Gintama really lures you in immediately with its quirkiness, extreme humor, and many hilarious references to other anime. This journey takes us back to feudal Japan as we join Gintama on his crazy random adventures. This isn't your ordinary feudal Japan however, as every encounter Gintoki meets is unusually crazy, which is what adds the spice and flavoring to this tasty treat of a series. Gintoki isn't very keen on finding a job like most other citizens and so we see Gintoki on this endless adventure desperately seeking whatever job comes his way, while battling strange looking monsters, a weird Yakuza clan and much more. As stated earlier, Gintama is just all over the place when it comes to its use of humor. The variety in which humor is used is incredible, ranging from crude all the way to just over the top and it's all packaged together brilliantly. Each time Gintama runs into enemies, they don't even feel like enemies since they all end up doing something so dumb, that you end up tearing up at their randomness. You'll have scenes where characters casually walk around naked, or someone getting beaten to a bloody pulp while getting shot at the same time. The nonstop craziness is what provides the flavor to the show, and lines up well with the humor Prison School portrays.

This show is so full of crude humor that you'd swear you're watching a HBO series. Every scene that you watch is incredible, as both Akutabe and Azazel go at it, with Azazel getting killed every second. His friends however are where the humor goes to the extreme, as Beelzebub is a bird who gets turned on by the sight of fecal matter and, without any shame, devours it on screen. This unconventional humor is what makes this show such a blast to watch, because you're disgusted by it or laughing so hard at just how random it all is. Akutabe's job is to summon demons in order to help his clients who are in trouble, but even his clients are something beyond this planet. For every problem that Akutabe solves, another one shows up more hysterical than the last, as he pummels Azazel to a bloody pulp for disobeying orders and watching ecchi. You'll see cakes made out of poo, eyeballs popping out of their sockets, and more in this extremely funny anime. If you aren't sold by this at all, even the trailer itself is funny enough to sell you, and you're lured into it you're stuck in a world of crazy over the top fun.

Comedy anime never usually have a premise or some sort of direction that it takes you, it usually just throws in a wide variety of antics that keep you glued to the screen. Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni! is the sequel to the first part of the series as much of what happens revolves around Yoshii as he strolls through the halls of his school searching for answers he'll never find. His dense personality will have you scratching your head at first, until you dive more into it all to realize how much of a pervert this guy is. The show serves its true purpose as being a pure comedic blast from the moment you watch the first episode, up until the very end. So you're probably wondering, but what about the story? There must be a story behi- No story to be found here as much of this show is all about unexpected events which just leave you cracking up at all times. Every ecchi scene results in a nosebleed, the romance aspect of the show is overpowered by the constant craziness that Yoshii goes through, and each character works together to create a comedic adventure that truly becomes a story within itself. If you're looking for moe, tsundere, yandere, lolicon, and perverts all under one roof with laughter as the icing on top, then Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu is right for you!

So now we embark on another journey in search of laughter, and we have arrived at Detroit Metal City. Of course none of what transpires throughout the show even takes place in Detroit which already makes you laugh just a little inside, and wonder why they used that name in the first place. The story looks at Negishi, who finds his current life to be a bore and decides to move into the big city of Tokyo. He comes up with an idea to be the front man of a death metal band known as Krauser II, but deep down would rather just sit at home and drink tea. Random right? You definitely don't need to remind us on that one. This show is just tear inducingly funny using quick and unrelenting humor to hit you straight in the gut and keep you coming back for more. You'll see pelvic thrusting, extreme cursing, and just nonsensical things that are bound to have you falling back in your chair chuckling like a child. Each episode is short but undeniably sweet, as you're always in for a treat once the dialogue between characters rolls in. Each time one person tries to speak, another cuts them off with stark remarks that remind you of British slapstick comedy, with Negishi humiliating himself whenever an opportunity presented itself. These jokes are vulgar and poignant, slapping you in the face until you're tomato red, but so incredibly entertaining that you'll crave more each and every time.

So imagine living in a society where anything sexual and lewd has been banned, with any utterance of a word pertaining to the subject leading you into deep trouble. Well that's exactly what goes down in the series as the government has placed very strict rules upon the use of explicit actions, and so Okuma must somehow find a way to break this wall of injustice down before it's too late. He meets with Anna, a girl that he has a huge crush on but then must confront a much bigger problem with a terrorist group known as Blue Snow gets involved to fight against censorship laws. Alright so where does the comedy kick in you ask? Right from the very beginning as this show tries so hard to abolish sex but then uses it in every scene possible to remind you just how much you can't avoid it. Blue Snow, who is also known as Ayame, wears a stylish pair of lewd panties over her head, while strutting her stuff in the latest white cloak with very little to show underneath. Every time Okuma tries to resist temptation and avoid getting arrested, lewd acts take place along with dirty and crude humor to bring it all together. The amount of dirty jokes you'll encounter are enough to make you wonder if this show actually invented dirty humor, since there's so much of it that you can't stop laughing. If you aren't crying by the end of this series, then rewatch it again, and then one more time until you realize the startling truth behind it all.

Seitokai no Yakuindomo is a fantastic school comedy that really doesn't follow much of a plot, but provides a whopping dose of adult humor. Tsuda is a freshman in Ousai Academy and doesn't really know what to expect from it all, until one day he's surrounded by a group of attractive girls. Things get even more interesting as he somehow becomes vice president of the school council, and yet again finds himself in the company of girls. This hilarious story follows Tsuda as he must come to terms with this new life he's been bestowed with, while trying not to get on the wrong side of these girls who seem to already despise him already. So where do we start, sexual humor? Check. Girls who are crass and have no remorse for the main character? Check. Excellent wordplay, paired with sharp witted remarks? Check. Seitokai no Yakuindomo isn't going to appeal to everyone's tastes, but we can assure you that you'll learn a lot of sex while watching this. The incredible amount of dirty jokes and references to ejaculation will have your head spinning, but just enough of a dosage to not scare you away. When you look at the incredibly down right dirty jokes that took place in Prison School, you immediately feel somewhat humbled by this show simply because you become so absorbed by all the laughter that you forget what's even happening. The show isn't about capturing your heart with a romantic tale of fantasy and pleasure, but a show that has absolutely no shame whatsoever, and over the top humor that'll leave you holding your ribs in extreme laughter.

Ryuji Takasu has an intimidating face and this often scares his school mates. They often shy away from him after labelling him as a delinquent. In actuality, Ryuji is actually a gentle, peace loving clean freak with a penchant for house work. On the other side of the story, Aisaka Taiga is a small sized girl and wields a wooden katana. She has a fiery temper and is known throughout the school as the Palmtop Tiger. As these two cross paths one day, their fates will change. Committed to helping each other get their crushes, this romantic comedy shows their endeavours and the efforts that they put in! Yahari and ToraDora are similar in the respect that both share a high school setting. At some point, Yahari talks about high school love to a great extent while the premise of high school love occurs in ToraDora throughout the series. In Yahari, Hachiman is a social outcast who has a problem blending into the social construct within the school. In ToraDora, all of the main characters are weird in their own ways and although they may have friends, they still have issues fitting in. In fact, both main characters share a common trait - their sanpaku eyes and that made everyone around them distant themselves from them. ToraDora is also a light hearted rom-com to enjoy such that if you enjoyed Yahari, you can find the same atmosphere and similar characters in it!

Arata Kaizaki is a 27 year old NEET. After losing his job due to unknown circumstances, Arata is approached by a representative from the ReLIFE Laboratory. With the promise to revert his age to that of a high schooler, a chance for a job interview and his 1 year of living expenses, Arata is left without much options. He takes up the offer and sets about his high school life. Along the way, Arata touches the lives of the various friends he made and even improved on it. However, at the end of the 1 year, all of them will forget about him. It is up to him to make this 1 year redo of his life the most meaningful one ever and to find the answer to living a much more fulfilled life in the future. ReLIFE shares many aspects with Yahari. Although ReLIFE is set in a more positive atmosphere, it discusses about the high school life and the essence that is youth - vibrant and full of energy. Originally introduced as flawed characters, both characters from their series shows a significant improvement due to the environment that they are placed. Both are altruistic in nature and will willingly help others despite appearing otherwise. The romance factor has always been a sideline plot in the beginning but slowly picks up in the later episodes, providing for a more diverse and fulfilling story.

Spiritual encounters, oddities and paranormal activities are normal occurrences in the world of Bakemonogatari. The main character of the series, Koyomi Araragi is a survivor of a vampire attack during Golden Week. After being saved by a mysterious man who goes by Oshino Meme, Araragi aids other characters afflicted by oddities by referring them to Meme. One such individual is the weightless Senjougahara Hitagi. Araragi immediately sought the help of his benefactor once again to cure Hitagi of her problem. Who will Araragi run into next and will he be able to save them from their oddities? Bakemonogatari had always been an abstract anime. Similar to Yahari, it utilizes soliloquy to explain the character's thoughts and actions. If anything, the whole anime is interesting in the way that every aspect of the story is explained through Araragi's mind. Both characters are champions of the mind and philosophers - the anime is never boring due to their inner monologues alone. Both deals heavily on the psychological genre which makes it extremely captivating and engrossing.

Like every fantasy world game gone wrong, Subaru Natsuki was trapped and isolated into a world beyond the boundaries of normalcy. It wasn't long before he had to fend off a group of bandits with a bag of groceries. As luck would have it, he runs into a mysterious girl named Satella. To return her the favour, he agrees to accompany her in her search as well. Little did they know, that a darker force is behind them the whole time and it wasn't long before they were assassinated. Just as though it was all over, Subaru awoke to the same scene as when he had first met her. Will he eventually solve the mystery of his predicament? The characters of both stories shares similar viewpoints. Subaru is basically Hachiman if he were to be stuck in a ridiculous scenario. In both animes, there will always be a fair share of light hearted scenes but it does not mask the true plot of the story. Eventually when the situation gets very tense, the plot thickens. If you're looking for an anime to keep you engrossed in watching it as well as an anime that is both light hearted and serious at the same time, give Re:Zero a try!

Tomoko Kuroi is a hikikomori who spends all of her time at home playing dating sims. Due to this, she expects her high school life to proceed along successfully after the numerous experiences she has in the field of dating. She steps up to the challenge of being the most popular girl in high school. However, she soon realises that the real world is nothing like her beloved dating sims. The real world is still fraught with mysteries that she is unaware of. Join Kuroi as she tries to overcome her social anxiety with her ridiculous antics to become the most popular girl in school. WataMote highlights the same issues of society just like Yahari. While Yahari emphasizes on group dynamics and the general problem of society, WataMote emphasizes it on a personal level on how an individual face troubles blending in. Kuroi is a bona fide social outcast with an apparent lack of social skills. WataMote battles the sad truth of loneliness while Yahari is more on the side of isolation. Nevertheless, both series makes you question the constructs of society and the pressure it places on the introverts and outcasts. If you like to question about society just like in Yahari, definitely give WataMote a try. It's a tad bit different in terms of the concepts discussed but the overall message is similar.

Eita Kidou is a hard working student who loves nothing else but to study. His goal is to secure a scholarship in order to become a doctor in the future. As his parents abandoned him to pursue their love for each other, he is against the notion of love and even sees it as a distraction. That is until Eita suddenly receives a confession from Masuzu Natsukawa, a beautiful girl and the new transfer student. In reality, she finds love just as much as a hassle as him and only confessed to him such that others will stop asking her out every day. Cunning and manipulative, she even threatened to release Eita's personal journal should he betray her. The quiet days of Eita is soon over with these new developments. Both characters in both series share the same kind of monologue and thought inducing ideals. They are forced to join a school club and be part of something that they never ever wanted to be a part of in the first place. The deuteragonist also happens to be a sharp tongue and cunning girl (also tsundere) who often keeps the main character in check. Both series are centralized in high school as well with the plot gearing towards self-improvement during the teenage years. Both series are light hearted, has the familiar high school setting atmosphere and your occasional humorous situation like a typical rom-com anime.

In Junjou Romantica, Misaki finds himself in a bind when his college exam tutor ends up being Akihiko Usami, a very cool and attractive man who is a popular novelist and his brother's best friend. The problem is that Usami is famous for writing novels on young boys in love, and that doesn't seem to sit too well with Misaki, especially since one of the names is of his older brother. After some odd romantic encounters however, Misaki is now confused about his own feelings since he now finds himself developing feelings for Usami, and from here the laughter begins in this yaoi romance comedy. What makes Junjou Romantica such an amusing piece of work is that it taps into the realm of our sexual desires, but does so in a light hearted way, introducing random characters who create a fantastic chemistry to keep you engaged. The other two stories Junjou Egoist, and Junjou Terrorist are all equally funny since each story is interconnected, adding a greater sense of depth pertaining to the random love relationships that each main character encounters in their own respective story. You'll find yourself laughing at just how naive these characters are, and come to enjoy them for their really quirky and man-child personalities.

Love stories always have their twists and turns, which is what adds such a wonderful flavor to the overall connection between the characters. Sakura is madly in love with Nozaki-kun but struggles to find the courage to confess how she feels. Nozaki-kun, who assumes that she's just another fan, brushes her off gently without much thought. To Sakura's surprise however, Nozaki-kun then invites her over to his house and is now put in a position that she never imagined she'd be in, and from here all of the hilarity begins as we see a woman battling with her inner emotions in this crazy romance comedy. We all can relate to Sakura in many ways since it can be difficult at times to express how you truly feel to someone. Emotions can always be a tricky one to handle, and we can see just how uncomfortable and on edge Sakura gets when she's around Nozaki. Her random attempts to grab his attention, while stuttering over every word makes you chuckle as you can understand her efforts to being honest, but tripping over herself every time she tries. It's a world of back and forth in this emotional roller coaster ride of events, but is such a thrill ride because Nozaki is just so naive, while Sakura throws constant messages at him but just can't get him to receive them all.

In Nisekoi, Raku comes to find out that he's now the heir to a powerful yakuza organization, but would rather just live out his life as a regular high school student, enjoying the peace and quiet atmosphere of his youth. Things start to heat up however when he encounters a young woman named Chitoge Kirisaki, who not only is a violent individual but her looks are strikingly beautiful. His life now takes a turn for the worse as he now must deal with not only his school and personal life, but this super hot transfer student who has entered his life. Throughout the story you come to discover that Raku isn't in dire straights due to Chitoge's looks, but that she's actually the daughter of a rival gang boss. This creates a lot of tension but that is exactly what makes this manga so funny to read. Every time Raku tries to express himself, it always leads to some awkward situation because any wrong move and he knows his life may be in danger. He's split between whether to fall in love with Chitoge or fall into a coffin if he mistreats her, so it's a constant back and forth between the two as they try to be more open with each other. As you'll see throughout the chapters, things get so much more exciting but we'll leave it up to you to find out why.

Hirunaka no Ryuusei follows the life of Suzume Yasuno, a young country girl who must now embark on a new journey to Tokyo, as her father must transfer to the bustling city. She decides to stay with her uncle but along the way, she gets lost and bumps into a mysterious young man. This young man seems to know her uncle and so he leads her towards the location, but little does she know that this very same man will end up being more than just a guide whenever she's lost, as she soon discovers that he's her homeroom teacher. From here the adventure begins for Yasuno on her discovery of love, school life, and more in this fantastic romcom! Hirunaka no Ryuusei is quite popular among many because its story is full of climatic events that somehow come crashing down at random times, leaving you cracking up over their mistakes. Much like our previous entries, each story in the manga is a thrill ride, always throwing you in different directions in hopes that someone finally falls in love and actually stays in love. Each story teaches us the importance of never giving up, and that when the pieces fall apart try to put them back together to fall in love again. Author Yamanori expresses the truth of love in that, all relationships come with heartache and when that occurs, we must learn to move forward and grow. All of this is tied in with a lot of laughs as we see young and confused kids who are merely trying to discover themselves in this world we call life.

Shizuku is one of those students who takes great pride in their school grades, but when she makes the crucial mistake of sending her lesson notes to classmate Haru, he comes to assume that they're friends. Soon after the two begin to slowly know each other and realize that neither are in the same realm. Haru is a troublemaker who only wants to have fun, while Shizuku only cares about herself and is cold hearted at times. Somehow Haru finds the courage inside to confess his feelings to Shizuku and from there the tale of love and hate begins! There's much to laugh about in this series because you have two completely different personalities coming together to create one explosive package of fun. They say opposites attract and it's promoted quite frequently throughout the series, as the two are always clashing but then make it up with cute flirtatious behavior. Feelings are always fleeting and so the two are always attempting to seek truth in their everyday endeavors, with a constant back and forth of childish banter along with playful gestures to keep the reader entertained at all times. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is sure to amuse you with an array of lovable characters, but also make you reminisce over your past love experiences too.

Nishitaka is constantly teased by his classmate Takagi and he vows that one day he'll get her back for tormenting him. He attempts to tease her at every opportunity but her wits are no match for him, finding himself at the bottom of the barrel yet again. It now becomes Nishitaka's purpose to turn the tables and ensure that he can embarrass Takagi-san before she can manage to retaliate in this hilarious slice of life romcom. We've all been there before, where there's just someone in our class who finds pleasure in teasing people and you're just that one lucky contestant they've chosen. The two of you eventually argue and bicker, trying to come up with ways to outwit the other, while coming to realize just how much you truly like this person. This innocent love story is weird, funny, and uplifting as it shows us just how important it is to just let go of ourselves and to just laugh at life. The best relationships are the ones where there are no holds barred, both individuals can just be free like the children we truly are, and express ourselves openly without feeling possessed by the other.

