Image: Kinema Citrus
Anime has given us some unforgettable love stories, with some romances between couples offering a realistic perspective.
They make us root for them every step of the way. Whether these pairings are the cherry on top of a good plot or the main event, some stand out even after the credits roll—reminding us what love can look like at its best.
Whether it's the way they grow on each other, their chemistry, or the challenges they face, these five anime couples remind us why love is worth believing in again.
Taki and Mitsuha
From Kimi No Na Wa (Your Name)
Two complete strangers, Mitsuha Miyamizu and Taki Tachibana, inexplicably begin swapping bodies and experiencing each other's lives. Although they don't physically meet, they leave notes to communicate, making them grow closer through this unusual connection. However, this reveals a shocking truth tied to a looming disaster. Determined to find each other and rewrite fate, Mitsuha and Taki embark on a race against time.
Taki and Mitsuha, as a couple, are examples of a love that transcends proximity and fights fate to overcome circumstances. Despite never meeting in real life, their connection through experiencing each other's lives has been so deep that it made Taki want to go against fate and rewrite a tragedy. And even after all that had happened, fate once more attempted to break this bond—but somehow, deep down, they still remembered.
It's the kind of story that makes you want to believe that maybe somewhere in the world is someone you actually loved, though time may have erased every trace of it—and someday you might meet once again.
Tomo and Jun
From Tomo-chan is a Girl!
This pair resonates well with the strong-willed girls who struggle with being seen by that one special guy friend as a potential love interest.
Although only 13 episodes short, Tomo-chan is a Girl! is a relatable slow-burn romance where Tomo Aizawa, a tomboyish high school girl, struggles with making her childhood friend Junichiro Kubota (or more commonly known as Jun) see her beyond just "one of the boys."
What makes this pairing so good, aside from being pretty relatable, is that their love is rooted in years of friendship, not fleeting infatuation or shallow attraction. We see this through Jun quietly supporting Tomo in everything she does and Tomo never holding Jun's obliviousness against him—and it only means that even before they had feelings for each other, there was already love and respect present between them.
Moreover, one of the most endearing aspects of this pairing is Jun's gradual realisation of his feelings toward Tomo. Ultimately, despite the comedic events that unfold throughout the series, Tomo and Jun's love reminds us of real love based on friendship, growth, and finding someone who cherishes every part of you – flaws and all.
Inuyasha and Kagome
From Inuyasha
In the story of Inuyasha, Kagome Higurashi is transported into feudal Japan through a magical, ancient well. There, she meets a half-demon named Inuyasha and teams up with him to recover the shattered shards of a powerful jewel. Their bond deepens along the way as they make loyal allies, face dangerous enemies, and overcome challenges together.
At first, Inuyasha and Kagome's relationship was filled with arguments and misunderstandings, but they always managed to resolve them, and as a result, they both grew because of their relationship. Inuyasha became more open and learned to trust others, while Kagome matured into a resilient and compassionate heroine.
Inuyasha carries the weight of his past struggles and feelings of unworthiness, yet Kagome's support allows him to heal and embrace himself fully.
Kenshin and Kaoru
From Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin follows the story of a wandering samurai, Himura Kenshin, who was once a feared political assassin formerly known as Battousai. He now leads a path of peace, wielding a reverse-bladed known as sakabatō, in a vow never again to take another life. Along the way, Kenshin forms bonds with new allies, including Kaoru Kamiya, a spirited dojo owner, and faces adversaries who challenge his resolve to uphold his newfound ideals.
Burdened by his dark past as an assassin, Kenshin finds solace and acceptance in Kaoru—with her unwavering belief in his capacity for redemption becoming pivotal to his journey. Kaoru accepts Kenshin for his past and supports his newfound convictions, while also challenging Kenshin to face his past while standing by his side through every hardship. The romance between the two isn't rushed nor softened with grand gestures or a dramatic confession. It blossoms naturally, and the slow burn makes their eventual connection all the more satisfying.
Kiyoka and Miyo
From My Happy Marriage
This heartfelt historical romance is set in a world where some families possess supernatural abilities, and Miyo Saimori, born into a prestigious family, has lived a life of neglect and emotional abuse due to her lack of inherited spiritual powers.
Cast aside by her family, she is forced into an arranged marriage with Kiyoka Kudo, a feared, cold-hearted military commander rumored to be impossible to please. However, Miyo discovers that her soon-to-be husband is a kind and deeply caring man, and not at all the monster she expected. Through their bond, Miyo begins to heal from her trauma, and the two slowly build a tender and genuine love.
Kiyoka and Miyo's relationship shows all the green flags there could ever be in a relationship. On top of that, Miyo, who is used to being set aside and taught not to think of herself, finally fights for her own happiness when her stepsister and her stepmother try to take Kiyoka away from her, while Kiyoka remains undeterred in his devotion to her.
Their love story reminds us that, at its best, love is about acceptance, healing, and finding solace in another's presence—and although cliché, it's the kind of love worth fighting for.
