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My Dress-Up Darling offers a refreshing take on romance anime by making sure that its characters communicate. Many romance anime thrive on emotional tension, but the lack of communication between characters is frustrating to say the least. Misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and unspoken feelings have become common factors to drive the plots of romance series.

Thankfully, My Dress-Up Darling makes sure that its viewers don’t need to bang their heads against their screens. Both Marin and Gojo talk to each other about everything they feel, and it magically solves most of the problems. Had the same happened in Fruits Basket, the anime might have ended in a few episodes instead of entire seasons.

My Dress-Up Darling Breaks a Stereotypical Mold of Romance Anime

Plenty of romance anime have become dependent on their characters’ failure to express their feelings to further the plot. The lack of communication creates tension, but when...

The zombie genre has seen many iterations over the years. Whether combined with melodrama, action—as in “Train to Busan”—or comedy, fans of the undead have a plethora of titles to choose from. One particularly interesting direction has been the blend of historical settings with horror, as seen in Kim Sung-hoon’s “Rampant”. “I, Kill”, a six-part mini-series directed by Paul Young and Daiji Hattori, follows this path, setting its story in 1635, thirty-five years after the Battle of Sekigahara, which marked the beginning of the Tokugawa shogunate.

I, Kill is screening at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

The first two episodes show considerable promise, especially in the action, effects, and make-up departments. While the characters still need further development, both in their individual backgrounds and interpersonal dynamics, the 91-minute introduction does a solid job of establishing the world of the series.

Orin (Fumino Kimura) and her stepdaughter Toki...

Based on the homonymous novel by Yoru Sumino, best known for “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas”, “I Have a S/e/c/r/e/t/” centers on five high school students—two boys and three girls—each of whom secretly possesses a subtle ability to “see others’ feelings.” The narrative portrays their bittersweet, awkward daily lives as they navigate adolescence and emotional uncertainty.

I Have a S/e/c/r/e/t/ is screening at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

Kyo Otsuka is a shy and self-conscious teenager who finds himself drawn to his popular classmate Naoko Miki, nicknamed “Mickey,” who would rather be a hero than a heroine. Despite his feelings, Kyo only watches from afar as Mickey appears to grow closer to the eccentric yet insightful Fumi Kuroda, also known as “Para.” Through their mutual friend Hirofumi Takasaki, nicknamed “Zuka,” and a gentle connection with the...

The official website and accounts for the anime adaptation of Nazuna Miki and Kyo's Noble Reincarnation ~Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power~ fantasy light novel series unveiled a trailer and key visual today, along with a 2026 broadcast date and production staff details. Noble Reincarnation ~Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power~ Trailer Noble Reincarnation ~Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power~ Key Visual Related: Noble Reincarnation ~Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power~ Anime Announced Michio Fukuda ( Headhunted to Another World ) directs the Noble Reincarnation ~Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power~ anime at studio CompTown, with series composition by Toshiaki Sato, character designs by Takashi Kawashima and Ayumi NIshihata ( Otherside Picnic ) and music by Takafumi Wada ( The Seven Deadly Sins ). Studio Jumondo is credited with production assistance. Manga Up! publishes an official English version of Hanashima's manga adaptation and describes the story: Noa, reincarnated as the ultimate noble,...

After a fun foray with a past companion, we return to the Doctor and Belinda Chandra storyline. “The Story and the Engine” is more focused on the Doctor but infuses ideas from traditional folk tales into the narrative. Let’s dive into the dense episode, because while a lot happens, it’s a letdown in a season full of excellent episodes.

Doctor Who — “The Story and the Engine” Recap

Omo tells the story of a fire in his village at his local barbershop. He reveals that the Doctor helped extinguish the fire and plant new crops for the village. After he finishes telling the story, everyone in the barbershop looks back at a light, which switches from red to green. Omo relaxes and tells the others the Doctor will return.

The Doctor and Belinda are still looking for a way to get her home. The Doctor suggests they go to Laos,...

Almost every anime fan wishes for a perfect happy ending for their favorite series, and Fruits Basket’s fans got their wishes fulfilled, as the series had the most perfect happy ending the shojo genre has ever seen. Although the anime series ended way back in 2021, it is still considered one of the greatest shojo anime in the world and is discussed by fans to this day.

