Summary
- The best anime boys bring magical moments with pure hearts and relatable qualities, leaving a lasting impact.
- These boys stand out due to emotional vulnerability, unconditional support, and memorable gestures.
- Romance anime shines with characters like Takumi Usui, Ritsuka Uenoyama, Ryuuji Takasu, and Tamaki Suoh.
Great anime boys are just magical, really, the ones that make your heart go flutter when they first enter the scene, tender and endearing but still clumsy and honest, and with a pure heart. Romance anime is all about chemistry, but it is sometimes these best boys who are what fuels the repeat viewing time and again. Be it their emotional vulnerability, their support at all costs, or their cute gestures, these characters embody the art of being memorable.
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These aren't just fan favorites, but also the boys who have captured the hearts of their fans over time with their love, devotion, and maturation. These ten best boys are as diverse as possible in terms of personalities, yet they share one common trait: they made romance anime feel real, powerful, and worth falling into. Whether you prefer swoon-worthy charmers or the introspective and boyishly sweet, they all show that love in anime is just as memorable as the real thing.
Note that only 100% romance anime will be considered.
10 Takumi Usui - Maid Sama!
The Golden Standard of “He’s Only Like That With Me!”
Maid Sama!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2010 - 2010-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Ayumi Fujimura, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Shiibashi Kazuyoshi, Kana Hanazawa, Yu Kobayashi, Kenichi Suzumura, Riyama Takuya, Kaori Ishihara, Mariya Ise, Kana Asumi, Aki Toyosaki, Kohsuke Toriumi, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Takuma Terashima, Atsushi Abe, Mitsuhiro Ichiki
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Japanese Title
- Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Hiro Fujiwara
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.99
Takumi Usui is the quintessential heartthrob, the guy that can inexplicably be cool as can be one second, and a hopeless romantic the next. Be it saving Misaki out of trouble or using that boyish grin to mess with her, he does it with a lot of ease, and he makes falling in love like a breeze. However, his quick wittiness and good looks are not the only factors that make him so unforgettable; it is his incredibly caring nature underneath the physical appearance. He never lets Misaki out of his sight, allowing her to do what she wants, but he never withholds when it is necessary.
And to tell the truth, romance anime would never be the same without having an affectionate rooftop scene, those jealous glances, those quiet occasions when the guy lets her notice that he has a soft side, and Maid Sama! Does that wonderfully. Not only does Usui stand by Misaki, but he also falls in love with all of her, even her flaws. He brings the bar ever higher as to what romance can become: an ideal combination of mystery, pranks, and emotional gentleness.
9 Ritsuka Uenoyama - Given
Sometimes Love Finds You When You’re Not Looking
Given
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2019 - 2019
- Network
- Fuji TV
- Directors
- Akiyo Ohashi
- Cast
- Shogo Yano, Yuma Uchida, Masatomo Nakazawa, Takuya Eguchi, Fumiya Imai
- Writers
- Yuniko Ayana
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Lerche
- Producers
- Miho Matsumoto
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Natsuki Kizu
- IMDb ID
- tt10479420
- Number of Episodes
- 11
- Streaming Service(s)
- Cruncyroll
- TMDB User Rating
- 8.6
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.30
It was not as if Ritsuka Uenoyama was in search of love - he simply wanted a place to nap, quiet. However, something in him changes when he encounters Mafuyu, a boy whose voice can touch hearts. Instead of a rushing romance, Ritsuka learns to appreciate everything slowly, learning and loving it through small acts and the music they play together. It is the experience of seeing him fall in love like hearing music, first gentling and then strong and memorable.
The difference between Ritsuka lies in his sheer loveliness. He stumbles, he ponders, and even creates distance. But that vulnerability? This is what makes him so appealing. Viewers are rewarded with an emotional close-up of pure love as he opens his heart and figures out how to love without being afraid. He is not only among the greatest boys, but also one of the most relatable ones.
8 Ryuuji Takasu - Toradora!
The Mean-Looking Guy Who Cares Too Much, And That’s Everything
Toradora!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2008 - 2009
- Directors
- Tatsuyuki Nagai
- Writers
- Mari Okada
- Cast
- Erik Scott Kimerer, Cassandra Lee Morris, Christine Marie Cabanos, Johnny Yong Bosch, Erika Harlacher
- Franchise(s)
- Toradora!
