List of Best Anime Like Ao Haru Ride (Blue Spring Ride):
Toradora!
The story follows Ryuji Takasu, a high school student with a scary face but a kind heart.
Ryuji has a crush on his classmate Minori, while her best friend Taiga has a crush on Ryuji’s best friend.
Ryuji and Taiga decide to team up to help each other win the hearts of their respective crushes.
Along the way, they become closer and develop unexpected feelings for each other.
The series explores themes of love, friendship, and personal growth.
My Little Monster
The story follows Shizuku Mizutani, a studious high school student who has no interest in making friends.
Shizuku’s life changes when she is tasked with delivering class notes to a classmate, Haru Yoshida, who has a reputation for being violent and unpredictable.
Haru takes an interest in Shizuku and starts to pursue a friendship with her.
As they spend more time together, they both begin to develop feelings for each other.
The series explores themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery.
Say “I Love You”
The story follows Mei Tachibana, a high school student who has never had a boyfriend and doesn’t trust other people easily.
Mei’s life changes when she accidentally kicks Yamato Kurosawa, a popular boy in her class, and he takes an interest in her.
Yamato begins to pursue a romantic relationship with Mei, but she struggles to open up and trust him.
Along the way, Mei makes new friends and faces challenges in her personal life.
The series explores themes of trust, self-esteem, and the ups and downs of teenage relationships.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Sawako Kuronuma is a kind-hearted and innocent high school girl who is often misunderstood by her classmates because of her resemblance to the horror movie character Sadako. However, her life changes when she befriends the popular boy Shouta Kazehaya, who helps her come out of her shell and make more friends.
The story follows Sawako’s journey as she navigates through high school and tries to understand her feelings for Kazehaya, all while dealing with various challenges along the way.
It’s a heartwarming and romantic story that explores the themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery.
Maid Sama!
The anime follows the story of Misaki Ayuzawa, the first female student council president of a formerly all-boys school, Seika High School. She’s determined to reform the school and make it a better place for the female students, all while hiding her part-time job as a maid at a local cafe.
The plot revolves around Misaki’s struggle to balance her work and school life, all while dealing with the school’s unruly male students and the unwanted attention of Takumi Usui, a popular boy who discovers her secret.
It’s a romantic comedy with elements of drama that explores themes of gender roles, social class, and relationships.
Golden Time
Tada Banri, a college student, wakes up from a coma with amnesia and starts a new life in Tokyo. There he meets Mitsuo Yanagisawa, his best friend from high school, and Kouko Kaga, a girl who is in love with Mitsuo.
The anime follows Tada’s journey as he tries to uncover his past and figure out his present, all while navigating through college life and his complicated relationship with Kouko and Mitsuo.
It’s a romantic drama that explores themes of love, friendship, identity, and the complexities of relationships.
Honey and Clover
The anime follows the lives of a group of students at an art college in Tokyo, including Yuta Takemoto, Takumi Mayama, Shinobu Morita, Hagumi Hanamoto, and Ayumi Yamada. The plot revolves around their personal and professional struggles as they try to find their place in the world of art and design.
The story explores the themes of friendship, love, ambition, and self-discovery, as the characters face challenges such as unrequited love, financial difficulties, and the pressure to succeed in their chosen fields.
It’s a slice-of-life anime with elements of romance and comedy, that portrays the joys and sorrows of youth and the pursuit of one’s dreams.
Nana
The story follows two women with the same name, Nana, as they meet on a train to Tokyo and become roommates.
They each have different goals and dreams, but they form a close bond as they navigate relationships, careers, and personal struggles.
The anime explores themes of love, friendship, and adulthood in a realistic and mature way.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the music is a standout feature.
The anime ends abruptly and does not cover the full story from the manga, which may disappoint some viewers.
Clannad
The story centers around a high school student named Tomoya Okazaki, who is struggling with family issues and a general lack of purpose.
He meets a girl named Nagisa Furukawa, who is also feeling lost, and together they form a group of friends who support each other through various struggles.
The anime explores themes of family, friendship, and overcoming adversity, and features both comedy and drama.
The animation is beautiful and the music is emotional and memorable.
The second season, Clannad: After Story, is widely regarded as one of the best anime series of all time.
Orange
The story follows a high school girl named Naho who receives letters from her future self, warning her about events that will happen and urging her to change them.
