Love Stage!!! is an anime that skillfully combines an entertainment world-focused plot with a well-executed boys love story, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
If you’ve already enjoyed Love Stage!!!, it’s only natural to seek out other anime that can deliver similar vibes and captivate you in the same way.
That’s why we have compiled a list of the best anime like Love Stage!!!, ensuring that every fan of the series will find something exciting to add to their watchlist.
Table of Contents
10. Super Lovers
Super Lovers is a 10-episode anime that premiered in 2016, centering around the relationship between two brothers. While this title may differ from Love Stage!! in various aspects, it still portrays a close bond between two boys, albeit without any romantic undertones.
Haru Kaidou travels to Canada upon learning of his mother’s imminent death. However, upon arrival, he discovers that not only his mother is actually alive, but he is also tasked with taking care of his adoptive brother, Ren Kaidou.
Ren, initially distant and unsociable, gradually warms up to Haru and eventually, they make a promise to live together in Japan once Haru completes high school.
But tragically, Haru experiences an accident that causes him to lose his memories. And when Ren reappears in Haru’s life five years later, Haru perceives him as a stranger, unaware of their brotherly connection.
While Super Lovers lacks a romantic element between the boys, it remains a compelling choice if you seek an engaging anime that focuses on the relationship between two male characters.
Apart from this aspect, there may not be many other similarities between Super Lovers and Love Stage!!, so that’s on you.
9. The Most Huggable Man Has Threatened Me (Dakaichi)
This anime aired in the Fall of 2018 shares similarities with Love Stage!! as it revolves around main characters deeply involved in show business and features a boy’s love romance plot.
The story follows Takato, an established actor who has been crowned Sexiest Man Alive for five consecutive years.
He takes great pride in his success until a new male star named Junta emerges, posing a threat to Takato’s position. And to make matters worse, both of them are cast as leads in a new drama.
But everything changes when Junta captures Takato in a drunken state, recording him during a rage-filled outburst and hurling insults.
Realizing the potential damage to Takato’s career, Junta seizes the opportunity to blackmail him into having a relationship.
Dakaichi can be seen as a more mature and explicit version of Love Stage!, while still sharing similar premises. But if you’re seeking precisely that kind of anime, it’s one you shouldn’t miss.
8. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi
Sekaiichi Hatsukoi is an anime from 2011 that revolves around a young boy’s journey of self-discovery, much like Love Stage!!. The storyline delves into the protagonist’s career trajectory and his romantic relationship with another male character.
The main character Onodera Ritsu is an aspiring mangaka who is transferred from his father’s publishing company to Marukawa Shoten, where he is assigned to the Shojo department.
It’s there that he reunites with a person from his past, Takano Masamune, who is now the head of his division and unexpectedly kisses him.
Sekaiichi Hatsukoi bears a striking resemblance to Love Stage!!!, as both explore a boys love narrative and emphasize the characters’ professional journeys.
The notable distinction, however, lies in Sekaiichi Hatsukoi’s focus on the world of manga rather than the entertainment industry, but that’s a detail.
7. Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club is an anime that shares both similarities and differences with Love Stage!!, but we believe you will enjoy it due to its vibes.
The story revolves around Haruhi Fujioka, a determined girl who manages to enroll in Ouran Academy, one of the most prestigious schools in Japan.
One day, while searching for a quiet place, Haruhi stumbles upon what appears to be an empty room but turns out to be the headquarters of the renowned Host Club.
But when Haruhi accidentally breaks a valuable vase, to repay her debt, she is forced to work as an employee at the Host Club while disguising herself as a boy.
While the plot and premise differ from Love Stage!!, there are some similarities between the two anime. Both protagonists are mistaken for the opposite gender, and romance plays a significant role in both series, albeit in different forms.
Love Stage!!! explores a boys love theme, while Ouran High School Host Club presents a reverse harem dynamic.
6. Junjou Romantica
Junjou Romantica is a 12-episode anime that was released in 2008 and revolves around three interconnected boys love stories, which is the major similarity it shares with Love Stage!!.
The anime follows the lives of three main protagonists: Misaki Takahashi, Hiroki Kamijou, and Shinobu Takatsuki. As the series progresses, their individual love stories intertwine in a slow and captivating manner.
Unlike Love Stage!!, Junjou Romantica does not explore the theme of show business. However, if you enjoyed the boys love genre in Love Stage!!!, you will find even three love stories in this anime.