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Yuyuko Takemiya
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Tubi
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.05
- Creator(s)
- Yuyuko Takemiya
Ryuuji Takasu is evidence for the fact that not everything is judged by the first impression. His menacing stare and inaccurate reputation frighten others, who presume to know him the worst. Strip away that tough shell, though, and what you are left with is golden boyfriend material. He is a cook, a cleaner, he is super-caring, and what is more important, he respects all those people, Taiga being the one, in particular. Ryuuji is not somebody who runs after love blindly. Instead, he cultivates it by every good act.
The actual sense of magic in Ryuuji is the process of his love affair with Taiga. It is not imposed or glitzy in any way; it is emotional, awkward, hysterical, and painfully true. All the cringeworthy encounters, all the subtle conversations, create a bond that seems justified. Ryuuji does not attempt to be perfect; he simply tries his best, and sometimes this is enough to convince everyone around them.
7 Tamaki Suoh - Ouran High School Host Club
The Drama King Who’d Give You the World
Ouran High School Host Club
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2006 - 2006
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Takuya Igarashi
- Writers
- Yoji Enokido
- Franchise(s)
- Ouran High School Host Club
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Bones
- Japanese Title
- Ouran Koukou Host Club
- Based On
- Manga
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.16
- Creator(s)
- Bisco Hatori
Tamaki Suoh is a mixture of confusion, drama, and glamour, all in one flamboyant blonde bundle, but there is so much more than what comes under the pretty boy look with princely finesse. His theatrics and extreme expressiveness of affection will make him quite memorable, but his heartfelt care towards others presents him with a place among the best boys in romance anime. Tamaki, beneath the surface, is sensitive, selfless, and emotionally deep.
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The thing about Tamaki that is so endearing is the way he loves, not only Haruhi, but all members of the host club as well. He considers people to be beautiful and makes a point of bringing happiness to the lives of people. And his relationship with Haruhi? It is sweet, comical, and quite thought-provoking. As characterized by both a heart and a laugh, it is entertaining to watch Tamaki grapple with her emotions and gradually realize them.
6 Yuki Sohma - Fruits Basket
Learning That Being Loved Doesn’t Make You Weak
Fruits Basket
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 5, 2001
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Studio Deen
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Natsuki Takaya
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.69
Yuki Sohma seems to be the epitome of perfection, with his graceful and level-headedness, as well as his ideal picture as the student prince of the school. However, Yuki Sohma has a pain inside of him, a scarred heart. Having been raised in an atmosphere of emotional neglect and the Sohma family curs e, Yuki wanted more than love: he wanted to feel safe and secure. When Tohru comes into his life, she acts as a beacon of light, someone who does not treat him as a symbol of a particular problem, but as a human being. It is her kindness that makes him start piecing himself together.
The thing is, what makes the arc of Yuki so powerful is the way his love evolves. In the beginning, he feels that he is in love with Tohru, and he is holding on to this situation regarding being rescued. However, as he matures, he detects that it is not a romantic love but the affection of one who has so longed to give him mother-like care and acceptance. The realization to move on, beyond that illusion, and to be strong enough to find the future, is one of the most straightforward and tearful scenes in the series. Yuki is not just growing up but transforming.
5 Kakeru Naruse - Orange
Love Means Showing Up—Even When It Hurts
Orange
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2016
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Telecom Animation Film, TMS Entertainment
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Ichigo Takano
- Number of Episodes
- 13
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.62
- Creator(s)
- Ichigo Takano
Kakeru Naruse is the type of character that remains in the mind of viewers even after the credits. He jokes along with his friends and manages to smile despite his pain and does anything he can to smile and be okay, yet beneath the surface, he is anything but. His relationship with Naho is problematic and hesitant, with lots of unarticulated feelings and remorse. But it is that which makes it so strong: It is a love story, and it hurts to be true.
Kakeru is not an idealist, and he does not want to be. However, it is hard not to root for him when he allows himself to become vulnerable, when he opens up and talks about his guilt, his fears, and his hope. His connection with Naho is gentle, in silent moments that eloquently tell more than any revelation. One of the strengths of Kakeru is the way in which he just keeps on, even in spite of the sense of heaviness in the world.
