The Best Romance Anime, Ranked

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I’ve always thought romance anime is uniquely good at tugging at your heartstrings – it really feels like this medium can bring these stories to life in a special way. Over the years, there have been so many different kinds of romantic stories told through Japanese animation, everything from lighthearted comedies to really moving and sad tales.

With so many romance shows available, it can be tough to find a really good one – especially with new series appearing all the time with similar storylines. Luckily, the best romance anime truly shine, offering well-developed characters and a compelling mix of excitement, heartbreak, and happiness.

35. Maid Sama!

MyAnimeList: 7.99

Many romance anime would struggle with the clichés present in Maid Sama!: a perfect male lead, a strong female character often needing rescue, and an unnecessary love triangle. While Maid Sama! doesn’t handle these elements flawlessly, it overcomes its weaknesses with a lot of charm and personality.

Maid Sama! follows the connection between popular student Takumi Usui and Misaki Ayuzawa, the student council president who dislikes boys. Misaki is very responsible and juggles school, her family, and a part-time job. When Takumi discovers Misaki secretly works at a maid cafe, he gets a glimpse of a side of her she usually keeps hidden.

34. Dandadan

MyAnimeList: 8.49 (Season 1)

Dandadan is a surprisingly versatile anime. It’s incredibly funny – easily one of the most hilarious shows of the year – and also features exciting, well-animated action sequences that stay true to the characters. While the supernatural and sci-fi aspects aren’t overly complex, they’re used effectively. But what’s really impressive is that Dandadan manages to be a genuinely good romance story on top of everything else – it’s almost too much to ask of one show!

What really makes Dandadan shine is the friendship between Momo and Ken. Their chemistry is fantastic – they playfully tease each other, but it’s always with an underlying sweetness. Episode 5 perfectly showcases the show’s romantic comedy strengths. It’s a charming, funny, and heartwarming episode that focuses almost entirely on their clumsy efforts to connect at school. Considered by many to be the best anime of 2024, Dandadan continued its success with a sequel season that was also a standout release in 2025.

33. The Pet Girl Of Sakurasou

MyAnimeList: 8.05

The Pet Girl of Sakurasou tells the story of a quirky group of friends as they navigate life and learn about themselves. Sorata Kanda finds himself unexpectedly living in the rundown Sakura House after being evicted from his school’s regular dorms.

Sorata meets a group of gifted but challenging students. When a unique young artist joins their dormitory, he’s asked to help her settle in. The story follows the residents of the dorm, showcasing their personal ambitions and the connections they form with each other.

32. Yuri!!! on Ice

MyAnimeList: 7.90

Though often considered a boys’ love anime, Yuri!!! on Ice is unique because it’s primarily a sports story. While romance is present and develops between the characters Victor and Yuuri, it isn’t the main focus. Viewers hoping for a heavily romance-driven plot might find the anime doesn’t deliver as much in that area.

Overall, Yuri!!! on Ice is a fantastic anime. The animation is beautifully done, the characters are lovable and well-developed, and the ice-skating scenes are really exciting. Victor and Yuuri are a charming couple, though the anime focuses on the beginning of their relationship.

31. My Happy Marriage

MyAnimeList: 7.72 (Season 1)

In Summer 2023, My Happy Marriage stood out as a top romance anime. The story, adapted from Akumi Agitogi’s novels, is set in a reimagined Meiji Restoration period with magical elements. Miyo, despite coming from a decent family, has endured a miserable life due to her cruel stepmother, stepsister, and father. They try to marry her off to a feared military leader, knowing he quickly dismisses any potential wife—and rejection would mean ruin for Miyo. Surprisingly, Kiyoka is not only attracted to Miyo but is also deeply disturbed by how her family has treated her.

