12 Anime To Watch Similar To Kaguya-sama: Love Is War - Similar in Atmosphere, Plot or Theme.

If there’s anything history and human psychology have taught us is that Love is war. It is the cause of conflict, jealousy, and heartbreak and is the premise of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, an anime series that has managed to steal our hearts and continuously make us laugh due to its almost absurd level of comedy, romance, animation, and narration. As we all patiently wait for the newest season and wonder when Kaguya and Miyuki will bless us with an official relationship, many of us are looking for similar anime or what to watch next. Alas, this list is filled with many old and new rom-com and slice-of-life anime that will do the trick and bring the same level of hilarity and warmth to our screens.

+Manga With Forced Relationships and Arranged Marriages+

1.Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou

彼氏彼女の事情 - His and Her Circumstances

“You might understand it intellectually, but you can’t help how you feel”

Plot: Considered a perfect student in both sports and academics, admired by her peers for her elegance, kindness, and sociability, Yukino Miyazawa hides a secret: her appearance is but a mask. She is actually incredibly vain and only maintains her reputation because she loves being revered and adored by people. However, on her first day of high school, her position as the center of attention changes when a male student, Soichiro Arima, takes on the role of valedictorian and becomes -unbeknownst to him- her rival.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: In its first few episodes, Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou feels like a prequel to Kaguya-sama as our heroine first despises her new rival and does everything in her mind to surpass him. After those, the episodes feel like a sequel for reasons that I won’t divulge but are easy to guess. Character traits are similar as the main protagonists are full of pride and stubbornness, come from different social classes, are highly admired by the rest of the students, and find a huge difficulty in confessing and expressing their love which leads to hilarious squabbles.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Gainax + J.C.Staff

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Comedy + Drama + Romance + Slice of Life + School

Number of episodes: 26

Number of seasons: 1

2.komi can’t communicate

古見さんは、コミュ症です。- Komi-san wa, Comyushou desu.

“No one can see me, no one can notice my presence. I love the toilet.”

Plot: Hitohito Tadano only has one goal for high school: avoid trouble and not stand out. But on his first day, he is assigned a seat next to the most beautiful and revered girl in his school and quickly uncovers that she has social anxiety and is unable to form any words out loud, lest tremors and sweat seize her. In him, she finds a beacon of light that will guide her through the darkest of times and slowly but surely help her get out of her shell. Unfortunately, the rest of the school sees him as a competition and consequently hates his guts.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: This relatively new rom com anime has the same atmosphere. The main protagonist has a ‘revering god’ appearance and reputation but what’s going on in her mind is entirely different than how she appears. The main and side characters have an absurd and incredibly hilarious dynamic between them. This anime series is very wholesome and heart-warmingly insane. The comedy is in pair with Kaguya-sama: Love Is War and also heavily relies on fast-paced visual aspects.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: OLM

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Comedy + Slice of Life + School

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1 (Season 2 will be released in April 2022)

Lists containing this anime: 13 Anime To Watch Similar To Komi Cant Communicate

3.Tsurezure Children

徒然チルドレン - Tsuredure Children

“I’m sorry. It’s me, not you. Honestly, it’s not easy for me to understand how girls feel.”

Plot: Tsurezure Children follows a handful of high school students that find themselves at the giving or receiving end of the unexplored feelings of first love. As the all too familiar aspects of confessions or first relationships arise, we follow different lovable characters as they slowly but surely learn to turn awkwardness and anxiety into experience and confidence. On the path to the maturation of love, they come through various familiar obstacles and typical tropes as well as get to taste the parallel joys these entails.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: Although not as funny, Tsurezure Children’s scenes manage to entice viewers through its many adorable and comical scenes and characters. The ‘confessional’ aspect is the major resemblance, but we also find the same wholesomeness levels and awkward interactions.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Studio Gokumi

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Comedy + Romance + School

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1

4.Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san

からかい上手の高木さん - Teasing Master Takagi-san

“I’ll get back to you someday and embarrass you too”

Plot: Middle school students Takagi and Nishikata have always sat next to one another in class, and with both of them having very playful personalities, their seating area became a breeding ground for teasing each other and playing around. Takagi quickly established herself as the master as she made use of her extensive knowledge of Nishikata to prank and embarrass him. It is Nishikata’s dream to one day make her blush, but the dream seems far-fetched.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: Both shows involve games and scorekeeping as the main characters' intentions are to win against one another. Both protagonists are clearly in love but prefer to tease each other into a battle of wits rather than confess. The plot follows an episodic line, and the episodes themselves are further divided into segments instead of following one main scenario. Teasing Master Takagi-san is sweeter and more tender than Kaguya-sama as the protagonists are originally in middle school, but this quickly progresses as there are three seasons and they grow up.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Shin-Ei Animation

Trailer: Link. (season 2 trailer, there is no season 1 trailer, sumimasen)

Genre: Comedy + Romance + Slice of Life + School

Number of episodes: 36

Number of seasons: 3

5.SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA

食戟のソーマ - FOOD WARS!

