Horimiya is a heartwarming romance anime that premiered in 2021. The series is an exceptional adaptation of a manga by the same name. It is a must-watch for anyone that has a special place in their heart for romance-themed anime.
What Is Horimiya About?
The story follows the lives of high school students Hori and Miyamura as they navigate the complexities of school, friendship, and romance. The series explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the importance of genuine connections. Hori is a gorgeous, popular, and friendly girl. Miyamura, on the other hand, is a weird, shy, emo guy who seems to fade into the background. Through what Hori and Miyamura decide can only be destiny, their worlds collide outside of school. The development of their love story stretches across two seasons and is beautiful to watch.
Horimiya is both addictive and binge-worthy. So, it doesn’t take long to watch the entire series. Re-watching the series is always an option (I’ve done it). But, are there other romance animes that can give you the same serotonin boost? Absolutely. In fact, here are ten for you to consider checking out.
10 Anime Shows For Horimiya Fans To Stream
1. Say I Love You
Say I Love You is an anime series that follows the story of Mei Tachibana, a high school girl who has trouble making friends because of a traumatic past experience. The series revolves around her developing relationship with the popular and outgoing Yamato Kurosawa.
Say I Love You is worth watching for its realistic portrayal of high school life, its focus on character development, and its exploration of themes such as friendship, love, and personal growth. The series also features a well-developed romance that is both heartwarming and relatable, making it a compelling watch for fans of the genre.
The series will appeal to fans of Horimiya because Mei Tachibana is similar to Miyamura and Yamato Kurosawa is pretty similar to Hori. Say I Love You is a little more upfront and blunt with covering more mature issues that come up as relationships develop. So, the only real difference is Horimiya has a little more of a purity and innocence to it than Say I Love You.
2. A Condition Called Love
A Condition Called Love follows the story of a high school student named Hotaru Hinase who witnesses Saki Hananoi and his girlfriend breaking up. After a kind and selfless gesture, Hananoi quickly catches feelings for Hinase. The problem? Hinase has always thwarted the idea of love, claiming to be a bit of a robot when it comes to having feelings. After a lot of effort on Hananoi’s part, Hinase decides to give being boyfriend and girlfriend a trial run. She quickly learns she knows nothing about being in a relationship and is flustered by her lack of knowledge.
Keep in mind, A Condition Called Love is a newer series that is currently releasing new episodes on Crunchyroll. The series, however, follows the same theme of two very different kind of high school students developing a relationship with each other. This is another series that fans of Horimiya will really enjoy.
3. Romantic Killer
Romantic Killer is a rom-com that landed on Netflix back in 2022. Thanks to her love for video games, chocolate, and cats, Anzu is a high school girl with absolutely no interest in guys. Things get weird when she finds herself agreeing to be part of a real-life dating simulation to help with the low birth rate in Japan. Despite fighting against the idea of love and romance, Anzu ends up developing beautiful friendships with a few different special guys.
There’s a bit of a surprising twist near the end of Season 1 that really adds a layer to the series and makes it a little more interesting to watch than a typical romance anime. The only real issue with watching the series is it just being one season. At this time, there has been zero talk about it being renewed for a Season 2. Those who have streamed this series agree Season 1 comes to an end with a lot left to be desired. Even with the lack of more seasons, it is binge-worthy and enjoyable to watch with a lot of fun character development.
4. Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You is an absolutely adorable romance anime. There are currently two seasons available for streaming via Netflix. The series follows a strange girl named Sawako who is feared by the entire school because of how unusual she is. Kazehaya, the most popular guy in school, ends up falling for Sawako and changes the way everyone in school looks at her. This series features an awkward, cheesy, and slow-burning romance. There is even a season of a live-action versions of this series on Netflix for those who enjoy the anime.
Furthermore, Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You was renewed for a third season. In fact, it was reported that Season 3 of the series is expected to show up around August of this year.
5. Maid Sama
Maid Sama follows the story of a high school girl named Ayuazawa Misaki who happens to be the president of the student council at Seika High School. Misaki has a huge secret, when she isn’t at school she works at a maid cafe. A popular guy at school named Takumi Usui ends up getting a bit obsessed with her. He learns of her secret, but he doesn’t want anyone else to know about it. As time progresses he becomes pretty protective of her and is always trying to help her.
The development of their relationship in this series is frustratingly slow. Maid Sama, however, is always a great option when you need a serotonin boost from a sweet romance. Presently, Maid Sama can be streamed via Hulu. It is a bummer the series was never renewed for another season. It, however, is definitely worth watching if you enjoy romance animes such as Horimiya.
6. Toradora!
Toradora! is available for streaming via Crunchyroll or Netflix. The series follows a group of high school students including Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka. Ryuuji and Taiga end up becoming friends and spend time trying to help each other confess their feelings to their crushes. What they don’t realize is they are starting to develop some level of attachment to each other the more time they spend together.
