whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

The best romance anime you can start from the beginning

25 romance anime ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen, Howl no Ugoku Shiro, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso.

Recommend me one romance anime

Narrow it down: Comedy 451 · School 345 · Drama 309 · Fantasy 211 · Action 157 · Harem 140 · Sci-Fi 127 · Adventure 119 · Supernatural 112 · Historical 78 · Adult Cast 71 · Love Polygon 63 · Mecha 34 · Mystery 34 · Music 32 · Mythology 32 · Military 31 · Martial Arts 31 · Love Status Quo 27 · Isekai 27 · Reverse Harem 25 · Urban Fantasy 25

The list

1. 1 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal OVA · 1999 · 4 episodes · Studio Deen · #72 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Howl no Ugoku Shiro Howl's Moving Castle Film · 2004 · Studio Ghibli · #80 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
3. 3 Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso Your Lie in April TV · 2014 · 22 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #92 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
4. 4 Nana TV · 2006 · 47 episodes · Madhouse · #124 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
5. 5 Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai I Want To Eat Your Pancreas Film · 2018 · Studio VOLN · #139 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
6. 6 Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei The Tatami Galaxy TV · 2010 · 11 episodes · Madhouse · #140 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
7. 7 Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity TV · 2025 · 13 episodes · CloverWorks · #179 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
8. 8 Prism Rondo Love Through a Prism ONA · 2026 · 20 episodes · Wit Studio · #188 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
9. 9 Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen Kaguya-sama: Love is War TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #233 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
10. 10 Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi Josee, the Tiger and the Fish Film · 2020 · Bones · #251 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
11. 11 Cross Game TV · 2009 · 50 episodes · SynergySP · #259 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
12. 12 Versailles no Bara The Rose of Versailles TV · 1979 · 40 episodes · Tokyo Movie Shinsha · #279 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
13. 13 Super no Ura de Yani Suu Futari Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You TV · 2026 · 12 episodes · Asahi Production · #300 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
14. 14 NHK ni Youkoso! Welcome to the N.H.K. TV · 2006 · 24 episodes · Gonzo · #311 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
15. 15 Katanagatari TV · 2010 · 12 episodes · White Fox · #337 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
16. 16 Sakamichi no Apollon Kids on the Slope TV · 2012 · 12 episodes · Tezuka Productions · #342 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
17. 17 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan Rurouni Kenshin TV · 1996 · 94 episodes · Gallop · #365 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
18. 18 Seihantai na Kimi to Boku You and I Are Polar Opposites TV · 2026 · 12 episodes · Lapin Track · #366 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
19. 19 Tenki no Ko Weathering with You Film · 2019 · CoMix Wave Films · #369 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
20. 20 Hotarubi no Mori e Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light Film · 2011 · Brain's Base · #380 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
21. 21 Tsubasa: Tokyo Revelations Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE: Tokyo Revelations OVA · 2007 · 3 episodes · Production I.G · #384 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
22. 22 Koori no Jouheki The Ramparts of Ice TV · 2026 · 14 episodes · Studio KAI · #390 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
23. 23 Nodame Cantabile TV · 2007 · 23 episodes · J.C.Staff · #392 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
24. 24 Sennen Joyuu Millennium Actress Film · 2002 · Madhouse · #394 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
25. 25 Planetes TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #409 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend

Why this is not MyAnimeList's romance ranking. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks — so there are no second seasons or side stories to work backwards from. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.