In 2023, romance anime was in vogue. Each season produced a couple of love stories, many of which were among the quarter’s best series. Even the weakest of the bunch, Fall 2023, delivered the cute Our Dating Story along with one of the more ridiculous entries in the genre in a long time. It was a good year to be a fan of romance, regardless of demographic.
Along with quality, 2023 also produced quantity, especially during Spring 2023. Naturally, some shows are better than others, and it is these series that will likely be remembered in the long run. Which are the best 2023 romance anime?
Here are the main criteria for this discussion:
- To qualify, an anime must have started in 2023. Sequels are fine, provided the season launched this year.
- A single Fall 2023 anime will be included despite having some episodes left to air. Unless the show experiences a dramatic shift in quality, its ranking is unlikely to change.
- Only TV shows. No movies.
- Each anime’s MyAnimeList score is included as a reference, but this metric is not the ranking’s sole determining factor.
- While a show’s overall quality matters, the romance is the primary focus.
6 The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You
MyAnimeList: 7.80
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You almost did not make the cut since it is associated primarily with the comedy and harem genres, but the show is nevertheless all about romance. More importantly, the anime does an admirable job of balancing a plethora of relationships as its protagonist, Rentarou, builds the harem to end all harems.
Unlike most of that genre’s representatives, 100 Girlfriends eliminates the “best girl” argument by simply promoting everyone to that role, and all of Rentarou’s partners are well-defined and granted time to shine. They even build charming friendships with each other. The characters are also very direct in showing their interest, a refreshing change of pace from most traditional romance anime.
That said, 100 Girlfriends‘ humor will be the determining factor in whether the show strikes a chord with a viewer.
5 Tomo-chan Is A Girl!
MyAnimeList: 7.81
Tomo-chan Is a Girl! is simply entertaining. Tomo has a crush on her best friend, Jun, but their long history makes it difficult for the latter to see the former as a potential partner or initially a girl. To get his attention, Tomo is encouraged by her close friend, Misuzu, to alter her behavior and appearance to emphasize her feminine traits. Unsurprisingly, this project does not quite work as intended and winds up producing plenty of confusion along the way.
Although entirely driven by romance, Tomo-chan Is a Girl! is first and foremost a comedy, with most episodes prioritizing laughs over everything else. Misuzu and Carol, the anime’s funniest characters, steal nearly every scene they are in, overshadowing Tomo and Jun in the process. Still, when romance takes center stage, the show handles it well, largely thanks to the main couple’s undeniable chemistry. Tomo and Jun are made for each other, and they also make complete sense as a couple.
4 My Happy Marriage
MyAnimeList: 7.82
My Happy Marriage is a mixed bag; however, the core romance between Kyoka and Miyo is generally fantastic. Coming from an abusive household, Miyo is sent to be married to a military noble with a reputation for being distant. Due to suffering years of humiliation, Miyo lacks any self-worth, and she cannot imagine a future where she is allowed to be happy. Kiyoka takes an instant interest in his new wife-to-be, and he proves to be a far kinder person than rumors suggest. As the season progresses, the two characters start to lower their walls, paving the way to a relationship built on mutual respect, trust, and love. It is amazing to behold.
Unfortunately, the rest of My Happy Marriage constantly threatens to fall flat. Miyo’s harrowing home life produces its share of intense moments, but they are somewhat undermined by one-dimensional antagonists who could have benefited from a hint of humanity to make them seem more real. The anime also introduces a supernatural element that does not add much to the overall experience, although this could be improved upon in a sequel.
3 The Dangers In My Heart
MyAnimeList: 8.23
Now, this was a pleasant surprise. At a glance, The Dangers in My Heart seems like another one of those “popular girl rescues a lonely boy” romances that are very common in manga and anime. Just to be clear, this concept can be done well, but it also tends to be formulaic and, at times, dull. Although taking a few ingredients from this recipe, The Dangers in My Heart supplements them with well-written characters who undergo impressive development in just 12 episodes.
An edgy teen who fantasizes about killing his schoolmates, Ichikawa accidentally befriends Yamada when they meet in the library. This encounter starts a wholesome friendship that allows both characters to explore and reveal different dimensions of their personalities, and they come across as real people who are learning to process intense emotions they have never experienced before. Despite their differences, Yamada’s interest in Ichikawa feels earned, particularly towards the end of the Spring 2023 season.
2 The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
MyAnimeList: 7.81
Another title that suggests a cliché story, The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten is anything but typical. Although not an outcast, Amane is not among the most popular guys at his school, and he certainly does not move in the same circles as Mahiru, the academy’s resident angel who happens to be his neighbor. One day, Amane sees a seemingly depressed Mahiru sitting in the rain, and he decides to lend her an umbrella. This small act of kindness opens a line of communication between the two, one that leads to friendship and support before romance.
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten largely consists of Mahiru and Amane talking to each other while sitting on a couch in the latter’s apartment. While not the most visually captivating romance anime of 2023, the show allows its protagonists to exist in each other’s company with almost no distractions, granting them room to breathe as they steadily build a powerful connection. Although slightly dense at times, Amane is a likable male lead who winds up being Mahiru’s “angel” rather than the other way around. Season 2 could be great.
1 Insomniacs After School
MyAnimeList: 8.07
Although not quite reaching the same heights as Makoto Ojiro’s manga, Insomniacs After School was nevertheless the best romance anime of 2023. Suffering from insomnia in silence, Ganta Nakami feels trapped in a lonely and impenetrable world; however, that changes when he finds Isaki Magari, another insomniac, sleeping in their school’s observatory. As they believe they can only rest while inside this building, they revive the astronomy club, which also allows them to spend more time together.
Moving at a relatively slow pace, Insomniacs After School is grounded in reality, and most of its “big” romantic moments are fairly ordinary in the grand scheme of things. This extends to Ganta and Isaki’s characterization, as they are both relatable and flawed in their own right. In most romance anime, the main couple are usually on a collision course from the start, and they have to get through their share of misunderstandings and contrivances before coming together in the end. In Insomniacs After School, Ganta and Isaki’s love just blooms naturally as they grow more comfortable around each other.
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