“This is just my opinion… but I feel that those who recognize one right way will never go beyond and reach truly amazing things. But more importantly… the journey is no fun if you know where you are going.”

Plot: Souma Yukihira has been cooking at his father Jouichirou’s restaurant since he was a young boy. Finding both his passion and joy in culinary concoctions, he is shocked to find out that Jouichirou has decided to close down his shop for a job in New York. Rather than joining him, he decides to enhance his skills further and enroll in the prestigious world-renowned Tootsuki Culinary Academy, where only 10% of students graduate every year. The school is known for its ‘Shokugekis,' intense and brutal cooking competitions between students.

Similarities to Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War: There isn’t much to say about a common plot or theme, but the atmosphere is almost identical when it comes to the level and quality of comedy. Shogukegi No soma is hilarious, and it’s probably one of the funniest anime I’ve ever watched. The jokes are incredibly similar to those of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, as the humor is over the top and highly unexpected. This series also has similar ‘feel-good’ vibes.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: J.C.Staff

Trailer: Link

Genre: Gourmet + Ecchi

Number of episodes: 73

Number of seasons: 5

Lists containing this anime: Top 11 Anime You Should Watch At Some Point In Your Life + 13 Anime To Watch Similar To Komi Cant Communicate

6.kaichou wa maid sama

会長はメイド様! - Maid Sama!

“Love, passion, why do we get caught up by such troublesome feelings? The mind couldn’t ever get things straight, and you lose control to know what is sensible. Deep down it’s all so vexing.”

Plot: As the first female student council president of her school, Misaki Ayuzawa radiates discipline and strictness and is known for her mastery of Aikido techniques which she doesn’t shy away from using on boys who set foot on the path of misconduct. After school, however, Ayuzawa has a mortifying secret: she works as a waitress at a maid café to help her family pay the bills. She keeps quiet about her job and even makes sure to go out of her way to pick a far-away establishment, but one day, the most popular boy in school, Takumi Usui, walks into her café.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: Ayuzawa is as stubborn, strong, and smart as Kaguya. Both main protagonists are at the top of the pyramid in their school as they are in the student council. Same rich/poor social class aspects of the two love interests which both struggle to admit their romantic feelings to one another which leads to a push-and-pull romance. The comedic elements are of the same quality, but Kaichou Wa Maid Sama also has its fair share of more serious and dramatic moments.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: J.C.Staff

Trailer: Link

Genre: Comedy + Romance + School

Number of episodes: 26

Number of seasons: 1

Lists containing this anime: Top 16 Rom Com Anime Series That Will Melt Your Heart & Make You Laugh + [Top 43] Best Romance Manga That Will Melt Any Type Of Heart

7.MONTHLY GIRLS' NOZAKI-KUN

月刊少女野崎くん - GEKKAN SHŌJO NOZAKI-KUN

“Sakura Chiyo, age 16. I asked out the boy that I like, and he gave me his autograph.”

Plot: Our story begins as Chiyo Sakura finally confesses her love to her long-time crush Umetarou Nozaki. Unfortunately, he is utterly clueless about her feelings and instead thinks she's a fan of his and hands her his autograph. Nozaki isn't full of himself; this is a logical conclusion in his head as he is actually a manga artist of the romantic genre. Taking this event as an opportunity, he asks Chiyo to become his assistant as he's been eyeing her art skills for a while. Herein unfolds a hilarious narrative full of miscommunication and heart-warming moments.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: Nozaki has the same tranquil and mysterious appearance as Miyuki Shirogane, but his personality is crazy in its own way. Side characters are hilarious with their own peculiar traits. Same ‘slice-of-life’ atmosphere without much drama. This is primarily a feel-good anime that will provide you with laughter, ridiculously cute situations, and endless sweet love confessions that seem to lead to nowhere.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Doga Kobo

Trailer: Link

Genre: Comedy + Romance

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1

Lists containing this anime: Top 16 Rom Com Anime Series That Will Melt Your Heart & Make You Laugh + 13 Anime To Watch Similar To Komi Cant Communicate

8.SCHOOL RUMBLE

スクールランブル

“Rather than regret doing nothing, regret something that you’ve done.”

