Introduction
Romantic anime is a subgenre that has captured the hearts of viewers all over the world. The story of a popular boy who falls for a quiet girl is a prevalent trope in this type of fiction. Audiences tend to connect with this tale structure because it depicts a realistic interplay between two protagonists who, at first seem, couldn’t be more dissimilar.
This blog post will discuss 12 romantic anime in which a popular boy develops feelings for a reserved girl. Not only do these anime include touching love stories, but they also have well-rounded characters, nuanced emotions, and themes that anybody can relate to.
This list has something for everyone, whether you’re an anime expert or just searching for a new romantic series to binge. Let’s delve into the realm of boy-meets-girl couples in anime and see where their stories take us.
Net juu no Susume
Moriko Morioka, a 30-year-old woman, quits her work to become a full-time NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and plays the online MMORPG game Fruits de Mer in the anime “Net-juu no Susume,” also known as “Recovery of an MMO Addict.”
Hayashi, a prominent and attractive gamer, turns out to be Yuta Sakurai, a real-life guy she meets in-game. Moriko, an introvert in real life, develops a love for Hayashi because she experiences a surge of confidence and extroversion when playing the game.
Their friendship grows stronger as they spend more time together in the game and real life, but they have a hard time opening up to one another about who they are. This anime delves into issues of virtual and actual isolation, as well as the difficulties of forming and maintaining connections.
An endearing and approachable romance animation, “Net-juu no Susume” demonstrates the power of virtual connections and the value of taking chances on love.
Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji
The protagonist of the romantic comedy anime “Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji,” or “Wolf Girl and Black Prince,” is a high school student named Erika Shinohara who tells her peers that she has a boyfriend. She snaps a snapshot of an unknown man and passes it off as her lover when her friends demand to meet him.
Kyoya Sata, the mysterious stranger in the photo, is shown to be an attractive and well-liked student at her school. Kyoya, however, is unwilling to let Erika off the hook so lightly and only agrees to play the role of a boyfriend if she agrees to become his “dog.”
Erika begins to develop genuine feelings for Kyoya as she tries to negotiate their phony relationship. Kyoya, meanwhile, begins to feel something for Erika but is unable to show it because he is so guarded and deceptive.
The story of “Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji” centers on the difficulties of juggling one’s desires with the expectations of others, as well as the importance of being honest and trustworthy. Those who enjoy romantic comedies with multidimensional protagonists will love this anime.
Watashi Ga Motete
Kae Serinuma is a high school girl who spends all of her free time reading and watching romantic comedy anime about boys named “Watashi ga Motete,” or “Kiss Him, Not Me.”
Kae feels so upset over the death of her favorite anime character that she undergoes extreme weight loss and transforms into a conventionally attractive woman. Four males, Yuusuke Igarashi, Nozomu Nanashima, Hayato Shinomiya, and Asuma Mutsumi, notice her change.
Kae has trouble deciding which of the boys she likes best and whether or not to pursue a relationship with him because of her mixed feelings. Kae’s timid and introverted personality contrasts sharply with the boys’ bold and assured demeanor, making for some hilarious and touching scenes throughout the anime.
The characters in “Watashi ga Motete” wrestle with issues of self-acceptance, body positivity, and the complexity of interpersonal relationships. For those who enjoy romantic comedy and slice-of-life stories, this anime is a must-watch.
Kamigami no Asobi
In the romantic fantasy anime “Kamigami no Asobi,” high school girl Yui Kusanagi finds herself mysteriously transported to an academy for gods. Yui’s job at the academy is to educate the gods on human feelings and romantic love.
Balder Hringhorni, one of the gods, is a handsome and well-liked student who at first rejects Yui’s efforts to teach him about love. Balder initially has no feelings for Yui, but that changes as they spend more time together.
When Yui teaches Balder and the other gods about human emotions, she gains a deeper understanding of those emotions herself. Love, self-discovery, and the strength of emotional relationships are all explored in “Kamigami no Asobi,” a charming and uplifting romance anime. Fans of the fantastic and romantic should not miss this anime.
Kotoura-san
Romantic drama anime “Kotoura-san” follows the life of high school girl Haruka Kotoura, who can understand people’s thoughts. Haruka’s ability has prevented her from making friends and has caused her to be bullied at school.
She eventually encounters a boy named Yoshihisa Manabe who can’t be read by her mind. Manabe is gregarious and outgoing, and he encourages Haruka to branch out and make new acquaintances.
Haruka and Manabe’s budding romance stems from their deepening friendship. However, Haruka has difficulty trusting and opening up to Manabe because of her past traumas and issues with her ability.
‘Kotoura-san’ is a heartfelt and moving romance animation that delves deep into topics like trauma, trust, and self-, and other-acceptance. Fans of love dramas and storylines that deal with serious topics will appreciate this anime.
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
Yuuta Togashi, the protagonist of the romantic comedy anime “Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!,” experienced “chuunibyou,” also known as “middle-school second-year syndrome,” in his younger years. This condition causes affected individuals to behave in a delusional manner, believing that they possess superhuman abilities.
Yuuta, now a freshman in high school, is making an effort to shed his chuunibyou identity and fit in with his other students. Meeting Rikka Takanashi, a girl who is still in the thick of her chuunibyou phase, throws a wrench into his plans.
Yuuta develops affection for Rikka and becomes increasingly immersed in her distorted reality as their relationship progresses. They help one another through their feelings for one another and their fascination with fantastical stories.
