Love knows no bounds in anime! Join us as we count down the most heartwarming, soul-stirring, and unforgettable romantic anime movies that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the magic of love. From supernatural connections to high school crushes, these films redefine romance in the world of animation.
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00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're looking at the movies that have redefined what it
00:12means to fall in love in anime.
00:24Number 30 Ride Your Wave Moving to an idyllic oceanside town and
00:28falling in love sounds like the ultimate dream come true.
00:31For Hinako and Minato, it's as close to perfect as it gets, until it all comes crashing down.
00:37After Minato's untimely demise, Hinako realizes his soul is tethered to a song the pair cherished.
00:44Blending a heartfelt and swoon-worthy romance with profound themes of moving on and letting
00:49The love shared between the star-crossed pair runs as deep as the ocean itself.
00:59Thanks to a fantastic soundtrack that elevates every moment to hit you in the feels, Ride
01:04Your Wave's emotional beats linger long after the credits roll.
01:12Number 29 Saikano the Movie Finale Serving as a coda to the much-loved How to
01:18Raise a Boring Girlfriend anime series, Tomoya Aki's story comes to a satisfying end.
01:28Bringing a mature depth to his romance with Megumi Kato that might even surprise fans,
01:33the finale goes beyond its romantic comedy roots.
01:36Without letting go of its light-hearted style, Finale tells a very human story of love and
01:41compromise.
01:49There's some tonal adjustment for longtime fans, but the film's direction complements
01:53the evolution of its protagonists.
01:55While returning viewers might appreciate its sentiments a bit more, Finale taps into emotional
02:00nuances that everyone can relate to.
02:11Number 28 Tenshi the Movie – Tenshi Muyo in Love
02:15With an action-heavy time-traveling plot, you might wonder how Tenshi the Movie spares
02:20any time for a love story.
02:21But not only does the film deliver, it uses Tenshi's complex emotions as a vital piece
02:26of the plot.
02:27Faced with fading from existence, Tenshi grapples with the significance of his relationships
02:31and the choices he must make.
02:39Caught between his love triangle with Ayaka and Ryoko, the protagonist is forced to confront
02:44his feelings.
02:45The film presents its romantic overtones in a more serious light compared to its light-hearted
02:49portrayal in the TV series.
02:54With one hand on its sci-fi platform and another on romance, Tenshi the Movie strikes a balance
02:59between multiple genres without skimping on its quality.
03:05Number 27 Orange Future – Ah, the things we do for love.
03:10Even if it means living without it, dealing with different timelines and alternate futures,
03:15the Orange anime is a mind-bending experience.
03:18Future offers another perspective from which to view it, focusing on Hiroto Sua's unrequited
03:23love for Naho.
03:27Where the TV series had us shipping Naho and Kakeru, the film shows us just how much Sua
03:31sacrifices for them to be together.
03:34Retelling previous events from Sua's POV, it explores the protagonist's inner struggles
03:38as he accepts that some love stories just aren't meant to be.
03:48Redefining the concept of a happy ending, Orange Future showcases how true love can
03:53be as heartbreaking as it is uplifting.
04:05Number 26 Urusei Yatsura 2 – Beautiful Dreamer – Judging by the tone of the first movie,
04:11you'd be forgiven for thinking this is an all-out comedy.
04:14However, Beautiful Dreamer wonderfully subverts expectations, blending its trademark humor
04:19with themes of emotional fidelity and commitment.
04:26Set in a dream-like time loop, Ataru has to define what his relationship with love interest
04:30Lum means to him.
04:32Although framed as a surreal, fantastical mystery, Beautiful Dreamer is ultimately about
04:36Ataru's personal growth.
04:42The main character learns to hold himself responsible for his choices while accepting
04:46the connection he shares with Lum.
04:48Despite an initially mixed response, the film is now hailed as a trailblazer in experimental
04:53storytelling, leaving audiences to contemplate its deeper message.
05:03Number 25 Words Bubble Up – Like Soda Pop – You don't always need a grand or elaborate
05:08depiction of love, sometimes it's okay to see people just being people.
05:13This film centers around Cherry and Smile.
05:15While he prefers to communicate using haikus, she can't face people without a mask.
05:20Under a wild set of circumstances, the pair fall into each other's lives.
05:30The film playfully highlights their quirks as they find comfort in embracing their vulnerability.