It's always nice to be admired and loved by others, and for Yanagi this life is just another day in the office. He's smart, wealthy, and is very well kept when it comes to his appearance. Kujou however just doesn't seem to be impressed by all of this as she's quite the opposite in character, and yet somehow breezes by Yanagi in academics and sports. This doesn't sit quite well with Yanagi as he vows to change his luck around by constantly battling Kujou wherever she goes. Every school she enrolls in, so too does Yanagi, as he now tries to come up with clever ways to out play her in the romantic comedy of Last Game. Competition is everywhere and despite it not being very fun at times, the relationship between Kujou and Yanagi is very fun to pay attention to. The two have their own straightforward personalities and it's never a dull moment when Yanagi desperately tries to steal her spotlight, but fails miserably in his attempts. Their back and forth reminds us of Bugs Bunny and Coyote, as each time the Coyote thinks his plans have finally worked, they surprisingly backfire on him resulting in huge blunders and Bugs getting away laughing.

We all have that side of us that nobody should know about, and for Hori that very same feeling holds true to her. As fate would have it however, every secret will eventually be revealed as Hori builds an unexpected friendship turned relationship with her classmate Miyamura, in this romantic comedy about two individuals who learn to open up and uncover the truths within. Horimiya is a popular series for good reason, and it's because of the incredible chemistry that we see between Hori and Miyamura. At first we're sort of confused by everything that's unfolding in the story, but are then invited into a world of secrecy that then turns into a world of openness that creates such a beautiful charm. It's laughable because we all seem to think that we can keep a secret sealed in the inner depths of our hearts. However when you run into someone who you just can't seem to take your eyes off of, you find yourself opening up without much thought and somehow by the wheels of destiny, the two of you click instantly. That's what you'll experience in this wonderful manga, as we witness two young souls embrace one another and come to realize their differences while embracing their similarities.

Otomen looks at the life of the handsome yet outspoken Asuka, who has a strong love for shoujo manga, baking, and sewing. His mother on the other hand isn't too fond of his decision making, claiming that it's too feminine and that he should become more of a man. So he decides to take up Kendo and Karate and grows to become the masculine image that his mother envisioned. However Asuka can't seem to shake off the past, and his old personality starts to reveal itself over time. Now he must fight the urge to reveal his true self, while discovering new love in his life. There's nothing wrong with a grown man tapping into his more feminine side, because let's be real here, we all were conceived by a woman! Perhaps for Asuka he took it a bit too far, but in the end it truly helps him as he finds someone who he cares about. Ryo is someone who is the complete opposite of Asuka, as she doesn't find interest in the girly things, but the two really start to click because they help guide one another along the way. Their pairing is funny because it's not what you'd think, considering how Asuka is the one who prepares meals, while Ryo would rather sit back and watch action flicks to pass the time. This is what brings the charm to the series, simply because it's not what you'd expect but in truth it's everything you'd find enjoyable and exciting.

The name of the manga doesn't sound anything like a romcom, but you'll be surprised by how much you'll discover in our number one pick. Black Bird is a very popular series which made its debut in 2006 with very positive reception, and stars Misao Harada as the main lead. Harada is one of the very few who can see the interconnectivity between mythical and magical worlds but would rather live a normal high school life, and fall in love with someone. The problem however is that she is constantly being chased by demons, who want to marry her and desperately try to hold her back while she eagerly tries to move forward. The relationship that Harada has is just all over the place, as she vows to change her life for the better by leaving the demon realm and being human, but her reality just can't let her go. She grows jealous of all of her classmates who all have relationships but then by fate is thrown into a situation where she's saved by another demon named Kyo, who she initially had feelings for when she was younger. Kyo however is now her homeroom teacher and so now she's in a tight bind as to whether she expresses her true feelings, or ends up being devoured by demons. Doesn't too funny at first, but once you start to see how air headed Harada is in her approach to conveying her feelings, you'll laugh at her attempts and slip ups along the way.

Saeki Koshiro is living with his father after a divorce that separated him from his mother and younger sister. A few long years later, Koshiro now works as a wedding planner, but unfortunately, his personal love life wasn’t planned very well because his girlfriend left him. On his way to work, Koshiro met a young high school girl on the train and after talking to her purely out of chance, something sparked within him. Is this love? And to his shock, he soon finds out the girl he met is actually his sister, Nanoka, and she is planning on staying with him and their father. Talk about awkward. Let’s start things off with an anime that’s focused more on the love than the sex. The relationship between siblings started out very awkward (grown man hanging out with a school girl in the park) but slowly developed into a less awkward story of a guy falling in love with his sister. The similarities to Aki-Sora are thin like there are no intentional panty and boob shots and no constant sex, and the act of cutting off a man’s private, but the siblings do end up falling in love and eventually the two had sex, though it wasn’t explicitly shown.

Himenokouji Akiko, 16 years of age, has moved in with her brother, Akito, after 6 long years of living apart. Over that 6 long years of being separated from her sibling, Akiko has slowly developed incestuous feelings towards her brother and it’s no surprise Akiko confessed her feelings after both were reunited. To make things a bit more complicated, Akiko loves to speak her mind and it’s not before long everyone in school knows her incestuous love towards her brother Akito. While the anime isn’t as, let’s just say, boisterous as Aki-Sora, the main story of OniAi is focused on the love between siblings and our lovable Akiko who wants more from her brother other than hugs and kisses, much like Aki wanted (or did) with her brother Sora. Unfortunately for Akiko (aside from numerous girls also aiming for Akito), her brother Akito doesn’t see her as someone romantically being with, but eventually their relationship soon develop as the story progresses.

Suminoe Keita has new step-siblings, Ako and Riko, after their parents remarried. As it turns out, the twin sisters find Keita attractive in a sexual way, but Keita disliked the idea of getting romantically involved with his new step-sisters. All that changes when the three siblings entered the same high school and Keita couldn’t stand seeing the boys making moves on his beloved sisters. Keita wants Ako and Riko for himself and the best part is their parents totally approve! “Don’t worry and go for it!”, right!? Yeah, Keita isn’t related to the twins, but the two sisters make out a few times in the anime, so that’s incest of the yuri kind. Still, Keita at first considered the twins to be his siblings because they’ve been together since childhood, but like any growing boy of his age, priorities change, and man, things don’t let up in Kiss x Sis. If we’re gonna nitpick, Kiss x Sis is similar to Aki-Sora in a lot of ways such as both shows involving a love triangle, Ako and Riko are twins just like Sora and Nami, and all are in love with each other and they’re sexually aggressive about it. But the biggest similarity is both shows are very perverted and lustful. There is no sex in Kiss x Sis, but in terms of the number of lewd things they do every single day rivals that of Aki-Sora where Aki dresses Sora as a girl, gives Sora a blowjob out in the open and have sex in the school’s tool shed.

On the outside, Kousaka Kyousuke seems to be the luckiest brother on Earth for having a sister who is smart, athletic and is a professional model. Aside from her impressive resume, Kirino at home is a bratty girl, a hardcore otaku who collects figures, likes little anime girls, and reads erotic visual novels, and suddenly, both siblings stopped talking to each other like they don’t exist. During one quaint afternoon, Kyousuke found out his little sister was reading pornographic stuff and in that very moment, their silence broke for the first time. Kirino then convinced Kyousuke to help hide her double life from her friends and everyone else, including their parents, while helping her do some otaku stuff. Your mileage with this anime varies due to a lot of factors. First, is Kirino is one insufferable girl, like an overpowered tsundere that you may find unlikable. Secondly, you’re gonna hate this show because you were rooting for Kuroneko to win. If there’s a third factor, it's that the incestuous part won’t show up for a while, as in wait until the sequel. That aside, the story is centered around Kyousuke helping out Kirino. Initially, Kyousuke is helping cover Kirino’s otaku tracks but slowly turned into Kyousuke emotionally supporting Kirino like any big brother would do. For the actual incest, things develop around the 2nd season with the two getting married, kissed and the heavy implications that they had sex. According to the light novels, at least. Though not as sexually explicit like Aki-Sora, the story of two siblings ending up together and having sex is still pretty similar to Aki-Sora. Sorry, Kuroneko, fans.

Iku and brother Yori are very close twins since they were young and, at one time, Yori told his parents that one day he would marry his sister Iku. His declaration of marriage may sound playful and innocent like any other kid, but that declaration came back to his teen years and it’s been haunting him since. He can’t stand looking at Iku without any romantic or even sexual thoughts, and it reached the point that Yori no longer sees Iku as a sibling. Yori began avoiding Iku by all means, but things are getting way worse because not only can Yori, still, not control his emotions, he ended up hurting the feelings of his one and only sister. So what happens when your twin sister is one hot girl, clingy towards you, both of you sleep in one room, steals your top bunk once in awhile for a snooze as you just hit puberty? Raging hormones, that’s what! Boku wa Imou—let’s just call it “BokuImo”—tells a more serious side of incest romance and it’s more realistic than Aki-Sora’s pacing, plus a dab of religion. However, the fundamentals are still similar: two siblings fell in love and while there are some ups and downs, like questioning what is moral or immoral, the two sealed that forbidden love with one intimate night together.

Twins Kasugano Sora and Haruka are returning to the countryside to start a new life after their parents died from a freak car accident. There they meet with childhood friends and their new life begins, but little does everyone know, the twins carry a secret and forbidden relationship behind closed doors. Yosuga no Sora tells the story of a pair of twins’ bond, love and sexual discoveries. Like Aki-Sora, the story is centered around incest, and again like Aki-Sora, there are a lot of sex scenes. In addition, Yosuga no Sora isn’t categorized as hentai. At first, the show typically starts off with the twins settling in their new home, meeting new friends, and Sora finding new love among his classmates, etc. Before the story progresses to a typical romance story, the anime grinds to a halt and retconned itself to divert the story focusing on the twins. Things start getting crazier as the twins begin lusting for each other’s bodily fluids and at one point when they couldn’t contain their lust, they ended up getting caught by one of their friends!! Yosuga no Sora really defined the phrase “F**k like rabbits.”

Starting off with one of the closer related series, we have Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru, or for short “Oreshura”. Here we meet Eita, similarly to Yuuta, he’s a young man who just began his first term in high school, leaving middle school and its “8th grader” embarrassments with it, or so he thinks. It doesn’t take long before he meets the beautiful transfer student Masuzu Natsukawa who has found out about his past, and forces him to pretend to date her to stop other guys from asking her out. Oreshura offers a similar dynamic between the main characters to the one in Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!, where their innocent stories hinting at love are concealed by the silly antics only found in the relaxed club environments during high school afternoons. The series also involves a lot more backstory than Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! early on. With the main character having a pretty rough situation at home after being abandoned by his parents, as well as having the motivation to do whatever it takes to repay his caretaker by studying hard at school. While Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! breaks off the characters’ antics with occasional silly drama, Oreshura features more harem and romantic themes to spice up the setting a notch, giving it a slightly more mature feeling. Needless to say, the series is a great alternative for someone who is looking for a slightly less superficial high school club anime, while still keeping the silly antics and lively relationships!

Let’s rewind the tape a bit and go back to a more classically drawn anime as in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya! This critically acclaimed and hugely successful anime, shares a lot of similarities to Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! As the story begins, the main character, Kyon, has given up on his belief in the supernatural. But when high school starts, he is placed next to the eccentric Haruhi Suzumiya, who introduces herself with “I have no interest in ordinary humans”. Being intrigued, Kyon starts to talk to Haruhi, despite her middle school classmates advising him not to. Not long after that, she is inspired to make a club known as “the SOS Brigade” with him, to investigate the supernatural. One of the more interesting aspects of this anime compared to the others, is its different emphasis on tropes, and how the characters act a bit different to what we are used to now, after 2010. Kyon, the main character, is more of a calm and collected person who is neither ditzy nor clumsy. Although he gets dragged around like the main characters in the other anime mentioned, he doesn’t really seem to mind, and is more open to the antics that Haruhi is up to. This is evident by the thought narration by Kyon, which sort of sounds like an early take on the style of narration present in other anime series, such as Bakemonogatari. The calm pacing and the different style of narration is what really sets The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya apart from the other picks in this list. With a lot of series in general being very high energy lately, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a great choice to just kick back and relax to. So if your energy got depleted after watching Rikka’s epic battles versus her sister Tooka in Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!, this one is definitely for you!

Aren’t there any series that actually feature supernatural beings!? Well, moving forward to our next pick, we take a look at Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl. The series features Makoto Niwa, a young high schooler who has to live at his aunt's place while his parents are staying overseas. When moving in, he meets a strange cousin he never knew he had, who claims to be an extraterrestrial life form. Usually, more could be said about the plot in these kinds of series without spoiling too much, but Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl is a series that keeps you guessing along with the main character which we will let you do too! As in Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!, the main character leaves his middle school life behind to start anew. However, it’s slightly different as Makoto never sported a shameful “8th grader syndrome”. He also doesn’t seem to believe in the supernatural, at least from the start. Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl is also a bit different from Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! in that it has a mystery feel to it and separates the antics from schools and clubs. Yet it keeps the dynamic of the two main characters between the two cousins and their antics. Well recommended for anyone that is looking for a series with more mystery!

What about an anime where they ACTUALLY have superpowers? Well we got you covered there too! When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace, is an anime which throws you right into the action without any explanations. Which is great for the ones who rather skip that long tedious setup for all the characters. Or perhaps for those who just don’t have the time to watch anime very often. The story starts with Jurai Andou, the only male in the literature club, who’s trying to convince all the girls in the club that he has a power surging from his hand. This works as a good jump start to show the relationships between all the characters. And sure enough, to everyone's surprise (even Jurai himself), dark flames start to emit from his hands shortly thereafter. Eventually all the club members develop their own powers and their afternoon antics become somewhat different. “Somewhat” as in they don’t really change what they are doing, but now they look 10 times cooler. The series handles the, perhaps overpowered superpowers, in a nice way as the characters don’t chase a dream of changing the world like the common superhero stories. Here, they rather just play around with their powers amongst their friends. Jurai is a lot more outgoing and eccentric than the other main characters on the list, and blends in more with his other chuunibyou clubmates, as he takes the spot of the “weird one” instead of the girl. So if you’re looking for some “same same, but different” action, this one is sure to please!

If you don’t have the time to binge watch an entire season or two, there are other options too! Aura: Koga Maryuin's Last War brought the “8th grader syndrome” and its chuunibyou themes onto the big screen. Ichirou Satou is a high school student sporting the same type of “8th grader” condition as Yuuta, and is asked by his teacher to take care of the strange and delusional Ryouko Satou, who walks into school wearing a mage costume. Ichirou, ashamed of being similar to her previously, turns down the teacher's request. But after seeing her getting bullied, he makes it his mission to free her from her “8th grader syndrome”, with the help of his alternate persona. As there is only one movie connected to this world, it’s densely packed with love, action and drama, with no time for that filler fluff! And with that said, the story also features a more real and cruel world with less comedic relief than the other picks on this list. Its believable characters and the character development in this movie is what really takes the crown, as it takes you through a grand story in less than one hour and a half . If you’ve ever felt like a series is going too slow, or are just waiting for that lingering romance to become something, this here is your pick for the weekend!

Stepping outside the comfort zone of high schools, literature clubs and fantasy styled delusions, we arrive at our last, and possibly cutest, pick for this list! This Art Club Has a Problem! is about a middle school art club, where the main character Subaru Uchimaki is trying to find and draw his 2D soulmate. As expected, this series takes a bigger step into a more innocent and lighthearted world of middle school life, with dynamics between the characters being a bit different than the rest on this list. For starters, the series focuses a bit more on the girl who has a crush on the boy, and this time around the male character is actually skilled at something(!). So without further ado, This Art Club Has a Problem! is a great series which makes you smile and is perhaps a bit more relaxing to watch than the intense dialogues and battles seen in Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! Oh, and if you didn’t notice, the anime is still airing! So it’s fresh of the prints for this summer's batch of new anime series!

Don’t get fooled by the art and those pretty bright colors as this Mahou Shoujo is more than that. Drosselmeyer, wanting to give an ending to the fairytale “The Prince and the Raven” decides to take an actual duck to continue on with the story. Now, as a human, Ahiru learns that she can transform into Princess Tutu, at which point she can dance to relieve any disturbances of the heart. As time goes by, she finds out that she needs to find the broken pieces of the Prince’s heart in order to make him whole again, but not without being stopped by the Raven’s daughter, Princess Kraehe. Simply, Princess Tutu’s whole premise is “story within a story”. The beginning of Princess Tutu may not differ from some Mahou Shoujo clichés, but once you watch along, you’ll notice a darker turn of events, making the show more unique and very original. The visuals were stunning and the music was great, but the real gem of this anime is the great writing and execution along with its memorable characters. The complexity of the characters is superb. They are very believable and very likeable. I like how their beliefs and feelings are constantly played with and tested by the crazy Drosselmeyer who wants a tragic end for the characters. It’s wonderful to see that these characters break away from who they were supposed to be and create their very own “happily ever after”. The overall anime was good. But it was so unexpected that when the ending finally came, I felt betrayed and happy at the same time. Until now, every time I remember that ending, it still gives me that bittersweet feeling. I’m not saying the ending was unsatisfying, it is actually one of the best endings I’ve watched in an anime. The show incorporates ballets and gives off that fairytale atmosphere. It might put off some viewers at first, but give it a chance, and you’ll see the beauty of this majestic anime.

