Best Seinen Romance Anime

Seinen romance manga adaptations are few and far between, with most of the romance genre being occupied by shojo or shonen romances. There is an abundance of shonen romances that will satisfy fans; however, they can often include familiar tropes that get tiring for frequent genre viewers. Seinen romance, on the other hand, tends to deal with more mature themes, often subverting common tropes.

From marriage simulations to homelessness and so-called “mature” harems, seinen romance has a lot to offer despite not being extremely common. There is often a focus on relationship growth and atypical dynamics that aren’t seen in shonen or shojo. Therefore, anyone looking to dip their toes into seinen romance anime should start with these upcoming shows.

Only TV shows, no movies.

Updated on September 7, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Summer 2024 anime season does not really have any seinen romances, except for maybe Why Does Nobody Remember Me in This World? Even then, that anime is primarily action. Consequently, a few older shows have been added that deserve to be mentioned among the best seinen romance anime.

16

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You

MyAnimeList: 7.76

OK, The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You is a better candidate for the best seinen harem or comedy, but it still qualifies as a romance. Due to an act of god, Rentaro ends up with 100 soulmates, all of whom he must make happy or doom to a tragic existence. The ultimate Chad, Rentaro is fully up to the task, and he sets out to start the definitive harem where every girl wins and every trope is invited.

With such a premise, 100 Girlfriends is obviously a parody, and it is a fantastic one at that. However, the anime also works shockingly well as an over-the-top romance. Part of that success comes down to Rentaro’s unflinching dedication to his soulmates, and he genuinely comes across like someone who is in love with each of these partners (and, due to the god element, he is). More importantly, the girls are charming and personable, allowing them to shine as individuals rather than just waifus to be collected like Pokemon. They even have fun relationships with each other.

15

ReLife

MyAnimeList: 7.97

Arata is a 27-year-old NEET with nothing going for him. That is until he’s approached by ReLife, a company that promises to pay his living expenses for a year in exchange for him participating in a test. This test, done on those having difficulty with adulthood, involves going back to high school for a year. Will Arata take advantage of his opportunity to remake his adult life? Or will he flounder away this chance?

Starting high school for the second time isn’t as easy as it sounds. Arata feels out of place, like an impostor. From forgetting a pencil on his first day to having his teacher find cigarettes in his bag, this isn’t a typical romantic dramedy. The romance is subtle and comes second place to existential exploration, although the budding romance between Arata and Chizuru is delightful and eventually takes center stage in the final part of the story.

14

Sing “Yesterday” For Me

MyAnimeList: 6.87

When Rikuo meets a young girl who missed her train, his life changes forever, even if he doesn’t know it yet. Haru Nonaka is a manic-pixie-dream-girl type, with a crow on her shoulder and an aloof attitude. Rikuo has settled for a mediocre life, working at a convenience store, single, and not pursuing his passions.

Together, the two get closer through random meetings on Haru’s schedule, with their age difference being one of two reasons Rikuo is apprehensive about dating her. The other is his long-time crush on Shinako. This romantic drama is a refreshing take on the often perilous love triangle trope, with much angst and a few mature conversations, Rikuo’s decision is at least satisfying.

13

Scum’s Wish

MyAnimeList: 7.12

Hanabi is dating Mugi but has feelings for her sensei, Narumi. Mugi is dating Hanabi but has feelings for his teacher, Akane. Together, Hanabi and Mugi satisfy their physical and emotional needs while longing for people they can’t have. If that doesn’t sound complicated enough, Narumi and Akane have feelings for each other, and Hanabi and Mugi spend their time watching their teachers’ love blossom. This is an intense romantic drama that shows the complicated side of humanity.

Scum’s Wish is rated 16+ on Amazon Prime Video for sexual content, and it earns its rating. Focusing on toxic relationships, this show can get very uncomfortable, especially since none of the characters are particularly likable. However, romance should not always focus on healthy and wholesome dynamics, and Scum’s Wish tells an ambitious and novel story.

