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In the last few years, anime has skyrocketed in both popularity and quantity, with every season featuring at least one title the community latches onto as a definitive smash hit. From massive shonen anime franchises like Demon Slayer to gems that unexpectedly break into the mainstream like Dungeon Meshi, some of the best titles in modern anime either debuted or peaked in popularity in the 2020s.

However, their astronomical success often overshadows equally incredible series that, alas, enjoy much more moderate popularity. Put on the back burner and buried in fans’ ever-expanding to-watch lists, some of the best anime to premiere in the last 5 years are underrated gems most regrettably overlook. There’s no time like the present to give these fantastic series the attention they deserve.

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When done right, romance in anime can be one of the few things that truly enhance, or even save, an anime. One of the worst things that could happen is sticking a couple together that have little to no buildup, which creates a bad reputation for romance in anime, but there are many out there that showcase a more organic process that is much more than just romance for the sake of romance.

Those who aren't fans of romances, but want to give the genre another shot, should look for romances that tell more than just a love story. If done right, anime that has a heavy focus on romance can create some of the most beautiful stories about human connection, passion for life or finding their place in the world.

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Romance anime have always been popular. Audiences are delighted by romantic tales of two people finding and dedicating their hearts to one another. Some of the greatest love stories can be found in anime, making it even easier for fans to find a romance that will move them. Many of these anime are so compelling that viewers will immediately want to rewatch them.

Romance anime are notorious for keeping some things open-ended, leaving audiences begging for more. Viewers are often compelled to rewatch shows just to experience the story and characters all over again. Other romance anime are so inspiring that it simply would not do the shows justice to watch them only once. New romance anime debut every season, but the best ones are stories fans can turn to time after time.

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There's a ton of fantastic shojo romances set in high school and, although many have had an amazing anime adaptation, there are still plenty of others that are just as good that deserve an anime too. Shojo mangaka's are fantastic at keeping the genre feeling fresh, so even if a new shojo highschool romance manga comes out, readers and fans of the genre will feel like it's a breath of fresh air.

What makes traditional shojo manga refreshing, despite the abundance of them, is how each and every character has their own quirk, personality and struggles that they must overcome. Stories like Dengeki Daisy also add their own flair to it by adding suspense and action, which makes this genre unpredictable in the best ways.

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With shojo series like Skip And Loafer and Raven Of The Inner Palace, recent anime seasons have delivered some truly amazing romance titles.

Most romance anime typically focus on the tenderness and passion of first love. Whether it’s a high school setting or an office romance, these stories usually talk about the blossoming of love, the initial step towards a consistent partnership, and the essence of sharing yourself with someone. It seldom happens that a romance anime is about what comes after the ‘happily ever after.’ It’s not like there aren’t any titles about married couples, but only a few manage to depict the exact emotions associated with a healthy marriage.

Having said that, there are several iterations of married couples in the anime world, reflecting the problems of arranged marriages to portraying the challenges that come along with sharing a life with a completely opposite personality. From keeping up the pretenses of a fake family to becoming a good couple for the sake of school grades, these married couples...

It takes thoughtfulness to create a quirky female love interest in anime without falling into any annoying stereotypes. Their traits should be nuanced. There's a difference between a character who is very animated and goofy because they have niche interests and a fun sense of humor, and a character who is goofy for drama or fan service.

A well-written quirky girl or woman feels more like an eccentric individual than the tired "not like the other girls" trope. Eccentric love interests may have secret identities, or have a unique way of expressing creativity. Some have very granulated interests, like Maomao of The Apothecary Diaries, whose astute scientific mind leads her to enjoy ingesting poisons.

Lu Shouxue Prefers Her Own Company in Raven of the Inner Palace The Raven Consort Is Used to Being Reclusive

There are layered reasons behind why Lu Shouxue avoids everyone's company in Raven of the Inner Palace.

No matter how toxic or misogynistic some shojo anime male leads can be, there’s no denying their magnetic appeal. While the genre has shifted towards “green-flagged” heroes rather than glorifying condescending men, fans can’t help but feel drawn to the irresistible allure of the “bad boy” persona. The latest example of this is Yakuza Finace’s Kirishima Miyama. He has become anime viewers' new favorite bad boy with his destructive behavior, killer looks, and noxious personality.

He’s a walking red flag, whether it’s his mischievous nature or obsessiveness with Yoshino. His controlling nature may annoy her, but fans have fallen in love with Kirishima and his unbearably tempting charms. For those who can’t ignore boys like Kirishima with a morally grey personality, these shojo male leads would be great additions to their list.

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There are many popular anime titles across demographics and genre, and they certainly earn their praise. But with so many wonderful new anime titles gaining recognition and a wide viewership, there are some amazing series that get a little lost in the shuffle. These titles may be B-side titles, but real fans of their genre will see them as diamonds in the rough.

