Top 30 Best Underrated Romance Anime

 

Romance is one of the most renowned genres in the anime medium. And it very well deserves to be. After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your favourite couple hold hands after 3 seasons.

 

However, as acknowledged and appreciated romance is, it still manages to fall under the radar for many anime fans. Because of the huge number of shows we have in this genre, some incredible pieces end up going unnoticed by a ton of fans.

 

Therefore, to shed some light on such shows, I have created the Best Underrated Romance Anime list. These have some of the most heart-melting stories that you will ever see.

 

I hope you like them.

 

 

 

1. High School DxD

 

 

 

This is a cultured anime, ladies and gentlemen. So make sure that you are prepared for it. The show talks about a guy named Hyoudou Issei who is a massive pervert.

 

One day, when gets a chance to date a girl, he faces misery quite quickly. Why? Because that girl ends up killing him. However, to his luck, he gets revived by Rias Gremory and now he is a devil.

 

He is part of the Gremory peerage and will be serving Rias. However, the question still stands strong. Why did the girl kill Issei? Does he have some magical powers?

 

Maybe he does. And that’s the premise of High School DxD. The show highlights the difference between Infatuation, lust, and love fascinatingly. And that’s why it deserves to be one of the most underrated romance anime.

 

 

 

2. Kanojo, Okarishimasu

 

 

 

The English title of this anime is Rent A Girlfriend. Yeah, you know where it’s going to go. The show talks about a guy named Kazuya who ends up renting a girlfriend after his breakup.

 

This girlfriend is Chizuru Mizuhara and she gives Kazuya the best moments of his life. However, because she isn’t a real girlfriend, Kazuya feels guilty and ends up dating her over and over again.

 

Soon enough, Chizuru ends up getting mixed up with Kazuya’s daily life. And now this couple will be having an intertwined lifestyle for each other. A ton of things take place and they are together now.

 

However, this togetherness may be one-sided. Someone loves the other one. And this is what makes it so entertaining.

 

 

 

3. InuYasha

 

 

 

InuYasha has been a classic ever since it was released. However, it seems to be going under the radar for a ton of people. And it isn’t incorrect to say that you might be one of them.

 

The show talks about a girl named Kagome who was attacked by a Monster out of nowhere. While fighting that monster, she entered the past of Japan. And there, she gets a jewel that allows her to grant any wish.

 

Unfortunately, during the battle, the jewel gets shattered and its shards spread all around the world. Now to make sure that they don’t get in the wrong hands, Kagome is on a mission with a man named InuYasha to gain back all the shards and save the world from any predicament.

 

 

 

4. The Quintessential Quintuplets

 

 

The English title of this anime is The Quintessential Quintuplets. And you will know why I am saying so in just a minute. The premise focuses on a man named Fuutaruou who is quite impressive in his studies.

 

However, he is facing financial difficulties as well. Therefore, when he got the offer to teach 5 students for an incredible fee, he couldn’t say no to it. However, it is only a matter of time before he will have second guesses about himself.

 

Because these students are Quintuplets and all of them are his classmates. This bond is going to be fun. And as long as it lasts, it is going to be quite romantic as well.

 

Make sure that you give it a try.

 

 

5. Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai

 

 

 

In the poignant Japanese animated film “Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai,” also titled “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas,” an unnamed high school student uncovers a profound secret about his popular classmate, Sakura Yamauchi, who grapples with a terminal illness in her pancreas.

 

Despite her condition, Sakura is determined to embrace a normal school life.

 

As the two forge a friendship, their connection deepens through shared experiences and activities from Sakura’s bucket list.

 

The film thoughtfully explores themes of life, death, and the resilience of the human spirit, creating a lasting and meaningful impression on its audience.

 

 

6. Zero no Tsukaima

 

 

 

It may be a fantasy, but it is pretty fantastic. The show talks about a girl named Louise who is quite terrible as a magician. In fact, in her magic school, she is looked upon as a loser when it comes to skills.

 

One day, her class was asked to summon someone as familiar. And our girl Louise summoned a typical Japanese guy. Now this girl who has no skills is stuck with a guy who is anything but special.

 

On the outside, this isn’t the best combination. However, on the inside, this might be what both of these people needed to progress in their lives. And as this progression takes place, romance will do too.

 

Be prepared for that.

 

 

7. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka

 

 

 

This anime is a popular pick when it comes to Isekai. However, it goes under the search when it comes to romance. The show is simple. It talks about a guy who got teleported to a new realm.

 

And here, he is an adventurer who needs to go to dungeons and fight monsters for survival. However, while he fights these monsters, it appears that he comes across a ton of other girls.

 

And this is how he gets close to a lot of people and makes a ton of friends in this new world. The beauty of this series lies in its simplicity and execution.

