Best Romance Anime Movies That Make You Believe in Love

Romance anime movies might not quite get the same level of attention as their TV series counterparts, but that is merely due to accessibility and exposure rather than quality. For decades, Japan has been producing animated love stories that are equally capable of warming or breaking hearts, ones that come in a wide range of subgenres and tones. There are hilarious romcoms, introspective slice-of-life journeys, and devastating tragedies. The best romance anime films are simply among the genre’s greatest efforts across all media, be it live-action or animation.

While there aren’t seemingly infinite options, plenty of features exist that are worth tracking down, a process that can be quite difficult considering many anime movies are not available on any streaming platform. In an effort to simplify the process, let’s take a look at the best romance anime movies of all time.

Updated on January 5, 2025, by Mark Sammut: A quick picks section has been added, containing an array of recommendations. The streaming information for each movie has also been updated.

Quick Picks: Best Romance Anime Movies To Watch Right Now

While we will get to the official rankings in a minute, let’s first start with a section that highlights recommendations across a couple of categories, including subgenres and streaming services. If you are mainly just looking for something to watch right now, this section should help provide guidance and help you pick a movie or two. I’m going to include three recommendations for each criterion, and I’m going to try and minimize the same recs across multiple categories.

32

The Place Promised in Our Early Days

Signs Of Great Things To Come

• Japanese Title: Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho
• Release Date: November 20, 2004
• Director: Makoto Shinkai
• Studio: CoMix Wave Films
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.42
• Where to Stream: HBO Max

At this point, Makoto Shinkai is comfortably established as one of the biggest directors in anime. However, every master hones their craft gradually, and Shinkai is no exception. After a few shorts, the director put together his first feature, 2004’s The Place Promised in Our Early Days. Nowadays, this film is generally regarded as Shinkai’s worst release, albeit one that is still worth watching for people who enjoy his subsequent masterpieces. Showcasing many of his trademarks but arguably struggling to form a coherent and gripping narrative, The Place Promised in Our Early Days has moments of brilliance and stretches of confusion.

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Now, it should be said that The Place Promised in Our Early Days is not an extremely satisfying romance anime movie, despite exploring the long-lost lover trope that features in so many of Shinkai’s best works. Set in an alternate reality where Japan is split into the North and South, the story follows three kids named Hiroki, Takuya, and Sayuri. When the latter goes modding, the former two drift apart, only to come together years later in an attempt to save their friend. Sayuri and Hiroki are romantically interested in each other and share a couple of cute scenes; however, they are mostly kept apart, and the movie does not quite manage to cement their bond in the same way as, for example, Your Name.

31

I’ve Always Liked You & The Moment You Fall in Love

A Respectable 2-Parter

• Japanese Title(s): Zutto Mae kara Suki deshita. Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai & Suki ni Naru Sono Shunkan wo. Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinka
• Release Date: April 23, 2016 & December 17, 2016
• Director: Tetsuya Yanagisawa & Hotaka Kuramoto
• Studio: Qualia Animation
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.20 & 7.04

Two for the price of one, I’ve Always Liked You and The Moment You Fall in Love are for the real die-hard romance anime fans who want to watch just about everything the genre has to offer. Also, after completing these two 1-hour movies, make sure to check out Our Love Has Always Been 10 Centimeters Apart, a 6-episode series that kind of ties up this universe.

While that might sound like way too much effort to ultimately experience a couple of fairly forgettable teenage romances that barely get their relationships started, this series is oddly comforting in its inconsequential confessions, predictable misunderstandings, and indulgence in old-school anime tropes like sis-cons. You watch them not because they are great, but as a reminder that most teen love stories are silly, awkward, and starring people who have no clue what they are doing.

