This formula might be overdone, but there are enough good series that you shouldn’t dismiss it completely.
It feels like the modern formula of romantic comedy in anime has become “an unpopular guy and a popular girl fall for each other.” While some call it lazy and generic, this setup definitely has enough fans to be widely popular.
If you like it, but can’t decide what to even watch — here are 5 recommendations.
The Dangers in My Heart
You’ve probably heard of it, and yes, it’s that good. The two seasons tell the story of Kyoutarou Ichikawa, a guy who often dreams of scenarios where he brutally kills his more popular classmates.
Against all odds, he grows closer to Anna Yamada — who is seemingly very popular — and the romance develops from there. The protagonist’s edgy mindset disappears quickly, and the anime is worth it — both seasons are on HIDIVE.
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
One of the most popular romance series of recent years, The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten (Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken) is exactly what it says on the tin.
Mahiru Shiina is nicknamed “Angel” for her ethereal beauty, and after a chance encounter, she slowly falls in love with Amane Fujimiya — a completely ordinary guy who turns out to be her next-door neighbor. The anime is, of course, on Crunchyroll.
Horimiya
While Izumi Miyamura isn’t an ordinary guy, he’s definitely not popular enough. He looks like a delinquent, and no one in their right mind would imagine him dating the school beauty Kyouko Hori.
However, they are in a relationship, and it’s a very sweet one. The anime concludes the entire story, and The Missing Pieces is a spin-off that covers the skipped content — both can be found on Crunchyroll.
My Dress-Up Darling
My Dress-Up Darling (Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru) is not just a romcom — it’s also a story about a very peculiar hobby. Marin Kitagawa is into cosplay, and that makes her grow closer to Wakana Gojou — a young man who is really good at sewing clothes.
In addition to being a sweet romantic story, it also teaches the viewer a lot about the hobby itself. If you want to watch it, it is on Crunchyroll.
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
While it’s a little older than the peak of the trope’s popularity, there’s no denying that My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru.) heavily influenced the romcom genre.
Hachiman, who is an antisocial loner who thinks people who have social bonds and connections are fools, is forced into a Volunteer Service Club. Another member of it is Yukino Yukinoshita, a beautiful — but cold and distant at first — girl. They both have to deal with people and learn how to interact with them properly.
The only issue is: the first and third seasons are on Crunchyroll. The second one isn’t — it’s on HIDIVE, which has the first one, too — but you’d have to have both to watch the entire series.