The strange Couple Training Program (or more accurately, social experiment) set up at Jirō Yakuin's high school requires him to live with a member of the opposite sex while maintaining a healthy "romantic" relationship. This could work out great if he pairs up with the lovely Shiori Sakurazaka, but if the faux couples were voluntary, that wouldn't be any fun.

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As luck would have it, Jirō will be forced to reside with his polar opposite, a popular gyaru girl by the name of Akari Watanabe, who also has her eyes on someone else entirely. While these two evidently don't enjoy each other's company, they must act the part if they wish to earn enough points to acquire a new partner; however, a simple kiss may topple their scheme completely.

Updated on May 14, 2024, by C.M Edwards: Romance anime are a special niche that tugs on the heartstrings of fans and warms the hearts of newcomers to the genre. More than a Married Couple, but less than Lovers is a special addition to anime romance with a unique dynamic. The main characters don't dance around each other for endless episodes, instead opposites find themselves teaming up to attract their crushes in a school-led marriage project and decide to work together. Romance anime explores the lives of couples, soon-to-be couples, and destined lovers. More than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers, is a particularly adorable tale that tells a unique story with a slew of energetic characters. There are many romance anime to choose from, here are some of the best for fans who liked More than a Married Couple, but not Lovers.

1 Love Is Hard For Otaku

My AnimeLists Score: 7.9

Narumi is a budding adult stepping into the role of an office worker. With her entire life ahead of her, she's desperate to keep her dark secret hidden from her new coworkers. Narumi secretly enjoys anime and is a full Otaku.

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With little hope that she will expand her social life or even find love, she is quickly taken aback when Hirotoka, her new coworker, not only likes anime as well but suggests that they date. Love is hard for Otaku dives right into a match made in heaven and all the ups and downs that come with it. Narumi is a joy of a character, and her chemistry with her new beau echoes off the screen, even though it takes time.

2 Toradora!

My AnimeLists Score: 8.0

Torodora is a classic rom-com that follows the wildlife of high school romance. Ryuuji is a mild-mannered loner who carries a bad reputation thanks to his mean look. Because of this, most of his classmates steer clear of him. His life becomes much more complicated when he runs headfirst into Taiga, the Palmtop Tiger. What starts out as a chaotic alliance slowly grows into more. Toradora is a staple in most hardcore romance anime fans and is a great watch with exciting storylines that subvert normal romance clichés. Fans will enjoy the chemistry of the two main characters along with the crazy hijinks that follow them on their independent paths to love.

3 Domestic Girlfriend

My AnimeLists Score: 6.6

The strange and awkward relationship between Akari and Jirou in More Than a Married Couple but Not lovers shines out among most romance anime main characters. The pulls and tugs of their hearts and their minds make for an interesting dynamic that keeps the story fresh. Domestic Girlfriend also has this type of dynamic but turns the awkwardness up to eleven.

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Natsuo is quickly coming into himself and his fully given in to his heart's desire to confess his feelings to his Teacher, Hina. Quickly rejected, Natsuo finds himself in the arms of a young girl with a similar outlook on life to rid himself of the feelings he has for China. Things take a turn when Natsuo's father decides to remarry, and the two women in his life become his step-siblings. The precarious situations that ensue drive Natsuo up a wall as the sexual tension fills the house.

4 Love, Chuunibyou, And Other Delusions!

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.7

• Studio: Kyoto Animaton
• Release Date: Oct, 2012
• Streaming On: Crunchyroll

Rikka and Yuuta are an odd pairing, to say the least. Both have their eccentric behaviors, but only one of them is trying to leave childish delusions behind and start high school off right. In the past, Yuuta was a captain of cringe who suffered from middle-second syndrome, a condition that leads adolescents to think they are unique or more than human.

While trying to put his best foot forward and leave his embarrassing past behind him, he is suddenly hounded by Rikka, another first-year student suffering from the same delusion as him but showing no desire to step into reality. Hijinks ensue as the two awkward peas in a pod find more than friendship in their adventures. Fans of the character dynamics in More than a Married Couple, but not Lovers will enjoy this series.

5 Horimiya

MyAnimeLists Score: 8.2

A beautiful story from strangers to soul mates, Horimiya is a must-watch for fans of romance and perfect matches. Izumi and Kyouko are on opposite sides of the planet until they meet by happenstance. Izumi shocks Kyouko with his streetwear attire, and she gets a good look at him for the first time.

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One chance meeting turns into a journey filled with adventures that ultimately bring the two close together and, eventually, a couple. The struggles both overcome as they look toward the future past high school and possibly into marriage make for a beautiful story about love and commitment. The fleshed-out characters and scenarios of Horimiya will greatly appeal to fans of More than a Married Couple, but not Lovers.

6 My Dress-Up Darling

MyAnimeLists Score: 8.2

My Dress-up Darling is the series that shocked thousands of unsuspecting anime fans with a light-hearted story about how opposites attract. Gojoun is a loner who hides within his shell because of his hobby and love for hina dolls. Marin Kitagawa, a popular second-year, breaks into Gojou's life and yanks him into her own chaotic little world filled with anime and cosplay.