Air Gear focuses on the adventures of the hot-headed teenager Itsuki “Ikki” Minami as he aims to be at the top of the Trophaeum Tower by using air treks - high-end motorized roller skates -. I actually kept on pondering if I should put down Haikyuu!! for this selection or Air Gear. But as you can see, Air Gear won me over. I will admit that Haikyuu!! is my most favorite sports anime as of now, but after remembering Air Gear, I felt that this anime should be on my list! Call it feeling nostalgic or whatever, Air Gear takes this 4th place. As for some who know me personally, they would know that usually for me anime+harem+excessive fanservice= dropped anime. Well, surprise, surprise! This is one of the few cases where this simple rule wasn’t applied. Yes, there was a lot of fanservice here and there and to make things worse, this anime has a lot of typical shounen anime clichés. Weirdly enough, I didn’t notice it, well, sometimes that is. The fan service hasn’t really bothered me that much and as for the clichés, they were utilized in a different manner, developing it more to keep things interesting. I’m sure the main point that made me fall in love with this anime, is the concept behind those roller skates, and of course its quirky characters. Every time I see Ikki Minami riding on those air treks, I feel like I am flying with him. It’s funny, but this is one of those shows that I was so immersed in that I wished air treks were real. Not only that, I also like the idea behind the sport. It was well thought out. The show was so fun to watch! The moment I finished the anime, I immediately went straight to reading the manga. It’s an entertaining show that gives you a lot of that adrenaline rush. Just don’t expect any logic when it comes to the physics and science behind this anime.

The anime that opened the Horror and Psychological genre for me was Psycho Pass. Without this anime, I wouldn't have known titles such as Tokyo Ghoul, Ajin, Parasyte, Monster, Aoi Bungaku, Shingeki no Kyojin, Zankyou no Terror, and many more of the like. In a futuristic Japan, the country implemented the Sibyl System as a way of enforcing the law. It scans a person’s mental state to determine if said person could commit a criminal act. Join the new rookie officer, Tsunemori Akane, as she begins to unfold the truth behind the Sibyl System’s “perfect judgment”. As I have said earlier, Psycho Pass was an eye opener to other anime that didn’t really quite attract me before. The premise alone was enough to captivate me. Couple it up with nice soundtracks, animation, and distinctive characters and this show was a gold mine for someone like me who was new to this kind of genre. Although almost all of the main characters are captivating as they are, Makishima Shougo, the main antagonist of the show, really stood out for me. Makishima’s actions are indeed ruthless and inhuman, but once you hear his side of the story and his intentions, he does make a point. And then we have Kougami Shinya who has a great sense of justice but doesn’t believe that Sybil System is just. Because of that, he is ready to take justice into his own hands, albeit at the price of becoming a criminal. Lastly, we have the female lead, Tsunemori Akane, who is too idealistic. Her character drastically develops from an inexperienced officer to a more mature and solid character. Psycho Pass is a good watch, it shows us that even the so-called “perfect system” can have its flaws. There is also a thin line between good and evil that makes you question yourself about what truly is “Justice”.

Natsume Yuujinchou was written and illustrated by Yuki Midorikawa which was also known for the wonderful story behind Hotarubi no Mori e. Because of his ability to see youkai, Natsume Takahashi has isolated himself from people. He inherited the book of friends from his grandmother, which contains names of youkai that his grandmother bullied and teased. It is said the one who holds the book of friends has the control over the youkai, whose names were written in the book, thus the reason why Natsume is being constantly chased by these beings. Until the day he accidentally unleashes a powerful youkai named Madara, who then declared to act as Natsume’s bodyguard. Madara’s true intention is to get the book of friends, but as times goes on, he becomes so attached to the boy that even he begins to help Natsume on returning the names of the youkai albeit with its power diminishing. Natsume Yuujinchou is very simple. It is very episodic but each episode holds a beautiful meaning that can be reflective. When this anime was suggested by someone I knew, I was skeptical about it. I thought I might get bored of this and just sleep away. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, all thanks to our protagonist Natsume Takahashi. Natsume’s development as a character was absolutely captivating. As he interacts with different youkai, he becomes more open and becomes accepted for who he really is. This anime holds a special place in my heart because I somehow relate to Natsume on a personal level. Watching it really gave me some insights about myself and gave me a new, fresher perspective about family and how I need to open up to other people too. It’s really hard to explain how phenomenal this show was, but once you’ve begun to watch it, it’s hard to go back. A very emotional and inspirational anime for me to enjoy anytime.

Even before the anime came out and had gained a lot of fans, I was already a fan of its manga back in the day when it only had 12 chapters. Magi is very special to me because this was the 1st Shounen manga that I’d read. I also watched it grow, and really, I didn’t expect that Magi would someday become an anime with a fairly large fan base behind it. You could say I’m very proud of the author, Ohtaka Shinobu, who has come a long way. The story is loosely based on the classic tale of Arabian Nights. It centers around Aladdin and his adventures of being a Magi. Magi starts off very slow, but it uses this to introduce the abundant world of Magi and how these characters are woven to meet each other. Unlike other Shounen anime, Magi has this realistic tone despite it being a fantasy, supernatural anime. It discusses real issues like slavery, corruption, politics, and wars. Conflicts are usually nicely presented and resolved in an excellent way. Sometimes they can be solved through action packed fights, or some can be solved through diplomatic talks. Just like with my previous selections, the most endearing part of the anime has been its characters. Even with its wide array of characters, Magi never fails to flesh them out and give importance to them. Everyone has their own convictions, and really, it’s hard to follow who is good and evil when all of their ideals do make some sense. Magi is simply magical to me, It really is hard to pinpoint all the good things Magi has one by one because it has a lot! Of course, it has some minor flaws here and there, but I believe there are only a few. Though I admit that the anime did miss some important key elements in the manga and changed some scenes, nevertheless, I still enjoyed it. It has everything I want in an adventure anime. For me, Magi deserves to be my number one on this list.

First up on our list is one of the most recent shows which - similar to Angel Beats! - was able to gain a big fanbase in a very short time: Charlotte. There are people on this earth who are more than they seem to be. Yuu Otosaka looks like a common high-school student, but he has the ability to take over the minds of anyone near him for a couple of seconds. Too bad that he uses these amazing abilities only for his own good. His selfish days might be over after he meets the mysterious Nao who wants to recruit him for an organization that supports special kids just like him. Is the fact that both Angel Beats! and Charlotte are written by Jun Maeda reason enough to include Charlotte on this list? No? Okay, then let us list a couple more similarities. Both shows have school settings but revolve around supernatural themes that force the main cast of teenagers to become more mature than they are. All of them are part of organizations where they combine their strengths to make sense of what’s happening to them. Lastly, both shows are definite must-watch anime that every anime lover needs to give a try, regardless of preferences. So what are you still waiting for?

Finding yourself trapped in the afterlife is already bad enough, but imagine waking up in a world abandoned by God where people are unable to die. This scenario becomes a reality in Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi. In a world without God, people are neither able to die nor produce new life. Only so-called Gravekeepers have the power to grant the dead eternal peace through a burial ceremony. Usually, these Gravekeepers are austere individuals which demand your utmost respect, but 12-year-old Ai seems to be an exception to the rule with her innocent face and cheerful smile. This is the story of Ai who travels the world to put people to rest and question how and why God has abandoned them. Just like Angel Beats!, this show seems pretty cheerful at first glance. Ai is a cute heroine who travels in a beautifully designed universe. However, both shows have more to offer than that. Their storylines become progressively deeper and make you question the meaning of life, what happens after you die and the existence of God himself. If you like deep and thoughtful shows while also having a little bit of humor to keep you from becoming too depressed, then Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi should be on your must-watch list.

We already mentioned Clannad in the previous list, but we need to say it again: Clannad is a great show and definitely a must-watch for fans of Angel Beats!. High school is tough for most students, but it is especially tiresome for Tomoya Okazaki who’d much rather just skip school and stay at home. It’s only by chance that he meets Nagisa, an adorable yet absent-minded girl. Tomoya decides to help Nagisa out and soon enough he not only grows close to her but also some other girls at his school. Who would have guessed that these encounters might change his life forever? We simply couldn’t resist including Clannad on this updated list as well. After all, if you are truly looking for a show similar to Angel Beats!, then Clannad should be one of the first shows to look into. Not only was it also directed by Tatsuya Ishihara, but it is equally dramatic and emotionally touching as Angel Beats!. Both shows rely on their main cast and put the relationship between each character above other parts of the story. As a result, you will grow attached and share the characters’ pain as if it was your own. Fans of thoughtful and touching stories need to watch Clannad, no matter what.

Next up is Rewrite, the most recent anime on our list which is based on a visual novel of the same name. Kotarou Tennouji cannot stay out of trouble since the arrogant high-school boy likes to get himself involved in other people’s business. As a result, he gets closer to a group of girls at his school and learns more about the fates of each one of them. Mysterious things start happening in his otherwise peaceful city and in his private life and soon enough Kotarou has some big decisions to make. Rewrite was produced by Key which also took part in the creation of both Angel Beats! and Charlotte, so you could expect this show to be at least somewhat similar to Angel Beats!. Sure enough, we have another high school story that becomes increasingly more mysterious and thought-provoking as the story moves on. Rewrite sets itself apart from Angel Beats! by having a stronger harem aspect, but you still have similar action, school and romance elements. Fans of Clannad’s art style will also certainly enjoy this little gem.

You’ve already cried your eyes out with Angel Beats! and Clannad left you feeling empty inside? Then brace yourself, because Anohana has made more than just a few people bawl like babies. Jinta and his friends are enjoying the best part of youth together: fun, freedom and friendship. But when one of them dies, the group of friends falls apart and each one of them continues living alone. They would prefer forgetting about the past, but when the ghost of their lost friend suddenly appears they have to find back to each other once again. Just like Clannad, Anohana was part of our first list but had to be included again since it is so relevant. This show will take you on an emotional rollercoaster similar to Angel Beats!. You’ll first grow to love the main cast and enjoy watching their carefree adventures, only to be smacked in the face with a big baseball bat named “feelings”. Both shows combine the innocence of youth with something as dark and depressing as death and in the process teach you about the power to move on from your past. Grab a pack of tissues and watch Anohana if you haven’t already!

In Angel Beats!, life after death takes place at a high school. In Death Parade, the afterlife is depicted as a bar where you gamble for a chance to be reincarnated. Welcome to Quindecim, your establishment of the supernatural kind! After your death, you will find yourself inside a mysterious bar where a white-haired man awaits you. His name is Decim and he is a game master who decides your ultimate fate. He challenges every lost soul to a game where winning means reincarnation while losing will lead to your ultimate end. Life after death has never been this entertaining. We’ll be the first ones to admit that Death Parade is way darker than Angel Beats! and lacks its uplifting school or comedy aspects. However, it shares the core concept of Angel Beats!, namely the question of life after death. Both stories are set in the afterlife and mainly revolve around the backstories and previous lives of the main cast. If you enjoyed Angel Beats! for its thoughtful aspects and interesting premise, then you should definitely check out Death Parade next.

We are speechless. Kicking off this wonderful list of Top 10 Anime Tickle Scenes is of course, Kyou no Go no Ni, also known as Today in Class 5-2, the OVA. Revolving around the everyday life of Sato Ryota, this fifth grader just can’t seem to stay out of trouble thanks to the likes of his mischief-seeking female classmates. Speaking of misadventures, pillow fights seem to be becoming a bit old school, because if you really want to get your way with someone you better put those ten fingers of yours where they fit best; right underneath the armpits. Which is well executed by Kazumi Aihara and Chika Koizumi when the latter thinks she knows how to one-up her little blonde headed friend in order to make her laugh. This innocent tickle battle just rejuvenates your spirit as you watch these two little ladies try to get one over on the other. As a result, we’re left with a gorgeous scene, during episode 2, of tender schoolgirl malarkey. Boy can those fingers really move. Even better, these gals don’t seem to be calling it quits anytime soon.

Obsessing over pop idols is as common of an exercise nowadays as eating popcorn at a movie theater. Similarly, much like that supersized bowl of buttery saltiness, becoming too attached to any celebrity isn’t always the healthiest route to head down in life. So when Kousaku Hata finds out his favorite idol Yuka Kusakabe is turning away from the limelight, he falls into a deep depression that looks to consume his already pitiful life. Forced by his friends back into the real world, Kousaku is hit with an unlikely surprise. Yuka; introducing herself as Ringo Kinoshita, has enrolled into the same class as Kousaku, and presented Kousaku with the opportunity of a lifetime. Lift her spirits up, and let the heavens rain down. Minori’s tickling torture in episode 4 is likened to watching a beautiful vengeance rippling through her skin. She pastes on the face of an individual overwhelmed with joy, all the while dying for a solitary moment of peace as Yuka returns the favor of Minori’s failed attempt to make her smile. Needless to say, we won’t be letting that happen as we drop our jaws to this mind edging sight of sensual satisfaction. A guilty pleasure indeed, but with a moment like this, we will take our time to thank the gods of technology for crafting a replay button. Much like a spritz of cold water on a hot summer day, watching this apple cinnamon pie delicacy melt away from laughter is too refreshing to only experience once. We urge you all to tune in to this anime right away, and watch this scene again, and again, and again.

This next scene from Amagami SS won’t stop short of sending tingles up your spine. Watching these lovely ladies take a dip into a pool of delightful relief, it would only sound right for you to scream out that life is bliss. When Junichi Tachibana has his heart torn apart after being stood up on Christmas eve, things seem bleak for the future of his small world. That is, until six lovely heroines come pouring into his life. With the lights over his lonely stage back on and brighter than ever, Junichi prepares to put on a performance like never before. Bear in mind It only takes two to tango, so you ladies are going to have to wait in line. Just like that, seduction has been born. As these beauties twirl their way into episode 13, Rihoko Sakurai seems to have discovered a whole new world of fulfillment. She just can’t seem to get enough of those tiny critters gnawing at her toes as she plunges in full body to see to it that there’s no limits on where these naughty little sea devils can work their magic. Hearing her giggle will fill the air around you with rose petals and open the gates to nirvana. Rihoko is definitely on to something here my friends. Let this unforgettable scene just soak right on in and take you places you couldn’t even imagine.

When life throws you lemons, you churn out a damn good jug of lemonade; but when an angel falls from the sky, you get the makings of a very interesting anime. Tomoki Sakurai; after experiencing dreams of the floating mystery known as the “New World”, has his life turned upside down once an angel falls to Earth and begins referring to him as master. You would think that being an angel would make the world around you magical, but life is certainly grim when you can’t crack a smile and show off those pearly whites. A grim nightmare that the fallen angel Icarus is more acquainted with than she would ever want to be. So in a fit to set things right in episode 12, her friends look to help stretch her grin in a scene that’ll give all of you a good laugh. However, it isn’t until Tomoki jumps into the picture and gets grubby with Sohara when things really heat up. Less of an actual interest in brightening up Icarus’ day, and more of a slick jump at an opportunity to get his hands a little wet. It may be short lived, but this tickle fest is worth the watch every time. Now smile for some great anime.

Haha! This scene will help set the record straight. While some of the best moments mainly involve some sort of sexual innuendo, episode 1 of Hello! KINMOZA! teaches us that there’s still a lot of fun in the good ol’ school prank. After five years have passed since Shinobu Oomiya last saw her friend Alice Cartelet during her homestay in England, the two girls finally reunite as Alice makes her way over to Japan to experience what life is like on the other side of the globe. Now in season 2, Alice and Shinobu are back at it again. With the day in and day out mischief these two; alongside Shinobu’s other comrades, have to offer, it was only a matter of time before a priceless tickling scene worked its way into the mix. Watching as Shino takes advantage of Karen during her already nervous wreck sends a whiff of nostalgia surging through you as you think back to how many times you; or one of your friends, would have died for a perfect moment just like this one. There’s a time and place for everything, and when all eyes are on you, expect your tickle sensitivity to be put to the test. Only one person gets to catch the tickles, but everyone is going to get a good laugh out of it for sure.

Look out behind you! These ladies have done it right! In Isla; the island in the sky, Kal-el Albus hopes to find truth of the ancient mythological story of the “end of the sky”. However, his happy-go-lucky days of jerking around with his schoolmates come to an abrupt end when the sirens of war sound their horns. But what we’re here to talk about is not how to wrap your mind around floating islands and the politics of warfare, but how to focus that mind on our next Honey’s Anime top anime tickle scene. Making its presence known at episode 5, the term ‘body to body’ is visualized in all its fruitfulness when these two bathingsuit babes; Claire and Ariel, find themselves being a bit naughty. With those fingertips itching for something just right, Honey’s Anime urges everyone to sit back and let these girls get down to business. Water splashing through the air, skin tight suits, and body grinding will have all you boys and girls feeling the tickles where it counts! Jump on top of this lip licking moment right away and watch Ariel make this girl dance! It’s all about the body language, people... all about the body language.

