Romance anime series have always been popular, and the latest generation looks to continue the trend in style. Series like Toradora! were some of the biggest when they first came out, but after more than a decade, it's time for a new group to take center stage. The new generation of romance anime looks to take everything that the previous generation did and expand upon it, taking the genre to even greater heights.

The best romance anime in recent memory are diverse in their approach to the format. Some of the greatest romance anime are straightforward, telling a genuine tale of two people falling in love. Others are a little more humorous while telling their story, showing that a good romantic anime can have a few laughs along the way. No matter what subgenres these romance anime series dive into, they're sure to be some of the best of the current generation.

10 Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai

Animated By CloverWorks, Based On The Light Novel Series Written By Hajime Kamoshida And Illustrated By Kēji Mizoguchi

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is a much more heart-warming anime than some might give it credit for. The series is so much more than its less-than-serious title, but the title does do a pretty good job of describing some of the story. The series focuses on Mai Sakurajima and Sakuta Azusagawa as they navigate high school, Mai's Adolescence Syndrome, and their new relationship.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, released in 2018, is one of the best romance anime series of the last decade. The animation is solid, the writing is superb, and Mai's relationship with Sakuta grows more and more genuine as every episode es.

9 An Archdemon's Dilemma: How To Love Your Elf Bride

Animated By Brain’s Base And Produced By TMS Entertainment, Based on the Light Novel Fuminori Teshima And COMTA

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An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride follows the socially awkward sorcerer Zagan, who finds himself in unfamiliar territory after he falls for and purchases Nephelia, an elven slave. As they navigate their new relationship, both must confront their insecurities amidst an enchanted world.

Main Genre
Animation

An Archdemon's Dilemma: How To Love Your Elf Bride is another solid romance anime that is much more than it appears to be. The series stars the incredibly powerful sorcerer Zagan as he purchases an elf he falls in love with at first sight. While the start of their relationship is a little controversial, Nephelia and Zagan's romance is one of the best of the past few years.

Zagan is awkward but genuine, and Nephelia is dealing with brutal self-esteem issues. They're two lovable characters who bring the best out of each other, a telltale sign of an excellent romance anime.

8 Kowloon Generic Romance

Animated By Arvo Animation, Based On The Manga By Jun Mayuzuki

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Kowloon Generic Romance
Animation
Sci-Fi & Fantasy

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Kowloon Generic Romance is set in the enigmatic Kowloon Walled City, where nostalgia and time overlap. This narrative follows real estate agent Reiko Kujirai as she navigates her emotions and relationships within the city's unique environment, blending elements of personal and professional life into a tale of romance.

Cast
Tomokazu Sugita, Haruka Shiraishi
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
1

Kowloon Generic Romance is shaping up to be one of the most interesting, exciting, and unique romance anime of 2025. The series started with a bang, with one of the best premiere episodes in recent memory. Kowloon Generic Romance is a deep series right away, showing that not everything is as it seems.

The titular Kowloon Walled City was a real place in China that was demolished in 1994.

The relationship between the main characters, Hajime Kudou and Reiko Kujirai, is much more than the titular generic romance. The series tackles heavy subjects like identity, the nature of true love, and what it means to be true to who you are.

7 Grandpa And Grandma Turn Young Again

Animated By Gekkō, Based On The Manga By Kagiri Araido

Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again (2024)
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again
Release Date
2024 - 2024

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming
BUY

Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again is one of the sweetest romance anime series of the past five years. The series stars a pair of grandparents who find a golden apple in their apple orchard. They each eat a slice of the apple, turning young again. Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again sees the two titular characters fall in love with each other all over again, taking their relationship to new heights after more than a few decades of marriage.

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Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again is one of the freshest romances around thanks to the main characters' everlasting love and affection.

The series is filled with romantic moments from top to bottom. Grandpa and Grandma know each other like the backs of their respective hands, and now that they're young again, they get to do all the things that they always wanted to do together with new, youthful bodies.

