There’s something irresistible about vampire romance in anime. Maybe it’s the temptation of forbidden love, the thrill of danger, or just the drama that comes with dating someone who might drain you. Whatever it is, anime has a knack for taking this dark, seductive trope and giving it all kinds of twists—some heart-fluttering, others completely bonkers.
From gothic tragedies to side-splitting comedies, vampire romance anime runs the gamut. So, if you’re in the mood for something that mixes supernatural spice with emotional depth (or hilarious bedlam), these 10 picks are guaranteed to bite the best way possible.
10. Babanbabanban Vampire
This quirky Netflix gem is more dark comedy than swoony romance, but it’s too surreal not to include. It pursues Ranmaru, a vampire fixated with the ideal virgin prey—i.e., Rihito, an introverted boy who’s in love with a girl. Determined to keep Rihito celibate, Ranmaru’s scheme boomerangs when the girl, Aoi, falls for him. It’s a wild love triangle with lots of cringe-worthy moments and ridiculous humor. As the romance takes a backseat, the offbeat characters and unconventional style make it a funny, offbeat ride.
9. Vampire Dormitory
In this gentle cross-dressing romance, Mito—a street kid—dresses up as a boy to survive and finds herself welcomed by Ruka, a vampire who believes she’s a boy. It’s a mistaken identity that turns into a sweet story of acceptance and developing emotions. Though it follows known vampire clichés, it introduces a sense of warmth and genuineness that makes it stand out. It’s a gentle, warm love story with enough bite.
8. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
Need something dark and lovely? This anime film is it. When a noble vampire called Meier Link flees into the arms of a human woman named Charlotte, bounty hunter D is recruited to rescue her. But Charlotte might not need rescue—she and Meier share a complicated and beautiful relationship. Gothic imagery, mournful soundtracks, and doomed love make this a standout among dark-tale fans.
7. Ms. Vampire Who Lives in My Neighborhood
Not every vampire romance is dark and brooding—some are just cute. This one is all about slice-of-life warmth, with Sophie, a shut-in vampire who subsists on online-ordered blood. When cheerful human girl Akari becomes obsessed with her, a gentle, near-romantic friendship develops. Full of adorableness and nuance-implying yuri undertones, it’s a low-key, adorable watch that’s like getting a warm hug.
6. Diabolik Lovers
If sloppy romance is your style, stop looking. Diabolik Lovers plunges its heroine, Yui, into a mansion with six wickedly charming vampire brothers—each of whom has his sick personality. Adapted from an otome game, the anime is full of tension, possessiveness, and enough warning signs to set off a parade. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a cult classic for its melodramatic excess and dark sensual vibe.
5. Karin
This vampire romantic comedy turns the script on its head in the best possible way. Karin is not your stereotypical bloodsucker—she instead makes too much blood and must inject it into people. Meet Kenta, the new schoolboy who becomes entangled in her clumsy world. With nosebleeds, miscommunications, and adorable moments, their love affair is both laugh-out-loud funny and warm-in-the-heart delightful. A great choice if you’ve had your fill of the brooding immortal plot.
4. Strike the Blood
Strike the Blood combines magic, action, and a reluctant vampire hero. Kojo Akatsuki, who wouldn’t even be a vampire if he had a choice, is cared for by Yukina, a tough swordswoman. Their chemistry is tense, flirty, and awkward—particularly when it comes to blood. It’s a whirlwind show with supernatural fights, but the feeling between Kojo and Yukina provides it with substance above the fighting.
3. Rosario + Vampire
This is traditional harem anime with a supernatural spin. Tsukune mistakenly attends a school for monsters and falls for Moka, the vampire with a cute personality—except when her inner vampire is in charge. The show exists in a state of frenetic energy, excessive fanservice, and a developing romance that somehow manages to keep it all stable. It’s sheer guilty pleasure, but with a central love plot that is quite sweet.
2. Vampire Knight
Few romance anime vampire shows share the iconic stature of Vampire Knight. Taking place in a boarding school where vampires and humans are literally (well, sort of) living in the same world, the show revolves around Yuki, torn between bad boy, mysterious Kaname, and emotionally wounded Zero. Full of angst, secrets, and more plot twists than you can shake a stick at, it’s a goth soap opera you can’t help but be addicted to. If you’re a fan of love triangles and drama, this show’s the one.
1. Bakemonogatari (Monogatari Series)
It’s more than a vampire tale, though, and an exercise in odd, brainy storytelling. Having lived through an attack by a vampire, Koyomi Araragi finds himself invited into a realm of bizarreity—and into the orbit of Hitagi Senjougahara, a girl with secrets of her own. Their romance is complex, snappy, and unlike anything in anime. It’s not a traditional romance, but it’s indelible in the way it probes connection, trauma, and trust with sardonic dialogue and hallucinatory imagery.
Vampire romance anime isn’t necessarily about bloodlust or taboo love—it’s about pushing the emotional (and sometimes absurd) boundaries of relationships that exist between two worlds. Whether you’re into overwrought love triangles, cringeworthy rom-coms, or quirky supernatural fiction, there’s something here to bite into. Just be warned: once you begin, you may not be able to escape.