30

To Me, The One Who Loved You & To Every You I’ve Loved Before

Multiverse Romance Anime Movie

• Japanese Title(s): Kimi wo Aishita Hitori no Boku e & Boku ga Aishita Subete no Kimi e
• Release Date: October 7, 2022
• Director: Jun Matsumoto
• Studio: Bakken Record
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.44 & 7.49
• Where to Stream: Crunchyroll

Now, here is something a touch different. Released on the same day, To Every You I’ve Loved Before and To Me, The One Who Loved You are sibling movies that should be watched together, but still tell stories that can be enjoyed in isolation. Set in a reality with parallel universes that can be jumped into, the movies mainly revolve around Koyomi, a teenager who is going through some family struggles and is also experiencing love for the first time. He has different partners in each movie since they are set in separate universes, even if there is some overlap.

To Every You I’ve Loved Before and To Me, The One Who Loved You deserve credit for trying something unusual and ambitious. Individually, the movies are just decent and tell relatively run-of-the-mill stories, albeit ones elevated by the multiverse element.

29

The Princess and the Pilot

A Romance-Igniting Journey

• Japanese Title: Toaru Hikuushi e no Tsuioku
• Release Date: October 1, 2011
• Director: Jun Shishido
• Studio: Madhouse, TMS Entertainment
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.59
• Where to Stream: Crunchyroll

While a mixed bag overall, The Princess and the Pilot is worth a watch, especially by people who love romance epics from yesteryear. Set in a world defined by two warring kingdoms, a pilot, Charles, is tasked with flying a princess, Juana, across enemy territory, all in the hope of reuniting her with her prince. While not devoid of nuance or complications, the movie’s core premise is quite simple and, for the most part, develops as one would expect. There is nothing wrong with that, but it does mean the story is quite predictable.

The Princess and the Pilot‘s impact on a viewer will come down to their attachment to Charles and Juana. Both protagonists are likable enough, with the former having to deal with discrimination and the latter struggling with some internal prejudice. They slowly develop a bond throughout their adventure, one that is built just as much on respect as on love.

28

Ride Your Wave

Romance, Surfing, And Loss

• Japanese Title: Kimi to, Nami ni Noretara
• Release Date: June 21, 2019
• Director: Masaaki Yuasa
• Studio: Science Saru
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.61
• Where to Stream: HBO Max

Ride Your Wave has a fairly mixed reputation, as the romance anime movie seems to divide viewers. Honestly, I understand both sides of the equation. On the one hand, the animation is consistently gorgeous, serving as an early example of Science Saru’s brilliance. Hinako, the female lead, is well-written and carries the movie on her shoulders to the point that she is the protagonist, rather than sharing the spotlight with Minato, the male lead. Conversely, the anime has some unintentionally humorous moments, and the romance feels rushed due to being mostly confined to the first half of the runtime.

So, what is Ride Your Wave about? Well, Hinako moves to a coastal town to enjoy some surfing, and she ends up falling for a firefighter, Minato, who rescues her from a fire. After that, they have a short but intense romance, only to be split apart by a tragedy. The anime does just enough to make you buy into Hinako and Minato’s romance, allowing for the more dramatic and heavy second half of the story to carry some weight. That said, Ride Your Wave is primarily about overcoming grief, and it handles that aspect decently.

27

Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena

A Complicated Relationship

• Japanese Title: Shoujo Kakumei Utena: Adolescence Mokushiroku
• Release Date: August 14, 1999
• Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara
• Studio: J.C.Staff
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.68
• Where to Stream: PlutoTV, RetroCrush

Revolutionary Girl Utena is arguably one of the most important anime of all time, particularly the 1997 series. Rich in imagery, symbolism, and metaphors, the show can be somewhat difficult to digest at times, rewarding multiple viewings and a willingness to embrace a surreal atmosphere. In 1999, a movie came out that takes the original story and twists it, taking the characters in a different direction that still feels authentic to their other incarnations. Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena is not a sequel or a spin-off, but rather a separate entity that lives alongside the show.