 

As the show progresses, we get to have the most fun we can imagine. And this is why this show is ranked so high on our list.

 

 

8. Ao Haru Ride

 

 

 

This series is just as simple as it gets. It’s about a very popular romance trope in anime, known as a summer romance. And the way it deals with that trope is brilliant.

 

The show talks about Futaba Yoshioka and Kou Tanaka who have been in a romantic relationship together. However, this isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. They are going to spend time together and have some quality moments as a whole.

 

However, when the time comes to its end, this couple will have to face multiple challenges. And that’s what makes this anime so great. It’s the simplicity and mature nature of this show that makes it an exceptional watch altogether.

 

 

9. Akatsuki no Yona

 

 

 

This anime uses the olden age setting to express the greatness of Women. It talks about a fragile girl named Yona who was the Princess of her kingdom. However, her Kingdom was taken over by her crush and she had no choice but to escape.

 

To take back her Kingdom, she is asked to gather all 4 dragons who have the power to make her strong enough to fight the kingdom. However, for Yona, this isn’t going to be an easy task.

 

And so, with the assistance of Hak, she will be going against some of the most insane places and try to gather the group that will help her gain control of her Kingdom again.

 

This is going to be a fun journey. And I know you know that.

 

 

10. No Game No Life: Zero

 

 

 

Those who have watched No Game No Life may not see the romance in it. However, this movie has some to offer. The basic premise of the show is simple.

 

It is an Isekai where a sibling duo gets teleported to a game world. The good thing is that this duo, named Shiro and Sora, is exceptional at every game.

 

And this is true to the point that they are known as unbeatable in their show. However, in this new world, the games will decide their lives and future. This overpowered duo will try their best to get a hold of their situation as well as this new world they are a part of.

 

And this foundation forms the contents of this movie. It’s a great anime for anyone who wants some dynamic entertainment.

 

 

11. Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry

 

 

 

This premise may make you sweat at first. However, when you watch the series, it’s a lot more entertaining. The anime is set in a world of magic where exceptional magicians reside.

 

One of them is NOT our main character Ikki Kurogane. He is considered a failure in this realm and so, people never looked up to him. However, his life will take even more interesting turns when he gets challenged by an A-rank magician.

 

If our man loses, he has to serve to the A rank forever. It is not about pride anymore. It’s about holding your own against absolute havoc. Will our boy be able to make it through or will he have to become a servant for a superior night?

 

 

12. Kokoro Connect

 

 

 

This is a wholesome yet entertaining series that will keep you hooked for quite a while. The show talks about 5 students who study in the same school. There, they can’t find even a single club that is suited for them.

 

Therefore, they decided to make their club called the Student Cultural Society and that was where it all began. One day, out of nowhere, two of the students ended up switching their bodies for a short period.

 

And after this incident, the group realizes that supernatural things do exist. So now all of them have just one objective. And that is to get a hold of all these supernatural activities and the reason for their occurrence.

 

 

13. Plastic Memories

 

 

 

This anime will break you down from the core. And there’s no denying that. It talks about a guy named Tsukasa who has failed his exams and doesn’t seem to have any other chance open for himself.

 

Therefore, he starts to look for a job and successfully lands one in an organization that creates artificial beings. These beings can only last for around 9 years. And so, when Tsukasa meets Isla, he falls for her immediately.

 

The problem here is that Isla will be bound to death within 9 years. And so, Tsukasa has to make sure that he captures the idea that his relationship with Isla is bound to have a tragic ending.

 

And to endure that ending, he must work his way through it.

 

 

14. Kotonoha no Niwa

 

 

 

The English title of this anime is The Garden Of Words. And this movie is one of the most beautiful pieces of animation you will ever see. The series talks about Takao Akizuki, a guy who wants to be a shoemaker.

 

One day, he skips his class to get some design inspiration in a garden. There, he meets Yukari Yukino who was offered a new shoe by our man. Soon enough, they both started to meet each other for the reason of the shoe in the season of the rain.

 

However, as they meet, they realize that they have opened up a lot to each other. And this is where the bond is formed. However, as the rainy season comes to an end, their bond will be put to a difficult test.

 

 

15. Trinity Seven

 

 

 

This anime is all about mass destruction leading to some unforeseen situations and a ton of fun in the meantime. The series talks about Arata Kasuga who suddenly lost the sun of his world and his entire realm is shattering.

 

However, thanks to a magical book given to him by his childhood friend, he manages to save his realm. Unfortunately, his realm is still in danger and so, he decides to take part in Royal Biblia Academy.

 

And there, he will be meeting 6 other Magical women who will help him out with his world. However, when will this happens and how this will happen are all part of the entertainment that this anime has to offer.

