whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Romance

The best urban fantasy romance anime you can start from the beginning

25 anime that are both romance and urban fantasy, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Mahoutsukai no Yome, Nagi no Asu kara, Shunkashuutou Daikousha: Haru no Mai.

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The list

1. 1 Mahoutsukai no Yome The Ancient Magus' Bride TV · 2017 · 24 episodes · Wit Studio · #673 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
2. 2 Nagi no Asu kara A Lull in the Sea TV · 2013 · 26 episodes · P.A. Works · #869 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
3. 3 Shunkashuutou Daikousha: Haru no Mai Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring TV · 2026 · 14 episodes · Wit Studio · #1403 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
4. 4 Toumei Otoko to Ningen Onna: Sonouchi Fuufu ni Naru Futari The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife TV · 2026 · 12 episodes · Project No.9 · #1799 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
5. 5 Irozuku Sekai no Ashita kara Iroduku: The World in Colors TV · 2018 · 13 episodes · P.A. Works · #2105 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
6. 6 Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry Chivalry of a Failed Knight TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · SILVER LINK. · #2604 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
7. 7 Tokyo Ravens TV · 2013 · 24 episodes · 8bit · #2662 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
8. 8 Koi wa Sekai Seifuku no Ato de Love After World Domination TV · 2022 · 12 episodes · Project No.9 · #2775 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
9. 9 Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei The Irregular at Magic High School TV · 2014 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #2823 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
10. 10 Koori Zokusei Danshi to Cool na Douryou Joshi The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague TV · 2023 · 12 episodes · Zero-G · #3146 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
11. 11 Sousei no Onmyouji Twin Star Exorcists TV · 2016 · 50 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #3232 on MyAnimeList 71% would recommend
12. 12 Date A Live TV · 2013 · 12 episodes · AIC PLUS+ · #4104 on MyAnimeList 70% would recommend
13. 13 Kimi to Koete Koi ni Naru With You, Our Love Will Make It Through TV · 2025 · 12 episodes · Millepensee · #4173 on MyAnimeList 68% would recommend
14. 14 ChaO Film · 2025 · Studio 4°C · #4272 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
15. 15 Shuffle! TV · 2005 · 24 episodes · asread. · #4885 on MyAnimeList 66% would recommend
16. 16 Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · Lerche · #5329 on MyAnimeList 64% would recommend
17. 17 Oni no Hanayome The Ogre's Bride TV · 2026 · 12 episodes · Colored Pencil Animation Japan · #5588 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
18. 18 Gakusen Toshi Asterisk The Asterisk War TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #5990 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
19. 19 Taimadou Gakuen 35 Shiken Shoutai Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · SILVER LINK. · #6074 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
20. 20 Seiken Tsukai no World Break World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · Diomedéa · #6385 on MyAnimeList 59% would recommend
21. 21 Fate/Prototype OVA · 2011 · 1 episode · Lerche · #7187 on MyAnimeList 55% would recommend
22. 22 Shuffle! Prologue OVA · 2005 · 1 episode · asread. · #7225 on MyAnimeList 55% would recommend
23. 23 Dragon Crisis! TV · 2011 · 12 episodes · Studio Deen · #7315 on MyAnimeList 56% would recommend
24. 24 PetoPeto-san TV · 2005 · 13 episodes · XEBEC M2 · #7610 on MyAnimeList 54% would recommend
25. 25 Absolute Duo TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · 8bit · #8552 on MyAnimeList 50% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. 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. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.