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Honestly, this film cannot be wholly described as a romance, at least not in the traditional sense. However, the story is built entirely on the relationship between Utena and Anthy, two girls who complement each other beautifully. While The Adolescence of Utena‘s relatively short length results in a less satisfying experience than the TV series, an argument could be made that the movie handles the main dynamic better than its more acclaimed predecessor. Utena and Anthy came across as far more active participants in their journeys, rather than people who are mostly at the mercy of fate.

26

From Up on Poppy Hill

A Different Era, A Cute Romance That Takes An Odd Detour

• Release Date: July 16, 2011
• Director: Gorō Miyazaki
• Studio: Studio Ghibli
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.78
• Where to Stream: HBO Max

One of Studio Ghibli’s lesser-known movies, From Up on Poppy Hill is set during the 1960s, a few years after the Korean War. The anime takes place in a Japanese port town and has a fairly relaxed vibe, albeit with a hint of sadness brought on by past losses and cultural changes happening at the time. While slice of life might be a better overall descriptor, the film centers around a romance, with two students named Umi and Shun coming together when a building at their school is in danger of being torn down.

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Umi and Shun are incredibly likable, both as individuals and as a couple. The story establishes them early on as love interests but then throws out a twist that temporarily stalls their romance’s progression. Things work out in the end, but it results in a stop-start romance that can be a touch frustrating. Still, From Up on Poppy Hill is pretty good and worth a watch.

25

The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes

Love & Loss

• Japanese Title: Natsu e no Tunnel, Sayonara no Deguchi
• Release Date: September 9, 2022
• Director: Tomohisa Taguchi
• Studio: CLAP
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.93
• Where to Stream: HIDIVE, Hulu

Looking for a heavier romance anime movie? Then, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes might just hit the spot. Released in 2022, this film does a pretty great job of distilling the light novel and manga into a short runtime of less than 90 minutes, telling a story overflowing with emotion and nuance.

The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is about Anzu and Kaoru’s teen romance, with the two characters connecting over past trauma and a feeling of being stuck in place. There is even a mystery and almost supernatural element courtesy of a strange tunnel that the two leads visit, although it is used to reinforce their grief rather than take the story in an action-oriented direction.

Despite having a pretty good core relationship, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes‘ romance does not feel like the priority, and the movie is arguably a better drama. Still, romance fans should check this out.

24

Saekano the Movie: Finale

A Good Conclusion To A Good Show

• Japanese Title: Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata Fine
• Release Date: October 26, 2019
• Director: Akihisa Shibata, Kanta Kamei
• Studio: CloverWorks
• MyAnimeList Score: 8.24

Sticking with the harem genre for the time being, Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend is one of the better shows of that genre. The two seasons do a good job of blending romance, fanservice, and self-aware humor, and they benefit from having a pretty strong cast of girls.

Saekano the Movie: Finale brings the story to a close, offering not only an answer to the age-old “which girl wins” question but also providing satisfying conclusions for most of the characters. Like most movie sequels, Saekano the Movie: Finale cannot be watched as a standalone piece, as its emotional weight depends entirely on viewers being familiar with the characters’ journeys up to this point. However, as a follow-up to the series, this sequel earns its spot as one of the best romance anime movies.

23

Tamako Love Story

The Confusing Road To Love

• Release Date: April 26, 2014
• Director: Naoko Yamada
• Studio: Kyoto Animation
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.91
• Where to Stream: HIDIVE

A sequel to Tamako Market, Tamako Love Story finds the characters on the cusp of adulthood and facing changes that will greatly influence their future. The series hints at a potential romance between Tamako and Mochizou quite heavily, but it is always in the background rather than the focus. However, the movie pushes this to the forefront, with both characters having to come to terms with the fact that this could be their last chance to express their emotions.

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In a fun twist, Tamako Love Story is far more interested in declarations of love and the potential consequences of acting on that interest than actively exploring a relationship. While a satisfying conclusion to Tamako and Mochizou’s romance, the film does require viewers to be already invested in their journey.