05:35Moving away from the typical portrayal of love, Words Bubble Up – Like Soda Pop – has
05:38a grounded portrayal of the main character's flaws and insecurities.
05:52With moments that will both melt your heart and make it flutter, this slice-of-life romantic
05:56drama reminds us how our vulnerabilities can become our greatest strength.
06:13Number 24 Case Closed – The Crimson Love Letter – Part of the long-running Detective
06:18Conan series, this entry place's romance is one of its themes.
06:22Rather than the main protagonist, the film's romantic tension surrounds the Heiji and Kazuha
06:27pairing.
06:28When the mysterious Momiji shows up claiming to be Heiji's fiance, she and Kazuha begin
06:32competing for his affection.
06:39In a mystery thriller that leans into its premise, this love triangle offers some much-needed
06:44levity.
06:45It also pushes Heiji and Kazuha's characters to new heights, which is pretty impressive
06:49considering Crimson Love Letter's status as the series' 21st installment.
06:58With a deep insight into the complexities of love, its romantic overtones create a captivating
07:03dynamic with an equally compelling payoff.
07:12Number 23 I've Always Liked You – It takes serious guts to confess your feelings.
07:19Just ask high school student Natsuki Enomoto.
07:21After years of pining for her childhood friend Yu, she finally tells him how she feels, only
07:27to chicken out and claim that she was just practicing for her real crush.
07:36Little does she know, she's also caught the eye of her fellow classmate, Koyuki Ayase.
07:41Throughout the film, Natsuki finds comfort in the support of her girlfriends, who are
07:45each dealing with their own share of boy troubles.
07:55While it may not have the deepest storyline, this movie stands out thanks to its stunning
07:59visuals and fresh, upbeat soundtrack.
08:01This light-hearted teen romance is a must-watch for all fans of the shoujo genre.
08:16Number 22 From Up On Poppy Hill – Miyazaki might be best known for his fantasy movies,
08:23but he's just as capable of crafting enchanting stories set in the real world.
08:27From Up On Poppy Hill centers around the romance that blossoms between two teenagers
08:31in post-war Japan.
08:33As their city prepares to host the 1964 Olympics, Umi and Shun learn that their school's clubhouse
08:39might get demolished.
08:41In an effort to save the building, they decide to renovate it together.
09:01In the process, the two unearth old family secrets and discover that they might have
09:05more in common than either of them had imagined.
09:21The love story is carefully interwoven with overarching themes of war and loss, which
09:26gave it a touchingly realistic sense of melancholy, but also hope for the future.
09:40Number 21 Rascal Does Not Dream Of A Dreaming Girl – Picking up right where the gem of
09:46an anime left off, this flick continues the adventures of Sakuta and his girlfriend, Mai.
09:51The two seem to have a perfect relationship, but their lives take a turn for the weirder
09:57when Sakuta's first love Shoko mysteriously resurfaces.
10:17To make things even stranger, there appear to be two versions of her.
10:22One is an adult woman, the other is a middle school student in need of a heart transplant.
10:26As Sakuta and Mai scramble to unravel the mystery of the two Shokos, their devotion
10:31to each other is put to the test.
10:36With plot twists involving time travel and quantum physics, this supernatural romance
10:41drama tells a beautiful story about the lengths to which one can go for love.
10:53Number 20 Tamako Love Story – If you're craving a good old-fashioned slice-of-life
10:58romance, then look no further.
11:00Following the events of Tamako Market, this movie gives us a peek at the lives of Tamako
11:05and her friends as they prepare to graduate from high school.
11:08The happy-go-lucky protagonist isn't too worried about the future, or anything else
11:12for that matter, until her childhood friend Mochizou reveals that he's been in love
11:17with her for years.
11:34The confession leaves Tamako reeling, but she has little time to figure out her own
11:39feelings and respond to Mochizou before he leaves for university in Tokyo.
12:02With plenty of adorkable characters and typical coming-of-age awkwardness, this movie is sure
12:07to make you feel all the fuzzies.
12:25Number 19 Love, Chuunibyou, and Other Delusions – Take on Me Relationships aren't always
12:31smooth sailing, especially when your girlfriend is convinced that she has magical powers.
12:43Despite being in her third year of high school, Rika Takanashi still suffers from Chuunibyou
12:47syndrome, a condition that makes people believe they have supernatural abilities.
12:52Thankfully, her boyfriend Yuta loves her just the way she is.
