A fun series that parodies romantic comedy tropes while showcasing an endearing cast!

Studio: Doga Kobo

Episodes: 12 + 6 OVAs

Quick pitch: The story follows Sakura Chiyo as she tries to confess her feelings to Nozaki-kun, a student who is a renowned shoujo mangaka. Thinking Sakura is a fangirl, Nozaki gives her an autograph and allows her to work as his assistant.

One of the most popular shoujo romances that filled with fun characters, touching drama, and a great main couple.

Studio: TMS Entertainment

Episodes: 25 + 7 OVAs

Quick Pitch: Nanami is a downtrodden and homeless high school girl due to her father’s debts. After learning about her situation, a man offers Nanami his home, but she is upset to learn that it is a rundown shrine. She attempts to leave, but Nanami learns that she was sent to the shrine as a replacement land god. In order to perform the duties, Nanami must convince the fox familiar Tomoe to aid her.

A body-swapping story that highlights teen love and the awkwardness it can bring to a circle of friends.

Studio: Silver Link

Episodes: 13 + 4 OVA

Quick Pitch: The five members of the Student Cultural Research Club begin to experience a phenomenon that causes them to randomly swap bodies with each other. Their friendship is put to the test as they begin to learn each other’s hidden secrets and emotional scars.

Discrimination and the power of love are at the forefront of this coming-of-age tale.

Studio: P.A. Works

Episodes: 26

Quick Pitch: Human civilization began on the ocean floor, but generations of migration to the land caused a rift between the two groups. Four middle schoolers from sea village of Shishishio are forced to attend a school on the surface, and they struggle to fit in due to the hatred both groups have fostered. However, the biggest challenge among the four friends will be the newfound feelings between each other as their childhoods end. If you are looking for a dark romance anime, then you should definitely watch this anime.

An unconventional male lead star in a rom-com about why you shouldn’t judge people based on their appearances.

Studio: Madhouse

Episodes: 24

Quick Pitch: Takeo’s tall stature and muscular build are enough to intimidate the girls at his school. And the girls that aren’t intimidated by Takeo instantly fall for his handsome friend Makoto. When Takeo saves Rinko from a molester, he instantly falls in love with her. Despite his feelings, Takeo believes Rinko loves Makoto, and he will do anything to bring the two together. If you are looking for a light romance anime, then definitely watch this.

A sad, but heartwarming story about appreciating life and it’s tiny experiences.

Studio: Doga Kobo

Episodes: 13

Quick Pitch: 18-year-old Tsukasa Mizugaki has failed his college entrance exams, but due to his father’s influence, lands a job at SAI Corp. This corporation is responsible for creating Giftias, which are near-human androids but have a lifespan of 81,920 hours.

Tsukasa is assigned to Terminal Service One, a station who is responsible for collecting expiring Giftias before they become hostile. On his first day, Tsukasa is partnered up with a Giftia named Isla, who is considered the best at Giftia retrieval. For those of you looking for a romance anime with a kudere girl, this is perfect.

A simple and pure romance story.

Studio: feel.

Episodes: 12

Quick pitch: Akane Mizuno and Kotarou are third-year students at a junior high school, and are becoming classmates for the first time. Along with Chinatsu Nishio and Takumi Hira, the group of friends will rely on each other to overcome the challenges they face as third-year students. Romance anime where the guy is an introvert, the girl is an extrovert.

A satirical take on the rom-com genre that thrusts a sarcastic, nihilistic teen into situations that challenge his cynical opinions about society.

Studio: Brain’s Base (season 1) / feel. (season 2)

Episodes: 26 + 2 OVA

Quick Pitch: Hachiman is a loner with a grim world view. He feels society is filled with hypocrites and that happiness is a myth. After writing a scathing report on social relationships, Hachiman is forced to join the Service Club to help students with their problems. The “ice beauty” Yukino is the club’s only other member and the bubbly Yui serves as an assistant. Hachiman will find his cynical worldview challenged while helping students seeking the club’s assistance.

Two childhood friends are extremely close, but not quite lovers due to miscommunication.

Studio: AIC

Episodes: 12 + 1 OVA

Quick Pitch: Miniwa harbors an intense crush on her childhood friend Otonashi. Even though Otonashi can read Miniwa like a book, he remains oblivious to her feelings about him. Their close circle of friends tries to state the obvious, but it’s up to Miniwa to muster the courage to confess to Otonashi. If you are looking for romance anime with good plot, you should definitely watch this anime.

A love story that is similar in style to Disney fairy tale stories, but with fewer fantasy elements and a proactive heroine.

