There is no shortage of romance anime; in fact, this genre is among the most popular and sought-after. That being said, it’s frustrating to watch romance anime that don’t lead anywhere or, even worse, where the characters don’t end up together by the end. While some anime suffer from incomplete adaptations, it’s refreshing to see romance anime where the MC actually ends up with a girlfriend in the end (or even sooner!).
20. Wise Man’s Grandchild
Wise Man’s Grandchild is about a guy who dies and is reborn as a baby in a world with magic. He grows up super smart and strong. The story is fun because he’s really powerful but also kind of clueless about normal stuff.
When he attends the magical academy, he saves two girls from thugs, and that’s where his love story with one of the girls, Sicily, begins. They are smitten with each other from the start. There is no harem or drama; it’s a fun and lighthearted anime with wholesome, sweet interactions between the couple that will brighten your day when you’re feeling down.
21. 3D Kanojo
Another cute romance anime where the MC ends up with a girlfriend in the end is 3D Kanojo. In fact, they start dating pretty quickly. That being said, their relationship is not without problems. Hikaru, the male MC is unsure of himself, and Iroha, the female MC, has her own problems.
19. Shikimori’s Not Just A Cutie
The pink-haired Shikimori is not just a cutie. That’s right—she’s the perfect waifu: beautiful, smart, and protective of her clumsy boyfriend, who is plagued by misfortune. She always saves him in time and is the epitome of coolness.
Now, Shikimori’s Not Just A Cutie is famous for not having pointless ship teasing or dramatic love triangles. It’s a breath of fresh air with its established couple from episode 1, where we learn that they are already dating.
Overall, don’t expect much in terms of plot; it mainly focuses on their cute moments and provides a relaxing experience. It’s a comfort show with no drama perfect for an extra dose of wholesomeness.
18. Banished from the Hero’s Party
One might think that Banished from the Hero’s Party would be just another fantasy harem with an OP protagonist based on the promo poster, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. As the title suggests, the protagonist is expelled from the hero’s party and decides to move to the countryside to open an apothecary shop. Joining him is none other than a beautiful girl named Rit, whom he helped previously with his former party in her kingdom. Very early on, they bathe and sleep together, so their feelings for each other are crystal clear.
If you’ve ever wished for a nice, calm life, this tranquility is brought to you by Banished from the Hero’s Party. The anime is reminiscent of a JRPG with its towns, adventurous landscapes, magic, swordsmanship, battles, and overall character dynamics. So, if you’re into games, you might also enjoy this. Don’t expect anything too complex—it’s an anime to kick back and enjoy, cuddled up in bed and for a dose of happiness.
17. Darling in the Franxx
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Darling in the Franxx is a sci-fi anime where children pilot giant mecha called Franxx to fight against monstrous creatures. The story follows a group of young pilots, with a particular focus on Hiro, a once-promising pilot who has fallen into a slump, and Zero Two, a mysterious and powerful girl.
While they start as partners in the robots, their feelings for each other grow stronger over time.
The series offers a mix of action, drama, romance, and mecha. Though some fans criticized the ending, the characters undeniably made an impact, and themes like personal growth, self-discovery, and the power of love resonate with many viewers.
16. Boarding School Juliet
Boarding School Juliet is a story about two rival schools living together in one big school. You have the Black Dogs and the White Cats, always fighting each other.
The story is about Romio, the leader of the Black Dogs, and Juliet, the leader of the White Cats. They hate each other… or so it seems. In reality, Romio is secretly in love with Juliet!
To make it even better, after he finally confesses his love for her, she agrees to date him—though they must keep their relationship secret from their respective factions!
15. Sword Art Online
Some might argue that Sword Art Online isn’t a classic love story, as its primary focus is on survival in a deadly MMORPG. However, certain arcs in the series feel more like romantic anime than a game isekai, featuring plenty of sweet moments that will make your heart melt. The male MC would literally die for his sweetheart if necessary, that’s how much he loves her!
Sword Art Online (SAO) is about players who get trapped in a virtual reality MMORPG where dying in the game means dying in real life. The story follows Kirito, one of the players, as he fights to escape the game while developing relationships and facing various challenges.
14. Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions is a romantic comedy about a high school boy trying to forget his embarrassing past of pretending to have supernatural powers. However, he meets a girl who still believes in those kinds of things and they slowly start to understand each other. They eventually become a couple as they help each other grow up and overcome their quirks.
Who doesn’t feel a bit nostalgic when reminiscing about their own awkward teenage years? Love, Chinbyo, and Other Delusions transports you back in time to relive those feelings once again. All in all, it’s a fun and heartwarming anime with likable characters, especially Rikka, with her cute eye patch and over-the-top personality.
13. Wotakoi
Adult romance is something that we rarely see in the teenage-plagued anime catalog. That being said, Wotakoi is a prime example of adult romance done right. The focus is on the wholesome moments of the casual, daily lives of working adults in an office setting. They become a couple quickly, so you won’t have to wait too long!
Additionally, Wotakoi is often praised for its awesome and witty supporting cast, so there’s no shortage of couples to root for!
12. Snow White with the Red Hair
Usually, every little girl dreams of being a princess. Shirayuki, a skilled and beautiful herbalist, might not be a princess, but she becomes friends with Zen, a prince from a neighboring kingdom, after fleeing her own. Even better, they eventually become a couple!
Filled with endearing characters and plenty of comforting scenes, Snow White with the Red Hair mixes a medieval world with the lighthearted romance we dream of when we imagine such a setting. It’s almost like a fairytale!
