Anime is an entertainment medium with a great variety of options. Fans of action can enjoy a traditional Shonen Jump experience like Dragon Ball Z. Those interested in psychological thrillers can delve into Death Note. But if you're a fan of Rent-A-Girlfriend, you undoubtedly like a solid romantic comedy.
This 2020 summer anime was lauded for its lighthearted yet thoughtful premise. After being dumped, Kazuya Kinoshita starts renting a girlfriend: Chizuru Mizuhara. A complicated chain of events draws the two together outside of the dating app they met on, and hilarity ensues over the course of 12 episodes. If you're looking for an anime with a similar feel, one that mixes romance and comedy, check out our picks for anime to try after you finish Rent-A-Girlfriend.
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Updated August 17, 2021 by Adriano Valente: Rent-A-Girlfriend might not be the most groundbreaking series out there, but it provided viewers with some fun plotlines and characters to experience. Fans of the anime and manga might be eager to find shows like Rent-A-Girlfriend, and thankfully there’s no shortage of titles to explore. Be it the comedic, romantic or harem elements of the series, there are plenty of anime out there that can emulate what made the show so memorable to viewers. When searching for anime like Rent-A-Girlfriend, fans will undoubtedly run into at least a few of these titles.
15 Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Seasons: 2 Seasons, 2 Movies & 2 ONAs
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
Were you a bit nerdy in middle school? Looking to capture your inner child? Try out Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions. This series follows Yuta Togashi, a freshman in high school trying to forget his time as a Chunibyo. He used to pretend he had superpowers, dress up in class, and put off other classmates.
After moving to a new school, he meets Rikka, a girl who hasn't left this childish phase of her life behind yet. When Rikka learns that Yuta used to be like her, she becomes interested in him. It's a heartwarming story that's sure to make viewers laugh.
14 My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
- Genre: Romantic Comedy / Slice of Life
- Seasons: 3 Seasons
- Studio: Brian’s Base (S1), Feel (S2 & S3)
If you're interested in a more pessimistic take on romance, check out My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU. In this anime, Hachiman Hikigaya and Yukino Yukinoshita are taking part in the school's service club, despite their aversion to dealing with other people.
They're joined by the preppy Yui Yuigahama and experience many of the ups and downs of adolescence together, seeing some romance along the way.
13 Baka & Test: Summon the Beasts
- Genre: Comedy
- Seasons: 2 Seasons, 1 OVA
- Studio: Silver Link
While most of the series’ covered so far place a stronger emphasis on the romantic, Baka & Test is a pure comedy that uses whatever romantic elements it has as a punch line. The series takes place in a school where students use their titular summoned beasts to take part in academic battles.
The series focuses on Class F; the lowest graded and least privileged class. The group features a unique and interesting cast of characters who greatly lend to the series’ slapstick style. The love triangle between the series’ main character Akihisa and two main heroines, Mizuki and Minami, makes for some great comedic interactions that ultimately drive the tone and narrative throughout.
12 Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai
- Genre: Supernatural / Drama
- Seasons: 1 Season, 1 Movie
- Studio: CloverWorks
Looking for a little mysticism in your romantic comedy? Check out this anime exploring a rare condition known as Puberty Syndrome and the issues it exacerbates. Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai follows Mai Sakurajima and Sakuta Azusagawa on their journey to uncover the secret of this sensation.
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Along the way, they find attraction growing between them. It's an excellent supernatural comedy that sets itself apart from other anime in the genre.
11 Your Lie In April
- Genre: Musical / Romance / Drama
- Seasons: 1 Season, 1 OVA
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
Those interested in a more emotional romantic anime should check out Your Lie In April. While this anime does have comedic moments, it tells two troubled teens: Kosei Arima and Kaori Miyazono.
Kosei gave up the piano after his mother's passing, while Kaori is physically deteriorating as the anime progresses. The two bond over their hardships, pushing each other to become better musicians in the process. Just have some tissues ready for a good cry, as it's a tearjerker.
10 Haganai
- Genre: Harem / Comedy / Slice of Life
- Seasons: 2 Seasons, 2 OVAs
- Studio: AIC Build
Haganai takes a ton of interesting ideas and condenses them within the standard harem/rom-com format. Unlike many shows within the genre, Haganai doesn’t play it especially safe when it comes to its main character and the dynamics that form throughout the narrative.
The series revolves around transfer student Kodaka Hasegawa, who has trouble making fried s due to his delinquent-like appearance. The series mixes in standard comedy and harem elements while tackling some interesting character dynamics.
9 Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid
- Genre: Comedy / Slice of Life / Fantasy
- Seasons: 2 Seasons
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
If you'd like a little fantasy in your romantic comedy, consider Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid. This anime follows an office worker named Kobayashi and her maid, Tohru. It just so happens that this maid is a dragon that took human form.