Oh what a tease. Just like playing footsies with your elementary school crush, the classic under the table fun just never gets old. Thanks to season 2 of Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai, we get to see just what that fun is all about. Back for another season, Yuuta Togashi and his one and only love, Rikka Takanashi; who are now living together, tangle with setting straight the strings of life as the comedy packed, romance school life of Chuunibyou sets up for a world of ups and downs. Especially when Satone Shichimiya steps into the picture. Gripping and prickling at someone’s innocence and watching as they fight to remain composure is all you need to satisfy that devilish yearning for something a little naughty. Sanae Dekomori is certainly looking for that gratification in episode 4 as she turns Shinka Nibutani’s knobs one by one, slowly lighting the fire underneath her kettle. Not to mention that Shinka’s reaction is nothing short of priceless. Fidgeting and a knee to the chin. Classic! What great pleasure indeed.

Got ya! Now that was a pleasant surprise. Out of all the ways to get to know someone, this might be one of the most pleasing ones to watch. Little Busters; following the school life of Riki Naoe; Kyousuke, Rin Natsume and the rest of the Little Busters team, is a show dedicated to bonds, friendship and answering life’s questions. All the while tickling that sweet spot for something pleasant right when you need it. Especially when, well, the tickling starts of course. Luckily enough, you won’t have to wait long before witnessing this greatness as Komari Kamikita puts her naughty fingers to work all over Rin bright and early in the series at episode 2. Bet you didn’t see that one coming. Let’s be honest, perhaps rubbing your hands all over someone you’ve just met might be one hell of a way to barge in on their privacy, but you can’t forget to acknowledge her initiative. Kudos!

Oh me oh my, does it get any better than this? Being a non-believer of Souma’s capabilities in the kitchen can have its perks in the world of Food Wars! For the viewer that is. When a school only graduates 10 percent of its student roster, a battle for a winning seat embroils and sets the tone for one of the most interesting anime in a long time. That school is Tootsuki Culinary Academy, and the student who won’t stop until he reaches the top goes by the name Souma Yukihira. Caught up within the school’s famous “food wars”, Souma whips up a few dishes that know how to turn a person inside out, especially when Erina Nakiri is the one tasting the meal. If the beauty of a face wrought with unbearable laughter from the hands of tickling madness can’t hoot your horn, then perhaps a moment topped with the hills and canyons of a voluptuous goddess may help turn your page in episode 2 of Food Wars! This to-die-for lollipop of a beauty, Erina, just couldn’t see the end of her arousal when Souma’s cooked delicacy perked her chest and rained heaven in between her thighs. Instead, her rollercoaster ride had just begun as feather-packing Soma angels came to add the spice to the sauce with their scheming tickling mayhem! A life changing moment that can’t help but make you fantasize about how engaged your mind would be had the white cloth somehow managed to slip off.

Now what do we have here? Half naked beauty – check! Dimmed lights – check! Sensual aura – check! Ticklish – sold! Welcome to Dragonar Academy (Seikoku no Ryuukishi, also known as Seikoku no Dragonar). A world in which dragon riding, simply put, is an actual thing, and beautiful women are not rare. As for Ash Blake, he gets a double scoop when his personal dragon shows up in the form of a young female beauty named Eco; and she’s certainly looking to be one tough cookie to crack. Now, let’s get down to the funny business. Dragonar Academy may have one of the hottest scenes we’ve come across thus far. No uncanny visual interpretations, no high school pranks gone ecchi, and no slapstick character simply catching the butt end of a joke. Just a calm romantic setting with a little fun thrown into the mix. Stepping in at episode 4, the presentation will have you salivating from the start, and when Cosette Shelley gets her hands working on Silvia’s flawless frame, this scene will leap over the edge of greatness and into the pool of perfection. Just imagine how those tiny hands must feel dancing around on your skin. Being ticklish isn’t always a bad thing after all. Dragonar Academy nailed it!

Ritsuka Tachibana is your average, hard working student. To her surprise, she is called into a meeting by the student council, composed of a group of fine young men. Later on, Ritsuka finds out that her mother has been abducted. Additionally, various crimes and incidents follow this news, resulting in Ritsuka’s knowledge of the world of vampires and devils. Furthermore, the student council members are devils themselves and believe that Ritsuka has information as to the location of the forbidden “Grimoire,” an object coveted by both vampires and devils. Each side is fighting to obtain the Grimoire in order to rule the world. Dance with Devils and Brothers Conflict are similar because the female lead is targeted and desired by a group of males. The story and setting of each anime is vastly different, where Dance with Devils has a musical component in addition to a dark theme, and Brothers Conflict is more ‘Slice-of-Life’ and perhaps relatable. However, both offer a fantastic story development that leaves viewers guessing what will happen next.

Kamigami no Asobi is filled with tons of magic and fighting. It begins with a girl name Yui Kusanagi, who is at a shrine and is suddenly transported into another realm. In this alternate world, various young and handsome gods must learn the significance and value of humanity. As Yui is designated this difficult assignment to aid the gods, she must complete this mission within a year’s time. Otherwise they will all be stranded in that realm forever. In these reverse harems, Yui from Kamigami no Asobi and Ema from Brothers Conflict are propelled into unique and distinct situations that they aren’t accustomed to, but must quickly adjust due to unlikely forces. In both anime, there is a lot of romantic conflict and obstacles between the characters.

Diabolik Lovers is about Yui Komori. At her father’s request, Yui ends up living in a house that is full of vampires. Unaware of why she is sent there in the first place, Yui and the Sakamaki brothers all find out that she is meant to be their sacrificial bride. At the Sakamaki home, Shuu, Reiji, Ayato, Kanato, Laito, and Subaru each fulfill their love lust and blood thirst, while Yui remains a captive in their home. Yui is conflicted as to why her father would allow her to be treated as such. Now, Yui struggles with a new sensation pumping through her veins combined with the sorrow of being subjected to this type of treatment. In comparison, both anime involve a tender, kind hearted girl surrounded by a number of guys, who want her for their own personal gains. Ema Hinata from Brothers Conflict and Yui from Diabolik Lovers are roped into their situations by their fathers, thrusting them into completely different environments. Although the boys in Brothers Conflict seek Ema more romantically and passionately, the boys in Diabolik Lovers have a more malicious and dark way of acquiring Yui.

Amnesia is the story of a girl who loses her memories. Not only does the main character have no recollection of her past, she is plagued by a spirit named Orion, who was the reason why she lost her memories in the first place. Fortunately for our heroine, Orion helps her recover what she’s lost by helping her piece together people - a majority of them being handsome males -, places, and other various triggers. With many of her encounters, she slowly comes to find out who she is. The heroine from Amnesia and Ema Hinata from Brothers Conflict share similar timid personalities. They are both reverse harem based, where the female lead is surrounded by a swarm of males. Additionally, the heroine and Ema develop deep and personal relationships with each male they experience, providing a supportive quality and unique experience between each pair and for the main female protagonist.

Based on an otome game, Hanayaka Nari, Waga Ichizoku: Kinetograph is about Haru Asagi, who works as a maid for the Miyanomori household, one of the most powerful families of the early 1900s. Father Miyanomori decides it is time to retire as head of the family and wants to choose one of his six sons to take his place. Father Miyanomori does not tell his sons how he will go about this process, but suggests to his sons to prepare themselves and to stay on his good side. In this OVA, Hanayaka Nari, Waga Ichizoku: Kinetograph, highlights the former conflict in addition to the interactions between the Miyanomori brothers and Haru. Hanayaka Nari, Waga Ichizoku: Kinetograph and Brothers Conflict include one female lead with varied relations between a number of brothers. These anime, targeted towards a female audience, seek to make them wonder whom the female protagonist will choose in the end. Furthermore, Hanayaka Nari, Waga Ichizoku: Kinetograph and Brothers Conflict have comedy, romance, and dramatic themes.

Uta no Prince Sama is the story of various young talents enrolled at Saotome Academy, in hopes of reaching stardom through music. Surrounded by musical brilliance and artistry, the protagonist, Haruka Nanami attempts to make her way to the top of the industry, gaining six companions along the way. The progress through each episode demonstrates the journey of students training to become future idols. In comparing Uta no Prince-sama♪ Maji Love 1000% with Brothers Conflict, both have a female main character surrounded by a group of young men fighting for their attention. UtaPri and Brothers Conflict have vibrant characters, who all cast various personalities. Haruka Nanami from UtaPri and Ema Hinata from Brothers Conflict are both timid and introverted young ladies, but nonetheless talented and diligent, whether it is for studies or music composition. Haruka and Ema are also likeable girls with handsome men in their midst.

In an era where pirates make a huge impact on both land and sea, Gol D. Roger was historically the most prominent “Pirate King” to sail the Grand Line in search of One Piece. Upon his capture and death by the World Government, his last words invoked a challenge to the next generation. Among the challengers, Monkey D. Luffy who unlike any typical pirate, quickly distinguished himself with the highest bounty to boot. Luffy and his Straw Hats crew, Nami, Brook, Franky, Robin, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper, with missions of their own, dream of sailing the Grand Line in search of riches, fame and glory. Their adventurous spirits take them on an incredible voyage, with countless twists and turns. Nico Robin, the of the crew, has a style that reflects her surroundings and personality. Overtime, Robin has opened up, personally and with the Straw Hats, branching out into various outfits that don’t neglect her body type and her best features. Unlike her fellow female Straw Hat, Nami, whose choices in outfits are more risqué, Robin is a bit more reserved, with lots of cover-up pieces, button-down shirts, her signature cowgirl hat and orange shades. A lot of the time, most of her color palette remains solid, but she does venture into some subtle patterns every now and then.

Fate/stay night is the sequel to Fate/Zero, which follows Shirou Emiya, an average boy whose world is quickly altered by the supernatural battle of Servants competing for the Holy Grail. This anime is set ten years after the fourth Holy Grail war with the main characters being the offspring of the participants. With some knowledge on how Servant and Master must collaborate to produce the greatest chance of winning the Grail, Shirou is conflicted with the way this process works. The anime highlights Shirou’s struggle to become a noble warrior like his servant needs him to be and like his father was before him, or to set out to win the Holy Grail by what his heart deems to be right. From a legacy of mages, Rin Tohsaka has an exaggerated sense of importance and strength, both at school and in her path to win the Holy Grail with her Servant, Archer. Both Rin and Archer share identical outfits with matching crosses and bold red colors. Even though Rin has compiled several different ensembles throughout the anime, e.g., skirts paired with thigh-high socks, Rin always completes her look with something red.

The anime Nana is the story of two women named Nana, both 20 years old, who move to Tokyo to pursue their dreams. Nana Komatsu, also the narrator of this anime, is an adventurous spirit, who moves to the big city to be closer to her boyfriend, Shoji. Nana Osaki is an aspiring musician in a punk band that is slowly making its way to the top. They coincidentally meet on a train one day, unexpectedly bond, and later; end up as roommates. Nana captures the lives of these two women, joined by their name, as they live out their lives beginning new adventures. Nana Komatsu is a hopeless romantic, whisked away with the thought of true love with Shoji. Nana Komatsu’s character is very sweet and kind and as she develops, she becomes more adaptive and knowledgeable with her environment. The anime spotlights on her style utilizing delicate pastels, light-tone colors and flowing fabrics to symbolize growth and development. Additionally, Nana Komatsu’s attire collectively is very cute and feminine.

The anime follows Light Yagami, who one day stumbles upon a Death Note, a notebook enhanced with magical, yet evil power. The notebook was dropped by a shinigami named Ryuk, a god of death from the nether realm, into the world of the living. The power of the Death Note is invoked once an individual’s name is written down on a page, sentencing them to death. Further, the Death Note can also entail specifics on time, date, and how the individual will meet their demise. As Light is an incredibly intelligent young man, he’s become complacent with his life. By using the Death Note, he has found a spark of excitement, condemning to death people he deems “bad”. Misa Amane’s role in Death Note is pretty significant because of her massive crush and loyalty to Light. Following the theme of the anime, which is pretty dark and mysterious, Misa’s personality contradicts this, as she is sweet, adorable, and very bubbly. Thus, dressing in a gothic lolita style, Misa’s outfits and personality matches this particular setting perfectly. Misa is frequently seen with dark colors, contrasting her super blonde hair, often tied in pigtails. Since she is short, she wears tall heels and platforms paired with short skirts or dresses to give the illusion of long legs. Lastly, she wears herself loud and proud; so don’t forget to work that confidence!

Lovely★Complex is a story about Risa Koizumi, who literally stands above the rest of her classmates, in that she is unusually taller than your average Japanese school girl. At her high school’s opening orientation, she faces an embarrassing situation in front of the whole school. From that moment, she meets Ootani Atsushi, a boy comparably shorter than she is. As Risa and Atsushi catch each other’s attention from the start, they despise one another. However, as time went on, Risa and Atsushi become great friends, building a strong and personal relationship that later grows into something more. Lovely★Complex is an incredibly touching anime, capturing the positive element of opposite attraction and the heart wrenching unpredictability of rejection. Aside from Risa’s school uniform, she has an assortment of outfits to choose from. Risa’s more popular choices include layers, frills and embellishments, and accessories, such as scarves and hats. Risa also chooses colors that pop and normally doesn’t match. It is a style of her own and suits her flawlessly.

Shugo Chara chronicles a fifth grade student named Amu Hinamori. Amu recently transferred to a new school where the other kids already believe she thinks she’s better than them…perhaps too cool for school? Lol. However, this is not the case and Amu is actually really shy. One night, as Amu contemplates how much easier it would be to become the girl everyone thinks she is, she makes a wish to become the “cool and spicy” girl. The next morning, Amu is presented with three eggs representing her special guardians. Through this anime, Amu and her guardians, who possess supernatural powers, protect and help Amu combat her “would be” self and the person she truly is, on top of the complex of other guardians residing at Seiyo Elementary. Amu’s outfits are definitely wearable in real life because they consist of simple and fun pieces that are age appropriate. Amu has a lot of patterns to include plaids, stripes, and tons of accessories. She is regularly seen with thigh-high socks, boots, and/or platform shoes. To compliment what she’s wearing, Amu does her hair in a variety of ways.

In a world filled with magic, Fairy Tail follows a young girl name Lucy Heartfilia. In this magical world, magical guilds are recognized and certain groups have gained admiration and status due to participation in various missions and jobs. Lucy’s magic encompasses the use of keys to summon celestial beings. What is entertaining about her ability is that whoever she summons is often unpredictable in nature; sometimes they’re sassy or are love-lusting over her. Lucy has her heart set on the notorious Fairy Tail guild. She luckily receives her chance when she encounters one of its members, Natsu, and is offered membership. Fairy Tail accounts the journeys of Lucy and her guild-mates on a myriad of adventures. From this point on, Lucy works her hardest to be the best mage in the Fairy Tail guild. Lucy Heartfilia’s range of outfits consists of many short skirts and dresses. She sometimes wears shorts or formal dresses, but a majority of her pieces are meant to maneuver easily in and also show off her form. In addition, Lucy also has her hair pulled from her face, using hair accessories to make her outfits more attractive. Although wearing a bra as a shirt isn’t a common look to play off, Lucy wears lots of cropped tops, which are considerably the new trend these days. Her cropped tops make the belt pouch she holds her keys in more noticeable.

Steins;Gate is an intriguing and intricate anime documenting a group of people who stumble upon a time machine. After tampering with this time machine, these characters must face the consequences and repercussions that follow the disturbance of temporal space. Moreover, these individuals must learn the seriousness of one small detail creating a huge impact in the future. In addition to the amazing artistry, Steins;Gate’s storyline is, to a great degree, very involving, with countless twists and climaxes. Beauty and brains, Kurisu Makise is an intelligent young woman who graduated university at the age of seventeen. She continued her studies on the brain’s memory retention, which received much acclaim in the scientific community. Her style reflects her level of intellect and sophistication; khaki blazer, red tie, collared shirt, dark bottoms, and black dress shoes. Whether gearing up for a job interview or a night out on the town, Kurisu’s style is without difficulty and can be easily reproduced.

Golden Time follows Tada Banri, who suffers from amnesia after an accident on a bridge. While in recovery, Tada decides he wants to attend college and commits to doing so. Once enrolled, Tada meets an array of people, including Linda, a girl he knew before the accident, Mitsuo, a boy he befriends at college orientation, and Kouko, another individual from Tada’s previous “life”, who later grows close to him, as friends and romantically. Golden Time recounts Tada’s experiences with the many people he meets, how his relationships will develop with them, and how he must juggle the resurfacing memories from his past with the life he’s built in the present. Kouko’s closet carries lots of feminine clothing, such as sweater dresses flowy dresses, form-fitting dresses, cut-out/cold shoulders tops, and lastly, lots of heels! Kouko’s fashion sense looks like she just came back from Paris Fashion Week, where she is the first to sample out the latest trends. With the extroverted personality to boot, Kouko works these outfits and makes them even more gorgeous.

Your Lie in April follows the life of Kousei Arima, a piano prodigy and notably known as the “human metronome”. After the death of his mother, who played a significant part in his piano career, Kousei begins to suffer from an ailment, rendering him unable to hear the sound of his music. Because of this condition, Kousei stops playing piano. Two years later, this changes when Kousei meets Kaori Miyazono, who is a lively and effervescent violinist. With Kaori’s help, Kousei rediscovers his true passion for piano playing and the feeling he gets from doing what he loves. The characters are really intense and animated, causing the viewer to want to root for the success of Kousei and Kaori. Kaori’s style is a personal favorite because it is very vibrant and youthful. In Kousei’s life, Kaori becomes this “breath of fresh air”, and we truly believe her personality and style does this as well. As April is one of the months that distinguished the spring season, much of her color scheme consist of pinks, light tan, white and baby blue. Coincidently, April marks the blossoming of sakura, a token Japanese flora, symbolizing spring, rebirth and renewal.

