If you’re on the hunt for anime romance that’ll hit you right in the feels, make you laugh till it hurts, and hurl a few choice words at fictional characters for being adorably clueless, then come on in. I’ve scoured Netflix’s lovey-dovey anime stash to bring you the best of the best. From awkward first crushes to dramatic celestial flings, here are 15 anime romances that are totally worth your time.
1. Teasing Master Takagi-san
3 seasons | 36 episodes
Watch on Netflix
Middle school romance, but make it psychological warfare. Takagi’s got the art of the tease down to a science, and poor Nishikata falls for it. Every. Single. Time. Frustrating, adorkable, and so relatable for anyone who’s ever been in the “like you so I’ll annoy you” phase.
2. Ouran High School Host Club
1 season | 26 episodes
Watch on Netflix
The richest, most out-of-touch high school boys are running a host club, and Haruhi’s stuck in the middle, pretending to be a boy. The whole setup is a gold mine for fake dating, real feelings, and so many misunderstandings. Perfect for shoujo drama llamas.
SEE ALSO: Best Anime Comedies: Ouran High School Host Club & More!
3. Heaven Official’s Blessing
2 season | 24 episodes
Watch on Netflix
“I like you, but let’s take a few centuries to admit it” drama because Xie Lian and Hua Cheng are busy being all tragic and beautiful. It’s romance with a Chinese mythology twist that’ll have you yelling at these celestial boys to get it together already. Exactly the kind of overkill we adore.
4. Violet Evergarden
1 season | 13 episodes
Watch on Netflix
So, Violet Evergarden is not a long-haul love story, but hear me out. It’s about a war vet figuring out human emotions through letter-writing, so of course there are episodic lovelines packed in. It’s a love letter to love letters, and we’re signed, sealed, and delivered.
SEE ALSO: Violet Evergarden & More Slice-of-Life Anime to Binge Watch on Netflix
5. Toradora!
1 season | 25 episodes
Watch on Netflix
The angry, pocket-sized Taiga and the nice-guy-who-looks-like-a-delinquent Ryuji are scheming to win over their crushes but fall for each other instead. Shocking, I know. Classic anime rom-com with tsundere & dopey good-boy antics and the occasional flying kick.
6. Hi Score Girl
2 seasons | 21 episodes
Watch on Netflix
Haruo’s gaming skills are top-tier, but his romance game? Not so much. Then comes Akira, kicking his ass in Street Fighter and stealing his heart without saying much. The sweetest, geekiest of love stories set against the bleeps and bloops of 1990s arcade games.
7. Romantic Killer
1 season | 12 episodes
Watch on Netflix
Anzu’s just trying to live her gamer girl life, and this magical, meddling blob is like, “Nah, have some romance.” Suddenly, her life is a reverse harem gone wild, with enough laughs and unexpected feels to prove that love can indeed be a killer… of your peace and quiet.
8. Kimi no Todoke: From Me To You
2 seasons | 38 episodes
Watch on Netflix
Sawako just wants to make friends, but her classmates think she’s summoning demons or something. But when Mr. Popular shows interest, it’s a slow crawl towards romance that makes you want to scream “Could you two maybe get a move on FFS, but also, aww!”
9. My Happy Marriage
1 season | 12 episodes
Watch on Netflix
It’s dark, dealing with themes of toxic families and forced marriage before it even sniffs romance. But then, Miyo and Kiyoka turn a terrible situation into a story of healing, understanding, and mutual respect. The kind of ride-or-die love story we’re here for.
SEE ALSO: 20 Sad Anime That Turned Us Into Sobbing Wrecks
10. Flavors of Youth
Film | 1h 15min
Watch on Netflix
This is an anthology film, and the third part, Love in Shanghai, hits the romance sweet spot. Li Mo and Xiao Yu are your almost-weres, tangled in a mess of missed calls, lost tapes, and so-close moments. Got a “one that got away”? This will twist that knife a bit.
11. A Whisker Away
Film | 1h 44min
Watch on Netflix
Miyo’s solution to getting close to her crush? Turn into a damn cat. The girl’s antics are cray-cray, but underneath she’s just a kid trying to cope with pain. A cute and heart-tugging little film that takes the cake for the most inventive way to stalk your love interest.
12. Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
Film | 1h 27min
Watch on Netflix
It’s a summer romance that feels like a pop song come to life, all candy colors and bubbly feelings. Cherry and Smile connect over music and poetry, living out the clumsy, heart-fluttery moments of first love. So cute and feel-good, you’ll forgive it for any cheese.
13. No Doubt In Us
2 seasons | 48 episodes
Watch on Netflix
The old body-swap shtick, but make it imperial China and throw in a royal couple who can barely stand each other. Funny and heartfelt anime fantasy romance that showcases that marital bliss—or at least, less bickering—comes from walking a mile in someone else’s… silk shoes?
14. Bubble
Film | 1h 40min
Watch on Netflix
Tokyo is half underwater, physics is broken, and orphaned kids are battling it out with insane parkour moves. But, of course, there’s time for romance. Ibiki and Uta’s story is the adrenaline rush of feels, proving love can indeed conquer all—even Bubble-pocalypse.
15. Ocean Waves
Film | 1h 12min
Watch on Netflix
A 1990s slice-of-Ghibli life, focusing on the tangles of teenage romance. Taku and Rikako’s story is a messy drama you’re glad you graduated from but can’t help watching unfold. Love triangles, misunderstandings, awkwardness—it’s all here in its cringey glory.
SEE ALSO: 20 Best 90s Anime That Shaped a Generation
And that’s a wrap on best anime & donghua love stories on Netflix. Love ’em? Hate ’em? Got hot takes? Drop a comment, share the love on your socials, and check back for more anime recs.
