The Most Romantic Anime Movie, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the anime movie you think is the most romantic!

Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:57

Anime movies have a special way of capturing emotions and narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. Among these, romantic anime movies hold a unique charm, often weaving together tales of love, growth, and connection. By ranking these movies, it becomes easier for new fans to find recommendations and for seasoned enthusiasts to revisit cherished classics. Ranking these films also sparks engaging discussions among viewers, delving into various elements like character development, animation styles, and emotional impact. Each vote helps mold a consensus on which stories tug at the heartstrings the most effectively, ensuring that every fan finds their perfect anime romance adventure.

What Is the Most Romantic Anime Movie?

1

67
votes
Your Name

Makoto Shinkai

This movie follows two teenagers who swap bodies and fall in love. It's a beautifully animated film with a touching story that will make you feel all the feels.
Your Name is a 2016 Japanese animated romantic fantasy film directed by Makoto Shinkai. The story revolves around a high school boy named Taki and a high school girl named Mitsuha, who mysteriously and inexplicably begin to switch bodies. As they try to navigate their daily lives while occupying each other's bodies, they eventually develop a bond and start leaving messages for one another. However, when a comet threatens to destroy Mitsuha's town, they find themselves in a race against time to save each other and uncover the truth behind their extraordinary connection.

Release Date: August 26, 2016

Runtime: 106 minutes

Genre: Romantic, Fantasy, Drama

Animation Studio: CoMix Wave Films

Music: Radwimps
2

41
votes
A Silent Voice

Naoko Yamada

This movie tells the story of a boy who bullies a deaf girl in elementary school and tries to make amends years later. It's a heartwarming and emotional film that explores themes of redemption and forgiveness.
A Silent Voice is a beautifully crafted anime film that tells a touching story of redemption, forgiveness, and understanding. The movie explores themes of bullying, disability, and mental health, with a focus on empathy and personal growth.

Release Date: September 2016

Director: Naoko Yamada

Animation Studio: Kyoto Animation

Runtime: 129 minutes

Genre: Drama, Romance, School
A Silent Voice in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most beautiful anime in the world
- Position 5 of 10 in Most beautiful anime movie
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular slice-of-life anime
3

16
votes
The Garden of Words

Makoto Shinkai

This movie follows a young man who meets a woman in a park on rainy days. They begin to develop feelings for each other, but obstacles stand in their way. The animation is stunning, and the story is both romantic and melancholic.
The Garden of Words is a romantic anime movie that explores the emotional connection between two individuals who meet in a garden during rainy days. The movie beautifully portrays themes of love, longing, and the importance of human connections.

Release Year: 2013

Running Time: 46 minutes

Animation Studio: CoMix Wave Films

Genre: Romance, Drama

Language: Japanese
4

19
votes
5 Centimeters per Second

Makoto Shinkai

This movie is a poignant tale of lost love and the passage of time. It follows two childhood friends who grow apart but still hold feelings for each other. The animation is gorgeous, and the story is bittersweet.
5 Centimeters per Second is a visually stunning anime movie that tells the poignant love story of Takaki and Akari. Directed and written by Makoto Shinkai, the film takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through the past, present, and future of the characters' lives. The narrative captures the bittersweet essence of unrequited love, distance, and the longing to reconnect. With its breathtaking animation and deep emotional resonance, 5 Centimeters per Second has garnered critical acclaim worldwide.

Genre: Romance, Drama

Release Date: March 3, 2007

Runtime: 63 minutes

Animation Studio: CoMix Wave Films

Music: Tenmon
5 Centimeters per Second in other rankings
- Position 10 of 10 in Most beautiful anime movie
5

18
votes
Whisper of the Heart

Studio Ghibli

This movie is a charming coming-of-age story about a young girl who dreams of becoming a writer. She meets a boy who shares her love of books and music, and they fall in love. It's a sweet and romantic film that captures the joys and pains of first love.
Whisper of the Heart is a critically acclaimed animated film produced by Studio Ghibli. It is a coming-of-age romantic drama directed by Yoshifumi Kondou.

