Ever since the world of anime opened up to the global stage, it has attracted millions of fans. However, there is one particular genre that has been dominating the market. The Romance genre is easily one of the most popular categories of filmmaking. Not only do these stories provide a wide range of emotions, but they also showcase characters that resonate with the audience. The anime industry itself has a wide variety of beautiful stories. So, if you are looking to watch a romance story this weekend, there is a list of the 25 Best Romance Anime of all time.
Kokoro Connect
Best Romance Anime: Shifting from the High school space to a Cultural group, Kokoro Connect tells the story of five members of the Cultural Research Club. One fine day, their lives turn upside down when they find that their bodies have been switched. As they learn more about each other’s lives and their struggles firsthand, they find that everyone is going through immense hardships. While this bizarre change created a huge mess, it also began to solve the problems of their love lives.
Your Lie In April
Your Lie in April is that romance story that is bound to make you cry at the end. Much like every coming-of-age drama, it begins with two characters meeting one another. Kosei Arima is a piano enthusiast. However, he loses his passion when his mother passes away. He cut off from music and lived a secluded life. But Kaori Miyazono is that friend who vows to bring back his passion for art. Your Lie In April has one the most heartbreaking endings of any story.
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Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online is predominantly an isekai anime. However, at the core of it is a beautiful love story that festers and grows for many seasons. So, the premise of Sword Art Online revolves around Asuna Yuuki’s quest into a virtual reality game. The rules of the game ask the players to pass each level before getting out of the game. Amid this chaos, her love angle with Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya suffers.
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Snow White with the Red Hair
Created by Masahiro Ando, Snow White with Red Hair is the classic story of beauty. Sorata Akizuki is audaciously beautiful. Adding to her beauty is her natural red hair. However, she is not happy with getting all the attention for her looks. Things escalate quickly when a prince named Raji falls for her. Soarata does not resonate with the same emotion for him. Will romance grow between these polar opposites?
Plastic Memories
After watching all the classic High School love stories, Plastic Memories is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. The premise is set in a futuristic world where humans and androids reside together. One fine day, the SAI Corp manages to create one the most realistic android ever. However, Giftia is inclining more towards love and romance instead of following her given instructions. Plastic Memories is easily one of the best romance anime of all time.
Anohana The Flower We Saw That Day
Anohana is that anime that one could watch to cry it all out on a rough day. The story begins with the parting of high school friends after one of them dies in an accident. Five years after this incident, the friends reunite at the high school. However, new emotional relations are brewing between these friends as they grow out of their trauma. Watching the show will make it clear that Anohana is called one of the best romance anime of all time.
Hanasaku Iroha
Best Romance Anime: Hanasaku Iroha tells the story of a young girl Ohana Matsumae, a young girl from Tokyo who is living a distressing life. Her troubles increase her mother marries her boyfriend. As a result, she comes to her grandmother’s house to reside in the village. To make a living, she joins an inn as a maid there. She finds that she is beginning to heal from her past wounds. So, is there a chance of finding love amongst the staff of Kissuiso Inn?
School Days
School Days is a single-season anime that revolves around a first-year high schooler named Makoto Itou. Makoto’s emotions become a mess after his parents go through a rough divorce. A year after the trauma, he finds a new friend in the second term. As he falls for Kotonoha Katsura, the horrors of his past come to haunt him every day. Watch School Days to witness a story of healing through love and companionship. Hence, School Days is one of the best romance anime of all time.
Kiss Him, Not Me
Kiss Him, Not Me is that show that you can watch if you are craving a good burst of laughter. Kae Serinuma is the popular girl of the school who is tired of rejecting boys who approach her. One day, she decides to have fun with this situation. Thus, she starts setting up these boys with one another. But can love actually happen if all the boys are attracted to the same girl? Find out when you watch Kiss Him, Not Me.
Also Read: Kiss Him, Not Me Review [Spoiler-Free] | The Anime Daily.
Honey And Clover
Honey and Clover tell the story of two characters that are dealing with their personal life struggles. While one is a college student who is struggling to pay his loans, the other one is going through personal troubles in family life. Yuuta, Shinobu, and Takumi live in the same apartment and share their everyday problems with one another. Is there space for love in the midst of personal, financial, and academic hardships?
Romeo X Juliet
This particular work of Shakespeare has been translated and depicted in every possible genre, language, and category of filmmaking. So, how does the anime version stand out? Fumitoshi’s Oizaki’s Romeo X Juliet is the retelling of the same tale but set in a different world. The rivalry between the Montague family and the Capulet family comes in the way of the love between their children. Like the classic tale, is sacrifice the only way they can overcome the distance created by human evils?
Kaguya-Sama Love Is War
If you are looking for a love story that is filled with a good burst of laughter, then there is no better choice than Kaguya-Sama Love is War. The plot revolves around the strange love story at the Shuhchiin Academy in Japan. Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya are two prominent members of the student council. However, they cannot express their love for each other as this will dilute their image as the student council. Can love fester between the two when they cannot come to terms with their own egos?
Clannad: After Story
High School romance is the best kind of love story. Set in Hikarizaka Private High School, Clannad After Story continues the tale of the growing love between Nagisa Furukawa and Tomoya. In the sequel, the two continue to spend time with each other after confessing their feelings. However, as troubles in their families grow, they fail to keep the love in the relationship. Between school, family, and love life, how will these young souls find the right balance?
