5 Romance Anime Everyone Should Watch at Least Once
I‘ve been watching anime for over 10 years, and I’ll be the first to admit it. I am a hopeless romantic. Nothing makes me feel more alive than watching two fictional characters fall in love. And when it comes to romance done right, Japanese anime has never let me down. These five series made me cry, giggle, swoon, and desperately wish I could fall in love all over again. If you’re looking for where to start or what to watch next, this list is for you!
1. Toradora! (2008) — 25 Episodes
If you only ever watch one classic romance anime, make it Toradora!
It starts as a comedy: Ryuuji, a gentle guy with an intimidating face, and Taiga, a tiny girl with a terrifying temper, strike an unlikely deal to help each other win over their respective crushes. What begins as lighthearted and funny slowly transforms into something much deeper, and before you know it, you’re emotionally invested in a way you didn’t see coming.
What makes Toradora! stand out is how unpredictable and original the story feels. The relationship between the two leads is unlike anything else in the genre, equal parts hilarious and relatable. Every episode left me wanting to immediately start the next one. It’s a perfect balance of comedy and heartfelt emotion, and the character development is genuinely satisfying.
Watch it if you love: Yapping character, slow-burn romance, and unexpected emotional gut punches.
2. Your Lie in April (2014) — 22 Episodes
Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
You’ve probably already heard the music from this anime (usually in April), it has a way of finding you even before you’ve seen a single episode. But nothing can prepare you for actually watching it.
Your Lie in April tells the story of Kousei, a piano prodigy who loses his ability to hear his own playing after a trauma, and Kaori, a free-spirited violinist who slowly pulls him back into the world of music and life. It is beautiful, devastating, and completely unforgettable.
This is one of those rare stories that resonates with people of all ages, regardless of whether you know anything about classical music. I won’t say more, because the anime speaks for itself. Just watch it and come back to tell me whether you cried. (You will.)
Watch it if you love: Emotional storytelling, classical music, and original and tear-jerking stories.
3. My Dress-Up Darling (2022) — 12 Episodes
Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru
One of my more recent favourites, My Dress-Up Darling is the kind of anime that makes you smile from start to finish. Gojo is a quiet, dedicated craftsman with a passion for traditional Japanese dolls, a hobby he keeps to himself, afraid of being judged. Then Marin walks into his life: loud, confident, and completely obsessed with cosplay.
Get Basilia Reviews’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Their dynamic is effortlessly charming. Watching an introverted boy fall for an extroverted girl has never felt so natural and sweet. On top of the romance, the series gives a surprisingly rich look into cosplay and Japanese doll culture worlds that don’t get nearly enough spotlight in anime.
The chemistry between Marin and Gojo is warm, fun, and genuinely wholesome. It’s the perfect watch when you want something light and feel-good.
Watch it if you love: Opposites attract romance, niche hobby culture, and genuinely cute moments.
4. A Sign of Affection (2024) — 12 Episodes
Yubisaki to Renren
This is my candlelight, cosy blanket, warm cocoa drink anime. A Sign of Affection is the kind of series you want to sink into slowly, without any distractions, because every quiet moment between the characters is worth savouring.
Yuki is a deaf university student whose world opens up when she meets Itsuomi, a multilingual traveller with a calm, magnetic presence. What makes their romance so beautiful is how mutual it is. Itsuomi steps into Yuki’s world and learns to understand her, while Yuki discovers his values and the way he moves through life. It’s a relationship built on genuine curiosity and care.
The art style is also notably distinct from most anime and visually unique in a way that perfectly matches the tone of the story.
Watch it if you love: Soft romance, representation of minorities, friendship, and college romance.
5. My Happy Marriage (2023) — 12 Episodes
Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon
Set in a historical Japanese-inspired world with supernatural elements, My Happy Marriage is about more than romance. It’s about healing, self-worth, and learning that you deserve to be loved.
Miyo has spent her entire life being treated as less than nothing by her own family. When she’s sent into an arranged marriage with a cold and feared military commander, she expects more of the same. What unfolds instead is a slow, deeply moving story of two broken people learning to open up to each other.
Watching Miyo gradually grow stronger, discover her own worth, and experience kindness possibly for the first time, is genuinely emotional. The romance builds slowly and earns every tender moment. If you also enjoy action, family drama, and supernatural power alongside your romance, this one has it all.
Watch it if you love: Historical settings, healing arcs, supernatural elements, and emotionally rewarding slow burns.
Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or just curious about the romance genre, these five series are a wonderful place to start or return to. Each one made me feel something real: laughter, heartache, warmth, and that bittersweet longing to experience love just like the characters on screen.
Have you seen any of these? Or is there a romance anime not on this list that completely wrecked you emotionally? Drop it in the comments. I’d love to know.
xoxo,
Basilia
