When it comes to romance anime, it’s a whole new world of enchantment. Anime movies are like a magical portal that transports you into the most heartwarming love stories imaginable. Unlike TV series, there’s no waiting around for the next episode because the fate of the lovers unfolds right before your eyes in the film itself. And let’s not forget about the jaw-dropping animation that anime movies are famous for!
Now, let’s dive into the realm of the best romance anime movies. Brace yourself for the incredible works of Studio Ghibli and Makoto Shinkai. These genius creators have conjured up countless films that will steal your heart away. Take, for example, the mesmerizing “Howl’s Moving Castle” and the mind-bending “Your Name” – absolute masterpieces! But hold on, there’s more to this captivating world of romance.
If you’re in the mood for a tearjerker, look no further than “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas.” Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster! On the other hand, if you’re in the market for something light and delightful, “The Night is Short, Walk on Girl” is an absolute gem that will leave you smiling from ear to ear.
No matter which movie you choose, prepare to have your heart racing with emotions. These love stories will sweep you off your feet and transport you to a world where anything is possible. Get ready for a magical journey!
1. A Silent Voice
As a child, Shouya Ishida used to bully his classmate Shouko Nishimiya, primarily because she was deaf. Unfortunately, his actions came with consequences as he faced social isolation from his classmates, many of whom were also involved in the bullying.
Now, years later, Shouya not only regrets the loss of his own social life but also genuinely feels remorse for the cruelty he inflicted upon Shouko. When they cross paths again during their teenage years, he sees it as an opportunity to make amends for his past actions. However, their renewed connection goes beyond just addressing the pain from their shared history.
Despite their efforts to move forward, the anguish of the past continues to linger, reminding them of the lasting impact of their actions.
2. Your Name
There’s this country girl named Mitsuha Miyamizu, right? Out of the blue, she starts swapping bodies with this busy Tokyo boy called Taki Tachibana. It’s pretty crazy and they can’t make sense of it at first.
But here’s the thing: they slowly discover that they live in different timelines. In Taki’s timeline, Mitsuha is actually dead. It’s a shocking revelation for them both.
Now, Taki has fallen for Mitsuha and he’s determined to save her. But here’s the kicker: he’ll have to go beyond the boundaries of time itself to make it happen. Talk about a mind-bending adventure!
3. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
Hoping to fulfill his aspiration of studying marine biology abroad, Tsuneo Suzukawa is juggling multiple part-time jobs. One fateful day, he comes to the rescue of a young woman whose wheelchair is careening down the street. This unexpected act of heroism unexpectedly lands him a new gig – becoming Josee’s caretaker.
At first, Josee vehemently rejects the idea of having a caretaker, insisting that she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. If it weren’t for the frustrating reality that most places outside her home are inaccessible for wheelchair users, she would have a valid point. However, her well-meaning but overly protective grandmother insists on the arrangement. Despite Josee’s initial resistance, a unique bond begins to form between her and Tsuneo as he focuses on enabling her to pursue her own desires, rather than succumbing to her grandmother’s wishes.
As their relationship deepens, Josee gradually gains insight into Tsuneo’s own dreams and aspirations. Both individuals find solace and understanding in each other’s company, transcending the boundaries imposed by circumstance.
4. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
There’s this guy, we don’t know his name, but he’s not really into hanging out with people. He prefers to be alone most of the time. So, when he finds out that his classmate, Sakura Yamauchi, is dealing with a serious pancreatic disease, he doesn’t really feel all that sympathetic.
But here’s the thing: Sakura actually wants our protagonist to be there for her. She wants him to help her tick off items from her bucket list before she passes away. Reluctantly, he agrees and starts getting involved in all sorts of social activities. And guess what? As he spends more time with Sakura, he starts to care about her. It’s like a realization dawns upon him that human connection is more important than he initially believed.
5. Howl’s Moving Castle
Sophie Hatter is just your average gal, working her butt off in her family’s hat shop. She doesn’t really have any big aspirations or dreams for herself, just content with her everyday routine. But little did she know, her life was about to take a wild turn.
One fateful day, she accidentally stumbles upon Howl, a total weirdo of a wizard who lives in a freakin’ traveling castle. Talk about out of the ordinary! And wouldn’t you know it, their encounter sets off a chain of events that brings out the green-eyed monster in the Witch of the Waste.
