Love stories are foundational to anime, which is why it's no surprise that the best romance anime are also some of the best anime period. Whether it be understated and adult or loud and juvenile, romance anime are endlessly compelling and have a massive fan base for good reason. Even fans of straight-up action shonen series might want to give romance anime a try given how many solid series there are.

One advantage romance anime have over their more action-oriented counterparts is that a focus on characters is an absolute requirement. While a sci-fi or fantasy series might be able to get away with a forgettable cast of characters, a love story needs to pay extra attention to its characters or else the story will fall apart. It's this focus on characters connecting and growing together that end up defining the very best romance anime series.

35 The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You

Anime series by Bibury Animation Studios; Based on the manga by Rikito Nakamura & Yukiko Nozawa

Harem anime might have a divisive reputation, but The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You deserves none of that criticism. The genuine love Rentaro and his harem have for each other makes 100 Girlfriends' story surprisingly heartwarming, far more than the average harem story that never truly justifies its premise.

After adding in the usual comedy and shenanigans that a harem series thrives on, 100 Girlfriends stands out by giving fans a romance anime that caters to all tastes and manages to stand out even against strong competition.

34 Insomniacs After School

Based on the Manga Created By Makoto Ojiro

This recent hit based on the manga by Makoto Ojiro follows two high school students, the reclusive Ganta Nakami and the outgoing Isaki Magari who bond over their mutual insomnia. Together, the sleepless duo reform their school's Astronomy club despite their conflicting personalities.

Far from a typical romance anime, Insomniacs goes for a far more muted and understated romance than anything big or grand. There's a real sense of introspection that gives viewers an intimate sense of who the two leads really are. Insomniacs After School might be recent, but it's already one of the best anime romances.

33 Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku

Based on the Manga Created By Fujita

As the name suggests, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is all about the unique challenges and perks of dating as an otaku, someone obsessed with things like games and anime, and it gives the viewer a good idea of what to expect from the start. In the first episode, Narumi's nerdy nature is exposed on her first day at a new job after running into her old friend Hirotaka. Later that day, after she complains about her romantic troubles, the two otakus decide to try dating each other.

Whilst their otaku obsessions cause unique issues and awkward moments, it's almost always a source of cute and gentle comedy rather than any real drama. Good characters and an unusual premise make Wotakoi worth a try.

32 My Little Monster

Based on the Manga Created By Robico

An odd-couple shoujo anime with plenty of great comedic moments, My Little Monster is ideal for anyone looking for lighthearted romance and fun characters. Centered on Shizuku Mizutani, a studious girl who lacks any friends, and Haru Yoshida, a delinquent student with a reputation for violence, My Little Monster is all about how people can make unexpected connections.

The two connect thanks to neither having any friends in the class and, though Shizuku's lack of social skills means she struggles at first, they soon develop feelings for each other. Whilst My Little Monster is a little light on romantic moments, that's also what makes it such easy viewing.

31 Yona of the Dawn

Anime Series by Studio Pierrot; Based on the Manga by Mizuho Kusanagi

In Yona of the Dawn, the golden bubble where Yona lived secluded in the palace ends up being broken by a tragic event, betrayed by who she believed to be the love of her life, so she finds herself in the need to escape with her childhood friend and bodyguard, Hak. This way, both embark on a journey where they experience the cruel reality of many people while Yona searches for her destiny and life mission and Hak is dedicated to protecting her with his life.

Since Yona surrounds herself with men in her search for the legendary dragons, the anime might seem like a harem at first glance. However, Hak is the one in charge of adding a touch of romance to the plot, creating some of the sweetest situations, while Yona, little by little, starts to develop feelings and heal from her broken heart.

30 Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion

Anime Series by Studio Typhoon Graphics; Based on the Manhwa by Milcha

Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke's Mansion is an isekai anime following a protagonist who is killed and reincarnates as Raeliana McMillan, a secondary character from a novel she had read. Raeliana, knowing the fate of her character, makes a deal with Noah Wynknight, the protagonist of the novel, whom she ends up putting between a rock and a hard place in her fight to survive.

Despite his angelic face, Noah is a calculating and cold-hearted man, so it’s not easy for Raeliana to gain his trust. Because of this, their relationship is a continuous tug-of-war, but their dynamics and their little disagreements are what make the story more enjoyable. The anime has all the elements of a period drama, with politics and palace intrigues and where romance is born steadily between the two protagonists.

29 Love Hina

Anime Series by Xebec; Based on the Manga by Ken Akamatsu

Love Hina pushed the envelope for shonen anime thanks to abundant fan service and harem tropes that would become increasingly industry-standard as the decades ed. For 1990s kids, it was a well-marketed series, with ads appearing in Shōnen Jump magazine promoting these hilarious, occasionally risqué glimpses at the story of Keitaro Urashima and the girls staying at Hinata Inn.

Keitaro's main stake in this charming series is to find the girl with whom he promised to go to Tokyo University in this shōnen romance classic.

28 Komi Can't Communicate

Based on the Manga Created By Tomohito Oda

An adaptation of one of the most popular manga in recent years, Komi Can't Communicate is all about the titular Komi and her problems making friends at school. Though she's immensely popular as a mysterious figure, Komi doesn't actually have any friends because of her struggle with talking to others.

Hitohito Tadano discovers her problem and decides to help her make friends, resulting in a sweet comedy with some genuinely memorable moments. The only downside for romance fans is that the relationship between the two is often sidelined during Komi's quest to make friends and connect with her fellow students.

27 Skip Beat!

Anime Series by studio Hal Film Maker; Based on the Manga by Yoshiki Nakamura

Skip Beat! is a classic shojo that tells the story of Kyoko Mogami, a teenager blinded by her love, who has been used by her boyfriend Shotaro and doesn’t realize it until he no longer needs her. However, far from losing herself in sadness, she looks for a way to get revenge on the man who degraded and humiliated her by entering the world of entertainment.

In this environment, Kyoko meets Ren Tsuruga, a young and handsome actor who is Sho's biggest rival, with whom she establishes an adorable friendship that slowly builds into something more. Additionally, Kyoko is a hilarious character with unique reactions and occurrences, so her interactions with Ren, in addition to being incredibly funny, are also very sweet, since they are characters with little experience in love, which makes the anime the perfect option for fans of romantic comedies.

26 My Love Story!!

Based on the Manga Created By Kazune Kawahara & Aruko

With his huge, intimidating stature, Takeo Gouda stands out a lot among his fellow high-school freshmen, and it's bad news for the kind boy's love life in My Love Story!!. Compounded by his best friend being the school heartthrob, it's not until he meets the cute Rinko Yamato that his fortunes finally begin to change.

The manga that the animated series was based on won the Kodansha Manga Award for Best Shoujo Manga in 2013, which shows just how popular and well-reviewed it was at the time.

Though he's resigned to playing matchmaker for the girl, the two are the perfect pair for each other despite looking like total opposites. For anime fans that love cute moments, comedy, and odd-couple romances, My Love Story!! is one of the quintessential cozy romance anime series.