Love and relationships are an essential part of anime. Even action-packed and story-driven shows often have a romantic subplot thrown in. Anime fans everywhere love a good romance, which is why rom-coms have become such a huge genre. From sweet, endearing moments to an endless supply of laughs, they have something for everyone.
While rom-com series are never short on comedy, they contain a lot of drama and heartache too. Luckily for fans who just want a wholesome love story to make them smile, there are plenty with hardly any drama at all. Anyone longing for some adorable, romantic fluff can find a lot of great anime that will leave them satisfied.
10 Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun Has A Big Emphasis On Comedy
One of the best parts of a rom-com is always the comedy, and Monthly Girls' Nokazi-kun is nothing short of comedic. It begins with female lead Chiyo Sakura, determined to confess her feelings to her crush, Umetaro Nozaki. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned, as Nozaki mistakes her for a passionate fangirl.
Unbeknownst to Chiyo, Nozaki is a well-loved shojo mangaka. After this revelation, she becomes his assistant, and as she aids him with his work, she does everything she can to catch his notice. It is a cute series with many hilarious moments as Chiyo pursues her crush.
9 Kimi Ni Todoke Features The Most Wholesome Couple
Sawako Kuronuma is a shy girl with no friends at the beginning of Kimi ni Todoke. Her classmates all avoid her, fearing her for her appearance. On her quest to overcome her shyness and find friends, she becomes close to Shouta Kazehaya, the most popular boy in class.
With his help, she makes new connections and experiences feelings she's never felt before. As the two get to know each other, their friendship develops into something more. The series is sweet and heartwarming, and viewers will be taken in by the adorable dynamic between Sawako and Shouta.
8 Lovely Complex Brings An Unlikely Pair Together
Lovely Complex follows a pair of misfits on their quest for true love. Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Ootani struggle to fit in and find romance due to their abnormal heights. Risa is much taller than the average girl, while Atsushi is shorter than the average guy. Finding camaraderie in their similar plights, the two decide to work together and encourage each other in their search for love.
Together, they get into all sorts of crazy antics, all the while getting to know each other more and more. Despite their differences, they find they're more alike than they realize. Fans watch with delight as their chemistry grows and love slowly blooms between them.
7 Ojisan And Marshmallow Is Short And Sweet
This series is different than most rom-coms out there. Comprised of 3-minute episodes, Ojisan and Marshmallow isn't a typical high school romance. The story focuses on Habahiro Hige, an older man working an office job with a passion for Tabekko Marshmallows.
His coworker, 24-year-old Iori Wakabayashi, is crushing on him hard and uses his love for the tasty treats to get closer to him. Hilarity ensues as Iori does everything she can to tease poor Habahiro, hoping to attract his attention. Despite its short length, the series is a fun, enjoyable watch for anyone who loves a good rom-com.
6 Science Fell In Love, So I Tried To Prove It Puts A Unique Spin On The Genre
Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove it brings science and romance together in a wonderfully comical way. It deals with the concept of love and how such a mysterious feeling comes to be. The story follows two scientists, Ayame Himuro and Shinya Yukimaru, who are both inexperienced in the dealings of love.
The pair decide to find out just what this feeling is all about, creating experiments to test out on each other. With each new test, they hope to learn more about human feelings and perhaps discover their own along the way. It is funny and lighthearted with a very unique take on the rom-com genre that fans will enjoy.
5 Teasing Master Takagi-San Shows The Innocence Of Young Love
While most rom-coms feature a high school romance, Teasing Master Takagi-san gives viewers a look at a blossoming young love. The story follows middle-schooler Nishikata, who finds himself the target of his classmate's teasings. Every day, no matter the situation, she finds a way to put him into the most embarrassing situations. In retaliation, Nishikata vows to get her back, trying his hardest to find a way to turn the teasing back around onto her.
Little does he know, Takagi teases him because of her secret feelings for him. Too shy to admit her crush, she resorts to teasing to get his attention. The series is cute and innocent, with many hilarious moments between the two.
4 Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War Breathes New Life Into The Genre
Quickly becoming a favorite among rom-com fans, Kaguya-sama: Love is War is a breath of fresh air for the genre. It has all the makings of a typical rom-com series but puts an interesting spin on it. Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya work together in the student council and are admired by everyone at Shuchiin Academy as the perfect couple.
While they both have developed feelings for one another, neither is willing to admit it. To them, confessing is a sign of weakness, and whoever confesses first loses in the battle for love. The series follows the two as they do everything they can to make the other confess, leading to hysterical results.
3 Ouran High School Host Club Is A Beloved Classic
Few romantic comedy series have left such a lasting impact as Ouran High School Host Club. To this day, anime fans everywhere can't get enough of this adorable series, and many still hope for its return. The story begins with Haruhi Fujioka, a brand-new scholarship candidate at the elite Ouran Academy.
After breaking a priceless vase, she racks up an enormous debt to the Host Club. As payment, she is forced to work as a Host, disguising herself as a male student and tagging along on the boys' eccentric adventures. It is regarded as one of the best reverse harem series out there, filled with lovable characters, wacky escapades, and a romance fans still adore today.
2 My Next Life As A Villainess Joins Together Two Popular Genres
My Next Life as a Villainess has taken the anime world by storm with its unique story and endearing characters. Being both an Isekai and a rom-com in one, the series gives fans a taste of what it's like to wake up in the world of an Otome game. Unfortunately for the protagonist, she finds herself reincarnated into the world of Fortune Lover as the game's villainess character, Katarina Claes.
To prevent her doom, she sets out to change her story, winning the hearts of everyone around her in the process. Katarina's clueless nature, her chemistry with each character, and her bounds of energy make for a high-spirited and entertaining series. It is a very special addition to the genre that gives tons of laughs and fun for the entire audience.
1 My Love Story!! Is The Perfect Feel-Good Romance
From the start, My Love Story!! is nothing but wholesome. Everything about this series is adorable, with every episode leaving the audience feeling happy. The story introduces Takeo Gouda, who has never been popular with girls due to his large appearance. This all changes after a chance encounter with Rinko Yamato.
After he saves her from a creep on the train, Rinko is instantly smitten. However, Takeo believes there's no way such a cute girl could fall for him, thinking she likes his best friend, Sunakawa, instead. The show's main couple seems like an unlikely pair. Takeo is large and gruff, while Rinko is petite and cute. But when they come together, they are the sweetest, most-heartwarming couple fans have ever seen.