12:56However, their relationship is threatened when Rika's older sister wants her to move
13:00overseas.
13:01Determined to stay together, the lovers decide to elope and embark on a road trip across
13:06Japan.
13:07During their travels, they learn to face Rika's lingering superstitions and grow even stronger
13:11as a couple.
13:19There's no doubt that longtime fans of the Chuunibyou series will be more than satisfied
13:23by this heartwarming conclusion.
13:45Number 18 Laputa, Castle in the Sky – When young orphan Potsu rescues a girl who falls,
13:51or rather, floats down from the sky, his life changes forever.
14:06Turns out that the mysterious Sheeta is being chased by pirates and evil government agents
14:10who want her crystal amulet, the magical jewel that's linked to the flying island of Laputa,
14:16a legendary castle full of treasures and technological marvels.
14:20The two children set out on a perilous voyage to find Laputa and uncover its secrets, and
14:25in the process, develop a deep bond of trust and devotion to one another.
14:41While their romance isn't necessarily as prominent as the elements of fantasy and adventure,
14:46it's still incredibly wholesome to watch.
14:48After all, is there anything purer than kids in love?
15:06Number 17 The Anthem of the Heart – From the creators of Anohana and Toradora comes
15:11this bittersweet tale about teenage love and the healing power of music.
15:16Jun Naruse was once a talkative little girl, but after a traumatic event in her childhood,
15:21she finds herself unable to speak.
15:32In high school, her impromptu meeting with a talented young singer named Takumi Sakagami
15:36leads her to make a startling discovery.
15:39Though she can't talk, she can use her voice to sing.
15:54As Jun decides to prepare a musical for the school festival, she slowly starts to regain
15:59her lost confidence and develops close bonds with her classmates.
16:03Meanwhile, her courage inspires her friends to step forward and confess feelings that
16:07they'd been keeping secret for years.
16:28Number 16 The Wind Rises – Only Miyazaki could create such a dreamy and romantic atmosphere
16:34in a biopic about the inventor of a deadly Japanese military plane.
16:38Though the film has often been criticized for its overly idealistic tone, no one can
16:43complain about the hauntingly beautiful love story between aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi
16:48and his wife Naoko.
16:56After meeting briefly during an earthquake, Jiro and Naoko lose track of each other for
17:00several years, until they are miraculously reunited at a summer resort.
17:16The two are quickly swept up in a whirlwind romance, but Naoko's worsening health and
17:21the looming shadow of World War II make their happiness feel as light and fleeting as the
17:26gentle wind that blows throughout the movie.
17:41Number 15 Weathering With You – Set in a bleak future where Japan is plagued by a constant
17:47downpour of rain, Makoto Shinkai's cinematic venture follows 16-year-old Hodaka after he
17:52escapes from his rural town to Tokyo.
17:54As he struggles to stay afloat financially, he meets an orphan named Hina who has the
17:59power to change the weather.
18:09Using this uncanny ability, the two teenagers decide to start a business giving sunshine
18:13to people for special events.
18:28But it's not all sunny skies, as Hodaka soon finds out that there's a heavy price to pay
18:33for Hina's gift.
18:34True to himself, Shinkai uses fantasy elements and breathtaking animation to give us a love
18:40story that's just as inspiring as it is aesthetically spectacular.
18:56Number 14 I Want to Eat Your Pancreas – With a title like this, you might expect this movie
19:01to be a zombie horror flick.
19:03But make no mistake, this is a sweet and at times devastatingly touching love story between
19:08two high school students.
19:23At first, they seem to be polar opposites with nothing in common.
19:26He's a stoic loner who prefers books to people, and she's a cheerful social butterfly.
19:32But their fates collide after he finds out that she suffers from a pancreatic illness
19:36and only has a few months to live.
19:43She makes him promise to keep her secret, and the two set out to check things off her
19:47bucket list.
19:48Fair warning, you might want to stock up on tissues for this one.
20:08Number 13 The Garden of Words – Romances with significant age gaps can be controversial,
20:14but this tale of what could have been handles its tricky subject matter with great poignancy.
20:19Crafted by Makoto Shinkai, it centers on the chance meeting of a 15-year-old male student
20:24and a 27-year-old female teacher.
20:32Both shirk their usual responsibilities of school and work to regularly meet in the same
20:37garden, finding comfort in their shared feeling of non-conformity even when they're separated
20:42by over a decade in age.