Tohru is willing to do anything to win Kobayashi's heart and pay off her debt to her human companion. It's an outlandish tale that's as unique as it is heartwarming.
8 Yamada Kun And The Seven Witches
- Genre: Romantic Comedy / Harem / Supernatural
- Seasons: 1 Season, 1 OVA
- Studio: Liden Films
Another anime that melds magic with romance is Yamada Kun and the Seven Witches. The series protagonist Ryu Yamada has the ability to mimic the powers of seven witches at his school by. . . kissing them? It's a hilariously wacky premise, and it's great to see the interactions between Yamada and these ladies.
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Urara Shiraishi is the witch that has stolen his heart, and they join the Supernatural Studies Club to learn more about why the witches exist. While the anime ends differently than the manga, it's still worth the watch.
7 Date A Live
- Genre: Harem / Sci-Fi
- Seasons: 4 Seasons, 2 Movies
- Studio: AIC Plus (S1), Production IMS (S2, Mayuri Judgment), J.C. Staff (S3), Geek Toys (S4, Date A Bullet)
The Date A Live series seamlessly mixes in harem and rom-com elements within a sci-fi setting. Plenty of studios have tried their hand at the series over the years, and despite all the changes brought up with each iteration, anime fans have come to love this campy rom-com.
The series follows protagonist Shido Itsuka, who is tasked with sealing the powers of the various spirits encountered throughout the series. It might be based in sci-fi, but Date A Live follows many of the romance tropes fans of Rent-A-Girlfriend will easily be able to latch on to.
6 Tsuredure Children
- Genre: Romantic Comedy / Slice of Life
- Seasons: 1 Season
- Studio: Tenmon
There's nothing like young love, and there are few anime that capture the sensation like Tsuredure Children. This short series follows several sets of high schoolers trying to navigate their first crushes.
Each couple has its own quirks and dynamics that make for a varied view of adolescent attraction. With 12 episodes averaging about 12 minutes, you'll be able to binge the series in no time.
5 My Love STORY!
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Seasons: 1 Season
- Studio: Madhouse
Looks can be deceiving, especially when you're as intimidating as Takeo Gouda, the protagonist of My LOVE Story!! This gentle giant is often feared by his peers and overshadowed by his attractive best friend.
That all changes when he meets the beautiful Rinko Yamato, who is interested in him. It's Gouda's first experience with love and an adorable show from start to finish. There are few anime as wholesome as this, so do yourself a favor and check it out!
4 Toradora
- Genre: Romantic Comedy / Slice of Life
- Seasons: 1 Season, 1 OVA
- Studio:C. Staff
You ever have a crush, but you're too shy to say something? That's the scenario that brings Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka together in Toradora. It just so happens that each of them has a crush on the other's best friend! The pair agree to work together to get their crushes' attention.
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It's a goofy story with plenty of twists, turns, and heartfelt moments. You're sure to crack a smile during the show's 25 episode run.
3 Oreshura
- Genre: Harem / Romantic Comedy
- Seasons: 1 Season
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
Fans of Rent-A-Girlfriend’s narrative should feel right at home with Oreshura. The series follows protagonist Eita Kido after he agrees to enter a fake relationship with his classmate. When word gets out, some of the girls close to Eita decide to make their move.
The set-up is somewhat similar to Rent-A-Girlfriend, but the characters and motivations are completely different. Anime fans will appreciate the bevy of JoJo references made throughout the show.
2 The Quintessential Quintuplets
- Genre: Romantic Comedy / Harem
- Seasons: 2 Seasons, 1 Movie (Upcoming)
- Studio: Tezuka Productions (S1), Bibury Animation Studios (S2)
Looking for another anime where a harem of girls pine for the same boy's attention? Look no further than The Quintessential Quintuplets. When five identical sisters are on the brink of being held back, their opulent father hires Fuutarou Uesugi.
The series follows his efforts to help Itsuki, Ichika, Nino, Yotsuba, and Miku. While their appearances are identical, their personalities are far from it. Each episode helps highlight the many differences between the sisters and how Fuutarou grows to appreciate each member of this extraordinary family. With two full seasons out and a third on the way, there's no better time to hop into this series.
1 The Pet Girl of Sakurasou
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Seasons: 1 Season
- Studio:C. Staff
The Pet Girl of Sakurasou follows an eccentric group of students as they navigate through school life. After being forced out of the main dorms, protagonist Sorata Kanda has no choice but to move into the Sakura Dormitory.
The dorm has a reputation of housing some of his school’s biggest oddballs, none stranger than Mashiro Shiina, a well-known artist. Sorata is tasked with caring for her, sparking a variety of adventures and plenty of personal growth.