Now, the romance and sweet factor in Toradora! isn’t nearly as high as Horimiya. So, that is why it ranks a little lower on this list.
7. Fruits Basket
If we are being completely honest, Fruits Basket is a romance that should rank higher on this list. The thing about Fruits Basket is that it is an older series and typically people who are looking for other shows to watch after watching Horimiya have already seen Fruits Basket. Honestly, if you haven’t: What is wrong with you?
Tohru Honda, an orphan who learns that 13 members of the Sohma family are possessed by the Chinese zodiac animals and are cursed to transform into their animal forms when they are stressed, weak, or embraced. Tohru is taken in by the Soma family, where she helps them deal with the emotional pain caused by the transformations. After a family tragedy turns her life upside down, Tohru moves out into a tent on private land belonging to the Soma clan, and the owners discover her secret. Tohru then works to save each of the 12 members of the zodiac cycle from despair and misery onset by the head of the family, Akito.
The thing you need to know about Fruits Basket is this is the type of series that will have you laughing in one episode and crying your eyes out in the next. The series does an incredible job of tugging at every single one of your heartstrings. Keep in mind, there is an OG version and a rebooted version. I highly recommend watching the older version first and then watching the rebooted version. They are similar but they are also different. I don’t think you can fully appreciate the series if you don’t watch them both.
8. My Love Story
My Love Story ranks pretty low on the list because it is almost overwhelmingly cheesy. Personally, this wasn’t a series I could watch too many episodes of at the same time because the cheesy factor of this series will make you cringe. That being said, the series feels very similar to Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You. The only real difference is the roles are reversed. It is the main male character that is the outcast and the girl is the cute and popular one.
Furthermore, this series also isn’t as visually appealing as other options on this list. Personally, just got a huge fan of the art/graphics for this one. That being said, it is a cute story and you do fall in love with the characters and how they develop. My Love Story an be streamed on Hulu right now. It certainly isn’t one I regretted watching even though it wasn’t one of my favorites.
9. Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku
Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku comes in at number nine because you have to be willing to watch the English Sub version. For the most part, this list includes shows that are available in both English Sub and English Dub. There, however, is not an English Dub version of this one.
This series follows Narumi Momose who relocates to a new job to get away from an ex-boyfriend. Narumi is a massive otaku but attempts to hide that part of herself from her friends and co-workers. On her first day, she runs into childhood friend named Hirotaka Nifuji, who knows her secret. Spilling the beans on her being an otaku, Narumi ends up making other friends at work her also share her interests.
Realizing it is difficult for an otaku to find love, Narumi and Hirotaka casually agree to give dating a try. Hirotaka’s involvement in the relationship surprises everyone as his friends and family members believed the only thing he loved was his video games. The characters in the series are older so this isn’t the high school romance like Horimiya or some others on this list. Narumi and Hirotaka, however, were childhood friends. So, the series does explore the same relationship development that fans of Horimiya are looking for.
The characters in Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku discuss anime, manga, and video games often. So, watching the series feels a lot like breaking the fourth wall. Sadly, there is just one season of the series. So, it does leave a lot to be desired when it ends.
10. A Sign Of Affection
A Sign Of Affection is a series I’ve only recently stumbled upon after a recommendation on TikTok. I’m only a few episodes in at the moment, so I can’t say for sure if the series is good. But, it definitely fits the theme of this list. Added bonus: The series is available in both English Dub and English Sub.
A Sign of Affection is a series about a college student named Yuki who is deaf and the boy she meets on the train, Itsuomi, who doesn’t know Japanese Sign Language. The two develop feelings for each other and must learn to communicate their feelings. The story is about the need for communication, empathy, and learning differences.
Bonus: Erased
It is with a massive amount of hesitation that Erased makes the list, as romance might not be the first genre the series would fit in. Erased follows the story of an aspiring 29-year-old manga artist named Satoru Fujinuma.
Seemingly bored with his life, Satoru possesses an inconvenient power that allows him to travel back in time. The power has always involved a small rewind in time and he’s been able to use it to prevent a lot of bad things from happening. Unfortunately, his rewinds happen at random and he has little control over them.
Things get weird for Satoru Fujinuma when a rewind sends him further in the past than he’s ever gone before. Now, to be very clear there isn’t a lot of deep romantic development in this series. The development of Satoru’s love for his friends, however, is hat allows him to attempt to undo some incredibly traumatic events from his childhood.
Consider Erased to be a bonus recommendation on this list. This isn’t the show to go stream if you are looking for a sweet romance to watch. The development of his character and friendships along with the unique plotline, however, makes it something enjoyable to watch. Presently, Erased is available for streaming via Hulu.
Do you have a favorite romance anime that isn’t on this list that you think a fan of Horimiya might enjoy? Please recommend it in the comments so we can check it out and consider adding it to the list!
If any of these are shows you might want to check out – you can get a free trial to Crunchyroll, through Amazon and binge your new favorite show for free!
