In recent years, Netflix has begun to cater more to anime fans. As it gains popular titles, the streaming service also offered fans new anime to enjoy. With its ever-growing selection, one of Netflix’s most popular anime genres is romance.
Romance in anime comes in many forms. Although the most popular setting is high school, there are many quirky and unique romantic anime that Netflix has also given to fans. The shows also vary in tone from hilarious comedy to devastating tragedy. Whether fans are looking to cry or laugh and fall in love, they won’t be disappointed with the selection Netflix has to offer.
10/10 Romantic Killer Is A Tongue-In-Cheek Reverse Harem
1 season, 12 episodes
Romantic killer is a recent addition to the Netflix catalog. The show centers around Anzu Hoshino, a nerdy teenager whose three loves in life are chocolate, video games, and her cat, Momohiki. Unfortunately, her beloved things are taken away by a magical being who wants her to fall in love. The creature forces Anzu to participate in a real otome game so she can get her favorite things back.
With each passing day, Anzu finds herself in increasingly romantic situations with three boys she can’t seem to avoid. Although she does her best to defy the creature’s plans, Anzu eventually finds herself falling for the boys’ charms. This somewhat satirical look at the reverse harem genre is a refreshing and fun addition to Netflix’s romance arsenal.
9/10 Ouran High School Host Club is a hilarious satire
1 season, 26 episodes
Ouran High School Host Club is a satirical anime about a girl who stumbles upon a host club operating at her school. When she accidentally breaks a vase they rented, Haruhi Fujioka is swallowed into the world of Ouran Host Club.
Despite being a girl, Haruhi tries to pay off her debt by pretending to be a boy to host girls who visit the club. Still, her popularity begins to get under the skin of the other hosts, especially as they all begin to develop feelings for their newest member. Although this anime pokes fun at the shojo genre, it’s also a heartwarming romance that never fails to make the audience laugh.
8/10 Pea Master Takagi-san is a sweet romance
1 season, 12 episodes
Nishikata is constantly teased by his classmate (and crush) Takagi. Bent on pulling one over on her, Nishikata tries everything to humiliate Takagi in return. However, every attempt he makes always ends up with egg on his face instead of hers.
This sweet slice-of-life romance is a lot of fun and has a lot of heart. Fans get to enjoy the blossoming romance between Nishikata and Takagi as they slowly realize they have more in common than a need to tease each other. Teasing Master Takagi-san is an adorable anime that shows the strange ways love can happen.
7/10 Aggretsuko presents a unique form of stress relief
4 seasons, 40 episodes
Aggretsuko is a romantic comedy about a red panda named Retsuko who is an accountant. Her work life is very unsatisfactory, as her boss regularly puts her off and her other colleagues put their work on her. Still, when the stress of life gets too much for Retsuko, she heads to the local karaoke place and belts out death metal jams to her heart’s content.
Along with her stressors come her love life problems. The two worlds collide when Retsuko plans to get married so she can become a housewife. However, none of her romantic prospects seem to be panning out. Aggretsuko is a relatable – if exaggerated – look at work life and love life and how no one seems to have as much of a grip on either as they would have others believe.
6/10 Toradora! Shows unconditional love
1 season, 25 episodes
Toradora! is the funny yet dramatic story of Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka. The two outcasts find themselves inextricably linked, as they are in love with each other’s best friends. However, after they agree to help each other, Ryuuji and Taiga begin to shift their focus towards each other.
Toradora! is a heartwarming story about two people who unconditionally accept each other for who they are. Taiga’s prickly demeanor and Ryuuji’s meekness begin to ebb when the two are together, but they still fall for each other despite their faults. This is a great anime to share with friends, as the dynamic characters and central romance will make everyone want to fall in love all over again.
5/10 A Lull In The Sea depicts budding emotions
1 season, 26 episodes
When the secondary school in the lake closes, four pupils must travel to the rural school to continue their education. Unfortunately, with rising tensions between the land and sea folk, the four transfer students find their new school less welcoming than they had hoped. A break in the sea is a unique coming-of-age story that highlights the arbitrary boundaries people set for themselves.
Although the students of Nami Junior High make some friends on land, they still face adversity as they try to navigate the new school and the new emotions they begin to feel. This touching romance never fails to tug at viewers’ heartstrings as they watch the characters find where they belong.
4/10 Rascal doesn’t dream of rabbit girl Senpai deals with adolescent insecurities
1 season, 13 episodes
Rascal doesn’t dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is a psychological drama about girls whose deepest dreams and insecurities become their supernatural reality. Although it centers around Mai Sakurajima and her relationship with Sakuta Azusagawa, the other girls in this show play important roles in discussing topics that many teenagers can relate to.
For example, Mai – who is tired of being in the spotlight – begins to disappear from everyone’s consciousness. Fortunately for her and her friends, Sakuta has a knack for helping them get over their problems and overcome them. This anime is a touching piece on the many challenges teenagers face every day.
3/10 Beastars are unexpectedly on the move
2 seasons, 24 episodes
Legoshi is a mild-mannered wolf who hopes to remain undetected in high school. Yet, when tragedy strikes, Legoshi finds himself losing control and questioning who he wants to be. Although not for everyone, Beastars is a dark reflection of the fine line between love and lust.
Haru and Legoshi’s star-crossed romance is powerful in its portrayal, while also being surprisingly sweet. Although it has many mature scenes, this anime should not be discounted for them. For those who don’t mind meanness and violence, Beastars moves unexpectedly.
2/10 Komi Can’t Communicate declares the importance of friends
1 season, 24 episodes
Hitohito Tadano is a normal young man who wants nothing more than to kiss by in high school and make as few ripples as possible. Unfortunately, his dreams are shattered when he meets the incomparable Shoko Komi. Tadano swears off her charm and situation and promises to help Komi make a hundred friends before high school ends.
Komi cannot communicateis a wholesome story about one person’s goal to overcome social anxiety. Like many others, Komi just wants friends with whom she can share experiences. This relatable story is a sweet romance that’s hard not to like.
1/10 Violet Evergarden explores the meaning of love
1 season, 13 episodes
Violet Evergarden is the heartbreaking story of the title character. Having fought in a recent war, Violet must navigate life after fighting on her own. As she finds her place in society, Violet is haunted by the last words her superior, Major Gilbert Bougainvillea, said to her. Driven to find meaning, Violet becomes an Auto Memories Doll to write love letters to those who cannot.
As she writes, Violet slowly comes to understand the meaning of the words “I love you” and finally acknowledges her own feelings that she has had all along. This anime is a touching yet tragic look at the different types of love and what each one has to offer.