In the diverse world of cinema and storytelling, romantic Anime movies have earned a special pedestal. Love stories get the perfect treatment in this format which perfectly captures heartfelt emotions in a way that’s unique to the medium.
Featuring skillfully adapted works of Japanese literature and manga, these films cater to Anime buffs with a taste for all kinds of love languages- silent, poetic, and even loud. We have put together a list of some great Anime romance films keeping diverse preferences of the audience in mind.
18. From Up On Poppy Hill
| Release Date | July 16, 2011 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.4/10 |
| Director | Goro Miyazaki |
| Writers | Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa |
You know it is a Studio Ghibli movie when the vibe takes you on a melancholic euphoria. From Up On Poppy Hill is much more than your average high school romance.
The narrative is sure to sweep you off your feet with the innocent bonding of love between high school students Umi and Shun. The spark between these sensitive souls starts to brew as they vow to protect their clubhouse from demolition. If you enjoy watching resolute lovers bonding on a beautiful cause, don’t miss out on this movie.
17. Tamako Love Story
| Release Date | April 26, 2014 |
| IMDB Rating | 7/10 |
| Director | Naoko Yamada |
| Writer | Reiko Yoshida |
If you are a sucker for a wholesome heartfelt love confession, you can’t go wrong with Tamako Love Story. The narrative captures the life of a passionate little girl, Tamako. Her life drastically turns into a whirlwind of emotions after her childhood friend Mochizou reveals his feelings for her. A delicate yet wholesome love story takes birth as these two dance in the symphony of romance.
16. Voices Of A Distant Star
| Release Date | February 2, 2002 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.2/10 |
| Director | Makoto Shinkai |
| Writer | Makoto Shinkai |
If you find traditional love scenarios boring and want a unique romance Anime movie, you should consider watching Voices of a Distant Star. The story is a unique blend of a sci-fi romance in the middle of an alien invasion. Created by master filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, this movie is a true example of how love rises above all wars and civilizations.
15. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
| Release Date | August 31, 2013 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.4/10 |
| Director | Tatsuyuki Nagai |
| Writer | Mari Okada |
Anohana is an emotional masterpiece that instantly evokes a nostalgic pain in the heart. The narrative depicts the depths of devastation surrounding the loss of a friend at a young age.
The story revolves around the accidental death of a young girl, Menma. The girl turns into a ghost and tries to get the attention of her friends to fulfill her one last wish. The film showcases a different kind of love between Anaru and Jinta as they cope with the death of their friend and try to move forward in life.
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14. Clannad
| Release Date | September 15, 2007 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.5/10 |
| Director | Osamu Dezaki |
| Writers | Makoto Nakamura and Jun Maeda |
Clannad sets a beautiful example that love can be a healing force for broken souls. The narrative depicts the life of Tomoya, a detached and cold high school student.
Being a survivor of childhood neglect and trauma, Tomoya has no dreams or aspirations for the future. Tomoya’s crashing world finds salvation when Nagisa extends her empathy towards him. This crafts a wholesome and inspiring friendship between them. The narrative slowly depicts the transformation of a sympathetic friendship into a selfless love that cannot be labeled by mundane words.
13. The Garden Of Words
| Release Date | May 31, 2013 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.5/10 |
| Director | Makoto Shinkai |
| Writer | Makoto Shinkai |
The Garden of Words challenges stereotypes and presents a different take on the idea of love. The narrative unfolds with an instant connection between two strangers, Yukari and Takao. Later, Yukari turns out to be the teacher of young Takao.
Wrapped in the emotional strings of love, Takao makes a love confession to his teacher. Yukari very consolingly explains the disgrace this association could create. The movie is about how their relationship progresses and the way they come to terms with their feelings.
12. Weathering With You
| Release Date | October 11, 2019 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.5/10 |
| Director | Makoto Shinkai |
| Writer | Makoto Shinkai |
Weathering With You is a metaphoric gold mine with a brilliant use of symbolism. If you like to search for deeper meaning in love and life, this masterpiece should be on your watch list.
This romantic Anime takes you on a magical journey as Hodaka and Hina cross each other’s paths. The story perfectly juggles the balance between a dream love connection and the tarnishing depths of heartbreak.
11. 5 Centimeters Per Second
| Release Date | March 5, 2007 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.6/10 |
| Director | Makoto Shinkai |
| Writer | Makoto Shinkai |
When you are in a “realistic phase” and want to watch the real challenges that romance holds, you should definitely try 5 Centimeters Per Second. The narrative captures the adversities and heartbreak that come along with a long-distance relationship in its raw and unhinged manner. This movie is a perfect example of how sometimes you can keep someone in your heart but not in your life.
10. Only Yesterday
| Release Date | July 20, 1991 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.6/10 |
| Director | Isao Takahata |
| Writer | Isao Takahata |
A true romance doesn’t have to be constricted in the shackles of a relationship nor does it require a label. If you resonate with this sentiment, Only Yesterday will feel like a fresh breeze to you.