Stories like The Saint's Magic Power Is Omnipotent have cross-genre appeal, but that may make it somewhat hard to market. It's unapologetically romantic, yet there's plenty of adventure, magic, and world-building. Cozy, comforting shows like Laid-Back Camp were really popular at the start, but fanfare has quieted down, even with the release of newer seasons that are just as good as the first.

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Modern shojo anime releases have a great balance of creative innovation, artistry, and hallmarks from classic romance anime. Nostalgia is a strong feeling, and many people's first favorite romance anime sticks with them. Familiar tropes and character archetypes make great additions.

Anime like My Happy Marriage take similar love interest archetypes, like kuudere characters with fervent hearts and frosty exteriors, and add even more dimension to their characters. It's a great balance between the old and the new. Anime fans who grew up on tropey shojo romances who know what they like will have plenty to enjoy in new shojo series, too.

Updated by Alexandra Locke on October 31, 2024: Plenty of new romance anime have come out within the last decade. Many of them feel new and refreshing. However, some - despite their unique premises - remind fans of the shojo romance anime of old. The designs, characters, and stories...

Shojo manga and anime are marketed towards a young girl audience. Shojo stories tend to revolve around personal growth, friendship dynamics, and falling in love. Though shojo anime tends to have a certain set of tropes and themes, the stories are still quite varied.

Likewise, slice-of-life anime spans across many subgenres and demographics; it explores the daily lives of interesting characters who are often entering a new world or phase of life. Shojo combined with slice-of-life makes for a great story. Series like Ouran High School Host Club explore the school life and romances of elite students, and stories like My Happy Marriage tell the incremental story of a woman who enters an arranged marriage, slowly recovers from trauma, and falls in love for the first time.

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Yukiya stands out among sly characters with his loud opinions and displayed trustworthiness. However, despite being a hot head, he avoids fighting. Yukiya's strength lies in his cleverness and skills with a sword, despite his initial lack of promise. Yukiya proves his loyalty to his brother and village by avoiding conflict and relying on his wits in dangerous situations.

Studio Pierrot's Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master is a thrilling anime to watch. From weaving complex character motivations into a charged plot, characters have created intricate schemes that trick even the audience. Everyone has secrets and goals that put them in conflict with one another. The character who has been the most trustworthy thus far is Yukiya, one of the protagonists. He enters the story with a loud personality, and he's constantly sharing his opinions with the world.

Yukiya is the most easily relatable of the main cast.

Crunchyroll, one of the world's leading anime streaming services, is gearing up for the North American premiere of two highly acclaimed anime films. This fall, Production I.G.'s The Concierge and CloverWorks' Trapezium will receive exclusive one-day-only screenings in select U.S. and Canadian theaters.

As detailed in a recent press release, The Concierge -- a poignant slice-of-life drama set in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals -- is slated to arrive in North American theaters on Sept. 11. Trapezium, which Crunchyroll's press team describes as a "fresh, realistic take on Japan's idol-obsessed culture," will be screened on Sept. 18. Additionally, Crunchyroll and distribution partner Sony Pictures Entertainment have also set one-day-only screening dates for participating theaters in several other major territories, as listed below.

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Naoko Takeuchi's magical girl masterpiece Sailor Moon is a very romance-heavy story. It was originally published in Kodansha's shojo magazine, which publishes stories for a young female audience, and tends to focus on love stories and character development. The protagonist, Usagi Tsukino, is a very lovestruck girl who develops crushes easily, especially in the beginning of the series.

Usagi, Sailor Moon, can be a total deredere, a lovestruck and energetic character, especially when she moons over cute boys like Motoki Furuhata. When it comes to her endgame love interest, Mamoru, she's a feisty tsundere who is in denial about her romantic feelings. There are also many other characters who get a crush on Usagi who make entertaining, even compelling, potential love interests for her.

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The official YouTube channel for singer-songwriter krage has started streaming a music video for her new song, "request," which is now featured as the ending theme for the winter 2024 TV anime Solo Leveling . krage began singing activities at the age of 15 while still in junior high school, then made her major label debut in April 2022 from Sony Music Labels' Sony Music Associated Records. "request" is her second anime theme song work following "Natsu no Yuki," the ending theme for the fall 2022 TV anime Raven of the Inner Palace . The song, produced by Tk from Ling Tosite Sigure, released digitally on January 14, then reached No.1 on the iTunes J-pop charts in the US, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland. The CD single is also set to release in Japan on February 28. krage "request" music video Solo Leveling anime creditless ending movie Digital single jacket CD single jacket krage profile photo The TV anime...

It’s no secret that shojo anime has been seeing a decline for quite some time. However, in recent years, fans have noticed a slow comeback in the works. That said, many new shojo titles have recently been released, breathing life back into this classic demographic.

