Love is in the air! Or is it? Whether you’re single, happily taken, or somewhere in between, romance is a topic everyone talks about—some with hearts in their eyes and others with sticks in their hands. Valentine’s Day isn’t just a one-day affair; it spans a whole week of celebrations, and for the lucky ones, it extends beyond that. But if Saturn is sitting in your Kundali, every day might feel like a mix of Kiss Day, Slap Day, and Who-Knows-What-Day!
So, instead of stressing over romance in real life, why not dive into the world of anime romance? Whether you love heartwarming love stories, steamy passion, or just a sprinkle of romance in an action-packed saga, anime has something for everyone. From romantic comedies to deep emotional dramas, let’s explore the best romance anime you should watch this Valentine’s season.
Romance Anime Available for Free on Crunchyroll
If you don’t want to spend a dime but still enjoy premium romance content, Crunchyroll has some amazing titles for free (without even creating an account). Here are some must-watch romance anime available there:
1. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Psychological
- Why Watch? A battle of wits where two high school students love each other but refuse to confess, thinking the first to admit it loses. Love is war, and war is love!
- Storyline: At the prestigious Shuchiin Academy, student council president Miyuki Shirogane and vice president Kaguya Shinomiya seem to be the perfect match. However, both are too proud to confess their love first, leading to a hilarious battle of wits as they try to get the other to confess first. Love is war, and war is love!
2. Horimiya
- Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Romance
- Why Watch? A refreshing love story filled with humor, deep emotions, and meme-worthy moments. A high school couple navigates love while keeping their secrets.
- Storyline: Kyoko Hori, a popular and smart high school girl, has a hidden side—she’s a homebody who takes care of her younger brother. Izumi Miyamura, a quiet boy with piercings and tattoos, discovers her secret. The two form an unlikely friendship that blossoms into a sweet romance.
3. More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers
- Genre: School, Comedy, Romance
- Why Watch? A school experiment forces students to live like married couples. What happens when a mismatched pair starts catching feelings? Sparks fly!
- Storyline: In a unique school experiment, students are paired up to live like married couples to learn about life. Akari Watanabe and Jiro Yakuin, who can’t stand each other, are paired together. As they navigate this experiment, unexpected feelings start to develop.
4. My Dress-Up Darling
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Cosplay, Slice of Life
- Why Watch? A shy boy and a passionate cosplayer form an unlikely friendship that slowly turns into something more. Cute, funny, and sometimes very steamy!
- Storyline: Wakana Gojo, a shy high school student passionate about crafting traditional dolls, meets Marin Kitagawa, a lively girl who loves cosplay. Marin convinces Wakana to help her create costumes, leading to a heartwarming friendship that gradually turns into romance.
5. My Love Story Yamada-kun at Level 999
- Genre: Romance, Comedy
- Why Watch? A unique rom-com where the main lead isn’t your typical good-looking anime protagonist but a big, kind-hearted guy who wins the heart of a sweet girl.
- Storyline: Takeo Gouda, a giant with a heart of gold, often scares people away due to his imposing appearance. However, he saves a girl named Rinko Yamato from a harasser, and she falls for him. Despite his doubts, Takeo and Rinko embark on a charming love story.
6. Tomo-chan is a Girl!
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Why Watch? A tomboyish girl tries to make her childhood friend realize that she’s a girl—and that she likes him! Hilarious misunderstandings and heartwarming moments follow.
- Storyline: Tomo Aizawa, a tomboyish girl, is in love with her childhood friend Junichiro Kubota. Junichiro, however, sees her as one of the guys. Tomo struggles to get Junichiro to notice her as a girl, leading to funny misunderstandings and heartfelt moments.
7. My Senpai is Annoying
- Genre: Office Romance, Comedy
- Why Watch? A workplace romance between a short-tempered but cute office worker and her giant, teasing senpai.
- Storyline: Futaba Igarashi, a petite office worker, is constantly teased by her giant, cheerful senpai, Harumi Takeda. Despite finding him annoying, Futaba starts to develop feelings for Takeda, leading to a charming office romance filled with humor.
8. Rent-a-Girlfriend
- Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy
- Why Watch? A guy rents a girlfriend to deal with heartbreak, only to find himself entangled in an even bigger romantic mess. Drama, comedy, and emotional moments await.
- Storyline: Kazuya Kinoshita rents a girlfriend named Chizuru Mizuhara to cope with a breakup. He’s surprised by how well she acts the part, but things get complicated when their real lives become intertwined. Drama, comedy, and unexpected emotions ensue.
Serious Romance Anime for a Deeper Experience
Not all romance anime are just about fun and games. Some series hit you right in the heart and make you reflect on love, life, and loss.
