Romance is a beloved genre that explores the complexities of love, relationships, and human emotions. There are always more than enough love stories waiting for us otakus as anime and romance make a powerful duo. Offering a diverge range of stories, be it funny and heartwarming, or emotionally intense and sad, this genre is not something you would want to miss out.
What sets romance anime apart is its ability to depict genuine and relatable human experiences, including first loves, heartbreak, and personal growth, enabling viewers to relate to it. Even though hardcore anime fans prefer subbed, some shows did an excellent job with their dubbed versions, especially the English one.
Best English Dubbed Romance Anime:
Even though not every dubbed English version is of the same quality, dubbed anime fills a much-needed niche, helping new watchers to get into anime.
Are you a romance anime fan who prefers watching anime dubbed? Or are you willing to give English voice acting a try? Either way, this is your stop! So let’s forget the life-long debate about Subbed vs Dubbed for a while and dive into the Top 13 Dubbed Romance Anime.
13. Love, Chunibyo and Other Delusions
Remember those times when you imagined yourself being a wizard, the one and only one who could harness all the elements? or someone saving your school/workplace from a terrorist attack alone, barehanded? We all did (don’t lie). But why bring up those good old days? This is what the anime is about! Growing Up.
Love, Chunibyo and Other Delusions is a story about growing up. Even though the whole plot centers around Rikka coming out of her “Delusions”, it’s ultimately a tale about how adulthood is inescapable. The story unfolds with a mix of wholesome and funny moments as Yuuta attempts to help Rikka navigate reality.
Standing out for it’s visually stunning animation, heartfelt yet sad moments, this anime has made itself a beloved choice of fans of romance and comedy. Delving into themes of adolescence, embracing oneself and self-acceptance, this anime is definitely worth a watch!
12. My Happy Marriage
My Happy Marriage tells the story of our female protagonist Miyo Saimori. The anime starts of with her reflecting on her poor upbringing and how a man named Kiyoka Kudou changed everything. Although Mio is a great person, her clumsiness and shyness often lead to futhur problems.
Miyo was constantly ill-treated by her step-sister and step-mother. Her only friend Kouji Tatsuishi, who is in love with her, hopes to rescue her by marrying her one day. Unfortunately, fate had other plans as he was forced to marry Kaya, Miyo’s step-sister. As for what happens to Miyo, that’s something you’ll have to find out yourself!
As a romance, it delivers the slow burn and organic character development you would expect from the genre. If you’re looking for a good romance anime, this would be it! Trust me, you’ll be satisfied with how things work out in the story!
11. Tomo-Chan is a Girl!
You might think that an entire anime about someone trying to escape “friendzone” might be hell, but no! It’s brilliant! “Tomo-chan is a girl!” is such an anime, where our main female character Tomo tries to convince Jun that she is in love with him (these never happen irl i swear to god).
“Tomo-chan is a girl!” is a unique romantic comedy, where the romance is exceptional and the comedy is intentional. The story centers around Tomo Aizawa, a tomboy, in her journey to convince her childhood best-friend that she isn’t just one of his “normal” friends. Sounds easy right? Not really, especially when you’re peak at Karate.
On her journey of trying to make Jun see her as a girl, we get to witness funny, yet wholesome moments. Her friends Misuzu and Carol make her realize that she is perfect the way she is! That’s right, the whole premise is a lie, and that’s exactly what makes this show great, on top of being hilarious!
10. Snow White with the Red Hair
Snow White with the Red Hair is a romantic fantasy anime series based on the manga of the same name written by Sorata Akizuki. The story follows our optimistic heroine Shirayuki, who is a herbalist in the town of Tanbarun. She generally stands out from the rest of the townsfolk due to her beautiful long red hair.
Prince Raji takes interest in her and her red hair and asks her to become his concubine. She refuses and as a result, cuts off her long hair and decides to run away to a new town, which in this case was Clarines. It is in Clarines where she meets out male protagonist Zen. Impressed by her determination and skills, Zen offers her a position as the court herbalist.
As they spend time with each other, Zen and Shirayuki develop a bond, which later turns into heartfelt romance. Having stunning animations, visuals and a “fairy-tale” like atmosphere, Snow White with the Red Hair explores the complexities of social hierarchy, fate and discovering oneself. Make sure to keep it in your “MUST WATCH” list, if you have one! (Ofcourse you do!)
9. Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club is a realistic fiction anime. This show teaches us that anime isn’t just about fights with magic and big bursts of energy. The story revolves around out female protagonist Haruhi, who accidentally breaks an expensive vase and has to now work as a host in order to pay back her debt.
She gradually develops a found family relationship with the other members who make up the club she’s forced to join. However, there is a twist – the club members mistake Haruhi for a boy due to her androgynous appearance and she now entertains female clients. The series unfolds with comedic situations, as Haruhi navigates the extravagant world of the Host Club while hiding her true gender.
There is some mystical aspect about Ouran which can’t be explained. The anime’s atmosphere feels like it always has elegance, magic, wealth and beauty. From the very start, it feels like there’s a sense of comfort surrounding you.
Ouran did an exceptional job with their dub! The comedy was translated perfectly, the conversations feel natural and they even DUBBED THE OPENING! (why don’t they do it anymore?) It is to say that the choice of VAs here was perfect! and let’s not forget this anime dub was released in 2008.
You also wouldn’t want to miss out on the guitar riff (Shissou with Guitar Riff).
8. Kamisama Kiss
Every wondered how it’d feel to inherit the powers of a god? Ofcourse you did! Kamisama Kiss follows a similar premise. The story follows Nanami, a girl in high school (yes, a girl… not the one from Jujutsu Kaisen) who lives with her father, who has a severe gambling addiction. One day, her father suddenly disappears, leaving Nanami with severe debt. (Gambling is bad kids)
Having no way of paying the debt, she becomes homeless. One night, she saved Mikage from a wild dog, who is later revealed to be the Land God. He kisses her (in the forehead) and transfer his powers to her, teleporting Nanami to his shrine where she meets two shikigamis Kotetsu and Onikiri and a yokai named Tomoe.
As Nanami learns to navigate her new divine responsibilities, she forms a complex relationship with Tomoe that gradually evolves into a romantic connection. The premise of this anime is rather unique due to it’s use of supernatural elements. Definitely give this dubbed romance anime a try!
7. Horimiya
Horimiya is a romantic comedy anime series based on the manga of the same name written by HERO. Kyouko Hori, our female protagonist, who is the most popular girl in her class dresses normally at home and takes cares of her brother. On the other hand, our male protagonist Izumi Miyamura, who is a quite boy in his class, is seen to have piercings and tattoos.
One day, Miyamura escorts Hori’s brother Sora home from a nose bleed. They discover each other’s secrets and decide to not disclose it (not sure how dressing plainly is a secret). They develop a close bond and friendship as Miyamura continues to visit to play with Sora. We also get to see other side characters and their side of the story.
The way they executed the story is just immaculate. Known for it’s subverting traditional romance tropes and providing a realistic and relatable take on high school relationships, this anime is not something you would want to miss out!
Fun Fact:
Why is the anime named “Horimiya? Actually, it’s full title is “Hori-san to Miyamura-kun”, essentially translated as “Hori and Miyamura”. So, it’s Just a way to shorten the anime titles.
For example, “Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii” (Love is Hard for Otaku) is more popularly known as Wotakoi.
6. Golden Time
Due to a tragic accident, Banri Tada loses all his memories of his past, developing amnesia. While following two people who were in his same faculty, Banri gets lost and meets Mitsuo Yanagisawa. They quickly become friends and start heading towards their university when suddenly a taxi stops by. Just as Banri was beginning to adjust to his college life, Kouko Kaga dramatically barges into his life.
The story mainly follows the interactions between these three, where Mitsuo is continuously trying to hide from Kouko, his fiance. Despite Mitsuo’s attempts to create distance, Koko remains persistent in pursuing him and rebuilding their relationship.
Without giving away too many spoilers, it’s worth noting that Golden Time explores themes of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery within the context of Mitsuo and Koko’s relationship. Having portrayed real relationships exceptionally well, this is one of the best dubbed romance anime out there.
5. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
What happens when you lock up two Tsunderes who love each other in a room for half a year? NOTHING! What’d you except? This is what Kaguya-sama: Love is War is about. It all starts when Miyuki sees Kaguya and immediately falls in love with her. After getting rejected, he challenges Kaguya in a showdown to see who scores higher in their next exam. Miyuki wins, becomes the council’s new president and this is where the first season starts.
