Updated on July 9, 2026, by Mark Sammut: As Summer 2026 is underway, we've added a section recommending a few romance anime, just to get people started. We also updated the Fall 2026 calendar with new confirmed series.
2026's romance anime lineup has been fantastic so far. Winter and Spring delivered a few great shows, and Summer should maintain that momentum without any issues. New romance anime are so plentiful that a series needs to be truly special to stand out from the crowd, and You and I Are Polar Opposites, Agents of the Four Seasons, and I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class certainly qualify.
Due to the sheer volume of new romances, keeping track of everything can be difficult, and watching everything can be exhausting. Generally, I recommend trying at least the first episode of each series, since everybody has their own preferences; however, this article seeks to provide guidance by highlighting all of 2026's new romance anime AND recommending some starting points.
For each season, we have separated new romance anime and sequels, just to make that distinction as obvious as possible. There is also a section dedicated to anime that have yet to announce a season but are targeting 2026.
I have only included shows that prioritize romance to an extent. Also, no movies or OVAs.
Winter 2026 Romance Anime
New Winter 2026 Romance Anime
|
Anime |
Start Date |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hana-Kimi |
January 4 |
Mizuki falls so deeply in love with Izumi that she disguises herself as a boy to attend his all-boys school. |
|
|
In Order to Love My Most Beloved Brother-In-Law, I'll Live a Long Life!' |
January 6 |
Isekai, Boys Love |
Reborn into an otome game, Alba wants to spend the rest of his life with his favorite character, Orsis. |
|
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk |
January 11 |
School |
A school's male prince and female prince come together to create the ultimate IT couple. |
|
Isekai Office Worker: The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter |
January 6 |
Boys Love, Isekai |
A salaryman reincarnates into a fantasy world, and he uses his past life to become a star accountant. He shines so brightly that he catches the eye of the cold Knight Captain. |
|
Love Through a Prism |
January 15 |
Drama, Historical |
Lili moves from Japan to England to enroll in an art academy, where she has the time of her life and also meets Kit. |
|
Tamon's B-Side |
January 8 |
Comedy, Idol |
Utage begins to clean her favorite idol's apartment, and she quickly realizes that Tamon isn't as confident and outgoing as his public persona suggests. |
|
The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife |
January 8 |
Fantasy |
Akira is an invisible detective, and he works with the blind Yakou. They are perfect for each other. |
|
There was a Cute Girl in the Hero's Party, so I Tried Confessing to Her |
January 6 |
Isekai, Fantasy |
A reincarnated demon falls for the hero party's healer, and he decides to confess and then start a new life as an adventurer. |
|
The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom |
January 11 |
Lady Tiararose remembers she is the villainess of an otome game, so she decides to turn a new leaf to avoid a terrible ending. She is banished from her kingdom, but she falls into the arms of a prince. |
|
|
Tune In to the Midnight Heart |
January 6 |
Harem |
Arisu wants to find "Apollo," a radio host he used to listen to. He narrows down the selection to four girls. |
|
You and I Are Polar Opposites |
January 11 |
Comedy |
Miyu and Yuusuke are complete opposites, but a mistaken confession reveals their feelings and causes them to start dating. |
|
You Can't Be In a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends! |
January 6 |
Harem |
Yonosuke begins to see his childhood friends differently because they have grown up. Suddenly, maybe they could be more than friends. |
Winter 2026 Romance Anime Series Recommendations
While we will not dive deep into each Winter 2026 love story, as we would be here all day if that were attempted, let's take some time to highlight the season's standout romances that you should go out of your way to watch. I'm not going to be ranking these, as that is not the point of this article, but I'm going to try to cover a few subcategories to cater to as many people as possible. As always, I recommend trying as many shows as possible to see what strikes your fancy; however, if you are not sure where to start, here are some great places.
