Romance and vampires—name a more timeless couple. There’s something about the age-old magnetism of bloodsuckers and the soap opera of taboo romance that draws anime viewers back again and again. Be it a gothic love affair involving a love triangle, a creepy school crush with a secret spin, or an angsty millennia-old vampire in love with a contemporary human, there’s something for everyone in the genre. Over the years, vampire romance anime has gone from melodramatic excess to richly textured stories with a dash of humor and genuine emotional tension. If you’re ready to bite into some of the greatest, here’s a countdown of the top 10 vampire romance anime guaranteed to get your heart pounding.
10. Call of the Night
Leading off our list is Call of the Night, a dark, stylish, and curiously calming series that spins vampire romance on its head. Kou, an adolescent insomniac, roams the streets at night and meets up with Nazuna, a free-spirited vampire with an indie aesthetic. She shows him the pleasures of the night—and perhaps something more. But here’s the twist: for Kou to turn into a vampire, he must fall in love with her first. It’s a slow-burning romance encased in neon city lights, urban isolation, and true curiosity about human interaction. It’s contemporary, self-aware, and just weird enough.
9. Monogatari (Bakemonogatari)
Describing Monogatari as a straightforward vampire romance is doing it an injustice. It’s a smart, visually frenetic ride with a vampire origin story and an awful lot of dialogue-friendly charm. The protagonist, Koyomi Araragi, turns into a half-vampire after his near-death experience, and from there, he’s drawn into a realm of spirits, hexes, and quirky girls. The actual emotional center, however, is the dynamic between him and the acerbic Hitagi Senjougahara. Their love life is complete with sassy wit, clumsy sensitivity, and good old-fashioned human vulnerability, and it’s much more than any ordinary supernatural romance.
8. Vampire Knight
You can’t discuss vampire love anime without a nod to Vampire Knight. It’s a genre standard classic with mystery, angst, and enough love tension to fuel a small town. The action goes down at Cross Academy, where vampires and humans are divided into different classes—albeit one that becomes a bit muddled. The heroine Yuki Cross is divided between two distinctly different males: darkly handsome Kaname and brooding, tortured Zero. There’s a love triangle, old secrets, and lots of melodramatic gazes. If you’re new to vampire romance anime, this is where you begin.
7. Rosario + Vampire
If you want your vampire romance with a strong dose of comedy and fan service, Rosario + Vampire could be your guilty pleasure. The story is about Tsukune, an ordinary guy who ends up by accident at a high school for monsters. There, he encounters Moka, a stunning vampire with a literal split personality—the cute girl on the outside, and a fierce, no-nonsense warrior on the inside. The series leans heavily into harem tropes, but it also has genuine charm, especially in the sweet (and chaotic) moments between Tsukune and Moka. It’s goofy, over-the-top, and hard not to enjoy.
6. Strike the Blood
Strike the Blood offers a fun blend of action, romance, and a little bit of everything else. Kojo Akatsuki might be the world’s most powerful vampire, but you’d never guess it by his laid-back attitude. He’s matched with Yukina, a serious sword-wielding junior who’s charged with keeping him under control. Their relationship is brimming with weird moments, slow trust-building, and that kind of tension that makes things compelling. With regular supernatural combat and a constantly expanding cast of characters, this series does not disappoint on either the romance or action fronts.
5. Vampire Dormitory
Sugary, quirky, and unexpectedly wholesome, Vampire Dormitory is the tale of Mito, a financially troubled girl who poses as a boy to make ends meet. Meet Ruka, a vampire who brings her in, under the impression she is a boy, and provides her with refuge for her blood. What ensues is an endearingly tender romance filled with self-discovery, identity crisis, and sweetness. In spite of the gender-bending premise, it’s a simple love story at its core, revolving around two individuals who accept each other for who they are. It’s a tear-jerker with just a dash of supernatural action.
4. Devil’s Line
If you like your vampire love stories darker and more realistic, Devil’s Line could be the one. Vampires inhabit this world alongside humans, but they’re kept closely in check—and feared. When university student Tsukasa becomes involved with Anzai, a half-vampire who is employed by law enforcement, sparks fly—but so does peril. Theirs is a tangled, intense, and sometimes agonizing romance, but it’s handled with emotional integrity. The show doesn’t avoid the actual challenges of love between two species, so it’s one of the more grown-up versions of the genre.
3. Dance with Devils
Ever asked yourself what a vampire musical would look like? Dance with Devils provides the answer with style. This reverse harem series features Ritsuka, a normal high school girl who finds herself suddenly in the spotlight among a group of enigmatic—and very musical—guys, some of whom are vampires, some of whom are demons. The series doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that is half of its charm. Pure fantasy fun between the theatrical songs and the romantic drama. And yes, the characters do break into song mid-scene. If you’re in the mood for something flashy and unique, this one’s for you.
2. Karin
In a genre full of brooding night dwellers, Karin is refreshingly different. She’s a vampire who has a rather unusual problem—she produces too much blood, often leading to comically embarrassing situations. When an introverted boy named Kenta enters her life, her blood production runs amok every time he’s near. It’s a cute, frequently funny romantic comedy that toys with vampire cliches in fresh ways. The romance is endearing, the jokes are light, and Karin’s frustrations are strangely familiar. Sometimes, it’s pleasant to have a love story that doesn’t get too heavy.
1. Fortune Arterial
At the top is Fortune Arterial, a school romance with a traditional vampire twist. Kohei Hasekura leaves his previous academy to attend a new one on a distant island and soon learns his new classmate, refined Erika Sendo, has a large secret—she’s a vampire. It’s a tale of sweet romance, school life drama, and just the right amount of supernatural intrigue. It’s not flashy or action-heavy, but it hits the emotional beats that make vampire romance so satisfying. If you’re looking for a mellow, heartfelt anime with fangs, this one’s a great pick.
From emotional rollercoasters to lighthearted bloodsucker comedy, these ten anime confirm that love and vampires are quite the combo. If you’re an angst, action, or just a blush-over-a-supernatural-crush kind of person, there’s something in this list for you to sink your teeth into—no garlic needed.