A lovely and playful romantic anime, “Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!” deals with issues of self-acceptance, maturing, and the efficacy of the imagination. If you enjoy romantic comedies and tales that combine imagination and reality, you will love this anime.
Itazura na kiss!
The protagonist of the classic romantic comedy anime “Itazura na Kiss!” is Kotoko Aihara, a clumsy and unremarkable high school girl who has secretly had a long-standing crush on the school’s most clever and popular male, Naoki Irie.
Kotoko is repeatedly put down and ignored by Naoki, despite her efforts to get his attention. Yet, Kotoko moves into Naoki’s home and enrolls at the same university as him after a series of bizarre incidents.
Kotoko and Naoki’s relationship grows stronger as they spend more time together and learn more about each other. Naoki has trouble admitting his affection for Kotoko because of his own self-doubt and high standards.
Love, self-improvement, and the value of sticking with something despite setbacks are all topics that “Itazura na Kiss!” tackles with warmth and humor. If you enjoy classic romantic comedies and plots with solid character development and a good dosage of comedy, you will love this anime.
Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo
Sorata Kanda, the protagonist of the romantic comedy anime “Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo,” is a high school student who, after being unable to care for a stray cat he found on the streets, is compelled to relocate to the Sakurasou dormitory.
When Sorata visits Sakurasou, he meets Mashiro Shiina, a gifted but socially uncomfortable artist who has trouble with even the most fundamental of duties. Sorata is drawn to Mashiro despite her eccentricities, and she eventually becomes her carer, guiding her through her time at Sakurasou and encouraging her artistic ambitions.
Sorata and Mashiro’s relationship progresses and they eventually fall in love with one another. Nanami Aoyama, a skilled voice actor who has affections for Sorata, and Jin Mitaka, a fellow student with a tangled history with Mashiro, are two new inhabitants at Sakurasou who complicate their connection.
The romantic comedy “Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo” is about creativity, companionship, and the difficulties of finding one’s place in the world. Fans of romantic comedy, diverse characters, and exciting interpersonal dynamics will love this anime.
Sukitte Ii na yo
The protagonist of the romantic drama anime “Sukitte Ii na yo” is Mei Tachibana, a high school student who has struggled to trust others owing to her own traumatic history.
But when Yamato Kurosawa, the school’s most popular student, takes an interest in her and goes out of his way to befriend her, everything changes.
Mei and Yamato develop romantic sentiments for one another as they spend more time together. Yet they have to overcome a lot of obstacles, like envy, insecurity, and prior traumas.
Trust, self-acceptance, and forgiveness are central themes in the touching romantic anime “Sukitte Ii na yo.” If you like complicated characters and stories about relationships, then you should check out this anime.
Tricks of the Gods
The protagonist of the romantic comedy anime “Tricks of the Gods” is high school student Kouta Shibaki, who develops a crush on his popular classmate Yuka Kusakabe.
Kouta meets a goddess named Kanade after mistakenly calling her into being, and she agrees to help him earn Yuka’s love. Yet Kanade uses unique methods, which frequently include creating disorder and confusion in Kouta’s life.
Kouta’s love relationship with Yuka is problematic, but he’s also starting to feel something for Kanade. A complicated love triangle develops between the three of them.
The anime “Tricks of the Gods” is a humorous look at love, jealousy, and the influence of fate. If you enjoy romantic comedy, the supernatural, or narrative twists, you should check out this anime.
The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior
The protagonist of “The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Conduct,” a high school student named Usa Kazunari, goes into the zany boarding home known as the Kawai Complex.
Usa has a crush on Ritsu Kawai, a bookworm and introvert who stays in the dorm. Usa has trouble expressing his emotions due to Ritsu’s harsh tongue and snarky nature.
Usa is trying to win Ritsu’s heart, but he also has to deal with the other boarders, one of them is the gorgeous but manipulative Mayumi Nishikino, who likes to play mind games with Usa.
A comical and sweet romantic anime, “The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Conduct” tackles issues of friendship, self-discovery, and the difficulties of youthful love. Fans of romantic comedies, as well as storylines with eccentric characters and sharp comedy, will enjoy this anime.
Devils’ Line
Japanese author and artist Ryo Hanada created the Devil’s Line manga series. Between 2013 and 2018, 13 tankobon volumes collected this series from its serialization in the Weekly Morning Two magazine. In 2018, Platinum Vision aired an anime adaptation of the show from April through June.
The story takes place in a universe where vampires (called “devils” in the narrative) coexist with humans but are hidden from public view. The government’s special forces team, the F Squad, is constantly on the lookout for demons in order to preserve humanity.
Yuuki Anzai, a half-demon who is a special agent with the F Squad, is the protagonist. He loses control and becomes angry whenever he comes into contact with human blood, a feature shared by all devils.
In the series, Anzai faces his own challenges while also negotiating the intricate web of interactions between humans and demons. He develops romantic feelings for Tsukasa Taira, a human lady who at first is clueless as to his true identity.
Conclusion
Finally, these twelve romantic anime featuring a popular boy falling for a timid girl are guaranteed to make you swoon. These anime all feature distinctive casts of characters and plots, yet they all center on the trials and tribulations of first love.
These anime are perfect if you’re a sucker for romantic comedies or just want to relax with a feel-good tale. Have some popcorn, settle in, and experience the complexity of young love for yourself.
