A good romantic comedy will surely brighten your day. A great romantic comedy, however, will have you considering love and all of its many faces. Be it a classic like When Harry Met Sally or a whimsical, contemporary film like Rye Lane, these films are some of the many rom-coms that mange to capture the anxieties and excitement that comes with new love. The typical developments of the story find themselves mirroring the Shakespearean tales of love, chronicling the hectic journey towards a tender, affectionate relationship while including hilarious hijinks and moments of devastation. That template has been seen by millions across different languages and styles.
The popularity of anime has exposed international viewers to Japanese interpretations of popular tropes as well as their unique approach to depicting romance. While many inadvertently flatten the medium as a genre, anime is a bubble of its own, taking inspiration from foreign media while also inspiring many forms of media with their unique sub-genres and plots. Much like their live action counterparts, anime rom-coms present their audiences with relationships which borderline on pleasantly saccharine at its best and sorrowful at its worst.
What makes these ten films some of the best among its roster is their vivid animation styles and their uniquely comical exploration of innocent love. The dynamic characters and the plots make for a compelling experience. Furthermore, each of these films offer audiences with their respective structure, with some leaning towards traditional Japanese romance stories while other incorporate both modern Japanese love stories and foreign experiences as well.
10 Doukyuusei (2016)
While Doukyuusei (Classmates) may be solely labeled under “romance” or “BL (boy’s love),” the film includes many comical moments. Moreover, the romantic gestures between both protagonists mirror the awkward and sweet acts of affection seen in some of the most recognizable romance comedies. The film, based on the manga of the same name, focuses on two high school students and their mutual attraction.
Rihito Sajō (Kenji Nojima) and Hikaru Kusakabe (Hiroshi Kamiya) couldn’t be any more different. The quiet and collected Sajō juggles his academics with his anxiety, fueled by constant self-reflection. On the contrary, Kusakabe is more relaxed, turning his attention towards music. When the two meet, initial expectations are shattered with a kiss, and the rest of the film highlights their respective and the beauty of their romance.
The comedic moments in the film come off as unintentional, appearing in moments of nervousness and innocence. While Sajō’s anxiety is treated with a sense of seriousness, moments between him and the blunt Kusakabe make for hilarious conversations that lighten the mood in the moment and contribute to the canon of their shared history and future. However, those select scenes bring a unique brightness to the film’s tender love story. Capturing the heart of the manga, Doukyuusei is an amusing and light story of two gay youths and the beginning of their beautiful romance.
Rent it on Prime Video
9 Tamako Love Story (2014)
One of two films that served as a sequel to a popular television series, Tamako Love Story finds Tamako Kitashirakawa (Aya Suzaki) and Mochizō Ōji (Atsushi Tamaru) in high school as they navigate their feelings towards one another and their respective college careers.
Taking place in high school, the two seniors find themselves in typical extracurricular activities like “Baton Club” while planning for the next stage in their lives. However, an admission of love temporarily fractures a friendship. With a healthy dose of laugh and tears, Tamako and Mochizō’s respective stories diverge but remain interesting, chronicling their journey back to each other while also tracking their personal emergencies.
Not only does the film offer fans an additional story from the world of Tamako Market, but the film can strongly stand on its own as an independent project. Familiar feelings of excitement and confusion appear throughout the film, best represented in amusing moments that will surely remind audiences of their high school experiences. Whether they call back to identifiable moments or one’s imagination og high school love, Tamako Love Story is an endearing glimpse at one of adolescences’ sweetest moments.
Stream it on Crunchyroll
8 I’ve Always Liked You (2016)
Similar to Tamako Love Story, a set of high schoolers struggle to confess their true feelings for one another in the 2016 film I’ve Always Liked You (Zutto Mae Kara Suki Deshita). Thrusting audiences into the romantic lives of their protagonists, the film first focuses on Natsuki Enomoto (Karuka Tomatsu) who confesses her love to fellow student Yu Setoguchi (Hiroshi Kamiya) before quickly backtracking. Reconvening with her friends, we get more insight on her feelings as well as their respective romantic obstacles. For instance, Mio Aida (Aki Toyosaki) also had trouble announcing her affections to another peer of theirs, Haruki Serizawa (Kenichi Suzumura).
On the other hand, Akari Hayasaka (Kana Asumi) is the focus of Sota’s (Yuuki Kaji) affection, the latter having an infatuation with Akari since they met. The intertwined stories within the film expose audiences to characters with enough personality to win them over with their silliness and innocent romantic gestures.
