From Toradora! to My Little Monster; a review of the best romances and love stories that anime left us
He love it’s one of the strongest emotions you can feel, and inevitably a lot of people are drawn to a good story like this. Anime, thankfully, is entertainment that isn’t afraid to expose stories about it, especially with characters in their teenage stage (which is, after all, when romances bloom the most. ). In this sense, today I ask myself the following question: What are the best romance anime in history?
Then we leave you the list which I think includes what are, in essence, the love and romance anime YOU CAN’T MISS:
my little monster
‘Opposites attract‘; it’s a premise we’ll see in many romance anime, in one form or another. “my little monsterpresented a story whose plot evolved around its two protagonists: Shizuku Mizutani and Haru Yoshida. The former is about a girl devoted and responsible for her college life, while the latter is regularly in trouble, due to her impulsive nature. By the whims of fate, Shizuku is forced one day to have to take Haru’s notes due to his absences in class, which would eventually lead to a first encounter that would leave us with a story to remember.
- Show in: Not legally available.
- Release date: October 2, 2012.
- Number of episodes: 13.
Oregairu
“Oregairu” uses this technique of antisocial kid who has hardly any relationship with anyone… only to suddenly find himself heartbroken between two exceptional girls. That’s basically what this story offers, with one girl responding to this “cold” and “emotionless” persona and the other girl being the purest expression of an outgoing person. This trio of characters, made up of Hachiman, Yukino and Yui they’ll live through all sorts of typical comic-book slice-of-life romance only to eventually find out what they really want from the bottom of their hearts.
- See in: Not legally available in Spain.
- Release date: April 5, 2013.
- Number of episodes: 13 (Season 1).
Horimiya
A fairly recent romance anime that has completely taken the anime community by storm. This is the story of Izumi and Kyouko, the former going completely unnoticed socially and the latter being what many consider perfection makes a person. However, when their paths meet, they will eventually find that even Izumi isn’t as “mean” and “gray” as he may seem, and that Kyouko doesn’t always have everything under control.
- To see in: Crunchyroll.
- Release date: January 10, 2021.
- Number of episodes: 13.
Your lie in April
“Your Lie in April” is a story that uses love and romance as a tool to deal with personal trauma, to some degree. At the center of the anime we find two souls united by music, although opposed by their way of seeing the world: Kosei and Kaori. The former, however, finds himself unable to use his musical talent as before, but Kaori will cause Kosei’s abilities to bloom again. “Your Lie in April” leaves us with a story of love, improvement and, above all, second chances; a mandatory anime for everyone who likes to get their heart pumping.
Toradora!
Love is confusing and fickle, and it’s always easy to confuse the feelings we have for a particular person. The anime of “Toradora!“It shows us the complexities of love during adolescent life, especially when it becomes harder to identify. The story of “Toradora!” revolves around two characters in particular: Ryuuji and Taiga, who have a common goal: to help each other fall in love with the person they want. However, over time, they will both begin to see that what they thought they were looking for at first wasn’t exactly what ended up aligning with their feelings.
- To see in: netflix.
- Release date: October 2, 2008.
- Number of episodes: 25.
Kimi ni Todoke
Reputations in high school are hard to change, and that’s something he knows full well. Sawako Kuronuma, called ‘Sadako’ by her high school classmates (in reference to the character of The Ring). However, Kazehaya, the most popular student of all, knows full well that there is much more to Sawako than just a sinister, clumsy girl. Little by little, Kazehaya will help Sawako face the world in a different way than she had, which will logically lead to problems, but also a beautiful relationship that will lead to an inspiring romance.
- See in: Not legally available in Spain.
- Release date: October 7, 2009.
- Number of episodes: 25 (Season 1).
Say I love you
“Say I love you” tells another story which, like ” Kimi ni Todoke “, will test the adolescent situation of its protagonists: Mei Tachibana and Yamato Kurosawa. The romance between the two will face many different obstacles, starting with Tachibana’s difficulties in communicating with people. In this sense, the fact that Yamato is one of the most popular students will not facilitate the integration of Tachibana, which will lead them to having to show that the desire to get to know each other is stronger than the desire for others to intervene in your relationship.
- See in: Not legally available in Spain.
- Release date: October 7, 2012.
- Number of episodes: 13.
