Animes are known for offering various kinds of genres, with rich storytelling and beautiful background details. And how can we forget the iconic soundtracks that enhance the all round viewing experience? The blend of unique animation style, diverse genres, compelling storytelling, and strong emotional connections with characters has made anime a beloved and influential medium that fans worldwide enjoy. With beautifully animated visuals, compelling characters, and enchanting soundtracks, romantic anime movies transport us to worlds where love blossoms amidst adversity and where the power of emotions knows no bounds. If you love romance as much as we do, here are a few recommendations for Romantic Anime movies.
1. Your Name
Released in 2016, Your Name is a romantic fantasy film which was written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. Makoto Shinkai is a well-known name in the world of animes. Your Name follows the story of Taki and Mitsuha, two high school students leading separate lives. Their lives take a different turn as they find themselves swapping bodies. This extraordinary phenomenon becomes a norm they must learn how to cope with. As they exchange messages, and notes and leave lasting imprints on each other's lives. They form a strong bond. Despite their efforts to reunite, they are constantly restrainted by physical distance and an inexplicable supernatural force that seems determined to keep them apart. Your Name was commercially a huge success. At times, it is even considered the best romantic Anime.
2. 5 Centimeters Per Second
Another Makoto Shinkai movie. The Japanese romantic drama film, 5 Centimeters per Second was released in 2007. The film follows the story of Takaki Tōno, and his relationship with the girls around him. The film is divided into three segments, from the early 1990s to 2008. 5 Centimeters Per Second beautifully captures the delicate nuances of human relationships, unrequited love, and the longing for connection. The story explores the theme of hope and the realization that some bonds can never be fully restored. The film invites viewers to reflect on how much impact a brief encounter can have on our hearts.
3. I Want To Eat Your Pancreas
The name may sound a bit creepy, but the movie is the complete opposite. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a coming-of-age drama film based on the novel of the same name. A high school boy finds the secret diary of one of his classmates in the hospital waiting room. He discovers that the journal belongs to Sakura Yamauchi, who reveals that she suffers from a fatal pancreatic illness. He helps Sakura fulfill every item on her bucket list before she dies. In turn, he realizes the significance of friendship and gradually embraces the world around him, shedding his emotional barriers.
4. Whisper Of The Heart
Released in 1995, Whisper of the Heart is a Japanese romance film. It is a Studio Ghibli movie. As Shizuku Tsukishima nears the end of her junior high school journey, her aspirations revolve around the world of literature, and her passion for books fuels her dream of becoming a writer. Upon discovering that a particular boy named Seiji has borrowed all her beloved books from the library, Shizuku's path intertwines with his. When their paths cross and they eventually meet, it’s inevitable to develop romantic feelings for each other. With his determination and ambition, Seiji inspires Shizuku to have dreams of her own. In 1995, "Whisper of the Heart" was the highest-grossing Japanese film in the domestic market.
5. Tamako Love Story
Tamako Love Story is a romantic comedy film which was released in 2014. The film explores the blossoming romance between Tamako Kitashirakawa and Mochizou Ōji, two high school seniors and close friends who find their feelings for each other evolving into something more profound. As the specter of impending graduation looms over them, they realize the depths of their emotions for one another. It is a light-hearted film that beautifully captures the nuances of young love, friendship, and the bittersweet transitions of adolescence.
6. Josee, The Tiger, And The Fish
Released in 2020, Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish is a Japanese romantic-comedy film. It is a heartfelt anime film that follows the story of Tsuneo Suzukawa, a 22-year-old marine biology student who encounters Kumiko Yamamura, also known as Josee, a young woman with a disability. Their lives intertwine when Tsuneo becomes Josee's caretaker, and they embark on a transformative journey of love, self-discovery, and breaking free from the confines of their respective worlds. The story is straightforward and sweet, which is why it is so lovable.
7. A Silent Voice
Released in 2016, A Silent Voice is a Japanese drama film. The movie follows the story of a differently-abled girl Shōko Nishimiya, who is bullied by her classmates. Distraught, she transfers to a different school, seeking solace and a fresh start. Several years later, one of her former bullies, Shōya Ishida, overwhelmed with remorse for his past actions, embarks on a journey to seek her forgiveness. Unexpectedly, during the process, he finds himself falling deeply in love with her.
8. Only Yesterday
Released in 1991, Only Yesterday is a Studio Ghibli movie. The movie follows the story of Taeko Okajima, a 27-year-old unmarried woman. To revisit the nostalgic memories of her childhood, she pays a visit to her relatives in the countryside. As she immerses herself in the serene surroundings, memories of her youthful days come flooding back—recollections of the frustrations of math and boys, the onset of puberty, and the awakening of her first feelings of romance. There she meets Toshio, a young and attractive farmer. This meeting leaves Takeo pondering whether she has indeed fulfilled the aspirations she held dear during her formative years. The movie evokes a string of emotions in the viewers.
9. Weathering With You
Weathering with You is a 2019 Japanese romantic fantasy movie. The movie follows the story of Hodaka Morishima, a 16-year-old boy who ran from his rural home to Tokyo. There he meets Hina Amano, an orphan who can control the weather. And befriends her. Together, they face and overcome life's obstacles in a rain-soaked city, forming a deep bond. As their relationship deepens, they struggle with the consequences of Hina's extraordinary power and the sacrifices they must make to protect their love. The movie received generally positive reviews from the critics.
10. Night Is Short, Walk On Girl
Released in 2017, Night Is Short, Walk On Girl is a romantic comedy film based on the novel of the same name. The movie follows a young girl who spends an entire night in Kyoto, partying and meeting different people. Her senior, who is in love with her, follows her all through the night, trying to draw her attention. "Night is Short, Walk On, Girl" is a vibrant and enchanting film that celebrates the beauty of life's unexpected encounters and encourages viewers to embrace the excitement and spontaneity of the present moment.
