20 best romance anime in 2021: top love stories (updated) (2023)

Everyone needs a little romance in their life. That is why it is one of the most loved genres in entertainment. Regardless of a film's plot, there is a high likelihood of a romantic twist. The anime world is one of the most popular genres with a variety of storylines. Amidst the many action-packed storylines in this year's list, there are also numerous romance anime series that deserves all the love they can get. What is the best romance anime that can make your heart race and skip a beat in 2021?

Like the many ups and downs of love, anime romance is relatable and exciting. As watchers get invested in the anime love story on-screen, the mix of emotions that come with the stories undoubtedly tug at heart.

Best romance anime to watch in 2021

Movie lovers know and probably agree that every story is spiced up if it possesses at least a small degree of romance. Love brings a particularly unique element that makes the audience feel warm and fuzzy inside.

The scenes also allow people to appreciate the small things and bitter-sweet moments in life and love. What are the best anime love stories that you ought to watch in 2021?

1. Fruits Basket the final season

• Release: March 20, 2021
• IMDB score: 8.5/10

Getting 8.5 stars on IMDB is no joke, and this is a clear sign that the romance anime has won the hearts of many fans. The show tells the story of Tohru Honda, an orphan girl who the Soma family takes in.

She later learns that twelve family members transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac. She helps them handle the emotional pain created by the transformations.

After the previous season's revelations, the Soma family moves on, but the emotions that bind them are too strong to be easily broken. Fortunately, a clue to the curse is discovered. Could it mean that the family's imprisonment is coming to an end?

Fruit Basket premiered on Fumination and AnimeLab on March 20, 2021. However, the Japanese broadcast began two weeks later, on April 6, 2021.

2. Heaven Official's Blessing

• Release: February 16, 2021
• IMDB score: 8.4/10

Heaven Official’s Blessing special episode is a new romance anime of 2021 and a must-watch. The series is based on a novel of the same name composed by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu and was first released on Bilibili and Fumination on October 31, 2020. The anime series also streams on Netflix, including the special episodes confirmed on February 16, 2021.

3. Horimiya

• Release: January 10, 2021
• IMDB score: 8.2/10

Horimiya is one of the best romance anime movies that you can watch. It possesses the classic love story of a boy who meets a girl and starts having an interesting romantic relationship. Two different individuals, one academically successful and the other a quiet loser, meet and start developing a profound friendship.

The only thing that they have in common is a secret life. After they meet, they both reveal the other side that they have never shown. It is interesting finding out if their friendship could blossom into something.

4. The Quintessential Quintuplets 2

• Release: January 8, 2021
• IMDB score: 7.4/10

The Quintessential Quintuplets first season was released on January 9, 2019, followed by a second season that debuted on January 8, 2021. The series was composed by Keiichiro Ochi and has come out as the best romance anime of 2021.

The story is about the Nakano quintuplets that hired a tutor, a poor straight-A student. The anime is a flashback from the future that shows that the tutor marries one of the quintuplets. Of course, you can expect some of the most breath-taking romantic moments found in anime series.

It has great suspense. You will often be trying to figure out if the intense feelings and connections between the tutor and student will overcome that solid teacher-student relationship.

5. Beastars season 2

• Release: Most likely July 2021
• IMDB score: 7.4/10

Although the release date for the second Beastars is yet to be announced, fans already have a most likely date, which they are looking forward to. The second season was initially scheduled for the August 2020 premiere but had to be rescheduled because of the complications linked with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Beastars is a name given to beasts that prove their excellence via fighting inequality to create peace between carnivores and herbivores.

6. Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare (Love, Be Loved, Leave, Be Left)

• Release: September 18, 2020
• IMDB score: 8.1/10

The story follows four high school classmates, namely Yuna, Akari, Kazuomi, and Rio, all with different views regarding love and romance. As feelings develop and are reciprocated, they begin to understand their hearts a little better. This story proves to be a relatable tale of young love with all emotions that accompany the experience of admiring someone.

7. Tokyo Revengers

• Release: January 9, 2021
• IMDB score: 8.2/10

This love anime is about a middle-aged loser that travels in time to his school years. The trickiest part is that he must get involved and lead a dreaded school gang for him to save the love of his life. Will he balance the negativity and positivity to win the love of his life?

8. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka Season 3 (DanMachi: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?)

• Release: July 2020
• IMDB score: 7.5/10

Do you believe in fateful encounters? In the city of Orario, adventurer Bell Cranel follows his dreams of becoming one of the greatest in the city. With the blessing of the Goddess Hestia and his strong feelings for high-tier adventurer Ais, he works hard to become someone worthy of standing beside her.

9. Hatena Illusion

• Release: January 09, 2020
• IMDB score: 5.2/10

Aspiring illusionist Makoto Shiranui wishes to learn the ways of Hatena's magician parents. To do this, he travels to Tokyo to live with them. This enjoyable and quirky series takes viewers on a magical ride with the protagonists. Amidst the magic and brewing secrets, will Makoto and Hatena find something enchanting between them?