That’s why we think that Junjou Romantica is an anime that no fan of Love Stage!!!, or the boys love genre in general, should miss.
5. Buddy Go!
Buddy Go! is an anime that came out in 2016, two years after Love Stage!!, from which draws a lot of inspiration. Both anime revolve around the entertainment industry and feature protagonists who are mistaken for the opposite sex.
In Love Stage!!, the main character possesses feminine traits, while in Buddy Go!, the protagonist is a girl who disguises herself as a boy.
Shizuku Ishiai, our protagonist, has a passion for dancing and gains online popularity by uploading her dance videos to Smile Douga. Under the pseudonym Ai Shizukuishi, she has the opportunity to participate in a dancing audition alongside Kazanami Hayate, known as the dance prince.
Eventually, the two become part of the all-male idol group called Buddyz, participating in a dancing competition. But as Kazanami discovers Shizuku’s secret, he begins to develop feelings for her.
Both anime explore a love story intertwined with the entertainment world, featuring protagonists mistaken for the opposite gender. If you enjoyed Love Stage!!, don’t miss out on Buddy Go!.
4. Gravitation
Gravitation is an anime from the early 2000s that shares several similarities with Love Stage!!.
Firstly, the protagonist embarks on a journey within the show business world and encounters a character who profoundly impacts his life in a romantic way.
The story revolves around Shuichi Shindou, a determined musician who aspires to lead his band, Bad Luck, to the pinnacle of the Japanese music charts.
During his endeavors, he crosses paths with Yuki, a captivating writer. Their initial encounter sparks a friendship that gradually evolves into something more profound.
Gravitation is an exceptional and underrated boys love romance that should not be overlooked, particularly if you are a fan of Love Stage!!! due to the numerous commonalities they share.
3. Skip Beat
Skip Beat! is an anime that delves into the lives, merits, and flaws of individuals working in the entertainment industry, drawing parallels to Love Stage!!.
However, the key distinction lies in Skip Beat!! not being centered around boys love romance plots or love stories in general, setting it apart from Love Stage!! while still sharing similarities.
The story follows Kyoko, a 16-year-old girl who dedicates her life to supporting her childhood friend Sho, an aspiring idol, even going so far as to drop out of school to follow him to Tokyo.
But Kyoko’s world crumbles when she overhears Sho belittling her, treating her as nothing more than a personal servant.
Determined to seek revenge, Kyoko resolves to enter the entertainment industry, vowing to surpass Sho’s fame and humiliate him in the process.
If you enjoyed Love Stage!!! for its entertainment industry theme, then Skip Beat! is probably our best recommendation. But unfortunately, since it totally lacks a prominent romance component, we can’t put it higher than this.
2. Yuri!!! on Ice
Yuri!!! on Ice is an anime that was released in the Fall of 2016 that is basically identical to Love Stage!!, and that’s why it definitely deserves the first spot on this list.
The story revolves around Yuuri Katsuki, a 23-year-old Japanese ice skater who has experienced a devastating defeat in a major competition, which has had a profound psychological impact on him. He also gains a significant amount of weight as a result.
Uncertain about his future in the sport, Yuuri’s life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Victor Nikiforov, a talented Russian skater who offers to become his mentor.
With Victor’s guidance, Yuuri rediscovers his passion for ice skating, undergoes a physical transformation, and becomes determined to make a comeback.
Yuri!!! on Ice and Love Stage!! are two remarkably similar anime series, with the main difference being their respective settings: one in the world of sports and the other in the entertainment industry.
However, aside from this minor distinction, both anime share a common focus on a boys love story, and the relationship between the two main characters are almost identical in both series.
1. Given
Given is an anime that shares many similarities with Love Stage!! as both revolve around boys love plots and the protagonists’ pursuit of their dreams.
This school romance anime tells the story of Mafuyu Satou and his journey to find his light through music.
With his Gibson guitar in hand, Mafuyu meets Ritsuka Uenoyama, who offers to help him improve his guitar skills and join their band.
The band is made up of Haruki Nakayama on bass and Akihiko Kaji on drums. As Mafuyu learns to play the guitar, Uenoyama is captivated by his beautiful voice and works to make him the lead singer of the band.
But as they work together, the characters uncover their own mysterious pasts and find love in unexpected ways.
Similar to Love Stage!!, Given explores the growth of its main characters through their relationships and the pursuit of their dreams. It’s a must-watch for fans of Love Stage!!, no if and buts.