Horimiya is undoubtedly one of the most popular romance anime releases in recent times, owing to its successful blend of genres, themes, and storyline.
For enthusiasts of lighthearted romantic anime centered around comedy, cute moments, and character relationships, it unquestionably caters to your preferences.
Today we bring you a compilation of the best anime like Horimiya, for both its current fans and those yet to discover its charm.
Table of Contents
15. Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie
Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie is the usual school romance anime featuring teenage love.
The similarity with Horimiya is in the couple because this series features an introverted male lead and an outgoing female counterpart.
Shikimori seems like the perfect girl: she’s pretty, fun to be with, and sweet. Nevertheless, she has a cold dark side that emerges when necessary.
And her boyfriend, Izumi, loves to be around her when it happens, to calm her down and enjoy the moment as well.
That’s right, in Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie the couple is already formed, completely bypassing the phase where the two fall in love.
14. Komi Can’t Communicate
Komi Can’t Communicate is a recommended watch for those who have loved the overall vibes of Horimiya, where comedy and lightheartedness take center stage.
This anime also delivers incredibly cute romance moments, even if they take a slightly less central role compared to Horimiya.
Komi is a beautiful girl who everyone is in love with, but due to her aloof attitude, she seems unapproachable.
But Tadano knows the truth: Komi actually doesn’t know how to relate to others, which is why she asks for his help.
Her objective? To find at least 100 friends.
13. Wolf Children
Wolf Children on the other hand ventures into different plotlines and genres compared to Horimiya, incorporating even fantasy elements into its narrative.
But if the theme of a couple deeply in love despite substantial differences resonated with you in Horimiya, then Wolf Children is a perfect choice.
It’s also perfect for those looking for a series with similar themes but a different storyline, offering a refreshing experience.
The story revolves around the life of Hana, a 19-year-old student who falls deeply in love with a charming wolf-man.
The two marry and have two children, Yuki and Ame, who are wolf-children themselves.
The narrative traces the life of this family as they strive to lead a tranquil and secluded existence to avoid complications.
12. Blue Spring Ride
Blue Spring Ride and Horimiya stand out as excellent series for comparison, offering a blend of similarities and differences.
Both excel as romantic series, placing a central focus on the evolving love relationship between the main characters, enriched with plenty of adorable moments and a focus on the development of their bond.
But the main divergence lies in the fact that Blue Spring Ride focuses more on psychology compared to Horimiya, which on the other hand has a significant amount of comedy.
But this distinction isn’t necessarily a problem and rather, it can add an extra layer to the narrative.
The story follows Yoshioka Futaba, who, due to the bullying she experienced in middle school because of her beauty, decides to change her appearance and aim for a quiet and peaceful high school life.
But when she discovers that Tanaka, a childhood friend and the only boy she has ever truly loved, is in the same class as her, she questions whether she can maintain her new persona.
11. Wotakoi
Wotakoi and Horimiya make for a perfect back-to-back anime-watching experience.
Both series excel as delightful and wholesome romance anime, placing emphasis on the dating aspect rather than the pursuit of a relationship, and are filled with adorable moments that will surely captivate your heart.
The series follows Narumi Momose, a young woman who is determined to keep her otaku interests a secret at her new job.
But her plans unravel when she unexpectedly reunites with her old friend Hirotaka Nifuji, who not only shares her otaku hobbies but also knows about them.
As their relationship grows, they make a pact to support each other’s interests and team up in Monster Hunter.
10. His and Her Circumstances
His and Her Circumstances is a landmark in the trope of 2 characters with opposite personalities gradually developing a love connection, making it a must-watch for fans of Horimiya.
And for enthusiasts of vintage anime, you’ve certainly hit the jackpot, trust us.
Yukino Miyazawa, the protagonist, is a model student who excels in all aspects of her life. She is highly popular and a talented athlete.
But her dominance is challenged when Souichiro Arima, who possesses equal skill and ability, enrolls in their high school.
This sets off a fierce rivalry between the 2 characters, which gradually evolves into something more profound.
9. My Little Monster
My Little Monster is a fantastic addition to your watchlist if you loved Horimiya.
There are several reasons for this recommendation, including the shared premise of a couple with personality differences gradually developing a cute love relationship.
And the similarities don’t stop here, as My Little Monster shares the theme of characters concealing their true personalities in public, only to undergo a complete transformation when in private.
Mizutani Shizuku is a cold girl, who only cares about his scholastic achievements.
One day she realizes that Yoshida, a classmate of hers, no longer came to school after he got into a fight on the first day of the new school year.
Shizuku then decides to take his homework and notes to his house, but that is how she discovers that Yoshida is a cranky boy who will enjoy teasing her, who is hiding a secret.
8. TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You
TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You and Horimiya may have distinct premises, but we wholeheartedly recommend TONIKAWA because of the shared vibes between the two.
While their storylines may differ, both anime series offer a light and enjoyable romantic experience, brimming with comedy and heartwarming moments that are sure to brighten your day.
