Top 10 Action Romance Anime
#10: “Guilty Crown” (2011-12)
Another Top 10 Guilty Pleasure Anime
Taking on an international corporation in the name of Japanese independence is a rather tall-order, so it makes sense that Shu would need something else to keep him going. The Power of the King may be taxing, the horrors of conflict may riddle his mind with doubt, but when all else fell apart there was always the likes of Inori to keep him on his feet. The crystalline fight scenes are all well and good, but let’s be honest, it’s the doomed relationship between these two that kept us coming back for more!
#9: “Yona of the Dawn” (2014-15)
She’s a princess determined to save her citizens, it’s not her fault her bravery inspires so many handsome warriors to fall head over heels with her. Following a coup d’état that leads of the murder of her father and herself becoming a fugitive, Yona and her loyal bodyguard Hak set off into the world, led by the myth of the legendary Dragon Warriors in the hope of recruiting them to help free her nation. With plenty of romanticised fights interwoven throughout, there’s a lot to enjoy here, even as Yona keeps on making those hearts flutter thanks to her unyielding determination.
#8: “Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?” (2015-)
The only thing that makes crawling through dungeons and slaying monsters bearable is the knowledge that at the end of a hard day of adventuring, you’ve got a short, voluptuous goddess waiting for you back home. Too bad that’s the one skill Bell refuses to upgrade. While the world-building, arcs and fantastical fights are all top notch, you can almost always expect the likes of the sweet-hearted Bell to find himself in the clutches of one or two thirsty goddesses. Boy, just marry Hestia already before you get the entire pantheon after your master sword.
#7: “Katanagatari” (2010)
Martial arts, legendary swords, crazy killers dressed as ducks, and at the centre of it an unlikely duo whose love for each other is just as bizarre as the brawls they get themselves involved in. Due to his overwhelming fighting prowess, the socially inept Shichika is recruited by the short yet sassy Togame in order to collect the infamous Deviant Blades. What follows is a series of spellbinding battles complimented by the pair’s unorthodox coupling, spiced up by both their adorable resolve in one another along with some rather damning secrets. You won’t find many like these two.
#6: “Sailor Moon” (1992-97)
20 Most CENSORED Sailor Moon Moments
Let’s be honest, for as much as this show was dedicated to the exploits of the Sailor Senshi and Usagi’s role as the Moon Princess, one of its most prominent aspects revolved around the masquerade that was Sailor Moon and Tuxedo’ Mask’s relationship. Secret identities, the will they won’t they trope, potential love triangles, brainwashing, a child from the 30th century. Seriously this romance had everything, to the point where we really didn’t care about the love lives of the other mini-skirt superheroines. Just give us Moon Tiara Magic and more of this retro drama, Sailor Jupiter can set herself up on tinder in her own time!
#5: “The Seven Deadly Sins” (2014-)
Top 10 Seven Deadly Sins Fights (ft. Brianna Knickerbocker)
The battles between the seven misfit knights and the demonic Ten Commandments resulted in some of the most entertaining fantasy to come out of modern anime, forgoing the latest season of course. However, you can’t forget that deep beneath all the magic and Escanor’s uber-manly moustache are a string of romances that permeate all throughout, not to mention have some heavy impact on the narrative. You’ve got Meliodas and Elizabeth’s grope filled, reincarnated, three thousand year relationship, Ban and his sole commitment to Elaine despite her numerous deaths, and of course King and Diane’s adorable affections, complete with convenient memory loss. Jeez, they packed a lot in here.
#4: “Sword Art Online” (2012-)
Top 10 Anime Sword Fights
Ha! Which relationship you may ask? Because when it comes to Kirito, none are better in the business of arousing the desires of fellow players and NPCs without slipping into harem territory…somwhow. In Alicization alone there was enough high-def fight scenes to satisfy the most hardcore of anime action junkies, all the while you’ve got Kirito remaining loyal and true to his beloved Asuna. Even though he left a slew of hunnies in Elfheim thirsty for him while also earning the affections of arguably new best girl on the block Alice in just one season.
#3: “Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal” (1999)
Turns out Kenshin’s past as the Manslayer wasn’t only filled with the broken and bloody bodies of his targets, but also a doomed romance that would leave him forever changed. As his reputation as an unparalleled assassin continues to grow, the once remorseless killer soon finds himself falling for the gentle Tomoe, and while their affection for one another may be earnest (if misshapen), it doesn’t take long for the weight of Kenshin’s past sins to corrupt their happy ending. Betrayal, regret, gore and the origin of the burdened swordsman’s iconic scar. What more could you ask for?
#2: “Inuyasha” (2000-10)
The half dog demon may not have much luck when it comes to getting his wish of becoming a pure beast like his far talented older brother, but at the very least he dominates when it comes to having ladies in his life. His continued pursuit of the Shikon Jewel and seemingly endless battles against Naraku provided a whole slew of fantasy showdowns that are still remembered fondly today. Of course, in-between all those Backlash Waves, Inuyasha had plenty of time to try and cope with the love triangle between himself, his former-lover-now-kinda-zombie Kikyo as well as the high school girl of his dreams Kagome.
#1: “Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works” (2014-15)
Apologies to Saber and Sakura, but in terms of striking a balance between god-tier action sequences along with a romance that still shines through amidst the lore encyclopaedia that is the Fate franchise, Rin and her route take the Holy Grail on this one. You’ve got Servants and Masters hacking each other to pieces via utterly gorgeous animation thanks to UFOtable and their Unlimited Budget Works, while Rin and Shirou’s romance is dripping in so much tsundere goodness that you can’t help but get invested. Bone of my sword, am I right?
