If you’re a fan of anime and want to dive into the world of romance beyond the usual teenage tales, you’re in for a treat. Love knows no age limits, and there are anime series that cater to adult fans seeking captivating and relatable love stories.
Yuri!!! On ICE takes us on an exhilarating journey with two professional ice skaters in their 20s who find love on the ice. Love is Hard For an Otaku explores the romantic escapades of two nerdy office workers, a story that many fans can personally connect with. And let’s not forget about Spice and Wolf, a mesmerizing series that delves into the enchanting relationship between a 25-year-old trader and an ancient harvest wolf goddess.
Whether you’re yearning for a heartfelt and realistic tale or craving a love story set in a fantastical world, there’s an anime romance waiting for you.
And now, get ready for the latest addition to this exciting lineup: The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague!
1. Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku
A 26-year-old woman named Narumi Momose has just started a new office job, where she’s hoping to keep her otaku nature hidden. However, her plans are shattered when she discovers that her childhood friend Hirotaka Nifuji, who also happens to be an otaku, is working with her. It becomes clear that she won’t be able to keep her secret from everyone. Despite her initial hesitation about dating someone who shares her interests, Narumi realizes that Hirotaka might actually be the perfect man for her.
While the plot could easily fit into a high school setting, the fact that it takes place in an office makes the story more unique. Moreover, this setting makes it more relatable for adult viewers who would rather leave their teenage memories in the past.
2. Spice & Wolf
Spice & Wolf is a captivating tale that follows the journey of Kraft Lawrence and Holo, the harvest wolf. They traverse different towns, engaging in trades and business ventures. While the plot extensively explores economics, it also delves into the unique bond between the 25-year-old Kraft and the ancient deity, Holo.
Unlike many other anime featuring godlike or magical women, Spice & Wolf takes a refreshing approach by centering the romantic interest around an adult male rather than a teenage boy.
3. I Can’t Understand What My Husband is Saying
Hajime Tsunashi is just your regular introverted anime nerd, while his wife Kaoru fits the bill of a “typical” Japanese office lady. They both know and accept their differences, even playfully teasing each other about it, but the love and respect they share is evident.
The anime revolves around the journey of these two individuals, each with their own unique personalities and priorities, as they navigate the challenges of building a life together. It’s a realistic portrayal that might have been challenging to capture with younger characters.
4. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
Tsuneo Suzukawa has a busy schedule, juggling various part-time jobs with a clear goal in mind: saving up enough money to pursue his dream of studying marine biology abroad. Little did he know that one fateful day would change his life when he comes across a young woman named Josee zooming downhill in an uncontrollable wheelchair.
Following her grandmother’s request, Tsuneo finds himself taking on a part-time job as Josee’s caretaker. Although Josee is independent and capable of taking care of herself at home, the outside world often lacks the necessary accommodations for her. Together, they embark on a journey of exploration, discovering their surroundings and, unexpectedly, finding love along the way.
5. Recovery Of An MMO Junkie
This series is likely to resonate with adults who are passionate about video games. It follows the story of Moriko Morioka, a 30-year-old woman who decides to leave her corporate job in order to dedicate herself to playing online games full-time. Her favorite game is Fruits de Mer, where she takes on the identity of a male character named Hayashi.
Within the game, Moriko encounters someone she believes to be a young lady named Lily, but it turns out that Lily is actually a man named Yuuta Sakurai. As their virtual and real lives begin to intertwine, a relationship starts to blossom between Yuuta and Moriko.
Overall, this anime is an adorable tale that showcases how even individuals with complex lives can still find love.
6. Clannad: After Story
The first Clannad series is all about the ups and downs of high school romance, you know, the classic slice-of-life stuff. But its sequel, Clannad: After Story, takes a different approach. This time, it delves into the adult relationship between Nagisa Furukawa and Tomoya Okazaki. They go beyond the puppy love phase and face the challenges of married life and pursuing careers.
They even take the big step of having a baby together. It sounds like a beautiful journey, right? Well, not exactly. Nagisa’s poor health becomes a major obstacle in their quest to build a life together. It’s not as easy as they thought it would be.
Clannad: After Story explores the reality of what happens when young love meets the complexities of the real world. It goes beyond the fairy tale ending and shows the struggles and sacrifices that come with growing up and taking on adult responsibilities. It’s a heartfelt anime that portrays a more realistic view of relationships and the challenges they face.
7. Nana
Two 20-year-old girls named Nana set off on a journey to escape their mundane rural hometowns and discover something more substantial. Their quest in the real world involves not only finding career satisfaction and emotional fulfillment but also love, although one might question their ability to find suitable partners.
Nana is an anime that intertwines romantic elements, but the heart of the story lies in the platonic bond between these two young women as they navigate the challenges of finding their purpose in life.
8. My Senpai Is Annoying
You know, when we hear the word ‘senpai,’ we usually think of school stories. But guess what? It actually applies to the working world too.
So, there’s this saleswoman named Futaba Igarashi. And let me tell you, she finds her senior co-worker, Harumi Takeda, incredibly annoying. Why, you ask? Well, he’s always cracking jokes about her short stature. Not cool, right?
But here’s the interesting part – Igarashi soon discovers that Takeda is not just annoying. He’s actually a reliable and kind person. And you know what happens when people spend more time together, right? Yup, they start to form connections. The same goes for Igarashi and her senpai.
As they spend more time working together and attending after-work drinking parties, something starts to change for Igarashi. She begins to feel a growing sense of respect and admiration for her senpai. And hey, maybe these feelings are more than just that.
So, there you have it. Senpais aren’t just a thing in school, they exist in the workplace too. And sometimes, they can become something more than just annoying colleagues.
9. Golden Time
Banri Tada, a 19-year-old law student, has a rather unfortunate case of amnesia. He can’t recall a single thing about his life before this memory loss. Now, don’t expect this anime to be all about Banri’s law studies. Instead, it delves into his complicated relationships with two women: his past flame, Linda, and his current love interest, Koko.
If you’re into high school romance anime, Golden Time has got you covered in the drama department. But what sets it apart is that the characters have different worries and priorities compared to your typical high school setting. This makes it an excellent choice for anime fans craving an emotional rollercoaster with a fresh twist.
10. Yuri!!! On ICE
The bond between Yuri and Victor from Yuri!!! On ICE is widely respected as one of the few canonically gay relationships in anime. It’s important to note that both Yuri and Victor are adult men with their own careers.
This means that they have the freedom to pursue their own relationships and professional goals. As a result, the intimate aspects of their relationship come across as less exploitative and more compelling for mature viewers.
11. Nodame Cantabile
Nodame Cantabile tracks the evolving relationship between Megumi Noda, a 20-year-old pianist, and Shinichi Chiaki, a 21-year-old aspiring conductor. These two individuals couldn’t be more different: Noda is laid-back and disorganized, whereas Chiaki is a perfectionist with a high-strung personality.
Instead of portraying them as teenagers, the story of their musical journeys and blossoming romance takes place during their college years. This choice allows them the freedom to make significant life decisions and explore their passions in a more mature setting.