Ouran Koukou Host Club takes place at Ouran Academy, an institution recognized and attended by the most wealthy and elite students. Haruhi Fujioka, however, is neither wealthy nor from an elite family, but was accepted by chance. As she enters the large and beautifully sculpted structures for the first time, Haruhi gets lost, stumbling into a music classroom where she meets the Ouran High School Host Club. Upon entry into this classroom, Haruhi breaks an incredibly expensive vase. Of course, unlike her classmates, Haruhi doesn’t have the means to fix or replace the vase, so she must work under the Host Club until her debt is paid. Ouran follows Haruhi and her adventures with the members of the Host Club and other highlighting characters. Ouran Koukou Host Club and Special A are both centered around a select part or a group of people that are “superior” to the rest of the students, in terms of abilities, qualities, or perhaps both. The characters in each anime are a variety of sorts, offering comedic elements to the storyline, as well as tons of surprises and twists. Additionally, Ouran and Special A are similarly upbeat and very uplifting, providing lots of enjoyment throughout every episode.

Nodame Cantabile centers on the beauty and elegance of classical music. The main characters are Shinichi Chiaki, a talented musician and Megumi Noda, a pianist. Shinichi dreams of becoming a world-class conductor, but unfortunately, must overcome his fear of flying in order to perform globally. Often recognized as a perfectionist and arrogant, Shinichi is highly critical of his own work and the work of others, nit-picking every error and flaw. Megumi, on the other hand, who also refers to herself as Nodame, is the complete opposite, constantly guided by her whims. However, when the time comes for Nodame to play and demonstrate her skill, Shinichi is in awe at her talent and performance. In Nodame Cantabile, we observe the differences between and individuality of Shinichi and Nodame and come to learn that they have amazing chemistry, which perhaps blooms into something more. In comparing Nodame Cantabile with Special A, Shinichi and Megumi, and Hikari and Kei are duos of extremely intelligent and gifted people. Both have characters coming from contrasting social backgrounds, but nonetheless work extremely hard to reach a high standard. Furthermore, the duos from both anime begin as opposing forces, but grow closer and collaborate together flawlessly.

Skip Beat! follows Kyouko Mogami and her infatuation with her childhood friend, Shou Fuwa. Shou desperately seeks to become a rising pop star and does anything and everything in his power to make his dream come true, especially taking advantage of Kyoko. Hanging behind his coattails, Kyouko works various odd jobs in order to support Shou, until one day, she realizes it was all for naught. As Kyouko becomes fully aware of Shou’s quest for fame and the ends to reach his goal, she vows revenge on Shou. As a product of her fury, Kyouko herself enters the entertainment industry in an attempt to bring down Shou. Skip Beat! and Special A are extremely similar in that the female leads in both anime exceed the expectations of their male counterparts. In turn, the ladies gain the respect and admiration they deserve from their guys. Kyouko and Hikari possess a very competitive nature and desire to surpass their competitors. They also slowly realize their true feelings and sentiments for the guys they are dueling with, often denying their emotions from the start.

In the anime Kimi ni Todoke, Sawako Kuronuma’s appearance is often mistaken for the scary girl from the movie “The Ring,” thus giving her the nickname, Sadako. Her ominous look stirs others to make up rumors and such, thereby decreasing her likelihood of having friends. Consequently, all the gossip about Sawako deters people from getting to know who she really is. In reality, those who know her can say that she is opposite from this fictitious film character. Sawako is very timid, kind and sweet. As Sawako yearns for friends and a sense of fitting in, she is drawn to Shouta Kazehaya, the most popular boy. Incidentally, when Shouta starts talking to her, Sawako is super excited and overjoyed. In following Kimi ni Todoke, we get a glimpse of Sawako and Shouta’s escapades, facing the challenges and triumphs of romance and adulthood, both individually and together. Kimi ni Todoke and Special A are comparable because of the romantic-comedy theme that takes place in a high school environment. Sawako and Hikari have a certain innocence and naiveté to them, where they are slow to realize any romantic notion by the male leads. Kimi ni Todoke and Special A also contain stories of romance from unlikely and normally contradicting personalities.

Misaki Ayuzawa is the first female student council president in an academy that recently transitioned from being all-boys to co-ed. Also recognized as the “Demon President” by a majority of boys at the school, Misaki is stern and strong and isn’t afraid to lay down the law, sticking up for her fellow female classmates. As Misaki demonstrates to be the model student, appearing above standard among her classmates, she has a tiny little secret. Misaki embarrassingly works part-time as a café maid in order to support her family. Keeping this under wraps, no one at her school knows about her shameful secret, except for the most popular boy in school, Takumi Usui, who catches her while working her shift. Caught in a bind, Takumi holds the power of whether to bring the president down or take advantage of the situation. Kaichou wa Maid-sama and Special A have characters with very similar dynamics and personas: the male leads are portrayed as close to perfect while the female leads are strong-minded and very determined, always trying to keep up. The artistry and character appearances also closely match one another. The relationships between Misaki and Takumi, and Hikari and Kei are both rivalrous and at the same time romantic.

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun focuses on the blossoming relationship between the very isolated, distant and ice cold Shizuku Mizutani and the emotional and carefree Haru Yoshida. Shizuku and Haru’s relationship begins when she is tasked with delivering assignments to Haru’s home. The romance between them starts out slow, but progressively, the duo begin to discover new aspects of themselves and each other despite what others have observed about them. Collectively, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun presents the close connections, whether perfectly matched or opposite attraction, couples need to chance upon in order to grow. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun and Special A are identical because they both have romance and comedy that exists in a school setting. Shizuku and Hikari are both very hard working girls who put in all their efforts to surpass the boys they are involved with. Nevertheless, the boys seem to achieve more than them without any effort. Haru and Kei are both characters who fall for their female counterparts over time.

With her sleepy face and soft blue hair, Saya starts off as a mere add-on to Ayato's harem, but develops into her own character, with her and Kirin Toudou fighting their own battles. Despite her short stature and quiet voice, Saya's blunt and dry lines cut through any situation like a hot knife through butter, whether it's for the sake of a joke or honesty. Despite her unwavering voice and expressionless visage, Saya remains a very passionate friend and a member of Ayato's group. As well as that, she's probably one of the toughest girls, with very little capable of keeping her spirits down for long. With an arsenal made up entirely of impressive looking guns, Saya is an offensive fighter, to say the least, being at a huge advantage when she has a partner to back her up and keep her foes at range. When it comes down to it, Saya's tactic is basically "if one gun doesn't work, use a bigger gun", which has thus far proven to be pretty effective. Although she's proven herself seriously powerful through her weapons alone, Saya's reliance on others to help her fight is the one thing holding her back from being a powerful character in her own right.

Not only the beautiful and strong princess of Lieseltania, Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld is also Seidoukan Academy's flame wielding rank 5. Fiery and independent, Julis' lone wolf temperament starts to fade once she realises she has friends that she can rely on. In particular, her calm and calculating side reveals itself during the Phoenix Festa, where she and Ayato rely mostly on strategic thinking to overcome their opponents. Julis is also one of the girls with the clearest goal: to make enough money to help the people of her country. Although Julis is essentially the main heroine of the series and is technically very powerful with the Asterisk War universe, she comes off as one of the weaker members of the cast due to the sheer power of everyone else. Having no access to an Ogre Lux, nor sword skills as sharp as Kirin or Ayato, she relies on her fired based abilities as her main form of offense and defense. Julis's main strong point is her ability to create traps that can be activated strategically during a fight, which she uses to both confuse opponents and to catch them off guard for massive damage. Much like Saya, although very powerful by herself, Julis definitely works best as part of a team.

Top heavy cutie Kirin Toudou is the sword wielding, former number one at Seidoukan Academy, and most recently Phoenix Festa partners with Saya. Kirin is basically the most adorable member of Ayato's harem, with her original composed exterior hiding an easily flustered and nervous young girl. After having her number one rank stripped from her by Ayato, Kirin actually became freer than she'd ever been, and surprisingly enough stronger as well. Most of Kirin's strength comes simply from her incredible sword fighting prowess, making her insanely powerful in one on one scenarios. As you can imagine, it's this kind of talent that gets you to the number one position on the academy leaderboard, given that position is decided by duels. Kirin's one downfall is that since she's always fought alone, team fights are not her specialty. This is one of the things that makes her and Saya an interesting combo, with her focused on dual-type scenarios, and Saya relying on a strong partner to back her up.

The very well connected student council president of Seidoukan Academy, Claudia Enfield is one of the few characters in the series so far who has been present throughout, but who we still know very little about. Additionally, although we know she's in possession of a powerful, and frankly badass, twin blade Ogre Lux "Pan-Dora", we have yet to see Claudia spend much time using it. Despite what looks to be a grim life behind closed doors, Claudia always comes off as being cheery, and supportive during the rest of the group's difficult times. Being the only one of Ayato's gang apart from him to own an Ogre Lux, we can already assume Claudia is seriously strong, with her being ranked number two at the academy as well. From the times we've seen her use it, Pan-Dora appears to send Claudia into an almost altered state, with her eyes changing colour, and in the case where she attacked Ayato, losing control of herself. Without knowing more, it's hard to say just how strong Claudia is, but she must have something up her sleeve for her to be keeping her sword sheathed all this time.

One of the top duos at the Jie Long Seventh Institute, the Li twins are a pair that can leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth. Arrogant and sadistic beyond words, they enjoy torturing their weaker opponents, playing with them like a cat plays with its food. It's this arrogance that perhaps lead to their eventual defeat at the hands of Julis and Ayato during the Phoenix Festa. Though with such bad attitudes, we somehow doubt they've learned their lesson. The Li twins take a smoke and mirrors approach to their battles, relying on trickery and misdirection to confuse their opponents as well as lure them into traps. The real strong point of the twins is their ability to work together, which gives them a huge amount of power over other duos, who have a lot less experience fighting as a unit. To be fair to them, the two are very strong as individuals too, with Shenhua being skilled with illusions and capable of turning herself invisible, and Shenyun being able to create realistic clones of himself and using powerful elemental spells. Even so, the two definitely come as a pair and are significantly weaker when separated.

Irene is the Rewolf Black Institute's fiery and fanged entrant to the Phoenix Festival. Irene's introduction pins her as being quite literally a vampire, although it turns out this isn't quite the case. Yes, her taste for iron actually comes from her dangerous looking Ogre Lux "Gravisheath". In spite of her brash, rude attitude, though, Irene's heart is certainly in the right place, with her desire to look after her little sister Priscilla being her driving force. Obviously confident in her abilities, with Priscilla as her partner, Irene takes on their Phoenix Festa battles pretty much solo, strong enough to deal with two opponents at once with ease. Gravisheath's ability to control gravity is overwhelmingly strong against anything but Irene's most powerful opponents, putting weaker foes out of action with little difficulty. Besides that, her skill with the cruel looking scythe by itself isn't something to be taken lightly, with her harsh life clearly forcing her to learn how to fight her way out of any situation.

The most well-known idol in the world, Sylvia Lyyneheym is beautiful and graceful beyond belief, so it's hard to believe she's also a top level Genestella. Sweet and playful, Sylvia almost always keeps up her professional persona, apart from the brief time she spends with Ayato. Although being an idol is a big part of her life now, Sylvia remains as the number one strongest student at Queenvail Girls' Academy. Sylvia is there one character on this list who we have yet to see really fight, although as the top student at her academy, we can assume she's at least on a level similar to Kirin and Claudia. We do however get to see her incredible tracking ability, a feat which is much more impressive than it perhaps sounds, and demonstrates the huge strength and range of her singing based abilities. Offering what was really only a teaser of her character, Sylvia is a pretty and powerful girl we'd love to see more of.

An example of how quite frankly scary the puppets of Arlequint Academy can be, AR-D is their mechanical entry to the Phoenix Festa. Although teamed with his female counterpart RM-C, AR-D is the real beast of the battlefield, combining with parts of her to become unbelievably strong. Although quite arrogant due to how weak he finds most of his opponents, AR-D becomes humbler and more honorable as he realises that there are many who are still stronger than him, or who can at the very least put up a fight. AR-D starts off seeming almost overpowered, as he demonstrates that to weaker opponents he is virtually untouchable. His defensive barriers are stronger than any others we see in the series, seemingly able to stop any attack, with the only option being to out maneuver him. Even then, being made of metal it's pretty hard to so much as dent AR-D's body. Along with that, after combining with RM-C his hammer is able to decimate anything in its path. Really it seems like a miracle he didn't accidentally kill anyone.

Unreasonably lucky with the ladies, Ayato Amagiri is the harem lead of The Asterisk War, and currently the rank one student at Seidoukan Academy. His main objective was originally to find his missing sister Haruka, however, since then his friends have given him more reasons to fight and become stronger. Due to his unusually large prana reserves, numerous seals were placed on him by his sister to stop him hurting others, or himself. But now that he's older and needs to become stronger, Ayato has been gradually breaking the seals himself so that he can protect everyone. Although Ayato by no means has an easy time against most opponents, he is not only able to out think the majority of them but also overpower them by releasing his seals. Along with his unusually high default power level, he wields the Ogre Lux "Ser-Veresta" which perfectly complements his sword fighting style after a little tweaking. As the main protagonist with imaginable strong plot armor, Ayato will likely remain pretty much at the top of the power chart throughout the series, though that inevitability certainly makes him no less fun to watch.

Very recently introduced, Ophelia Landlufen is Julis' childhood friend, although she's changed a lot since those times. Orphelia became a Strega after being subject to human experimentation, leaving her the shell of a person that she appears as now, with powers she should never have had. Although very pretty, with a cool albino appearance, Orphelia usually holds a sad expression, or none at all, likely due to her unfortunate circumstances. The experimentation performed on Orphelia left her with an incredible amount of prana, even compared to Ayato, meaning her raw power alone is insane. She fights by manipulating miasma, allowing her to create hands that essentially win her battles for her. On top of that, anything she touches, herself or with her miasma, corrodes, making her unable to touch anything living lest she accidentally kills it. Orphelia is a ridiculously powerful and dangerous enemy for Ayato's group to take on, though given her tragic backstory hopefully there's a light at the end of the tunnel for the poor girl.

Our first recommendation is a returning entry, Kamisama Hajimemashita, an anime about a high school girl named Nanami Momozono. She wants a normal life but becomes homeless due to her father’s gambling problem. One fateful day, she saves a man from a vicious attack and in return he offers her to stay in his house. Without any other choice, Nanami accepts but soon finds out that the man she saved was actually a god, and by accepting to live there she has to take on the duties of the shrine. Nanami meets a powerful fox demon named Tomoe whose job is to help her become a deity, however their relationship isn’t as easy going as you’d expect, as they hate each other. Hoping to gain his trust and learn the ways of becoming a deity, Nanami soon begins to fall for Tomoe as they spend more time together. Kamisama Hajimemashita has a lot of similar qualities to Fruits Basket, which is why we had to include it back into the new list. The main quality of which is that they both center around a girl who has nothing and ends up finding a new home with special beings. It has a similar art style and light-hearted atmosphere; Nanami also looks similar to and has a personality that resembles Tooru’s. Both series have similar romance and involve the male characters looking after the protagonist, who develops feelings for them after initially not caring at all about them.

Our second choice on this list goes to Kobato., an anime series based on the manga by CLAMP. It is about a clumsy but sweet girl named Hanato Kobato who has a wish to go to a certain place, but in order to do so she must fulfill a mission. She has to fill a bottle with ‘healed hearts’ from people who have had their suffering hearts healed in-exchange for her wish. Kobato has no memories of her past and she is forbidden to fall in love with anyone she heals. A spirit named Ioryogi, a dog plushie that is tasked with helping Kobato, is being forced to help her in order to save his own friends held captive in the spiritual world and to return to his true form. Kobato sincerely tries to help everyone she meets to gain their love and admiration, and ultimately their ‘heart’. Kobato is quite similar to Tooru’s character because of their optimistic personalities and naivety. Both series have similar elements, touching upon fantasy, romance and drama. There is also an element of a curse in both series, which both protagonists have a strong desire to help the other characters relieve. Kobato. has a similar feeling to Fruits Basket that you just have to watch to understand, this is definitely a must watch if you enjoyed Fruits Basket.

The next similar anime on our list is Ouran Koukou Host Club, following the story of a high school student called Haruhi Fujioka, who enters a prestigious academy known as Ouran High School after receiving a scholarship. Upon entering the school, one day she finds herself accidentally encountering the Ouran host club in music room #3 whilst trying to find somewhere quiet to study. Haruhi gets mistaken for a boy because of her short hair and appearance, and when Haruhi tries to leave, she accidentally stumbles into an antique vase worth eight million yen. She becomes forced to do the duties of an errand boy to pay off the huge debt. The club has six male students that participates in club activities that include entertaining female ‘clients’. In time, Haruhi’s androgynous appearance lands her a promotion in becoming a full time male host. This way Haruhi can pay off her debt faster, though the deeper she dives into the glamorous life of a host, the more she is in danger of others finding out about her true identity. Ouran Koukou Host Club is similar to Fruits Basket in the way that it is a story about a normal girl protagonist surrounded by handsome guys. It also touches on very similar themes of comedy and love, and has the same kind of light-hearted feel. Both series have a similar art style and have many heartwarming moments. They both also feature many male side characters, each with their own problems that the protagonist tries to help with. If you enjoyed Fruits Basket, then you will most likely like Ouran Koukou Host Club.

