Young love, high school couples, and confessions are the essence of romance anime. Many seasoned anime fans have grown up with classics like Kimi ni Todoke, Nana, Ao Haru Ride, and more, but each of these shows offers different sides of love. Unfortunately, the saturation of boy-meets-girl and the subsequent happily ever after is quite evident, and honestly, fans have grown out of the whole "perfect romance" bubble.

For the past decade, audeinces have shown great interest in anime shows which have a more "realistic" approach to relationships and their complexities. The romance anime genre has gained countless gems throughout the years which manage to tell stories that reach straight to the heart. Whether it's about unrequited love or trying to process romantic feelings, some of these romance anime will give the audience the taste of how it's like to be in a real relationship.

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Kimi ni Todoke Offers a Pure Relationship

Sawako and Shota smiling at each other in the Kimi ni Todoke anime.

There's no denying that Kimi ni Todoke deserves a spot in every list of "best romance anime of all time". It's one of the most inspiring and wholesome coming-of-age stories that will leave the audience with a tear or two because it's that good. When an unpopular girl meets a popular boy, it simply isn't about the boy giving the girl a status quo push or even bullying her into accepting her feelings for him.

Kimi ni Todoke is a beautiful journey in which two polar oppositese find common ground in their feelings for each other and the things they love. Sawako Kuronuma and Shouta Kazehaya are perfect examples of how two people have to go through a journey to understand their feelings for each other instead of just suddenly falling in love without any depth.

Horimiya Is a Drama-Free Watch

Image features a visual from Horimiya: (From left to right) Kyoko Hori (long, brown hair) is being hugged by Izumi Miyamura (short, black hair)

Horimiya has one of the best build-ups of all time when it comes to romantic comedies. This anime perfectly explains why every romantic story doesn't always need a damsel in distress. Kyouko Hori is a hot-headed, confident girl who eventually falls for a shy and timid guy who hides his true self from the world.

The fact that they become a couple without too much drama and get on with their lives is completely refreshing and realistic. There's no love triangle or a will-they-won't-they slow burn. Both the protagonists are well-aware of their circumstances and how they feel about their personalities. There are no unnecessary complications surrounding their families; they simply keep the "clichés" out and share a very healthy relationship.

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After the Rain Gives a Mature Outlook

After The Rain

This is one of those romance anime where the audience is divided over whether the protagonists' love is appreciable or not. After the Rain isn't a typical high school romance; instead, it addresses a story far more realistic and mature than the audience can expect. The show is about a 17-year-old girl falling for a 45-year-old manager of the café she works at. There are absolutely no down points to pick in this story because it plays at sensitive topics that are beautifully portrayed through the characters.

The main character's feelings aren't discarded suddenly at any point just because of the massive age gap. Instead, it's explained beautifully that her feelings may have stemmed from her lack of courage and maturity. While on the other hand, the man values their relationship without harnessing any romantic feelings for Akira. There is a relationship, but it's so well-crafted and unique that one can't simply give it a single label. RELATED: This Anime About a Married Couple Drinking Cocktails Will Make You Scream "Kawaii!"

Wotakoi Is a Wholesome "Adulting" Experience

Hirotaka and Narumi look at each other in surprise in Wotakoi

Even though the word "otaku" is a sort of derogatory term in Japan, it doesn't stop these four adult characters from keeping their passions alive. Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku is a romantic series where the need to appreciate people who accept one's love for things without judgment is expertly portrayed. Wotakoi follows the story of four adults in an office who are into different things like BL, cosplaying, and manga. Narumi Momose, who is a hardcore fujoshi, is afraid to show this side to her romantic interests because of the fear of rejection.

However, she eventually finds that with Hirotaka, she can be whoever she wants to be. It's almost impossible to find a good romance anime with adult themes and an adult cast, but Wotakoi captures the mundane nature of life and how even adults, at times, can feel like high schoolers when it comes to love. The way the show follows the different stages of the four main character's relationships with each other is truly an experience that covers them both as friends and lovers.