- You and I Are Polar Opposites – A cute romance that follows the "opposites attract" mantra, and the main couple comes together almost instantly. With some slice of life and comedy elements, You and I Are Polar Opposites delivers an abundance of warm and fluffy scenes where the characters are allowed to exist without much in the way of tension.
- The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife – Peculiar premise aside, this anime is wholesome and charming, and it is great to see an anime that highlights a blind protagonist. Yakou and Tounome have a charming dynamic.
- In the Clear Moonlit Dusk – Arguably the most "romance" romance anime of Winter 2026, in the sense that it is really just part of this genre. A school's female "prince" starts a relationship with a resident badboy; yeah, this is another anime that wastes little time getting to the good stuff.
- Tamon's B-Side – The funniest romance anime of the season, Tamon's B-Side is a laughriot from beginning to end, largely thanks to Utage's absurd reactions. She ends up as the housekeeper for her favorite idol, but Tamon's real-life persona is far different from the confident version that appears on stage. Along with keeping his secret, Tamon strives to make Tomon feel a bit more comfortable in his skin.
- There was a Cute Girl in the Hero's Party, so I Tried Confessing to Her – Not a great anime by any stretch of the imagination, but a solid enough isekai romance that moves at a blistering pace and features two likable leads.
- Love Through a Prism – Released in a batch on Netflix, this show might be the best romance of the season, even more so than the fantastic You and I Are Polar Opposites. To be honest, Love Through a Prism isn't exclusively a romance, but the relationship between Lili and Kit is constant throughout the season.
Winter 2026 Romance Anime Sequels
|
Anime |
Start Date |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You. Season 2 |
January 9 |
Reverse Harem |
Mizuho continues to reminisce about her relationships with her childhood friends. |
Spring 2026 Romance Anime
New Romance Anime For Spring 2026
Image via Bones Film
|
Anime |
Start Date |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agents of the Four Seasons |
March 29 |
Drama, Fantasy |
The title refers to humans who have received powers from the four seasons, and their role is to bring on Winter, Summer, Fall, and Spring. They have to deal with Rebels who want to bring seasons to an end. |
|
Always a Catch! |
April 2 |
While she spent her life training to become her father's heir, Maria's life changed when her younger brother was born. Now, she needs to get married, as she heads abroad and catches the eye of a prince. |
|
|
An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess |
April 6 |
Prince Cecil is enamored and confused by his fiancée, Bertia, who claims that their world is actually an otome game. |
|
|
Beyond Twilight |
April 7 |
Horror, Mystery, Supernatural |
Ritsu and his demon guardian, Tsukasa, take on supernatural cases. The manga has been around for literally 3 decades, debuting in 1995 and still ongoing today. Honestly, it is about time we got an adaptation. |
|
Even a Replica Can Fall in Love |
April 7 |
Drama, Supernatural |
Sunao has a replica that only she knows exists and takes her place whenever she is sick. The replica begins to fall for one of Sunao's classmates. |
|
Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!? |
April 8 |
Comedy |
Takuya learns that the popular gals in his class might be into anime like him. |
|
Go For It, Nakamura! |
April 2 |
Boys Love |
Okuto has a crush on his classmate, whom he has never really spoken to. However, he decides to take that step, only to make a unique first impression. |
|
Haibara's Teenage New Game+ |
April 3 |
Comedy |
Natsuki travels back in time, giving him the chance to fix his wasted high school years. He finds that a girl named Hikari is central to that process. |
|
I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class |
April 7 |
Comedy |
Maki strikes up a friendship with Umi, a fairly popular girl who is slightly overshadowed by her best friend. |
|
I Want to End This Love Game |
April 14 |
Comedy |
Miku and Yukiya play a game that involves saying "I Love You," all in the hopes of embarrassing each other. However, now that they are already, maybe the goal is starting to change. |
|
Kamiina Botan, the Drunken Appearance Is a Lily Flower |
April 11 |
Girls Love, Slice of Life |
