Spring has sprung and love is in the air (well, for a select group of anime characters, at least!) Even though there aren't a great deal of new shojo series introductions this season, romance enthusiasts will not be deprived of fresh, swoon-worthy love stories to satisfy their cravings, ranging from shonen to sci-fi, slice-of-life, and more!
With the abundance of anime released during the 2023 Spring period, it seems only fitting to make some room for the new lovebirds and leave the returning "old-timers" like Ancient Magnus Bride and Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You out of the equation.
8 Gabimaru and Yui: Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku
Gabimaru's life has been overflowing with trauma since infancy, and (assumedly as a coping mechanism) he has learned to disassociate, severing his emotional link to the world. Or so he thought. This "Hollow" husk of a man eventually entered into an arranged marriage with the Chief's daughter and, despite their glaring differences, the couple soon became as thick as thieves!
Yui's wholesome and endearing nature is simply infectious, and Gabimaru cannot help but fall for her charm, wanting nothing more than to make her proud. While the shinobi life is perfect for this natural-born warrior, he does not hesitate to leave it all behind; his precious "princess" has been exposed to enough disturbing situations for a lifetime! Gabimaru risks it all to bring some peace and joy to his wife's world, evading death at every turn. And not for self-preservation's sake, but for his dearest Yui.
7 Akane and Akito: Loving Yamada at Lv999!
Life was all sunshine and daisies for Akane Kinoshita, that is, until her boyfriend suddenly dumps her out of the blue just to run off with some other gamer girl. And he took all her treasured equipment with him! Now this poor Paladin is heartbroken and clan-less, but still adamant to continue her Forest Of Savior adventure (but mostly to retain her connection to her deplorable, cheating ex.)
As fate would have it, Akane keeps bumping into a certain someone (both virtually and IRL) who isn't much of a talker but is extremely easy on the eyes! Although the pair appear to have very little interest in each other, they still end up going on a date, concluding with a sleepover; simply scandalous! However, their faux romance (set up to make Takuma jealous) eventually turns into something more. Anyone who wishes YouTube sensations Valkyrae and Sykkuno would just fall in love already should watch their fantasies come to life in Loving Yamada at Lv999!
6 Tetsuo and Kasen: My Home Hero
Love clearly has no limits for Tetsuo Tosu, and the same can be said for his devoted wife, too. This close-knit family is anything but toxic and would go to the ends of the earth to protect one another, regardless of the consequences. Yes, even if that means taking the Yakuza head-on. Ensuring that his baby girl is freed from her abusive relationship, Tetsuo bashes her gangbanger boyfriend's head in, before he can lay another hand on a woman.
Even though Kasen isn't entirely caught up in the details, she does not hesitate to help her man with the clean-up mission, essentially becoming an accessory to the crime. She reassures Tetsuo that they are in this together, and does everything in her power to assist with the coverup and subsequently puts a target on her own head. Their immaculate teamwork is the envy of every couple (but the gang violence and potential murder charges, not so much!)
5 Isaki and Ganta: Insomniacs After School
It's tough to be amicable when the concept of slumber completely evades Ganta Nakami, leading to sleepless nights and drowsy days, and no reprieve in sight. So whenever this insomniac gets a gap to nap, there is little chance he will miss that opportunity, despite the alleged ghosts in his new favorite hideout. As it turns out, the rumored school haunting was all a premeditated plan, carried out by Isaki Magari, who also desperately craves moments of peace to squeeze in some extra shut-eye.
Discovering they are both suffering from insomnia, the pair decide to look for the silver lining and proceed to replace their long, lonely nights with fun-filled adventures, in each others' company, of course! Together, Isaki and Ganta rediscover the joys of life and prove that one doesn't have to be asleep in order to dream.
4 Hime and Ayanokouji: Yuri Is My Job!
As far as Hime Shiraki (later nicknamed Shirasagi) is concerned, she's got life all figured out. Emulate a burikko, land a rich husband, and have a happy life; mission complete! However, her plans are derailed by an unsuspecting suitor, who is a sight for sore eyes but is apparently immune to Hime's usually flawless charm. The duo skirt around each other within the shojo setting of Café Liebe and constantly butt heads (which is only further aggravated by the forced Schwestern relationship.)
It is difficult to remain coldhearted when surrounded by such elaborate flirtations, even if it is all supposedly for show. Mitsuki Yano, aka Ayanokouji's prickly demeanor (off "stage"), is fueled by a previous heartbreak and Shirasagi turns out to be the perfect person to help mend these wounds, hopefully teaching her to trust, and love, again.
3 Maru and Kiruko (plus Mimihime and Tokio): Heavenly Delusions
These two sets of love stories focus on the doppelgängers and their paramours' unconventional relationships, and while Heavenly Delusions features a younger cast, it is certainly not for children, so be warned! Maru and Kiruko have about a five-year age gap between them, give or take, (legally sound according to Japanese laws), and the pair bicker like siblings most of the time. However, Maru can't always restrain his affection for Kiruko, while, her self-declared masculinity appears to be a non-issue for the devoted youngster, who is seemingly head-over-heels for his bodyguard.
Mimihime and Tokio also have a very special bond and often pair off together, much to the other kids' dismay. However, at this stage in the game, it would be presumptuous to call this a romance; not everyone has Mimihime's (supposed) premonition abilities, and dishing out manga spoilers without warning would be disgraceful! Nevertheless, finding a true friend in such a bizarre, deceptive world should be celebrated anyway, regardless of which category their love falls into.
2 Kyōtarō and Anna: The Dangers In My Heart
Kyōtarō Ichikawa is quite a dark and twisty kid, often fantasizing about the best ways to murder his classmates, with Anna Yamada, in particular, receiving a great deal of screen time in his daydreams. The popular model "it" girl provokes the wannabe-serial killer further by continuously invading his personal space and has simply ruined the serenity and solitude of the library. However, despite his best efforts, Kyōtarō can't help but admire and empathize with his supposed victim, as all this close proximity has opened his judgemental eyes.
Contradicting his declarations of hatred and bloodlust, the homicidal bookworm lets his Chuunibyou complex take over as he runs around trying to save Anna from whatever unfortunate situation she finds herself in. More often than not, Kyōtarō ends up with egg on his face; however, his self-sacrificing "heroism" doesn't waver. His heart has unintentionally become too big to let the gorgeous gastronome suffer; ironic, isn't it?
1 Shiori and Ichiro: Galaxy Next Door
Ichiro was just starting out as an official mangaka when his father suddenly died, leaving his two younger siblings basically orphaned (as their mother "went to buy milk.") This whole single-parent business is vastly overwhelming, and keeping on top of deadlines is proving to be impossible. He is drowning fast and desperately needs help!
Fortunately, the mystical Shiori rocks up to save the day; she is his biggest fan and a talented artist, and, oh! She also has a curious hallucination-inducing stinger protruding from her backside. Ichiro, who is undoubtedly already infatuated with his new assistant, accidentally pricks his finger on the star princess's spike, inadvertently (yet conveniently) twisting the pair's fate firmly together. This cute couple seems perfectly set up for the instant family vibe, with some intriguing sci-fi fantasy elements thrown into the mix for good measure.