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Three popular high school romance anime
Kimi ni Todoke, Given, Horimiya (Image via Games Horizon)

12 anime shows to watch if you like high school romance

Priya MajumdarBy 9 Mins Read Anime

Romance is good, but high school romance is a genre in itself. While the coming-of-age story appeals to adult viewers for its nostalgic element, the romance in the high school setting is often seen as an imaginary respite that may or may not coincide with them. As for teenagers or even younger audiences, the high school romance plays out a part in shaping ‘what could be.’ Aside from that, high school romances provide tooth-rotting sweetness that never ages even when one is well past school. 

Perhaps that’s where the beauty of it lies, where the romance binds the viewers together with characters in high school romance. So, on the topic of a theme that remains evergreen, here are a few anime that provide the cutest romance between two classmates. While the love stories have their own up-and-downs, they don’t overwhelm the viewers with complications, leading to a sweet, sweet union that leaves the viewers satisfied with the outcome.

Given, Horimiya, and 10 other adorably cute high school romance anime series

1. My Little Monster

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The appeal of My Little Monster is the eccentric relationship between tsundere high schooler Shizuku Mizutani and her hyperactive and jovial classmate, Haru Yoshida. The ambitious and emotionless Shizuku fits into the mold of the classic heroine who doesn’t show any interest besides studying, but this changes with Haru. Interestingly, she develops interests in Haru’s lack of understanding in the complexities of human relationships, as she sees that despite being outwardly violent, he’s a softie at heart. And when Haru confesses his feelings for Shizuku, well, she goes through her own inner journey to reciprocate his love and gets to understand the nature of human emotions that she herself ignored.

2. Maid Sama!

Takumi Usui and Misaki Ayuzawa in Maid Sama!
Takumi Usui and Misaki Ayuzawa in Maid Sama! (Image via J.C. Staff)

The newly reformed Seika High from an all-boys school to a co-ed institution sees the student council president Misaki Ayuzawa taking the reins to make the school a better place for girls. Although highly respected and feared among her male peers, the hardworking Misaki has a secret – she works at a maid cafe. Surprisingly, this was first discovered by popular student Takumi Usui. This begins a sweet and fun tale of friendship between the two as it gradually blooms into romance. The best part about this anime has to be Takumi, whose charming persona and light hearted teasing/flirting not only wins Misaki’s heart but its viewers as well. 

3. Kaguya Sama Love Is War!!!

Yet another hilariously absurd drama straight from Shuchiin Academy, the competitive love between student council president Miyuki Shirogane and vice president Kaguya Shinomiya is not a hard miss. Hailing from opposite ends of social hierarchy, somehow the two find it difficult to confess to each other since the duo believes that whoever admits their feelings to the other, they would “lose.” But they are not alone in this comedic narrative as student council members Yu Ishigami, Chika Fujiwara, and Miko Ino dabble the plot with their equally absurd actions, quips, and motivations.

4. Horimiya

The sweet high school romance between Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura is a product of their gradual change in their relationship over a short span, starting with being classmates/strangers, friends, and then lovers. Horimiya, which is a portmanteau of ‘Hori’ and ‘Miya’ from Miyamura, follows the smart and popular female lead being in contrast with the gloomy looking Miyamura. However, this soon changes when Souta, Kyouko’s brother, returns home with a nosebleed and is accompanied by Izumi. Now, their appearances at the point is quite a shock for the two and so they decide to hide their true identities. As is common with high school romances, their journey in learning more about each other leads them to understand and explore the concept of love as well.

5. Ouran High School Host Club

Haruhi Fujioka and Tamaki Suoh in Ouran High School Host Club
Haruhi Fujioka and Tamaki Suoh in Ouran High School Host Club (Image via Bones)

Primarily a comedy series, Ouran High School Host Club sees the high school romance happening between Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at Ouran Academy, and Tamaki Suoh. The catch is she accidentally destroys an expensive vase belonging to the Ouran Host Club. As a repercussion, she is promoted to the role of “male” entertainer after the members mistake her for a guy and see her natural talent charming the female visitors. The anime is a wonderful commentary on gender roles and crossdressing as it navigates the viewers to make them think about the social themes through the lens of the independent heroine. And if by the end Haruhi and Ouran Host Club’s president, Tamaki, develop feelings for each other? Well, that’s just another cherry on top.