Plot:This romantic comedy centers on a love line involving Kenji Harima, who is in love with Tenma Tsukamoto, who herself is in love with Oji Karasuma, who might just be in love with curry. All of them find themselves in the same class in high school and comedic situations where confessing is hard, and friends, rivalries, and the typical problems of youth serve to further complicate their yearning for love and romance.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: High school setting where the flow of episodes is similarly divided into little stories. The protagonists and side characters all have very wacky traits and behave in incredibly questionable ways to attract their crush. The humor is very similar, as the author of Kaguya-sama himself revealed that he was inspired by School Rumble when he created his manga.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Studio Comet

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Comedy + Romance + School

Number of episodes: 52

Number of seasons: 2

9.DANSHI KOUKOUSEI NO NICHIJOU

男子高校生の日常 - DAILY LIVES OF HIGH SCHOOL BOYS

“DANSHI KOUKOUSEI NO NICHIJOU”

Plot: Here, we follow the story of three best friends attending an all-boys High school: hyperactive and eccentric Hidenori, wise and rational Tadakuni, and passionate and ebullient Yoshitake. These ordinary boys fill their everyday lives with tales of samurai fights and intense drama but also yearn for love and the chance of talking to a girl. Through their day, the ordinary becomes extraordinary as their imagination colors a grey world into explosions of red greens and blues. Daily Lives of Highschool Boys is filled with the bizarre and hilarious but mainly with that which manages to warm the heart and make us revisit high school days.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: The comedy and level of entertainment are on par with Kaguya-sama. This series relies on dramatic dialogue and narration taken to such extremes that you can’t help but find yourself laughing aloud. The atmosphere is similarly paced with dynamically animated episodes cut into the same shorter segments. Although Daily Lives of Highschool Boys isn’t mainly about romance, it includes playful romantic aspects from time to time as the boys meet girls and try (but mostly fail) to engage in conversations with them.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Sunrise

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Comedy + Slice of Life + School

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1

10.FANTASY BISHOUJO JUNIKU OJISAN TO

異世界美少女受肉おじさんと - LIFE WITH AN ORDINARY GUY WHO REINCARNATED INTO A TOTAL FANTASY KNOCKOUT

Plot: Childhood friends Jinguji Tsukasa and Tachibana Hinata are two office workers in their 30s whose romantic life is devoid of any story. While Tsukasa seems to be single by choice, as he is very popular with women, Hinata is single because his friend always overshadows him. One day, as they come home from a mixer, they are suddenly sent to another world by a mysterious deity. In this new world, Jinguji gains magical power and physical abilities while Tachibana turns into a beautiful girl who seems to make all men fall in love with her. To return to their world, they must defeat an evil demon lord. Both rush into this journey headfirst as their bodies seem to be attracted to one another, and getting back home is their only way to regain their original forms.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: Fantasy Bishoujo Juniku Ojisan to is basically the Isekai version of Kaguya Sama, but fear not if you’re not into the fantasy genre as the main theme focuses on comedy and romance. The major similarity is that both protagonists are desperately trying not to show to the other person that they are falling in love with them and are immensely attracted to them. Eventually, other similar aspects emerge, such as wacky strategic plans to test whether or not the other feels the same way about them. The comedy heavily relies on overblown situations and uses the same heavily dramatic internal monologues and narrations.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: OLM Team Yoshioka

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Adventure + Comedy + Fantasy

Average episode length:

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1

11.SPECIAL A

スペシャル・エー - SPECIAL A (S.A)

“The first person to love the other, is considered as the loser.”

Plot: Ever since she was a child, Hikari Hanazono easily excelled at everything she tried to accomplish, gifted with abilities that made her assume that no one could beat her. This all changed when she met Kei Takishima, who was able to easily win after being challenged by her to a match. Challenge after challenge Hikari was never able to win. On that day, he became her nemesis, and she swore that she would eventually beat him at everything. To achieve her wish, she enrolls in the same school as Kei, a school known for its wealthy students and Special A program.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: Same fancy school setting with the two main protagonists belonging to a special council that makes everyone around them admire them. The female and male leads are highly competitive overachievers, and although they seem to compete, they are actually secretly harboring feelings for one another. The side characters, presence of rivalry, and mix of comedy and romance that involves stubbornness and competition are also very similar.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Gonzo + AIC

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Comedy + Romance + School

Number of episodes: 24

Number of seasons: 1

12.BOARDING SCHOOL JULIET

寄宿学校のジュリエット - KISHUKU GAKKOU NO JULIET

“I’ll come find you wherever you are, as many times as it takes.”

Plot: The story takes place in a world where two competing countries try to forge a bond by sending some of their students to a common school known as the Dahlia Academy. There, students of the Eastern Nations of Touwa and those of the Principality of West each have a group leader and are bitter enemies who always seem to be engaging in gang fights. In reality, the leaders of these two groups, Romio Inuzuka, and Juliet Persia are hopelessly in love, but revealing their feelings and relationship to the rest of the school would bring anger and retaliation from their peers.

Similarities to Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: Similar setting with a fancy boarding school where the two main characters are each high-ranking student in the social pyramid. Same absurd comedy which heavily relies on gags, failed plans, and unexpected twists. The dynamic of the two protagonists is the same: even though they are together from the very beginning, there is still fighting going on, and they still need to put up a front.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: LIDENFILMS

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Comedy + Romance + School

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1