Summary
Everyone loves a good love story, anime fans especially. Be it the good old-fashioned rom-com, heartwrenching romantic tragedies, or quirky offerings from the harem genre, there’s been adiverse array of series that tug at your heartstringsand make you laugh or cry at the same time.
Givean all that, it’s important to look at some of the most influential titles in the romance genre, so fans can be more informed on where their favorite tropes, conventions, and sub-genres come from. These anime have left an indelible mark on the genre, and love them or hate them, their impact cannot be denied.
Ouran High School Host Clubhas attracted quite a large fanbase due to how it cleverly and affectionately satirizes common shojo tropes and clichés, and its gender-bending protagonist, Haruhi Fujioka. By turning several tropes associated withthe reverse harem genreon its head, OHSHC has managed to make its way near the top of several Best Shojo Anime lists.
Intersetngly, despite being a parody of shojo anime, it’s been a gateway series to the world of shojo for many viewers. LGBTQ+ fans in particular have taken a liking to the series, due to its focus on gender ambiguity and challenging stereotypes.
Your Name’s list of accolades is endless, having won several awards for its stunning animation, heartfelt story, memorable soundtrack, and stellar voice acting. It was the only non-Ghibli anime film to top the Japanese box office until 2019, whenWeathering With Youcame out.
Your Name’s body-swapping plot has influenced several creators in the anime and manga industry, including the mangaka ofOnimai: I’m Now Your Sister!. It proved that non-Ghibli anime movies can be just as appealing to an international audience, and there’s even a Hollywood remake in the works.
The first season ofClannadreceived mixed-to-positive reviews but the sequel,Clannad: After Storywas universally beloved by fans and critics alike. A big reason is its exploration of the struggles of adulthood, the importance of family, and dealing with loss, which led fans toshed more than a few tears.
Clannad: After Storyhas cemented its place as one of the best tearjerkers in anime, if not THE best. It has set a benchmark from which all other emotional anime are to be judged, making an indelible mark on the anime community.
5Ah! My Goddess
One of the Earliest Harem Series, Led to the Popularity of the ‘Magical Girlfriend’ Trope
Modern harem anime and mangaprobably would not exist if it were not for the explosive popularity ofAh! My Goddess. It follows an ordinary college student named Keiichi Morisato, who accidentally dials the ‘Goddess Help Line’ and summons the Goddess Belldandy. Keiichi wishes for her to stay with him forever, and she moves in with him.
Belldandy is the quintessential ‘Magical Girlfriend’, a supernatural girl who falls in love with the everyman protagonist. Along with that trope,Ah! My Goddesshas also led to the general boom and popularity of the harem genre.
Rumiko Takahashi is responsible for some of the most influential romantic comedies in anime and manga, andUrusei Yatsurais no exception. And if the 2022 anime remake is any indication, it has had quite a lasting legacy.
The main love interest, Lum Invader, is one of the most iconic characters in anime history, inspiring several similar characters. The series is also consideredthe first harem comedy, spawning several tropes and conventions that would become mainstays in the genre.
Urusei Yatsuramay have been the first harem comedy but modern harem anime have taken more cues fromTenchi Muyo!, specifically regarding the plot ofan ordinary protagonistsurrounded by women vying for his affections.
Starting its life as a six-episode OVA,Tenchi Muyo!was also one of the earliest anime series to gain popularity in the West in the 90s. The anime proved to be so popular in fact, that it spawned a manga series, several anime TV series, novels, video games, and even a stage play in 2019.
Maison Ikkokuis easily one of the most underrated and influential works in Rumiko Takahashi’s oeuvre. While it’s still a romantic comedy like Takahashi’s other series, it’s a lot more grounded in reality with no fantastical or speculative elements. The realistic nature of the series and the main couple’s ‘will-they-won’t-they’ dynamic has gone on to influence other anime rom-coms likeMahoraba.
The series has been well-received by critics for its excellent balance of humor and drama, with many calling it the greatest slice-of-life romantic comedy in anime. The series has even been featured in the music video for ‘I’m Alive’ by American singer-songwriter Norah Jones.
1Kimagure Orange Road
Quintessential Shonen Romantic Comedy, Influenced the Tsundere Archetype
Kimagure Orange Roadis widely considered to be one ofthe first shonen rom-coms, providing what’s possibly the most influential example of a love triangle in the genre. The series also provides one of the first tsunderes in the medium with the main love interest, Madoka Ayukawa.
Unlike a lot of romantic comedies that came after it though,Kimagure Orange Roadhas extremely well-developed characters. It has been praised for its realistic portrayal of middle school characters and emotional, coming-of-age narrative.