10. Nekopara

• Release: January 09, 2020
• IMDB score: 6.2/10

Cute anime like Nekopara is a staple in the community. Kashou Minaduki's plan to start a patisserie named La Soleil quickly becomes a comical and fun adventure with his catgirl companions, Chocola and Vanilla. The romcom anime gets even more interesting as more catgirls enter the picture, and certain characters start developing romantic feelings.

11. Chihayafuru Season 3

• Release: October 23, 2019 (Ongoing)
• IMDB score: 8.2/10

Chihayafuru centres around the Japanese card game, Karuta, in which the three main characters Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata, are all connected to. However, amidst Chihaya's passion for the game and dream of being the best, a love triangle forms among the trio. Will she prioritize her dream or her heart?

12. Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai? Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen Season 2 (Kaguya sama: Love is War)

• Release: April 2020
• IMDB score: 8.4/10

Love is war for student council president Miyuki and her vice president, Kaguya. Although everyone regards the pair as the 'perfect couple,' they are not together. However, both characters use their wit and various tricks and antics to get the other to confess their feelings. In this game of pride, whoever confesses first is the loser.

13. Kanojo, Okarishimasu (I'd like to Borrow a Girlfriend)

• Release: July 2020
• IMDB score: 7.3/10

In one of the best romance anime series, fans learn how heartbreak can lead someone to do crazy things. In his state of devastation, broken-hearted Kazuya calls up a rental girlfriend to ease the pain of having his heart crushed.

He matched with the seemingly perfect Chizuru, who he finds out to be a sassy gal in real life. In a sudden turn of events, Kazuya is forced to convince his grandmother that his girlfriend-for-a-day is his actual significant other.

14. Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru Kan Season 3 (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, My Youth Romantic Comedy is Wrong as I expected)

• Release: April 2020
• IMDB score: 7.9/10

This is another fantastic romantic comedy anime to watch whenever you want a touch of both. As the final arc of the popular series, fans will be seeing more of the cynical Hachiman Hikigaya and his ironic story of being in the school's Volunteer Service Club.

Together with club members Yui and Yukino, Hachiman slowly opens up his socially awkward self to help others while experiencing some romance.

15. Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki

• Release: January 8, 2021
• IMDB score: 7.1/10

Professional and exceptionally talented gamer Tomozaki Fumiya doesn't fit in, but he wants to. He tries everything, but the real world seems impossible to hack. Fortunately, he gets the help of another seasoned player, Aoi Hinami, that gives him the experience he desires. It is a great romantic comedy anime that you can binge-watch on a free weekend.

16. Yesterday wo Utatte (Sing 'Yesterday' For Me)

• Release: April 2020
• IMDB score: 7.0/10

After graduating from university and having no luck with regular jobs, a frustrated Rikuo Uozume becomes a convenience store employee. During this time, he meets two significant women in his life. These are his former crush and university classmate, Shinako, and a girl with a crow for a pet, Haru. As the love triangle forms, just how much will Rizuo's simple life change?

17. Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumei Shitemita (Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove it)

• Release: January 11, 2020
• IMDB score: 6.9/10

Can science answer something as complicated as the emotion of love? Scientists Shinya and Ayame share mutual romantic feelings and are putting their relationship under an experiment to see results. As love and scientific theories merge in the process, the couple will see their emotions and perhaps find the answers they are looking for.

18. Nami yo Kiitekure (Wave, Listen to Me!)

• Release: April 2020
• IMDB score: 7.0/10

After going on a drunken rant about her pain and heartbreak, Minare finds her dialogue being broadcasted on the radio the next day. She is invited to work at the station, and her story begins. The anime love story paints emotions in the only way radio can.

19. Kyokou Suiri (In/Spectre)

• Release: January 11, 2020
• IMDB score: 6.7/10

Does a mediator between the spirit and the human world deserve love? When she was just 11, Kotoko became the Yokai world's God of Wisdom whom the yokai consulted with their problems. One day, she meets Kuro, a university student.

Seeing as this was her chance for love, she asked him for help in her duties as a mediator in hopes of getting to know him better and marrying him one day.

20. Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway

• Release: April 5, 2021
• IMDB score: 8.1/10

This love anime story is about an office worker who takes in a runaway school girl. Although they have a significant age difference and different personalities, they create a strong bond. Can it last?

Love is a complicated emotion with many interpretations. Among the best romance anime movies and television series, which sub-genre appeals to you the most? Do you prefer one with comic relief or one that is all about romance and the gradual connection between two people?

Are you searching for the best fantasy anime movies to watch? Kami.com.ph featured an exciting collection possessing the most amazing ones in the sub-genre that would most likely interest you.

Fantasy anime is an excellent way of escaping from reality using characters that you idolize. That is why the sub-genre has gradually become a fan favourite, as it is enthralling and fascinating to watch.

Source: KAMI.com.gh