The romance genre inanimehas been a playground for emotional tension and the drawn-out “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic, where even holding hands takes ten episodes and confessions feel like personal accomplishments. It is a genre built on slow burns, longing stares, and internal angst. Almost always, it lasts an entire season. We root for couples to overcome all sorts of hardships, secret crushes, self-doubt, and sometimes, even supernatural battles. And when the payoff arrives, it feels cathartic.
But anime is not limited to this trope. Sometimes, an anime decides to skip the suspense and allows the couple to get together early. Whether it’s through an impulsive proposal, a fake relationship evolving into a real one, or even the characters being emotionally mature enough to admit they like each other, these soft and rich stories are direct. Theseromance anime series stand outbecause they explore everything that comes after the big moment.
So, let’s dive into 10 romance anime where the main couple skips the awkward phase and embraces love early.
10’A Sign of Affection' (2021)
Yuki Itose’s quiet and lonely world shifts dramatically after a chance subway encounter with Itsuomi Nagi, a charming multilingual traveler with a thirst for adventure. Yuki, a university student with impaired hearing, is naturally reserved, but her curiosity blooms after Itsuomi shows no hesitation in engaging with her. Their mutual attraction grows real soon.
A Refreshingly Authentic Romance
Withminimal drama and a soft, snowy aesthetic,A Sign of Affectionis a tender romance that charts their evolving relationship through small milestones like text messages, study sessions, and the subtle jealousy that brews between friends. There is conflict, but even they are dipped in warmth. The couple gets together in the sixth episode itself and their romance is not about great gestures, but about supporting one another and learning each other’s rhythms.
9’My Love Story!!' (2015)
Takeo Gōda is a high school student who might look like a sumo wrestler and a linebacker at the same time, but beneath his towering frame is a heart of pure gold. After saving the petite and soft-spoken Rinko Yamato from a groper, Takeo falls for her. But he assumes that she’s into his handsome best friend, as every other girl seems to be. To his surprise, Rinko is smitten with him. Their wholesome love is confirmed early, and from there it’s all about the ups and downs of young love.
Goofy and Heartfelt
My Love Story!!is a pure, unadulterated delight from start to finish. Anchored by the irresistible central couple, the anime balances romance and laugh-out-loud comedy through miscommunications, blushing confessions, and unintentionally hilarious situations. The unusual pairing of Takeo and Rinko challenges romance norms, but the show celebrates their sincerity. There’s nopainful will-they-won’t-they stretch, just the joy of being together.
8’Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai' (2018)
RascalDoes Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpaiintroduces a world where “Puberty Syndrome,” a mysterious disease that manifests in bizarre, supernatural ways, is affecting teenagers. Sakuta Azusagawa is a high schooler who believes that the occurrence is real. Especially because he sees Mai Sakurajima, a famous teen actress, wandering a library completely unnoticed. Turns out, she’s suffering from Puberty Syndrome and that’s made her invisible to people around her.
Intimacy Layered With Mystery
Another unconventional romance anime, this one finds Sakuta confronting the uses and forming a bond with Mai. Evolving from dry sarcasm to a full-fledged relationship before the season’s midpoint. It isn’t your typical teen romance. It is cerebral, stylish, and charged with emotion. Their banter is never saccharine sweet and their loyalty towards each other feels earned. The anime also pairs a supernatural mystery with the central romance, which earned a lot of praise.
7’Arakawa Under the Bridge' (2010)
Arakawa Under the Bridgefollows Kou Ichinomiya, the son of a wealthy businessman with one strict rule: never owe anyone anything. That ideal comes crashing down when he nearly drowns under Arakawa Bridge and is saved by a peculiar girl named Nino, who claims she’s from Venus. In return for saving him, Kou must become her lover, and so begins his absurd life among a community of surreal beings.
Self-Discovery Disguised as Romance
Unlike other anime on this list, the romance between Kou and Nino isn’t built on flirtation or attraction. It is a strange arrangement that later blossoms into something genuine. Despite the bizarre setup, every episode is equal parts chaotic and sincere. Their bond, surprisingly committed from the get-go, grows when they start to accept each other’s quirks. Visually aesthetic and tonally unpredictable, this is an underrated gem.
6’Snow White with the Red Hair' (2015)
Shirayuki is living a peaceful life as a skilled herbalist. But when her bright red hair catches the attention of the tyrannical Prince Raji, he demands that she become his concubine. Refusing to bend, she flees her gilded cage and runs into Prince Zen of Clarines, who not only helps her but treats her as an equal. Zen invites Shirayuki to work in the palace and falls for her courage and intellect.