With an abundance of characters and stories, it would be impossible to be bored with I’ve Always Liked You. The leading characters bring forth a reinvigorating energy, everywhere they travel, and it makes for some of the funniest moments in a romance comedy. Much like “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”, confusion can be the source to some of the most alluring and entertaining stories and with the various romances within I’ve Always Liked You, the sentiment still holds true.
Stream it on Crunchyroll
7 The Stranger by the Shore (2020)
Would it be wrong to claim that plenty of people can pinpoint a moment in their youth when they associated an innocent crush with a certain place, a particular season, or a specific belonging. The Stranger by the Shore introduces us to Shun Hashimoto (Taishi Murata), a 24-year-old who recently came out to his parents. Wallowing in feelings of confusion and loss, he comes to meet 17-year-od Mio (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka), a student who he finds solace in.
Despite the bond they forge during the summer, Mio must return to the mainland for his education. Three years pass since they last conversed and the two men come with a newfound approach on life and love as well as a few secrets.
The Stranger by the Shore chronicles the delicate moment that is the coming out experience while also offering insight on how romance is affected by prevalent homophobic attitudes. Through highlighting the warmth of love as well as the coldness of abandonment, the film calls attention to the privilege some are afforded in situations as seemingly simple as dating.
As a result of this privilege or perhaps in spite of it, the film does an excellent job at displaying the tenderness the two share with one another. Furthermore, the comedic timing present only accentuates the goals of the film. Whether it be their failed attempt at fishing or Shun leaning in to kiss Mio before realizing he forgot the cooling patches, the film’s awkward moments are its most hilarious. All in all, the vulnerability of both Shun and Mio make for a poignant yet entertaining film.
Stream it on Crunchyroll
6 Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (2021)
Netflix
In many rom-coms, communication can be a pathway towards joy while the lack thereof leads to embarrassing moments and a further widening of the wedge between potential soulmates. Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop finds many of its teenage protagonists stumble over professing their love while also making some monumental memories with their friends. Set in rural Japan, the film follows a group of friends that spend most of their time together at the local shopping mall, “Oda Nouvelle”. Our main protagonist, Kouichi “Cherry” Sakura (Ichikawa Somegorō VIII), is a young boy who enjoys writing partly due to his struggles with communication.
After a mishap finds his phone in the hands of an anonymous influencer named Smile (Hana Sugisaki). Once the two grow close and begin working together at the elderly care center, they come across stories of past love and soon embark on a lighthearted adventure to commemorate the relationship of one of the elders in the center.
The slice-of-life subgenre has been noted for its equally vivid yet relatable depictions of everyday life and Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop excels at just that. Approaching authentic feelings of unrequited love, crushes, friendships, and intergenerational communities, the film has plenty of heartwarming scenes between characters as well as amusing lines and actions that capture the fun and joy of youth culture.
Once the larger friend group convenes in the mall, many of their distinguishable quirks collide and create some of the funniest moments of the film. Anyone in search of a fun love story paced with adventure will, in no doubt, appreciate the candor of Worlds Bubble Up Like Soda Pop.
Stream it on Netflix
5 Kayuga-sama: Love Is War – The First Kiss That Never Ends (2022)
Another film that follows a popular series, Kayuga-sama: Love Is War – The First Kiss That Never Ends follows the lives of two confident students clearly in love and the insurmountable pride that prevents both from officiating their relationship. Taking place in Shuchiin Academy, senior Kaguya Shinomiya (Aoi Koga) is widely renowned for her beauty and intellect. As the vice president of the student council, Kayuga typically leads with a cold exterior but is soon to be revealed as a rather sweet person. Miyuki Shirogane (Makoto Furukawa) is the president of the student council, dedicating much of his time to preserving his reputation as a top student while also providing for his family through various part-time jobs. The two take eons to admit their mutual attraction, resulting in ridiculous schemes and moments of humiliation that is admittedly hard to not laugh at.
Kayuga-sama: Love Is War – The First Kiss That Never Ends takes place at the end of the third season after the two share their first kiss and chronicles the evolution of their relationship. Retaining the same energy as the show, the film finds the two contenting with the uncertainty around their relationship. However, as Christmas approaches, the two meet once more and ultimately decide whether they want to formally begin dating or remain in a confusing state of attraction and envy.
The “will they, won’t they” component makes for an enjoyable experience and while the comedic moments are reduced in favor of serious moments of contention, Kayuga-sama: Love Is War – The First Kiss That Never Ends remains a funny and endearing romance.
Stream it on Apple TV+
4 The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
Incorporating a sci-fi component into an already compelling coming-of-age romance, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time fairly juggles all of its inspirations and ambitions, resulting in a fun film with much to offer. On a typical day at high school, 17-year-old Makoto Konno (Riisa Naka) experiences a series of bizarre accidents and close calls, including a near fatal experience with a train.