20:51Despite the film's title, dialogue is used sparingly, allowing writer-director Makoto
20:56Shinkai's impossibly detailed visuals to do most of the talking, while the characters'
21:01subtle expressions and movements speak louder than words ever could.
21:12Number 12 Hotarubi no Mori e – Romance and the supernatural often go hand-in-hand.
21:17In this instance, this film focuses on the relationship between a human girl, Hotaru,
21:22and Gin, a magical silver-haired boy adopted by the forest spirits.
21:26The pair meet when Hotaru becomes hopelessly lost in the woods that Gin inhabits.
21:37After he comes to her aid, they form a bond that he warns her can never be physical, as
21:41he will vanish if a human ever touches him.
21:52Their relationship remains strong despite this, though as Hotaru gets older, they both
21:57realize their romantic feelings for each other, and the distance between them becomes harder
22:01and harder to bear.
22:10Number 11 The Last – Naruto the Movie We know, we know, a romantic Naruto movie?
22:16But believe it, this is about as lovey-dovey as the shounen genre gets.
22:27Picking up two years after the Fourth Great Ninja War, the story sees our spiky-haired
22:31hero assist his new belle, Hinata, to rescue her little sister who's mistakenly kidnapped
22:36instead of her.
22:37For old fans, the film is a sweet and satisfying payoff to finally see Naruto return Hinata's
22:43long-held feelings for him.
22:55Risking it all for love, despite the loss of your most powerful ability, is as grand
22:59a romantic gesture as it gets.
23:01Jeez, that ship took a long time to sail, didn't it?
23:11Number 10 The Girl Who Left Through Time Who else but Summer Wars director Mamoru Hosoda
23:17could effortlessly blend sci-fi, coming-of-age drama and the clumsiness of first love all
23:22into one timey-wimey package?
23:29The titular girl is high school student Makoto, who mysteriously gains the ability to leap
23:34through time, quite literally.
23:37While some would use this ability for good or evil, Makoto simply uses it to fix every
23:42little problem in her life, including an unwanted confession of love from one of her best friends,
23:47Chiaki.
23:48She soon discovers that her time leaps are actually limited, and more shockingly, that
23:59Chiaki knows more than he's been letting on.
24:02The question then becomes, will she acknowledge her own feelings for him before it's too
24:09late?
24:12Number 9 5 Centimeters Per Second Ambitious, bittersweet, and all held together
24:18by that Makoto Shinkai magic, this is a story told in three parts, Cherry Blossom, Cosmonaut,
24:24and 5 Centimeters Per Second.
24:26Starting in the 90s and moving through to the then-present day, our main protagonist
24:30is Takaki, a boy who moves around a lot because of his parents' work lives.
24:35When he befriends a girl named Akari, they become pen pals after life pulls them in different
24:40directions, though their long-distance relationship becomes strained as they grow older.
24:47But even as they fall into relationships with other people, neither can completely
24:59forget the special bond they developed as teenagers.
25:07No wonder Shinkai was lauded the title of the next Miyazaki.
25:15Number 8 Fruits Basket, Prelude The Fruits Basket series follows high schooler
25:20Toru as she navigates life on her own.
25:22Prelude details the backstory of Toru's parents, exploring topics like lost love,
25:27trauma, and healing.
25:39After meeting the kind-hearted Katsuya, the troubled and rebellious Kyoko turns over
25:43a new leaf.
25:44Their union is cut short when tragedy strikes, with Kyoko struggling to pick up the pieces
25:49of her life.
25:50The strength of their love ultimately shapes who Toru becomes, bringing Fruits Basket's
25:54overarching narrative full circle.
26:02Departing from the show's fantasy-driven elements, the film tackles real-world issues with a
26:06poignant touch.
26:07A rare prequel that shines with or without prior knowledge of the series, Prelude is
26:12an absolute tear-jerker from start to finish.
26:21Number 7 Whisper of the Heart The Studio Ghibli Legends films are always
26:25infused with romance, and Whisper of the Heart is by far one of the most underrated.
26:31At the start, we're introduced to 14-year-old bookworm Shizuku, who was irritated to learn
26:35that all of her favorite library books were checked out by the same person, a boy named
26:40Seiji.
26:47She finds him just as aggravating when she meets him, but this eventually gives way to
26:51feelings of affection.
26:54Seiji's ambition of becoming a violin maker makes Shizuku realize she has no ambitions
27:02of her own, inspiring her down the literary path of writing books of her own.
