The Romance Renaissance: Why Love Stories Are Thriving in Anime
Romance anime is having a moment right now. And I’m here for it!
I don’t know what dark hole my psychological thrillers have crawled into to brood, but if they’ve made room for beautifully animated, emotionally gripping love stories, I’m not going to complain.
For years, it felt like romance anime (especially the dramatic, slow-burn kind) was a rare treat. But now, I’m drowning in these stunning, heartfelt series! My Happy Marriage is serving the historical romance drama I’ve been craving, Zenshu is a manga and anime artist’s dream come true (sorry Chainsawman brethren! This one is top priority!), and Blue Box is making love triangles way too pretty to handle. Seriously. Blue Box has no business looking this good. Studio WIT out here flexing. Is it Blue Box Thursday yet?
And that’s just scratching the surface!
There are still so many from the past five years I haven’t even touched yet.
Yubisaki to RenRen (A Sign of Affection) was one of my favorite discoveries last year, not just for the romance but for how beautifully it wove inclusivity into its storytelling. The main character, Yuki, is deaf and communicates using Japanese Sign Language (JSL). The series does an incredible job showing how that shapes her world and relationships. The way the anime uses silence, texting, body language, and expressive animation makes the romance feel so intimate and real. Chef’s kiss.
From left to right: Apothecary Diaries, Blue Box, Zenshu.
Not Into Shoujo? You Should Still Check These Out!
If you haven’t been keeping up with the Romance Renaissance, you’re missing out!
But I get it. Not everyone is into shoujo or traditional romance. I wasn’t for the longest time, and then I got irritated with the lack of relationship development and closure in shows like InuYasha. Luckily, these recent anime have something for everyone, whether you like historical fiction, action, sports, or isekai.
Blue Box – Perfect for anyone who wanted a little more romance in their sports anime. It proves that, even when you're cheering on senpai, you can still play a prominent role in the story. It’s not just about winning and losing, but about sharing and overcoming sports tournaments and the tournament arcs of life together.
My Happy Marriage – I really wish this anime had been named something else because it deserves to blow up. Don’t let the title fool you: this isn’t just about marriage. It’s a Meiji-era historical [magical fiction] drama with youkai attacks, secret cults, and government cover-ups all wrapped in a gorgeously animated, emotional romance from Kinema Citrus. If you liked Rurouni Kenshin or other historical fiction, this is absolutely worth your time. And for those tired of the typical “Oh no! He brushed my hand! blushes for 10 episodes” trope… this one delivers actual relationship development.
The Apothecary Diaries – While I haven’t plunged into this one yet because I don’t think my heart could take on any more heart-pounding dramas, it’s at the top of my list post-winter anime season. It’s got those clever protagonists and gives slow-burn chemistry.
Yubisaki to RenRen – If you love the heartwarming pace and the warmth of Kimi ni Todoke, this is a must-watch. It’s a beautiful, introspective love story about learning to communicate in different ways: literally and emotionally.
Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! – This one leans more toward fantasy isekai slice-of-life than romance, but when the main character takes his isekai elf girlfriend-to-be on casual dates across Japan, it’s peak wish-fulfillment. Not gonna lie… I’m totally just watching this to see beautiful places in Japan. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m zoning out most of the fantasy isekai parts and am, instead, appreciating the glimpses of Sumida, where the main character lives. It’s one of my favorite spots in Tokyo. Feels like home.
Romance Boom & Japan’s Family Growth Initiative
It’s not just anime fans feeling the romance wave! Japan has been actively working on initiatives to encourage people to start families. Right now, Tokyo is the “oldest city” in the world, and Japan isn’t happy about that. But with the salaryman lifestyle and rising costs of home ownership in Tokyo, people just aren’t getting married and having babies. It’s resulting in a declining birthrate for the country. With discussions about a four-day workweek, economic incentives for raising children, and government-backed dating programs, it makes sense that we’re seeing a cultural shift toward more positive, feel-good romance stories. And honestly? If part of the plan is making anime this pretty and heartwarming, they’re absolutely onto something.
Loving this Romance Renaissance as much as I am?
I know I usually tend to lean more toward the action picks, but I couldn’t help myself! I’ve already started adding some of these characters to my Patreon polls, and if you want to see more, let me know! I’m much more likely to include characters that everyone is chirping about, so if you’ve got a favorite, drop a comment on Patreon, Twitter, or Discord and let me know who you want to see next! Your votes help decide what I draw, so let’s keep the romance going!
Join the Sketch & Emote Club on Patreon and cast your vote!
