Anime series or movies have presented us with amazing content of all genres. Be it action, fantasy, science-fiction, or romance, anime storylines are engaging. For all the lovers of romantic anime content, a list of the top 15 best romance anime has been provided to check out.
1. Your Name
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Writer: Makoto Shinkai
Cast: Aoi Yuki, RyunosukaKamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi and Ryo Narita.
IMDb Rating: 8.4
Your Name is a romantic anime that engages the viewers in its fantasy world. The story is about two teenagers- Mitsuha and Taki who are from different places. Both of them are unsatisfied with their lives and are looking for a change. The change does occur in an unexpected way when they switched places unknowingly. As the characters realized what is happening to them, they began to adjust to each other’s lives and found a method of communication, by leaving each other notes.
However, a twist occurs when subconsciously they developed feelings for each other. On acknowledging their feelings, they plan to meet each other. But how? Mitsuhalearn that Taki’s home place has been hit by a meteor which makes the conditions tougher and they stop swapping places.
However, he doesn’t lose hope and tries his best to figure out a way to find and meet her. Will he be able to fulfill his desire to meet her? Your Name hereby presents us with an overwhelming romantic storyline with a complex plot.
2. Nana
Director: Morio Aaska
Writer: Tomoko Konparu
Cast: Midori Kawana, Romi Park, Rebecca Shoichet, Kelly Sheridan
IMDb Rating: 8.4
Nana is a story about a hopeless lover, who falls in love too easily and gets attached. The main lead of the story is Nana Komatsu who is a 20-year-old girl. Despite all her promises made to herself, that she will stop chasing people, and will wait for her true person, she ends up going to Tokyo to follow her boyfriend- Shouji Endo.
The story also introduces us to another character of a similar name- Nana Osaki who is a band member and is serious about her career to become a professional singer. Coincidently, she boards the same train to Tokyo as Nana Komatsu.
Fate brings the girls together and before anything, they become friends and then flatmates. The story becomes their journey, as they face heartbreaks, and career issues and find love. Through everything, the girls stick together and their bond remains undamaged. The anime is a standing example of how strong unexpected friendships are.
3. Shigatsuwa Kimi no Uso
Director: Kyohei Ishiguro
Writer: Takao Yoshioka
Cast: Natsuki Hanae, Max Mittelman, Kento Yamazaki, and Shintaro Anzai
IMDb Rating: 8.7
Shigatsuwa Kimi no Uso also known as Your Lie In April is a romantic tragedy. The story cast Kousei Arima as the protagonist. He excels at playing the piano and is well known among his competitors. He is a son of a pianist as well and has trained all his life under her. Though when his mother passed away, Kousei couldn’t deal with the loss properly and suffered from a mental breakdown. All this happened when he was performing at a recital, which made him not listen to the sound of his piano. The incident changed Kousei’s life, as, after two years, he doesn’t recover from the loss. He gives up on the piano and hangs out with how two only friends- Tsubaki and Watari.
Though his life chances once more when Kaori Miyazono a high-spirited girl enters in is life. A huge fan of piano and having a bold personality, she changes the picture of Kousei’s life. She instilled colors and positivity and keeps on trying to arouse Kousei’s interest in music again. Will she be able to bring back Kousei to the piano again?
Shigatsuwa Kimi no Uso is a romantic story that uses music to unite lovers.
4. Clannad
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Writer: ItaruHinoue
Cast: Yuichi Nakamura, Mai Nakahara.
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Clannad is a heart-wrenching story about Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa. Tomoya -has a dull perspective on life. He doesn’t have any concrete motive and is always bunking classes with his friends, who are equally hopeless. He meets Nagisa unexpectedly- a lively girl. Slowly Nagisa begins to take Tomoya as her friend, whereas Tomoya ignores her.
Nagisa on the other hand remains near him only. Soon as their conversation paces, he learns that Nagisa is a year behind him because of her severe illness. As they become close to each other he learns that she wants to be in the school’s drama club. He decides to help her in realizing this dream of hers.
Slowly as he works with other girls, his problems seem to appear little to him, and his perception of life improves.
5. Fruits Basket
Director: Yoshihide Ibata
Writer: Taku Kishimoto
Cast: Tomokazu Seki, Yui Horie, Aya Hisakawa and Kazuhiko Inoue
IMDb Rating: 8.6
Fruits Basket is another story that wins over viewers’ hearts with its engaging plot. The story revolves around a 16-year-old girl Tooru, who moves in with her grandfather. As much as she wants to live with him, she feels interrupted constantly due to the ongoing construction work. She decides to move out but finds no plan and resorts to living in a tent all on her own.
But seems like this wasn’t the end of her problems. The tent got buried under a landslide. She receives an offer of help from Yuki Souma- her classmate and Shigure Souma her cousin. One might think that this is the end of adventures, but no!
