If you're planning a cosy night in with a romantic anime film this Valentine’s Day, we've got you covered.
Valentine’s Day is almost here! With restaurants, theme parks, and other date spots bound to be packed, a cosy night in might be the way to go. Whether you're with your special someone or just having a relaxed night with friends, a romantic anime film can make it even better.
Here are 5 romantic anime films we recommend for an intimate movie date.
5. Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish (2020)
A film directed by Kotaro Tamura, the story focuses on Tsuneo, a university student with dreams of studying abroad, and Josee, a young wheelchair-bound woman who spends most of her life alone at home due to her disability. When their paths cross, Tsuneo starts working as Josee’s caretaker, and despite their differences, the two gradually form a deep bond. As they experience the world together, they inspire each other to grow, dream, and embrace life beyond their limitations.
Josee the Tiger and the Fish isn’t just a love story — it’s a journey of self-discovery and the power of love to inspire change. More than just a love story, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is about overcoming fears and embrancing possibilities, making it a touch and inspiring watch for a romatnci date.
4. Ride Your Wave (2019)
A romantic drama by Science Saru and directed by Masaaki Yuasa, the film follows Hinako Mukaimizu, a cheerful college student who loves to surf, and Minato Hinageshi, a kind-hearted firefighter. Their love blossoms over their shared passion of the ocean, when Minato drowns while trying to rescue someone. Later on, Hinako soon discovers she can still see Minato’s spirit in the water whenever she sings their favourite song, keeping their connection alive.
It's a beautifully animated and deeply moving story that blends romance, loss, and self-discovery. The film uses the sea as a powerful metaphor for life's challenges — the waves will keep coming, no matter what, and learning to ride them is the only way to move forward. With its heartfelt narrative and stunning visuals, it offers a bittersweet yet uplifting experience about love, grief, and finding the strength to embrace the future.
3. A Silent Voice (2016)
Directed by Naoko Yamad, A Silent Voice is a deeply moving film about regret, redemption, forgiveness and the courage to move forward.
It follows Shoya Ishida, a boy burdened by guilt over his past actions, and Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf girl he once tormented. Years later, Shoya, now isolated and struggling with self-worth, sets out to make amends, slowly rebuilding a fragile bond with Nishimiya.
Kyoto Animation’s masterful direction brings the story to life with expressive animation, capturing every unspoken emotion through nuanced character movements and stunning visual metaphors. The film’s soundtrack further elevates its raw, introspective tone, making each scene hit even harder. With its deeply personal storytelling and beautifully crafted moments of connection, A Silent Voice is a poignant yet hopeful choice for an intimate movie date.
2. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Howl’s Moving Castle may be a bit older than most in this list but it’s a cosy, marvelous, and heartwarming feast that you can keep rewatching every now and then.
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki and based on the novel of the same name, Howl’s Moving Castle combines romance, adventure, drama with elements of magic. It tells the tale of the famed wizard Howl, and Sophie, ordinary young woman cursed to appear elderly.
Drawn into Howl’s ever moving castle, she becomes entangled in his world of magic and war where their slowly developing romance is hinted and sprinkled throughout the movie.
What sets the film apart is its heartfelt message — looks aren’t everything, true love has the power to undo even whoever might seem irredeemable, and to conquer all. Studio Ghibili’s stunning hand-drawn animation brings the whimsical world from the novel to life and with the combination of Joe Hisaishi’s breathtaking score, each moment becomes even more enchanting. Honestly, the happy ending rivals any Disney princess movie and feels good through and through and is a perfect choice for a romantic movie night.
1. Your Name (2016)
Your Name (Kimi No Na Wa) is more than just a film — it’s an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, this masterpiece blends superstition, tradition, and fantasy with a love story that for some reason hits straight into your heart.
At first, it seems like a playful body-swap story: Mitsuha, a small-town girl longing for the excitement of Tokyo, and Taki, a city boy juggling school and work, mysteriously wake up in each other’s bodies. They leave notes, set ground rules, and awkwardly navigate each other’s lives, leading to some genuinely funny and heartfelt moments.
But then, just when you think you’ve got the film figured out, it takes a turn that completely changes everything. Suddenly, it’s not just about a whimsical connection — it’s about fate, distance, and the aching feeling of missing someone you’ve never even met.
Despite how often it has been referenced due to its massive success, it’s impossible to dismiss just how incredible this film is. Shinkai’s direction is nothing short of mesmerising, with every frame rich in detail and emotion.
The real-world locations, like the stairs to Suga Shrine and the landscapes of Hida, are recreated with stunning accuracy, making the story’s themes of fate and longing feel even more tangible. Combined with a powerful soundtrack and breathtaking animation, Your Name is a film that earns its status as a modern classic.
