Valentine's Day 2026 is just around the corner. For those of you who want to spend time with sweet and heartfelt shows, the list of Anime This Best Romance Series can be a reference.
This year, we summarized TV series titles that offer romance stories from various genres. Here are ten recommended anime series to accompany Valentine's Day.
10. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (2018)
| Episode | 11 + 3 OVAS |
| Studio | A-1 Pictures |
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii) is about romance in the workplace. The story focuses on Narumi Momose, an office lady who hides her fujoshi hobby. She reunites with her childhood friend, Hirotaka Nifuji, in a new office.
Hirotaka is an avid gamer who works at the same company. They decide to date because they feel they have similar hobbies as otaku. Their relationship is casual with a touch of comedy around hobbies and work life. This anime showcases the dynamics of an adult couple building a relationship through comfort and common interests.
9. My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 (2023)
| Episode | 13 |
| Studio | Madhouse |
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 (Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru) combines elements of romance with the world of online gaming. Akane Kinoshita has just gone through a breakup after her boyfriend cheated on her with another player in the game. While venting her frustration in an RPG game, she meets a character named Akito Yamada.
Yamada is a pro-gamer who is cold and socially awkward. Their interactions spill over into the real world when Akane meets Yamada at an offline event. The story follows the development of the relationship between the expressive Akane and Yamada who slowly begins to learn to understand the feelings of others.
8. Insomniacs After School (2023)
| Episode | 13 |
| Studio | LIDENFILMS |
Insomniacs After School (Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia) is set in Nanao city, Ishikawa Prefecture. Ganta Nakami and Isaki Magari are two students who both suffer from insomnia. They find a secret place in the school's disused observatory to rest.
The two decide to revive the school's astronomy club. Through club activities and time spent together at night, they share their problems and fears. The anime highlights the relationship that grows through emotional support and nighttime photography activities.
7. Horimiya (2021)
| Episode | 26 (2 seasons) |
| Studio | CloverWorks |
Horimiya tells the story of two students with different personalities at school and outside of school. Kyouko Hori is known as a popular and intelligent student in class, while Izumi Miyamura is seen as a quiet and gloomy student.
Outside of school, Hori is a homely girl who is busy taking care of the house, while Miyamura appears with many piercings and tattoos. An accidental encounter makes them know the other side of each other. The anime focuses on honest communication and the development of teenage relationships without protracted misunderstandings.
6. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! (2024)
| Episode | 12 |
| Studio | A-1 Pictures |
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! (Make Heroine ga Oosugiru!) takes a different angle in the romcom genre. Kazuhiko Nukumizu accidentally witnesses Anna Yanami, the popular girl in his class, being rejected by her childhood friend at the family restaurant.
The story does not focus on the winner of love, but rather on the characters of girls who have experienced love rejection. Nukumizu then gets involved with several girls who have a similar fate. The anime explores the theme of heartbreak and friendship among these characters.
5. My Happy Marriage (2023)
| Episode | 2 Season (25 Eps + OVA) |
| Studio | Kinema Citrus |
My Happy Marriage (Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon) is set in the Meiji Restoration era with supernatural elements. Miyo Saimori grew up without the love of her stepmother and stepbrother due to her lack of spiritual talent. She was later betrothed to Kiyoka Kudou.
Kiyoka is a military commander who is rumored to be cruel and cold. However, the reality is different from the rumors. Kiyoka begins to care for Miyo and realizes her fiancé's family situation. The story features the process of trauma healing and the growth of trust between the two main characters.
4. Fruits Basket (2019)
| Episode | 63 (3 seasons) |
| Studio | TMS Entertainment |
Fruits Basket The 2019 version adapts the entire story of the manga by Natsuki Takaya. Tohru Honda, a high school student who lived independently after her mother died, begins living on the Soma family's estate. She learns the secret that members of the Soma family will turn into shio animals if hugged by members of the opposite sex.
The story focuses on Tohru's interactions with Kyo Soma and Yuki Soma, as well as other curse-bound family members. The anime explores themes of family trauma, self-acceptance, and romantic relationships that develop along with trying to break the curse.
3. Blue Box (2024)
| Episode | 25 |
| Studio | Telecom Animation Film |
Blue Box (Ao no Hako) combines the genres of sports and school romance. Taiki Inomata is a member of the boys' badminton team who always practices in the morning. He admires Chinatsu Kano, his senior who is the star of the girls' basketball team.
The situation changed when Chinatsu's parents moved abroad for work, and Chinatsu stayed at Taiki's family home. Living under the same roof makes their interactions even more intense. The two support each other in achieving national goals in their respective sports while navigating their feelings.
2. Kaguya-sama: Love is War (2019)
| Episode | 37 (3 Season) + Movie |
| Studio | A-1 Pictures |
Kaguya-sama: Love is War (Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai) is set at the prestigious Shuchiin Academy. Miyuki Shirogane (Student Council President) and Kaguya Shinomiya (Vice President) like each other, but their pride prevents them from confessing their feelings.
They hold the principle that whoever declares love first is the loser. The anime features various psychological strategies and comedic situations that both characters employ to lure the other into confessing their feelings.
1. The Dangers in My Heart (2023)
| Episode | 25 (2 seasons) |
| Studio | Shin-Ei Animation |
The Dangers in My Heart (Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu) focuses on Kyotaro Ichikawa, a loner student with a dark imagination. He begins to notice Anna Yamada, a classmate who is also a magazine model.
Ichikawa discovers that underneath his perfect appearance, Yamada has an innocent side and often eats snacks secretly in the library. Their interaction develops from mere observation to a close friendship. This anime depicts the development of Ichikawa's character who slowly opens up thanks to Yamada's presence.
Those are ten recommended anime series to accompany Valentine's Day 2026. This list covers various genres ranging from slice of life, comedy, to supernatural drama.
