12 Best Underrated Rom Com Animes You Must Watch

Rom-com anime can make the smallest moments — a shared umbrella, a shy glance, a clumsy confession — feel like entire universes. Yet so many great ones never make the trending charts. This is why we’re diving into the best underrated rom com animes: heartfelt, funny, and unforgettable stories that somehow slipped under the mainstream radar.

Whether you crave the quiet tension of a slow-burn romance or the chaos of a mismatched couple, these twelve picks will give you new worlds to laugh, swoon, and cry over.

Why These Best Underrated Rom Com Animes Stand Out

Rom-com anime is a crowded field. Big names dominate the conversation, but many equally deserving titles are overlooked. The shows on this list combine emotional authenticity, strong comedic timing, and lasting character arcs. They’re “underrated” because they didn’t ride a wave of massive hype — yet fans who find them often become lifelong evangelists.

1. Tsuki ga Kirei (As the Moon, So Beautiful)

A quiet, realistic romance that captures the tenderness and awkwardness of first love. Tsuki ga Kirei thrives on subtle gestures — a text, a shy wave — and proves you don’t need drama explosions to feel emotional impact. The pacing mirrors real relationships, where big moments happen slowly and without fanfare.

2. Just Because!

Set in the twilight of high school life, this anime blends nostalgia, regret, and the sweetness of second chances. It’s a slower watch, but its pacing allows emotional beats to breathe, making it one of the best underrated rom com animes for viewers who want realistic character arcs.

3. Tsuredure Children

Rom-com speed dating in anime form. Tsuredure Children is a series of short romantic sketches that highlight multiple couples, each with their own quirks. From painfully awkward confessions to hilarious misunderstandings, it’s pure comfort viewing in bite-sized form.

4. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun (My Little Monster)

A chaotic romance between two wildly different personalities — a blunt, studious girl and a volatile, troublemaking boy. It’s messy, funny, and surprisingly honest about emotional growth, proving that chemistry doesn’t always start with perfect compatibility.

5. Nodame Cantabile

Set in a college music conservatory, this rom-com uses classical music as the backdrop for a strange and utterly charming love story. Nodame’s quirky personality and Chiaki’s uptight perfectionism create comedic gold, while their growth together is deeply satisfying.

6. Kimi to 100-Kaime no Koi (The 100th Love With You)

A romantic comedy with a bittersweet sci-fi twist. This lesser-known movie uses time loops to explore love, regret, and the lengths we go to protect someone. At under two hours, it’s a tight, emotional ride.

7. Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo (The Pet Girl of Sakurasou)

Don’t be fooled by the silly title — Sakurasou is a heartfelt ensemble rom-com about chasing dreams, dealing with failure, and finding love among a group of eccentric housemates. The comedy is loud, but the emotional beats hit hard.

8. Sing “Yesterday” for Me (Yesterday wo Utatte)

For those craving a mature, melancholy romance, this one focuses on stalled lives, lost love, and hesitant steps forward. It’s not always happy, but it’s grounded in realism and emotional honesty.

9. Natsuyuki Rendezvous

Romance, grief, and supernatural elements blend in this quietly powerful story. A love triangle between a woman, her deceased husband’s ghost, and a young man makes for unique emotional stakes and an unusual rom-com tone.

10. Honey and Clover

An older, slice-of-life rom-com set in art school. Honey and Clover is funny and poignant, tackling unrequited love, personal growth, and the bittersweet nature of moving forward in life.

11. Koi Kaze

A deeply controversial but emotionally sincere romance that explores taboo themes with maturity. Not for everyone, but often cited as one of the boldest, most underrated anime romances.

12. My Love Story!! (Ore Monogatari!!)

A refreshing twist on the usual rom-com formula — here, the “big, intimidating” male lead is the sweetest, most loyal boyfriend imaginable. Wholesome, funny, and endlessly charming.

Why You’ll Love These Picks

The best underrated rom com animes tend to have a few things in common:

• They don’t rush the romance.
  
• They balance comedy with emotional depth.
  
• They stick with you because the characters feel real.
  

If your watchlist has been nothing but overhyped hits, diving into these under-the-radar titles will be like discovering secret treasure.

How to Watch Them for Maximum Impact

• Slow down — these shows often thrive on quiet moments.
  
• Alternate between light and heavy picks to keep your mood balanced.
  
• Rewatch your favorites — the subtlety often reveals new layers on a second viewing.
  

Final Thoughts

Rom-com anime isn’t just about the laughs or the kisses — it’s about the moments in between. The best underrated rom com animes in this list prove that hidden gems can rival the most popular shows in emotional punch and comedic timing. If you give them a chance, they might just become your all-time favorites.

Watch these shows and others on Crunchyroll or Netflix.

Read our article on Top romance anime of 2025.