The movie describes an emotional bond between a city girl, Taeko, and a farmer named Toshio. Taeko ends up taking a break from the fast and soul-crushing city life to meet her family in the village. Her interaction with Toshio rekindles her lost spark and brings out her vibrance and zeal for life.
9. The Wind Rises
| Release Date | July 20, 2013 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.8/10 |
| Director | Hayao Miyazaki |
| Writer | Hayao Miyazaki |
The Wind Rises depicts a love story in the most unlikely of scenarios. The tale is a fictional version of the real-life accounts of people who designed planes for World War II. While the backdrop takes inspiration from reality, Miyazaki took the liberty to pour a poetic essence of romance into the narrative. This blend gave us the masterpiece you must not miss.
8. Josee, The Tiger, And The Fish
| Release Date | Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish |
| IMDB Rating | 7.9/10 |
| Director | Kotaro Tamura |
| Writer | Seiko Tanabe |
Not every love story begins with butterflies whirling in the stomach; sometimes it begins with fatal repulsion. Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish brings something exactly like this out of its bag.
The story begins with Tsuneo finding part-time jobs to make his needs end. While struggling to find decent money to support his dream of traveling, he lands a job to take care of Kumiko, a wheelchair-ridden girl.
7. Whisper Of The Heart
| Release Date | July 15, 1995 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.9/10 |
| Director | Hayao Miyazaki |
| Writer | Yoshifumi Kondō |
Aren’t there times when all you want to do is just dive into the pool of pure, unwavering romance? Well, Whisper of the Heart gives that dose of heartfelt, wholesome love.
The story begins with Shizuku’s quest to find the person whose name appeared on every library book she borrowed. After her relentless efforts, she finally finds Seiji. A whole new world of love and amazement surrounds them after this union.
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6. Into The Forest Of Firefly Light
| Release Date | September 17, 2011 |
| IMDB Rating | 7.8/10 |
| Director | Takahiro Omori |
| Writer | Yuki Midorikawa |
This is a painfully beautiful movie that unfolds the story of a little girl who is rescued by a spirit. After this act of kindness, Hotaru grows fond of the spirit, and they become close friends. There is only one catch: the spirit will disappear forever if touched by a human.
5. I Want to Eat your Pancreas
| Release Date | September 1, 2018 |
| IMDB Rating | 8/10 |
| Director | Shin’ichirô Ushijima |
| Writer | Yoru Sumino |
Do not let the title deceive you; this story is not even remotely related to cannibalism. The title is symbolic of the medical condition of the protagonist.
Sakura, a high school student, is diagnosed with a life-threatening pancreatic disease. Sakura grows fed up with people acting differently and cautiously around her until she meets a mystery boy. So tragic yet so pure, this romance hits deep.
4. A Silent Voice
| Release Date | September 17, 2016 |
| IMDB Rating | 8.1/10 |
| Director | Naoko Yamada |
| Writer | Reiko Yoshida |
A Silent Voice is the kind of movie that leaves an everlasting impression on you. The story begins with Shoya making fun of her deaf classmate, Shoko. His childish bullying spread as wildfire and many other students joined the bandwagon.
Shoya soon faces the consequences of his actions and gets the entire blame for harassing Shoko. A few years later, Shoya seeks redemption and approaches his former classmate.
3. Howl’s Moving Castle
| Release Date | November 20, 2004 |
| IMDB Rating | 8.2/10 |
| Director | Hayao Miyazaki |
| Writer | Diana Wynne Jones |
Howl’s Moving Castle is a unique, magical journey with deep symbolism. The story describes the life of a young woman, Sophie, cursed to live in an old body. The key to her reversal lies in the hand of a wizard.
The two join each other in a magically chaotic adventure with walking castles and other supernatural beings. Their union makes them understand each other’s emotional pains and insecurities and develop a deep-rooted affection.
2. Rascal Does Not Dream Of A Dreaming Girl
| Release Date | June 15, 2019 |
| IMDB Rating | 8.2/10 |
| Director | Soichi Masui |
| Writer | Hajime Kamoshida |
This is a mind-twisting psychological romance Anime where Sakuta’s reunion with his old crush changes his life forever. A mysterious phenomenon makes Sakuta engage with Shoko (his crush) in two timelines, one where Shoko is a middle school student and one where she has become an adult. This weird encounter makes Sakuta’s life a definitive chaos and heavily affects his relationship with his girlfriend.
1. Your Name
| Release Date | August 26, 2016 |
| IMDB Rating | 8.4/10 |
| Director | Makoto Shinkai |
| Writer | Makoto Shinkai |
With the power of romantic subtly and brilliance, Your Name singlehandedly steals the title of the Best Romance Anime Movie of all time (at least in our list)!
The story is a take on the popular concept of body swapping. While the theme has been used by many movies in the past, there is something exceptionally unique about Your Name. The character depth of Mitsuha and her desire to experience a different life is the central piece of the movie. As her desire turns into reality, she wakes up in the body of a boy, Taki. The story beautifully portrays the challenges they face while finding each other.
