10 best anime for couples to watch

Anime offers incredibly diverse and impactful storytelling that can appeal to all sorts of viewers. There is a whole subset of anime specifically focused on romance, relationships, and matters of the heart.

Romantic anime provides plenty of great options for couples looking for shows to watch together. These shows engage through their stories and characters, with tender moments perfect for two to enjoy.

Many depict thoughtful ideas about connections, affection, and partnerships, leading to takeaways that couples can apply. Some bring laughs, others tears, but all capture love in imaginative ways—perfect for couples to enjoy as bonds blossom on screen. Here are 10 of the finest romantic anime for couples to check out.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinions.

10 must-watch anime for couples

1) Your Name

Your Name is a film that has captured the hearts of viewers around the world with its innovative body-swap story between a teenage boy named Taki and a girl named Mitsuha. After randomly waking up in each other's bodies, the two must navigate their switched lives while trying to find one another.

The film takes viewers on an emotional journey as Taki and Mitsuha connect in their crossed fates. There are plenty of laughs as the two adapt to their body swaps, and it also has profound, intimate moments as they confront confusion, joy, and loss. Your Name builds to a sweeping, powerful climax.

With its resonance about cherishing connections, Your Name makes for a meaningful watch for couples.

2) Toradora!

This acclaimed high school romantic comedy series centers around an unlikely pair – Ryuji and Taiga. Though initially outcasts, these two opposites befriend each other and help one another get closer to their respective crushes. What starts out comedically eventually builds into something deeper, as Ryuji and Taiga discover more about themselves and how they truly feel.

Toradora! perfectly balances its humor and drama for an enthralling viewing experience. Couples will find the lead duo’s interactions sweet, funny, and the ultimate payoff touching.

3) Fruits Basket (2019)

Fruits Basket (2019) (Image via TMS Entertainment)

A refreshed adaptation of the classic shojo manga, Fruits Basket (2019) modernizes the original from the early 2000s into one of today's top romantic titles.

When orphan high schooler Tooru ends up living with the wealthy Soma family, she discovers their mystical secret – 13 members of the family transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac—plus the cat—when hugged by someone of the opposite sex.

As kind-hearted Tooru gets involved in their lives, she helps them confront dark secrets and accept themselves. The bond between Tooru and the Soma family ends up being the show's beating heart, culminating in deeply emotional and romantic moments that couples are sure to enjoy watching together.

4) Clannad and Clannad: After Story

Clannad and Clannad: After Story (Image via Kyoto Animation)

This acclaimed pair of anime series tugs at all the right heartstrings. Clannad starts out in high school, following the budding connection between Tomoya and Nagisa, two youths helping each other emerge from difficult pasts.

After getting together at the end of the first season, After Story fast-forwards into their adult lives, charting Tomoya and Nagisa's emotional hurdles as they build a relationship together. Skillfully transitioning from a romantic comedy to an impactful family drama, it depicts love and relationships in an incredibly moving way.

From high school sweethearts to marriage and parenthood, couples will find Tomoya and Nagisa's journey deeply resonant. Make sure to have tissues ready for this tearjerker anime for couples.

5) Horimiya

Few romantic series capture the authentic, awkward magic of falling in love like Horimiya does. When reserved student Kyouko Hori and isolated teen Izumi Miyamura unexpectedly discover each other's hidden selves, they quickly develop an endearing bond and begin dating.

Horimiya stands out with how realistically it portrays two high schoolers figuring out their feelings and finding where they belong. Relatable in its messiness yet joyous in capturing the thrill of young romance, Horimiya makes for a fun and touching anime for couples to cuddle up to.

6) Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You

Tonikawa: Over the Moon For You (Image via Seven Arcs)

For couples wanting heartwarming married life fluff, Tonikawa is the perfect pick. After Nasa fatefully confesses his love at first sight to a mysterious girl named Tsukasa, she agrees to date him on one condition – that they marry right away! The two swiftly wed, beginning an unexpectedly blissful life together.

Tonikawa will melt couples' hearts as they watch Nasa and Tsukasa cutely grow in domesticity. Underneath its abundant sweetness, however, Tonikawa interestingly examines what makes marriage work with compassion. Capturing both joy and maturity, this show makes for prime couple viewing.

7) Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Kaguya-sama: Love is War (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Boasting one of the wittiest premise setups, Kaguya-sama perfectly encapsulates romantic tension between its two ingenious leads. As the student council president and vice president with egos unwilling to confess, Miyuki and Kaguya engage in hilariously elaborate mind games to try getting the other to say “I love you” first.

Constantly scheming ruthless ploys that backfire terribly, these emotionally restrained partners will have couples bursting into laughter at their pride-fueled antics. All building up to emotional payoffs whenever vulnerability shines through, Kaguya-sama strikes a masterful combo of hilarity and feelings.

8) 5 Centimeters Per Second

5 Centimeters Per Second (Image via CoMix Wave Films)

Charting star-crossed young love, 5 Centimeters Per Second contemplates missed timing through three lyrical chapters. It begins by portraying two schoolkids named Takaki and Akari connecting closely, only to painfully move apart.

The two subsequent chapters then capture their longing across the years in meditative fashion. Affecting in its emotional delicacy, 5 Centimeters Per Second gorgeously illustrates the intangible feelings of relationships.

Sensitively constructed and visually dazzling, this anime for couples offers much for them to appreciate regarding nostalgia, emotional distances, and life transitions.

9) The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Image via Madhouse)

This sci-fi romantic drama anime for couples has earned widespread acclaim for putting an imaginative twist on coming-of-age connections. When high schooler Makoto Konno gains the power to literally “leap” back in time, she starts using it frivolously to fix problems.

But eventually, she must learn to accept fate as she uses her final leaps to make things right and appreciate those around her. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time contemplates love and loss through inventive means for an ultimately powerful message.

With its stunning animation backing resonant characterization, Makoto’s journeys through time make for a compelling, wise watch for couples.

10) Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Rounding off the list of anime for couples is a moving melodrama illustrating bonds that endure past even death. Anohana focuses on childhood friends who grew apart after one of them, Meiko "Menma" Honma, dies in an accident.

Years later, however, the ghost of Menma mysteriously appears to the group's former leader, Jintan, leading them to reconnect as they help grant her wish. Sure to leave couples reaching for tissues, Anohana portrays grief and longing with incredible emotional finesse.

Sensitive and cathartic as the friends reconcile pain from the past, this anime brings home the value of relationships in a tear-jerking fashion.

Conclusion

Anime may have a reputation just for fantasy action, but as these titles show, there are plenty of fantastic romantic options perfect for watching with that special someone. Whether couples are in the mood for laughter, tears, comfort, or inspiring ideas, these 10 anime for couples have something for all romantic sensibilities.

Also read-

About the author

I am an expert article writer and data analyst with two years of experience in the field. In my free time, I enjoy watching a lot of anime, movies, and web series. Currently, my favorite anime is Naruto.

Know More

Edited by Riya Peter