Romance anime tends to strike us right in the feels—whether it’s with heart-fluttering declarations, slow-burning romances, or tear-inducing break-ups. But not all love stories hit the same for everybody. While some shows are forever basking in glory, other shows leave viewers scratching their heads, wondering whether the hype is there. If you’ve ever sat through a show and wondered, “Wait, was that it? “, then you’re not alone.
Let’s get up close and personal with five romance anime that are more overrated than iconic, according to some fans.
5. Rent-a-Girlfriend
It’s undeniable that Rent-a-Girlfriend has built a devoted fan base. Chizuru, the protagonist, is usually hailed as independent and ambitious, and the outrageous dating drama of the series keeps everyone invested. But for many, the thrill thins out quickly—largely because of the horrendously indecisive Kazuya. His constant mistakes and infuriating attitude can make the series seem like it’s going in circles.
Some love the rollercoaster of miscommunications, but others want the characters to grow up slightly sooner.
4. Kimi ni Todoke: Sweet and genuine
Kimi ni Todoke is a favorite of the genre. Its bashful heroine Sawako and the soft romance she has with Kazehaya have charmed for years. Even so, even die-hard fans acknowledge the pace can be excruciatingly slow. The pair’s perpetual reluctance to reveal their feelings prolongs the narrative past its breaking point, transforming a sweet love tale into an endurance test.
Should you be expecting faster romantic dividends, this one could have you drumming your watch.
3. Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket combines romance with issues of trauma, healing, and family. It’s unmistakably emotional and boasts a large, memorable cast. Not everyone is convinced that it’s a genre-defining masterpiece, though. Some find the anime’s pacing slow at times and that the romance gets overshadowed by heavier storylines. If you’re in the market for a tight, coherent love story, you may find yourself plowing through more drama than you were expecting.
2. Horimiya
At face value, Horimiya appears to be the ideal slice-of-life romance: sweet, humorous, and blessedly low on melodrama. It begins well, presenting a realistic couple with cute chemistry. But dig slightly beneath the surface, and fissures emerge. Critics note that some character actions—such as teasing verging on mean-spiritedness—are glossed over without a great deal of inspection.
What begins as a heartwarming tale can be slightly shallow toward the end, with some fans wishing that there had been more depth behind the grins.
1. A Condition Called Love
The newest entry on this list, A Condition Called Love, has already sparked plenty of discussion. While the manga is praised for its emotional complexity, the anime adaptation hasn’t quite hit the same highs. Many viewers found the pacing rushed and the emotional development undercooked, making it tough to connect with the characters’ journey. If you’re curious about this story, the manga might offer a more rewarding experience than the anime currently does.
Romance anime is highly subjective—what one will find swoon-inducing, the other may find frustrating. These five shows aren’t entirely lacking in merit, though, but they’ve also left many viewers let down. But if it resonates with you, then that’s the beauty of anime: there’s space for every form of love story.