Action and Romance was my very first genre. I grew up watching City Hunter, and ever since, I have been looking for something that would give me the same vibes.
Don’t even let me start on my love for these genres because the talk will never end.
I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s out there always searching for a perfect blend of Action-Romance. The search is never-ending. So I decided to make it easier for you guys and list Best Action & Romance anime.
15 Chivalry of a Failed Knight
Chivalry of a Failed Knight
Air Date: October 3, 2015 Status: Finished Studio: Silver Link., Nexus No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 12Chivalry of a Failed Knight is based on a fantasy world, and if the title wasn’t obvious, our protagonist Ikki Kurogane is not some overpowered hero.
He has the lowest rank among the Mage-Knights. But in the end, these underdogs turn out to be the diamonds in the rough, and Ikki is one of them.
Honestly, considering where the show was heading, I expected it to turn into a harem anime, but surprisingly Ikki fell for our other tsundere main character Stella.
Their relationship does not hold that not of an otherworldly connection, but it’s sure cute.
14 Shakugan no Shana
Shakugan no Shana
Air Date: October 5, 2006 Status: Finished Studio: J.C. Staff No. of Seasons: 3 No. of Episodes: 72I grew up watching Shakugan no Shana and have never forgotten it ever since. The pacing of the story is very calm and elegant; nothing feels out of the ordinary.
It takes its own time to grow on us. I personally love this anime because even the supporting characters have their own side story going on, which is very complex and intriguing.
Just imagine one day after your death, you’ll be forgotten entirely, almost as if you never existed, to begin with, scary, right? Something similar happens to Yuuji when he dies and is reduced to be an object.
Yuuji becomes a torch that holds a humongous amount of power. He meets Shana, who is a flame haze. Slowly Shana starts to grow more on Yuuji; their budding romance is worth the wait.
13 Mirai Nikki
The Future Diary
Air Date: October 9, 2011 Status: Finished Studio: Asread No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 26Mirai Nikki was responsible for creating the craze for Yandere back in 2011. We have tons of action, thriller, gore, violence, love, sorry not love but obsession in the anime.
After watching it for a while, you just become accustomed and desensitized to the messed-up plot.
The love shared between the characters in this anime might seem extreme, but it’s their co-dependency and their want and need for each other that makes you want to keep watching it further. At one point, I started cheering for Yuno.
12 No.6
No.6
Air Date: July 8, 2011 Status: Finished Studio: Bones No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 11The dystopian and utopian concept always interests me, and No.6 is set in a similar world.
Based on a postapocalyptic scene, No.6 takes us on a journey of Shion and Nezumi. Shion was born in a peaceful and privileged house.
He had no problems whatsoever until a mysterious boy met him.
The stranger boy, Nezumi, introduces Shion to an entirely new perspective on his everyday life. Shion learns that his idealistic world wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine after all.
11 SukaSuka
Shuumatsu Nani Shitemasu ka
Air Date: April 11, 2017 Status: Finished Studio: C2C, Satelight No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 12When I think of SukaSuka, only one word comes to my mind- beautiful. It’s also that one anime where I pretend the last episode never happened. It’s simply very overwhelming.
Willem is a former warrior asked to guard weapons for the nation by his close friend. When he arrives at the assigned place, he is shocked to see the weapons are young girls of the Leprechaun race.
Willem feels for the girls and starts taking care of them; he becomes their father figure. Willem falls in love with Catholly, who is also a Leprechaun. I’m not going to spoil, but she’s a weapon, guys, so just connect the dots and guess the end.
10 Beyond the Boundary
Beyond the Boundary
Air Date: October 3, 2013 Status: Finished Studio: Kyoto Animation No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 12I remember seeing the teasers of this anime on every other website I could find, but I kept delaying it for some reason, and let me tell you, I regret taking that decision.
I should have watched it earlier because this one is a fine piece of art. Speaking of art, the visuals of this anime is so cute and refreshing at the same time.
Honestly, this anime has mixed reviews, but I was one of the people who loved the anime.
For a person who likes the supernatural or fantasy genre, this anime was a perfect choice. So I would definitely recommend this to all my fantasy lovers out there.
9 Inuyasha
Inuyasha
Air Date: October 16, 2000 Status: Upcoming Season 3 Studio: Sunrise No. of Seasons: 3 No. of Episodes: 193Most of us grew up watching Inuyasha and had a major crush on Sesshoumaru, or was it just me? Nevertheless, if you still haven’t seen this anime, it’s high time you do.
Cause boy, it’s one of the best ones out there. We have demons, humans, half-demons, and a combination of other supernaturals.
Kagome is your average teenager, but her life takes a big turn when a demon drags her into the cursed well of her family land.
She transports 500 years into the past and soon meets a half-demon, Inuyasha. Both of them go on a quest to find the shards of a precious jewel Kagome lost.
8 Noragami
Noragami
Air Date: January 5, 2014 Status: Finished Studio: Bones No. of Seasons: 2 No. of Episodes: 25Noragami is that one anime that will make you happy even if you think about it. The supernatural touch is plain gold. The characters are well written and provide meaning to the plot; you just appreciate their existence.
Hiyori’s accident causes her soul to slip out from her body frequently, so she asks Yato, our handy dandy God, for help. However, Yato needs a partner to help her, and later, he finds Yukine a wandering child soul.
Although the romance comes into the picture towards the second season, the genuine adoration they have for each other gives you a sugar rush. The Yato-Hiyori-Yukine trio is too adorable; they are almost a family.
