The romance genre in anime has always charmed and mesmerized its audience. It has the ability to warm our hearts (or break it, sometimes) by following the lives of people who overcome obstacles and smile through tragedies for the sake of a simple, four letter word – love. The world of anime takes romance a step further with outstanding animations and the display of soul stirring emotions.
In this article, we will be listing out five of the finest anime romantic movies that you must watch if you haven’t already!
Voices of A Distant Star (2002)
Voices of a Distant Star is an incredibly touching and emotionally gripping tale of young love in an unfair world. Well, Makoto Shinkai never fails as a director. As the movie unravels, we go through the lives of two high schoolers, their intense love and their tragic separation. When a simple concept is executed so beautifully and hits so hard, we know that the movie is a masterpiece. Voices of a Distant Star is also a treat for sci-fi lovers – we are talking about space and aliens and war! Go ahead, have a shot at this one as soon as you can.
The Wind Rises (2013)
This gem of a movie can be summed up in just three phrases – heart wrenching emotions, outstanding animation and mind blowing script. Set in the backdrop of World War ll, The Wind Rises is a treat to the eyes and would probably be one of the finest cinematic experiences you will ever have. And truly, no less is expected from a product of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. Watch this anime romantic movie and get addicted to the realism that it offers in the world of love and loss.
The Garden of Words (2013)
The efforts put in this movie by Makoto Shinkai shows from a kilometer away. The Garden of Words is so realistic in its concept and pretty in its animation that it would become one of your go-to anime romantic movies in no time. Two people finding each other amidst loneliness, the unwavering support and the depth of emotions portrayed in the movie are simply mesmerizing. We must warn you though – The Garden of Words will break your heart. But so does reality, right? This short, forty-six minutes screenplay is definitely a must watch!
Your Name (2016)
If you are an anime movie buff there is no way you haven’t heard of Your Name or Kimi No Na Wa (in Japanese). And if you haven’t, please add it to the top of your anime romantic movies wishlist. Trust us, you will not want to miss this crowning accomplishment in the world of anime. Your Name follows a story of swapping bodies, mystical connections and a love that travels space and time, quite literally. Packing fantasy and romance in its run time of two hours, the movie will become your favorite!
Weathering With You (2019)
There is nothing like a sweet and magical love story to fill your heart with warmth and make you want to cry at the same time. Weathering With You will take you through enchanting cityscapes of Tokyo, the mesmerizing skies above, and two young people who fall in love underneath it against all odds. The protagonist’s ability to manipulate the weather, the price she is willing to pay for it, and the unforgettable climax of this movie will have you overflowing with emotions as the characters will stay with you long after the runtime. Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering With You is a highly recommended masterpiece.