The anime My Happy Marriage realistically portrays the deep and lasting impact of the abuse Miyo suffered from her family. Even with Kiyoka’s kindness and protection, she needs time to heal and rebuild her self-esteem. Kiyoka himself is a complex character; while he initially seems to have hidden reasons for his interest in Miyo, his feelings for her appear to be sincere.

While the romance between Miyo and Kiyoka is genuinely touching in My Happy Marriage, other aspects of the anime aren’t quite as strong. The magical elements sometimes feel forced, and although the villains are easy to dislike, they lack depth.

30. Tomo-chan Is A Girl!

MyAnimeList: 7.74

Based on the completed manga series by Fumita Yanagida, Tomo-chan Is a Girl! was a standout romantic comedy of Winter 2023. The story follows Tomo and Jun, who are close friends, but Jun only sees Tomo as one of the guys. This becomes a problem when Tomo develops romantic feelings for him and wants to take their relationship further, but Jun doesn’t see her that way.

Despite featuring a romantic storyline, Tomo-chan is a Girl! is at its heart a funny show. The main characters, Tomo and Jun, have great chemistry and play well off each other, and the supporting characters, like Misuzu and Carol, are consistently hilarious. The show does a good job of making you believe in Tomo and Jun’s connection, which is something many romance anime struggle with.

29. Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku

MyAnimeList: 7.92

Anime often focuses on high school romance, but Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku stands out. It’s a funny workplace story that follows two couples: Hirotaka Nifuji and Narumi Momose, who are just starting out, and the long-established Tarou Kabakura and Hanako Koyanagi. The series mainly centers on Hirotaka and Narumi, and while it’s primarily a comedy, the romantic relationships feel genuine and relatable.

Narumi and Hirotaka have been friends since childhood, but Narumi never considered him as someone she could date, and that ambiguity continues throughout the series. The anime doesn’t have enough episodes to fully explore their connection, but Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is still a fun watch while it lasts.

28. Romantic Killer

MyAnimeList: 7.95

The anime Romantic Killer playfully makes fun of common tropes in romance and harem anime, but also appreciates what makes those genres enjoyable. Anzu is a girl who loves video games and chocolate more than boys, until a magical creature changes her life. It takes away her hobbies and unexpectedly puts her in the center of a reverse harem situation. Naturally, Anzu isn’t thrilled, especially when she realizes she’s suddenly surrounded by guys she doesn’t even know, and who seem interested in her romantically.

At its heart, Domerica’s anime is a comedy, and Romantic Killer frequently succeeds at making viewers laugh. However, because it started as a shonen manga, the humor relies heavily on over-the-top expressions and reactions.

Though it doesn’t always aim for intense emotion, this story treats its characters and their connections with care. Anzu is a great main character, and the potential love interests are all well-rounded. Romantic Killer is perfect for viewers who want a funny and heartwarming romance.

27. The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

MyAnimeList: 7.85

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten quickly grabs your attention for a couple of reasons. The animation by Project No.9 is really well done, especially the way the characters look. But more importantly, the two main characters immediately feel connected – you can feel the chemistry from the very first scene, like when Amane offers Mahiru his umbrella in the rain.

I’ve been watching The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, and what I really appreciate is how well it balances showing the main characters together with letting us see them as individuals. It manages to develop both their personal lives and their friendship, which is a nice touch.

26. Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!

MyAnimeList: 7.70 (Season 1)

I’m a huge fan of Kyoto Animation – they’ve made so many amazing anime! One of my favorites is Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! It’s all about this phase some teens go through called ‘Chunibyo,’ where they basically have these elaborate, kind of fantastical delusions – they think they have special powers or are on some epic quest. It’s really fun and relatable, even if it’s totally over the top!

Yuta Togashi is trying to enjoy a normal high school life after moving on from his embarrassing middle school days. But his plans are disrupted when a classmate, Rikka Takanashi, recognizes his past and tries to pull him back into those fantastical delusions. The story follows their relationship as Yuta learns what caused Rikka to create her imaginary world.

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2026-04-07 00:09