 

Without a doubt, a remarkable ecchi romance.

 

 

16. Byousoku 5 Centimeter

 

 

 

If you have ever been in a long-distance relationship then this movie will shake you from the core. It is a relatively simple story. The show deals with two people.

 

Their names are Toono and Akari. They have been friends since childhood. However, there seems to be distance developed between them because of some other reason. And this is what makes their friendship even more remarkable and outstanding.

 

The show manages to capture the most interesting themes with its narrative. To a lot of people, it might be a slow burner. However, to those who can grasp the essence of it, this movie will be the groundbreaking piece they needed all along.

 

 

17.  Call of the Night

 

 

Kou Yamori, an ordinary middle school student, struggles to comprehend the intricate nature of love and eventually withdraws from school. Plagued by insomnia and a sense of purposelessness, Kou roams the lonely streets at night.

 

During one of his nocturnal excursions, he encounters a peculiar girl named Nazuna Nanakusa, who believes that sleeplessness stems from unfulfilled desires that can only be released through uninhibited actions.

 

Offering to assist Kou with his sleep troubles, Nazuna invites him to her place and suggests they share a futon. Despite feeling uneasy, Kou pretends to sleep, only to be shocked when Nazuna bites his neck, revealing her true identity as a vampire.

 

Initially believing this act will turn him into a vampire, Kou soon learns that the transformation is more complex. To become a vampire, he must be bitten by someone he genuinely loves.

 

Motivated to escape his mundane existence, Kou sets his sights on falling in love with Nazuna and embracing the life of a vampire.

 

 

18. Ookami to Koushinryou

 

 

 

This anime will teach you a ton about economics and life sciences. So be prepared for that. The show talks about a wolf girl named Holo who was worshipped back in the day.

 

But now as people get more and more self-sufficient, her value seems to be decreasing. Therefore, Holo decides to move on in her life and find something better to do.

 

It is then that she ends up meeting a man who will change her life forever. His name is Kraft Lawrence. And Kraft will be taking Holo and venturing out to lands for trade and business.

 

This is how this love story will go. With a ton of money and economics. Quite a unique idea, don’t you agree?

 

 

19. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-Kun

 

 

 

This romantic series is filled with a ton of occurrences that shape the show altogether. It starts with a girl named Chiyo who expresses her feelings to a manga author named Nozaki.

 

However, before being a manga author, Nozaki was a student at Chiyo’s school. And she didn’t know that she was a manga author. Therefore, Nozaki takes Chiyo’s proposal as appreciation for his latest Manga.

 

Time passes by, things happen and now Chiyo is part of Nozaki’s team. And as they try to write the best shoujo manga of all time, they might have some romance developed among themselves as well.

 

And that is going to be the selling point of the show. The incident will change the anime forever.

 

 

20. Masamune-kun no Revenge

 

 

 

The title must have given you a general idea of how things might work in this title. The show talks about a guy named Masamune Makabe who was rejected by a girl in his childhood.

 

However, unlike what most people do, he was a man of quality and standards. Therefore, after facing the devastating rejection from Aki, my man decided to change. He was referred to as Pig by Aki.

 

And now, he has become an absolute Chad. This is what makes this anime so incredible. If you have faced heartbreak, this show will give you the motivation you need.

 

It is all about the drama that takes place when love is overtaken. This is Masamune Kun’s revenge. A great series from 2017.

 

 

21. Hotarubi no Mori e

 

 

 

The show takes place in a magical forest. And that setting gives it the initial boost that it needs. The anime talks about a girl named Hotaru who was lost in the woods while hanging out with her uncle.

 

She ends up with a man named Gin who will disappear if someone touches him. Now Hotaru knows about Gin and so, Gin asks her not to get lost in the woods again.

 

Moreover, Gin also helps her out and tells her to not come again. However, Hotaru still shows up every summer and this is how Hotaru and Gin develop a beautiful friendship that may turn into something extraordinary.

 

However, let’s just say that this wasn’t the ideal situation to take place.

 

 

22. Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia

 

 

Aired from April 11 to July 4, 2023, Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia unfolds a captivating tale centered around high schoolers Ganta Nakami and Isaki Magari, both wrestling with insomnia.

 

Ganta, often irritable, seeks solace in sleep, while Isaki, a popular free spirit, adopts the abandoned astronomy club observatory as her secret haven.

 

Their destinies align when Ganta stumbles upon Isaki napping in this celestial retreat.

 

Recognizing their shared struggle, Isaki generously extends an invitation to share the clandestine spot.

 

Beneath the starlit sky, their shared experiences not only aid in confronting the challenges of insomnia but also draw them closer, turning their joint struggles into a more manageable journey.