4 Kousei Arima - Your Lie in April
Love That Gave Music Back Its Color, And Music That Gave His Life Meaning
Your Lie in April
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2015
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Kyohei Ishiguro
- Writers
- Takao Yoshioka
- Franchise(s)
- Your Lie in April
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Japanese Title
- Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Naoshi Arakawa
- Number of Episodes
- 22
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.64
- Creator(s)
- Naoshi Arakawa
The world of Kousei Arima is black and white until Kaori appears in his life and adds color to all the angles. Traumatized by his own experiences as a child prodigy, Kousei can hardly speak out again, in music and among people. Yet his stepping stones back towards music are also stepping stones back into love, painful, breathless love, and love to remember. His attraction to Kaori is not too forced or too demonstrated, and it grows with each note he plays, each tear upon his face.
The deep feelings of Kousei are what make him remarkable. He does not fear separation as long as it allows him to be true. He finds out not only how to play but how to live through his love for Kaori. Kousei has a beautiful and painful love story, but it is his unbreakable heart that makes him one of the most beloved boys in the anime.
3 Takeo Gouda - My Love Story!!
A Giant With The Gentlest Soul, He’ll Fight a Bear and Still Make You Snacks!
My Love Story!!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 8, 2015
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Japanese Title
- Ore Monogatari!!
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Kazune Kawahara
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.90
Takeo Gouda shatters all the stereotypes surrounding men similar to his appearance and throws them away with his large arms. His imposing physique and aggressive appearance normally make him an afterthought in romance. However, since the time he encountered Rinko, everything has been different. Takeo does not attempt to conceal his nature. He is loud, burning, more than good-hearted, and utterly head-over-heels. And to see him fall in love is like a puppy getting to feel joy and seeing it for the first time in his life.
The fact that Takeo is so pure is what makes him so special. He never questions Rinko whether she loves him or not. He never acts cool; he simply loves her. In a genre filled with tsundere and fumbling confessions, that kind of honesty is amazingly refreshing. It is Takeo who demonstrates that love has nothing to do with appearance; it is simply a question of sincerity, and he is not short of this.
2 Miyamura Izumi - Horimiya
He’s Not What He Seems—He’s So Much More
Horimiya
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2021 - 2021-00-00
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- CloverWorks
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Hero
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.19 (Season 1)
Miyamura Izumi is a walking contradiction but a good one; on campus, he is quiet and reserved, but off campus, he is pierced and tattooed and full of love. What starts as a chance encounter with Hori transforms into one of the most healthy, emotionally firm romances in anime. Miyamura does not mind revealing the vulnerable side of himself, and that is exactly the best thing about him: He is so lovable.
It is not only the physical change he undergoes, but also emotional as well. As his character gains confidence, becomes more open, and appears more willing to commit to the idea of love, the audience gets to experience the kind of romance that does not appear to be forced, but rather, merited. Each smile, each modest declaration of secrets, is like a prize. Miyamura's tender heart and his tremendous loyalty towards his girlfriend qualified him not only as a good boyfriend but as a boyfriend of dreams for many.
1 Kyo Sohma - Fruits Basket
When Anger Is Just Hurt, That’s Been Left Alone Too Long
Fruits Basket
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Seasons
- 3
- Studio
- TMS Entertainment
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Natsuki Takaya
- Number of Episodes
- 63
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.22 (Season 1)
The best boy is Kyo Sohma, and that is not because he makes no mistakes, but because he is most wonderful and thoroughly human. He gets violent, makes a fool of himself, and shoulders more blame than a man ought to. However, through all of that, he still loves passionately. His connection to Tohru is the emotional center of Fruits Basket, and seeing their relationship slowly blossom is beyond stunning. All emotional outbursts, all embarrassed smiles, all tear-stained confessions: Kyo lays it all on the table.
His is a story of redemption, healing, and the greatest type of love. He also gets to forgive himself, to release fear, and to think he can be happy. And when he falls in love, he falls into it in spite of his fragmented pieces. He falls into it because of them. Kyo is not a simple best boy; he is the soul of a whole generation of romance anime fans.
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