. Much of it stems from the gender-relation jokes; it’s also really enjoyed how Usui’s character sort of undercuts the bishounen stereotype – although Usui’s a bishounen, he’s also incredibly bizarre and is capable of saying or doing the oddest things with the calmest expression.
Masamune-kun no Revenge
Masamune Makabe was rejected as a kid by a rich, attractive girl named Aki Adagaki, who nicknamed him “Piggy” because he was overweight. Masamune was devastated, so he spent a lot of time working out to improve his appearance. Now a handsome, narcissistic high school student, Masamune is out for vengeance: he intends to make Aki fall hopelessly in love with him before rejecting her when they meet again.
Masamune is surprised to learn that he has been transferred to Aki’s school. As he sets his plan into motion, Masamune begins to build a relationship with the “Brutal Princess,” but despite his best efforts, he fails horribly. Surprisingly, Masamune receives a cryptic letter addressed to him by his old nickname as he nears his vengeance. Masamune’s scheme is ruined before it even begins unless he discovers the sender’s identity!
The interesting aspect of Masamune-kun no Revenge is that it takes a rehashed idea and executes it with a panache that leaves you wanting more. One thing that this show is definitely not lacking is hilarious scenes; they’re present throughout the anime. All the girls in the anime are extremely likable and have a character of their own, and the main girl characters get plenty of backstories, even the ones not introduced in the show from the beginning.
The fact that the MC is a unique character with a nuanced feel about him is also very refreshing. That’s super refreshing and not what people familiar with harem are used to seeing in a generic male lead.
The atmosphere is very cheerful, and the colors are bright and vibrant, generating a pleasant and soothing ambiance for laugh-inducing and embarrassing situations to flourish.
Horimiya
On the surface, Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura getting along would be the furthest thing from most people’s minds. Hori, after all, possesses the ideal mix of beauty and intellect, whereas Miyamura appears meek and aloof to his classmates. And then a fateful encounter between the two reveals both of their hidden personas.
Hori is popular at school, but she doesn’t have much time to mingle with her friends because of her responsibilities. On the other hand, Miyamura lives in the shadows of his peers, his body adorned with hidden tattoos and piercings that give him the appearance of a gentle delinquent.
Despite their polar opposite personalities, the two immediately become friends and spend a lot of time together at Hori’s house. As they emerge from their shells, they reveal a side of themselves to each other that has been hidden from the outer world.
A misjudgment leads to a surprise interaction that develops into a wonderful friendship in the story. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions in the show are excellent.
Hori is sweet and kind and very hardworking, but she sometimes has a temper, but that’s more to do with being surprised or unsure on a few occasions. Izumi is very relatable in regards to who he is, an average guy who keeps to himself and has real feelings when dealing with all these new friendships placed upon him. Meanwhile, their friends are very supportive of each other.
You will be hooked by the first episode’s art, characters, song, etc. There will be no character you will dislike! Horimiya is a standout in this genre. This anime is where you can put your feet up with a cup of tea and relax and enjoy some top-quality entertainment.
Tsurezure Children
Young love manifests itself in a number of fascinating and distinct ways as children grow into adults. Various obstacles can develop when learning about romantic attraction for the first time, ranging from being unwilling to confess to not knowing what true love feels like. But beneath it all, young love is a beauty to behold, bringing with it entirely new experiences for those who are young and in love.
Tsurezure Children illustrates numerous scenarios of young love blossoming, as well as the challenges and joys that come with it. Your typical high school romance. Except it’s not.
Tsurezure Children follows an intriguing format that no other anime has followed before: instead of having the main character and a tale that revolves around him/her, you have a slew of pairings, all of whom are “main characters.”
You have so many options to see, which is why it’s unique. Some of them get together early, some later, and some don’t at all. If you like one pair, it’s a bummer to know you’ll only see them once in a while because there are so many others, but if you dislike a pair, you know you won’t see them very often.
But, you’ll end up liking all the pairs. All the characters are super likable despite the tiny amount of screen time each party gets. It’s just a super satisfying show to watch. If you are sick of romance or harem shows not ever going anywhere, let your soul be sated by some great conclusions with great lovable characters.
The characters are all very different and just seeing them interact makes you happy for some reason. The comedy is surprisingly well done as well, which just adds to the great emotional swings they throw at you.
Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou
Yukino Miyazawa is her class’s female representative and the most popular girl among her high school freshmen. She has always been admired for her academic and athletic abilities, as well as her elegance and sociability. In actuality, she is a vain individual who works tirelessly to maintain her good grades, athleticism, and graceful beauty.
She craves nothing more than to be the focus of attention and acclaim, which is why she despises Soichiro Arima, her class’s male representative and the only person who is more perfect than her. She has been attempting to take the spotlight from her new rival since the first day of high school but to no effect.
Finally, on the midterm exams, Yukino receives the highest grade and defeats Soichiro. But, to her surprise, he congratulates her on her accomplishment, prompting her to reconsider her deception. Soichiro declares his love to Yukino, but she rejects him and gloats about it at home with only a smidgeon of guilt.
However, the next day, Soichiro pays a visit to Yukino’s house to deliver a CD and witnesses her uninhibited self in action; armed with the facts, he blackmails her into fulfilling his student council duties. Yukino discovers that she isn’t the only one having secrets after being forced to spend time with Soichiro.
Kare Kano appears to be your typical high school romance story. Thankfully, the odd personalities of the two leading characters prevent this from being just another romance story. Despite the usual elements of a shoujo romance story, there is an element of originality in the way the characters deal with their problems in Kare Kano.
Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii
The lively Narumi Momose is running late for her first day of work at a new office after sleeping through all four of her alarms. She swears to herself as she races to catch her train that none of her coworkers will find out about her dark secret: she is an otaku and a fujoshi.
Her plan, however, goes haywire when she runs across Hirotaka Nifuji, an old middle school friend. Her cover is shattered when he casually asks if she will be attending the next Summer Comiket, despite her best efforts to preserve her secret by inviting him out for drinks after work. The sole witnesses, Hanako Koyanagi and Tarou Kabakura, are both otaku, which is fortunate for her.
They went out for drinks later that evening to catch up after all of their years apart. Hirotaka advises Narumi to date a fellow otaku, namely himself after she complains about her previous boyfriend breaking up with her because he refused to date a fujoshi.
He makes a solemn promise to be there for her at all times, to support her, and to assist her in Monster Hunter’s rare drop farming. Narumi is blown away by the proposition and agrees right away. As a result, the two otakus begin dating, and their endearingly awkward relationship begins.
The goofy storytelling style, combined with the colorful ensemble of characters, creates a really entertaining environment. Even though the show takes place in an office setting, the primary cast’s character chemistry is difficult to overlook. The small character cast is one of the most appealing aspects of this show. It makes the most of giving each character a chance to shine without overshadowing the others.
Sakamoto Desu ga?
The exceptionally handsome and plainly faultless Sakamoto is described as sophisticated, suave, and sublime. His looks, intelligence, and charm have the girls swooning and the males simmering with jealousy despite the fact that it is only his first day of high school.
No one seems to be able to stop him, as every attempt to trip him up is quickly foiled. His wits are unrivaled, and his sangfroid is indomitable. Will any of Sakamoto’s classmates, let alone teachers be able to match his excellence? Probably not, but they could learn something in the process.
Sakamoto is the coolest person around, always thinking of the greatest solution to every given circumstance, which is the anime’s unique selling point. The plot of this show may not appear to be particularly interesting, yet it manages to hold your attention with its own distinct style. This show creates a relaxing atmosphere by combining easy-to-follow scenes with a pleasant jazz-styled OST. The anime does an excellent job of establishing an environment in which the viewer can relax and unwind.
You are also inspired by the show. Sakamoto strives to find the ideal answers to even the most difficult situations throughout the series, a trait that is both motivating and respectable. Seeing Sakamoto accomplish the achievements he achieves inspires the audience to desire to do the same in their own life. It empowers you to live your life as Sakamoto does, fearlessly and without regret, finding the best solution to every question.
There’s also the comedy, which is, of course, designed to be the show’s center point to add to the uplifting environment that the show produces. This anime is an excellent show for anyone who wants to unwind and laugh because it is relaxing, entertaining, and continually funny.
Special A
Hikari Hanazono has always been able to perform feats that ordinary people are incapable of. She used to believe that no one could ever beat her—until she met Kei Takishima. Hikari challenged him to a match, confident in her ability to win. But things didn’t go as planned, and she lost not once but several times. She has vowed to outperform Kei in everything since then, from academics to athletics.
Hikari enrolls in the same school as Kei—Hakusenkan, a prominent institute for the wealthy—in order to fulfill her aim. They are the top two students in school and are part of a class known as Special A, which includes seven of the academy’s best students.
While Hikari treats Kei as a rival, she is completely oblivious that he harbors hidden feelings for her. Together, the members of Special A deal with competition, friendship, and just a bit of love.
The characters are well-developed, with the other members of the SA occasionally receiving their own spotlight. While the main focus is on Kei and Hikari, there are a few other pairings that appear and are developed in future episodes.
The show revolves around character development. Everyone has a distinct and individual personality. The use of idiosyncrasies for comic effect is very effective. Special A is a fun, lighthearted, and enjoyable romantic comedy.
Overall, the series is a lot of fun to watch and includes all of the necessary and popular elements for this genre. The anime’s plot isn’t the typical, generic shoujo you’re used to seeing. It’s all about Hikari’s sincere desire to defeat Kei, her self-proclaimed childhood rival whom she has never defeated. Of course, it still has a shoujo feel to it. Kei’s feelings for Hikari are painfully obvious throughout the series, but Hikari is too dense to notice.
Asobi Asobase
Olivia, a foreign transfer student who doesn’t speak English, engages in a game of “look-the-other-way” with Hanako Honda, a loudmouthed airhead, during recess. Kasumi Nomura, a deadpan loner who is regularly teased by her older sister for her tendency to lose games, is angered by their rowdy behavior.
Kasumi resists Olivia’s invitation to join the fun because she is reluctant to compete, but she finally joins in and causes her own brand of chaos. Soon, the weird trio forms a strange friendship, and they decide to form the “Pastime Club,” where they may resume their regular antics.
When the girls of Asobi Asobase are up to their amusing antics, whether it’s failing to learn English, desperately wanting to become popular, or getting caught by teachers at the wrong time, school life will never be boring.
Asobi Asobase isn’t so much a story as it is a collection of individuals with distinct characteristics who comprise the series’ core.
The characters of an anime will always contribute to the plot’s aim either to make us excited, laugh, thrill, or horrified. Asobi Asobase has a wide range of well-done characters, each contributing to the show’s aim, which is to be comedic. Even though the main cast carries most of the show, some of the supporting cast also get their moments of fame.
This show contains so many jokes from so many categories that you may think it’s all a parody. The show literally challenges you to laugh at how characters react when you watch Asobi Asobase. Bringing comedy to a level that is near incomprehensible is a risk that Asobi Asobase takes.
Asobi Asobase is a wholesome experience not to be missed; its God-tier levels of trickery will mock you hard and bad if you’re not prepared for what lies ahead.