7 Tokyo revengers
Tokyo Revengers
Air Date: April 11, 2021 Status: Airing Studio: Studio LIDENFILMS No. of Seasons: 3 No. of Episodes: 37Tokyo revengers is one of the currently airing anime. Its become a hot topic of the town, and its popularity is justified. I’m living up for the plot.
This anime is more of an action than a romance. Takemichi Hanagaki was once in the prime of his life. He had friends, his gang, and a girlfriend. But the anime Gods didn’t bless him for long; he lost them all.
Now he’s a 26-year-old unemployed man. Moreover, his ex-girlfriend dies tragically in a gang war, which leaves him devastated.
Somehow Takemichi time travels back to where the tragedy began; he vows to save his ex-girlfriend and become the most respected gang member.
6 Akatsuki no Yona
Yona of the Dawn
Air Date: October 7, 2014 Status: Finished Studio: Studio Pierrot No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 24I was waiting to write about Akatsuki no Yona; it’s my top favorite anime ever created. I’m still waiting for the promised season two.
The plot is so engaging that I would call it one of the best shoujo in history. The character development is a chef’s kiss. Especially watching Yona grow up, I felt like a proud parent.
Yona is a spoiled and sheltered princess of the Kouka Kingdom. Since childhood, she has been protected by her crush, Su-won, and bodyguard, Hak. Yona is confident that her father has maintained the peace of the country.
The very person she has loved for ten years assassinates her father and claims his position as the new king.
After the betrayal, Yona and Hak are forced to flee the kingdom as fugitives. Although the romance is a slow burn, it’s a beauty to behold. It makes every patient minute worth the wait.
5 Revolutionary Girl Utena
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Air Date: April 7, 1997 Status: Finished Studio: J.C. Staff No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 39On the surface, this series might seem like your average gender bender Yuri/Shoujo Ai, but that’s entirely different from reality.
The anime features very complex themes, and it baffles me to this date. However, I warn you to watch it with an open mind as some scenes are triggering, and it can be a little overwhelming.
Ever since Utena was a little girl, she idolized a prince to the point where she wished to be a prince. So soon, she started attending the Academy while cross-dressing.
The plot might sound fluff, but oh boy, be prepared; it’s not that simple. Revolutionary Girl Utena has a lot of symbolism, so you need to watch it very carefully.
4 Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin
Air Date: January 10, 1996 Status: Finished Studio: Studio DEEN, Gallop No. of Seasons: 3 No. of Episodes: 95We need to include Rurouni Kenshin in a list featuring Action & Romance. It’s one of the classics, and that itself makes this anime a gem.
If you haven’t seen this anime, please make sure you add it to your watch list, trust me, it’s pretty much the best you can find.
If you’re into Samurai, then this masterpiece is exactly what you need. Both the main characters Kenshin and Kaoru, slowly fall in love.
Somehow their personality is similar as both tend to hide their dark past; however, they come in terms with it and hold each other very dearly. My only regret is that I needed more Kenshin x Kaoru moments.
3 Tian Guan Ci Fu
Heaven Official’s Blessing
Air Date: October 31, 2020 Status: Upcoming Season 2 Studio: Haoliners Animation League No. of Seasons: 2 No. of Episodes: 11Chinese anime has been on the rise recently, and BL fans couldn’t be happier than this because of the excellent quality content we are getting through these donghuas.
Tian Guan Ci Fu was the adaptation that fans were desperately waiting for, and boy, it was brilliant. The art style was so aesthetically pleasing that I almost cried.
Moreover, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian’s relationship is to die for; the vibe and trust between them are heartwarming. The plot is also engrossing; Xie Lian has ascended to heaven for the third time.
He needs worshippers to use his powers at full potential and help people, so he goes back to the mortal realm and does small missions.
On the very first mission, he meets a familiar man with odd abilities. However, the man soon leaves abruptly after guiding Lian.
2 Mo Dao Zu Shi
Mo Dao Zu Shi
Air Date: July 9, 2018 Status: Upcoming Season 3 No. of Seasons: 3 No. of Episodes: 35Mo Dao Zu Shi is yet again a masterpiece by the same author who wrote Tian Guan Ci Fu. God forbid the craze this anime has; it has reached all the ends of the world.
The story is focused more on past happenings; once you are used to the shifts, you’ll truly enjoy watching the anime. It’s no surprise why the anime is so popular.
When Wei Wuxian chose the forbidden demonic cultivation path, he was despised by the other cultivators and betrayed. After 13 years of his death, Wei Wuxian reincarnated into Mo Xuanyu, who summoned him through a sacrificial ritual.
He later meets Lan Wangji, his former classmate. Together they go on a quest to save their clans from the dread that’s threatening them. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are too cute to be true, and I’m their fan.
1 Banana Fish
Banana Fish
Air Date: July 6, 2018 Status: Finished Studio: MAPPA No. of Seasons: 1 No. of Episodes: 24It’s been ages since I watched Banana Fish, and I’m still not over it. It scarred me for good. All the more, I kept thinking, what if the end was different?
Nevertheless, the plot is of the best quality. I highly recommend it if you’re into themes like gangs, mafia, and criminal syndicates.
As a child, Ash was adopted by a mafia Don, Dino, ever since he is involved in all the gang’s criminal activities. 17-year-old Ash has his own gang now, but things take a wild turn when he investigates ‘Banana Fish.’
Ash soon meets Eiji, a Japanese photographer; their relationship further develops into something unbreakable.
Although it is not blatantly pinpointed that Ash and Eiji were in a romantic relationship, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that their bond was not friendship or brotherhood.
No Comments on Anime That Every Action and Romance Lovers Need To Watch