Top 10 Action/Romance Anime [Best Recommendations]

zeke changuris

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Final Thoughts

Author: Zeke Changuris

I’m a journalist, writer, photographer, video producer, social media manager and above all a storyteller. I’m located on the east coast of the United States but travel the world with the love of my life. I’ve been a nerd since birth with a love of history and science. I fell in love with anime, watching ROBOTECH and Venus Wars in the 80s when our only source was secondhand VHS dubs. A crazy new thing called the internet changed that, giving me access to new and amazing anime every day. I love to write for work and pleasure. I’m living the dream of every kid, getting paid to watch anime and loving every subtitled line.

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Final Thoughts

Author: Cornelia Wagner

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It has been said that romance lies at the heart of all stories. After all, what is literature, what is poetry, what is art but a means for us to draw deep into our inner thoughts and feelings? Indeed, and this has been proven, by the way, stories of love and passion coupled with intense action, make some of the best plots ever written.

Anime has released countless of titles that dealt with the plot of romance and action. Classics from decades ago, such as the super robot series Toushou Daimos, is one very good example of an anime that was able to properly balance action and romance in its storyline. Thus, here is a list that contains ten of anime’s best action/romance stories.

Here is our Top 10 Action/Romance Anime!

• Episodes: 12


• Aired: October 2012 - December 2012

Yet another anime that features a survival game, BTOOOM! seems to be one of the last titles one would think of when considering romance. However, within the plot of the anime lies a really well-developed romantic story, with the tale of Ryouta and Himiko unfolding before viewers’ eyes in a manner that is both engaging and satisfying.

Though the anime is extremely gritty and violent, and features disturbing adult themes that are mercilessly explored, the love story between the male and female leads is one that will always be considered as the series silver lining. Indeed, it is a very testament to the fact that even in the darkest of times, love can make one’s life that much more worth it.

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• Episodes: 25


• Aired: April 2008 - September 2008

Following in the footsteps of its source material, Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, which is the definitive example of space opera anime decades ago, Macross Frontier is widely considered as one of the best spinoff sequels in anime. Featuring breathtaking, fluid animation during intricate battle sequences and a love triangle that is in no way conceited or forced, Macross Frontier is one anime that has endeared itself to fans of the original series and newbies alike.

One of the strongest suits of the anime is the development of the three central characters, who are said to be on par with the original series’ famous love triangle. As the male lead, Alto, is faced with the prospect of love from two similar yet different women, viewers are taken on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. One thing that is particularly engaging about the anime’s love story is the fact that among the three involved in the triangle, there is none who is unlikeable, as both girls have strong qualities that make them right for the male lead. Everything comes into a perfect close, however, as the anime’s ending is both concrete and abstract at the same time.

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• Episodes: 25


• Aired: July 2012 - December 2012

Sword Art Online has become a favorite for many anime recently. With engaging battles that feature the best of swordplay and RPG gaming, SAO is definitely one of the best action anime that has been released in recent years. However, there is more to this anime than extraordinary battles - it is also an anime with one of the sweetest love stories ever shown on screen.

The developing relationship of the main character, Kirito, and the female lead, Asuna, is one of the story’s strongest points. From the instant connection they felt during their first boss battle, their reunion as powerful players a number of years after, their subsequent relationship that ultimately ended in them being married in-game, to the final scene in the first arc that involved the two holding hands as the world was ending, the story of Kirito and Asuna is one that is indeed very hard to forget.

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• Episodes: 167


• Aired: October 2000 - September 2004

Of course, in anime, there is one anime that features action and romance to a pretty extended degree, the epic story of InuYasha. Running for a full four years, the tale of Kagome and InuYasha has become one of anime’s most notable love stories. Featuring themes that include reincarnation, sorrow, and the haunting of past sins, InuYasha is one anime for those who love seeing awesome action and a great love story onscreen.

Though the story is quite long and extremely expansive, the core romance in the plot is one that will always stand as one of anime’s best love stories, as the titular character struggles with feelings for the woman he has loved in the past, to the reincarnation of the very same person he is currently falling in love with in the present. Of course, the anime is also responsible for a lot of nail-biting suspense when it comes to its action scenes, as enemies get stronger and characters are faced with increasingly difficult situations throughout the story.

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• Episodes: 13


• Aired: April 2010 - June 2010

Angel Beats! is widely considered as one of the best titles that have been released in recent years, and for good reason too. Featuring awesome battle scenes that spare no expense in the production department, and a surprising love story that quite literally slaps the tears out of viewers’ eyes, Angel Beats! has become one of Key VisualArts’ most notable works.

The series is yet one reason why people love Key VisualArts’ works, as the story of Otonashi and the mysterious Kanade unfolds throughout the anime’s relatively short run. What makes Angel Beats! such a notable action/romance anime is the fact that it was able to produce such a wonderful love story in the anime’s final episodes, ultimately culminating in the final episode’s final scenes, which is widely considered as one of the most heartfelt and touching moments in anime.

Overall, Angel Beats! is like an anime that lets you in on the action, then sucker punches you with a romantic twist, essentially making the anime impossible to forget.