As she moves in with her cousin, she discovers his strange curse that who so ever will hug him, will turn into one of the zodiac signs animals. Thereby, begins the journey of Tooru who keeps on discovering more such mysteries as she lives with Souma.
6. My Love Story
Director: Morio Asaka
Writer: Natsuko Takahashi
Cast: Takuya Eguchi, Ren Katou, Andew Love, and Luci Christian.
IMDb Rating: 7.8
My Love Story presents us with good laughter alongside a twist of romance. Takeo Gouda- a tall, muscular, and well-built guy, finds himself in love. Though he has an innocent heart with no evil intentions, he fails to find success in his love life. Amongst his male friends, he is well known and respected.
The problem lies in his look. His bold personality scares away the females, and hence it becomes tough for him to approach them. He falls in love hopelessly with Rinko Yamato who is a cute little girl. He saves her from being molested and then ultimately falls in love with her. But things don’t work for him, as Yamato doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. Later he comes to know that Sunakawa is the one for whom Yamato has feelings.
Hence the chase begins. Will he be able to win over Rinko? Or our hero will have to give up on his first love?
7. Kids On The Slope
Director: Shinichiro Watanabe
Writer: Ayato Kato and Yuko Kaki hara
Cast: Ryohei Kimura, Takashi Matsunaga, Chris Patton, and Yuri Chinen
IMDb Rating: 8.2
This anime is filled with drama and romance. The dialogue and the plots are highly engaging with twits and turns. The setting of the plot is Kyushu. The high school of Kyushu witnessed the arrival of a new student—Karou Nishimi, who is a classical pianist and aces in academics as well. Being an all-rounder he has an introverted personality. He grew to be shy because of multiple transfers within a year, never let him adjust anywhere and he got along fine being lonely.
However, his opinion about schooling changes when he meets SentarouKawabuchi. Kawabuchi excels in jazz, and as a result, he too began to practice jazz under Kawabuchi’s influence. Finally, he feels happy because at the end of his schooling days he finally found a friend.
Kids On The Slope is a story that covers the journey of a boy who found friends after living a lonely life.
8. Toradora
Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai
Writer: Mari Okada
Cast: Rie Kugimiya, and Junji Majima
IMDb Rating: 8
Toradora is another anime that leaves the watchers fulfilled through its dramatic and heartwarming romantic plot. The story is about a young high school student- Ryuuji Takasu. He is handsome and loves to do household chores. One of his classmates is Taiga Aisaka who carries with her a wooden katana. Despite her bold personality, she is small, cute, and kind. In her school, she is popularly known as “Palmtop Tiger”.
It is revealed that Taiga has a crush on her best friend- Yuusaku Kitamura, who is the vice-president as well. Whereas Ryuuji has a crush on Taiga’s best friend- Minori Kushieda. This cross of crushes made Taiga and Ryuuji meet each other.
As they resort to helping each other, they tend to form a friendly bond. The story, therefore, covers stems from friendship too.
9. Lovely Complex
Director: Konosuke Uda
Writer: Aya Nakahara
Cast: Akemi Koizumi, Kazuko Kojima and Akira Nagata
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Lovely Complex is a story that covers the journey of two high schoolers, who are trying to find love, Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Ootani, who form an odd couple with their huge height difference. Risa is taller than the usual height, whereas Ootani is extra short. As they were chasing their crushes, their crushes themselves fell in love with each other. This incident leaves them heartbroken and sad.
To add to their misery, they are often pointed out by their homeroom teacher as “a comedy duo”, due to their height difference. Their classmates also often mock them. The duo however continues to stick together. With time they become close friends eventually. Is there any possibility that the duo will form a romantic couple? Or are they destined to end as friends only?
10. Maid- Sama
Director: Hiroki Sakurai
Writer: Hiro Fujiwara
Cast: Ayumi Fuiimara, Nobuhiko Okamoto
IMDb Rating: 8
Kaichou Wa Maid Sama is an anime that makes sure to make its watchers laugh throughout the plot. The story also includes elements of romance. The story is about a high school girl- Misaki Ayuzawa, who becomes the first-ever female student council President, in a male-dominated education organization. Through her honesty and hard work, she makes sure that all the girls feel comfortable. She maintains a strict composure in front of the boys.
She encounters- Takumi Usui, who made a girl cry by rejecting her confession. Takumi is the most popular boy and doesn’t care about anyone. Though Misaki has a secret too. She works at a maid café and Takumi figures it out. She insists on him keeping her secret and saving her reputation in the school. Takumi does that. Though his visits increase to the café. Will Takumi be able to act on his promise? Does his recurrent visit means that something is fishy or does he visits out of the fun?
