Crunchyroll has some of the best anime romance selections fans can watch. In recent years, this highly popular streaming service has gained the attention of fans worldwide for its carefully curated selection of anime that ranges across various genres. However, while action shows and isekai tend to be some of their most viewed, romance has gained a significant following on Crunchyroll with some of the best anime the genre has to offer.
Given how malleable romance can be, there are countless stories on Crunchyroll that have a strong hook to grab viewers on telling a sweet love story. There’s something for everyone on the streaming service that’s looking for a new favorite. In fact, when sorting by genre, Crunchyroll showcases hundreds of options, and these are ten of the absolute best that fans should add to their watchlist as soon as possible.
10 Horimiya Sets the Standard for Romance Anime
Based on the manga by Hiroki Adachi
When looking for an ideal romance to watch, fans will quickly find that most tend to follow a simple formula. Many romance anime take the slice-of-life route as they explore the romance that blossoms between two characters with the goal of making the audience fall in love with them as a couple. Some do this better than others, and Horimiya certainly stands out as the definitive basic romance series.
The simple stories make the romance between Hori and Miyamura incredibly believable. In fact, the series has been so well-received by fans that the second season, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces, ended up winning Best Romance Series at Crunchyroll’s 2024 Anime Awards.
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9 My Dress-Up Darling‘s Characters Makes the Series Absolutely Amazing
Based on the manga by Shinichi Fukuda
This slice-of-life romcom has a simple story idea, but the execution is what makes it one of the best the genre has to offer. The cosplay angle gives it a refreshing new perspective for a love story as Wakana Gojo and Marin Kitagawa develop a codependent bond through fashion design.
The overall story itself isn’t anything super new as it follows similar beats to other romances that came before it, but the strength in this series lies with its characters. The chemistry between the leads meshed together with an astonishing supporting cast make My Dress-Up Darlingone of the cutest shows on Crunchyroll and a must-watch for fans of the genre.
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8 My Love Story!!‘s Unconventional Romance Subverts the Typical Anime Couple
Based on the manga by Kazune Kawahara
Couples in romances tend to follow a consistent trend whenever a new series releases. While there are some differences in the potential romantic partners to shake things up, the two leads tend to be conventionally attractive people that most would find in a standard romance story. However, My Love Story!! switches things up by playing on people’s judgment of others and subverting them in the best way.
The story’s male protagonist, Takeo Gōda, is intentionally designed to look intimidating, but he’s actually incredibly sweet, perfectly playing on the audience’s preconceived notions just by looking at him. This leads to an adorable love story when he develops feelings for a smaller girl named Rinko Yamato, creating one of the most adorable couples fans can see on the small screen. This subversive concept landed with viewers and made this incredibly cute series a modern romance classic that challenges audiences not to judge a book by its cover.
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7 Tomo-Chan Is a Girl! Delivers An Important Message to Everyone About Dating
Based on the manga by Fumita Yanagida
One of the biggest surprises of 2023, Tomo-Chan Is a Girl! follows the titular character attempting to woo her childhood friend, Junichiro, by confessing her feelings towards him. However, she’s a tomboy that has spent so much time with him that he sees Tomo as “just one of the guys.” It’s a pretty amusing set-up for a romcom that delivers also features some clever messaging.
Throughout the series, Tomo is shown doing anything it takes to bring out her feminine side to get her crush’s attention, but it’s always met with discomfort on her end. However, when she lets loose and relaxes, she’s able to convey her feelings naturally. Add in likable side characters and hilarious comedy, and you get a terrific take on the “be yourself” moral found in most romances.
Crunchyroll’s Hit New Romance is the Perfect Anime for Trans Fans
Between the lines of the new Crunchyroll romance anime Tomo-Chan Is a Girl! are themes regarding gender expression that Trans fans will love.
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6 The 100 Girlfriends Who Really Really Really Really REALLY Love You Is a Pitch-Perfect Romance Parody
Based on the manga by Rikito Nakamura and Yukiko Nazawa
This absurdist romantic comedy has been an absolute hit among anime fans, and it’s pretty easy to see why. It takes common conventions of popular romance stories and beyond and places them all in a single series as Rentarō seeks to find his 100 soulmates in high school. The result is a chaotic mashup that’s incredibly funny to watch while also being incredibly self-aware.
Nothing is off-limits for this series, including putting a dark spin on the hit romcom, Komi Can’t Communicate. This show is one that fans need to go into blind because if anything is truly known about what lies in store, it can potentially ruin the surprises that await them.
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5 Yuri!!! on ICE Puts an LGBTQ+ Spin on Sports Romance
Created by Saya Yamamoto, Jun Shushido & Mitsurō Kubo
While the majority of romances in anime tend to consist of heterosexual couples, Japan’s stream of Yaoi and Yuri stories has been shown to be just as popular. Case in point, Yuri!!! on ICE made waves with the anime fandom as it gave a romantic spin to the typical sports story. Its main leads, Yuri K. and Victor, have been heralded as one of the most adorable queer couples in anime. They’re celebrated just as other heterosexual couples are in varying romances, making them some of the best LGBTQ+ anime characters fans can find.
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4 Your Lie In April Still Makes Fans Cry
Based on the manga by Naoshi Arakawa
This love story has held up as one of the most tragic romances in modern anime history. Following a former piano player named Kōsei, he meets a girl named Kaori who also has a passion for music. She rekindles the spark in him to pursue his gifts while the two begin developing feelings for one another.
However, as the weeks go on, a sad story lurks beneath the surface, giving fans one of the saddest anime endings of all time. Your Lie In April is a fantastic watch and a terrific romance, but the emotions audiences will feel when it ends should not be understated.
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3 A Sign of Affection Presents a Unique and Adorable Love Story
Based on the manga by suu Morishita
As of March 2024, A Sign of Affection is currently the most talked about new romance on Crunchyroll, and it’s pretty easy to see why. The story for this adorable romance is such a clever premise that pays off dearly through the chemistry of its characters. The idea of a deaf college student developing feelings for a linguist opens the door to countless possibilities regarding how their relationship can progress.
As the story moves forward, the protagonists open their very different worlds to one another. The result is one of the most adorable couples in recent years that features one of the cutest confession scenes in anime history. This series is one that can’t be missed and is destined to become a classic as years go by.
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2 Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War Is a Blockbuster Romcom Franchise That Deserves the Hype
Based on the manga by Aka Akasaka
This long-running romantic comedy has become the series most fans recommend when asked for a good romance. The premise alone makes it one of the most entertaining ideas to ever hit the small screen, and its three-season run delivered in every single way. Kaguya-Sama follows the student council president and vice president who viewers learn have feelings for one another.
However, neither of them wants to be the one to confess their attraction, looking for ways to make the other make the first move. With this amazing premise backed up by iconic side characters including Chika Fujiwara, the series became a smash hit that gave it three seasons and a movie to wrap up the story, making it one of the best romance anime of all time.
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1 Your Name Defies Romance Genre Expectations
Created by Makoto Shinkai
Your Name is more than just a typical romance anime. It’s an experience that every fan of the medium should encounter at least once in their lives for its sci-fi take on the traditional bodyswapping narrative. Following a country girl and city boy as they constantly swap lives, the two find themselves engaged in a mystery to find out why it’s happening. However, as mysteries come to the surface, the unsettling truth behind the phenomenon is discovered.
It’s very difficult to talk further about Your Name because it’s simply best to go in not knowing what’s coming. The screenplay for this film is tightly written, and the chemistry between the characters is so believable despite them being so far away from one another. It’s easily the best romance anime on Crunchyroll, and it put Makoto Shinkai on the map as a must-see director.
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