Summary
Romance animecomes in all sorts of flavors. The classic romantic comedy gives fans a nice balance of ‘awws’ and laughs. The more tragic romances pull at the heartstrings andleave viewers in tears. Then there are those shows that explore the darker side of love, diving into obsession and unhealthy relationships.
Finally, there areromance anime that are just… cute.There’s very little overarching drama, and they feature two people who love each other. To no one’s surprise, these anime also tend to overlap with the slice-of-life genre. These are perfect for fans who just want a simple romance story, free from love triangles, jealousy, or melodrama.
While the second season ofClannad,Clannad: After Story, is the series that receives most of the anime community’s praise and attention, the first season is also worth watching for its sheer cuteness.
The cast of adorable characters, including the sweet and shy Nagisa Furukawa and the quirky, starfish-obsessed Fuko Ibuki, provide most of the anime’s ‘moe’ factor. Theromance between Tomoyo and Nagisais incredibly chaste and innocent, and it gives a nice build-up to the events ofClannad: After Story.
Who says cute romances have to be limited to high school?Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otakuis an office romance that follows the everyday lives of two otaku couples. Despite what one might infer from the premise, the anime ismore than just an endless barrage of anime and video game references.
Wotakoiis a cozy, slice-of-life series, with almost no romantic tension or drama between the main characters. Even the belligerent relationship between Tarou and Hanako is mostly played for laughs, and it’s made clear throughout that the two really do love each other.
No ‘cutest romance anime’ list is complete withoutat least one yuri/Girls' Love series.Sakura Trickis a slice-of-life anime that follows the growing romantic bond between two high school girls, Haruka Takayama and Yuu Sanada.
The entire anime screams ‘moe’, with its soft art style and the characters' adorable personalities. Haruka and Yuu’s relationship is also depicted innocently, with lots of gentle kissing, hand-holding, and hugs, giving viewers a relaxing watch that’s free from any serious drama.
The cuteness factor of someone who loves another for just being a kind person instead of their physical appearance is undeniable.My Love Story!!is aboutthe unlikely romance betweenTakeo Gouda, a high school freshman with a hulking, intimidating appearance, and Rinko Yamato, a fellow high-schooler with a tiny build but a huge heart.
Both Takeo and Rinko are kind, affectionate individuals, which makes their relationship incredibly wholesome. Rinko is the only girl in Takeo’s life who sees him as the gentle giant he is, leading to a deeper connection between the two and many sweet moments.
The best couples bring out the best in each other.Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to Youfollows a lonely, misunderstood girl named Sawako Kuronuma. Shunned by her classmates for her creepy appearance, her life takes a turn when the popular boy, Shota Kazehaya, starts to notice her.
LikeMy Love Story!!,the cuteness ofKimi ni Todokecomes from the fact that both the main characters are extremely kind and sweet, both to each other and other people. Shota helps Sawako come out of her shell and make friends, and watching their slow and steady romantic progression feels incredibly rewarding.
After a long wait,Kimi ni Todokefinally returned for a 5-episode third season in 2024.
Horimiyais an incredibly heartwearming slice-of-life anime about two high schoolers who have hidden sides outside of school. Kyouko Hori is the academically gifted popular girl who’s secretly a homebody in charge of taking care of her younger brother, while Izumi Miyamura is the quiet, nerdy boy who’s actually quite carefree and laidback off-school.
Horimiya’swholesomeness comes from Hori and Miyamura first discovering each other’s double lives, leading to a special understanding between the two of them. Hori and Miyamura’s relationship exemplifies ‘gap moe’ — the ‘aww’ feeling that arises when a character displays an unexpected or vulnerable side.
2Tsuki ga Kirei
A Coming-of-Age Story With A Realistic Portrayal Of Young Love
An easy way to add a dose of cuteness to a romance is to make both leads endearingly shy and awkward.Tsuki ga Kireifollows the tender romance between two middle-school students, aspiring writer Kotarou Azumi and track-and-field club member Akane Mizuno.
Tsuki ga Kireiis an incredibly realistic portrayal of young love and emotions. Kotarou and Akane’s insecurities are written exceptionally well, and their hesitations and nervousness when it comes to romance are adorable to watch. The relationship’s pacing also feels true to life, and the anime avoids pointless drama for the most part.
There are quite a few romanceanime and manga about married coupleswhere the marriage comes before the romance, butTONIKAWA: Over the Moon For Youstands out for just how wholesome it is. Despite Nasa and Tsukasa knowing each other for barely a day before getting married, their relationship progresses at a respectable pace after they tie the knot.
Of course,TONIKAWAis just as cute as its art style would suggest. The anime portrays the mundane life of a married couple in an incredibly endearing manner, and it’s hard not to feel touched by Nasa and Tsukasa first holding hands or cooking together. It’s no wonder that they would go on to win Best Couple at the 2021 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
