Best Romance Anime to Make You Swoon

Heartwarming and tear-jerking romance anime you must see. From sweet high school love to mature relationships.

Romance is one of the most enduring and popular genres in anime. Whether you are looking for a sweet high school love story, a tear-jerking drama, or a mature relationship study, there is something for everyone. With Oshi no Ko Season 2 and Spy x Family Season 3 bringing romance elements to the forefront, the genre is more alive than ever.

Here is our curated list of the best romance anime to make you swoon, cry, and believe in love again.

1. Kaguya-sama: Love is War

• Studio: A-1 Pictures
• Episodes: 37 + Movie
• Sub-Genre: Rom-Com, Psychological

The Premise: Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane are the leaders of the Shuchiin Academy student council. They are both geniuses, both wealthy (well, Kaguya is), and both hopelessly in love with each other. The catch? They are too proud to confess. Thus begins a "war" to force the other person to confess first.

Why It's Top Tier: It takes the standard rom-com tropes and weaponizes them. The mind games are hilarious, directed with the intensity of a Death Note battle. But underneath the comedy is a genuinely touching story about vulnerability and opening up to another person. The "Ultra Romantic" arc is widely considered one of the best climaxes in romance anime history.

2. Oshi no Ko (Season 2)

• Studio: Doga Kobo
• Episodes: 24+
• Sub-Genre: Drama, Supernatural, Showbiz

The Premise: While primarily a mystery/drama about the dark side of the entertainment industry, Oshi no Ko features some of the most complex relationships in modern anime. Oshi no Ko Season 2 dives deeper into the "Tokyo Blade" stage play arc, exploring the chemistry between Aqua, Akane, and Kana.

Why It's Top Tier: The romance here isn't just about fluff; it's about using love (and lies) as a tool for survival and revenge. The "love triangle" is intense, with fans fiercely debating "Team Akane" vs. "Team Kana." It's a mature, sometimes cynical, but always gripping take on relationships in the public eye. It's also based on one of the best manga 2025 has to offer.

3. Fruits Basket (2019)

• Studio: TMS Entertainment
• Episodes: 63
• Sub-Genre: Drama, Supernatural, Shoujo

The Premise: Tohru Honda, a homeless high school girl, is taken in by the mysterious Soma clan. She discovers their secret: they are possessed by the animals of the Chinese Zodiac and turn into them when hugged by the opposite sex.

Why It's Top Tier: This is the gold standard for shoujo drama. It's a complete adaptation of the best romance manga of all time. It deals with generational trauma, abuse, and healing with incredible grace. The romance between Tohru and Kyo is a slow burn that pays off beautifully. By the end, you will feel like part of the Soma family.

4. Spy x Family (Season 3)

• Studio: Wit Studio / CloverWorks
• Episodes: 37+
• Sub-Genre: Action, Comedy, Slice of Life

The Premise: Twilight, a master spy, must build a fake family to infiltrate an elite school. He adopts a telepathic daughter (Anya) and marries an assassin (Yor). None of them know each other's secrets (except Anya).

Why It's Top Tier: While it's an action-comedy first, the developing romance between Loid and Yor is the heart of the show. Spy x Family Season 3 is expected to push their relationship further. Watching two people who have only known violence learn to love and trust is incredibly heartwarming. Plus, Anya is the ultimate wingman.

5. The Dangers in My Heart (Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu)

• Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
• Episodes: 25
• Sub-Genre: Rom-Com, School

The Premise: Kyotaro Ichikawa is a gloomy loner who fantasizes about murdering his classmates. Anna Yamada is the class idol and a model. When they start interacting in the school library, Ichikawa realizes he doesn't want to kill her—he wants to protect her.

Why It's Top Tier: Do not let the edgy premise fool you. This is arguably the sweetest, most wholesome romance of the last few years. The character growth is phenomenal. Watching Ichikawa grow from a self-loathing edgelord into a confident, caring young man because of Yamada's love is beautiful. It swept the anime awards for a reason.

6. Horimiya

• Studio: CloverWorks
• Episodes: 13 + The Missing Pieces
• Sub-Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life

The Premise: Hori is the popular girl with a secret home life. Miyamura is the gloomy otaku with secret tattoos and piercings. They discover each other's real selves and find comfort in being authentic.

Why It's Top Tier: It skips the "will they, won't they" drama that plagues most anime. The couple gets together early, and the show focuses on their actual relationship dynamics. It's realistic, drama-free, and incredibly refreshing.

7. Toradora!

• Studio: J.C.Staff
• Episodes: 25
• Sub-Genre: Rom-Com, Drama

The Premise: Ryuuji Takasu looks like a delinquent but is a gentle neat freak. Taiga Aisaka looks like a doll but is a violent "Palmtop Tiger." They team up to help each other date their best friends, but... well, you know what happens.

Why It's Top Tier: The quintessential tsundere romance. It defines the genre. The character development for Taiga is legendary, and the Christmas Eve episode is a rite of passage for every anime fan.

8. My Happy Marriage (Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon)

• Studio: Kinema Citrus
• Episodes: 12+
• Sub-Genre: Historical, Supernatural, Drama

The Premise: Miyo Saimori is born without talent in a family of powerful psychics and is treated like a servant. She is married off to Kiyoka Kudo, a soldier rumored to be cruel and cold. But he turns out to be her savior.

Why It's Top Tier: It's a Cinderella story with a supernatural twist. The visuals are stunning, resembling a watercolor painting. Watching Miyo regain her self-worth and find happiness with Kudo is incredibly satisfying. It's a quieter, more mature romance.

9. Clannad: After Story

• Studio: Kyoto Animation
• Episodes: 24
• Sub-Genre: Drama, Slice of Life

The Premise: Following the high school romance of Clannad, After Story explores what happens next: adulthood, marriage, parenthood, and loss.

Why It's Top Tier: It is widely considered the saddest anime of all time. It hits you with the reality of life in a way few shows do. It's not just about falling in love; it's about the commitment to stay together through the hardest times imaginable. Bring tissues. Lots of them.

10. Blue Box (Ao no Hako)

• Studio: Telecom Animation Film
• Episodes: 25 (Upcoming)
• Sub-Genre: Sports, Romance

The Premise: Taiki Inomata is on the badminton team. He has a crush on Chinatsu Kano, the star of the basketball team. Due to family circumstances, she moves into his house.

Why It's Top Tier: Based on one of the best shonen manga currently running in Jump, this series is a breath of fresh air. It balances sports action with a pure, unadulterated romance. It captures the feeling of striving for your goals while being inspired by the person you love.

Conclusion

From the psychological battles of Kaguya-sama to the wholesome family vibes of Spy x Family, romance anime offers a diverse range of stories. Whether you want to laugh or cry, these shows prove that love really is war—and it's worth fighting for.