As a rom-com lover and anime lover finding new shoujo anime that satisfy both interests is almost a hobby by now. I’m giving you excellent info based on what’s my area of expertise and providing for you guys 3 shoujo anime I believe every rom-com enthusiast would love.
But first, for those who don’t know what shoujo anime is, let me give a brief explanation. The term “shoujo anime/manga” is typically used to describe any anime or manga that is targeted towards teen girls and women. However, that doesn’t mean only women can watch it or relate to it. These anime are usually about school life and romance, so if you think that’s something you’d enjoy, carry on reading this list!
- Blue Spring Ride
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Time Commitment: 4.6 Hours
Blue Spring Ride tells the story of Futaba Yoshioka and Kou Tanaka/Mabuchi. They meet in middle school and fall in love. Tanaka confesses his feelings and asks Yoshioka out on a date at the New Years Festival. However, he stands her up for unknown reasons. When the new semester arrives, Yoshioka expects Tanaka to give her an explanation about what happened, but he changes schools and she never sees him again.
Fast forward to high school and they reunite after years of no contact. Tanaka seems different, even changes his name to Mabuchi. Yoshioka wants to discover what happened by being his friend. This leads to a heartwarming story about forgiveness, grief, friendship, and first love.
I enjoyed this anime and the manga a whole lot. The relationship between Yoshioka and Tanaka is just precious and they help each other become more content with what is around them. I absolutely recommend this anime for anyone who enjoys even a little bit slow burn romances because, believe me, this anime takes its sweet time getting those two together.
- Lovely Complex
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Time Commitment: 10 Hours
Lovely Complex has a special place in my heart, not gonna lie. It was the first shoujo anime I ever watched and I became obsessed. It follows our main characters, Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Otani, who are like cats and dogs. They bicker throughout the whole series, but they can never resist being there for one another. One of the main things is Risa is the tallest girl in her class and Otani is the shortest guy in his.
This gives them a self-esteem complex to which they try to solve by getting a boyfriend or a girlfriend that will accept them as they are. What they don’t realize is that that person is right in front of them. This anime follows all the cliches romcoms are all about and does it in the cutest way possible. Risa and Otani have so much chemistry that it makes you want to slap them just so they’ll have some sense knocked into them. And then, maybe, just maybe, they’ll end up together! Highly recommended.
- Fruits Basket
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Time Commitment: 10 Hours
Now this one’s a classic! I decided to add it because of it’s 2019 reboot and because it has fantasy elements that set it apart from the others in my list. We follow Tohru Honda, a recently made orphan as she struggles to live on her own. She finds luck meeting Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure of the Soma family, who offer her a place to live in return for help with the chores. However, they also hold a secret from her: they transform into an animal of the zodiac when hugged by the opposite sex.
When Tohru finds out accidentally, she uncovers more than meets the eye. Kyo and Yuki, already in competition from long ago, also find themselves in a competition for Tohru’s feelings (all with consent and good-hearted nature). It’s a sweet anime with tons of stories sprinkled throughout that ultimately make the fantasy feel of it even more enjoyable!
There you have my short list of recommendations! I hope one of them spoke to you or sparked your interest. All you rom-com lovers out there, don’t put yourself in a box and step out of your comfort zone. Try shoujo anime, I guarantee you won’t regret it!