11. Kaguya- sama: Love Is War
Director: Shinichi Omata
Writer: Yasuhiro Nakanishi
Cast: Aaron Dismuke, Alexis Tipton, and Austin Tindle
IMDb Rating: 8.5
Love is War as the name suggests is an anime that is all about making your crush confess to you. The plot covers romance alongside comedy. The story is about Kaguya and Miyuki who are rich and belong to the elite society. Both of them are leaders of the student council. Though it’s very lonely, and at times they don’t have friends to share their issues with.
As both of them work together and share their loneliness, they slowly and eventually fall in love with each other. However, falling in love isn’t hard, but confessing is. Both have pride and don’t confess to each other. Secretly hope that the other one will. Hence, the daily show begins. The constant game of trying to make the other one confesses.
The plot will take us through the feelings of loneliness and how two lovers find love. Though the question remains hanging will any one of them confess?
12. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
Director: Soichi Masui
Writer: Masahiro Yokotani
Cast: Kaito Ishikawa
IMDb Rating: 8.3
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai anime introduces us to a strange plot, dealing with aspects faced by teenagers as they hit puberty. The anime brings out a unique concept of “Puberty Syndrome”. The syndrome is caused amongst those teenagers who suffer from sensitivity and have an unstable mind.
There are rumors about the syndrome all over the internet. Sakuta Azusagawa who is a second-year high school student meets multiple girls who are suffering from the same syndrome. She runs into a girl who had the appearance as that of a bunny in the library. As she talks to her, it turned out that she is an actress on hiatus. Her name was Mai Sakurajima and she was also a senior at her school.
But the story takes a turn when this pretty girl who was also an actress disappears suddenly. No one can see her. What happened to the senior girl? Will she ever become visible again?
Hence the story goes through a roller coaster ride. It is filled with drama and fantasy. The anime will keep the watchers engaged throughout.
13. Monogatari Series
Director: Akiyuki Shinbo, Tatsuya Oishi, and Tomoyuki Itamura
Writer: YukitoKizawa, and Muneo Nakamoto
Cast: Kana Kanazawa, and Hiroshi Kamiya
IMDb Rating: 8.6
Monogatari Series is an anime that serves a wholesome plot covering Comedy, mystery, romance, and supernatural elements. The story is about KoyomiAraragi and his close friend: Tsubasa Hanekawa, who is well mannered and the most intelligent person in the group. Shinobu Oshino- a doughnut-loving vampire. Suruga Kanbaru- who is an excellent athelete. MayoiHachikuji maintains a jolly picture. Nadeko Sengoku who stalks koyomi all the time. And at last- HitagiSenjogahara, who is always in a sad mood.
The story creates a complex plot for the protagonist- Koyomi, who finds himself in a tough spot as he has to make a career choice alongside having to look after his friends. Though this is not all he consistently fights against the darkness and evil issues which makes his job tough. Though the story takes a plot twist when koyomi disappears and is nowhere to be found. In his absence, a tiger apparition appears. It is on Hanekawa now to fight or to accept defeat. What will Hanekwa do in order to save everyone? Where has Koyomi disappeared and the most important question will he ever come back?
14. My Dress-Up Darling
Director: Keisuke Shinohara
Writer: Yoriko Tomita
Cast: Shoya Ishige, Tomoyo Takayanagi, Paul Dateh, and Jack Britton
IMDb Rating: 8.2
My Dress-Up Darling is an interesting story that covers the life of a high school student Wakana Gojou. Wakana spends all his time making Hina dolls. He idolizes his grandfather and wants to be as fine as him when it comes to crafting dolls. Though he is not confident enough to share his talent as he is constantly worried that he might be mocked.
He meets his exact opposite- Marin Kitagawa, who is an extremely pretty and confident girl. It’s very tough for Wakana to approach her as she is always surrounded by her friends. Though she discovers the secret of Wakana and also confesses to him her hobby, which is cosplay.
She asks for his help, as she herself is very bad at sewing. Hence they come together as a team and begin to create one outfit after another. As they keep on working together, they eventually grow close and develop feelings for each other. Will they be able to stick together having different personalities and different worlds?
15. NODAME CANTABILE
Director: Kenichi Kasai
Writer: Tomoko Konparu
Cast: Ayako Kawasumi, Tomokazu Seki, Yoshiniro and Shinji Kawada
IMDb Rating: 8.2
NodameCantabil is another wholesome anime that proposes to us a plot full of comedy, drama, romance, and reality of life. The story is about Shinichi Chiaki who is an excellent musician and dreams to perform one day for the European elites. He belongs to a rich family and he is a critique of himself and others as well. Having talent and funds, it’s his fear of flying that is not allowing him to leave Japan and fly to Europe.
He was studying in a music school. In his fourth year, he meets Nodame or Megumi Noda. She is a jolly person and doesn’t reveal all her potential at first. Shinichi gets impressed by her piano performance. He discovers that Nodame lives In his neighborhood and also that she has fallen in love with Shinichi. Will Shinichi reciprocate her feelings? Or this is going to end as a one-sided love?