Best Shonen Romance Anime

While mostly known for its action subgenre due to shows like One Piece, Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Chainsaw Man taking over the internet, merchandising, and general popularity, the shonen romance anime subgenre has also produced its share of greatness. Similar to how shojo has way more to offer than just romance, shonen is more diverse than it is often given credit for.

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Unlike shojo romance, shonen romance is largely told from the perspective of a male lead. It often features unassuming male characters and female characters who are seemingly "out of their league" or aloof in some way or another. Either that or the male lead falls into a harem.

Let's highlight some of the best shonen romance anime, most of which are good entry-level options to introduce viewers to this side of the demographic.

Updated on August 24, 2024, by Mark Sammut: The Summer 2024 anime season is stuffed with great romances, including a few with shonen origins. While too early to definitively rank among the greatest romance shonen anime, The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies and Pseudo Harem could get there once everything is said and done. Alternatively, The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses Season 2 and 2.5 Dimensional Seduction are both respectable harems with some romantic elements, especially the former.

The article has been updated to include more information about the recommended anime.

6 The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

MAL Score: 7.81

On one rainy day, Amane helps out his cute neighbor, Mahiru, by letting her use his umbrella. Though they've never spoken before, they live alone in apartments next to each other and go to the same high school. Although it may have been an innocent gesture towards the angel next door, she returns the favor by helping Amane around the apartment. With this time spent together, the two get to know each other and Amane realizes he has feelings for Mahiru. Could this situation lead to something more?

A character-driven story that focuses on establishing the main duo's friendship, The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten is a well-done and mature shonen romance anime about two strong but isolated teenagers who learn to lean on each other. Despite most of their scenes involving them talking on a couch, Amane and Mahira are such fully realized characters that the show never even threatens to become dull.

5 Tomo-chan Is A Girl!

MAL Score: 7.82

Tomo-chan Is A Girl! Is a quirky shonen romance that explores Tomo's gender presentation as she wants her oldest friend, Junichirou, to finally see her as a prospective romantic partner. Unfortunately, Junichirou, first and foremost, sees Tomo as a friend and rival. However, when Tomo starts trying on feminine clothes, talking to other boys, and spending more time with her female friends, Junichirou must open up to the fact that Tomo is a girl.

This is a romantic comedy unlike any other. It pits two skilled martial artists against each other in a battle of love. Further, it's a great combination of classic shonen tropes and rom-com fluff, all told from the perspective of a female lead that is atypical of the genre.

4 Your Lie In April

MAL Score: 8.64

Kosei Arimi is a child prodigy pianist with trauma that makes him unable to play the piano anymore. Kaori Miyazono is a genius violinist who plays every song like it's her last. After two years of not playing the piano, Kosei lets Kaori inspire him to take up his instrument again. Your Lie In April is a slice of life romance anime with great music and a heart-wrenching storyline.

Except for one comedy-heavy series, Your Lie in April is probably the most popular shonen romance of all time, a reputation that it more than earns. Although romance plays a part, this anime is more of a coming-of-age drama about characters who are carrying trauma, and the importance of having a support system that can help them refind themselves.

3 Toradora!

MAL Score 8.06

A beloved light novel that spawned a lengthy manga and an iconic anime, Toradora! Has quite a large shadow and a reputation that often proceeds it. The story follows Ryuji Takasu as he navigates high school with the reputation of a delinquent and the heart of a really nice, wholesome person. He ends up running foul of Taiga, a girl who is known for her violent tsundere tendencies. While they initially do not get along, they agree to help each other in their romantic pursuits, a journey that gradually brings them closer together.

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Although dated in some ways, Toradora! Works due to Ryuji and Taiga's slow build towards a romance. Their relationship develops naturally, and by the end of the series, they are 100% believable as a couple.

2 My Dress-Up Darling

MAL Score: 8.17

My Dress-Up Darling masters the combination of ecchi and endearing. It follows Wakana Gojo, a hina doll maker, and Marin Kitagawa, a cosplay wannabe, as they become friends and maybe do something more. Other than in appearance, Marin is not your typical gyaru – she longs for genuine connection with like-minded people, and her open-mindedness allows her to befriend the quiet and isolated Wakana.

Now, season 1 does not fully bring Marin and Wakana together as a couple, which can be somewhat frustrating. However, the anime has done a pretty good job of setting them up for future romance, which will hopefully happen in the announced sequel. Even though they have yet to fully act on their obvious interest, Marin and Wakana are still awesome together, particularly in how supportive they are of each other's passions.

1 Horimiya

MAL Score: 8.20

Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura seem to be complete opposites, but one fateful nosebleed shows them that they have something in common: they are both hiding their true selves from their classmates at school. Horimiya examines the intricacies of navigating high school social life, while also teaching the protagonists that if they give people a chance, they will be more open-minded than they think.

Horimiya's first season is very close to a pure romance, particularly the first seven episodes or so. This part focuses almost exclusively on Hori and Miyamura, two big personalities who play off each other beautifully. Although they make for a cute couple, the anime does not overly idealize them either, showcasing their tendencies to be insecure or hot-headed. Their relationship is surprisingly realistic.

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