The Anime world is so vast, it might take you a lifetime to complete all the anime shows and movies. No matter the content you watch, you will always carry a piece of it in your heart. This is the magic of the anime world. However, some genres are more memorable than others. Here are the best romantic anime movies that will leave you awestruck with their storyline and visuals.
Best Romantic Anime Movies of All Time
The Anime world is full of amazing shows and movies. Each resonates with the viewers and they always carry a part of that anime in their hearts. Romance is a genre that is universally portrayed in every anime no matter the storyline.
Just like I said every anime has romance in it, however, some animes revolve around the romance genre. Although there are many romance anime movies, we will discuss the best romantic anime movies that are full of heart-throbbing moments.
12. The Wind Rises
The Wind Rises is a historical drama film that was released in 2013. The movie is part of the Ghibli fandom written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The movie is set during World War 2 in Japan.
Even though the movie is fictional, it is the biography of Jiro Horikoshi, designer of the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft, and Mitsubishi A6M Zero. The movie portrays his journey as a designer and his love life with Naoko Satomi.
The movie beautifully portrays their tragic love story. While pursuing his dream of creating the perfect aircraft for the Japanese army during World War 2, he falls for Naoko. Romance in such desperate times like World War 2 is truly a beautiful combination.
11. Castle In The Sky
Castle In The Sky is another Studio Ghibli production that was released in 1986. The movie is a fantasy adventure but has some beautiful romantic scenes too. It revolves around Pazu and Sheeta.
Even though the movie has no direct link to romance, some moments are way too adorable and they cannot be missed. Even though the main characters did not say it loud enough, fans could feel the romance pouring out of the two characters. The movie shows more respect and trust than the love between the two but it is worth calling a romantic movie. If you are the one to watch romantic animes then you should know Who Is World’s Greatest Lover In Anime.
10. The Garden of Words
The Garden of Words is a 2013 romance drama film that revolves around Takao Akizuki, a 15-year-old shoemaker, and Yukari Yukino, a 27-year-old woman. The plot revolves around the aspiring shoemaker who always keeps on bumping into the Yukari Yukino at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
Yukari mystifies Takao as he tries to open up to her, while she shares nothing with him. He offers her a pair of shoes out of his passion for shoemaking. You can definitely feel the love he has for her and the way his gestures move her.
However, their age makes things complicated. In the end, both choose their careers over each other but Takao comes back to the garden and leaves the completed pair of shoes for Yukari. Thus, the shoes are an expression of the deep love he has for Yukari.
9. To the Forest of Firefly Lights
To the Forest of Firefly Lights is a 2011 romance mystery revolving around the young girl Hotaru and Gin, the spirit. Sadly, he will disappear if ever touched by a human.
After being rescued by him as a child, they become friends and later develop feelings for each other. They spend time together in the summers and their love matures with the passing seasons. Even though the ending is tragic, they both confess their love for each other.
Despite being a short anime, this movie has perfectly portrayed love and drama in every possible scene. All the moments between Hotaru and Gin are the expressions of love.
8. Violet Evergarden: the Movie
I’m sure you must have heard about Violet Evergarden. If you are someone who has already watched the series, the movie is definitely worth watching. Even those who have not watched the show can easily understand the storyline.
It is such an emotional movie, you might almost feel like tearing up. This 2020 fantasy romance movie is filled with such strong emotions of love, and friendship. Even after all the years of parting from each other, Violet still waits for her lost commander and believes he is alive.
She felt a void after she lost him but never knew that it was the love she had for her commander. The love stays alive and finally, they both express their feelings to each other in a very emotional yet romantic way.
7. From Up On Poppy Hill
From Up On Poppy Hill is a 2011 romance drama produced by Studio Ghibli. The storyline is as beautiful as any other Ghibli movie and full of romantic moments. Umi and Shin try their best to suppress the feeling of love to maintain their friendship.
In between their attempt to save the school clubhouse and friendship, they don’t really express their love for each other but it plainly visible in their expressions and actions that they feel something for each other.
6. Spirited Away
Spirited Away is a 2001 fantasy adventure movie produced by Studio Ghibli. The love between Chihiro and Haku is very sweet and subtle. Their relationship is so pure and real that it really does not need any specific romantic scenes.
The way he protected and stayed beside her when she felt lonely was enough to indicate that he loved her deeply. He was devoted to her and his gestures were enough to call it a romance.
5. Weathering With You
Weathering With You is a 2019 fantasy romance film. It is one of the most loved romantic movies in the anime world. The story is set in extremely rainy Tokyo where Hodaka Morishima meets Hina and falls in love with her.
His desperation to bring Hina back is enough to portray his love for her. The ending is subtle as they both reunite and embrace each other. This movie is about love and fighting for it with endless determination.
4. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is a 2020 romance comedy. It revolves around Tsuneo Suzukawa and Kumiko Yamamura who fall in love as the story progresses.
As he accepts the offer of becoming the caretaker of Josee (Kumiko), she is quite stubborn and hard on him. As they spend more time together, they start developing feelings for one another.
The movie beautifully portrays how love finds you in unexpected situations despite the hardships and complications, true love finds a way to blossom.
3. A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice is a 2016 romance drama. It revolves around Shoya Ishida and Shoko Nishimiya. The once bully now turned an outcast Shoya Ishida decides to make up to Shoko for bullying her in school.
Shoko starts developing feelings for Shoya and tries to confess her love through sign language as she is deaf. The romance is subtle yet impactful as it gradually builds up between the two. Both open up about their feelings in the end and decide to help each other heal.
2. Your Name
Your Name is a 2016 fantasy romance that really triggers the lover in you. It revolves around high school students Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyamizu who swap bodies with each other despite being unaware of each other.
There is a sort of connection that attracts them to know each other’s names. However, their lives are filled with chaos and natural disasters. The romance lies in their desperation to know each other’s names.
Even though they do not remember each other, they feel a strong connection with one another in the end of the movie. The whole romance revolves around their attempt and struggle to know each other.
1. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a 2018 romance drama that just knows how to break your heart. The story revolves around the tragic love of Sakura Yamauchi and Haruki Shiga.
You cannot resist the tears falling down your face after you discover their heartbreaking love story. It beautifully portrays a love story that sprung up from an illness and gradually grows strong with time.
Final Note
All these are some of the best romantic anime movies of all time and I suggest you watch them definitely. They will leave you crying or shedding a few tears and if not, then teach you the essence of love and its importance in one’s life in one way or the other.
Get ready for an emotional roller coaster ride while appreciating the cinematography and the dialogues of the characters in these movies.