Coming next is an anime called Starry Sky; this anime follows the story of a heroine named Tsukiko who enrolls at Seigetsu Academy where she is the only female in the entire school. This is because the school was formerly a boys-only school with an exclusive curriculum catered only for boys. Tsukiko happens to be the first and only girl to have joined the school. During her time at the academy she meets twelve boys who are actually the twelve zodiac animals personified into young men. During her time there, she learns about each of their stories and their unique personalities. This is represented through episodic arcs, where each couple of episodes focuses on Tsukiko’s interaction with a single character. Starry Sky also has a relaxed slice of life kind of atmosphere as with Fruits Basket. They both have a strong zodiac-related theme, and both feature protagonists that have a pure and innocent personality. With many sweet moments, Starry Sky is a unique kind of anime that is different from most; it has its own style in portraying the story that may not appeal to everyone’s taste.

Our second to last recommendation is Special A, which is an anime about a girl named Hikari Hanazono, who since a young age has been competing against a boy named Kei Takishima. When they were 6-years old, Hikari challenged Kei to a wrestling match, but lost. Ever since then she has sworn to beat Kei in everything they do, from school grades to sport competitions. In order to stay in the same league as Kei, Hikari follows him and enrolls into an elite school known as Hakusenkan. Kei holds the top place in the school rankings followed shortly by Hikari at second place. Though Hikari thinks of Kei as just a childhood rival and friend, she doesn't realise that Kei actually loves her and wants to have a different type of relationship with her. Whilst Hikari is constantly trying to defeat Kei in everything they do, Kei tries to find love within the madness of the relationship they have. Special A has a similar style to Fruits Basket in terms of romance and comedy. Hikari's personality is also quite similar to Tooru's in the sense that they are both hard working people who never give up and would wish for others’ happiness before their own. Both series are also quite alike in terms of the similar feeling that the story emits and the many sweet moments they show. They both center around a female protagonist that is oblivious but is essential to everyone else’s happiness and brings everyone together.

Our final recommendation is the anime Gakuen Alice, which is about a 10-year-old girl named Mikan Sakura who transfers to a prestigious school called Alice Academy, after following her best friend, Hotaru Imai, who transferred there. Mikan discovers that the school is actually an elite academy that specializes in training ‘Alices’, gifted people who have supernatural abilities. The school was built to train and protect individuals with powers, and only people who have the abilities may enroll. Mikan discovers that she too has an ability that allows her to enroll into the academy to see her friend once again. Mikan makes new friends with other ‘Alices’ and together with Hotaru, they uncover the secrets and mysteries behind some of the students, and within the academy. Gakuen Alice is unique in its story but has many elements that can be found in Fruits Basket, such as involving magic and romance. The protagonists in both series are the optimistic type but have a naïve side to their personality. Gakuen Alice is a sweet and heartwarming anime that also has a mixture of drama and emotional situations that will make you want to watch more.

Far in the future, war has reduced society to 6 exclusive cities. The government has a strong presence within everyday life in these cities, and the people are monitored constantly. The cities promote conformity and protect the peace that we soon see is all a lie. One night, teenage boy Shion, who is one of the elite people living in No. 6 city, finds a runaway criminal in his home. Nezumi is running from the government and seeks shelter with Shion. In return for Shion’s kindness, he and his mother are cast out of their elite lifestyle to live in a rougher side of their city. They get to know the real No. 6. A new light is shed on No. 6 city and the mysteries behind its societal structure. What is this city hiding from its people? Throughout No. 6 we can see the relationship between Shion and Nezumi grow into love. They started out as enemies not trusting each other, but by working together to solve the mysteries of No. 6, a bond is formed. Similar to Loveless, we can see a yaoi relationship that is trying to discover the activities of a suspicious organization. There is a supernatural element to this story as well, but we don’t want to give too much away. Just know that if you like Loveless, you will definitely enjoy No.6.

With strong yuri and yaoi relationships, a huge mystery element, magical powers, and children versus adults themes, Shinsekai Yori is sure to catch your eye if you enjoyed Loveless. Without giving too much away, the story revolves around a group of kids in a “different” world trying to learn and control their magical abilities. Unbeknownst to them, there is a threat lurking within the school that hides in the shadows, waiting to discipline any student that does not meet a social norm. When their friends begin to disappear, some of the children begin to question the adults around them and even the structure of their small society itself. In this anime we can see children coming of age and learning that the world is not really what it seems. The overall mystery is similar to Loveless in the sense that children are fighting against an organization which wants to hide all their secrets and induces amnesia on anyone who comes too close. This action-packed drama also explores the use of supernatural abilities, similar to Loveless. With many of the relationships in the story being either yuri or yaoi, you can definitely get your BL drama fix.

Did Loveless really make you want to watch a new, adorable yaoi anime? Well you can’t go wrong with Super Lovers. Recently released, the loveable nature of these characters will definitely satiate any cute, yaoi craving you might have. With an amnesia element in the storyline, this standard Boys Love anime also has an older character developing a relationship with younger male character, similar to Loveless. When Haru goes to visit his mother in Canada as a high school student, he meets a young Japanese boy, Ren, who his family later adopts. Ren is a wild child and needs Haru to show him how to live normally. They spend the summer together, strengthening their brotherly relationship before Haru has to return to Japan. Haru leaves, promising that they will live together in the future. But before that can happen, Haru gets into a car accident and loses his memory of his time with Ren. Years later, Ren comes to Japan to live with Haru and his other adoptive brothers and remind him of the close relationship they once had.

Earl Ciel Phantomhive is a young heir after his parents’ untimely death. The plot revolves around Ciel’s dark past and the circumstances that led him to gaining his new demon, butler Sebastian. The relationship between Ciel and Sebastian is one of necessity and mutual benefit. While performing the average duties of a butler, Sebastian also fights for Ciel to maintain order and search to reveal the mysteries of Ciel’s past. Kuroshitsuji is full of mystery, angst, and plenty of BL situations. Ciel is very similar to Ritsuka in Loveless. Both have amnesia and are searching for the reason they lost their loved ones. With older, gorgeous men being their helpers and guides, who can help but infer the budding relationships between the older and the younger. This anime has grown huge in popularity since its release in 2008, leading to several spin-off series and a live-action movie. People have fallen in love with the angst-filled relationship between young Ciel and the demon Sebastian.

Slacker high school student, Akira, is just killing time until one day he is approached by a suspicious man. Shirogane introduces himself as not being human, but declares that he is a shadow. During a midnight trip to the school later that day, Akira and his friends are attacked by shadow monsters. The group is rescued by the mysterious man Akira met earlier, who asks Akira to fight alongside him. Akira and Shirogane seal their contract with a kiss and Akira is transformed into a shadow-monster killing machine called a “shin”. He can only return to being a normal human with the help of another kiss from Shirogane. The balance of light and dark in the world is at risk, but with constant flirting between the characters, you definitely get the same vibe as Loveless. The main characters are required to stay together constantly and this can lead to some hilarious situations. Between the supernatural couple battles and the budding relationships, this show is full of innuendoes and mystery.

This is a darker themed anime about an orphan boy who has separated himself from everyone around him. The audience is thrown into the question of who is Yuki? It seems as though he is able to read people’s minds and learn their dark secrets once he touches them. When one of his classmates falls to the darkness in his heart, Yuki is saved by a silver-eyed man who promises to protect and never betray him. Why does this man seem so familiar to Yuki? What is the mystery surrounding his mentor, Kanata? Yuki has forgotten his past, just like Ritsuka in Loveless. Both have guides to help them remember what happened, and in Yuki’s case, who he really is. With so much potential for some yaoi angst between Yuki and this silver-eyed savior, you can’t help but root for their romance. After the first episode you will be dying to know the secrets of their past and Kanata’s plans for the future!

Suki na Mono wa Suki Dakara Shou ga Nai!!, or Sukisho for short, will not keep a fujoshi waiting when it comes to boy on boy action. Sora is, in his mind, an ordinary high school boy who gets attacked by his new roommate the first night he’s there! When Sora confronts Nao the next morning, he’s in for an even bigger shock! This is not the first time the two have met… When everyone in Sora’s life confirms he and Nao were childhood friends, he’s not sure what to make of the pink-haired boy who kissed him in the night and then denied the event taking place. But the two boys have another consciousness inside them: Yoru and Ran. These two try desperately to be together much to Sora and Nao’s frustration! Before they can hope to understand their own feelings though, they’ll have to understand their past together, which they might not want to remember. Sukisho and Gravitation both share a similar brand of comedy where completely crazy scenarios become all too common place for our main characters. From cross-dressing to the ridiculous demands of others, it seems turmoil is inevitable. Sora and Nao also have a rocky start to their relationship with constant fighting and bickering, much like Shuichi and Yuki. Both couples also have a huge network of friends and family involved with them, which is different from the usual dynamic of adding characters only to cause drama in the established relationship. While Sora and Nao share part of a dark past, it is Nao and Yuki who suffer far more and thus are more damaged. Both Sora and Shuichi are also victims to certain horrors, yet they keep a pretty positive outlook. No worries about a sad ending, though, as there is plenty of love and laughs in store!

Without any explanation, Keita is suddenly called to the prestigious high school BL Academy where only elite students with special talents are accepted. Thanks to his kind upperclassmen, Keita enjoys his new life filled with interesting characters. He’s even able to move past the fact that in truth… he himself has no talents to speak of. But his new friend Kazuki will stop at nothing to reassure Keita and keep him safe; even if it means hiding their past and the shady actions going on in the school. Gakuen Heaven is another comedy with some dark elements, and we definitely mean darker than a bad breakup. There is no lack of innuendo and cute moments, though like Gravitation, it’s not as explicit as some of the other titles out there. We are granted a huge cast full of personality that exists beyond simply being love rivals. Just as Shuichi grows closer with the people he meets in the music industry, so too does Keita form meaningful friendships with his new schoolmates. If you’re left wanting more, make sure to check out the dating simulator it’s based on!

Yuki has always had strange powers that allow him to see someone’s inner pain, a power he and others wish he did not possess. It seems more of a bother than anything, until he meets the Gion Clan, those with other exceptional abilities that wish for him to learn to control his powers under their guidance. Fighting alongside them is Luka, a quiet and powerful fighter, who only shows concern for Yuki. While the two have never met, Yuki can’t ignore an overwhelming urge to be by his side. He must leave his old life behind in order to battle Reiga and his army of Duras, creatures of darkness. As he goes, Yuki comes to realize this strange new life isn’t nearly as unfamiliar as it first seemed. Uraboku is definitely the darkest show on the list. While both Gravitation and Uraboku contain death and violence, there is a distinct lack of comedic relief in Uraboku. Both shows focus on a story outside of the relationship; Uraboku’s being the struggle to stop darkness from destroying the world. Both Shuichi and Yuki take on pain so they can protect the ones they love, not just their lovers. This story definitely shows more feeling than physicality, saving the action for the battle field. If you want a more mature boy’s love where the stakes are higher than a broken heart, look no further.

When Ritsu changes careers from literary editing to shoujo manga editing, the once confident man feels more lost than he did after his first love broke his heart… How fitting then, that his new boss is none other than Masamune himself! Ritsu decides to take this opportunity to focus on a new future while Masamune wishes to return to the past. Unfortunately for Ritsu, his boss is not only a shameless pervert hell-bent on getting back together, he’s also a genius in the field of editing. When his whole job revolves around love stories, what hope does he have to escape from this love himself? Ritsu and Masamune’s relationship is filled with the fighting and butting heads that made Shuichi and Yuki’s relationship so fun to watch. Just as Shuichi tries to move up in the world of music, Ritsu does his best to prove himself in the world of shoujo manga editing. One big difference is that Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, just like Junjou Romantica, focuses on three different stories. Ritsu and Masamune are the main couple, sharing space with other troubled lovers. Raunchier than Gravitation, this title has as many laughs as it has steamy scenes!

When Izumi and Ryouma meet 10 years after shooting a commercial together, Ryouma is overjoyed to see his costar! Izumi is less than happy at their reunion, considering that, still to this day, Ryouma thinks he’s a girl. Just as Izumi feared, Ryouma finds out and is horrified that the crush he’s been harboring for so long is for another male! Izumi is an otaku who hates the spotlight as it is, and this only solidifies his will to be a hermit mangaka (manga writer). Fate definitely has different plans for the boys as they’re pulled further into the entertainment industry and into each other’s arms! Tenderness replaces disgust, understanding overtakes anger, and there are stars in the boys’ futures! Love Stage is a super cute and fun story of two kids who start out feeling repulsed by each other and slowly find themselves falling in love. We have much of the same comedy we encountered in Gravitation, and a cast of characters that add depth to the story. Though Izumi doesn’t possess talent for his passions as Shuichi does, the two similarly get fired up and work hard to achieve their dreams. In the beginning, Ryouma harbors the same disgust Yuki felt towards Shuichi when Izumi is discovered to be male. However Izumi and Ryouma get lovely-dovey much more quickly. As it is a newer title, the artwork is much nicer than some of the older ones, and you can easily get lost in Izumi’s eyes!

Haru can’t believe the task his mother gives him; to rehabilitate a young wild boy who would rather be around wolves than people. Despite their incredibly tumultuous start, Haru’s patience wins over the untrusting Ren. Haru is like a big brother, and the older man promises Ren one day they’ll live together. When an accident causes Haru to forget his promise, and Ren entirely, the younger boy takes it upon himself to fulfil their oath. Even without his memory, Haru quickly returns to his old patterns of doting on and spoiling Ren. Haru’s brothers are reluctant to accept Ren as their new brother, but Haru works hard to achieve his dream of living with all of them. While Haru considers all his brothers to be precious, there’s something special about the bond he shares with Ren. The two must work out exactly the nature of their relationship with the pressure of their family upon them. Super Lovers focuses on family dynamics in an incredibly nontraditional family. Just as Shuichi would do anything for Yuki, even give up music, Haru is willing to give up a better paying job so he can be by Ren’s side. Like Gravitation, the younger lover gets into harm’s way due to a jealous individual and is rescued by Haru, whose love Ren was starting to doubt. While there is a fair amount of drama, hope is kept alive by absurd reactions and hilarious circumstances. The tender moments between the two are sure to get your heart beating! Check it out, and keep an eye out for season 2 announced for January 2017.

Emi is just your ordinary girl who really isn’t into the whole night club scene, but finds herself being dragged along by her friend anyway. She eventually encounters a very fashionable, vinyl-collecting female named Kei, who’s also a lesbian, and from this very moment onward the two start to grow fond feelings for eachother. What was supposed to be a regular night out turns into a tale of two hearts coming together to form a new relationship. Emi struggles to come to terms with her own feelings towards Kei, while coping with her inner curiosity. The story allows the reader to realize how important love really is, and it shouldn’t be labeled as a courtship between just a man and woman, but that anyone can find love in one another. Emi never asked for her life to be the way it turned out to be, but due to fate and her friend convincing her to tag along, her life changes forever in many ways. It’s a love story about two young females who dive deep beyond the surface, to discover all of the romantic treasures that lie deep within the core of their hearts.

Yae has grown up with this complex about how she feels too feminine, and isn’t too proud of it. She decides to transfer into an all girls school, which ends up changing her life forever when she encounters the very young, boyish, and cheerful Chitose. Chitose’s carefree and astonishing personality sweeps Yae off of her feet, and she just can’t seem to stop thinking about her. This bittersweet love story is about a woman’s world and how she learns to overcome the obstacles that are laid out in front of her, while expressing her true feelings to the one she loves. Yae has been concerned about her body image for a long time, and this continues to haunt her for quite some time over the course of her school life. Chitose soon changes that as the two begin to grow a closer relationship, and then gender roles start to become an influence. One isn’t sure whether to lead or pull back, while the other is emotionally confused as to what the next step is. It’s all about young love, self awareness, and empowerment in this very detailed and heartwarming tale between two passionate souls striving to make it all work.

Rio has a lot on her plate as she’s dealing with depression, and her self abusive ways cause her to breakdown severely. All of this is due to a lack of reciprocal love from her family, which is in total disarray as her father is neglectful, while her stepmother and stepbrother are incredibly selfish and self absorbed. Sahoko is the only one she can turn too in dark times, but Sahoko herself must deal with her own dark state in life as she must cope with overprotective parents, and must now reside with her aunt as a consequence. This very powerful manga places its attention on two women who are on the verge of insanity, as their own personal lives are coming crashing down before them. Their only sanctuary is in the company of each other, as they share their pains of their personal lives, and try to come up with solutions to happily stay together. This manga looks at the gripping reality that many young women deal with at home, and how they manage to break free from the prison shackles their parents have placed upon them. The story not only plays with your mind but especially your heart because, this is an issue that can happen to just about anyone, and for both girls, their incredible devotion towards each other becomes a bandaid to a wound inflicted by those around them.