The creator of Fruits Basket, Natsuki Takaya, started the manga in 1998 and ended it in 2006. The series received two anime adaptations, and the second one, which started in 2019 by Tms Entertainment, connected a lot better with the story than the first one. It became so popular that Fruits Basket received a compilation film titled Fruits Basket: Prelude, which came out in 2022.

Fruits Basket offers a lot in terms of the story, but the best element of the entire series is definitely its ending.

Richard Norton, a legendary Hollywood trainer and bodyguard, fight choreographer, stuntman and actor in the Mad Max franchise, has died at the age of 75, his wife Judy Green announced on Instagram.

“I am numb and devastated, I have no words I have lost my everything,” she wrote in the caption, alongside a photo of her, Norton and their Husky. “I know there is, and will be lots of love and shock that we have lost this incredible human being. The love ❤️ of my life. I’m using this time to come to terms with my great loss.”

In the comments, colleagues like Charlee Fraser, who worked with Norton on Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, offered, “Sending so much love and light to you Rich!” The Boys star Karen Fukuhara and James Gunn, both of whom worked alongside Norton as he coordinated fights for 2016’s Suicide Squad and 2021’s The Suicide Squad,...

Richard Norton, the Australian actor and martial arts expert who demonstrated his considerable skills alongside Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Cynthia Rothrock in action films, has died. He was 75.

Norton’s death in Melbourne was announced this weekend in a Instagram post by his wife, Judy.

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A post shared by Richard Norton (@rjnorton70)

The charismatic Norton, proficient in judo, karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and many other disciplines, spent two decades as a bodyguard working for the likes of The Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor.

He also served as a fight choreographer on the 1993-2001 CBS series Walker Texas Ranger, starring his good friend Norris, and on features including The Condemned (2007), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Dark Phoenix (2019) and the Suicide Squad films of 2016 and 2021.

Along the way, he trained Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, Sophie Turner, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ben Affleck, Margot Robbie, Charlie Hunnam,...

Flashbacks in anime can serve many purposes, such as fleshing out a character's backstory, worldbuilding, or explaining someone's motives. Flashbacks can be innocent or happy, but to enhance the narrative, they tend to be negative in some ways. Plenty of dark flashbacks involve scenes of emotional or verbal abuse, despair, grief, violence, abandonment, and the like. Brutal experiences like those can reshape a character in all kinds of ways.

Some of the darkest, most gut-wrenching flashbacks in all of anime involved all of those dark elements and more, which gave anime heroes their mental scars and gave anime villains their motivation to become evil. Plenty of those traumatizing, horrific flashbacks were life-changing events the characters never forgot, even many years later, and some of those characters could never move on from their past horrors.

Touka & Ayato Lost Their Father & Turned on Each Other Touka & Her Brother Responded to the Loss...

The Fruits Basket remake, released in 2019, certainly did not disappoint in any way, however, there’s something that one can still feel missing from the Og adaptation. With the recent modernization of anime productions, the animation did get better, with more vibrant colors and beautifully crafted characters, even the soundtracks in the 2019 remake were pretty awesome.

Tohru Honda | Credit: Tms Entertainment

One can say it was almost perfect! But, despite its modern polish, it missed out on one crucial element that kind of makes the original still better than this remake. And that is the well-balanced comedic moments in the 2001 adaptation.

What makes the 2001 Fruit Basket adaptation better than the remake A still from Fruits Basket | Credit: Tms Entertainment

The remake particularly lacked when it comes to its comedy. Anyone who would do a thorough comparison between the two would agree just how iconic the Og Fruits Basket‘s sense of humor was.

Valentine’s Day is here, and one should make the most of it. And what better way to celebrate love than romance anime, right? From meet-cutes to friendly banters, love is celebrated in every form and way. The subtle yet slow-burn romance is what we all live for.

Kazehaya and Kuronuma in Kimi ni Todoke | Credit: Production I.G

And these four anime are an ode to love itself. Other than action, adventure, and fantasy, these series blended romance, relationships, and intimacy brilliantly within their premise. These are sure to make your heart flutter in the best way possible. Do stay tuned for our honorable mentions as well.