Like many other anime genres, shojo has evolved and changed a lot, and many new series better reflect the tastes of modern fans. With deeper storylines that go far beyond a simple romance, new-gen shojo branches out with a wide variety of themes that set each new series apart from the last. From character-driven stories with strong female leads to titles that blend multiple genres for a one-of-a-kind experience, shojo is back and better than ever thanks to these modern adaptations.

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The upcoming anime film The Concierge will arrive in North American theaters next year.

According to Anime News Network, Crunchyroll has acquired the rights to Production I.G.'s latest fantasy film and plans to give it a theatrical run in North America in 2024. Based on Tsuchika Nishimura's The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store manga series, the movie revolves around a young woman named Akino, who works at a department store whose customers are all anthropomorphic animals. Despite her unusual client base, Akino aims to become an exceptional concierge, impressing customers with her diligence and sincerity. The Concierge is slated to premiere in Japan on Oct. 20. Crunchyroll has released the film's official trailer on its YouTube channel.

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Yoshimi Itazu, who is known for his animation work on The Deer King (2021) and Miss Hokusai (2015), is taking on The Concierge as his first film project as director.

It's easy for a couple's arc to get overshadowed by the creativity and magic of a fantasy world. Sometimes a fantasy world can be so dangerous and cut-throat that a couple who treats each other with gentleness and kindness is particularly heartwarming. There doesn't need to be excessive bickering or huge conflicts between a couple for there to be romantic tension and an interesting interpersonal arc.

Sweet romance tends to be most popular in contemporary romance and romantic comedies. But anime titles like I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss prove that adorable couples can work in a high fantasy world. Other series like Raven of the Inner Palace save the moodiness for the external conflict and backstory and keep the romance sweet and kind.

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Not every couple has great romantic chemistry and stellar styling. Some historical couples stand out from the rest of the court with epoch-defining fashion looks. Other couples rock the best alternative street wear of the '80s and '90s, or polished and wholesome looks from the '60s.

Styles and trends go in and out of fashion, but anime characters can make previous trends iconic and intrinsic to their persona. Spike Spiegel is nothing without his messy yet tailored suit and Faye will always be associated with her yellow jumpsuit. Romantic hanfu, spunky cropped jackets, and sumptuous, corseted gowns all help communicate the tone of the anime and the themes of the couples' emotional arcs.

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Liu Shouxue & The Emperor (Raven Of The Inner Palace)

The Emperor in Raven of the Inner Palace wears sumptuous courtly designs which are appropriate for his rank.

On April 25, 2023, anime production studio Production I.G. announced an anime adaptation of the manga The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store and has wowed anime fans with a series of lovely trailers showcasing the playful animation. A new version of the trailer was released in addition to an announcement detailing a giveaway campaign for the film's poster.

The manga, written and illustrated by Tsuchika Nishimura, originally ran from February 2017 to November 2018 and received the Excellence Award in the manga division of the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2022. It also recently obtained the Silver Audience Award for Best Animated Feature at the Axis section of the 27th Fantasia International Film Festival.

＼2023.10.20(金)公開／ 映画『#北極百貨店のコンシェルジュさん』 本予告解禁...

Some anime titles are experimental and blend seemingly disparate genres, like romantic comedy and spy drama. Other popular titles have fans diving into the story without blinking because the genres work so well together that it's as if they were meant to be written together. Most audiences love the basic genres, like historical fiction, science fiction, drama, fantasy, romance, and horror.

Throwing those classic genres in with some other sub-genres can make for a story that's fresh and unique. Blending disparate genres together is the perfect setting for inverted traditional tropes opens up storytelling to a whole new bevy of possibilities.

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Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke's Mansion

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Some anime titles are experimental and blend seemingly disparate genres, like romantic comedy and spy drama. Other popular titles have fans diving into the story without blinking because the genres work so well together that it's as if they were meant to be written together. Most audiences love the basic genres, like historical fiction, science fiction, drama, fantasy, romance, and horror.

Throwing those classic genres in with some other sub-genres can make for a story that's fresh and unique. Blending disparate genres together is the perfect setting for inverted traditional tropes opens up storytelling to a whole new bevy of possibilities.

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Nowadays, there’s more anime coming out every season than ever before. Unlike a few decades ago, when only a handful of noteworthy series were produced every year, modern fans revel in the variety of high-quality shows of all genres and demographics. Nevertheless, the number of titles that break into the mainstream remains relatively low, with fans gravitating toward the biggest releases of each season.

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The impressive selection of shows to watch has an unexpected shortcoming. Many excellent series that didn’t catch the public’s eye end up lost in the sea of newer, more exciting releases. These outstanding modern anime were unfairly overlooked despite deserving more attention.

The Heike Story

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