Koumori Kuroko, an Ex-mass murderer turned deadly hitwoman, pairs up with the young and reckless Tozakura Hinako, as these two girls with a strong intent to kill make it their purpose to kill criminals who cannot be apprehended by the police. These two girls have nothing to lose and see their new job as nothing more than mere amusement, and flirt with just about any woman that they can get their dirty hands on. They’ll take out just about anybody, so long as it involves a large lump sum and some ladies to hold onto. Kuroko is cold hearted and ruthless and could really care less for the money, since she’s killed a large number of people already so it’s just a walk in the park for her. Hinako looks up to Kuroko as her mentor and tries to pull off wild stunts, and sometimes pays for it in hilarious ways like running over the wrong people, or just being silly. There’s ecchi, big oppai, wild chases, in this action packed yuri manga that’s sure to grab your attention in various ways.

Fumi and Akira have had a close relationship with each other since childhood, with Akira being the babysitter to the always whiny Fumi. However Fumi moved away with her family and left Akira all to herself. Several years later however, Fumi returns with her family and by fate she bumps into Akira on their way to school. Reunited, the two continue from where they left off and fall back into their old childhood patterns. Fumi eventually falls for an attractive upperclassman who somehow has a connection with the school Akira goes to, and so now more questions must be answered. Aoi Hana as it’s also dubbed, is a classic story created by Shimura that portrays the lives of two young girls who deal with high school life, love, heartbreak, and self awareness. Throughout the story you begin to feel a sense of nostalgia as you come to understand Fumi’s feelings, and just what she goes through on a daily basis. It’s fully enriched with various forms of poetic dialogue, and very graceful flowing chapters that keep you coming back. As Fumi’s story progresses, you begin to realize just what Shimura was trying to evoke in the reader, and it’s to create a concrete understanding of human relationships starting from childhood, up into our adulthood. It’s an educational yet charming piece of work that will captivate anyone who reads it.

From a young age all Yukino desired in heart was to become an idol. Once her dream had been fulfilled however, the idol group she was with had disbanded due to poor sales, and so she decided to return to school which ended up causing more grief in the end. Fast forward several years later and now Yukino, who’s now 18, lives her life as a talent manager but just can’t seem to let go of her past as an idol. One day she meets with Setsuko, a songwriter who once belonged to an idol group that proved unsuccessful, and from that very moment their romance sparked which causes Yukino to reevaluate her current life situation. All Yukino wanted in her life was a drastic change, and that came in the form of Setsuko who brought more than just closure into her life, but a sense of belonging to the world around her. Yukino had felt like she could’ve done more with her life, and could never seem to give up thinking about the what if’s on her past. Setsuko helped put that at ease because she too had similar troubles, and with a shoulder to lean on Yukino’s heart fell right into her lap. Octave emphasizes that sometimes our dreams may not always go as planned, but the love we encounter in our lives only help to guide us closer towards the truth that end up generating more happiness, both in our present and future.

This dark, twisted yet realistic tale looks at a young woman who asks the woman in her life to kill her husband, as retribution for his abusive ways. After she is to dispose of the body the two can then move on with their lives together, and never look back. This psychological series brings up a lot of very gripping topics such as sexual abuse, torment, childhood trauma and it all draws you in as you get to know more about the woman who went through it all. Megane is the woman’s name in the manga, although it isn’t her real name as stated by Nakamura herself. Her name is given to her due to the glasses she frequently wears throughout the story. If you didn’t already notice how dark and emotional the cover looks, it’s enough to tell you what direction things are heading into. One other notable thing to point out is just how realistic the art style is, and how a lot of what Megane deals with in her life are very real and vivid. This is to show the reader just these types of circumstances occur in everyday life, and when your life is being seriously threatened by someone who claims to love you, there’s no other option but to find a way out even if it means risking your own life. The in depth characterization of Megane and her accomplice are immaculately written and portrayed in such a way that demands your attention at every moment, with everything being revealed to you very vividly.

Megumi’s life continues to suffer as she deals with an emotional romantic past, and hopes to put it all behind her. While still trying to cope with her past romance, she comes face to face with a stunning young woman on the way to the entrance ceremony. Out of nowhere the very same girl screams out to Megumi and wraps her arms around her, in a warm embrace. This very same girl however turns out to be Hikaru, the very same romantic partner who she just couldn’t stop dreaming about. This shocking experience changes her high school life forever. Prism lies comfortably in the middle between slightly erotic and the more down to earth yuri that many love to dive into. It’s an inspirational piece of work that places attention on how one young girl must now deal with this shocking revelation that the one who she once loved, was actually a woman all along. The two of them must deal with their own personal setbacks however, as Megu (as she’s nicknamed in the series) must cope with having a female lover, and Hikaru having to deal with other boys screaming for her, while other girls envy her with rage. It’s this character relationship that truly evokes attention in the reader, because it metaphorically expresses to the reader that we must open our eyes if we desire to see the truth that stands in front of us.

Yuzu’s imagination of her new school was nothing like the reality she was about to experience, as she enrolls into a super strict and conservative girls’ school. Instead of receiving that high school sweetheart romance she once dreamed of, she’s confronted by Mei, the very stern and direct student council who she simply can’t stand. Another shocking discovery is that Mei is actually her step sister, and the two must now come to terms with each other to learn the values of a love hate relationship. Yuzu and Mei have this really strange relationship because, on the one hand, Yuzu strangely enough, starts to grow feelings for her, while Mei seems to flirt around with other males which confuses the heck out of Yuzu. Due to her experience with love and relationships Yuzu finds herself in this labyrinth of unanswered questions that plague her mind, and simply doesn’t know how to overcome it. We see as the two try to discover what it means to really love someone, and fill the gaps of their innocent yet curious minds.

Mari is quite reserved in her ways, and has never experienced being in a relationship before nor having friends. That all changes when Akiko confronts her in class and strikes up a conversation with her. The two become inseparable shortly after, as Akiko warmly tells Mari of just how quickly they became so close. Mari and Akiko begin to have a ton of fun together, despite Mari still learning to cope with her awkward and timid character. Despite what Akiko tells her, Mari knows that deep down inside she’s madly in love with her. Girlfriends and Citrus share somewhat of a similar backdrop, where two young high school girls come together with one being the more extroverted, and the other having to cope with inexperience. Mari finds it extremely hard to express herself because she’s never had that opportunity, while Akiko is quick to express herself without much commotion. New and interesting things happen around both characters, and they get involved in it all as it helps to build their overall character as you dive deeper. What truly sells this beautiful girl romance is waiting to see whether their relationship will blossom or not, as there’s constant tension all throughout every chapter. It’s this fluctuating experience that keeps your heart racing, to see if Mari will ever be able to let herself go, and if Akiko will accept.

First up is a recommendation that combines romance and action with an ancient Japanese tale. High school girl Tamaki Kasuga leads a normal life until she is sent to live with her grandmother in a remote village. As soon as she arrives there, mythical beings start attacking Tamaki and she has to rely on a group of mysterious guys to protect her. As it turns out, Tamaki was born into a family of powerful women and is now expected to carry on the roles of the Tamayori Princess together with her group of male guardians. Can she fulfill her destiny? Hiiro no Kakera is often named as one of the better Reverse Harem anime out there. The dynamics between Tamaki and her (of course) good-looking guardian's promise a lot of drama and romance. The action aspect of Hiiro no Kakera, too, doesn’t have to hide and is especially entertaining for all fans of fantastic and supernatural stories. The mythical Tamayori Princess is our first recommendation!

Moving on to a show that most of you should be familiar with, next up is Date A Live. Student Shidou Itsuka only has one goal on his mind: protect his little sister and lead a simple life. But this turns out to be harder than expected when Shidou is sucked into a world he wasn’t even aware existed. Thrown into a war between mankind and Spirits, mythical beings from a different dimension, he finds his own way of creating peace: he makes the Spirits fall in love with him. If you haven’t heard of or watched Date A Live yet, then you might be scratching your head at this point. True, Date A Live’s storyline might seem a little bit over the top, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t entertaining. You’ll definitely get more than enough action (often combined with Mecha and/or Sci-Fi elements) and a rather unique look at romance. Date A Live is a fun adventure that you shouldn’t take too seriously, so check it out if you haven’t already.

Next up is a show completely different from Date A Live. We are talking about the historical drama Hakuouki. Set in Edo Japan, this anime tells the story of 16-year-old Chizuru Yukimura as she sets out to find her father who has gone missing in Kyoto. The long journey is already dangerous enough for a girl her age, but matters get worse once she reaches the capital. There, Chizuru is attacked by human-like monsters and taken hostage by the fierce samurai group called Shinsengumi. Life as Chizuru knew it is about to change. Hakuouki is a definite must watch for all fans of historical dramas. While Chizuru’s story is a work of fiction, the background information given throughout the show is historically accurate. Even if the idea of a history lesson in anime form bores you, the romance and action components of Hakuouki are more than enough to make this show entertaining. If your idea of action involves samurai, epic sword fights, and old-school virtues, then Hakuouki is the show for you.

You like romance, but are looking for a little bit more Ecchi? Then pay close attention to our next recommendation, Campione!. Once again, the story begins with a high school student who has led a normal life up until now. Everything changes when Kusanagi Godou receives the title of God Slayer or Campione! and is expected to fight and kill ancient gods. On top of that, he suddenly finds himself surrounded by a fellowship of good-looking and overly attached females. Looks like the dream of any 16-year-old boy becomes a reality for Godou. Ancient monsters? Check. Grand-scale fights? Check. Lots of large-breasted women? Triple check. Campione! might not reinvent the wheel, but it brings a lot of well-established elements to the table. The action of Campione! keeps a good pace and the Romance/Ecchi parts are always good for a quick laugh or a few butterflies in your stomach. Campione! is an all-rounder when it comes to Action/Romance anime so definitely check it out!

Next up is an oldie but a goodie, the timeless classic Shakugan no Shana. What would you do if you found out that the universe you’ve known is not the only one out there? Yuuji Sakai has to find an answer to this question since he not only has to accept that dangerous beings are emerging from a parallel universe but also that he has been reduced to a so-called “Torch” and the only thing he can do now is wait for his entire existence to be extinguished. Shakugan no Shana is a definite recommendation if you are not looking for a romance between a main and a side character, but rather one between two main characters. Yuuji and Shana are connected by fate and slowly get closer to each other as the story unfolds. The action of Shakugan no Shana offers a lot of supernatural and fantastic elements, so check it out if that’s what you are looking for in a good show.

You will certainly remember the hit show with the incredibly long name, right? If not, let us refresh your memory of Danmachi. Orario is a mythical city which is better known as the Dungeon. What might look like a normal city above ground actually hides a huge labyrinth filled with traps, monsters and treasures underneath its surface. Danmachi tells the story of a group of adventurers as they explore the hidden labyrinth together. Danmachi is a fun show, there is no other way to describe it. The idea of a dungeon (as most of us know it from video games) is interesting and the characters of this show are simple yet somehow charming. Once again, we have a show which doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but rather brings together a lot of different genres that work well together. With Danmachi you can expect lots of comedy, good-looking female characters, and a fantastic adventure. Doesn’t sound too bad, if you ask us.

Our next recommendation brings us back to the pre-2010 era and reminds us why vampires are so popular in modern entertainment. It’s time for Vampire Knight! Cross Academy looks like a common elite boarding school at first glance, but it hides a dark secret: The students of Cross Academy are divided into Day Class and Night Class and only a few individuals know that the students of Night Class are in fact powerful vampires. Yuuki and Zero are two of the few students aware of their identities and it’s up to them to protect their secret. But nothing has prepared them for the dangers heading towards Cross Academy. Think of vampires what you want, but you have to admit that Vampire Knight is a highly popular show that many people still enjoy to this day. The action in this little gem is solid and keeps you guessing of what might happen next. More importantly, the romance of Vampire Knight does not disappoint. The love triangle between Yuki, Zero and Kaname adds a nice touch to the storyline and makes you wonder how Yuki will decide in the end. Watch Vampire Knight if you want to find out!

For the first recommendation on our Top 3, we have another classic in the anime world with Kaze no Stigma. Yagami Kazuma was born into a powerful family of fire magic users but is soon disowned due to his weak magical abilities. Who would have thought that he would reappear years later as a powerful user of the wind arts? Definitely not his family members who are still not ready to accept Kazuma with open arms. Together with tough girl Ayano, he is thrown into a war between two opposing families. Here we have another show that highlights the relationship between two main characters. Both of them are powerful, strong-willed and rough around the edges, so you can expect a lot of unexpected twists and turns with this show. As you’ve probably already guessed from the synopsis, Kaze no Stigma offers more than enough action and is especially entertaining for all fans of magic and fantasy. Kaze no Stigma seems to never get out of age.

We continue our list of older shows that still deserve some recognition with Blood+, the action-filled hit show from Fall 2005. Saya Otonashi grew up believing she was a normal girl, with the exception of her inability to remember any events of her life up to one year ago. However, the peaceful life she knew soon comes to an end when blood-thirsty monsters show up in her city - and she fights them with powers she didn’t know she possessed. Soon Saya has to learn the truth about her existence and who she has to become in order to protect the ones she loves. Blood+ is a definite must-watch for all fans of good action and bloody battle scenes. On top of that, you can also enjoy drama, horror elements and a strong heroine who defies the stereotype that all female anime characters need to be saved. The romance in this anime is subtle, yet harmonizes perfectly with the rest of the show. 50 episodes are more than enough to last you for a while, so check out Blood+ if you haven’t already.

Our last pick and final recommendation for his list is nothing other than Zetsuen no Tempest. Yoshino Takigawa leads a simple life, with the exception that he’s secretly dating the younger sister of his best friend Mahiro. But when she becomes the victim of a mysterious murder, Mahiro sets out to find the culprit and make him pay for his crime. Yoshino, on the other hand, tries to forget about the past. This changes when a strange girl contacts him and asks for his assistance to save her life. Now, nothing remains as it was before. Just like Blood+, this show doesn’t only offer action and romance, but also drama, mystery, and some other intriguing elements. One of the things that make Zetsuen no Tempest stand out from all the other anime out there is the uncommon constellation of the main cast. Here we don’t have a love triangle, but four teenagers whose lives are intertwined with each other. Not only does this mean lots of drama, but also a lot of action that will make you wonder about what will happen next. Zetsuen no Tempest is a great combination of action and romance and that is why we put it as our top recommendation.

Ai has an immense love for anything that’s adorable and sweet, but she also has a strong infatuation for her senpai who’s a well known figure in her school. Before Ai can come up with a clever way to confess her feelings for him, her aunt suggests that she help tutor her little cousin Nekota. After an incident that led Nekota to the hospital and Ai having to take care of him, Nekota finds himself falling in love with her over time. To Ai, this was just a normal thing that young children experience, but she soon finds herself slowly gravitating towards him as well, and her memories of senpai start to wane into the distance. Arina is truly known for her works that pay attention to relationships and tries to make the main lead unique, with a story direction that’s provoking. In Neko to Watashi no Kinyoubi, Ai is a young girl who is really stubborn in her ways and finds it hard to resist her senpai. Her senpai also has strong feelings for her as well, but because of Nekota’s sudden intrusion it creates somewhat of a gap between them and that’s where all the wacky stuff happens. The story gets funnier when Nekota can’t seem to resist Ai and throws himself at her demanding sex countless times, despite knowing she’s much older and they’re cousins. It’s certainly a different take on the more riveting works of Arina Tanemura’s library, but it’s random comedy paired with a love that by today’s standards is quite strange, is still a gem in its own right and we highly recommend reading it for the laughs.

Maron has a secret that her high school peers don’t know about. Maron maintains her pretty and innocent high school student demeanor throughout the day, but when the night arrives, she transforms into a demon slaying superhero named Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne, who is the reincarnation of Jeanne D’Arc (Joan of the Arc). This superhero job becomes a challenge for the young Maron as she not only must expel these demons from possessing paintings and rid of evil spirits, but the police aren’t too pleased with her and they claim that she’s the real culprit behind it all. To prove that she’s no criminal and is out to save the town from chaos, Maron pairs up with an angel named Finn, and the two fight together to battle evil during the night while she tries to maintain her image throughout the day. Arina really tries her best to keep characters interesting, whether it be their dark gripping story, or the main character’s passion to overcome obstacles while experiencing traumatic events in the past. In Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne, we can certainly see some of that in terms of Maron and her determination to stop threats from further harming the town, but also has the tough obstacle of really sustaining her clean slate image in her daily high school life. She knows that if word gets out of her real agenda, it could cripple her reputation and put her in hot water. Not only does Maron deal with her own personal journey, but her encounters with many villains share a story of their own as well. You come to understand their purpose and even grow a liking to them because they have a good side that you’d never assume was there initially. With various plot twists along the way, and a fair amount of romance at times to keep you immersed, Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne takes you on an adventure with a young girl trying to truly discover who she is.