The letters are about a new transfer student, Kakeru, who is dealing with a personal tragedy, and Naho and her friends try to support him.
The anime explores themes of regret, friendship, and the power of small actions to make a big difference.
The animation is vibrant and emotional, and the voice acting is excellent.
Some viewers may find the time travel aspect confusing or unsatisfying.
Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo
The story takes place at a high school dormitory for students studying the arts, where a group of misfit students live together.
The main character, Sorata, is tasked with taking care of a girl named Mashiro who is a talented artist but lacks basic life skills.
The anime explores themes of talent, hard work, and the challenges of pursuing a career in the arts.
The characters are well-developed and likable, and the humor is balanced with more serious moments.
Some viewers may find the ending unsatisfying or rushed.
My Love Story!!
The story revolves around a love-struck young man named Takeo who’s not confident due to his large size.
One day, he rescues a girl named Yamato from a harasser, and they soon become friends.
However, Takeo thinks Yamato likes his attractive best friend, so he tries to help them get together.
The anime explores Takeo’s love story with Yamato and their struggles to overcome their insecurities.
The anime also has a heartwarming depiction of friendship and family values.
Lovely Complex
The anime follows the story of two high school students, a tall girl named Koizumi and a short boy named Otani.
Despite their height differences and bickering, they eventually develop feelings for each other.
The anime explores the complexities of their relationship and the various obstacles they face, including their own insecurities and misunderstandings.
The anime has a good balance of humor, romance, and drama, and also portrays the importance of communication and self-acceptance.
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun (My Little Monster)
The anime follows the story of a studious girl named Shizuku and a delinquent boy named Haru who have opposite personalities.
Haru develops a crush on Shizuku and starts pursuing her relentlessly, leading to an unexpected friendship.
The anime explores their relationship, as well as the growth and development of both characters.
The anime also deals with themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery, making it a heartwarming coming-of-age story.
Kimi no Na Wa (Your Name)
The anime revolves around two high school students, a boy named Taki and a girl named Mitsuha, who find themselves mysteriously swapping bodies.
As they continue to switch bodies, they begin to learn about each other’s lives and eventually fall in love.
The anime explores themes of fate, memory, and love in a unique and touching way.
The anime also has stunning visuals and a beautiful soundtrack that complement the story’s emotional depth.
The anime was a huge commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing anime film worldwide.
Tsurezure Children
Tsurezure Children is a romantic comedy anime series that focuses on several high school couples and their daily lives.
The show features multiple love stories and explores the different stages of romantic relationships.
Each episode is divided into multiple short segments, with each segment focusing on a different couple.
The anime is known for its humor and its relatable and heartwarming moments.
Tsurezure Children is based on a manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Toshiya Wakabayashi.
ReLIFE
ReLIFE is a science-fiction drama anime series about a man named Arata Kaizaki who is given a chance to relive his high school years.
He is given a pill that makes him appear 10 years younger and enrolls in high school again as a test subject for a scientific experiment.
The show explores themes such as regret, second chances, and personal growth.
The anime is based on a web manga series written and illustrated by Yayoiso.
ReLIFE has also been adapted into a live-action film and TV drama.
Hyouka
Hyouka is a mystery anime series that follows the story of a high school student named Hotaro Oreki.
Hotaro is forced to join his school’s Classic Literature Club by his older sister and becomes interested in solving mysteries.
The show features various mysteries, some of which are related to the club’s history and some of which are more personal.
Hyouka is known for its attention to detail and beautiful animation.
The anime is based on a novel series written by Honobu Yonezawa.
Kokoro Connect
Kokoro Connect is a supernatural anime series about five high school students who are forced to switch bodies with each other.
The show explores themes such as identity, self-discovery, and relationships.
The anime also features a mysterious entity called Heartseed, who is responsible for the body-switching phenomenon.
Kokoro Connect is known for its character development and its exploration of complex emotions.
The anime is based on a light novel series written by Sadanatsu Anda.
Tsukigakirei
Tsukigakirei is a romance anime series that follows the story of two high school students, Kotaro Azumi and Akane Mizuno.
The show explores themes such as first love, long-distance relationships, and the challenges of adolescence.
Tsukigakirei is known for its realistic portrayal of relationships and its beautiful animation.
The anime also features various supporting characters, each with their own unique story arcs.
Tsukigakirei was produced by Studio Feel and directed by Seiji Kishi.
