Beginner's Guide: 15 Must-See Anime Romance Series You Can't Miss

1. "Your Lie in April" (2014 – 2015)

"Your Lie in April" is a grand symphony of romance and drama that plucks at your heart like a well-tuned violin. We meet Kōsei Arima, a young piano prodigy who loses his ability to hear his own music after his mother's untimely death. That is until the free-spirited violinist Kaori Miyazono breezes into his life. Kaori's lively spirit and passion for music guide Kōsei back to the world of music, painting his monochrome life with a color he never knew existed – the color of love. "Your Lie in April" uses a mix of classical compositions and original soundtracks that have won it the Best Music Award in the 19th Animation Kobe Awards.

2. "Clannad: After Story" (2008 – 2009)

"Clannad: After Story" is a tear-jerker so intense it makes onions weep. It's a follow-up to the original "Clannad" series, but oh boy, does it turn the drama dial up to 11. Here we follow Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa, a young couple navigating the choppy waters of life after high school. We witness their journey through career struggles, marriage, and parenthood, a journey that unfolds with equal measures of love and tragedy. As a fun bit of trivia, "Clannad" is actually an Irish band that the show's creators are big fans of, hence the name.

3. "Toradora!" (2008 – 2009)

"Toradora!" proves love has a funny way of sneaking up on you. It centers around Ryuji Takasu, a gentle high schooler mistaken for a delinquent because of his intimidating face, and Taiga Aisaka, a petite but feisty girl known as the "Palmtop Tiger." Both have crushes on each other's best friends and decide to team up to help each other win their respective love interests. However, the best-laid plans often go awry, especially when love is involved. The series has a particularly high rating on MyAnimeList, scoring an 8.26 out of 10. "Toradora!" does an impressive job of balancing humor and heart, making it a must-watch for any anime romance fan.

4. "Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You" (2009 – 2011)

"Kimi ni Todoke" or "From Me to You" is like a beautiful haiku written in the language of love. Our protagonist is Sawako Kuronuma, a kind and diligent girl who, because of her resemblance to the scary character from "The Ring," is misunderstood and feared by her classmates. Enter Shōta Kazehaya, the popular boy in school, who sees Sawako for who she really is and begins to draw her out of her shell. "Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You" is often praised for its beautiful animation and compelling character development, but the real gem here is the plot in and of itself.

5. "Nodame Cantabile" (2007 – 2010)

"Nodame Cantabile" strikes a perfect chord of music and romance. The story follows Shinichi Chiaki, a top student at a music academy with a dream to become a conductor, and Megumi "Nodame" Noda, a piano student with a unique playing style. The two form a bond that plays out in hilarious and touching ways, and through each other, they learn valuable lessons about music and life. Interestingly, the anime has even spurred an increase in classical music sales in Japan.

6. "Lovely Complex" (2007)

"Lovely Complex" is a comedic romance that is as lively and zany as its characters. We're introduced to Risa Koizumi, who's taller than your average Japanese girl, and Atsushi Ōtani, who's shorter than your average Japanese boy. They're in the comedy duo at their school, mainly because of their funny bickering and incredible chemistry. And, despite the pair's height complex and the laughter around them, an unexpected romance blossoms, proving love isn't a game of inches. The creators of the show were inspired by the dynamic between a famous Japanese comedy duo, hence the hilarious banter.

7. "Fruits Basket" (2001 & 2019 – 2021)

It's time to explore the Chinese zodiac with "Fruits Basket." Here we have Tohru Honda, a sweet, selfless girl who, after a series of unfortunate events, ends up living in a tent. This all changes when the wealthy yet cursed Sohma family takes her in. Now, when I say cursed, I mean the Sohmas turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by the opposite sex. As Tohru delves deeper into their secrets, we're treated to a rich, character-driven story full of romance, tears, and transformations (literal ones). There are two versions of "Fruits Basket," and the recent one is a more faithful representation of the manga, unlike the 2001 version.

8. "Kaichou wa Maid-Sama!" (2010)

"Kaichou wa Maid-Sama!" brings us into the world of Misaki Ayuzawa, the strict Student Council President of Seika High School, formerly an all-boys school and still populated mostly by rowdy boys. To support her family, Misaki secretly works part-time at a maid café. Enter Usui Takumi, the popular heartthrob who discovers her secret and (because this is an anime romance after all) falls in love with her. This show perfectly blends romantic tension, humor, and surprisingly heartfelt moments into a wholesome package worth checking out.

