Netflix has a massive roster of movies and TV shows, with many titles rotating in and out on the platform. Fortunately, Netflix’s anime section, while limited compared to what Crunchyroll can offer, is less prone to rotation and has a stable selection of titles for anime fans to dive into. The streaming platform even has a few anime titles not found anywhere else, including shows of many different genres.
Fans of romantic comedy anime, for example, have a few great picks to choose from in Netflix’s catalog. True, Netflix’s anime section is best for action and science fiction fans, but anyone who needs a break from violence and giant robots can relax and cuddle up with some of the best romantic comedy anime in the industry.
Kimi ni Todoke Is a Classic Dandere Romance Anime
Kimi ni Todoke is a beloved but sometimes underrated shojo manga/anime franchise that stars a charming dandere heroine, Sawako Kuronuma. Unfortunately for her, Sawako’s long dark hair and quiet personality remind her classmates of horror movie villains, so she has few friends and low self-esteem. All that changes in high school when Sawako befriends an outgoing boy named Shota on the school’s grounds under a tree, which encourages Sawako to improve her weak communication skills and expand her social circle for the first time. She is also a genuinely caring and hardworking person, and now, she has a chance to prove it to everyone.
Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club stands as one of the defining reverse-harem anime series out there, and like many rom-com shojo anime, it stars an ordinary, humble girl many viewers can relate to. Ouran High School Host Club centers around Haruhi Fujioka, a “commoner” girl who accidentally breaks a near-priceless vase at her school’s all-male host club. To repay them, Haruhi joins as a host herself. However, Ouran High School Host Club isn’t simply an excuse for high school rom-com hijinks or reverse-harem fun. The series also helps break down barriers of both genre and gender, creating a gentle parody series where people are encouraged to be true to themselves, no matter what form that may take.
Komi Can’t Communicate Is a Meta Romantic Comedy
Komi Can’t Communicate, like Ouran High School Host Club, is a well-meaning parody and meta-commentary series in the romantic comedy genre. The Komi anime throws in a bit of everything from high school anime and rom-coms, from archetypes like the gap moe Makoto Katai to the sinister yandere Ren Yamai to the ultra-plain, self-insert Hitohito Tadano, among others. Protagonist Shoko Komi is a silent dandere — a beautiful but lonely high school student who wants more than anything to make 100 friends. When Shoko’s classmate Hitohito finally understands her and reaches out as a friend, a grateful Shoko is inspired to transform her social life and make those 100 friends at long last. Along the way, Shoko’s gratitude toward Hitohito may blossom into true love, even if she can’t clearly communicate it.
Toradora! Adds Hard-Hitting Drama to Its Romance & Comedy
Toradora! remains one of the most popular and well-regarded romantic comedy anime series ever made, first airing in the late 2000s and maintaining its popularity to this very day. Notably, the Toradora! anime mixes in some weighty drama to balance out its wacky rom-com high school hijinks, which adds some serious emotional stakes to an otherwise pure comedy storyline. The story begins with the kind Ryuji Takasu crossing paths with the tiny but tough tsundere Taiga Aisaka, with Ryuji and Taiga having a crush on each other’s best friends. A love square soon takes form, with Ryuji slowly getting to know Taiga better, including her serious insecurities, and gradually realizing that he and Taiga might really be in love not with each other’s besties but with one another.
Romantic Killer Features a Girl Teaming Up With Cupid
Romantic Killer begins with a somewhat reclusive red-headed heroine named Anzu Hoshino, who likes to relax at home with her cat, snacks and plenty of romantic video games as a substitute for real-life romance. Then, a cupid-like wizard named Riri takes all of Anzu’s favorite things hostage and requests that she experience real-life romance with handsome, cool boys and appreciate what other human beings have to offer. At first, Anzu tries to cheat the system and avoid real commitment, yet she can’t help befriending these boys and her unexpected feelings for them.