The 14 Best Anime To Get Your Significant Other Into Anime

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It can often be tricky to get your significant other into anime. Many people who haven't watched anime before can harbor some seriously weird misconceptions about the genre, and refuse to watch anime on principle alone. Others are willing to try a particularly acclaimed series, but still approach the show with a skeptical eye. If you want your loved one to actually come away liking anime, the first series you expose them to must be carefully chosen. 

Luckily, there is a wide range of anime for your girlfriend, boyfriend, or non-binary date to try out. Within the medium, different shows span a variety of moods and genres, which means that most people can find a show that relates to their outside interests. If you're not pushy, and remember to keep your partner's preferences in mind, hopefully the two of you will have a great time exploring anime as a couple. 


  • Even if your significant other isn't into anime, there's a good chance that they've at least heard of Fullmetal Alchemist. Luckily, the story of the Elric brothers' quest to get their bodies back is engrossing enough to live up to the hype that surrounds the series. 

    While many fans would start by showing their partner the 2003 version of the show, the updated, considerably more manga-faithful Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood might be a better choice if you want to guide your sweetheart towards a recently released series.

    1,291 votes
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    794 VOTES

    ERASED

    If your date is into psychological thrillers, ERASED is a great entry point into anime. In the show, Satoru Fujinuma is sent backwards in time to prevent his classmate Kayo Hinazuki from being brutally murdered. The story is filled with high-tension encounters that leave viewers wondering who is behind Kayo's death, and whether Satoru will succeed in saving her. At only 12 episodes long, it's the perfect show to binge-watch over the weekend. 

    794 votes
  • 3
    1,142 VOTES

    If your significant other is into superheroes, My Hero Academia is a great first anime for them to check out. In the show, Izuku Midoriya is one of the few people to be born without a "quirk" (AKA a superpower), but he's determined to become a superhero anyway. When he meets his idol, All Might, he's suddenly given the chance he's been waiting for. 

    The show is accessible to non-anime fans who are familiar with Marvel and DC, while also doing an excellent job of showcasing what's great about shonen anime. 

    1,142 votes
  • Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is about a group of friends trying to come to terms with the accidental death of their childhood companion. It's a great anime to watch if you want to cry your eyes out, and for that reason it's a great anime to watch with your significant other. The two of you can bond over having your hearts ripped out, and shows that elicit strong emotions are also likely to be memorable.

    452 votes
  • When trying to get your lover to appreciate anime, you can't overlook the romance genre. While not every series is right for every couple, Say "I Love You" is a generally great option. As a result of her being traumatized by childhood bullies, Mei Tachibana has convinced herself that she's just fine without human interaction. Yamato Kurosawa — her friendly and popular classmate — likes her for who she is, but Mei has trouble believing him.

    Mei and Yamato truly care for and respect each other, but they both make enough mistakes for the relationship to feel plausible. This contract leads to a lot of dramatic tension that is sure to hook in anyone who is willing to give the show a try. 

    531 votes
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    254 VOTES

    The Tale Of Princess Kaguya

    Studio Ghibli's films aren't just for anime fans, they're cultural touchstones that pretty much everyone enjoys. As such, your partner might have already seen the studio's more well-known films, such as Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Awayand Princess Mononoke

    The Tale of Princess Kaguya is one of Ghibli's lesser-known works. The film is visually distinct, departing from the studio's usual style to employ softer lines and colors as well as strategically placed white spaces. It's an emotionally gripping tale of an otherworldly princess's unwillingness to conform to society's expectations.

    254 votes