1. Fruits Basket – A wholesome Valentine’s Day anime

Based on Natsuki Takaya’s manga of the same name, Fruits Basket is anything but a bog-standard romance anime. It is a perfect blend of love, friendships, and betrayal. It is gripping in its portrayal of dysfunctional families.

Romances in shojo anime are some of the most beloved. Many of them even feature love triangles to add tension to the story. Not all said love triangles work or fit in their anime. Some are so terrible that they almost ruin the entire series with their inclusion. The worst shojo anime love triangles feature problematic pairings, annoyingly entitled love interests, or are superfluous to the main couple.

Many times, these love triangles only stall the main couple from progressing for no reason other than to drag the story out. Love triangles have their place and can add a lot of great romantic turmoil. But too much of a good thing never pans out for the better - especially with shojo anime love triangles.

Related10 Problematic Romance Anime Still Better Than Twilight

No love story is perfect, but some anime romances are considered problematic. However, they might still make for...

Fruits Basket is anything but a middle-of-the-road shojo series. Based on the manga written by Natsuki Takaya, the anime stands as a trailblazer in many aspects. This is especially true for its compelling storyline and complex themes.

The series unpacks themes of family, friendships, and various dynamics within the plot. But it boils down to romance and relationships, which diverges from its message. That, however, is not the end of it all.

Kyo and Tohru in a still from Fruits Basket | Credits: Tms Entertainment

Aside from romance, it sheds light on the dynamics between characters. The platonic relationship between Tohru and Yuki is one such example often misconstrued by fans. Their dynamic is symbolic of an ever-present theme in the series.

In writing complex and layered characters, the mangaka laid the groundwork for human relationships brilliantly. This is especially true for the exploration of soul ties and chosen families in her manga.

The romance genre is often a combination of all sorts of anime tropes and clichés. However, a fan favorite seems to be the popular girl falling for an unpopular guy. This trope is so embedded in the genre that audiences will be able to spot it across a wide variety of relationships and demographics. It's typically more common in shonen, which is targeted at men and caters to the fantasy of the most beautiful girl going for the most unlikely of guys, but even shojo doesn't completely escape this trend.

Despite the inherent nature of this trope as a fantasy, these types of relationships have many sweet moments and qualities that make the audience want to root for the characters involved. Everybody loves an underdog, and watching two people come together in spite of their differences is always rewarding when it pays off in the end.

Updated on January 29, 2025 by...

From obscure to a national phenomenon within less than three decades, anime has really snowballed its way to fame. While many factors contributed to such a rise, it is really impossible to imagine such unparalleled success without three of the most iconic names: One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach.

The Big Three of Shonen anime are considered legendary, which, in the early 2000s, managed to stick out and find their paths toward greatness independent of competition.

Hiyori and Zoro from the famous Wano arc in One Piece | Credits: Toei Animation

The name “The Big Three” was well-deserved because of the huge success that brought the Shonen genre to the next level. Not only in the last few years has anime gained momentum, but shojo anime also has a very important role to play in this aspect.

Several iconic shojo titles made a lasting impact in the early 2000s, becoming a defining sensation of the genre.

In the shojo anime genre, what makes their love stories so heartwarming and soft is how they generally end up improving each other's lives for the better. Couples like Kyo and Tohru from Fruits Basket are a prime example of just how influential Tohru was in Kyo's life.

With protagonists that generally come from difficult or sad situations, it gives viewers a sense of hope when the lonely and isolated character finally finds a place in their world, much like how Kai is for Uka in Honey Lemon Soda. These heartwarming, inspiring shojo's are reminders of hope that it really does only take one person to truly change another's life for the better.

Related 10 Isekai Anime Perfect for Shojo Anime Fans

Shojo-inspired isekai anime offer fresh perspectives with female leads, blending genres and breaking new ground in the isekai trend.

Kyo and Tohru’s Different Personalities Compliment Each Other Perfectly...

Over the years, Japanese animation has produced a wide range of romantic stories, from light-hearted comedies to deep dramas. Yet, Fruits Basket remains a shojo masterpiece that has left no viewer disappointed.