 

 

23. Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo

 

 

 

This anime is called The Girl Who Leapt Through Time in the English version. And that title is quite explanatory if you think about it. The show talks about Makoto Konno who somehow ends up with the power to leap through time.

 

That’s right ladies and gentlemen, this girl can get a grasp on time. However, this thing isn’t as fun as it may sound. And Makoto will realize that the hard way as well.

 

The show focuses on Makoto’s attempts to get things together and depicts the importance and presence of Time in every individual’s life. It isn’t easy to change what was written.

 

Because when you try to do so, it always comes with a price. And the price is not affordable at times.

 

 

24. Orange

 

 

 

This romance anime has a strong value and message attached to its narrative. And that’s what makes it even more likable. The show talks about Naho Takemiya who received a rather strange letter during her initial days in high school.

 

The letter claimed to have a request. The request was to save a guy named Kakeru Naruse. And although it seemed fishy at first, when Kakeru showed up, things started to take some interesting turns.

 

And this is why this girl realized that she must take the letter seriously. And now, she is on a mission to make sure that Kakeru doesn’t end up in depression.

 

Or else, we might end up losing an incredible man during his moments of misery and pain.

 

 

25. Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii

 

 

 

This comedy romance anime can make your heart blush for hours. So make sure you give it a try. It talks about a girl named Narumi Momose who is an Otaku and a fujoshi.

 

Now she is part of a job. And that job may not appreciate her being either of these individuals. This is why she vows to hide the fact that she is an Otaku and work her way up.

 

However, things don’t work as simply as they sound. And so, the anime takes some of the most unique turns at times. And makes this entire office comedy series a fun watch altogether.

 

Plus, there’s a chance that some romantic relationships may be developing in the background. Watch them and find out.

 

 

26. Yamada-Kun to 7-nin no Majo

 

 

 

This anime is filled with a ton of reasons for us to enjoy and have a fun time watching it. Romance is just one of them. The show talks about a guy named Ryu Yamada who ends up accidentally kissing a girl from the honor students group.

 

And once they do that, they end up switching bodies. When the member of the Supernatural Studies club comes to know this, things start to take some rather interesting turns.

 

And now, both of these students along with another girl are on their way to find the seven witches in their school. These witches can do things that we normally can’t.

 

And that’s why this anime is going to be a rollercoaster of a ride for all those who are watching it.

 

 

27. Kimi ni Todoke

 

 

 

This anime is a sweet love story that will make your heart melt quite easily. It talks about a girl named Sadako who is known for resembling a character from a series within the premise of the show.

 

This show is called the Ring and it is said to be quite popular in anime. The deal here is that Sadako gets a lot of attention that she doesn’t necessarily appreciate.

 

She wants to live a normal life and make friends. Therefore, she decides to become friends with Shouta Kazehaya. And he is going to be the game-changer for her. It was after his appearance that Sadako started to have somewhat of a normal life.

 

And that’s what makes it so special for her. This man is going to be an interesting individual in the anime.

 

 

28. Accel World

 

 

 

Accel World is a fine series that deserves more love and recognition from the fandom. It talks about a fat boy who is being subjected to bullies in his school.

 

His social life doesn’t seem to have any advantage altogether. However, the one thing he is exceptionally good at is gaming. And so, the vice president of the Student Council asks out for his help to complete a certain game in the show.

 

That game deals with a bunch of people coming together and having a battle with the notion of survival. This is why Accel World is so impressive. It manages to capture a lot of themes with his rather standard narrative.

 

It’s the execution that makes this anime different from the rest.

 

 

29. Kiznaiver

 

 

 

The series talks about pain and agony. However, the way it does it is quite interesting. Kiznaiver is about a boy named Katsuhira who seems to have stopped feeling pain.

 

He is immune to any sort of emotions and his friend Chidori can’t remember the last time he smiled properly. However, things are going to change very soon when Katsuhira, Chidori, and a few more people are called out to be a part of the Kizuna System.

 

In this system, if I feel pain, everyone else will hold the same amount. And this is the beginning of a series of events that will expose every character and their personalities in the purest form out there.

 

That’s the beauty of this anime.

 

 

30. NHK ni Youkoso!

 

 

 

This romance anime may not have romance as its primary genre. However, it does have quite a lot to offer from the background. The show talks about a man named Tatsuhiro who seems to have a bit of trouble with his life.

 

He seems to be fascinated with a secret organization negatively. And now, his mind is entirely messed up about the situation. This anime is a series filled with psychological subtleties and messages that may not have any value immediately.

 

However, in the grand scheme of things, it manages to get things back on track and properly frame the situation. As abstract as it may sound now, the show follows a similar trail altogether.