Romance in new gen anime is getting ridiculous

The romance genre was once considered the sweetest and most refreshing part of the anime industry—and for good reason. From 2012 to 2016, often called the golden age of romance, we were blessed with countless masterpieces like Your Name, Your Lie in April, Nisekoi, Anohana, and many more timeless classics.

Back then, most romance stories were short, concise, and emotionally satisfying, usually wrapping up within a season or two. When a show went longer, it often had a clear reason: fleshing out characters and delivering deeper development.

In contrast, the big romance titles of today don’t always offer the same depth. Character development can feel rushed or shallow, and many shows seem to focus more on market trends than meaningful relationships.

Still, it’s unfair to be entirely dismissive—romance hasn’t died, it’s simply evolving. So, let’s take a look at some recent romance anime and how the genre is changing in this new era.

1-Kaguya-Sama: Love is War

In my opinion, Kaguya-sama: Love is War is one of the most captivating and entertaining romance anime to have emerged in the last ten years. What makes it truly stand out is how it combines a seemingly simple premise with surprisingly deep emotional layers. At the heart of the story are Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane—two extraordinary individuals who are not only incredibly intelligent and ambitious but also deeply human in their vulnerabilities.

Kaguya and Shirogane hold the highest positions in their prestigious school’s student council, serving as vice president and president respectively. Their lives are intertwined with those of their equally memorable friends, Chika Fujiwara, the unpredictable and hilarious secretary, and Yu Ishigami, the introspective treasurer. Together, they create a dynamic cast that blends comedy, drama, and romance effortlessly.

The central conflict of the series is delightfully unique: both Kaguya and Shirogane harbor feelings for each other, but their pride and stubbornness turn love into a battlefield. Each is determined to be the one who first confesses, believing that whoever admits their feelings first is the “loser” in this game of hearts. This premise creates endless opportunities for clever mind games, hilarious misunderstandings, and heartfelt moments. Despite their ego clashes and the constant psychological warfare, the genuine affection and respect they have for one another shine through, grounding the show in authenticity.

Adding an intriguing layer to their relationship is the stark contrast in their social backgrounds. Kaguya is the heir to a wealthy and influential family, enveloped in luxury and tradition, while Shirogane comes from a modest, struggling household, far removed from the elite world Kaguya inhabits. What’s remarkable is how the anime treats this class difference—not as a divisive obstacle, but as a subtle, almost unspoken tension that enriches their connection without overshadowing it. The series manages to portray their growing bond in a way that feels genuine and believable, deftly avoiding clichés or melodrama that often plague romance stories involving social disparities.

Overall, Kaguya-sama: Love is War excels at balancing humor, romance, and emotional depth. It’s a series where clever dialogue and playful battles mask sincere vulnerability and warmth, making it a standout in modern romance anime. For anyone looking for a story that’s as smart as it is heartfelt, with characters who challenge and cherish each other in equal measure, this show is a must-watch.

2-Hiromiya

Horimiya is a beautifully refreshing take on the romance genre, and in many ways, it redefines what a modern romance anime can be. What makes it truly special is its heartfelt simplicity combined with genuine character depth. At its core, Horimiya tells the story of two high school students—Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura—who seem like complete opposites on the surface but reveal much more beneath.

Hori is the quintessential popular and responsible student, excelling at school and taking care of her younger brother at home. Miyamura, on the other hand, is quiet and unassuming at school, often misunderstood by his peers. However, outside school, Miyamura sports multiple piercings and tattoos, and reveals a much more expressive and caring personality. This contrast is the heart of Horimiya—how appearances can be deceiving and how people grow when given the chance to truly be themselves.

The romance between Hori and Miyamura is refreshingly natural and unforced. Unlike many anime where romantic tension drags on endlessly, Horimiya wastes no time letting its characters develop a sincere and supportive relationship. Their interactions are filled with warmth, humor, and honest vulnerability. Watching them navigate the ups and downs of teenage life together—whether it’s family issues, friendship troubles, or personal insecurities—feels authentic and relatable.

What truly elevates Horimiya is its commitment to showing growth, not just in romance, but as individuals. Both Hori and Miyamura confront their fears, open up about their struggles, and support each other’s dreams. This series doesn’t just depict love as cute moments and shy confessions; it shows love as a journey of understanding, acceptance, and mutual respect.

Horimiya also shines because of its well-rounded supporting cast, each character given moments to shine and grow, making the world feel lived-in and rich. The blend of slice-of-life charm and romantic sincerity gives the show a timeless quality that resonates with viewers.