Tribute to the Original Snow White Story
An empowering romance anime that subverts traditional fairy-tale tropes,Snow White with the Red Hairstands out for its elegant pacing and emotionally intelligent couple. Zen and Shirayuki get together early and in a way that feels trusted, respectful, and kind. There are no dramatic twists, just mutual appreciation. The art is filled with soft lights and natural colors, perfectly matching the anime’s narrative, andthe chemistry between the two is undeniable.
5’I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss' (2021)
In I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss, we follow Aileen, who finds herself reincarnated inside an otome game as the villainess destined to be cast aside. After witnessing her fiancé break off their engagement, she chooses to propose marriage to the Final Boss himself: Claude, the cold demon king. What starts as a desperate attempt to avoid doom turns into genuine affection.
When Love Is a Mission
The power couple in this anime forms an early alliance that’s both romantic and strategic. Claude is distrustful of Aileen’s intentions, but she wins his affection through wit and charm. Their feelings become solid real quick, but before they can marry, they have to go through a lot of hardship and mayhem. A standout in the villainess subgenre, the anime flips tropes on their head. It won praise for its fast-paced romance, magical mayhem, and genre-savvy humor.
4’Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku' (2018)
Adapted from the manga written and illustrated by Fujita,Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otakurevolves around Narumi Momose, a closeted otaku trying to keep her nerdy obsessions under wraps in her new office job. But her plan doesn’t last long when he reunites with a childhood friend, Hirotaka Nifuji, who immediately calls her out. After some playful teasing and an open-hearted conversation, Hirotaka suggests they date. And that’s what they do.
Relatable Humor and Otaku Culture Nods
Love and dating don’t always have to be so hard, and that’s exactly what this anime proves. It skips the entire courting phase and dives straight into the relationship, exploring all aspects of dating for geeky people. Narumi and Hirotaka’s early coupling is refreshing because, instead of dramatic tension, it reflects thatadult relationships, while full of miscommunications, are about genuine effort. Also, the workplace vibes are subtle and cozy.
3’My Happy Marriage' (2023)
With a very self-explanatory title,My Happy Marriagetells the story of Miyo Saimori, a young woman who has never known kindness. Raised in a cold and abusive household where she’s treated like a servant, she’s finally arranged to marry Kiyoka Kudou, a military commander rumored to be terrifying and cruel. Even though Miyo is scarred, she is deeply kind. And with her humility, she melts Kiyoka’s icy demeanor.
Healing Through Quiet Devotion
My Happy Marriageis an exceptional romance anime where the couple gets married early in the series. It has this melancholic beauty where two broken souls find solace in each other’s company. It turns romance into a safe space for recovery and intimacy. The washed-out pastel palette and traditional setting feel nostalgic, while the OST adds weight to moments of vulnerability. Fans were thrilled that the anime exceeded expectations with its refusal to glamorize trauma.
2’Tonikawa: Over the Moon for You' (2020)
Another romance anime where the couple gets married off early,Tonikawa: Over the Moon for Youfollows Nasa Yuzaki, a brilliant and awkward young boy, who falls instantly in love with the mysterious Tsukasa Tsukuyomi after she saves him from getting hit by a truck. In a move that shocks both the characters and viewers, Nasa asks her out on the spot. Tsukasa accepts, but on the condition that they get legally married first.
Marriage Before Love
The central couple ties the knot in the first episode itself, and the rest of the series playfully explores what it means to fall in love after the paperwork is done. From brushing their teeth together to choosing futons, every mundane activity becomes fun when two people who skipped the talking and dating stage grow intimate by the minute. The series has an optimistic, almost dreamlike atmosphere, and it is filled with endearing moments between the two.
1’Horimiya' (2021)
Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura are polar opposites. Hori is a high-achieving, outgoing student, and Miyamura is quiet, gloomy, and never interested in socializing. However, these are their school personas. In reality, they are vastly different people. Hori is a homebody who cares for her younger brother, while Miyamura hides tattoos and piercings under his uniform. When they learn of each other’s true selves, their official relationship begins.
Honest Depiction of Young Love
The romance inHorimiyais grounded, funny, and honest. By having the central couple get together early on, the anime is able to dive deeper into the complexities of maintaining a relationship and exploring themes of communication, trust, and acceptance. Their love is comfortable from the start. They have sleepovers, family dinners, and quiet evenings spent talking. Yet, there is depth and richness to the narrative where they’re given space to grow,which makes it an easy binge.