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• Episodes: 26


• Aired: October 2011 - April 2012

It is said that love is an act of insanity in itself. With this in mind, there is no other anime that can stay true to this adage than Mirai Nikki. Yes, the anime is pretty crazy when it comes to its violence (it does, after all, feature anime’s most beloved yandere), and the action sequences can be pretty gut-wrenching, but within the anime’s plot is actually a pretty sweet love story. Strage? Let me explain.

On the surface, Yuki and Yuno’s story seem to be a cliched tale of a crazy girl going after the cowardly guy. However, as the plot moves forward, you as the viewer will actually see the depth of their love for each other. As their relationship comes to fruition, Yuki depends on Yuno because she completes him, and Yuno depends on Yuki because he is her one source of happiness. Yes, they do things that are far and beyond insane, but at the core of it all lies their sincere affection for each other. For this, Mirai Nikki makes our list.

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• Episodes: 26


• Aired: April 1996 - September 1996

Though this anime has been released almost twenty years ago, it is one that has aged pretty well. Indeed, the story of assertive female lead Hitomi and the handsome, headstrong prince Van, and of course, the dashing, chivalrous Allen, is one of anime’s best three-way love stories ever written. Of course, the hand to hand and mecha battles between the characters are also considered one of anime’s best.

What makes the action sequences great in this anime is the realism involved in he fights, especially in those featuring the anime’s mechas, the towering Guymelefs. The romance, however, is something completely on a different level, as the budding relationship between Hitomi and Prince Van is something that is extremely well-portrayed. With intense battle sequences and a romantic story that is both refreshing and realistic, Tenkuu no Escaflowne is one anime that really deserves a spot is this list.

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• Episodes: 24


• Aired: October 2014 - March 2015

A relatively new anime, Akatsuki no Yona garnered a lot of praise when it was released. this was partly due to the anime’s great character development, especially on the titular heroine, Princess Yona, who was forced into exile after the brutal murder of her father in the hands of the man she considers her one true love. Faced with hurdles that are far beyond what she was trained for, Yona nonetheless tries to reclaim a kingdom that was rightfully hers.

Though the action sequences of Akatsuki no Yona are a beauty to behold, the budding romance between Yona and her protector, Hak, is something that has gained a lot of praise from anime fans all over the world. What makes the anime’s romantic theme so endearing is the fact that it manages to pull off scenes that are subtle and passionate at the same time, without resorting to any fanservice of any sort. Truly one of the best romance/action anime of recent years, Akatsuki no Yona is our Number 3.

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• Episodes: 24


• Aired: April 2007 - September 2007

Based on one of the greatest love stories of all time, the anime adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet takes liberties with the story, but it still retains the heart of the plot. Featuring the timeless tale of Romeo Montague and the woman of his dreams, this anime is credited as one of the most memorable anime version of a classic love story.

In fact, a lot of critics have even noted that due to the liberties taken by the anime, the story actually became better-rounded, as the development of Romeo and Juliet’s love story was expansively explored. In contrast to the Renaissance play, where the young lovers fell in love at first sight and ultimately kill each other a number of days later, the anime incarnations of the characters actually deal with events that are far beyond their lives alone. Juliet’s sacrifice, for one, and Romeo’s subsequent sacrifice is something that has impressed anime viewers, old and young alike.

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• Episodes: 94


• Aired: January 1996 - September 1998

Of course, one can never think action/romance anime without mentioning the magnum opus of romantic action anime, the tale of the wandering swordsman in the Meiji Era, Rurouni Kenshin. Being an anime that explores swordsmanship and historical events extensively, the fight scenes of the anime are some of the best ever seen in animation. In fact, the season ender of the anime’s second season is widely considered as the best anime fight ever shown.

The flash of clashing swords is not all that this anime is about, however. After all, it is a tale of a man’s journey to redemption, as signified by the main character’s reverse-edged sword. Thus, the epic love story between the humble Kenshin, a man making amends for his dark past, and the young Kaoru, a woman who is willing to give a vagabond a chance at a fresh start, is one that is sure to entrance viewers for a long time to come.

This is most evident in the gradual but certain progression of feelings between the two main leads. In fact, Rurouni Kenshin is an anime that manages to show the sincerest love of two characters without them even holding hands. The end of the first season is proof of this, as viewers are treated to one of the warmest and most endearing scenes in anime, just by showing Kenshin embracing Kaoru. It is said that love is subtle and sweet, and this anime is proof of that.

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So there goes our list of the Top 10 Action/Romance Anime! I highly suggest that you check out each of these titles, as each of them are very much worth the watch. I did, anyway. But then again, I’m a sucker for action/romance. Maybe you are too.

Nevertheless, the anime included in this list (one in particular), is responsible for single-handedly making me into a believer in Japanese animation. And it has stuck with me ever since.

Of course, if there are any titles not mentioned in the list, feel free to state them in the comments below! Until the next list, everyone!

Author: Peter "Virage" de Jesus

In the game of life, the Universe deals us a hand of cards. Some revel in the fortunes they are provided. Others resort to clawing their way up with the bad hand that they are dealt. A number would fold as the years go by. Our existence is a game of chances, and in this game, we all play. I play life in Hard Mode.

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