With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the season of love is in the air. So, what better opportunity is there to check out some rom-com animes to get in that Valentine’s Day spirit!
“My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv. 999”
A charming and spirited romance between two gamer pals, Akane Kinoshita is a bubbly and lively college student who recently got dumped by her boyfriend but can’t seem to quit the game they used to play. While attending an offline event for the MMORPG “Forest of Savior”, she ran into Akito Yamada, a third-year high school student as well as her ex-boyfriend. To play it cool, Akane Kinoshita dragged Akito Yamada into a little bitsy roleplaying game (a fake relationship). Eventually, o’ lord and behold, this so-called game turned out to be a reality after some twists and turns.
“The animation in general varies greatly from beautiful character design that leans heavily into facial distinction — especially in the first and final episode — to stagnant,” shared Allyson Johnson, a journalist who reviewed the anime series on BUT WHY THO?.
“The Reason Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke’s Mansion” (Both anime and webtoon available)
Imagine reincarnating from a modern world to a historical novel as an extra who was fated to die, the unfortunate soul, Hanasaki Rinko (Euhna Park–her name in the webtoon,) fell for this tragedy, inheriting a new identity as Raeliana McMillan. To avoid dying young again, she is determined to change her destiny and eventually enters an engagement contract with the original male protagonist, Duke Noah Wynknight. As she begins twisting her fate, she comes across interesting individuals and gets dragged into political dramas.
“Noah seems to delight in seeing Raeliana flustered, but she’s more than capable of keeping him on his toes, making for an exciting, if tumultuous, dynamic. The road to romance for these too should be entertaining, if nothing else,” noted Alsmangblog’s blog.
“I’m In Love with the Villainess”
Based on the light novel of the same name, “I’m In Love with the Villainess” written by the author Inori plays off of the reincarnation trope that exists within the anime medium. The story follows a formally ordinary office worker, Rae Ohashi as she is reincarnated into Rae Taylor, the protagonist of her favorite dating simulator game. From there, Rae is allowed to pursue one of the three datable princes from the initial game, however chooses to set her sights on the villainess of the game, Claire François.
Al Pal, a journalist explained on her blog what she thought was the appeal of the series “‘I’m in Love with the Villainess’ is a series that is all about giving the villainess her due, celebrating her good and bad qualities in equal measure.”
Pal elaborates on why she enjoyed the series so thoroughly, “It’s so much fun to watch Claire attempt to scheme and gain the upper hand, only to have Rae smoothly turn the tables on her, that I’m more than happy to watch them bicker and chase each other around in circles.”
“Sasaki to Miyano”
Written and illustrated by Sho Harusono, “Sasaki to Miyano” is a light-hearted romance that follows the growing relationship between our two titular characters. The story initially begins when Yoshikazu Miyano has his first encounter with his upper-class Shuumei Sasaki. The two quickly become friends, as they start to bond over their shared interest in BL (boy’s love or romance between two male leads) manga. It is through their common hobby that the two can discover themselves, as a blossoming romance develops.
Gracie Qu, a journalist for Antitrendz wrote in her review “ ‘Sasaki and Miyano’s’ strength lies in its characters and main relationship.”
Qu continues stating “Their relationship is endlessly positive as Sasaki discovers a new hobby and Miyano learns self-love.”