Fruits Basket is indeed romantic and heartwarming, containing one of the cutest anime couples ever, Kyo and Tohru. The anime’s tragic yet uplifting narrative has resonated with generations of fans and embodies much of what audiences expect from the shojo genre.

The Sohma family in a still from the series | Credit: Tms Entertainment

The Fruits Basket character lineup is filled with unique, relatable, and lovable characters, each with rich backstories and significant personal growth. However, some characters, like Hiro, struggle to gain the same affection due to their frustrating personality traits, making them unlikable.

Exploring the most controversial and unlikable character in Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket portrays romantic relationships very well, encompassing all the emotions and experiences...

Fruits Basket is one of the most successful romance and drama reboots of the decade. Its faithful adaptation captivated audiences, offering a refreshed take on the beloved series. The unique plot introduces members of the Sohma family cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac when hugged by the opposite sex. While the series explores themes of acceptance, regret, friendship, and family, its romantic plot intrigued audiences, especially the dynamic between Tohru and Yuki.

Initially, their relationship followed familiar romantic tropes, drawing viewers who expected it to develop into something deeper. However, as the story progressed, this relationship shifted, subverting all of the fans' expectations. Despite its impressive and emotional storytelling, fans must acknowledge that Fruits Basket’s romance—particularly how Tohru and Yuki’s relationship was featured—relied on clichés and failed to deliver the glimpse of hope that the audiences anticipated.

Yuki and Tohru’s Early Chemistry...

An official website and X (formerly Twitter) account opened today revealed that a TV anime adaptation of Nazuna Miki and Kyo's Noble Reincarnation ~Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power~ fantasy light novel series is in production. A teaser visual and a commemorative illustration by Kyo were also unveiled. Further details, such as cast, staff and release date, were not confirmed at the time of reporting. Teaser Visual Illustration by Kyo Related: My Friend's Little Sister Has It In for Me! TV Anime Debuts in October 2025 Miki began the novel series on Shosetsuka ni Naro in February 2019, with the light novel release beginning in September of the same year, with eight volumes released to date. A manga written by Miki and Kentaro Kurimoto, with illustrations by Hisui Hanashima, began in December 2019 with eight volumes also released in Japan to date. Manga Up! publishes an official English version of Hanashima's...

The vast sea of romance anime has produced many noteworthy romances, such as the time-conquering love between Usagi and Mamoru in Sailor Moon or the found family between Tohru and Kyo in Fruits Basket. Yet even with all the worthy contenders vying for the coveted spot of number one, the dynamic between Maomao and Jinshi in The Apothecary Diaries stands apart. Their subtle yet deeply compelling relationship offers viewers a refreshing take on the typical love story, abandoning tired tropes in favor of nuanced storytelling and character development.

Through mutual respect, understated chemistry and a celebration of their own individuality, Maomao and Jinshi have built a truly breathtaking romance. Their journey is not just about finding love but about discovering connection and finding one’s place in an imperfect, jaded world. And as all legendary romances are wont to do, Maomao and Jinshi become better versions of themselves through the...

My Happy Marriage is a historical romance anime with supernatural elements. The protagonist, Miyo Saimori, is a gentle and downtrodden person who lives under the thumb of an abusive family — until that family sends her off to be married to a man with a reputation for cruelty. Kiyoka Kudo is stoic, even austere, at first, but he is not the cruel man that Miyo expects.

Kudo is a talented soldier with wealth and a high-ranking position. Miyo's lot in life changes when she becomes his beloved fiancé. She's not used to a world where she's given space to be herself, nor did she expect to fall in love so profoundly. Though My Happy Marriage is a fresh new shojo with plenty of creative writing, there are other anime couples with similar themes and tropes to the ones in Miyo and Kudo's romance.

Leonhart Offers Sariphi a New Role in Sacrificial...

Fruits Basket is one of the most popular slice-of-life romance franchises, ranking as one of the top-selling manga worldwide. The story follows an adorable love triangle between chipper protagonist, Tohru, moody Kyo, and shy Yuki. After the Sohmas take Tohru in when they discover she is homeless after a family tragedy, she meets the Sohmas one by one, becoming acquainted with their unique personalities and personal struggles, while attempting to bring peace to the family by removing their curse that turns them into animals when they hug the opposite gender.