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Ore Monogatari!!
Monogatari is one of the vastest anime franchises of all time. Many fans still fail to understand the entire chronology of this series. So, Ore Monogatari, better known as My Love Story, is based on the life of an unusually tall man named Takeo. At first glance, he looks more like a sumo wrestler. On the other hand, is a tiny lady named Yamato. As they bond over their unconventional looks, something else also brews between them. It turns out that Takeo is slowly falling for his best friend.
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Say “I Love You”
If you are looking for a classic love story with a happy ending, then this one is the best choice for you. Say “I Love You” gives a glance at the lives of Mei and Yamato. At all classic tales go, Mei is the shy girl of the high school. On the other hand, Yamato is the popular hunk. As they cross paths, Yamato realizes that he is beginning to feel more than just attraction for Mei. But can love fester between people who cannot find a middle ground in anything?
His And Her Circumstances
His And Her Circumstances is the story of two people whose personal lives are hindering their love lives. The love is between two high school rivals who always compete with one another on academic plans. Yukino Miyazawa and Soichiro Arima dearly love each other. But when it comes to finding a middle ground in the competition, they get into a cut-throat situation. Amid these circumstances, nothing but love suffers.
Tamako Market And Tamako Love Story
Released in 2014, Tamako Market And Tamako Love Story are some of the most easy-going romance stories that the viewers will come across. So, Tamaki Kitashirakawa is the only earning member of his family who runs a small mochi shop. One day, a strange talking bird came with a message. The bird kept chirping to find the location of the prince’s wife. Thus, a beautiful journey filled with love and adventure begins.
Inuyasha
Best Romance Anime: Inuyasha is also a vast franchise that can be added to multiple lists. From action to love to thriller, it has the perfect balance of all elements. In terms of love, it tells the story of two characters named Kagome and Inuyasha. In the quest to find the jewel Shikon, Kagome comes in contact with the legendary warrior. This love lasts long and withstands every obstacle in their way. Inuyasha is more like a guide on how love thrives in the face of adversity.
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From Me To You
From Me To You is no different from Say I Love You. This is another retelling of the same old high school love. Sawako Kuronuma is a shy girl from the school who is bullied for her appearance. However, things change for her when she finds that the popular boy of the school has a crush on her. As her bullies disappeared, she wanted to thank the boy. But she herself struggles with overcoming the anxiety of talking to someone. Watch this series to find if love ever festers between the two.
Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is that anime that can be added to almost any genre. It is comedic, it has romance, and it has magic. So, the main plot revolves around Tohru Honda, who has spent most of her childhood in an orphanage. When she reaches High School, she is adopted by a family of twelve. While coping with this strange family, Tohru’s love life suffers on a daily basis. Fruits Basket is true with the essence of real love and compassion that humans go through.
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Junjou Romantica Pure Romance
Junjou Romantica Pure Romance is another story that takes the viewers back to the High School environment. The premise is set around Misaki Takahashi and Akihiko Usami. Misaki is an ambitious boy who has been relentlessly preparing for the university entrance exams. Amid all the pressure, Misaki comes across a writer named Akihiko. After years, he finally found solace in someone other than his family. But in order to build love, they must sacrifice many things.
Emma A Victorian Romance
As the title of the anime suggests, Emma A Victorian Romance is based in 19th century Victorian London. William Jones is a born royal who has spent most of his life following the rules of the crown. Being friendless, he found solace in his maid. As they met every day, Emma and William fell for each other. However, the royal family cannot let their heir marry a maid. Thus, the classic Romeo and Juliet Tale began.
Nana
Nana is the romance story of the titular character, Nana Komatsu. After the end of her graduation, Nana tries to reconnect with her boyfriend and her other friends. Her journey takes her to Tokyo. The other character named Nana Osaki is also on the same train. Osaki is a popular singer in her town. But now she wants to make it big in Tokyo. Stuck between the chase of dreams and love, will the two Nanas ever cross paths again? So, Nana can be considered one of the best romance anime of all time.
Toradora!
Toradora has now become a classic love anime series. The plot revolves around Aisaka Taiga and Ryuuji Takasa. While one is the child in the relationship, the other is the one who looks after him. The synopsis describes Ryuuji to be a gentleman. But due to his looks, he is always misjudged as a mean and rude boy. Yasaku is the only one who understands this trait within him. Toradora is a warm watch that reminds kids how love grows and festers for a long time.
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Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
One more tale that will take the viewers back to their high school days is Kaichou wa Maid-sama! So, the story starts with the introduction of Misaki, who is seemingly the perfect student. She is the class president and excels in every subject. However, she lives a completely isolated personal life working as a part-time cafe maid. Only Takumi knows her little secret. This becomes the catalyst to their bond. But building love is not easy as becoming friends.
This concludes the list of the 25 Best Romance Anime of All Time. From this vast list, which show do you plan on watching on your day off? Are you looking for a tear-jerker or a fun love story? Share your thoughts with us in the comment box below. Lastly, for more such exciting listicles, stay tuned with The Anime Daily.