The problem is, neither Miyuki nor Kaguya knew that their feelings were mutual and their pride kept them from confessing. What solution did they opt for? Nothing!! They decided to play mind games with each other, hoping either would confess. You could say they were at “war” with each other, a war for love, hence the name of the anime.
This show is filled with comedic moments. For example, the “CAT EARS” episode, the time where Kaguya couldn’t stop laughing about… ahem… sausages (you know what i mean) and the time where Miyuka gives out horrible love advices, which surprisingly worked out! This show in my opinion is the definition of “Rom-Com“.
4. Toradora!
Toradora! is another romantic comedy-drama anime series similar to Kaguya-sama: Love is War based on the light novel of the same name written by Yuyuko Takemiya, who also wrote “Golden Time” (previously mentionaed in the list). The story revolves around the unlikely duo of Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka.
Ryuuji Takasu is a kind high school student who loves cooking and household works. In contrast to his kind nature, he has an intimidating face that often gets him labeled as a delinquent. On the other hand, we have Taiga Aisaka, a short student who is anything but a cute and fragile girl. In contrast to her looks, she loves making others her punching bag, and Ryuuji always happens to be in front of her.
There’s a big twist! Ryuuji has a crush on Taiga’s best friend, Minori Kushieda, while Taiga harbors feelings for Ryuuji’s best friend, Yusaku Kitamura (didn’t expect that did you ?). Going into themes of love and friendship, we get to see characters interacting while going through their complex high school life.
3. Oregairu
Imagine facing soo much bullying, isolation and rejection that you decide to build walls around you, forbidding anyone from getting close to you. That’s Hikigaya Hachiman. Oregairu, or “My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU” revolves around Hikigaya, an apathetic high school student with narcissistic and semi-nihilistic tendencies.
Hikigaya is a like a cynical high school student who would denouce anyone who decides to enjoy even the slightest bit of their youth. Even though he prefers staying alone, he is surprisingly socially aware. His social awareness and ability to discern anyone’s true intentions is second to none.
Even after all this, he wanted to feel like he belonged somewhere, and he does! He was made to join the Service Club, which also consisted of Yui and Yukino. The story follows their various interactions, portraying their teenage struggles and character development. In my opinion, this anime depicts how “Society Can Break You”.
2. Fruit’s Basket
Fruits Basket is all about the Zodiac and the curse on the Sohma family who possessed by animal spirits of the zodiac. The story starts off by introducing us to our beloved air-headed Tohru Honda. On her way to school, she stops up by the house of the Sohmas and meets with Shigure and later followed by others. It was for certain that this wouldn’t be the last time she meets them.
This is where the story’s unique premise comes into play! Tohru soon discovers a family secret—the Sohmas are cursed by the Chinese zodiac, transforming into animals from the zodiac when embraced by the opposite gender or when under stress.
The show delves into themes of friendship, acceptance and love, with the characters being nothing less than flawless. Having deep character development and emotional depth, Fruit’s Basket perfectly serves you a mixture of both humorous and touching moments, or in other words, “poignant humor”, making it one the most beloved romance anime out there.
1. Clannad
Clannad is a highly acclaimed anime series based on the visual novel of the same name by Key, consisting of two seasons: “Clannad” and “Clannad: After Story” respectively. The story starts off showing Tomoya and Nagisa meeting each other on a hill (this scene is really important… you’ll get it once you complete the second season).
The first season of Clannad shows Tomoya, who lives with his dad, with whom he doesn’t have the best of relations, befriending Nagisa, who due to an illness is forced to repeat her academic year. We also get introduced to other side characters and their side of the side. Simple, yet executed with prefection.
The second season is what I would like to describe as “TORTURE”. The plot is rather simple. We get to see Tomoya work hard for his family with Nagisa. Yes, they get together! HAPPYY!! Right? Not really. I wouldn’t want to spoil anymore, but I’d say this- Be ready to lose friends and cry out rivers.
Clannad is probably the most “Realistic” romantic anime out there. The visuals, animations, openings, endings, OSTs and even the dubbing has been done perfectly, making it stand out from the others! Trust me, DO NOT MISS OUT on the masterpiece, that is Clannad and it’s After Story.
Conclusion
Hey there! You made it! Decided on giving out dubbed anime a try? or here just for the suggestions? Either way, make sure to leave a comment on whether you liked it or not!
Also, make sure to share this with your friends!!!
Sayonara Otakus!
Thanks a bunch, will definitely check these out as dubbed
Why no Boku no pico?