9. "Golden Time" (2013 – 2014)

"Golden Time" follows Banri Tada, a law student in Tokyo, who has lost all of his memories before attending university due to an accident. As he navigates his new life, he meets Kouko Kaga, a beautiful yet obsessive girl who becomes a pivotal part of his journey. "Golden Time" offers an emotionally mature take on relationships, making it a somewhat of a standout in the genre. Interestingly, the anime is set in college, a departure from the usual high-school romance settings, and adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative.

10. "Ouran High School Host Club" (2006)

"Ouran High School Host Club" is a delightful mix of comedy, drama, and reverse-harem romance, but it's not your typical romance anime, though. We have Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at the prestigious Ouran High School, who stumbles upon the Host Club – a group of handsome boys who entertain female clients. After breaking an expensive vase, she's forced to work for the club, and due to her androgynous looks, she's made to pose as a male host. The result is a light-hearted and humorous anime that parodies the romance and harem genres, one of the absolute must-sees in the world of anime series.

11. "Your Name" (2016)

"Your Name" is an emotional roller coaster that takes love and destiny to a whole new level, and don't say we didn't warn you. You think you've got problems? Try waking up in a stranger's body! That's the reality for Mitsuha Miyamizu, a high school girl from a rural town, and Taki Tachibana, a high school boy from bustling Tokyo, who inexplicably start swapping bodies. The movie – yes, it's a movie, but it's too good to exclude – weaves together themes of love, fate, and time in a narrative so beautifully crafted it leaves you breathless. Fun fact for you: "Your Name" was so popular it became the highest-grossing anime film upon release, knocking Spirited Away off the top spot.

12. "Snow White with the Red Hair" (2015 – 2016)

"Snow White with the Red Hair" is a fairy-tale-like romance that's wholesome enough to warm your heart. Our heroine is Shirayuki, a young woman known for her unique red hair. After catching the eye of a sleazy prince who wants her as his concubine, she cuts her hair and flees to the neighboring kingdom. It's there she meets Zen, the second prince of the kingdom, who inspires her to become a royal court pharmacist. This series is a breath of fresh air in the romance genre, offering a refreshing take on love with two independent characters who support and respect each other – in a setting that in and of itself is a departure from some overused romance anime clichés.

13. "Bloom Into You" (2018)

"Bloom Into You" is a tender tale of young love and self-discovery. This series focuses on Yuu Koito, a girl who loves love but never experiences the fairy-tale feelings she's read about, even when she's confessed to. That is, until she meets Touko Nanami, the charming student council president who's dealing with her own romantic issues. As Yuu begins to navigate her complex feelings for Touko, we're treated to a beautifully animated story of love and personal growth. "Bloom Into You" has been praised for its thoughtful representation of queer love, making it a standout in the romance genre.

14. "Relife" (2016 – 2018)

Dipping into the waters of age regression, "Relife" is a series that combines humor, drama, and romance in a unique blend. We meet Arata Kaizaki, a 27-year-old man struggling in life, who's offered a pill that turns him back into a 17-year-old. He's then sent to high school (yep, high school again) to see if he can find what's missing in his life. As he navigates teenage life and bonds with his classmates, notably Chizuru Hishiro, a socially awkward yet brilliant student, we watch a charming romance unfold. Oh, and if you're wondering, the catch to all this is that once the experiment is over, all memories of Arata will be erased from his classmates' minds. Now that's some high stakes, right?

15. "Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun" (2014)

"Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun" is a romantic comedy that, like "Ouran Host Club," pokes fun at romance anime and manga tropes, albeit in a different way. The story follows Chiyo Sakura, a cheerful high school girl who has a crush on the stoic Umetarou Nozaki. When she confesses to him, Nozaki, a manga artist known for his shoujo manga, mistakes her as a fan and gives her an autograph, pulling her into the whirlwind world of manga creation. The series brings together a colorful ensemble of characters and intertwines their lives in humorous and heartwarming ways, making it a must-watch for any romance anime fan.