Kyoko, despite being the princess of Earth in the 30th century, doesn’t want anyone to know of her true nature in fears that many may turn a blind eye to her. She makes a conscious effort to go to school in a normal manner like everyone else, and keeps a low profile to ensure she can focus on what she needs to do to climb the throne. The king issues an ultimatum to her which states that she can live out the life she desires, but must revive her twin sister Ui, who has been trapped in time ever since she was born. With this condition now weighing on her shoulders, Kyoko must now try to save her sister’s life from turmoil. What surprised many Arina fans of this series was that, compared to her more powerful pieces of work, Time Stranger Kyoko ended a little quicker than expected. That isn’t to say the series is terrible, but it certainly will feel as if the minute you pick it up to read, you’re hungry wanting more as it finishes very fast. Much of the characters in the story provide some lasting appeal and you’re overjoyed by Kyoko’s determination to recruit more warriors to fight by her side, so that she can ascend the throne with confidence. The story certainly carries the weight, but perhaps where things start to wander off is in the character backstory. We are greeted with a large variety of supporting roles which brought a lot of hype and excitement but over time, due to the volume count being comparatively low to her other works, we didn’t get an opportunity to see an overall shift in pace. In spite of that, Time Stranger Kyoko is still a must read for any fan of Arina’s work as she still maintains her very true essence in terms of a character who must struggle to come out of a dark past, in order to create a brighter future.

Haine is given away to the Otomiya family after a large monetary exchange was finalized between the two families. Now part of the Otomiya structure, Haine is given the role of student council at the prestigious Imperial Academy, a private school for the aristocracy. Despite having the credentials to belong on the student council, Haine finds it very challenging to deal with various students who have many secrets, with her president Shizumasa Togu being one of them. Haine is deeply in love with Shizumasa and has been since reading the picture book he wrote during his childhood. Now that she’s closer to Shizumasa than before, things start to change around her abruptly, as darker secrets start to unfold on their own. Haine starts to question her life as to why she’s in love with Shizumasa, and just why her parents sold her to begin with. Much of the story focuses primarily on the relationship between Shizumasa and Haine, while giving us a glimpse of how other characters play a role in the series. Tanemura loves to throw her readers off course and Shinshi Doumei Cross is no exception to her rule, taking you on an adventure throughout the well detailed story. While you might have a love hate relationship with Haine’s very air headed and stupid behavior, you start to better understand why she behaves the way she does once you dive deeper. At times you want to throw a table at her for her foolishness, but then find yourself laughing because you can relate to her random ways. Despite this, Shinshi Doumei Cross is sure to please you as it takes in various directions, there’s also some additional stories included in the manga, and with Tanemura’s notoriously clever approach to keep you guessing you’ll never grow bored as you read further into the plot.

Mitsuki has been very talented from a young age, and she’s grown to become a skilled singer. Her passion to sing grows each waking moment, but her dreams come tumbling down in front of her as she’s been diagnosed with a severe tumor in her throat, which prevents her from singing. Totally defeated by this tragic turn of events, she prays to the world and asks that she can somehow sing again and rid of this burden that’s taken away her one true love. One evening, that prayer was answered, as two shinigami appear in front of her and transform her into a young adult, giving a temporary recovery from her illness, which allows her to pursue her most cherished career as a singer. One notable thing that you’ll come to realize and admire in Tanemura’s work is that it’s very stylized and the art direction is pristine. In Full Moon wo Sagashite, you’re enamored by all of the wonderful artwork that really goes along well with such a touching story. As we stated earlier, Tanemura’s goal is to capture the attention of the reader with a tale that deals with tragedy, which then blossoms into a wonderful ending for the main character. Mitsuki had to deal with a very serious obstacle in front of her that would not only destroy her career, but perhaps place her life in danger as well. It’s so hard not to love Mitsuki because she shows so much determination and faith knowing that things will work out in the end. She never gave up on her dreams, and despite the major obstacle that lied in front of her, she managed to overcome it with the help of two special beings who helped change her life. We can all certainly relate to Mitsuki’s turbulent times because we’ve all had dreams come crashing down, but then by the grace of the gods and the universe, everything works out for us in the end. Arina Tanemura’s message in Full Moon wo Sagashite was very direct and made sure you understood exactly what was happening at every moment in Mitsuki’s life, so that you could close the book knowing you’ve taken something very valuable away from this incredible story.

Narumi Takayuki and Hayase Mitsuki become friends because of Mitsuki’s friend, Suzumiya Haruka has a crush on Takayuki. As it turns out, Takayuki’s friend Taira Shinji and Mitsuki develop a close friendship while Haruka confesses to Takayuki. Unfortunately, things just aren’t easy. Takayuki and Haruka become intimate while at the same time, Takayuki and Mitsuki discover their own feelings for each other. There are few anime that are crafted quite as well as Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. Based off of the visual novel, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien takes you on a romantic tale of real human emotion as Takayuki battles himself to figure out which girl he should pick. Both Haruka and Mitsuki have their reasons for loving Takayuki, but can they handle the heartbreak that may come with it?

Nanami is new at her school and makes a bad impression when she calls her new friend by the wrong name, thanks to Motoharu, a popular boy who gave her the wrong name when she asked. While Nanami says she hates Motoharu, in fact, she might actually start to like him. If you are looking for a real teenage relationship with actual turmoil and real life problems, Bokura ga Ita is the anime to check out. Nanami has many insecurities and yet, Motoharu has his own fair share of personal problems combined that can really touch your heart strings. Yet, throw in the fact that Motoharu’s best friend, Masafumi, also loves Nanami and is always struggling in his pursuits of her, as well as, his friendship with Motoharu and you will find your heart being ripped out over and over again.

Kouyama Mitsuki is fighting throat cancer, which has robbed her of her dream to become an idol. One day, she meets two shinigami who are in charge of watching over her until death, except, Mitsuki isn’t supposed to be able to see them! Finding out that she will die within a year’s time, Mitsuki takes this as a sign she should pursue her dream of becoming an idol. The shinigami, Meroko and Takuto, decide to help her in her pursuit, but her dream may not be as simple as it seems. While Full Moon wo Sagashite may seem like an idol anime, it is actually a story about love, loss, and regrets. Mitsuki wants to pursue her dream of becoming an idol to fulfill her promise to a love once lost many years ago. Meroko and Takuto also have their own struggles, past and present, with love and loss. While we won’t comment on how happy the ending is, you will be put through an emotional rollercoaster in this intense story of lost love and forgotten pasts.

Humans once lived at the bottom of the sea until a number decided the surface was better and left to build a life there. As a result, these surface dwellers had their Ena taken away so they could no longer breathe underwater. As time passed, the tension between surface and sea dwellers increased. Today, Hikari, Mukaido, Chisaki, and Kaname are going to leave their home in the sea to attend school on the surface. They were met with hostility, but there was a boy named Tsumugu who actually loves the sea. As far as sad romance anime go, Nagi no Asukara utilizes time and personal growth to show the journey of love. It starts off with a very intense love-web between all of the characters, but after the timeskip, the web becomes even more convoluted. Characters will break hearts while others will do anything to get the love story of their dreams. There’s jealousy, regret, and guilt, and it is all oh so good!

Banri is a new student attending law school, but he has none of his past memories. During orientation, Banri meets Mitsuo who he gets along with instantly. However, as their lives connect and other people enter, life becomes more complicated whether or not Banri has his memories. Golden Time is a very popular anime that takes you through the course of an innocent love story starting from a point when both characters could care less about each other. As the anime goes on, you develop a bond with all the characters and can actually say you have a love for the main characters, yet it is at this point when things spiral out of control. Banri and Mitsuo have their own dramas, but Banri’s lost memories come back to bite him as his past life and new life join together, and Banri realizes that there was a love he lost which may end up making him lose his new love. Who do you think is the love he needs?

Androids called Giftia have been created to resemble humans in almost every way, except their lifespans are about 9 years and 4 months. Tsukasa has somehow managed to get a job at SAI Corp where they have created Giftia, but he is in charge of retrieving expired Giftia who have the possibility of becoming hostile. Tsukasa is given a Giftia partner, Isla, who is one of the best at retrievals. While they are an unlikely duo, Tsukasa finds himself falling for Isla, but her time is nearly up. Plastic Memories is best known for its sad romance because we see two characters who, against the odds, fall in love. Isla and Tsukasa pursue their romance despite the impending end that we all know will happen. Similar to our next anime, Plastic Memories depicts the story of a romantic relationship that we know is doomed to end, but in the present, they pursue their own happiness above all else.

Kousei spent his life under the strict and abusive guidance of his mother who drilled him on the piano, making him renown. However, after her passing, Kousei is left lost and unable to even hear the sound of the piano. It’s been two years since Kousei abandoned the piano, but when he meets the violinist Kaori, his whole world changes and he is finally able to pursue music again. As stated previously, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso is a love story that we know will be tinged with sadness as Kaori battles her own illness while also charming the young Kousei, who has lost all hope in life. While Kaori helps Kousei with her exuberant energy, we all know what the end will bring. Kousei needs Kaori, who has touched his heart so tenderly after the loss of his own mother, which left him with less than nothing. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso is a very tender story of love and while we know it has a sad ending, you cannot help but relish the happiness in the anime.

Many years ago, Himura Yuu is focused merely on his academics in school. That is until he meets Amamiya Yuuko, whom he has a past with. As Yuu unlocks unwanted memories from a distant time, he will discover more in the present time than he is prepared for. Then, set in the present, Kuze Shuuichi acts like a womanizer but prefers the company of no one. That won’t stop Hayama Mizuki, who is memorized by him after hearing him play the violin. Ef: A Tale of Melodies completely belongs on this list with its unique storytelling in two different time periods with the same characters. While the main characters seem to change, we get to see how time affects each character in the present. The romance between Yuu and Yuuko is tinged with regret, anger, and hate that really warps the love story in Ef: A Tale of Melodies. As you watch their story unfold, you are brought back into the present with Mizuki and Shuuichi, who are battling their own dramatic love story with impending doom, lost love, and broken hearts. Is there anything better than an intricate sad romance like Ef: A Tale of Melodies?

Tomoya and Nagisa have graduated high school and are joining together in holy matrimony to begin their blissful lives together. However, life just isn’t that easy. Tomoya must work hard to make ends meet, while at the same time, Nagisa’s illness is getting the best of her. They are determined to make it work, but things just don’t come easily. Clannad: After Story is an anime renown for its touching plot, strong themes, and horrible tragedy. You spent time getting to know other characters in Clannad, falling in love with them, and then come to Clannad: After Story to see everything end in misery. In a domino effect, each character is brought rock bottom to a place where light cannot break through, all of which are linked to their own love stories and hardships.

Jinta spends his time playing video games instead of going to school. One day, his childhood friend Menma begins to haunt him in order to get him to grant her wish, something she can no longer recall, but Jinta is not interested because Menma died already. However, Menma may be the key to bridging the gap that formed between Jinta and his childhood friends. They may finally be able to speak once more, but their goal is to allow Menma to rest in peace. Anohana is an anime that starts off fairly morbid upon the discovery that Menma has passed. As the anime progresses, you see how each character has been affected by the loss of Menma as children who were well acquainted with the idea of love. Anohana is another anime that has an intricate love-web that really grips you with the tragedy of loss and regret. How can you recoup a love that has already lost? What do you do with your friends who you have left behind because you could not cope with your guilty feelings? Can you even doubt that Anohana deserves #1 on our list?

Now I know what you’re probably thinking, “Really? A simple card reader gets to be number 10?” but keep on reading. Back when the series first came out, the thought alone of virtual reality was just a dream. A heavy set of hardware around your head and body were necessary to experience something close to realistic. Yet, with that card reader alone, you could see the monsters represented on the cards come alive right in front of you and fight on your side! While the original series brought monsters to life with a large card reader station (almost as big as a soccer stadium!), this practical carry-on accessory developed by Seto Kaiba takes the battle out of an established field and into anywhere you’d feel like playing at! Making the game itself that much sweeter and pushing the envelope for the use of virtual reality not only as a game element but also into anime itself.

There’s no greater balance between war and survival than with this device. “What are triggers?” you may ask. Well, they are devices that when activated store your real body within the Trion Supply System and replace it with a combat body made out of Trion. To put it in simpler terms, they emulate your body for you to last as long as you can in combat (or at least until you run out of Trion). Not only is the trigger an emulator of your body but it also develops a customizable weapon out of trigger that can be used in battle! If this technology were real, it would become pretty much a must have for hand-to-hand combat by any military unit in our world. Definitely earns its spot on this list due to all the battle functions and practicality that it has. Also, let’s be honest, how many of you would be fighting with friends out in the street if you had one?

Getting a bit more realistic by the second, every year we can read about AI being closer to surpassing human calculations and abilities without so much as a drop of sweat. When it comes to emotions however, it’s still a bit of an unknown territory. Lucky for us, anime can give us a closer look at what could happen with future AI with their own set of emotions and the reaction they could get from their owners or co-workers. We’ve chosen Giftias from Plastic Memories to serve as a more recent example of what could potentially happen once a person shares more than a simple connection with an AI machine. Will this be the case in reality once robots develop sentient AI? It’s still to be decided, but humans have always been known to be infatuated by the most bizarre objects. Guess this would be one of the safest bets for it to happen!

Going back into the classics, there’s so much that could be said about a series like Evangelion. Keeping on track with the topic of this article, we’ll talk about the revolutionary concept of Evas. These were fabricated from previous “angels” who were the monsters humans wanted to defeat in the first place. Technological gadgets to be manipulated as Shinji, Asuka and Rei saw fit. I guess this is more of a creepy way to give the enemy “a taste of its own medicine”. As technology moves forward, with each step we’re forced to consider the limits that we’re pushed to break with every decision and this is something not many would be able to take. Would you be able to imprison a being inside a technological carcass in order to make it move as you’d like it to and force it to fight your battles for you? Gendou Ikari already gave us his answer.

Talk about flexibility and creativity. These Capsules were a dream come true for many daydreamers back in the day, and even to this day they can still be considered a great idea for anyone to develop. Imagine having anything, from a bicycle to a whole house, right in your pockets! Convenient to have around especially when you’re traveling around the world trying to find the Dragon Balls. Now we know why Bulma and her family have so much money. Who wouldn’t like to have one of these bad boys when you’re in trouble. Can’t find a ride? *BOOM* Car Capsule saves the day! Can’t rent a room for a while? *BOOM* House Capsule is your shelter for the night! Need to travel quickly? *BOOM* Here’s the intergalactic spaceship to- oh wait, that’s from another series but I’m sure you could fit an airplane in there, too!

Crime and Justice. How many lives have been defined by those two words alone? Certainly too many to count. And just as life itself, we could have many anime series that have their take on both sides of the coin. When it comes to it, it’s a difficult topic to tackle on a simple perspective. This is when Psycho Pass comes along and redefines how we deal with these two subjects by establishing a dystopian future where, from the very beginning, your behavior is analyzed and quantified by police standards. In doing so, action is taken upon the high probability of a crime that’s about to be committed. The concept of predicting crime by quantifying probability could be the ultimate solution to solve all crime around the world. However, as good as it sounds it could also be one of the most dangerous ideas ever created. If it applied to our world, how many times could crime be stopped before it becomes evident? Similar to the plot of Minority Report, what would happen if someone who has yet to commit a crime gets indicted before the crime itself happens? Still, nothing short of a dystopian paradise that could be brought to life and be developed… As scary as it may sound.

What could be more impressive? The fact that we were able to discover a new Dimension (hence the name “Dimension W”) or the fact that we were able to extract an unlimited amount of energy from it? The mere thought alone would make electricity companies tremble in fear. No batteries, no chargers, no hardware damage or replacement. Coils would function as an eternal battery that could power everything and anything that had a coil outlet, day after day. From a car, to a walkie-talkie. Even androids like Mira Yurizaki! You could love them or hate them (like Kyouma Mabuchi) but they are certainly an impressive technological feature, enough to make it earn the fourth place in our list.

We find ourselves facing a topic that has become a recent trend in the videogame world, Virtual Reality. The NerveGear demonstrated its capability to simulate and stimulate all of its player’s senses , potentially becoming the most powerful game console. However, as you may or may not already now, its use had an ulterior motive behind its creation. Without spoiling the story of SAO, just the thought alone of a Virtual Reality console that could induce such a vivid experience for a player is incredibly tempting. Reaching nearly five years later since its introduction in the series, companies like Sony, Microsoft and even Facebook are already looking into the future of gaming while developing and producing Virtual Reality consoles and games. Hopefully though, we won’t see an outcome where a player becomes trapped in a game unless it’s a SAO Virtual Reality game… On second thought, we don’t want to be traumatized!

As we get closer to the number one spot, these technological devices get crazier and crazier. Case in point, Cyberbrains! What are Cyberbrains you ask? Well, they are human brains enhanced by integrated electronic components that allow them to connect to the internet and to many other cyberbrains. Let that sink in for a moment. How would they apply in our world? Well, the fact of their existence would change our core human experience. Needless to say, Cyberbrains would render so many gadgets useless (goodbye calculator!) and the speed of communication would reach lightspeed levels! Of course with all its pros, there are also some cons to be considered. If someone decided to hack their way into a cyberbrain or many of them, how could it be stopped? Definitely something that must be well thought-out before bringing it into our world. Never mind, where’s the line to get a cyberbrain again?

However you call him, Rintarou, Okarin or Hououin Kyouma, this man just had a “Eureka” moment that Alexander Fleming would be proud of! Of course, this creation transcends beyond time and space, literally. While first just turning food into slimy inedible gel, little did he know that he would be at the brink of brilliance sooner than he might have thought. This device has the ability of sending text messages to the past. You might be thinking “Sending messages to the past takes number 1?”. Think about it for a second, how would your life change by just sending a text to yourself to the past? It could be of as little use as correcting a small mistake or it could potentially create an alternate universe where you become the next president! The possibilities are endless and with the existential possibility of multiple universes, that’s more than enough to take the number one spot on our list.