10 Best Romance Anime to Watch With Your Significant Other

Let's be honest, every one of us has a deep-seated desire to watch anime with our significant other, especially romance anime! Romance will forever be a genre that has great shows to choose from, and this fact stands true even for anime. Whether it's a typical “enemy into lovers” trope or an intriguing love triangle, the joy felt when our ship finally starts sailing will always be unparalleled.

While many say that most romance anime follow the same plotline or have the same cliché character designs, nothing beats the exhaustion of a tiresome day than watching a romantic anime with your partner. After all, who doesn't enjoy two love interests bickering with each other while trying to hide their blush? 

This is your cue to get some blankets, prepare delicious snacks, leave the stress behind, and indulge in some sugary sweet romance with your girlfriend or boyfriend!

10) Boarding School Juliet

• Number of seasons: 1
• Year: 2018
• Watch it here: Prime Video

As the name suggests, the setting of the anime is a boarding school. In the fair Dahlia Academy, there are students from two countries, both alike in dignity. The “Black Doggies” of the Eastern Nation of Touwa and the “White Cats” of the Principality of West have a long-lasting feud between them, which is why Romeo Inuzuka and Juliet Persia, their respective leaders, have always seemed like bitter enemies.

However, in reality, Romeo and Juliet are hopelessly in love. Unfortunately, due to the feud between the two countries, they cannot reveal their relationship and decide to hide their passion for maintaining peace between their comrades. But as they continue to do so, both realize that the façade they put up does not allow for little pleasures granted to normal couples. The things that people in love do together and the fun dates they go on seems impossible for Romeo and Juliet.

As their relationship progresses further and they grow closer, Romeo and Juliet have to come to terms with the fact that keeping their relationship a secret is not an easy task at all.

9) Akagami no Shirayuki Hime

• Number of seasons: 2
• Year: 2015
• Where to watch: AnimeLab, Hulu, Funimation

Though her name means 'white as snow,' Shirayuki is a cheerful red-headed girl who lives in the country of Tanbarun. She works diligently in her herbal shop as an apothecary and wants to continue living her life as it is. Unfortunately, when Shirayuki is noticed by the prince of her country, Raji, she decides to cut off her hair and escape into the forest.

While hiding from Raji, she is rescued by Zen Wistaria, who she learns is the second prince of the neighboring country. Shirayuki then decides to pursue her dreams as the court herbalist in Zen’s country, Clarines.

Akagami no Shirayuki Hime depicts the journey of Shirayuki as she marches towards a new life in the royal palace of Clarines. It also follows the journey of Zen as he walks down the path of throne ascension. As they make more friends and deadly enemies along the journey, Zen and Shirayuki slowly learn to support and love each other.

Akagami no Shirayuki Hime is a light-hearted romance anime that is perfect for watching along with your significant other!

8) Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo

• Number of seasons: 1
• Year: 2012
• Where to watch: AnimeLab, Funimation, Crunchyroll

Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo revolves around a second-year high school student named Sorata Kanda who lives in Sakurasou, the dormitory for problem children at Sorata's school. When he moves in, he is greeted with its eccentric residents who turn his life upside down.

The average Sorata finds it difficult to fit in with the peculiar residents such as Misaki, a hyperactive animator; Jin, a playboy playwright; Ryuunosuke, a hermit programmer and Chihiro, the dorm manager, and an art teacher who surprisingly likes to party. However, Sorata’s will to leave weakens when he meets the new transfer student, Mashiro Shiina, who also happens to be a world-class artist.

As Sorata and Mashiro support each other, they trigger changes in their own lives and also in the lives of people around them. Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo is a romance anime that explores the students' lives as they connect with each other through their talent, hard work, friendship, and, of course, love.

7) Lovely Complex

• Number of seasons: 1
• Year: 2007
• Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Lovely Complex is an extremely entertaining romance anime that follows Koizumi Risa and Ootani Atsushi, both striving to find their ideal partner in high school. However, Koizumi is taller than the average girl her age, whereas Ootani is shorter than the average guy his age.

To add to their already existing difficulties, their crushes have fallen in love with each other, leaving these two heartbroken and frustrated. Unfortunately, their situation doesn’t get any easier, as their homeroom teacher seems to have labeled Koizumi Risa and Ootani Atsushi as a comedy duo due to their personalities and the considerable difference in heights.

Lovely Complex follows this odd duo as they encourage each other to find their fated ones. Along the way, they find unexpected similarities, and love starts to bloom between this mismatched pair.

6) Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou

• Number of seasons: 1
• Year: 1998
• Where to watch: Prime Video

Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou is the perfect show for hopeless romantics - after all, who doesn't like a simple story about two high school students falling in love? The story centers on Yukino Miyazawa, the most popular girl among the freshmen of her high school. Along with being the class representative, good at academics and sports, she is also known for her elegance and sociable nature. However, this is all a facade in reality, and her true personality is the complete opposite.

Yukino Miyazawa is actually an incredibly vain person who struggles continuously to maintain her good grades, athleticism, and graceful appearance. All she wants is to be the center of attention and receive praises from everyone. In fact, this is the reason why she cannot stand Soichiro Arima, the male representative of her class, who is better than her at everything!

When Yukino finally beats Soichiro and ranks first, she is surprised when he congratulates her and confesses his love. However, Miyazawa turns him down and even brags about this incident at home. But as fate would have it, Soichiro discovers her secret lifestyle and blackmails her into fulfilling his student council duties. As Yukino is forced to spend more time with him, she realizes that she might not be the only one hiding secrets.