In summary, Horimiya is a heartfelt, honest, and beautifully crafted romance anime. It’s a story about seeing beyond the surface, embracing imperfections, and finding love in the most genuine way possible. For anyone tired of endless love triangles and stagnant relationships, Horimiya offers a breath of fresh air and a reminder that true connection comes from authenticity.

Now we have concluded the positive aspect of our blog, our next 2 candidates are our typical long yet empty romance stories, even though a lot of people like them.

3-Rent a girlfriend 

For this one, you’ll need to grab a strong cup of coffee—not because Rent-a-Girlfriend is some complicated masterpiece, but because the protagonist is so painfully stupid that you need full brainpower just to process his decisions. Even then, it’s more of a test of patience than a romantic journey.

The story revolves around Kazuya Kinoshita, your typical university student who gets dumped on the spot by his blonde, blue-eyed girlfriend. Completely down bad and drowning in self-pity, Kazuya turns to a rental girlfriend app, where he meets Chizuru Mizuhara. From the very first date, he’s hopelessly in love with her, despite constantly complaining about how fake and manipulative the whole setup is.

The early episodes give the illusion of quick development—fake dating, accidental intimacy, and messy interactions that seem like they’re leading somewhere. But that illusion fades fast. The plot drags itself across 250+ chapters, and despite everything from grand gestures to outright proposals, Chizuru has yet to accept him. The relationship stays stagnant, circling around the same dilemmas, repetitive misunderstandings, and Kazuya’s endless internal monologues.

Rent-a-Girlfriend isn’t about romance or character growth—it’s about watching a guy make the same dumb mistakes on loop while the story refuses to move forward. At this point, it’s less of a love story and more of a long-running cycle of frustration that refuses to end.

The controversy surrounding Rent-a-Girlfriend extends far beyond the frustrating pacing of the anime itself. Some reports and fan discussions claim that the author, Reiji Miyajima, has a questionable attachment to his own creation, Chizuru Mizuhara. Allegedly, Miyajima modeled Chizuru after his wife, but over time, fans have noticed increasingly odd behavior from the author that blurs the line between fiction and obsession.

A lot of anime fans remain skeptical about this so-called “love story,” especially considering Miyajima’s public roleplay content, where he draws himself and Chizuru going on dates, shopping, and spending time together. He even created multiple alternate versions of Chizuru, sometimes tweaking her appearance and outfits just for personal posts. This behavior has raised eyebrows, especially because Miyajima is married in real life, making fans question whether the character is still just fiction—or something more personal.

On top of that, there’s ongoing speculation in the fandom that Chizuru may never end up with Kazuya—not because of the story’s logic, but because of Miyajima’s personal attachment to her. Some fans jokingly, or maybe not-so-jokingly, believe that after everything Kazuya has endured and the estimated $250,000 he has spent on rental dates, the author simply refuses to “give her away” due to sheer jealousy.

Whether these theories hold any truth or not, they reflect the general discomfort and confusion many fans feel toward Rent-a-Girlfriend—a series where the line between author and character feels increasingly blurrer

4-Couples of Cuckoos (Spoilers)

A Couple of Cuckoos is widely regarded as one of the more controversial modern romance anime and manga, and for good reason. From strange plot references to questionable relationship dynamics, the series consistently finds itself under criticism. One of the most debated points revolves around the character Sachi Umino, Nagi’s stepsister, whose involvement in the romantic storylines has sparked a lot of discomfort among fans. And in more recent chapters, the growing tension between Erika Amano and Sousuke Amano has added even more fuel to the fire.

The pacing is another major source of frustration. Over the last 80+ chapters, there’s been barely any meaningful progress between the two supposed main leads—Nagi Umino and Erika Amano. Character development feels stalled, with scenes often looping around the same scenarios without leading to any substantial relationship shifts.

Nagi’s role in particular draws a lot of criticism. Many readers dislike how he monopolizes all the romantic attention, even when more interesting or healthier options exist. Characters like Shinjo, the athletic second-year who openly challenged Nagi for the right to date Sachi, had potential to shift the focus or filter out problematic relationships—especially with morally questionable figures like Sachi. Yet, they are quickly sidelined.

Juno, the fiancé character tied to Hiro Segawa, suffers a similar fate. After tens of chapters of buildup, his character is defeated and forgotten in ways most fans found underwhelming and anticlimactic. Even after the anime ended and the manga crossed 200+ chapters, the only real addition has been Sousuke Amano, whose presence created more confusion than clarity due to his morally grey actions and dubious motivations.

Overall, A Couple of Cuckoos offers very little actual development, preferring to focus on repetitive cute or awkward scenes that don’t advance the story in any meaningful way. This has left many fans deeply skeptical of how the story will conclude, especially with so many unresolved dynamics and a noticeable lack of true romantic payoff.