Apart from being an entertaining, emotional story, Fruits Basket has many life lessons fans can learn from. Tohru is an incredibly positive influence, approaching every situation with a desire to spark joy and soothe hurt feelings, which reminds viewers of the importance of an upbeat outlook and genuine care for others. The series takes a few dark turns, covering topics like abuse,...

While plenty of anime fans love a villainess as an ironic waifu or favorite character, fans also adore more conventional Best Girls who have a wholesome, upstanding personality. Most often, this translates into the deredere archetype, one of the mildest and most charming -dere archetypes of them all. The deredere archetype describes anyone who is a kindhearted, selfless, and good-natured lover of all.

Derederes lack the extremes or quirks of the other -dere types, such as a tsundere's hot temper, a kuudere's aloof nature, or a dandere's timid ways. In some ways, that makes the deredere type the vanilla -dere type, but plain doesn't mean boring. To that point, a variety of the most popular, beloved anime girls fit the deredere archetype as friendly, emotionally gushy characters who have plenty of love to give. At times, an uncomplicated deredere character is exactly what an anime fan wants to see while...

Theres a new slice-of-life anime in town, and it's winning viewers with its well-balanced themes of sports and romance. The last anime fans saw such a hearty blend of genres was in Skip and Loafer, which is hands down one of the most refreshing takes on high school drama. Blue Box is currently one of the best anime of the season, and thats all thanks to the series soothing vibes that are uncommon in most average romance titles.

What sets Blue Box apart as a romance anime with profound slice-of-life elements is the shows atmosphere and the flawless thematic transition. While fans have plenty of choices when it comes to romance anime, not all have the capacity to inspire or entice the fans to invest in the story emotionally. Luckily, Blue Box will prove why its a slice-of-life gem.

Romance Does Not Overtake Other Sub-Genres The Romantic and Sports Themes...

In Japan, youkai are mythological spirits and entities that can take many forms, from living umbrellas to handsome men with fox tails. Thus, it's only natural that there are anime that star youkai as well. Many romance anime feature youkai as love interests, often paired with a human protagonist.

Youkai fascinate viewers with just how many things they're capable of. With so many myths and legends, it seems like anything is possible, creating infinitely unique and interesting characters. From humanoids with animal ears and tails to characters who seem human with magical powers, the wide world of youkai provides limitless potential, even in the world of romance anime.

Himari Guards the Boundary Between Worlds in The Demon Prince of Momochi House The Old Momochi Estate Is Haunted

The Demon Prince of Momochi House is a fantasy romance anime based on the manga by Aya Shouoto. In this anime, Himari Momochi...

Quick Links 365 Days To The Wedding Is A Charming New Tale Of Workplace Romance Marriage Is The Main Theme of the Show The Show Features An Introvert Couple Like Wotakoi The Anime Is Perfect For A Relaxing Watch

The Fall 2024 anime lineup is turning out to be one of the best of the year. Fans are currently knee-deep in breakthrough titles like Dandadan and returning giants like Dragon Ball Z Daima, Re: Zero Season 3, and more. While the romance anime slate this fall is nothing short of fascinating, its inevitable that some good shows might fly under the radar. With the hype surrounding the latest hits, its no surprise that many sleeper hits and underrated stories slip by anime watchers, failing to capture the communitys attention with their otherwise heartfelt stories.

Having said that, as the only office romance anime of the season, 365 Days To The Wedding shows...

Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Blue Box Chapter #170!

Kyo Kasahara has been Taiki Inomata's closest confidant since the start of Blue Box. His rational and level-headed persona often allows him to help his friends through their troubles throughout the series. However, despite his disappointments, Kyo's stoic attitude often keeps him from taking action, even if it means depriving himself of happiness in his youth. With the latest chapter of Blue Box being Kyo's most honest expression of heartbreak over missing his chance with Ayame Moriya, Kyo's maturity for his age shows its painful consequences.