12

After The Rain

MyAnimeList: 7.49

Ever since her ankle injury, Akira Tachibana has felt out of place in her once comfortable high school life. She longs for something different. To pass the time, Akira works at a local family restaurant which is managed by 45-year-old Masami Kondo. Masami is a little bit clumsy, but he’s always working hard and has a pure heart. Akira finds comfort in this, using it to find happiness in a time when her joy, running track, was taken from her.

This is an unrequited love story about finding inspiration and happiness in different places. While the age gap can put people off at first glance, this one is worth watching despite this element.

11

Basilisk

MyAnimeList: 7.54

When two leading members of rival shinobi clans fall in love, they must hide their relationships from the rest of the world. Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls is a Romeo and Juliet-esque story about Oboro and Gennosuke, whose destiny is to die at each other’s hands. This action-packed, romantic drama is full of both romance and excellent fight scenes. Though it came out in 2005, the art and animation are top-notch, making it hold the test of time exceptionally well.

Although this is primarily an action seinen, with much of the story following the various battles between the Kouga and Iga clans, Oboro and Gennosuke’s love story is unforgettable. It is steamy and passionate and has much to offer fans of action and romance alike.

10

Arakawa Under The Bridge

MyAnimeList: 7.56

Hotshot and heir to a corporate throne, Kou Ichinomiya is moments away from public indecency as he tries to get his pants back after they were stolen by youths. While at the bridge where his pants are found, Kou meets Nino, a strange woman who is fishing in the area. Kou refuses to be indebted to anyone, but due to a series of unfortunate events, he finds himself in the water needing help from Nino.

As he tries to pay off his debt to Nino, she proposes that the two experience love together in return for her saving his life. Not wanting to owe her anything, Kou tries to assimilate to life under a bridge, surrounded by quirky individuals like Nino. While leaning heavily into comedy, Arakawa Under the Bridge has a surprisingly effective romance between Nino and Kou, both of whom have their worlds expanded by meeting each other. There is an underlying element of sadness too, as Nino is essentially homeless.

9

I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying

MyAnimeList: 7.28 (Season 1)

I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying is a three-minute-long episodic series based on a 4-panel manga series by Coolkyousinnjya. It follows a married couple where one partner is a serious otaku, and the other partner is a non-otaku who is vaguely interested in some manga, anime, and idols. Together they experience otaku culture, largely through the lens of a layperson.

This title is as funny as it is sweet. Kaoru and Hajime love each other a lot and are the perfect pair despite what his fujoshi sister says in her doujinshis. This series features a lot of otaku jargon in it, so fans should prepare to get their otaku dictionaries out.

8

More Than A Married Couple, But Not Lovers

MyAnimeList: 7.59

When two high schoolers are placed together for an assignment that simulates marriage, they’re forced to live and spend time together, doing the thing married couples do to accrue points towards their final grade. That’s not all. If they score high enough they have the possibility of switching partners, which Akari and Jiro are more than keen to do.

This opposites-attract romantic comedy is far from a masterpiece, but the fan service and chemistry between Akari and Jiro will keep fans engaged despite the premise. Both characters grow quite a bit throughout the series, particularly Akari; furthermore, More Than A Married Couple, But Not Lovers does a pretty good job with its secondary characters as well.

7

My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU

MyAnimeList: 8 (Season 1)

Commonly known as Oregairu, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU is a rather unique seinen drama. While containing all the makings of a traditional romcom, the anime dives deep into the thought process behind the characters’ actions, all the while being fairly subtle. Oregairu is, ultimately, about three closed-off teenagers who become friends and gradually learn to open up.

However, this peaceful normal is threatened by their awareness of a love triangle, with all the characters realizing that their current situation would be changed if they acted upon their emotions. It is an interesting dynamic that is explored well throughout the three seasons.

Oregairu can be a touch divisive, especially the sequels. While the original season leans quite heavily into comedy, the second and (especially) third seasons are almost exclusively dramas with an emphasis on romance. There is nothing wrong with that, but it can be disappointing depending on a viewer’s preferences. Fortunately, Hachiman, Yuki, and Yui are great throughout the series.

6

Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf

MyAnimeList: 8.02

Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf was picked solely due to being the more recent version; that said, the 2008 version is also great and has the same level of quality.