11. Kamisama Kiss
In many aspects, Kamisama Kiss is similar to Snow White with the Red Hair. The most obvious parallel is the slow-burn, wholesome romance that develops between the female and male protagonists. Kamisama Kiss is a fantasy anime set in a modern world where a newly homeless girl becomes a god and has to take care of a shrine where she resides.
Her journey to win the affection of her love interest is challenging, as her love interest is a beautiful but aloof fox yokai who also lives in the shrine as its familiar. However, her kindness and diligence warm even the coldest heart!
10. Ore Monogatari
Ore Monogatari is a story about a big, strong guy named Takeo who is really nice but doesn’t have luck with girls. His best friend is handsome and popular, and every girl Takeo likes ends up falling for his friend. One day, Takeo helps a cute girl named Rinko and she actually likes him!
This anime is surprisingly sweet and teaches an important lesson: looks aren’t everything and being a good person matters. Often praised by almost everyone who has seen it, the anime is labeled as both funny and heartwarming.
9. Golden Time
A college anime, Golden Time follows a college student named Banri who loses his memory after an accident. He starts a new life in Tokyo and meets a cheerful girl named Kouko. They become friends, and Banri slowly starts to remember his past. While Banri and Kouko don’t start dating right away, it takes only 7 episodes for them to become a couple.
The show is a mix of funny, sad, and heartwarming moments. There are many relatable themes like friendship, love, and overcoming challenges. To top it off, the characters are likable and relatable, making it a compelling watch.
8. OreGairu
OreGairu (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU) tells the story of a cynical high school student named Hachiman who doesn’t believe in the whole “youthful high school life” thing. He’s forced to join the school’s service club where he meets two girls, Yukino and Yui, each with their own problems.
The anime is different from your typical romantic comedy. It’s more realistic, with characters who are flawed and complex. It’s funny, but also thought-provoking, and it makes you think about relationships and life in general.
The love triangle between Hachiman, Yukino, and Yui is a big part of the story, but it’s not your typical love triangle. In the end, Hachiman ends up with one of the girls, but this only happens in the third season.
7. Kaichou wa Maid Sama
A mix of comedy, drama, and romance, Kaichou wa Maid-sama! is a romantic comedy anime about Misaki Ayuzawa, a tough and determined student council president who secretly works part-time as a maid in a cafe to support her family. One day, however, her life turns upside down after one of her classmates finds out her secret.
It’s fun to see the strong-willed Misaki trying to hide her secret job while dealing with school life and her growing feelings for the mysterious and handsome Usui.
While you’ll have to wait until the end for them to become an official couple, they definitely act like one even before that!
6. Toradora
Toradora! is a classic romantic comedy anime that revolves around two unlikely friends, Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka. Ryuji has a kind heart but a scary face, while Taiga is small but has a fierce personality.
They form an unusual friendship as they help each other confess their love to their respective crushes. Despite their initial awkwardness, they develop a strong bond and support system.
Filled with relatable characters, witty humor, and heartwarming moments, there is not much to dislike. Their journey to love is filled with ups and downs and you will have to wait till the final episodes to see them dating.
5. Lovely Complex
Lovely Complex is a classic romantic comedy anime centered around the height difference between its main characters, Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Ootani. She’s tall for a girl, and he’s short for a boy. Their constant bickering and teasing make them the school’s comedy duo.
Despite their initial animosity, they gradually develop feelings for each other, leading to a sweet and humorous love story.
Unfortunately, the official confirmation of their relationship comes towards the end of the anime. First, they will have to deal with their feelings and overcome misunderstandings before finally admitting their love for each other.
4. Tonikaku Kawaii
Tonikaku Kawaii starts with a bang (literally). Nasa Yuzaki, a brilliant student, is hit by a car while chasing after a girl he finds incredibly attractive. When he wakes up, he decides to confess his love to her, and she agrees to marry him.
While there is a brief gap between the accident and the marriage, they actually get married in the first episode! The story then follows their newlywed life as they navigate everyday challenges and deepen their love for each other. It’s filled with adorable moments, humor, and a touch of mystery surrounding Tsukasa, Nasa’s wife.
3. Kimi ni Todoke
Kimi ni Todoke is a heartwarming anime about Sawako Kuronuma, a shy and misunderstood girl often compared to a ghost because of her looks and quiet nature. Despite her sweet personality, people are afraid of her.
One day, she meets the popular and cheerful Shota Kazehaya, who treats her with kindness and sees her for who she truly is. Through her interactions with Kazehaya and her new friends, Sawako slowly begins to open up and find her own voice.
A gentle and heartwarming story about friendship, love, and self-discovery, Kimi ni Todoke is a slow-burn romance where you’ll have to wait until the end of season 2 to see them as a couple.
2. Tsuki ga Kirei
Tsuki ga Kirei is a coming-of-age story about two kids who meet in middle school. They are both a bit shy, but they slowly start to like each other. The anime is about their first love and how they learn to be together. They go through lots of things together, like school, family, and trying to figure out life. In the end, they end up dating.
The anime feels real. Whether you are a teenager or older, Tsuki ga Kirei is relatable with its portrayal of teenagers falling in love for the first time.
1. Horimiya
A 2021 romance hit, Horimiya is a delightful romantic comedy that follows the lives of Kyoko Hori, a popular and outgoing high school girl, and Izumi Miyamura, a quiet and introverted boy. Their carefully constructed public personas clash with their true selves, which they reveal to each other when they unexpectedly meet outside of school.
Aside from having relatable characters, Hori and Miyamura’s chemistry is off the charts, and the supporting cast adds to the heartwarming atmosphere. The series emphasizes themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery in a refreshing and enjoyable way.
Unlike many slow-burn romances, Hori and Miyamura’s relationship develops relatively quickly, and they start dating early on.
