Romances in anime can be thrilling and heartwarming. However, some anime romances do not progress as fans would wish them to. These romances frustrate fans by how little their relationships grow or thrive throughout the series. While a lot of anime romances are satisfying, there are many that disappoint fans.
Frustrating anime romances can goad fans for several reasons. Some are introduced but rarely visited throughout the show. Others are so close to progressing, but the characters just cannot take the leap. Anime romances are great, but some of them simply fail to deliver.
10 Simon & Nia Just Got Started (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
Gurren Lagann's Simon and Nia meet when he finds her trapped in a box. Although she is the daughter of the enemy, Nia is inspired by Simon, and the two fall in love. Unfortunately, their relationship does not last, as Nia fades from existence the moment they exchange their wedding vows.
This romance was frustrating to fans who were rooting for the couple to finally have a happy ending. After the tragedy of Yoko and Kamina's romance, audiences wanted someone on the team to find happiness. Fans can only hope that Simon will find love again one day.
9 Narumi Momose Is Rude To Hirotaka Nifuji (Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku)
Narumi Momose and Hirotaka Nifuji are not only coworkers in Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku, but also childhood friends. Hirotaka has had a crush on Narumi since they were children, which makes their eventual romance all the more endearing. However, audiences quickly find that Narumi is not the accepting girlfriend they thought her to be.
Narumi is judgemental of Hirotaka and his gaming interests despite being an otaku herself. She compares Hirotaka to other men she has dated, as well. Many fans found this to be unconscionable, especially since Hirotaka finally achieved his dream of being with her only to be frequently criticized. Hopefully, Narumi and Hirotaka will work through their differences to come closer together.
8 Kenji Harima Deserves More Than Tenma Tsukamoto (School Rumble)
School Rumble's Kenji Harima has been unlucky in love, as his long-time crush, Tenma Tsukamoto believes he's a delinquent when that couldn't be further from the truth. Additionally, Tenma has a crush on another boy who barely notices her. Fans are heartbroken watching the earnest Harima fight for the one he loves.
This romance is not only frustrating because of how many twists and turns it has, but also because Harima is a great guy. He is kind and caring and defends those in need. Audiences everywhere found themselves yearning for Tenma to open her eyes to realize the prince she had right next to her.
7 Rikka Takanashi & Yuuta Togashi Are In A Holding Pattern (Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions)
Unlike most teenagers, Rikka Takanashi has held on to her fantasy that she has immense power into her high school years in Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions. Fortunately, Yuuta Togashi doesn't mind, as he used to be the same way. Unfortunately, her belief in her power keeps Rikka and Yuuta's relationship from progressing.
While fans give credit to Yuuta for not wanting to change Rikka, the snail's pace at which their relationship progresses is exhausting for fans. While it is always a good idea for couples to choose the speed of their own relationships, fans watching the romance unfold became weary of the constant "almost" moments.
6 Yugo Hachiken & Aki Mikage Were So Close To Dating (Silver Spoon)
Yugo Hachiken is a burnt-out teenager who decides to attend an agricultural high school in Silver Spoon. Though he doesn't know the first thing about farming, he has a great support system in his friends and teachers who help him learn. One such person is Hachiken's crush, Aki Mikage.
While their feelings for each other seem to be mutual, Hachiken and Mikage never seem able to cross the threshold. The two even make a date, but life gets in the way. Hachiken and Mikage are frustrating to fans because they were so close to having a relationship, only for it to fizzle right at the end.
5 Tamaki Suoh & Haruhi Fujioka Never Had A Payoff (Ouran High School Host Club)
Haruhi Fujioka joins her school's Host Club to pay back a vase she broke in Ouran High School Host Club. Although all the boys of the club begin to fall for her, Tamaki Suoh has been in love with her from the onset. However, many fans were frustrated by this romance for their lack of chemistry and their failure to progress in their relationship.
Tamaki and Haruhi are not necessarily a bad match, but audiences feel that Haruhi would be better suited with Takashi Morinozuka or Hikaru Hitachiin. Additionally, many viewers felt cheated by the end of the show where all Tamaki and Haruhi share is a hug. It was a disheartening and frustrating romance that fans felt was lackluster.
4 Miyuki Shirogane Tries Harder Than Kaguya Shinomiya (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War)
The entirety of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is built on frustration on all sides. Both Kaguya and Shirogane are disheartened that the other will not confess first, while fans are disappointed by all their romantic setbacks. With that said, many viewers also felt sorry for Shirogane.
Although both teens have feelings for each other, it appears that Shirogane tries harder to woo Kaguya than she does for him. It is frustrating for fans to see Shirogane struggle, only to be thwarted by Kaguya for ridiculous reasons. Anime-only fans have to have faith that the rest of the series holds more in store on Kaguya's part.
3 Mikasa Ackerman Needs To Let Eren Yeager Go (Attack On Titan)
Mikasa Ackerman has been attached to Eren Yeager since he saved her from kidnappers in Attack on Titan. Conversely, Eren has never truly expressed any real affection toward her. As such, audiences feel that Mikasa's stubborn attachment to Eren is no longer viable based on his actions in recent seasons.
Eren's utter disregard for human life — including Mikasa herself — is painfully evident. Yet, Mikasa follows and trusts in Eren's plans, as she's unable to let go of her feelings. Fans could understand if they had a relationship in the past, but Mikasa only appears to be holding out false hope. Fans dream of the day that Mikasa will forget Eren and move on.
2 Chiyo Sakura Can't Get Umetarou Nozaki To Notice Her (Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun)
Chiyo Sakura has had a long-time crush on Umetarou Nozaki in Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun. Unfortunately, when she tries to confess her feelings, he misunderstands her and asks her to be his assistant instead. Sakura tries many more times throughout the show to let Nozaki know her affections, but he never seems to take a hint. Even when she tells him outright, he mishears her.
This romance is so frustrating due to Nozaki's inability to understand social cues. It is also frustrating because he still doesn't understand even after Sakura expresses her feelings outright. Sakura and Nozaki would make such a wholesome couple if only Nozaki were wise enough to pick up the hints.
1 Izuku Midoriya Forgets About Ochaco Uraraka (My Hero Academia)
Izuku Midoriya and Ochaco Uraraka have liked each other ever since they met at the U.A. Entrance Exam in My Hero Academia. Despite many awkward encounters and being flustered around each other, Izuku seems to have all but forgotten about his feelings. Meanwhile, the creators have centered Uraraka's whole character arc around her love for Midoriya.
The one-sided romance is not only disappointing after having such potential, but also insulting to Uraraka's power as a hero. Her whole arc revolves around her letting go of her feelings for Midoriya while he gets to explore his power. Many fans were turned off by this inequality and hope that future episodes will feature either more romance or more emphasis on what a great hero Uraraka is.