Top 5 Romance Anime of 2019
2019 was full of good romance anime. From the light hearted comedy, to the drama filled romance, it was a good year for romance anime.
Here are the top 5 romance anime of 2019:
5. Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai
Genre: Comedy, Harem, Romance, School, Shounen
Studio: Silver, Arvo Animation
Season: Spring 2019
Episodes: 13
Introduction
Nariyuki Yuiga, an impoverished third-year high school student, works tirelessly to receive the VIP nomination, a scholarship that would cover all of his college tuition fees. In recognition of his hard work, the headmaster awards him the renowned scholarship.
However, this scholarship is given under one condition: he must tutor the school’s geniuses in their weakest subjects! Joining his new brigade of pupils are the math maestro Rizu Ogata, who wants to study humanities; the literature legend Fumino Furuhashi, who wants to study science; and Yuiga’s sports-savvy childhood friend, Uruka Takemoto, who is hopeless at everything else.
Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai follows Yuiga as he tries to teach his three eccentric tutees in a series of strange and comedic antics. But as Ogata’s and Furuhashi’s ambitions conflict with their talents, will Yuiga be able to help his students achieve their dreams?
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
If you are looking for a decent harem anime, then Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai is for you.
The premise is interesting and you get to see the character development of the Ogata and Furuhashi as Yuiga helps tutor them.
4. Domestic na Kanojo
Genre: Drama, Romance, School, Shounen
Studio: Diomedea
Season: Winter 2019
Episodes: 12
Introduction
In their teenage years, few things can hurt people more than the heartaches that come with unrequited love. Such is the case for Natsuo Fujii, who has found himself entranced by his school’s ever-cheerful teacher Hina. Deflated by this unreachable desire, Natsuo humors his friends and attends a mixer. There he meets Rui, a girl whose lack of excitement rivals that of himself. After bonding over their mutual awkwardness, Rui takes Natsuo to her house and asks him to have sex with her, hoping that the experience will stop her friends from treating her like a clueless child. With his hopeless feelings towards Hina still on his mind, Natsuo hesitantly agrees.
Equally unfulfilled by their “first times,” the two decide to part ways as strangers. However, before he even has a chance to process this experience, Natsuo’s father drops a major bombshell: he is getting remarried, and his new wife Tsukiko Tachibana is coming over now to meet Natsuo. As if that was not enough of a shock, her daughters—and, in turn, Natsuo’s new sisters—are Hina and Rui Tachibana, the woman he’s in love with and the girl with whom he shared his first night. Now, Natsuo must come to terms with the feelings he has for his step-siblings as his eyes open to a darker side of love.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Just based on the summary, you would expect Domestic na Kanojo to be a train-wreck but this is not the case. Domestic na Kanojo was one of the most underrated romance anime of 2019.
The characters make dumb decisions but their reasoning is believable. Domestic na Kanojo is presented in a empathetic way. It doesn’t demean the characters and isn’t too trashy. It doesn’t humiliate the characters for cheap thrills or laughs like typical romance anime. It looks like just another trashy harem but there’s a alitte more to it.
There’s a certain authenticity to Domestic na Kanojo and the drama elements are well integrated. The story is able to tread the line between melodrama and realism.
Characters are more than what they seem. Natsuo isn’t just a horny teenager who is attracted to his step sisters. The drama is so much, that at one point you really root for Natsuo to end up with Hina, who is his step sister AND teacher. Rui is also mature and isn’t just a generic high school girl. Each character has their own backstory and the dynamic between the trio makes you keep watching, though it could be frustrating for some.
Domestic na Kanojo still has many issues that prevent it from being truly great but it was a nice surprise.
3. Hi Score Girl II
Genre: Comedy, Game, Romance, School, Seinen
Studio: J.C. Staff
Season: Fall 2019
Episodes: 9
Introduction
The year is 1996, and second-year high school students Haruo Yaguchi, Akira Oono, and Koharu Hidaka live their lives as passionately about video games as they were five years ago. Brought together by arcade games, what began as a healthy rivalry and friendship has turned into something more. As they endeavour towards understanding their unfamiliar feelings, they work with allies, navigate high school, and find that, although life has its many challenges, there’s always a game or two they can rely on.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Hi Score Girl was one of the best romance anime of 2018 and this second season builds on that. Oono and Hidaka’s relationship is put to the test and we see them grow further as they nagivate through high school.
2. Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Romance, School, Shounen
Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
Season: Summer 2019
Episodes: 12
Introduction
Even after spending a considerable amount of time with Takagi, Nishikata is still struggling to find a perfect plan to defeat the expert teaser. A battle of wits, a contest of physical prowess, a test of courage—any strategy he employs to expose her weaknesses is to no avail. On the contrary, Nishikata’s pitiful attempts only reveal more of his own flaws, which Takagi takes advantage of to become increasingly daring in her teasing attempts. To make things worse for Nishikata, rumors about him and Takagi may have spread in class due to the frequent interactions between them.
However, the optimistic Nishikata believes that wisdom comes with age and that as the days go by, his experience with her constant teasing will eventually bear fruit, leading him to the awaited moment of victory. Thus, Nishikata continues to strive for the seemingly impossible—to outsmart Takagi and make her blush with embarrassment.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san is a fun romantic comedy and this second season is even more fun.
It’s not just teasing this time around. The relationship between Takagi and Nishikata starts growing even more with a very satisfying last arc.
Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san is heartwarming and innocent.
1. Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen
Genre: Comedy, Psychological, Romance, School, Seinen
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Season: Winter 2019
Episodes: 12
Introduction
At the renowned Shuchiin Academy, Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya are the student body’s top representatives. Ranked the top student in the nation and respected by peers and mentors alike, Miyuki serves as the student council president. Alongside him, the vice president Kaguya—eldest daughter of the wealthy Shinomiya family—excels in every field imaginable. They are the envy of the entire student body, regarded as the perfect couple.
However, despite both having already developed feelings for the other, neither are willing to admit them. The first to confess loses, will be looked down upon, and will be considered the lesser. With their honor and pride at stake, Miyuki and Kaguya are both equally determined to be the one to emerge victorious on the battlefield of love!
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Kaguya: Love is War was an anime I wasn’t expecting to like as much as I did. This is the best romance anime of 2019.
Kaguya: Love is War is theatrical and is visually great. There’s some interesting camera shots and art styles incorporated into alot of the scenes. The back and forth between Shirogane and Kaguya is very funny and entertaining.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is a thoughtfully-directed romantic comedy.
Click HERE for a more detailed analysis of Kaguya-Sama: Love is War.
For more lists, check out