Next thing you know, Sophie finds herself transformed into a frail and elderly lady, thanks to the Witch’s jealousy. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, she decides to join forces with Howl in his castle. After all, he’s her only hope of breaking this curse.
While hanging out with Howl and his band of misfit companions, Sophie starts to grow closer to the wizard himself. And as she spends more time with him, she starts to figure out what she really wants out of life. But of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. She still has to deal with the Witch of the Waste and a whole looming war situation.
So buckle up, folks! Sophie’s about to embark on a journey that will challenge her in ways she never could have imagined. And who knows, maybe she’ll even find the happiness and fulfillment she’s been searching for all along.
6. Whisper of the Heart
When 14-year-old Shizuku Tsukishima realizes that a boy named Seiji Amasawa has been checking out many of the same books that she is at the library, she decides that she wants to get to know him. And guess what? She gets the chance when she meets a strange cat at the train station who leads her to an antique shop. And there, she discovers a mysterious statuette called the Baron – and guess who else she finds? Yep, Seiji Amasawa.
So, Shizuku and Seiji quickly become close pals, but here’s the catch – Seiji has this big dream he’s determined to achieve, while Shizuku is still trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. But you know what? This new relationship with Seiji might just be what Shizuku needs to help her find her own path.
7. Hotarubi no Mori e
Hotarubi no Mori e is a must-watch movie if you’re in the mood for a heartfelt cry. It tells the story of young Hotaru Takegawa, who loses her way in the woods near her grandfather’s house. Luckily, she encounters a mysterious masked boy named Gin, who helps her find her way back. Filled with gratitude, Hotaru attempts to hug Gin, only to be met with rejection.
Unbeknownst to Hotaru, Gin is cursed – any human touch will cause him to disappear. Because of this, he urges Hotaru not to come back. However, an unexplainable force keeps drawing her back to Gin time and time again. As they both grow older, their feelings deepen into love. But how can their love thrive when Gin is untouchable?
8. Tamako Love Story
In the charming series Tamako Market, Mochizou Ooji finds himself head over heels for Tamako Kitashirakawa, the daughter of his family’s rival mochi shop. As he gears up to embark on his college journey, a dilemma looms over him. On one hand, he yearns to study in Tokyo, but on the other hand, he can’t bear the thought of leaving Tamako behind.
Tamako, on the other hand, has her sights set on continuing her work at the family’s beloved mochi shop, leaving them facing the prospect of a lengthy separation. If Mochizou ever plans to confess his feelings to Tamako, now is the time. Yet, the question remains: does he possess the courage to do so?
9. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Makoto Konno, a high school senior, finds herself grappling with the uncertainty of her future. Amidst spending time with friends and playing baseball, she stumbles upon a remarkable ability – the power to physically travel through time. Initially, she employs this newfound gift for trivial purposes like extending karaoke sessions and ensuring punctuality for school. However, Makoto soon realizes that she only possesses a limited number of these time leaps. Moreover, the alterations she makes in the fabric of time yield unforeseen consequences.
Interestingly, Makoto is not the sole individual tampering with time. Her friend, Chiaki, is also engaged in similar temporal experimentation, driven by his own motivations.
10. Weathering With You
Tokyo has been plagued by constant rain for unknown reasons, creating hardships for its residents. Among them are Hodaka Morishima, a high school runaway struggling to make ends meet at a small publisher, and Hina Amano, an orphan trying to find work to support herself and her younger brother.
Fate brings Hodaka and Hina together when he rescues her from some shady individuals. As Hodaka discovers Hina’s unique ability to temporarily bring sunshine through prayer, they decide to turn it into a business venture, promoting Hina as a “sunshine girl.” However, this extraordinary power comes with a heavy price that must be paid.
11. 5 Centimeters Per Second
5 Centimeters Per Second, like many of Makoto Shinkai’s films, explores the bittersweet theme of unrequited love. This particular film takes a more realistic approach to the subject matter.
The story revolves around childhood friends Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara, who fall deeply in love. However, as young individuals who lack control over their own lives, they are at the mercy of their parents’ decisions. Consequently, when Akari’s family moves away, the two are forcefully separated. Despite their efforts to stay connected, maintaining their bond proves challenging. Just as Takaki learns that he will be moving even farther away, they make a final resolution to meet one last time. Unfortunately, their plans are disrupted by an unexpected snowstorm and a resulting train delay, leaving them with only a brief moment together.