5) Kimi ni Todoke

• Number of seasons: 2
• Year: 2009
• Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu

Kimi ni Todoke is another classic, especially recognized for its slow-burn romance. The story revolves around Sawako Kuronuma, a girl who is known throughout the school for her uncanny resemblance to the famous ghost from The Ring series. Nicknamed ‘Sadako,’ she is misunderstood by her fellow classmates as someone who dabbles in witchcraft and sorcery.

Sawako has always wanted to have friends and live a normal life, but it seems difficult for her to achieve that due to her timid personality. Due to this reason, she is naturally drawn to the cheerful disposition of Shouta Kazehaya, the most popular boy in her class. When Kazehaya organizes a test of courage for his classmates, Sawako decides that it is about time for her to get along with them and makes friends with Ayane Yano and Chizuru Yoshida. 

With these new encounters, Sawako experiences new emotions and starts discovering new sides to herself. While she gives Kazehaya all the credits for changing her life for the better, she fails to realize that she has influenced his life and maybe even his heart. Kimi ni Todoke is a romance anime that will make you and your partner scream with frustration and cry tears of happiness.

4) Horimiya

• Number of seasons: 1
• Year: 2021
• Where to watch: Prime Video, AnimeLab, Funimation, Hulu, Netflix

Horimiya is one of the newest romance anime releases on this list. It follows Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, who find solace in one another. Both Hori and Miyamura hide who they truly are at their high school. Hori is seen as the typical popular student who is the perfect combination of beauty and brains by her classmates. In contrast, Miyamura is viewed as a meek and distant fellow classmate. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Due to a coincidental meetup between the two, Hori and Miyamura see the true and bare selves of each other. Though Hori may seem like the popular and outgoing girl at school, she has little time to socialize due to household work piling up on her. On the other hand, Miyamura is actually a daring and bright person who hides his piercings and tattoos from his fellow classmates.

Despite having opposing personalities, they become friends quickly and often spend their time together at Hori’s house. As Miyamura and Kyouko slowly open up to each other, their friendship starts to evolve into something else entirely!

3) Kami-sama Hajimemashita

• Number of seasons: 3
• Year: 2012
• Where to watch: Prime Video, AnimeLab, Funimation, Hulu, Crunchyroll

Kami-sama Hajimemashita is a classic romance anime, and many fans have fond memories attached to it. The story follows Nanami Momozono, a high school girl who is facing the biggest crisis of her life. Due to her gambling-addicted father, she was already struggling, and to make matters worse, he gambled off their house and disappeared without a trace.

Now homeless on an odd evening, Nanami notices a man clinging onto a tree branch for dear life in fear of a barking dog. She helps the poor man, who then offers Nanami his home as a sign of gratitude. Happy to finally have a roof over her head, she reaches the described location only to find a rundown shrine. Disappointed, Nanami turns to leave, only to be stopped by two shrine spirits and a fox familiar named Tomoe.

When Tomoe realizes that she was sent as a replacement for the land god of that shrine, Mikage, he refuses to serve a human. Stuck between being homeless and becoming a god of a supernatural shrine, Nanami chooses the latter. However, things go haywire when she somehow ends up sealing a contract with Tomoe.

Now the two have to walk down the path of ‘godhood’ together as a human god and her familiar, but the journey is long and arduous. With their own feelings and dangerous yokai thrown into the mix, Kami-sama Hajimemashita is sure to entertain its audience!

2) Fruits Basket

• Number of seasons: 3
• Year: 2019
• Where to watch: Prime Video, AnimeLab, Funimation, Hulu, Crunchyroll, Netflix

Fruits Basket is based on a manga of the same name and is beloved by the anime community. It first received an anime in 2001, but due to popular requests, a revamped animation was released in 2019. Not only did this version up the quality, but it also finished the story in three seasons.

The anime revolves around Tohru Honda, an orphan girl who lives in a tent on land owned by the Soma family. One day, her life suddenly turns upside down when her house is destroyed due to a landslide. Forced to seek help from the Soma family, she discovers the unusual curse that they are afflicted with.

Now privy to the strange truth behind the Soma family, Tohru lives with them while promising not to disclose what she has learned. With this premise, the show slowly progresses. Seeing the characters open up about their secrets and learning to grow around their trauma is beautiful, albeit emotionally wrecking.

Fruits Basket is romantic, humorous, and tragic, making it the perfect anime to watch with your significant other.

1) Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku

• Number of seasons: 1
• Year: 2018
• Where to watch: Prime Video, Netflix

Love is indeed hard for an otaku, but it seems that the target audience for this article has been lucky in this case. Wotakoi is a brilliant romantic comedy that follows Narumi Momose, a 26-year-old woman who promises to keep the fact that she's a closet otaku and a fujoshi hidden from her new workmates. However, Narumi's plan is instantly spoiled as she runs into her old friend from middle school, Hirotaka Nifuji.

Despite her valiant efforts to buy Nifuji’s silence with drinks, her cover is instantly blown off when the topic of the Summer Comiket comes up. Fortunately, as fate would have it, the only ones to witness Momose’s excitement are Hanako Koyanagi and Tarou Kabakura, her workmates who happen to be otakus themselves.

Later that night, Narumi and Hirotaka go out for drinks to catch up with each other after all the years they were apart. After the former complains about her previous breakup, Hirotaka suggests dating a fellow otaku, especially himself. He promises to always be there for her, support her, and, most importantly, help her farm rare drops in Monster Hunter. Taking the bait, Narumi agrees immediately, thus signaling the start of an awkward but adorable relationship between the two.