On the one hand you get to see a world so different from the one you live in, with dragons, fairies, and the occasional demon lord. But on the other hand, the theme of love is always present. So there’s always something about each world that you understand. If you’re looking for this fantasy/romance combo then you’ve stumbled onto the right list. We’ll be looking at some gems in this genre well worth watching.
15. Kokoro Connect
I think we can all agree that high school is confusing as hell as it is. Your hormones are going wild, your character is all over the place, and your attempts at love can be hit or miss. But the cast of Kokoro Connect has it even worse, as not only is this group of five in high school, but also a really bored alien starts messing with them. He starts making them switch bodies, share certain emotions, and all other kinds of messed up stuff. And considering that between the five of ‘em there’s so much chemistry and attempted love, you can imagine how complicated it can get.
14. The Ancient Magus’ Bride
This show definitely starts off on a depressing note. But don’t let that fool you. We see a young girl put herself up on an auction in the hopes that she will find a place to call home. The highest bidder turns out to be this tall man with a skull mask. And even though this sounds like the plot to a horror movie, we (and the girl) soon realize that the man is quite kind, and that he plans on making the girl his apprentice (as well as his bride). An apprentice in what, you may ask? Why magic, of course.
13. Natsuyuki Rendezvous
By concept alone, this show is equal part whacky and brilliant. We follow a young man named Ryousuke who falls head over heels for a widow that holds her own flower shop. He decides to make his move, only to realize that the ghost of her dead husband is still hanging around the old shop, and isn’t too keen on letting anyone get with his wife. Considering that only Ryousuke can see the ghost, this feels like a brilliant comedy. However, even though the show definitely is very funny, it should not be overlooked as a romantic tale.
12. The Monogatari series
The Monogatari series is such an expansive world at this point that you’re bound to find something you like. Be it lolly vampires, yandere serpent girls, mysterious con-artists, that one all-knowing dude in a Hawaiian shirt, there’s something for everyone. But it hits the romance nail quite hard, as the relationship that forms between Araragi and Senjougahara is equal parts ideal and believable. Sure, she might have assaulted him when they first met. But their chemistry really gets the room to flourish into something beautiful.
11. Yona of the Dawn
If you’re looking for a good old princess love story then look no further. The titular Yona is pretty standard when it comes to princess characters; she’s incredibly sheltered and delusional about the issues plaguing her people. But all that changes when her cousin pulls a 180 and suddenly kills her father, making her flee the kingdom. Oh but what’s this? Her childhood friend and total beef cake of a man Hak is also running away with her? Whatever could happen now, I wonder.
10. Your Name.
If you love fantasy romance and have a theatre within 100 miles of your home, you have probably already seen this movie. It’s a simple tale of two people who one day start swapping bodies randomly. The two live completely different lives and have to communicate with each other through diaries and marker tattoos, just so the other doesn’t ruin their life. But maybe there’s something bigger going on in the background that’s making all of this happen? Who knows, only one way to find out.
9. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
A lot of people misjudge this show because of the cover art, and the fact that the words “bunny girl” are in the title. But it is honestly way more than just some ecchi show. In the universe of Bunny Girl Senpai there’s an affliction called Puberty Syndrome. But instead of giving people pimples and their first menstrual cramps, Puberty Syndrome does something far more devious and supernatural. Maybe it will turn you invisible, maybe you’ll get gaping wounds without any blood, or maybe you’ll just lose your memory. It’s anyone’s guess. What is certain is that the protagonist is going to try and help, while also maybe getting cozy with his senpai on the side.
8. Snow White with the Red Hair
You don’t have to be a detective to realize that this show is like a tribute to the original Snow White, although it far exceeds it in my opinion. This time around we have a female lead who works as an herbalist and is one day targeted by a very possessive prince. She escapes his grasp, only to fall into the arms of the objectively superior prince Zen. Zen decides to protect our heroine, and she in turn pledges alliance to his kingdom and works her magic in creating new medicine. So not only is our female lead far more independent and interesting than the original Disney movie, but the prince here respects her individuality and is still a hunk. Sign me up.
7. Kamisama Kiss
The setup for this show was quite the bumpy ride, but man was I glad where it left me. We see a young girl fall into despair as her dad’s gambling addiction buried her in debt. But one day she sees a man getting chased by a dog and decides to help him out, as one does. But then the man offers her a house as a thank you. Sike, the man was actually offering her a run-down shrine, because he was its god until this point… and now that duty falls onto our heroine. Quite the twist, isn’t it? But in the shrine there’s a fox familiar, and he’s highkey hot. Whatever could happen next?
6. Hotarubi no Mori e
If you’re looking for a good cry just go and watch this movie, it truly is a masterpiece. It follows a girl who gets lost in the woods and stumbles upon a young boy wearing a mask. The boy actually turns out to be a spirit, and he leads her back home. However, the girl keeps coming back to the forest year after year and becomes attached to her new spirit friend. The only problem is that the two can’t ever touch or he’ll disappear. And cue the song “You will be king again”, and now here come the tears.
5. Spice & Wolf
The pairing of this show’s lovebirds seems pretty random at first, but becomes so brilliant within a few episodes. On one side you have a traveling merchant who’s just looking to make some money. On the other, you have a wolf goddess who has grown tired of being unappreciated by the people whose harvests the blesses. So she winds up taking a nap in the man’s cart. And through coincidence the two start traveling together. The chemistry is evident to the viewer right away, but it definitely takes them a bit more time to get the idea.
4. Weathering with You
Weathering with You is a movie that tells the story of two teens looking for a place to belong. The thing is that the girl is definitely a bit more peculiar, as she has the power to part the clouds and make sunshine appear. The two teens, although they met by chance, quickly form a close bond. And then even make a business out of this sunshine power. However, with great power comes great responsibility. And with great romance comes a great movie.
3. Sword Art Online
The anime community has a very love-hate relationship with Sword Art Online. But I think some of its merits still need to be said. It feels like the grandfather of isekai, and its animation quality and battle scenes are nothing to scoff at. However, the selling point for a lot of people was the romance that formed between Kirito and Asuna. If nothing else, the two grow far more involved than what’s the norm with isekai. I mean at one point they kind of had a child. Wild, I know.
2. No Game No Life: Zero
Although a lot of fans were probably disappointed to see a No Game No Life movie where Sora and Shiro are nowhere to be seen, I think they quickly forgot about that complaint. This movie is a prequel to the beloved series and tells the tale of a man named Riku and an Ex-machina who he calls Schwi. The world is in utter chaos as the sixteen races fight for supremacy and the title of God, while the two ostracized protagonists try to make sense of both the world and themselves. They form an unlikely duo and bring out the best of each other, and manage to find a slimmer of happiness in a world that is pitch black. Man, I was not disappointed.
1. Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is a classic in the fantasy romance genre and tells a story of the girl Tooru and her relationship with the Souma family. Through a string of unfortunate circumstances, Tooru ends up homeless. But is invited by Yuki Souma(the hotshot of her school) to stay with his family until she can find a place for herself. However, she then learns of a curse that’s plaguing the Souma family; that when hugged by a person of the opposite gender, they will turn into an animal of the zodiac. In terms of romance, the man to look out for is Kyou, who has the zodiac sign of a cat and is ostracized by his family.