Of Taiki's friends in Blue Box, Kyo is often thoughtful yet reserved, keeping Taiki's head in the game on and off the badminton court. If Kyo had not intervened, Chinatsu wouldn't have asked Taiki to go to the aquarium in Blue Box episode #5. But Kyo properly understands the feeling of finally moving on from Saki Kanaishi,...

Stories of all kinds, including anime, will sometimes jump ahead in the timeline to fast-forward the narrative to the next big event. If nothing of interest is going to happen between two events that are months or years apart, then anime will treat fans to something like a "three years later..." time skip. By now, the time skip trope has become well-established, and it's more than a narrative shortcut to reach the next story arc.

In addition to preserving pacing, time skips are an exciting opportunity to show the characters glowing up or even the setting changing in a matter of seconds. Such time skips may happen between seasons of an anime to make things feel like a fresh start in the next anime, with the characters being older, stronger, and wiser for a new challenge. The best time skips are measured not in how much time passed, but what...

Kyo, Yuki, and Tohru are renowned as Fruits Baskets most famous love triangle. When Tohru became an orphan due to her mother's tragic passing in an accident, she was taken in by the gracious Sohma family. Instantaneously, she caught the eye of both Kyo and Yuki Sohma, causing the two boys to battle for her affections. Eventually, Tohru ended up with Kyo once they both confessed romantic feelings for each other, and Yuki revealed he never loved Tohru romantically and was delighted to just have a friendship with her.

This love triangle, although the most well-known, is not the only one in the series. Another character was hopelessly in love with Tohru Honda: Momiji Sohma. As Tohru got to know the entire Sohma family, the mild-mannered, kindhearted Momiji developed a close friendship with Tohru. Through lingering glances and sweet gestures, it quickly became evident that Momiji's feelings went far deeper than friendship.

Since Fruits Basket is a romance anime, it is no surprise that many happy couples were formed by the story's conclusion. From perhaps the most popular pairing, Tohru and Kyo, to the adorable Hatori and Mayu, there are so many different romantic Fruits Basket duos that got together. However, for every canon couple that found joy, there is a non-canon pairing fans pined for but never received.

Some Fruits Basket fan ships seemed destined to fall in love, but never made it work out or were never officially confirmed. Many of the most adored potential couples could never become official, since one or more of the partners is canonically dating or married to someone else. But, fans can still dream, and some of these alternative ships would have been wonderful to witness.

Motoko and Yuki Perhaps an Unlikely Pairing, Yuki and Motoko Could Be a Case of Opposites Attracting

Motoko...

Over the years, Japanese animation has created a wide range of romantic stories, from funny and light-hearted to deep and emotional. Some romance anime are heart-wrenching dramas filled with tears and angst, while others are lighthearted rom-coms that remind fans that love can be fun. Fruits Basket is indeed romantic and heartwarming, containing one of the cutest anime couples ever, Kyo and Tohru.

The Sohma family in a still from the series | Credit: Tms Entertainment

Fruits Basket‘s tragic yet uplifting narrative has resonated with generations of fans and embodies much of what audiences expect from the shojo genre. Owing to its immense success in both anime and manga industry, Natsuki Takaya has made a name for herself globally. While the series has certainly established a prominent reputation in the shojo genre, fans might be surprised to learn that Takaya nearly abandoned it altogether.

What Almost Led Natsuki Takaya to...

Most animation studios are in the limelight for a bad reason. Be it pacing or inauthenticity, anime is being heavily criticized. This is especially true for Junji Ito’s magnum opus Uzumaki. With its botched visuals and inauthentic adaptation, One Piece animator couldn’t help but rant. This is especially true regarding the last few episodes of the series.

Monkey D. Luffy in a still from the series | Credit: Toei Animation

Henry Thurlow who has worked on Eiichiro Oda’s series went on a rant. He speculated several reasons for the anime’s failure. This further highlights the biggest problem in the anime industry. With the current scenario, it is equally disappointing for Ito to witness the betrayal as it is for the fans. To say the least, the mangaka is indeed plagued with the curse of horrid adaptations.

One Piece animator’s rant reveals the reason behind Uzumaki’s...