The main character is Nasa, a simple boy who one day meets the beautiful Tsukasa in an encounter that seems as if it was meant by fate.
Deciding to go to her by crossing the street, the boy will be hit by a truck, but he still decides not to miss the chance to meet the girl, who rushes to his aid.
The girl will accept the proposal to go out with him, but only if she promises to become her spouse.
7. Tsuredure Children
Tsuredure Children is an excellent choice for fans of Horimiya for so many reasons.
Let’s start by saying that both series revolve around an extensive cast of characters and their interactions, and not only romantics.
But while both anime feature an interesting and in-depth romantic aspect, it’s worth noting that Horimiya leans more towards romance compared to Tsuredure Children, which tends to present quick and less in-depth love stories.
Tsuredure Children is a heartwarming coming-of-age romance that follows the main characters as they navigate their first loves and form genuine relationships.
With its endearing cast of characters and multiple adorable couples to root for, Tsurezure Children is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with each episode.
Whether it’s the mature bickering between Ryouko and Akagi, the goofy relationship between Kana and Chiaki, or the honest dynamic of Ayaka and Takeru, each couple brings something unique to the story.
6. Maid-Sama!
Maid-Sama! is a must-watch for fans of Horimiya due to its dynamic portrayal of a characteristically different couple gradually growing closer.
And also both series share a similar starting point with the premise of a girl leading a secret life and possessing a hidden personality, which is eventually discovered by the male lead.
Misaki Ayuzawa is the first female president of her school, responsible for protecting girls from the clutches of boys.
But she hides a secret: she works at a maid café in her spare time. And when Takumi Usai, a boy from her school with an overbearing temper, discovers her secret, their relationship takes an unexpected turn.
5. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
This other CloverWorks masterpiece focuses on teenage love in a school setting and features a character-driven plot, typical of this type of romance anime.
You can draw some parallels between Kyouko/Izumi and Sakuta/Mai in how deep their relationships are and also in terms of mutual trust.
Mai is also only visible in her bunny girl attire to Sakuta, another element of similarity to Horimiya, where Kyoko hides her personality.
The protagonist, Sakuta Azusagawa, is a high schooler who prefers to keep to himself and avoid socializing.
However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a senpai dressed as a bunny in the library, and he realizes that he’s the only one who can see her.
But even without any similarity, this anime is a must-have for any romance anime fan.
4. My Dress-Up Darling!
If you enjoyed the love dynamic of Horimiya featuring a shy individual and a popular counterpart whose connection brings about significant changes, then My Dress-Up Darling! is a perfect match for you.
But as you may already know or will discover from the plot, this time around the roles are reversed, with the boy being the shy one and the girl being outgoing and bold.
The story revolves around Wakana Gojo, an introverted high school boy with unique passions, whose life changes significantly when he meets his classmate, Marin Kitagawa.
After she catches him sewing clothes for dolls, Marin asks for his help in creating custom-made clothes for her cosplay hobby. This not only pushes Wakana out of his comfort zone but also opens him up to new ways of thinking.
Both are wholesome romcoms about a couple who have different personalities, a popular girl and a shy, reserved boy. They learn about each other’s secrets and befriend quickly which will then turn into a romance.
3. Romantic Killer
Anzu seems to have the life we all dream of: she is popular in school, and back home she relaxes by playing video games while petting her cat.
So what happens when a strange magical creature that looks like a potato in a witch’s hat transports her to an alternate world where she finds herself surrounded by beautiful boys?
Yes, she is entangled in love stories without her remotely wanting to and she just wants to get back to her old life.
The female lead is quite similar to Hori in how she behaves and her rude and violent attitude.
Romantic Killer is a great alternative if you want to watch a reverse harem and focus on something different while having a familiar protagonist.
2. From Me to You
From Me to You is a great and underrated romantic anime that we frequently recommend we also take the opportunity now consider its similarities with Horimiya.
Both series shine as excellent high school romances where an introverted girl crosses paths with a popular boy, sparking a fantastic love story.
This leads to a growth opportunity for them, a transformation that opens up new perspectives for both characters.
Sawako is a high school student who is bullied by her classmates for her resemblance to Sadako, the protagonist of the horror film Ring.
But despite her perceived intimidating appearance, Sawako is a sweet and shy girl, and that’s why she catches the attention of Shota, the most popular boy in school.
1. Toradora!
Toradora! is an excellent choice if you’re a fan of Horimiya.
Both series fall under the category of heartwarming romantic comedies that emphasize the evolving relationship between their main characters, consistently building towards greater depth.
The key similarity actually lies in the initial impression that the two protagonists are opposites and seemingly incompatible.
Yet, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that they are a perfect match.
The story revolves around Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka, two high school students who possess contrasting personalities but find themselves forming an unlikely alliance to navigate their respective romantic endeavors.
But as their time together unfolds, who knows if unexpected emotions may blossom between them.
