Romance anime is typically aimed at a shoujo demographic — younger girls, usually in middle school to high school. But that doesn’t mean the genre doesn’t resonate with older audiences, too. Sometimes we just want to watch a show with a simple, fluffy premise that ends on a happy note. Nothing over-the-top like battles with bad guys on Jujutsu Kaisen or witnessing a psychological cat and mouse chase like on Death Note. Though these are good shounen shows (anime geared toward young boys) in their own right, sometimes we want to see the cute, pure romance blossom in a story that we’ve come to expect in a shoujo anime. The following are binge-worthy romantic series with unique premises, that are fit for a chill weekend. From screeching in joy to gasping with excitement, these cute anime will satisfy your need for a lighthearted story.
Yumerio Patissiere
If you like to watch satisfying baking competitions like The Great British Baking Show, this is the series for you. Ichigo Amano is a bit of a klutz — a classic heroine’s trait. With no talent except stuffing her face with delicious desserts, her exceptional taste-testing skills are discovered by Henri Lucas, a professional pâtissier. Offering her an opportunity to study crafting desserts at the prestigious St. Marie Academy, Ichigo enthusiastically takes the chance to become good at something. With this being a shoujo anime, cute boys (of course) have to appear! Being placed with the “Sweets Princes” group, three gifted boys specializing in a specific dessert, Ichigo has a long way to go in mastering their high culinary skills.
The show’s cute, the desserts look amazing to the point you’ll want to start baking, and all that’s left to mention is the magic that goes on at the school that involves sweet fairies. With how clumsy Ichigo is, she’ll need that bit of magic. However, it’s her efforts and hard work that proves she can be a pâtissier. There are hints of romance in this first season, but Yumeiro Patissiere SP Professional is where things pick up between Ichigo and one of the “Sweets Princes.” Can you guess who that is?
The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent
Hard worker Sei Takanashi lived a dull life; her time was spent working an office job so much she didn’t have time to have hobbies or even look into what she liked to do. Coming home exhausted, Sei is suddenly thrown into a fantasy world. In the kingdom of Slantania, a powerful miasma covers the land, bringing forth its monsters and attacking the kingdom’s inhabitants. Sei is called forth as the proclaimed Saint with powers to rid of the miasma for good. However, it turns out that one other girl was also brought forth by accident. When the other is deemed the Saint, Sei is left stranded in an unfamiliar world with no way to return home. With no options left, Sei looks at the bright side and decides to live a leisurely life by forming part of the Medicinal Flora Research Institute. It’s work, but Sei finally gets to fuel her passion for herbs and learn how to make useful potions.
Light in drama, this show is laid back, with Sei enjoying her new life while sparking a romance with the handsome knight, Albert Hawke.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale
In a world where humans enslave fairies, Ann hopes for the day both sides come together as equals. Her respect for fairies stems from her mother, a sugar confectioner who held the title of a Silver Sugar Master. However, Ann begrudgingly bends her morals when she buys an enslaved fairy to guard her through a long journey to the capital of Lewiston. It’s here that the annual Royal Candy Fair takes place, where Ann can show off her skills and be recognized as a Silver Sugar Master. With her warrior fairy Shall Fen Shall, they face many challenges as tension rises between them. It’s a will-they-won’t-they with beautiful animation, a good plot, and engaging characters. By the end, you’ll be hoping for a season three.
Bibliophile Princess
This one is specially made for book lovers. As part of the noble Bernstein family known for their love of books and their vast knowledge of everything, Elianna is known as the “bibliophile princess.” Soon to come of age, Elianna sadly won’t be able to enjoy her time reading, with her noble duties getting in the way. However, her solution may be found in Prince Christopher Selkirk Asherald. After being proposed to by him, the two conjure up a pretend engagement so that Elianna doesn’t have to worry about attending royal events and can read as much as she wants from the private royal library. A dream come true for the princess! This also leaves the prince free of his parents nagging him to find a wife and of women flaunting at him.
Considering herself a phony fiancée, Elianna enjoys four years reading, only to then realize her free time could come to an end when it looks appears the prince has found true love. But with the pair on the series’ promotional visual, it seems they’re bound to get officially engaged in the future.
In sum, this is a cute love story with a sickly cute couple. Book lovers will wish romance would come to them this easily — especially those like Elianna, who loves books more than life itself.
I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss
Reincarnated as the otome game’s villainess, Aileen Lauren Dautriche knows the ending to Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens, and what that means for her own fate. No matter the game route heroine Lilia Reinoise takes, Aileen dies in every single one. This is mostly due to the awakening of demon king Claude Jeanne Elmir, the final boss. Regaining memories of her past life as an ordinary girl who played the game, Aileen refuses to die again, determined to evade her bad ending. When the game’s hero breaks off their engagement in favor of the heroine, Aileen makes a decision. Making her way to the demon king’s domain, she proposes to him, hoping to tame the beast he’ll become in the future.
Comedic and adorable, you’ll swoon over Claude as he falls for Aileen.
A simple love story can be good for the mind. It gives you the satisfaction action-heavy anime don’t provide. Which one would you watch for a relaxing weekend?
Want easy-to-breeze-through manga? Find recs on our article, Bookstr’s Great Energizing Manga to Bask Through Mind Numbing Days!
Then, check out Bookshop.org for manga recommendations at our Illustrious Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels!