Fruits Basket is one of the most popular and celebrated shoujo series of all time. From friendship to love, the series outlines relationships through its intricate storytelling. As a bestselling shojo manga, it focuses on the dynamic between the two leads. Interestingly though, it is far-fetched from the cliches associated with love.

The Sohma family in a still from the series | Credit: Tms Entertainment

While most readers and viewers associate the series with romance and love, it’s more than that. Moreover, it is anything but a conventional romance anime.

This holds especially true with the spectrum of relationships explored in the series. Its diversion from archetypal romance portrayals sets it apart from other shojo series. In most aspects, the series reigns supreme over other shojo series.

Fruits Basket is a blend of platonic and romantic love

Written by Natsuki Takaya, Fruits Basket is one of the popular and celebrated shojos series.

Im a big fan of the romance anime genre. I have watched so many different series that fall under this category, and I'm always eager to discover something new, but there is one series I admittedly have a soft spot for and have continued to revisit time and time again. Among these stories, Fruits Basket stands out to me as unique and even after watching so many other romance animes, I've yet to find something that quite replicates its magic.

Fruits Basket is indeed romantic and heartwarming, containing one of the cutest anime couples ever, Kyo and Tohru. Their story is beautiful, meaningful, and relatable, and it showcases two broken, grieving people learning to love themselves and each other in spite of the difficulties life throws their way.

I truly can't get enough of the adorable interactions between Tohru and Kyo and the other couples in Fruits Basket, from Hatsuharu...

Fruits Basket is often named the best shojo series of all time, dominating the romance anime genre with ease. With a compelling, heartwarming story about relationships, loss, and love in spite of it all, the franchise is so relatable and enjoyable on many different levels. The story line encompasses all types of bonds; romantic, platonic, familial, and everything in between. But, one Fruits Basket relationship stands above the rest, enrapturing fans and keeping them coming back to the series years later to see how it all began.

Fruits Basket truly struck gold with its portrayal of Kyo Sohma and Tohru Honda and their unbreakable and heartwarming bond. When the pair first met, they seemed an unlikely pairing. Kyo was hardened to the world due to his traumatic past and unwilling to consider opening up to anyone, much less an unfamiliar girl who appeared in his life so suddenly after the Sohma family took her in.

Crunchyroll revealed its anime lineup for Fall 2024 on Sep 18, 2024. The line-up includes Dragon Ball Daima, Dandadan, Natsume’s Book Of Friends season 7, among others.

Given below is a detailed list of the Spring 2024 line-up, encompassing new releases, returning and continuing series on Crunchyroll:

Update: More titles have been added at the end of the list. Scroll down to check them out!

Sep 30, 2024:

1. The Most Notorious “Talker” Runs the World’s Greatest Clan (Felix Film and Ga-crew)

Noel is the grandson of legendary Seeker Overdeath and dreams of surpassing his strength. But it turns out that Noel is nothing but a Talker, the weakest class of them all. Undeterred, he uses his silver tongue to gather allies, develop cunning strategies, and form the greatest clan around. Now, as the most notorious Talker, Noel will do whatever it takes to claim supremacy.

Oct 1, 2024:

2. I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History...

Not only is Fruits Basket one of the best-selling shojo manga series of all time, it is profound as proven by its best quotes. The story follows Tohru Honda, an orphaned teenage girl who lives with three members of the mysterious Soma family: Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure. When she arrived at her new home, she realized she received a lot more than she bargained for, as new secrets about the family members came to light every day.

As they journey through life together, the characters express countless thought-provoking insights on topics like love, friendship, and the meaning of life. Fruits Basket is a romance anime at its core, sharing a beautiful tale of true, unwavering love and acceptance. Its heartfelt plot allows the story to communicate so many valuable lessons to its viewers, unraveling the complexities of life in a gorgeously animated and heartwarming format.

"Just as All Good Things,...

Yuki never loved Tohru romantically, ending the love triangle happily for everyone. Kyo and Tohru ended up together, while Yuki found love with Machi. Fruits Basket avoided hurt feelings by having every character find their perfect match.