6 Giji Harem (Pseudo Harem)

Animated By Nomad, Based On The Manga By Yū Saitō

Pseudo Harem (2024)
Pseudo Harem
Release Date
2024 - 2024

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Somehow, Giji Harem (also known as Pseudo Harem) is one of the most realistic romance anime series ever. It's the first romance anime to actually pull off a harem in a somewhat real way. Eiji Kitahama has always wanted a harem, and when he meets the talented actress Rin Nanakura, his wish is fulfilled.

Rin uses her skills to develop and act as several different versions of herself, giving Eiji the harem he's always wanted and becoming a better actress at the same time. It's a genius premise that only gets better as the series progresses. While it seems a little silly on the surface, the plot is actually pretty good for a romance anime dealing with harems.

5 Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!

Animated By A-1 Pictures, Based On The Light Novel By Takibi Amamori And Imigimuru

Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! is nothing like other romance anime series in the best way possible. Instead of focusing on the characters on the winning side of a confession or a relationship, Makeine focuses on the losers, showing that there is more to a relationship than the two people dating.

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Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! distinguishes itself through its lead Anna Yanami, a refreshingly dynamic and foolish character for a rom-com.

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It's another romance anime with a gripping premise that only gets better as the plot develops. Makeine stands out thanks to its amazingly written main characters, some of the anime industry's most outstanding animation, and a uniquely refreshing plot.

4 Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Animated By A-1 Pictures, Based On The Manga By Aka Akasaka

Kaguya-sama: Love is War is one of the funniest anime series of all time, and that says nothing about how good the romance in the series is. Kaguya-sama stars the titular Kaguya Shinomiya as she tries to get her crush, Miyuki Shirogane, to confess to her. Unfortunately for Kaguya, he's doing the same thing, leading to a battle of wits and hearts that is incredibly compelling.

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2022 was a great year for anime, especially regarding all of the romance that was displayed. Here are the best couples to come out of all of that.

Their romantic battle is one of the most entertaining aspects of the show, as neither is willing to be the first to it that they care about the other. They're both smart, dedicated to their goals, and willing to do what it takes to win the war of love.

3 Blue Box

Animated By TMS Entertainment, Based oOn The Manga By Kouji Miura

Blue Box
Blue Box

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Blue Box is an endearing series for anyone wanting to watch something realistic. The series stars Taiki Inomata, a high school student with feelings for his upperclasswoman, Chinatsu Kano. Before he's able to confess, she moves in with his family. Their relationship is awkward, funny, and entirely relatable, and Taiki does his best to get to know Chinatsu while navigating the fact that they've become housemates.

Blue Box isn't just realistic because of how genuine the characters are. Taiki's relationship with his long-time friend Hina Chono is one of the best parts of the series, showing that love isn't always as simple as people hope that it is.

2 Horimiya

Animated By CloverWorks, Based On The Manga By Hiroki Adachi

Horimiya is a modern-day classic. It has quickly become one of the best romance anime series of all time thanks to its amazing main characters, wonderful side characters, and quick-witted writing. Horimiya is all about Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, two characters who seem like polar opposites.

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Horimiya: The Missing Pieces is not only a must-watch for fans of the original, but also a great excuse to get to know its wonderful characters.

Over time, the characters grow closer, eventually dating and learning more and more about one another. The series is equal parts hilarious and endearing, as the two bring the best out of each other. While the main characters steal the show, the side characters add a lot to the series every time they're featured.

1 A Sign Of Affection

Animated By Ajia-do Animation Works, Based On The Manga By Suu Morishita

A Sign of Affection is a must-watch for any romance anime fan looking to see the best of the newest generation. The series is refreshing, endearing, and absolutely adorable from start to finish. A Sign of Affection stars Yuki Itose, a college student with congenital hearing loss. When she meets Itsuomi Nagi, her small world changes forever.

Yuki's relationship with Itsuomi is like no other. She never thought she'd experience the world on a scale this large, and Itsuomi wants her to see everything that he does. Their relationship is wholesome, beautiful, and romantic all at once.