1. Toradora!
- Why Watch? A slow-burning love story filled with emotions, drama, and one of the best romantic payoffs in anime history.
- Storyline: Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka form an unlikely alliance to help each other win over their respective crushes. As they navigate their complicated feelings and high school drama, they slowly realize their true feelings for each other.
2. My Happy Marriage
- Why Watch? A historical romance with a touch of supernatural powers. A Cinderella-like protagonist finds herself in an unexpected yet heartwarming love story.
- Storyline: Miyo Saimori, treated poorly by her stepmother, is forced into an arranged marriage with Kiyoka Kudou, a man rumored to be cold-hearted. To her surprise, Kiyoka is kind and caring. Their bond grows as they navigate supernatural challenges and uncover Miyo’s hidden powers.
3. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
- Why Watch? A mix of romance, science fiction, and mystery. The emotional depth between the two leads makes this one stand out.
- Storyline: Sakuta Azusagawa meets Mai Sakurajima, a famous actress who mysteriously becomes invisible to others. Sakuta helps Mai, and as they solve various supernatural mysteries affecting their classmates, their romantic relationship deepens.
4. Your Lie in April
- Why Watch? If you’re single on February 14 and feeling lonely, this anime will make you cry—hard. A beautiful yet tragic love story centered around music.
- Storyline: Kousei Arima, a piano prodigy who loses his ability to hear the piano after his mother’s death, meets Kaori Miyazono, a spirited violinist. Kaori helps Kousei return to the world of music, and their bond grows through their shared love of music, leading to a heart-wrenching conclusion.
Romantic Anime Movies That Are a Must-Watch
If you don’t have time to commit to a full series, these anime movies will satisfy your romance cravings in just a couple of hours.
1. Your Name
- Why Watch? A breathtaking love story with a supernatural twist. If you haven’t seen this yet, what are you waiting for?
- Storyline: Mitsuha, a girl from the countryside, and Taki, a boy from Tokyo, mysteriously start swapping bodies. They communicate by leaving messages for each other, and their lives become intertwined as they uncover a profound connection that transcends time and space.
2. A Silent Voice
- Why Watch? Romance, redemption, and dealing with past mistakes. This film is as beautiful as it is emotional.
- Storyline: Shoya Ishida, a former bully, seeks redemption by reconnecting with Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf girl he once tormented. The film explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and love as they navigate their complicated past and present.
3. Weathering With You
- Why Watch? From the same director as Your Name, this story blends love, sacrifice, and a bit of magic.
- Storyline: Hodaka Morishima, a runaway teenager, meets Hina Amano, a girl with the power to control the weather. As they use her abilities to bring sunshine to Tokyo, they develop a deep bond. However, Hina’s powers come with a heavy price.
4. The Garden of Words
- Why Watch? A poetic love story that explores an age-gap romance in the most subtle and artistic way possible.
- Storyline: Takao Akizuki, a high school student aspiring to be a shoemaker, skips school to sketch in a beautiful garden. There, he meets Yukari Yukino, a mysterious woman. Their shared moments in the garden lead to an unexpected, poetic romance.
5. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
- Why Watch? Ignore the weird title. This movie will break your heart and put it back together.
- Storyline: Haruki Shiga finds the diary of Sakura Yamauchi, a classmate with a terminal illness. Despite their differences, they form a deep bond as they spend time together. The film explores themes of life, love, and the impact of their relationship.
6. 5 Centimeters Per Second
- Why Watch? A realistic and heartbreaking look at how time and distance affect love.
- Storyline: The film follows the bittersweet love story of Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara, who are separated by distance. Their poignant journey explores how time, distance, and missed opportunities affect their relationship.
Conclusion: Love It or Leave It, Romance Is Everywhere!
Whether you love romance or cringe at the idea, there’s no denying that anime does it better than most live-action movies. The variety, emotional depth, and sometimes over-the-top storytelling make anime romance a different experience altogether.
So, grab some popcorn, pick an anime from this list, and let yourself be swept away by love—anime style!
FAQs
1. What is the best romance anime for beginners?
Toradora! and Your Name are great starting points if you’re new to romance anime.
2. Is there romance anime without high school drama?
Yes! Yamada-kun at Level 999 and My Senpai are Annoying and feature more mature characters.
3. What’s the saddest romance anime?
Your Lie in April and I Want to Eat Your Pancreas will leave you in tears.
3. Are there romance anime with a mix of sci-fi?
Yes! Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai and Darling in the Franxx blend romance with science fiction.
4. What’s a fun romantic comedy anime?
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is one of the funniest romance anime out there.