Gojou finds himself designing an entire costume for Marin and bonding with someone for the first time. The chemistry between Marin and Gojou will hit the right marks for fans of More than a Married Couple, but not Lovers.

7 A Couple of Cuckoos

MyAnimeLists Score: 6.9

If Jirō and Akari think their predetermined relationship is complicated, well, they should meet Nagi and Erika from A Couple of Cuckoos. These two youngsters share a birthday and an uncannily similar surname, which caused them to be switched at birth and raised in the wrong household. When the truth was finally discovered years later, their parents wanted the best of both worlds and decided to arrange a marriage between Nagi and Erika to keep things in the family.

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Much like in Jirō and Akari's case, there is little love in this involuntary setup, as Nagi's heart already belongs to another. This does nothing to quell the parents' wishes, and Nagi and Erika are forced to live in the same residence in preparation for married life.

8 I'm The Villainess, So I'm Taming The Final Boss

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.2

• Studio: Maho Film
• Release Date: Oct, 2022
• Streaming On: Crunchyroll

This Isekai Romance has also recently kicked off, and while it has more supernatural elements than More Than A Married Couple, But Not Lovers, the relationship dynamics between the characters share certain similarities with Jirō Yakuin's situation. "Love" for convenience is a finicky thing.

Aileen Dautriche has been reincarnated into one of her favorite video games and is quickly booted out of the suitable arrangement she had set up with her then-fiance, Prince Cedric (who speedily proposes to another girl) Recovering with haste, Aileen latches on to the next best thing, his brother, the Demon Lord Claude, and the two competing couples begin a tumultuous tango (so to speak.)

9 Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.5

Playing "the love game" may just be part of a school program for Jirō and Akari; however, Miyuki and Kaguya take it to the next level in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War. Although the former pair is initially disgusted by their coupling, it doesn't take long for the constant, close proximity to take effect.

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Neither of them wishes to admit they may be developing feelings, and Miyuki and Kaguya are stuck in the same predicament. Each possessing a genius-level intellect, the Student Council's President and Vice-President try to trip each other up, and whoever confesses their love first is officially the loser. Manipulation and affection are a dangerous combination but produce hilarious results.

10 My Stepmom's Daughter Is My Ex

MyAnimeLists Score: 6.7

• Studio: Project No.9
• Release Date: Jul, 2022
• Streaming On: Crunchyroll

Mizuto and Yume suddenly find themselves living under the same roof, but unlike in Jirō and Akari's case, they are trying very hard not to look like a pair of lovebirds. Their romantic partnership recently ended (and not on the best of terms) however, thanks to their parents' unexpected union, they are now officially step-siblings (and have subsequently stepped into forbidden love territory.)

The old flames try to play the roles of brother and sister but often find themselves getting caught up in each others' sexual provocations. Mizuto's goal is to coerce a reaction out of Yume to prove she still wants him (and vice versa), all while somehow maintaining the "happy family" guise for their parents' sake.

11 Classroom Of The Elite

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.8

While More Than A Married Couple, But Not Lovers is essentially a romantic comedy, there is a great deal of manipulation involved in the narrative, as each team is essentially trying to fool the system into believing they are a happy, healthy couple. Classroom of the Elite is all about trickery and deceit, but with a much more sinister tone about it.

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Kiyotaka Ayanokouji has also found himself in a mutually beneficial "loveless" relationship with the beautiful, popular Kei Karuizawa, which slowly develops into something deeper. Ayanokouji has an assortment of stunning young girls to choose from, but, much like Jirō, he would much rather just be left alone.

12 Rent-A-Girlfriend

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.0

The comedic factors that accompany the pretend-relationship trope are fully exploited by Rent-A-Girlfriend because, as the title suggests, these relationships are purely superficial (at least, they are supposed to be). Kazuya Kinoshita finds himself desperate for companionship and would have loved to be in Jirō's shoes, but his school followed a traditional curriculum, so he had to opt for a rental service instead.

Kazuya is so smitten with the beautiful Chizuru Mizuhara that he introduces her to his family, and the business-only relationship suddenly becomes serious. Other gorgeous gals start to take an interest in Kazuya, who struggles to gain control of the whole situation and finds himself juggling a few faux love affairs with some very real feelings.

13 Spy X Family

MyAnimeLists Score: 8.5

Jirō and Akari should take a leaf out of Loid and Yor's book if they wish to succeed in the Couples Training Program because, as far as fictional marriages go, these two killers take the cake. Loid is a secret agent working to restore peace between the East and West, but needs access to the prestigious Eden Academy (and therefore a wife and kid) to accomplish his mission. Yor is attracting too much attention as a single "older" woman, which could cause trouble accomplishing her assassination passions. What better reason for an arranged marriage?

If this doesn't sound exciting enough, the adorable Anya is brought into the equation and just happens to be telepathic, as well as a bit of a troublemaker. The Forgers attempt to play happy family while closely guarding their secrets, creating some comical complications as a result.

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