27:14Number 6 Suzume Is it a fantasy, action-adventure, or a coming-of-age
27:19drama?
27:20That's up to interpretation.
27:21But is it a deeply moving story about hope, responsibility, and the resilience of the
27:25human spirit?
27:27Absolutely.
27:29Suzume follows the titular character as she helps the mysterious Souta prevent a major
27:36catastrophe.
27:37However, it's up to the protagonist to save the day after Souta turns into a chair.
27:41Yes, you heard that right.
27:45Despite the unusual premise, the heroes' time together shows how love can develop beyond
27:50basic attraction.
27:51Suzume's feelings for Souta are woven into the film alongside its fantastical elements,
27:56as the pair connect over their journey.
27:58It's an awe-inspiring tale of love and courage that is as heartfelt as it is breathtaking.
28:08Number 5 The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl
28:11Masaaki Yuasa, of the Tatami Galaxy fame, applies his unique animation style to this
28:17unconventional rom-com.
28:19Contrary to the title, the story unfolds over one long and boozy night, following a female
28:24university student known only as Otome as she parties her way through the streets of
28:29Kyoto, which are peppered by a cast of peculiar, and not quite human, characters.
28:35Along the way, she keeps running into her senpai, meetings which aren't exactly by
28:39chance as he longs to admit his feelings for her.
28:48The problem is, he just can't pin her down to tell her.
28:58It's a colorful, psychedelic journey that's been described as Lewis Carroll meets Ulysses,
29:03perfect for those with alternative tastes.
29:11Number 4 Dokisei, A classic opposites attract love story, only this time with a lot more
29:24LGBTQ plusness, Saejo is a straight-laced honor student, while Kusakabe is an outgoing
29:30musician and popular with the ladies.
29:33However, to Saejo's surprise, he only has eyes for him.
29:45Together they navigate societal stigma and their own growing pains.
29:49Boys' love stories can feature problematic themes, but Dokisei is a shining example of
29:54what the genre can do positively, offering a subtle and grounded depiction of awkward,
29:59angsty and passionate teen love that is both universal and distinctly queer at the same
30:05time.
30:11Number 3 Kaguya-sama, Love is War, The First Kiss That Never Ends
30:15Many people have experienced a freak-out after their first kiss.
30:19This movie explores the whirlwind of emotions that follow that pivotal moment, capturing
30:28the elation, confusion and excitement that comes with new love.
30:31The film sees Kaguya and Shirogane struggling to define their relationship.
30:36Although filled with classic rom-com tropes, it also provides a uniquely introspective
30:40look into what being together means.
30:42The film authentically portrays how quickly feelings evolve from just one kiss, acknowledging
30:47that no matter how hard you try, you can't fight what the heart wants.
31:00Amidst all the cutesy, lovey-dovey moments lies the message that love can be imperfect
31:05and pure at the same time.
31:06It's all about giving it a chance.
31:15Number 2 Howl's Moving Castle
31:17He's a beautiful and selfish wizard, and she's a kind-hearted shop girl with an old
31:22soul.
31:26After a chance encounter brings Howl and Sophie together, they find their fates bound together
31:31after Sophie is cursed with an aging spell by a jealous ex-lover of Howl's.
31:42She finds herself playing housekeeper in the rebellious mage's mobile home, where
31:46she learns that underneath his vanity and pride, he's a scared and lonely boy.
31:51In turn, he begins to fall in love with her inner beauty, even as he becomes more and
31:56more monstrous on the outside.
31:57Howl's Moving Castle is a perfect modern fairy tale, and has become one of Studio Ghibli's
32:03most beloved pieces.
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32:28Number 1 Your Name
32:30Makoto Shinkai cemented his status in the cinematic anime landscape with this masterpiece,
32:36one that rocked the mainstream to its core.
32:38Two complete strangers, a girl living in a rural town and a boy living in the city,
32:43become connected when they keep waking up in each other's bodies.
32:51Once they get over the initial shock, they communicate with one another through notes
32:55and try to fix each other's problems.
32:58Eventually, they decide to try and meet properly, but forces out of their control make that
33:03an impossibility.
33:08It's a love story truly unlike any other, as we watch and hope that the red string of
33:12fate will eventually bring these two together.
33:21Did we miss any romance anime that stole your heart?
33:24Let us know in the comments.
33:26Do you agree with our picks?
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