The 6 Best-Written Anime Romances of the Past 10 Years, Ranked

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Fans of anime often cherish classic romance series from the 2000s and before, like the emotionally complex Toradora! and 5 Centimeters Per Second. Over the past decade, new and fantastic romance anime have emerged, offering a variety of genres—from lighthearted comedies and intense dramas to stories with supernatural elements. You’ll also find romances set in workplaces or, occasionally, well-done harem anime among these great titles.

Over the past decade (from 2016 to the Winter 2026 anime season), romance anime has delivered some truly outstanding titles. While shows like Horimiya, Komi Can’t Communicate, and A Sign of Affection are definitely worth mentioning, the best romance anime have stood out with exceptionally well-written stories that deeply connect with audiences. These fantastic series often go beyond just romance, exploring themes like self-doubt, personal development, and even healthy competition.

The Quintessential Quintuplets is the Finest Harem of the Last 10 Years

Studying and True Love Can Change a Young Life

While other romance anime might explore deeper themes, The Quintessential Quintuplets still has a lot to offer. It’s one of the few harem anime that truly stands out, focusing less on wish fulfillment and more on character development. Though Futaro Uesugi has five attractive sisters vying for his attention, the story isn’t really about him. Instead, he helps the Nakano sisters grow, become more mature, and develop courage and a sense of responsibility.

The Nakano quintuplets will be motivated to focus on their futures through strong bonds of friendship, sisterhood, and love. As graduation nears and they prepare for adulthood, they need to improve their grades and start planning ahead. While only one sister will ultimately end up with Futaro, all five will grow significantly as individuals, making them successful in the most important ways. Throughout their journey, the romantic moments are a bit predictable but remain sweet and often funny.

Wotakoi is Both a Great Office Romance and a Story of Acceptance

Hidden Hobbies Are Fun But Cause Strain, Too

Image via A-1 Pictures.

If you’re an anime fan looking for something different from typical high school romances, Wotakoi: Love is Hard For Otaku is a great choice. What really sets it apart is its workplace setting, and it’s a welcome change. The show features adult characters in their 20s and 30s, making it especially relatable for older anime fans who want to see characters they can connect with. Unlike many anime, these characters have moved beyond teenage drama and focus on building healthy, mature relationships.

A key element of Wotakoi is how the characters navigate keeping their passion for otaku culture a secret at work, where they try to appear “normal.” Each of the four main characters deals with this differently, but the show highlights the relatable feeling of embarrassment when hiding a part of yourself. Everyone has something they’re self-conscious about, and this is especially true for Narumi Momose, who’s anxious about her hobbies. This secret can even cause tension with her boyfriend, Hirotaka Nifuji, as he’s much more open about his own interests.

Your Name. Still Stands as the Best Romance Anime Movie

Makoto Shinkai Can’t Easily Outdo Himself

Image via TOHO.

Studio Ghibli is famous for beautiful animated films about love and friendship, like Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. Now, a new generation deserves its own iconic director, and Makoto Shinkai is often mentioned as the one to deliver. He’s known for films like Your Name, which remains his most celebrated work, as well as other strong movies like Weathering With You and Suzume.

While the sweet romance is a big part of the story, Your Name is much more than just a body-swap comedy like Freaky Friday. Fans of anime know there’s a huge twist that raises the stakes dramatically, turning Taki’s efforts to connect with Mitsuha into a desperate race against time to save her from a terrible fate. The film beautifully highlights the importance of names – they’re the first thing we learn about someone, and a key part of who they are. It’s a story about how love begins, and often, it starts with knowing someone’s name.

Oshi no Ko Expertly Juggles Romance With Drama and Subversion

Aqua’s Love Life is Tied to Brutal Industry Trends

Image via studio Doga Kobo.

While not strictly a romance anime, Oshi no Ko is definitely among the best romance anime of the last decade. The series immediately captivated audiences with its stunning first episode, “Mother and Children,” and has continued to impress ever since. It stands out by offering a fresh and often surprising take on both teenage romance and the world of entertainment.

Life in the entertainment world is harsh for Aqua and Ruby Hoshino, and it deeply affects even Aqua’s relationships. He’s caught in a complicated situation with both Kana Arima and Akane Kurokawa, and his feelings towards them are driven by painful motivations. Aqua wants to shield Kana from a tragic end similar to their mother’s, while Akane is determined to help him with his quest for revenge. Genuine love is difficult for Aqua, and things are likely to become even more challenging as he gets closer to finding his father.

Fruits Basket’s New Anime Far Surpasses the 2001 Original

Tohru Honda Began a Mission to Save the Sohmas From Themselves

Image via TMS Entertainment.

When it comes to classic shojo anime and manga, Fruits Basket is incredibly well-known, alongside titles like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura. While the 2001 Fruits Basket anime was a sweet introduction to Tohru Honda’s story, it feels old now and didn’t adapt the entire manga. Thankfully, in 2019, TMS Entertainment released a new Fruits Basket anime that finally gave fans the complete story they’d been waiting for.

The recent Fruits Basket anime beautifully retells the popular manga story, with improved visuals and overall quality. Vibrant colors, excellent voice acting, fluid animation, and stunning scenery all contribute to a captivating blend of supernatural romance, shocking drama, and emotional intensity. While it can be a bit dramatic at times, the series ultimately delivers a powerful story about helping others overcome their inner struggles and healing broken family relationships.

Kaguya-Sama: Love is War Focuses on Competition, Self-Discovery, and Humor

Shuchiin Academy is a Romantic Battleground Every Day

Image via A-1 Pictures.

I’ve been watching anime for a while now, and I think Kaguya-Sama: Love is War is easily one of the best romance series of the last decade – maybe even of all time. What really grabbed me, and a lot of other romance fans, is how the show takes that familiar romantic tension and turns it into this hilarious, strategic game between Kaguya and Miyuki. A lot of characters flirt with mind games, but these two fully commit, treating it like a real competition. It’s so official, in fact, that the narrator even acts as the referee – it’s fantastic!

I’m seriously blown away by how Kaguya-Sama handles romance, friendship, and just figuring things out as a person. Each episode feels so real and layered! What I really love is watching the characters, especially Kaguya, really dig deep and question their own motivations. There are moments where Kaguya basically puts herself on trial in her own head, and it’s such a powerful way to show how she’s grappling with her feelings and her struggles with love. It’s honestly brilliant.

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2026-01-23 21:06