6. Kimi ni Todoke

One word to define the high school romance in Kimi ni Todoke, or From Me to You, is cute. High schooler Sawako Kuronama is antisocial just because her classmates feel she resembles the ghost from The Ring. This gradually alienates from the rest, making the concept of friendship foreign to her. That is until the popular boy Kazehaya interacts with her and changes the social scene of their classroom. Soon, Sawako finds herself making friends and enjoying her high school, and she believes she owes this to Kazehaya. However, amidst this, the two develop feelings for each other and slowly walk through the obstacles that their relationship poses.

7. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun

Another cute high school romance, Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun follows Chiyo Sakura’s romantic pursuit of her schoolmate Umetora Nozaki, a popular shojo mangaka who doesn’t reveal his true identity. In a funny turn of events, after Chiyo confesses, Umetarou mistakes her for a fan, even inviting her later on to help with his illustrations. She then becomes his assistant to become closer to him as they, along with their other classmates, work on the manga Let’s Fall in Love together. Slowly and steadily, Chiyo and Umetaro do get close, with the former helping the latter understand certain aspects of their relationship.

8. Given 

The BL anime Given may seem tough for some viewers due to certain serious themes. However, the exploration of romance between Ritsuka and Mafuya and Akihiko and Haruki are just top-tier stuff. Love isn’t easy, and their situations don’t make it easier. Yet, despite all the lurking complications, the four form a rock band and find love with their respective partners. Although Akihiko and Haruki are not high schoolers, it is Ritsuka and Mafuyu’s relationship that provides the intense form of high school romance that doesn’t get overbearing.

9. Blue Spring Ride

The high school romance in Blue Spring Ride is a bundle of complications. However, 16-year-old Futaba Yoshioka still manages to warm her way up to Kou Tanaka, later uses the surname Mabuchi. Kou is Futaba’s first love from middle school, but even when she changes cities, she is reunited with him at high school. Helping Kou overcome the grief of his late mother, the two grow close that shows potential to change their relationship to that of a couple. Yet, certain obstacles come hurtling their way to prevent their union. Although the anime has only one season, meaning an incomplete plot, viewers of the series can pick up the manga to continue reading the slow-burn high school romance.

10. Skip and Loafer

Among the latest releases of Spring 2023, Skip and Loafer is a gem. Although it is too early for the romance to bloom between Mistumi Iwakura and her classmate Sosuke Shima. However, interested readers can catch up on season 1 to see the developments between the two. It all starts with Mitsumi, who recently shifted to Tokyo for high school education. But the overwhelming crowds and the puzzling directions at the railway station baffles her. At this point, the tall and handsome Sosuke with golden retriever energy comes to her aid. After a successful first day at school (not so successful for Mitsumi), the friendship takes a sweet turn as they expand their circle and explore high school friendship. As the anime series continues, it will give more insight into Mitsumi and Sosuke’s relationship and how they eventually find love with each other. 

11. Bloom Into You

A GL series, Bloom Into You sees an unexpected exploration of love with Yuu Koito and Touko Nanami. Thinking they share the same stance on love, Yuu is baffled when Touko confesses to her. Although she is unable to reciprocate the love at that point, Yuu does help Touko with her school council work. The first season of Bloom Into You focuses on establishing the connection between the two leads. But anyone interested in getting the full picture of the couple can proceed with the manga after finishing the anime. So, over time, the former realizes she has developed feelings for Touka and eventually confesses to her. However, no love story is incomplete without complication, and theirs just happen to have some misunderstandings and a love triangle. To the satisfaction of many, everything resolves by the end and Bloom Into You sees a happy union between Yuu and Touko.

12. Say “I Love You”

Say "I Love You", one of the popular high school romance anime
Yamato Kurosawa and Mei Tachibana in Say “I Love You” (Image via Zexcs)

The high school romance in Say “I Love You” is short, sweet, and simple. Mei Tachibana, the female lead of Say “I Love You,” grows skeptical of friendships after having bad experiences with friends in the past. Mei just wants to remain quiet and assuming, but the popular boy Yamato Kurosawa feels the need to change that. As his interest in her grows, the two slowly begin to understand the complexities of friendship while trying to make meaningful relations with her peers. However, what starts as a quest to find significant friendships also sees a quick turn with Mei and Yamato’s youthful love.

 

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Priya is an anime lover and writer at GamesHorizon. A graduate from EFL University, she is deeply interested in anything remotely anime, manga, and fan culture. In her free time, she likes to draw, cook, visit cafes, and read fanfiction on a variety of anime fandoms' ships.