Clannad
“Clannad” is one of the most popular anime in all of history, and not precisely because it tells a story that suits all hearts. This anime goes beyond love and romance, placing its protagonists, Okazaki Tomoya and Furukawa Nagisa, in constant drama. The anime is a testament to the fact that not everyone has it easy, even if their intentions are the purest to be found. “Clannad” usually makes its audience embrace romance, but it also ends up making tears especially hard to hold back.
- See in: Not legally available in Spain.
- Release date: October 5, 2007.
- Number of episodes: 23 (Season 1).
Monogatari Ore!!
Not all romance needs to be accompanied by constant drama, and that’s something that shows.”Monogatari Ore!!“. This love story revolves around Takeo Goda and Rinko Yamato. The former, despite having a voluptuous physique, is unlucky in love, mainly because he is not particularly attractive. However, fortunately In love, all is not just appearance, which Goda will be able to begin to experience thanks to Yamato. “Monogatari Ore!!” follows a beautiful story that will make many smile with its development.
- To see in: Crunchyroll.
- Release date: April 9, 2015.
- Number of episodes: 24.
Ao Haru Walk
“Ao Haru Walk“It shows us how time can change people, completely erasing the memories one had of one in particular. This love story takes place through Futaba Yoshioka and Kou Tanaka, who reunite after Kou (surname now Mabuchi) moved years ago. However, the romance between the two will end up in two difficult scenarios to overcome: Futaba’s wish not to experience such a boring scene with other girls as before and the fact that Kou’s character is no longer at all as Futaba remembers him.
- See in: Not legally available in Spain.
- Release date: July 8, 2014.
- Number of episodes: 12.
Nice complex
Koizumi Risa and Atsushi Otani will have to address one of the biggest problems of adolescence to see their love story flourish: the opinion of others. So this anime shows us how Koizumi Risa has trouble with boys for being “excessively tall”, while Otani has trouble with girls for being too short. Logically, a couple made up of the two would be special to say the least, and although between chapter and chapter we will see many doses of humor, the romance that will gradually develop between the two is a delicious proof of its purity.
- See in: Not legally available in Spain.
- Release date: April 7, 2007.
- Number of episodes: 24.
Nodame Cantabile
“Nodame Cantabile“introduce us first Shinichi Chiaki, a talented musician with great ability to play piano and violin. However, his real dream is to be a conductor. Chiaki’s life begins to change when she meets Megumi Noda, a chaotic pianist but who, despite this, manages to “absorb” Chiaki’s interest. Over time, love and romance will begin to blossom between them, allowing them to share much more than their aspirations and dreams around the world of music.
- See in: Not legally available in Spain.
- Release date: January 12, 2007.
- Number of episodes: 23 episodes (Season 1).
Kaguya-sama: Love is war
One of the modern kings of comedy and romance and, in his time, highest rated anime of all time on a platform like MAL. Sincerely, “Kaguya-sama: Love is war” does everything wonderfully, and not only the romantic component which develops masterfully, but also the countless “battles” between Shirogange and Kaguya, as well as the introduction of secondary characters who are really up to the task. For this and surely much more Again, “Kaguya-sama: Love is War” It’s a MUST HAVE among love and romance anime.
- To see in: Crunchyroll.
- Release date: January 12, 2019.
- Number of episodes: 12 (Season 1).
Sono Bisque wa koi wo Suru doll
A sensational first season was enough for “Sono Bisque wa koi wo Suru doll“to be among the best love and romance anime in the entire history of the sector. Obviously, small details like the characters themselves or putting something as curious as cosplay and Hina dolls at the foreground help, but the really impressive thing here is in the technique. Yes OK CloverWorks some ecchi scenes have been wildly recreated, the truth is that usually anime has a rarely seen ending.
- To see in: Crunchyroll.
- Release date: January 9, 2022.
- Number of episodes: 12.
Honorable Mentions for Romance Anime
Although the most notable romance anime have been compiled on the list to seem personal, one should not forget that there are many others whose romance stories are also recommended. In this sense, I can highlight other names such as “Kaichou wa Maid-sama!”, “Nana”, “Spice and Wolf”, “Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo”, or “Hotarubi no Morie”. Likewise, if you prefer newer ones, we also recommend “Orange” or “ReLife”.
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