My, my… I have come to realize I have not scribed words upon my digital tablet for quite a length, but my mental cauldron has been overflowing for months. But the anime deluge continues to overflow and overwhelm. And my, my… has this past year over delivered on my favorite genre: Romance Anime. It’s so fitting to return from my intermission to celebrate my favorite genre drowning in the love in the month of love

This old foggy is a connoisseur of various stories that contain sweetest ingredients and most heartwarming contents. These pulsate with the gushiest vibes that melts even the most frigid hearts covered in sheets of ice. From the most innocent, immature, and confusing romances of high school; another school romance that truly embodies the saying that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” to creative spins on Disney romances oozing with depth, and even a romance that breaks the wall of communication. That is actually one of the current winter 2024 anime, but I just can’t help but shout it out. There is so much to adore, and so much variety to gorge on. Let our Third Date commence…

TRUE RIZZ AT WORK, MY MANS DON’T KNOW HIS POTENTIAL

“The Dangers in My Heart” are so sinister yet so seductive. This left the greatest impression on me personally, and is an immense recommendation for those who enjoy a sweet school romance, and it may spur kindred spirits if you have similar experiences to the couple, or either individual. Especially for me. This anime immediately flashed images of my old high school adoration, my crush that continues to elude me to this very day, a love that hasn’t ceased to flutter my heart in nearly two decades. The awkwardness, the clumsiness, the fear of being honest. All the emotions Ichikawa experiences and confront are painfully familiar and fantastically executed. And the inability to read signs, and body language just make me cringe in agony. Because… he’s me.

I definitely recall during my high-school awkwardness, fully embracing my inner edge lord. Thankfully I didn’t drift to a full chunibyo with the absolutely ridiculous dialogue that would’ve just made me sound like a dork. And our Ichikawa is obsessed with murder and has a deep-seated desire to murder Yamada and see her beautiful but wretched corpse donned in flowers or in various forms. Basically a twisted way to visualize the hot girl you have an amorous fancy for; the class idol that got the boys of class hot and bothered; the silly and aggressive heroine who is also the type not honest with her feelings. So the two create such a wholesome romance that inspires so many, funny, confusing, and embarrassing memories. Highly recommended for great laughs oozing with moments of accidental “rizz” that will have you shudder from second hand embarrassment. One of my favorite pairs last year. And man has the second season that recently started airing has been wonderful. Especially for the character development of Kyotaro breaking more out of his shell, and having more self worth. It’s a wonderful anime in my opinion and actually made me weep at times because it felt like I lived vicariously through Kyotaro because some of his plight is my own. It’s so relatable for me even at this stage of my life. High recommendation. Just too sweet…

A CHAD LIVING EVERY ADOLESCENT BOYS’ DREAM

So from the charming, realistic romance filled with fluff and sugar, my second choice I choose is hands down the most ridiculous romantic clusterf*** I’ve seen since “Girlfriend, Girlfriend”. My mans, my dood, the absolute Chad that has earned the name lovingly “Chadtaro”, Rentaro prays to a shrine for success in romance after his 100th confession failed. And the gods listened to his plea, or I should say, a god who made a mistake with his soulmates over the lifetime and cursed him to long life of rejection. So to make amends, he grants that he will encounter all 100 of those soulmates throughout his high-school time. So he’s the GOAT deviants aspire to be. A legitimate harem king…

However there is a catch: He has to be an item before the time limit ends or the unlucky gal dies. So he is destined to become a harem king for the utmost noble for reasons. I highly recommend it for the utter hilarity of the premise. And man, are the girls so charming with their own odd quirks that make them distinct and endearing, leading to most wholesome or racy interactions. And the challenges they face are surprisingly heartwarming despite its absolutely bonkers premise and outrageous trials and tribulations. I have it as a high recommendation indeed. For both comedy and just endless chadfilled rizz moments.