College life depicted through the lens of a girl named Botan, and girls' love should be part of her experiences. |
|
Killed Again, Mr. Detective. |
April 3 |
Mystery |
A young, budding detective seems to die in every case he takes on, but he always wakes up with Lilithea there to guide him. |
|
Kirio Fanclub |
April 3 |
Comedy |
Nami and Aimi are huge fans of a boy named Ken, and their friendship will be tested through their rivalry. |
|
Marika's Love Meter Malfunction |
April 6 |
Comedy |
The MC can see people's love meter, and he realizes that his crush, Marika, seems to really not like him. |
|
Marriagetoxin |
April 7 |
Action |
To preserve his bloodline, Hikaru must find a bride, so he turns to a marriage counselor named Mei for guidance on how to attract women. Consequently, he begins to accept jobs that broaden his dating pool. |
|
Mistress Kanan is Devilishly Easy |
April 5 |
Comedy, Supernatural |
Kanan is a demon who comes to Earth to feast on human souls. However, she forms a romantic contract with the first boy she meets, who totally misunderstands her. Hilarity ensues. |
|
Pardon the Intrusion, I'm Home! |
April 8 |
Comedy |
Rinko's apartment becomes connected to her two neighbors, both of whom are mysterious guys. |
|
The Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt |
April 6 |
Comedy |
Tougo is a strict Prefect who is especially harsh on the rebellious Kohinata, but their relationship changes when the latter learns that the former is not quite as neat and proper as he seems. |
|
The Ramparts of Ice |
April 2 |
Comedy, Slice of Life |
Koyuki is a loner in high school, but things begin to change when a guy named Minato wants to befriend her. |
|
The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King |
April 9 |
Fantasy |
The Warrior Princess, Serafona, is taken hostage by the Barbaric King, Veor; however, to her surprise, he wants to marry rather than kill her. |
|
Yowayowa Teacher |
April 11 |
Comedy |
Romcom between a student and a teacher. |
Spring 2026 Romance Anime Series Recommendations
Although Winter 2026 had the best new romance anime of the year with You and I are Polar Opposites, Spring 2026 had the better overall lineup. Romcoms were the highlight of the season, with nearly every show being at least decent. If you decided to stick to romance anime, you would have had more than enough episodes to watch every week.
- I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class – Initially, I wasn't sold on the anime, with the first few episodes failing to really WOW me. However, the series got better with each new episode, thanks in large part to the fantastic rapport between Umi and Maki. The main duo has good chemistry from the start, and they keep on reaching new heights. The story paces their development well, too, making progress with basically every chapter. Don't be put off by the title; it really isn't meant to be a backhanded compliment.
- The Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt – Now, here is a classic story about not judging a book by its cover and, also, that opposites can attract. The latter seems to be a big theme this year. As the person in charge of ensuring that students stick to the rules, Tougo is inflexible, and he lets Poem know that her skirt doesn't meet the required length. She tells him to go stuff it, and that marks the start of a beautiful friendship and maybe something more. Tougo and Poem develop a charming dynamic surprisingly quickly, as the anime doesn't present them as enemies-turned-friends. They are just delightful together, and their relationship develops a lot throughout the series.
- Marriagetoxin – Let's take a break from the conventional love stories and talk about a battle shonen instead. Marriagetoxin isn't an amazing comedy, action series, or romance; however, it shines as a combination of all three, similar to Dandadan (but not to the same degree). As a master assassin from the poison family, Hikaru needs to find a bride to continue his bloodline, but he absolutely sucks at the whole dating game. Fortunately, he meets Mei, a marriage counselor and con artist who agrees to help him. So far, the anime cycles through short arcs that introduce a new female character who could be a potential partner for Hikaru. Marriagetoxin is simply entertaining. Mei and Hikaru have such great chemistry that rooting for any other combination is difficult, although the other women are generally likable. The fight sequences aren't incredible to be honest, but they work well enough because Hikaru prioritizes traps over sheer power.