Spice and Wolf is an all-time great light novel, one that spawned a long-running seinen manga and two anime adaptations. Both of the latter are worth watching, but newcomers are more likely to stumble upon Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf due to recency bias. Regardless of which version somebody watches, they will find an enchanting fantasy anime spearheaded by two enigmatic protagonists who are both surprisingly relatable. As a traveling merchant with ambitions of opening his own shop, Lawrence is fairly “grounded,” at least within his universe. However, his life takes a turn when he stumbles upon the Wise Wolf, Holo, and agrees to take her back to her home.

Holo is the main reason to watch Spice and Wolf. Putting aside her sheer magnetic personality, she is incredibly three-dimensional, showing plenty of positive traits alongside negative ones that help make her feel real rather than idealized. Lawrence and Holo have a strong dynamic right from the start, and their slow-burn romance is completely earned.

5

Maison Ikkoku

MyAnimeList: 8.19

A beloved classic based on a manga by the accomplished Rumiko Takahashi, Maison Ikkoku presents a fairly mature take on romance, albeit with a healthy helping of misunderstandings. Yusaku Godai is in love with Kyoko Otonashi, who is two years his senior and also mourning the recent death of her husband.

Due to a lack of confidence and still being a college student, the 20-year-old guy cannot quite get himself to confess to Kyoko; in turn, the latter continuously struggles to balance her interest in Godai with a feeling of commitment to her deceased partner. At nearly 100 episodes, Maison Ikkoku is long, especially for a romance. However, the anime makes good use of its time, allowing most of its characters to develop and change considerably.

4

Insomniacs After School

MyAnimeList: 8.08

One of the best romance anime of 2023, Insomniacs After School is a very good adaptation of a brilliant manga. Ganta and Isaki both suffer in silence from insomnia, but their solitude is broken when they discover each other. Deciding to form an Astronomy Club to keep the observatory to themselves, the two lovable leads steadily grow closer to each other, and their relationship’s development is quite realistic.

Insomniacs After School moves at a fairly slow pace, and the anime makes sure to properly define Ganta and Isaki as individuals before demonstrating their potential as a couple. The manga is, by far, the best way to experience this story, but the adaptation is great in its own right.

3

My Dress-Up Darling

MyAnimeList: 8.20

My Dress-Up Darling could have been riddled with tired clichés and tropes, but the anime (and manga) manages to take a standard formula and craft something familiar but satisfying. Ever since he was ridiculed for his love of hina dolls, Gojo has largely kept to himself; however, one day, his passion is exposed by Marin, a popular girl who loves cosplay.

Rather than make fun of her classmate, she embraces his hobby and asks him to team up with her so they can create outfits. (Mostly) wholesome and featuring a winning duo in Marin and Gojo, My Dress-Up Darling is an absolute delight that is a must-watch for romance fans or anyone interested in cosplay.

2

Wagnaria!!

MyAnimeList: 7.64 (Season 1)

Known more commonly by the title Wagnaria!!, Working!! is a workplace romantic comedy and slice-of-life anime that follows a group of quirky coworkers as they go through their days working at a family restaurant chain. While the story follows various potential relationships and crushes, it’s actually light on romance that develops into something more than a crush or a fling.

With that being said, romance fans will enjoy the show if they’re looking for something light and less intense than many of the romances mentioned previously. Working!! has three seasons, with the tone gradually transitioning from pure comedy to almost a full-blown romance.

1

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

MyAnimeList: 8.41 (Season 1)

Unquestionably the most popular seinen romance anime of all time, Kaguya-sama: Love is War deserves all of its acclaim. Shuchiin Academy’s student council is led by Miyuki and Kaguya as the president and vice president respectively. While they are both in love with each other, their competitive natures force them to constantly engage in psychological warfare to try and force the other person to confess their feelings first. As they try to one-up each other, they gradually start to realize that they are wasting their potential time together.

Kaguya-sama: Love is War‘s opening two seasons primarily focus on comedy (and some drama); however, the anime leans heavily into romance after that, to the point of essentially shifting toward that genre. Regardless of whether it is trying to make viewers laugh or cry, Kaguya-sama always nails it.