Director: Yoshifumi Kondou

Released: 1995

Running Time: 111 minutes

Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance

Language: Japanese
Whisper of the Heart in other rankings
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular Ghibli film
6

13
votes

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

This movie follows a girl who discovers she can time travel and uses her powers to fix her mistakes and pursue her crush. It's a fun and heartfelt film with a unique take on the time travel genre.
7

5
votes
Hotarubi no Mori e

This movie tells the story of a girl who meets a spirit in the forest every summer. They form a close bond, but their time together is limited by a curse. It's a touching and tragic film about love that transcends boundaries.
Hotarubi no Mori e is a romantic anime movie that follows the story of a young girl named Hotaru who befriends a mysterious masked forest spirit, Gin. Despite the warnings that she must never touch Gin or he will disappear forever, Hotaru continues to visit him every summer. As they spend more time together, their bond deepens and a bittersweet love story unfolds in the enchanting forest.

Genre: Romance, Drama, Supernatural

Release Year: 2011

Running Time: 44 minutes

Animation Studio: Brain's Base

Best known for: Heartwarming story and emotional storytelling
8

5
votes
The Anthem of the Heart

This movie follows a girl who is cursed to never speak after inadvertently causing her parents' divorce. She becomes involved in a school play where she meets a boy who helps her find her voice again. It's a heartwarming and uplifting film about healing and love.
The Anthem of the Heart is a romantic anime movie that follows the story of Jun Naruse, a young girl who is chosen as a part of the Student Council to prevent her from speaking after her innocent words caused her parents' divorce. As a result, she grows up believing that her words have the power to hurt others. However, everything changes when she is selected to join a musical committee and forced to confront her past.

Release Year: 2015

Running Time: 119 minutes

Genre: Romance, Drama

Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures

Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai
9

12
votes
Millennium Actress

This movie is a love letter to classic Japanese cinema. It tells the story of an aging actress who recounts her life story to a documentary filmmaker. The film blends reality and fantasy, and the love story at its center is both tragic and beautiful.
Millennium Actress is a romantic anime movie that tells the captivating story of an aging actress named Chiyoko Fujiwara as she recounts her life and career. The film seamlessly blends reality with the movies she starred in, blurring the lines between the two. As she reminisces on her past, she becomes intertwined with a documentary filmmaker, and their journey through her memories becomes a beautiful exploration of love, sacrifice, and the power of storytelling.

Release Date: 2001

Runtime: 87 minutes

Animation Studio: Madhouse

Japanese Title: 千年女優 (Sennen Joyuu)

Genre: Romance, Drama
10

9
votes
Studio Ghibli · Public domain

The Wind Rises

Hayao Miyazaki

This movie tells the fictionalized story of Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane used by Japan in World War II. It's a stunningly animated film with a touching love story between Jiro and his wife, Naoko. The film explores themes of love and sacrifice against the backdrop of war.
The Wind Rises is a romantic anime movie that tells the story of Jiro Horikoshi, a young man with a dream of designing beautiful airplanes. Set in the early 20th century, the film takes us on a journey through Jiro's life as he navigates love, loss, and his passion for aircraft. The story is filled with both heartwarming romance and the harsh realities of war, creating a bittersweet tale of love and dreams.

Runtime: 126 minutes

Release Date: July 20, 2013

Genre: Romance, Drama

Animation Studio: Studio Ghibli

Original Language: Japanese

Missing your favorite anime movie?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for romantic anime movie

Storyline

The plot should be engaging and evoke emotions such as love, heartbreak, and longing.
Character development

The main characters should be well-developed and relatable, making the audience root for their love story.
Art and animation

The visuals should be aesthetically pleasing, adding to the overall romantic atmosphere.
Soundtrack

The music should enhance the romantic moments and evoke emotions in the audience.
Overall impact

The movie should leave a lasting impression on viewers and be widely regarded as a memorable and impactful romantic story.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most romantic anime movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or anime film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2026 views
203 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each anime film once every 24 hours. The rank of each anime film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most romantic anime movie

Anime movies have gained immense popularity in recent years, with their captivating storylines and stunning visuals. Among the different genres of anime movies, romance is one of the most beloved by fans. The portrayal of love, heartbreak, and sacrifice in these movies have touched the hearts of audiences all over the world. When it comes to romantic anime movies, there are several titles that immediately come to mind. From classics such as "Your Name" and "Spirited Away" to newer releases like "Weathering With You" and "A Silent Voice", there is no shortage of options to choose from. Each movie offers a unique perspective on love and relationships, making it difficult to pick just one as the most romantic. But despite the plethora of options available, fans continue to debate which anime movie deserves the title of the most romantic. Whether it's the emotional depth of the characters or the beautiful animation, each movie has its own qualities that make it stand out. So, what is the most romantic anime movie? It's a question that continues to spark discussion and debate amongst anime fans.