Summary
The enemies-to-lovers trope is not new ground thematically in media. In anime, it is also a common trope where two protagonists hate each other’s guts, but through some pivotal situation, they get to know each other better and even start to fall in love.
While common, it is also a very satisfying sort of romance and can bequite wholesome. This list aims to celebrate such titles. It should be noted that romance shows are the topic of discussion, so while enemies-to-lovers relationships exist in other genres (like Vegeta and Bulma fromDragon Ball Z, for example), romance anime remains the focus of this list.
When a bounty hunter, Chateau Dankworth, is tasked with taking down the notorious assassin, Song Ryang-ha, the last thing on her mind is romance. But, Song takes an interest in the heroine and begins to relentlessly chase her romantically.
While this show cannot compare to the likes ofSpy x Family, which also has two lethal leads, it has its moments. The leads are both truly enemies, and Song is definitely entertaining — if a little unhinged. It is certainly worth a try, and the fact that it features actual adults, along with some dark humor, makes it one to consider.
Maoyusets up a really smart story on the premise of a hero finding out that thedemon lordis a drop-dead gorgeous redhead who actually wants to end the war. The two start to work together to bring about peace, and feelings start to enter the equation along the way.
Despite the plot gimmick to get the two characters together, Maoyu has a lot of depth, and outside of the romance, there is quite a bit of intrigue, including some of the forces that aren’t happy with the war actually coming to an end. The leads are fun to root for — especially the demon queen, who comes across well over the course of the series.
When Hachiman is forced to join a club, he chooses the volunteer club, which also has the beautiful Yukino Yukinoshita. The ideals of the two immediately clash, with Hachiman playing the role of the apathetic villain while Yukino is always willing to help those in need in more conventional ways.
Depending on taste, there are those who would find Hachiman’s attitude rather annoying, but as he and Yukino grow closer, there is tremendous growth there. Throw in the character of Yui as a potential love rival, and suddenly there’s drama in spades.
Lovely Complexis about Risa Koizumi, a girl considered really tall for her age, and Atsushi Otani, a boy who isshort for his age, so it really is a case of opposites attract. Risa aspires to convince Atsushi of her love for him and start a relationship.
The show brings a charm and sweetness that will be appreciated by those who love a good romance. Atsushi grows on the viewer as he starts to let go of some of his more mean tendencies. It also features a beautiful depiction of friendship between Risa and Nobuko.
Kamisama Kissreally lives up to the ‘kiss’ part of its title. Nanami is a down-on-her-luck girl who thinks she’s hit the jackpot when she is offered a home. But, it turns out that she has been made an earth goddess, and now she has to get her new familiar, Tomoe, to help her.
Kamisama Kiss is one of theclassic shojosof old that doesn’t require a degree and doesn’t feature any philosophical debates about the nature of humanity. Tomoe and Nanami are a fun couple to watch as the latter starts to grow on the former. The side characters only help enhance the show, and the music is top-notch. What more could one ask for?
Ryuuji and Taiga are both hanging out together to help each other get the love interest they desire. They start out not liking each other at all, but things inevitably change as they begin to know each other better.
Ryuuji and Taiga are both misunderstood in a lot of ways, and Taiga’s violent personality can make her hard to root for, but she is, deep down, a sweetheart. The show has some comedic elements, and many fans find themselves rooting for these two former enemies to fall in love.
Romeo and Juliet is one of William Shakespeare’s most popular tragedies, having been adapted across movies, television, novels, and comics. So, it should come as no surprise that it also has an anime adaptation. But, while a lot of it feels like the classic, there are quite a few differences too. For one, Juliet is far from a damsel in distress and is even something of a vigilante.
The romance element in this show is its strongest point, and Romeo and Juliet make a lot of sense as a couple. This might be a spoiler, but it shouldn’t be unexpected — the ending of the play is kept intact. Nonetheless, it is an excellent take on a classic story.
Masamune is a short, pudgy kid who, despite his looks, asks out the reserved Aki Adagaki. After he gets brutally rejected and broken, he vows to have his revenge on the girl who rejected him. How? By becoming hot — and then rejecting her and breaking her heart.
Masamune-kun is a run-of-the-mill anime, but it is also a good show to relax and enjoy without putting in too much effort. When Masamune and Aki meet again, they already don’t like each other. Aki’s secret desire is funny, andMasamune’s confidencein his looks lands him squarely in the narcissist protagonist pile. That said, it is still an entertaining time.
Raku Ichijou is the sole heir to a yakuza empire, and he suddenly finds himself thrust into a situation he would rather have avoided — he must pretend to be in a relationship with Chitoge Kirisaki, and the two do not get along. But, for the sake of their families, they agree to go along with it.
Nisekoiis just over a decade old and is one of many harem anime that came out at the time. As something made by Studio Shaft, the visuals are stunning, and there are very cute moments in the story. As is typically the case of harem anime, there are a lot of compelling choices for Raku besides the main love interest.
Shoya is a popular kid in elementary school, but he is also a bully.He bulliesa new student, Shoko, who is deaf, to the point where she transfers to another school. Soon, Shoya starts to get bullied himself, and he realizes the extend of the pain he’d caused. He reconnects with Shoko while in high school, and the two start to develop feelings for one another.
The enmity inA Silent Voiceis a bit one-sided, as Shoko never really hated Shoya. The story is one about guilt, shame, and redemption. The characters are a joy to interact with, and the emotional roller-coaster most fans will experience when watching Shoya and his growth is remarkable. The romance feels complicated, but at the end, any watcher will be glad they sawA Silent Voice.
