8 Best Romantic Anime to Watch if You Liked 'My Dress-Up Darling', Ranked by IMDb

The story of Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojo from My Dress-Up Darling has captured the hearts of millions of viewers. The title masterfully combines sweet romance with a heartfelt story about how shared passion brings people together.

If you've finished all the episodes and are looking for something equally warm, touching, and charming, you've come to the right place.

8. 'Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You', 2009-2024

IMDb Score: 7.8/10

Sawako Kuronuma is a shy high school student who is shunned by her classmates because she resembles a horror movie villain.

Everything changes when the popular Shouta Kazehaya takes an interest in her. His friendliness helps her open up, make new friends, and develop tender feelings.

The title depicts various trials, such as gossip, jealousy, and inner insecurities. These elements make the story especially touching as it focuses on the gradual development of relationships and inner growth.

7. 'Paradise Kiss', 2005

IMDb Score: 7.8/10

Yukari Hayasaka is a high school student who lives by the rules and follows her mother's every wish. One day, she meets a clothing designer on the street. He invites her to model for their small brand, Paradise Kiss.

There, she meets a team of young designers who create and sew elegant and extravagant clothing. Their sparkling eyes and the beauty of their creations convince her to accept the invitation.

However, the person who catches her eye the most is a mysterious and charismatic man named Johji.

6. 'Blue Box', 2024-...

IMDb Score: 7.9/10

The main characters of Blue Box attend a sports-focused school. They admire the talents and achievements of their classmates and, of course, fall in love.

Taiki Inomata plays badminton and arrives at school well before classes begin to hone his skills. However, training isn't the only reason for his early arrival: the talented basketball player Chinatsu Kano, whom the boy is in love with, is also training there at the same time.

5. 'Horimiya', 2021

IMDb Score: 8.0/10

Kyouko Hori is a cheerful, smiling high school student who is the center of attention. At home, however, she is a hard worker, helping her parents around the house and taking care of her younger brother.

One day, outside of school, she meets her classmate, Izumi Miyamura, who looks and acts very differently from anyone she has seen before. The shy, reserved boy wears piercings and stylish clothes.

He helped Kyouko's younger brother and began visiting their home almost every day after that.

4. 'Kamisama Kiss', 2012-2016

IMDb Score: 8.1/10

After her father flees due to debt, Nanami finds herself homeless and penniless. While searching for a new place to live, she meets a mysterious man who offers her his apartment in exchange for a favor – she must become the goddess of the local shrine.

Nanami accepts and finds herself drawn into a world of spirits and supernatural beings. Tomoe, a yokai, already resides at the shrine and initially treats the new owner with distrust and contempt.

However, as the story progresses, a special bond develops between Nanami and Tomoe.

3. 'Fruits Basket', 2019-2021

IMDb Score: 8.5/10

After her mother's death, Tohru Honda is left homeless. She starts living in the forest, where she is unexpectedly found by two brothers, Shigure and Yuki Sohma, who live nearby.

Their family is plagued by an ancient curse: if someone of the opposite sex who is not related to them hugs one of the Sohmas, that person will transform into an animal from the Chinese zodiac.

Through her kindness and optimism, Tohru helps each of them navigate their inner demons and accept themselves.

2. 'Kaguya-sama: Love Is War', 2019-2023

IMDb Score: 8.5/10

This anime immerses viewers in the atmosphere of a prestigious school where the main characters are the student council vice president, Kaguya, and the student council president, Miyuki.

Despite their mutual attraction, they engage in constant psychological battles, each trying to get the other to confess their love first.

1. 'The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity', 2025

IMDb Score: 8.6/10

Kaoruko Waguri and Rintaro Tsumugi attend two long-standing rival schools: Kikyou, an elite all-girls school, and Chidori, a school for troubled boys.

The two meet by chance at the family bakery where Rintaro works, and they become friends. However, they are unable to be together openly due to pressure and social stigma.

Each step toward reconciliation becomes a challenge and an opportunity to prove to themselves and others that true love is more important than conflict.