10 must-watch romance anime with adult protagonists

Anime has often explored romantic relationships, but many focus on high school students. However, there are a number of excellent romance anime with adult protagonists that provide more mature perspectives on relationships.

These anime showcase adults navigating the complexities of careers, friendships, and romance. They demonstrate that love does not get easier with age. In fact, responsibilities and baggage accumulated over the years can make relationships more complicated.

However, these romance anime with adult protagonists also explore romance and relationships with more nuance. They move beyond dramatic confessions and first loves into the day-to-day workings of maintaining lasting bonds.

10 best romance anime with adult protagonists

1. Nana

Nana follows two women who happen to share the same name. Nana Komatsu is an optimistic dreamer searching for love and happiness in Tokyo. Nana Oosaki is the punk rock vocalist of the aspiring band Blast, struggling with her past and the pursuit of success.

Despite their vastly different personalities, the two Nanas become close friends and move in together. But their new lives and romantic entanglements threaten their bond.

With flawed but sympathetic adult characters, this romance anime with adult protagonists looks at the failed dreams, difficult relationships, and unbreakable bonds that come with maturity. It is a moving and bittersweet character drama.

2. Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Wotakoi explores relationships between adult otaku (people with a passion for things like anime, manga, video games, among others). Protagonist Narumi is a fujoshi, a female otaku who loves BL manga. After starting a new job, she discovers her colleague Hirotaka is also a game otaku.

They begin dating, needing to keep their nerdy hobbies secret at work. But navigating relationships and careers proves challenging when you are obsessed with 2D characters. Wotakoi blends comedy with slices of otaku working life. It makes light of the struggles of being an otaku adult trying to find love.

3. My Senpai is Annoying

My Senpai is Annoying (Image via Doga Kobo)

My Senpai is Annoying follows new office worker Futaba Igarashi as she adjusts to corporate life while constantly being bothered by her overly-familiar senpai, Harumi Takeda.

Despite Harumi's bothersome behavior, he proves reliable in supporting Futaba's growth by reviewing her work and offering life advice. Though initially annoyed by him, Futaba comes to depend on her overly attached senpai.

As the two spend long hours together at work, friction gives way gradually to friendship and possibly something more. My Senpai is Annoying blends stylish animation with laughs, depicting an endearing office romance filled with awkwardness.

4. Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It

Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It (Image via Zero-G)

Science Fell in Love focuses on rational scientist Ayame Himuro and fellow logical researcher Shinya Yukimura, who, after a confession, decide to apply scientific methodology as an experiment to determine romance.

They design extensive compatibility tests and complex formulas, trying to create a systemic understanding of affection. But no variable can capture or produce the confusing messiness of human attraction and relationships.

As Ayame and Shinya investigate love, they discover science cannot explain the intangibles of emotions and connections. This romance anime with adult protagonists playfully explores the all-consuming thrill of romance through charming characters locked in denial.

5. Recovery of an MMO Junkie

Recovery of an MMO Junkie (Image via Signal.MD)

30-year-old Moriko Morioka is burnt out and socially withdrawn, so she quits her oppressive job to escape reality through the online fantasy game, Fruits de Mer. In the game world, she is the handsome male hero Hayashi.

In Fruits de Mer, Moriko joins a guild and befriends the cute female player Lily, who is the avatar of Yuta Sakurai. Over time, Moriko and Sakurai begin interacting in real life, but neither realizes the other's in-game identities initially.

This romance anime with adult protagonists charmingly explores modern adult relationships shaped by online interactions. It also features a positive representation of NEETs trying to regain control of their lives.

6. Ristorante Paradiso

Ristorante Paradiso (Image via David Production)

21-year-old Nicoletta travels to Rome to find her remarried mother. She ends up working at Casetta dell'Orso restaurant, whose staff she discovers is full of mature gentlemen in glasses.

As Nicoletta adapts to restaurant life while searching for her mother, she finds herself falling for Claudio, the restaurant's head waiter. But she struggles with balancing work, family, and romance in sophisticated Rome.

With a unique restaurant setting and low-key drama, Ristorante Paradiso thoughtfully explores clashing generational values alongside Nicoletta's budding first love.

7. The Great Passage

The Great Passage follows dictionary editor Mitsuya Majime's 15-year journey compiling a new Japanese dictionary called "The Great Passage." Awkward and introverted, Majime dedicates his life to the exhaustive work of creating word definitions.

He meets the extroverted Kaguya Hayashi, a chef-in-training and his landlady's granddaughter. Though very different, Majime and Kaguya help each other grow over their years of interaction and shared values.

The Great Passage is a surprisingly fascinating slice-of-life drama. It highlights little moments of connection and growth, demonstrating work gives life meaning and relationships require effort.

8. Otona Joshi no Anime Time

Otona Joshi no Anime Time (Image via Studio Bones, Telecom Animation Film, Production I.G)

Otona Joshi no Anime Time is a short anime series that presents mature perspectives on romance.

Each episode, typically around 25 minutes long, offers a snapshot of single women navigating careers, friendships, and relationships. Episodes vary from a 32-year-old encountering her first love again to a woman supporting her best friend through divorce.

Though brief, the segments sensitively explore the challenges modern women face at different life stages, making it a popular romance anime with adult protagonists.

9. Nodame Cantabile

Shinichi Chiaki is an arrogant music conservatory student and talented pianist who dreams of playing among orchestras in Europe. In contrast, Megumi Noda lacks refinement but possesses extraordinary piano ability. After hearing Noda play, Chiaki is dismayed to discover she is his next-door neighbour.

Though initially appalled by her messy lifestyle, Chiaki recognizes Noda's talent and begins coaching her. Romance buds through their motley music lessons and passion for classical compositions.

Nodame Cantabile offers a performance-focused romance celebrating the relationship between two very different musicians on the cusp of adulthood.

10. Servant x Service

Servant x Service (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Servant x Service is a slice-of-life comedy following the daily misadventures of civil servants working at a ward government office. New recruit Lucy Yamagami struggles to adapt to her clerical job and eccentric colleagues, including her seemingly self-absorbed supervisor Yutaka Hasebe.

Though exhausted by their workplace antics, Lucy gradually fits into the office's odd little family. As she spends more time with her colleagues, including Hasebe, Lucy begins seeing new sides of her supervisor as a surprisingly considerate adult.

As the staff endure workplace mishaps together, relationships subtly start shifting within the office. With relatable government setting and quirky characters, Servant x Service affectionately satirizes the comedy and warmth underlying mundane office life.

Conclusion

The world of romance anime is not limited to high school melodrama. Many excellent series feature an adult cast and narratives, exploring the peaks and pitfalls of relationships that come with maturity.

These 10 romance anime with adult protagonists showcase adults navigating careers, friendships, and connections with nuance and empathy. They demonstrate that romance remains complicated but meaningful regardless of age or stage of life.

Watch these to restore faith that poignant storytelling can extend beyond teenage tribulations to resonate with audiences, young and old alike.