THE ABUSED CINDERELLA RESCUED LOVINGLY BY A STOIC PRINCE

While it wasn’t a surprise this anime turned out to be so damn good, I just really did not anticipate being so drawn in. In every way it exceeds Cinderella in maturity and attractiveness. For Miyo, my queen and heart of “My Happy Marriage”, I stan. And the stoic heart throb, Kiyoka, I am certain numerous fans of varied flavors stan. This anime oozes with character development, charm, and drama. It bathes in it. Miyo is such a charming character because of her humility even to a fault. And much of the anime is her being psychologically rebuilt in a beautiful vision from her Cinderella like circumstances. She comes from a family that treats her like a low class servant because she wasn’t blessed with the same spirit abilities as her gifted step sister. Or so they think because her power manifests under circumstances like her mother. Such a gorgeous flower that would never witness her own beauty as she blooms. This is hands down one of my favorite anime of 2023, one of my favorite romances of 2023 and has a second season this year. It is in extremely tight contention for my choice of romance anime of the year. And a second season is due this year on the heels of a well deserved finale. For both Miyo and her fans. And to what it has an utter brawl to the death for my choice you may ask…?

A MAIDEN OF SACRIFICE DESTINED TO BECOME THE QUEEN OF BEASTS

The other 300 pound gorilla of a romance anime is another that is seemingly inspired from another Disney romance. The beloved story Beauty and the Beast. However our Belle, Sariphi, is a Sacrificial Princess chosen to sate the hunger of Beast King Leonhart of Ozmargo, and keep the peace between human and beast. Upon the night to be sacrificed, she discovers a secret that changes the course of their lives forever.

I actually initially underestimated the sheer magnitude of charm this anime would possess. But I’m so glad i watched it because I came away very impressed. For very obvious reasons does it really make me miss bygone days of old Disney. It’s more fantastical whimsy like the classics. But umlike the Disney classic, there is a ton of character development and maturity with Sariphi and the cast. Many of them go through their own journey that builds their bond with Sariphi, each other. And some even dispel animosity of opposing races due to preconceived views from traumatic experiences. She acts as a bridge uniting various characters throughout the anime into wholesome bonds. And many of these personal journeys evolve into a strong web of relationships that consistently culminate into titanium like bonds and scribe into such a splendid epic confrontation and a Disney-like ending. It was an incredibly lovely anime with proper closure. I’ll miss it but wouldn’t mind rewatching it at some point.

A CUTE BUMPKIN FROM COUNTRYSIDE THAT SEIZES THE HEART OF AN ALOOF PRINCE

“Skip and Loafer” was an anime I regrettably forgot about until I refreshed myself for this list. And when I watched only a few episodes, I immediately remembered why my romance anime 2023 choice is so damn difficult. This anime has such an awesome cast that is fleshed out and expanded by their interactions with possibly the most infectious and wholesome heroine I’ve seen in a romance anime in a while. The oh so lovely country girl Mitsumi, so sweet that she got school’s idol, Sousuke sprung. Their relationship is so engaging because love doesn’t spur truly until the end. Until then, the anime is a lovely slow burn that begins from a tight friendship. And that in my honest opinion makes their relationship so damn satisfying. It truly embodies the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. Mitsumi is not ugly by any means, but she is supremely average visually with such a glowing, infectiously energetic personality. And she can’t help but help Sousuke and much of the cast grow as individuals. Especially Sousuke who acts as a playful “cool guy” to avoid his past and serious relationships. Some of the most intense romances begin from long standing friendships if the chemistry exists of course. Just layers dug through until you reach the gooey core. And one of most enjoyable traits that make this anime is insanely charming is that the art and character style isn’t sexualized, distracting, or even attractive at all. So it’s especially drama filled and its character development, humor, and calm carries the viewers into a wave of bliss and contentment…

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Mostly anime that are currently airing. Though there were some worth checking out last year as well…

Sooo…

I hope all my love birds were immersed in wonderful and gushy Valentines day and February. I’m so glad to be back and hope to scribe another this month. Enjoy your gushy love, and if you’re single, I pray for you to be bathed in pink eventually. Don’t give up! But while ya here, did you vibe with my list? Do you perhaps have choices that may have flew beneath my gaze? Chime ya thoughts below and I’ll give em a gander

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