Studio: Bones

Episodes: 24 + 1 OVA

Quick Pitch: Shirayuki is a cheerful girl working as an apothecary at a local herbal shop. After being threatened to join Prince Raji’s harem as a concubine, Shirayuki flees town only to be rescued by Prince Zen Wistalia. Hoping to repay her debt to Zen, Shirayuki trains to become a court herbalist in Zen’s home country. While they slowly develop romantic feelings, the country’s social expectations forbid Zen from pursuing a relationship with anyone of lesser social status. If you are looking for a romance anime where the MC ends up with the girl in the end, definitely watch this.

A story about a princess and her bodyguard are set to the backdrop of political thrills and intense action scenes.

Studio: Studio Pierrot

Episodes: 24 +3 OVAs

Quick Pitch: Princess Yona has lived a luxurious and sheltered life, but the murder of her father and betrayal by her beloved cousin Su-won puts her life in peril. Forced to flee with her bodyguard Son Hak, Yona experiences firsthand the poverty and corruption that plagues the kingdom. Yona plans on retaking the throne, but it will be an uphill battle.

A summer vacation about friends making a movie gives way to intense feelings of love.

Studio: J.C. Staff

Episodes: 12 + 1 OVA

Quick Pitch: Kaito is out testing his camera one night when a sudden blue light streak across the sky, which blows him off a bridge. He wakes up with no injuries or memory about he how got back home. Later, Kaito and his friends decide to use his camera to make a movie during their summer break.

Long-lost childhood friends are reunited in high school, which leads to a rush of old feeling despite their efforts to change.

Studio: Production I.G.

Episodes: 12

Quick Pitch: Futaba used to attract a lot of attention from boys in middle school, but became ostracized by the girls. Now in high school, she is determined to avoid all unwanted attention from in an attempt to fit in with her girl friends. Her plan becomes complicated when she is reunited with Kou, a boy who she fell deeply in love with in middle school but couldn’t admit her feelings for due to a misunderstanding.

Young people go through challenges of growing-up, facing responsibilities, and their inner emotions.

Studio: Brain’s Base

Episodes: 12 + 1 OVA

Quick Pitch: High school freshman Kazunari begins living in a boarding home due to his parents’ job transfer. He is excited to be living at Kawai Complex because his crush lives there, but he is also surrounded by eccentrics.

A teen tries to move on from his cringe-worthy childhood, but a delusional classmate takes an interest after she learns about his “chunibyo” past.

Studio: Kyoto Animation

Episodes: 24 + 8 OVAs

Quick Pitch: Yuuta suffered from “chunibyo syndrome” during junior high, in which he believed he possessed supernatural powers. He attempts to start high school with a clean slate, but it proves difficult as a cute, yet delusion classmate learns of his past.

College students try to balance personal and love lives, while one of them tries to recover from amnesia.

Studio: J.C. Staff

Episodes: 24

Quick Pitch: Banri Tada is a young man who suffers from amnesia due to an accident. After befriending Mitsuo Yanagisawa, Banri decides to start a new life while attending law school at Tokyo. Just when he was getting used to the college workload, he meets a beautiful and intimidating woman named Kouko Kaga. This is an adult romance anime.

Mind-reading powers leads to a girl shutting down, but new friends help her gain new confidence.

Studio: AIC Classic

Episodes: 12

Quick Pitch: Kotoura was born with mind-reading powers, but she has a tendency to blurt out other people’s thoughts. After being ridiculed by classmates and being abandoned by her parents are accidentally exposing their affair, she becomes a recluse. Her life begins to change after she meets a dimwitted boy named Yoshihisa.

Two guys fall in love, despite one of them thinking the other is a girl. Will their feelings persist after the truth is revealed?

Studio: J.C. Staff

Episodes: 10 + 1 OVA

Quick Pitch: Izumi was born into a family of celebrities, but he has always shied away from the spotlight. Despite wanting to be a mangaka, he is pulled into the entertainment industry. Due to his feminine look, people often mistake him for a girl, including rising star actor Ichijou, who previously fell in love Izumi when they filmed a commercial as children.

An arranged couple try to adapt to their new life.

Studio: Doga Kobo

Episodes: 12 + 2 OVAs

Quick Pitch: Upon turning 16, Kobeni Yonomori learns that she is betrothed to Hakuya Mitsumine due to an arrangement her grandfather made. Hakuya and his sister Mashiro move-in with Kobeni and her sister Benio, which leads to crazy and heartfelt moments.

Socially awkward teens try to learn the meaning of human relationships.

Studio: Brain’s Base

Genre: Comedy / Romance / Slice of Life

Quick Pitch: Shizuku is only focused on her grades, which leads to a cold view of life. However, she begins to change after delivering class printouts to Haru, who has stopped coming to school after a fight earlier in the year. Rumored to be violent, Shizuku is surprised to learn that Haru is nice. While the two know little about human interaction, Haru quickly proclaims his love Shizuku. Together, they try to learn the nature of their emotions.

What are your favorite modern romance anime?