- Agents of the Four Seasons – A romance fantasy with genuine high stakes, Agents of the Four Seasons was one of the best all-around shows of Spring 2026, not just in this genre. Based on a light novel by the same author responsible for Violet Evergarden, the anime blends character-driven drama with emotional depth, great music, and impeccable animation.
- The Ramparts of Ice – In recent years, we have seen quite a few shows tackle anxiety, and The Ramparts of Ice more than earns its place alongside Bocchi the Rock. Traumatized by bullying during middle school, Koyuki has built up a wall to avoid getting hurt again, resulting in her having only one friend in high school. However, her friend circle expands when two guys enter it, pushing Koyuki out of her comfort zone. Romance is clearly part of the equation, but it doesn't overshadow the rest of the story, as the anime prioritizes the core group's friendships before pairing anyone. That said, romance gradually becomes the primary focus.
- Go For It, Nakamura! – Now, here is a different type of "romance" anime, and you could technically argue that it doesn't fit the genre. This boys' love series follows Nakamura, a student with a big crush on his classmate, Hirose. He simply wants to become friends with him and is willing to put himself out there to make it happen. Nakamura's crush doesn't seem to be reciprocated, but that doesn't matter, as he is still doing his best.
- Kamiina Botan, the Drunken Appearance Is a Lily Flower – Jumping from boys love to girls love, Kamiina Botan's characters are way more direct about their interest in each other, and it doesn't hurt that they are constantly drinking. Focusing on college students, this show is refreshing.
- Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!? – Another series that's better than its title suggests, Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku does something pretty rare for an anime: A throuple as a genuine option. Seo develops friendships with two gals, Ijiche and Amane, who are also best friends. Honestly, the title isn't that accurate, as Ijiche and Amane are pretty much always kind to Seo, so there really isn't any tension between them. Still, cute anime.
Spring 2026 Romance Anime Sequels
|
Anime |
Start Date |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mission: Yozakura Family Season 2 |
April 12 |
Action |
Taiyou tries to become a strong and capable spy to protect Mutsumi. |
|
Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 5 |
April 11 |
Comedy, Harem |
Chizuru and Kazuya's iconic (and polarizing) relationship continues. |
|
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten Season 2 |
April 3 |
School |
Mahiru and Amane continue to grow closer as they spend more time with each other. |
Summer 2026 Romance Anime
New Romance Anime For Summer 2026
|
Anime |
Start Date |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Goodbye, Lara |
July 6 |
Supernatural |
An anime sequel to The Little Mermaid. |
|
Hanaori-san Wants to Have a Fight Even If She Reincarnates |
July 12 |
Reverse Isekai, Comedy |
Narukami is nowadays a neet, but he used to be a demon king. His killer, the hero, is also living as a "normal" high school girl. |
|
I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day |
July 7 |
Girls Love |
In a country with child soldiers, death is part of everyday life. Sheena struggles with this reality, and her world changes when she meets Mimi. |
|
Kaiju Girl Caramelise |
July 3 |
Supernatural |
Kurou falls for Arata, and she feels really awkward around him. Only one problem – she transforms into a kaiju when she feels embarrassed. |
|
Love Unseen Beneath the Clear Night Sky |
July 6 |
Drama |
A university cast about a guy who is inspired to try harder by a blind girl who embraces life with everything she has. |
|
Oh Boy, Was I Wrong About Her |
July 6 |
Comedy |
Pretty self-explanatory; Hayato realizes that the new girl in his life is his old childhood friend, whom he had mistaken for a boy. |
|
Perfect Addiction |
July 8 |
Boys Love |
Akihito cannot stand Sae, but when he learns the latter is gay, he becomes way more interested in him. |
|
Please Excuse My Younger Brothers |
July 4 |
Comedy |
When her mother remarries, Ito gets a host of new stepbrothers, and she takes a while to connect with one of them. |
|
Red River |
July 8 |
Action, Adventure, Supernatural |
A normal girl is dragged to the past and finds herself in the Hittite Empire, where she is chosen as a sacrifice by the queen. A classic shojo manga. |
|