Returned to the moment before the accident, Makoto realizes that she has the ability to leap through time and initially uses the ability to her benefit: improving her academics, remaining punctual for everyday events, and relive fulfilling moments. With the help of fellow student Chiaki Mamiya (Takuya Ishida), the two attempt to rectify the harm done as a result of Makoto’s time leaps, and soon Makoto has an epiphany regarding her feelings for Chiaki.
Aside from the vibrant scenes of time travel alongside the heart-to-heart conversations that Makoto shares with Chiaki and herself, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time proves itself to be an ingenious ode to love itself. Not only in the romantic sense, the film focuses on one’s love of fond memories, of life, and of their respective community. In Makoto’s case, her time travel experiences highlights her appreciation for the wonders in life and later on, the preciousness of life itself.
Along with serious statements, the film also dabbles in hilariously fun moments such as Makoto’s prolonged karaoke session and a morbidly funny scene that sees Makoto testing her new powers, to the dismay of her younger sister who confuses her experiment for an attempt to take her own life. Overall, The Girl Who Leapt Through TIme has nothing to offer but moments of laughter and lovely life lessons.
Rent it on Apple TV+
3 Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Whisper of the Heart has been widely regarded as one of Studio Ghibli’s most overlooked films. Taking place in Tokyo, the film follows 14-year-old Tokyo student Shizuku Tsukishima (Yōko Honna) a curious girl with a vested interest in creative writing and antiques. On one fateful day, Shizuku visits the library and finds that all the books she desired to borrow were leased out to Seiji Amasawa (Yōko Honna). Unbeknownst to her, Seiji would spend the next few days teasing her before the two formally befriend one another.
The rest of the film finds their relationship evolving while also honing in on Shizuku and Seiji’s shared interest in finding fulfilling adventures.
The underrated story of Shizuku’s maturation and teenage romance has been recontextualized and subsequently appreciated by first time watchers and eager returners. Its wholesome approach towards portraying the teen years turn the simply mundane moment of life into a fantastical vision of love, ambition, and reflection.
While the film leans towards drama, Whisper of the Heart includes whimsical scenes with recognizable characters like the Baron as well as hilarious moments like their respective renditions of “Country Roads” and who could forget the energy that came with the line “Stupid jerk!”. The cleverness of the film’s dialogue as well as the messaging behind the story makes Whisper of the Heart an excellent anime romance.
Stream it on Max
2 Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2020)
Set in Osaka, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish finds two distinct paths converge and create magic. Tsuneo Suzukawa (Taishi Nakagawa), a young student aspiring for a career in marine biologist. On his way home from his job at a diving shop, he comes across and aids a young woman who insists on being called Josee (Kaya Kiyohara). The two grow closer after Tsuneo is invited to the latter’s home and is subsequently offered a job as a caretaker.
While the relationship is initially tense, the two quickly become close and soon share their personal interests culminating in an enjoyable journey through the city. After an incident ends in tragedy, their already tender friendship blossoms into a beautiful union that replenishes both partners with a full serving of love and support.
Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish depicts reality so well, viewers and critics couldn’t help but get lost within its narrative. The satisfaction of watching Josee and Tsuneo enjoying the delights of the city has to and the realization of just how much they care abut each other is where the appeal of the film truly lies. Furthermore, the many conversations between the two range from awkwardly hilarious to innocently funny.
Josee’s initial reaction to Tsuneo saving her speaks to the prevalence of sexual harassment but also manages to be slightly ridiculous, successfully capturing the anxiety many women and femmes experience while also offering audiences a quick laugh. All in all, the film stands as one of 2020s best films and remains a must-see for romance comedy fans.
Rent it on Apple TV+
1 Night Is Short, Walk on Girl (2017)
In the world of animated rom-coms, it’s hard to find anyone that doesn’t appreciate Night Is Short, Walk on Girl. The film, based on the 2006 novel of the same, follows an unnamed woman henceforth referred to as “Kōhai”. A junior at university, the kōhai ventures throughout Kyoto and comes across characters both charming and troublesome. The only person with a genuine interest in the kōhai is the senpai, or senior male university student. While watching the latter attempt to woo the kōhai, viewers get a stunning look at the city at night and the film’s alluring animation overall.
Aside from the stunning visuals, Night Is Short, Walk On Girl has left critics impressed due to its creative approach to depicting both the romances present in the film as well as the characters themselves.
The film leads its audience through a puzzling progression of events, which in some ways, mirrors reality. While entertaining viewers with awkward encounters and dialogue, the narrative unfolds like a mystery, transforming from a fantastical story to a mind-altering masterpiece by the final moments of the kōhai’s journey.
Stream it on Max
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
