The anime adaptation of Horimiya has finally arrived, delighting fans of the series! While there are many romantic comedy anime out there, Horimiya truly stands out. It pairs beautiful animation with a heartfelt adaptation that captures the essence of the story. If you’re not already into romantic comedy anime, this is the perfect opportunity to start. Horimiya introduces a memorable journey full of emotions, laughter, and genuinely heartwarming moments that will melt your heart.
For newcomers, Horimiya is about teenage love, growth, and self-discovery. It avoids unnecessary drama and keeps viewers coming back for the humor, relatable moments, and uplifting connections. Even the side characters add depth to the story, making it an engaging watch. Fans of the manga have praised the anime’s adaptation, too. If you enjoyed Horimiya, here’s a list of 15 similar anime with unique twists and unforgettable characters.
Anime Similar to Horimiya
15. Yesterday wo Utatte / Sing “Yesterday” for Me
Genre: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life Yesterday wo Utatte follows Rikuo, a young man who finds himself at a crossroads in life. He has no clear direction and harbors unrequited feelings for his former classmate, Shinako, who is burdened by a painful past. Meanwhile, Haru, a lively and free-spirited girl, brings new energy into Rikuo’s life. The story delicately explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. While its pacing is slower than Horimiya, its emotional depth and nuanced character development make it a thought-provoking and enjoyable watch.
14. Special A
Genre: Romance, Comedy, School Life
Hikari has always excelled at everything—until Kei, a boy she met in childhood, defeated her in a wrestling match. Fueled by a fierce rivalry, Hikari transfers to his school, aiming to beat him in every area, from academics to competitions. However, Kei harbors feelings for her, which Hikari doesn’t realize. The story explores the playful, competitive relationship between Hikari and Kei, as well as the bonds with other members of the elite Special A class. This charming, lighthearted rom-com balances romance and humor, creating an engaging watch for fans of school romance.
13. 3D Kanojo / Real Girl
Genre: Romance, Slice of Life, Drama 3D Kanojo centers on Hikari Tsutsui, an introverted otaku who prefers the virtual world over real-life relationships. One day, he crosses paths with Iroha, an outspoken girl who accepts him for who he is. Through their growing friendship and budding romance, Hikari starts breaking out of his shell. The story highlights the challenges and rewards of opening up to others, capturing the essence of young love in a relatable way. Its focus on character growth and the natural connection between Hikari and Iroha resonates with Horimiya fans looking for realistic, heartwarming tales.
12. Nisekoi
Genre: Romance, Comedy, School, Slice of Life Nisekoi follows Raku, a high school student who, to his surprise, must pretend to date Chitoge, the daughter of a rival gangster family, in order to ease tensions between their families. Despite their initial dislike for each other, they navigate their lives while keeping up the “couple” charade. The series also brings in Raku’s childhood promise to find his first love, adding to the humor and complexity of the story. With a mix of romantic misunderstandings, laugh-out-loud moments, and relatable characters, Nisekoi keeps viewers entertained, especially fans of rom-coms like Horimiya.
11. Lovely Complex
Genre: Romance, Comedy, School
Risa and Ootani are two classmates facing the same problem—they both struggle with love due to their height. Risa is taller than the average girl, and Ootani is shorter than the average guy, which often makes them the targets of playful teasing from their friends. Their height difference is the source of many hilarious misunderstandings as they become close friends, helping each other find love. However, Risa eventually realizes she has feelings for Ootani, creating a new layer to their friendship. Lovely Complex delivers laughs and heartfelt moments, much like Horimiya, as the characters embrace their unique qualities.
Genres: Romance, Comedy, School, Shoujo
In My Little Monster, Shizuku is the quiet, studious type who only cares about getting good grades. She doesn’t socialize much and has no interest in making friends. Then there’s Haru, who often gets into fights and doesn’t have many friends due to his intense personality. When their paths cross, a surprising friendship begins to blossom into something more. The anime balances humor and heartfelt moments as the two opposites navigate their developing feelings. Exploring themes of loneliness, trust, and self-discovery, it’s a thoughtful watch with fun, laugh-out-loud moments, much like Horimiya.
09. Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
Genres: Romance, Comedy, School, Shoujo Kaichou wa Maid-sama! tells the story of Misaki, her school’s first female student council president, nicknamed the ‘Demon President’ for her strict approach. But she hides a secret—she works at a maid café to help her family financially, something she’d rather keep hidden. Her secret is soon discovered by the charming Takumi Usui, who becomes intrigued by her hidden side. This anime leans heavily on comedy as Misaki tries to protect her reputation, while Takumi’s playful teasing turns into something deeper. It’s a delightful classic for rom-com fans, with a unique premise that makes it a must-watch.
08. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Genres: Romance, Comedy, School, Psychological
In Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Miyuki and Kaguya are the president and vice-president of a prestigious school, both top students admired by everyone. But beneath their confident exteriors, they’re hiding their feelings for each other. Both are determined to make the other confess first, turning love into a hilarious and clever “battle of pride.” Full of sharp wit and engaging storytelling, this anime uses humor and clever narration to keep viewers hooked. With its school setting and fresh twist on romance, Kaguya-sama is a unique addition to the rom-com genre.
Genres: Romance, Drama, Shoujo, Yuri Bloom Into You beautifully captures the journey of self-discovery and friendship. The story follows Yuu, a young girl searching for true love, and Touko, the school president, who also struggles with her own feelings. When Touko confesses her feelings for Yuu, they begin an emotional journey to understand themselves and what love means to them. With stunning animation, thoughtful storytelling, and meaningful themes, Bloom Into You is a heartwarming and supportive watch, particularly for those looking for authentic connections between characters.
06. Toradora!
Genres: Romance, Comedy, School, Slice of Life Toradora! introduces Ryuuji, a gentle student with a misunderstood, intimidating appearance, and Taiga, a small but fierce girl known as the “Palmtop Tiger.” Both of them have crushes on each other’s best friends, leading them to form an unlikely alliance to help set each other up. As they support each other, a deeper bond grows between them, full of laughter and touching moments. The story embraces romantic comedy tropes while adding its own twists, creating a well-rounded and engaging experience. If you’re a fan of high school rom-coms like Horimiya, Toradora! is a great choice, combining humor and romance in a way that’s fun and memorable.
05. Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou / Kare Kano: His and Her Circumstances
Genres: Romance, Drama, School, Slice of Life
Yukino Miyazawa appears perfect—good grades, athletic prowess, and a refined look. However, her flawless image hides the fact that it’s all a facade. Her world is turned upside down when she meets Arima, another student who steals her spotlight and uncovers her secret. To complicate matters, Arima also confesses his feelings for her. As the two uncover each other’s vulnerabilities, the show delves into themes of self-discovery and personal growth. While the series has its ups and downs, with a somewhat weak ending, it’s still an engaging watch for anyone who enjoyed Horimiya, especially for those who appreciate romance that focuses on realistic character development.
04. Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Genres: Romance, Drama, School, Shoujo
Sawako Kuronuma, often compared to Sadako from The Ring due to her appearance, is a quiet, misunderstood girl who harbors feelings for the popular Shouta Kazehaya. Shouta, unlike her other classmates, isn’t scared of her and gradually becomes her first real friend. As their relationship blossoms, they face the challenges of rumors, misunderstandings, and social pressure. With a focus on heartwarming romance, Kimi ni Todoke brings forth a relatable and touching coming-of-age story. Like Horimiya, it captures the sweetness of young love with strong character development and beautiful animation.
03. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
Genres: Romance, Drama, Supernatural, Slice of Life
In this unique anime, the mysterious Adolescence Syndrome affects high school students in strange and emotional ways. Sakuta Azusagawa is a student who encounters Mai Sakurajima, a famous child actress who mysteriously appears in a bunny girl costume—unnoticed by anyone except him. As Sakuta helps Mai, he uncovers other individuals affected by this syndrome, leading him to assist them with their personal struggles. Along the way, romance and self-discovery play pivotal roles. A blend of slice-of-life, romance, and supernatural elements, this series is ideal for those who enjoyed Horimiya, with its emotionally deep storytelling and character-driven plot.
02. Tonikaku Kawaii / Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You
Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
Tonikawa follows Nasa Yuzaki, an ambitious young man focused on his future, until a fateful encounter with Tsukasa, a beautiful girl, changes his life. After saving him from a car accident, Tsukasa agrees to marry Nasa, sparking the beginning of their romantic and comedic journey together. The series is filled with lighthearted moments, as their relationship grows while uncovering Tsukasa’s mysterious past. Like Horimiya, Tonikaku Kawaii delivers a charming, feel-good romance with an emphasis on cuteness, making it a delightful watch for fans of sweet romantic comedies.
01. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, Seinen Wotakoi tells the story of Narumi, an otaku and a fujoshi, who keeps her hobbies a secret from her colleagues, and Hirotaka, her childhood friend, who is also a gaming otaku. As their relationship evolves from friendship to romance, they navigate the complexities of balancing their otaku lives with work and romance. The anime offers a refreshing take on adult relationships, with humor, relatable dynamics, and a deep dive into otaku culture. It’s similar to Horimiya in tone, but with an office setting and working adults, making it a unique choice for fans who appreciate romance with a dose of everyday realism.
These anime capture a range of heartfelt moments, character development, and unique settings while remaining within the school and romance genres, making them great recommendations for fans of Horimiya.
Dev King is a passionate fan of manga, manhwa, and webtoons, with a love for Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cartoons. Always exploring new worlds and stories, he finds joy in every unique style and plot twist.