Rich Girl Caretaker: I'm Secretly the Caregiver of the Most Popular Girl in This Rich Kid School |
July 5 |
Comedy |
Itsuki becomes Hinako's caretaker at school, protecting her from threats and her own inexperience. |
|
Saved by the Ice Cold Prince's Embrace |
July 7 |
Fantasy |
Katrina is treated terribly by her stepmother and stepsister. When the latter makes a fool of herself, the former sends Katrina in her place to receive etiquette lessons from a harsh prince. |
|
Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You |
June 3 |
Adult Cast |
The highlight of Sasaki's day is speaking to Yamada at his local supermarket; however, he gains a new friend when he begins smoking with Tayama. |
|
The Duke's Son Claims He Won't Love Me, yet Showers Me with Adoration |
July 5 |
Fantasy |
Elsa comes from a fallen aristocratic family, and she marries Julius, who proves to be a rather distant, cold partner. |
|
The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World |
July 6 |
Fantasy, Isekai, Food |
Rin is summoned to another world as a "saint," only to be dismissed. However, she uses this opportunity to travel, camp, and eat. Naturally, she doesn't have to do that alone. |
|
The Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects |
July 3 |
Fantasy |
Due to his accomplishments on the battlefield, Dias is granted a domain of little value. However, he meets a group of people who live on the land and winds up living with a woman named Alna. |
|
The Oblivious Saint Can't Contain Her Power |
June 30 |
Fantasy |
Lady Carolina is forced into a political marriage that compels her to step out of her family's shadow and make her mark. |
|
The Ogre's Bride |
July 5 |
Fantasy |
Demons and humans both exist, and Yuzu becomes the wife of an ogre. |
|
Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court |
July 12 |
Fantasy, Villainess |
A proper villainess story in which the evil Keigetsu swaps bodies with the kindhearted Reirin. Romance is still central, as they are both imperial consorts. |
|
Victoria of Many Faces |
July 8 |
Fantasy, Slice of Life |
After a betrayal, Chloe tries to leave behind her life as a spy to lead a quiet life in another kingdom. However, her abilities attract the attention of many folks, including Jeffrey Asher. |
Spring 2026 Romance Anime Series Recommendations
©Jinushi/SQUARE ENIX,Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You Production Committee
The Spring 2026 season has begun, and most shows have aired their first episode. So far, it is still too early to 100% say which romance anime will be the best, but I can recommend a couple of series to get everyone going.
- Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You – The season's most exciting new romance uses a different release system than most shows. Currently, 12 mini-episodes are available on Crunchyroll, which cover the first 6 standard episodes of the series. From July 9, the show will start releasing "normal" episodes consisting of two minis stitched together. This might sound convoluted, but the gist is that you can just watch mini-episodes now, and then wait for new segments to drop in August once episode 7 drops. Alternatively, you can ignore the mini-episodes and just watch the "new" episodes weekly.
- Kaiju Girl Caramelise – Here we have another hyped romance anime, and that's almost entirely due to the fascinating premise. Kurou has a unique disease that causes her to transform into a kaiju when she feels intense emotions, like embarrassment or attraction. Consequently, she tries to keep her distance from everyone, especially the widely popular Arata. However, the boy starts talking to get more, leading to bursts of affection and, crucially, a Godzilla-style metamorphosis.
- Love Unseen Beneath the Clear Night Sky – Summer 2026's most "romance" romance anime revolves around a socially isolated university student who begins to help a blind young woman. They have great chemistry, and their dynamic is very different from the norm and lends itself well to emotional depth. Prepare to cry.
- Rich Girl Caretaker: I'm Secretly the Caregiver of the Most Popular Girl in This Rich Kid School – If you prefer to laugh than cry, Rich Girl Caretaker should get you there. After stumbling into being kidnapped alongside the rich Hinako, Itsuki learns that the girl's idol-esque image is just a facade she maintains at school, and that she is actually lazy and out of touch. Long story short, Itsuki ends up acting as her caretaker. While romance hasn't blossomed yet, that is obviously part of the story.
Summer 2026 Romance Anime Sequels
|
Anime |
Start Date |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hana-Kimi Season 2 |
July 2 |
School |
A continuation of the January 2026 season. |
|
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3 |
July 5 |
Comedy, Harem |
The most bizarre and over-the-top harem returns. |
|
Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs Season 2 |
July 8 |
Isekai, Harem |
More of a love triangle than a traditional romance, but this anime revolves around Leon's relationships with Angelica and Olivia. |
|
You and I Are Polar Opposites Season 2 |
July 5 |
Comedy |
Continuation of Winter 2026's best romance anime. |
Fall 2026 Romance Anime
New Romance Anime For Fall 2026
|
Anime |
Start Date |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Even Though I'm a Super Timid Noble Girl, I Accepted the Bet From My Cunning Fiancé |
October |
Isekai, Villainess |
Realizing her role as the villainess of an otome game, Pia uses her past life's experiences to change the course of her existence by breaking up with her fiancé before he does it to her. |
|
Firefly Wedding |
October |
Drama |
Satoko comes from a well-off family, but she is looking for her perfect husband. When she is kidnapped, she claims to have fallen in love with her captor to save herself. It works. |
|
Full Clearing Another World under a Goddess with Zero Believers |
October |
Fantasy, Isekai |
A weak isekai'd boy becomes a goddess' first believer, starting them both on an adventure to achieve their potential. |
|
I'm a Witch Whose Crush Requested a Love Potion |
October |
Fantasy |
Rose is a misunderstood witch who has deep feelings for Harij, which causes an issue when he comes around to request a love potion. |
|
Psyren |
October |
Action, Supernatural |
Agesha helps everyone for a fee. However, he finds a mysterious card that eventually leads him to a classmate named Sakurako, who asks him to save her. |
|
The Cold Sato-san is Only Sweet to Me |
October |
Comedy |
The "cold" Koharu is actually just shy, something the equally awkward Souta learns when he sees her working at her family's café. |
Fall 2026 Romance Anime Sequels
Image via MAPPA
|
Anime |
Start Date |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Blue Box Season 2 |
October |
Sports |
Taiki continues to try to make it to nationals so he can ask Chinatsu out. |
|
October |
Comedy |
Ranma and Akane continue their love/hate relationship, all the while absurdity happens all around them. |
|
|
The Detective Is Already Dead Season 2 |
October |
Mystery |
A complicated relationship between a deceased detective and her sidekick. |
|
The Ramparts of Ice Season 2 |
October 1 |
Drama |
One of 2026's best romance anime returns for its second half, as Koyuki, Minato, Youta, and Miki's friendships and relationship continue to change. |
|
With Vengeance, Sincerely, Your Broken Saintess Season 2 |
October |
Fantasy |
Continuation of the 2025 series about a saintess who can take on or dish out people's pain. |
2026 Romance Anime With No Season
|
Anime |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Are You a Jirai Girl, Chihara-san? |
Drama |
When he ends up sitting next to Mai, Kuroki realizes that her "dangerous" reputation is not remotely accurate. |
|
First Frost |
Drama |
Wen Yifan learns that the popular, handsome guy at a bar is the one she rejected in high school. |
|
From Far Away, From the Other Side |
Isekai, Fantasy |
Through an explosion, Noriko ends up in another world, one far more fantastical and dangerous. Soon, she strikes a bond with Izark, despite them not speaking the same language. |
2026 Romance Anime Sequels With No Season
|
Anime |
Subgenres |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle Part 2 |
Harem |
The continuation of the 2025 series. |
|
My Happy Marriage, My Blissful Marriage |
Drama, Fantasy |
A 3-episode special for My Happy Marriage. |