Fruits Basket has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, becoming one of the most popular shojo manga series in the world. The 2019 anime adaptation only further sparked fans' interest in the franchise by delivering a faithful and emotion-filled adaptation of the manga's story. Fruits Basket integrates a lot of popular romance tropes into the story, including one that is arguably the most well-known of all.

One of the biggest plot points of Fruits Basket is the love triangle between Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki. The love triangle is a common trope in romance anime. However, Fruits Basket executes it differently than some other series.

Rather than have two characters vying for the same love interest,...

Zegapain Sta , a sequel story to Sunrise's sci-fi robot TV anime series Zegapain , debuted in 22 theaters across Japan on August 16, for a limited theatrical run of three weeks. The first five-minute footage of the anime, which tells a new "Olta Moda Arc," is now streamed on Sunrise's official YouTube channel . Related : Zegapain Sta Anime to Get Theatrical Release in Summer 2024 The original TV anime series Zegapain aired for 26 episodes from April to September 2006, and Zegapain Adp , the TV anime's compilation theatrical film with new scenes, released in 2016. Its complex worldview, which incorporated elements of singularity, virtual reality, and time-loops, was highly praised among critics and viewers. The four main voice cast members from the original series return to Zagapain Sta — Shintaro Asanuma as Kyo Sogoru, Kana Hanazawa as Ryoko Kaminagi, Ayako Kawasumi as Shizuno Misaki, and Romi Park as Mao Lu-Shen. The original's director Masami Shimoda also returns,...

The Zodiac Curse in Fruits Basket causes possessed family members to transform and act like their Zodiac Animals. Yuki embodies the traits of the Rat in the Zodiac, appearing popular but battling with low self-esteem. Kisa, the Tiger, grows from a scared young tiger into a confident and brave individual over time.

The Sohma family in Fruits Basket are afflicted by the Zodiac Curse, a bizarre curse that causes certain members of the family to be possessed by one of the thirteen Spirits of the Chinese Zodiac. When a possessed member of the family dies, the Spirit is reborn inside the body of a different member of the family.

The Zodiac Curse causes the possessed family member to transform into their animal form under certain conditions, but the possession causes changes that are more than skin deep. The possessed members of the Sohma family also act like their animal Spirit...

The Annecy Festival 2024 was the world premiere of Look Back , the latest anime movie adapting Tatsuki Fujimoto's ( Chainsaw Man) one-shot manga. At the festival, Crunchyroll News had the opportunity to meet the director, Kiyotaka Oshiyama, to speak about his career, the animation industry and his work on this movie. What brought you to this project? Oshiyama : The original story was published in the digital magazine Shonen Jump+, and I read it immediately. I had previously discovered Tatsuki Fujimoto's work in a work called Chainsaw Man . I had the opportunity to work with him on the conception of devils [and sub-character designs] during the production of that anime. Looking back, I felt that the taste of his work was quite different, and that's why I was invited to participate in this retrospective project. I thought I would be a good partner for him, and since I'm also an artist and have done...

For many years, Studio Ghibli has brought beautiful, animated pictures to many screens for fans and audiences around the world. Their fascinating, varied plots and iconic characters have stolen the hearts of people who have had the pleasure of experiencing these commercially and critically successful anime films. Most importantly, each Studio Ghibli explores the inexplicable nature of love differently, introducing memorable couples.

Quite a great deal of these films are centered around a romantic plot or have given characters persisting love interests throughout the narrative. These relationships are amazingly well-written and are considered very endearing by many. Some of the most renowned, inspiring anime romances have been born from Studio Ghibli.

Updated on July 01, 2024, by Arthur Goyaz: Part of what makes the Studio Ghibli movies so fascinating is how they address romance with such a dreamlike appeal. This list was updated to add more information about the best Studio Ghibli...

Just like the recent anime adaptation of Natsuki Takaya's beloved Fruits Basket manga, the stage play version also plans to go all the way to the end with a brand-new show subtitled "The Final", which will be shown at Tokyo's Hulic Hall from October 18 to October 27 . A teaser trailer and visual (above) were also unveiled today. Nobuhiro Mori directs and writes the production with the following cast members: Toru Honda played by Ayano Yoshida Christie Yuki Soma played by Naoya Kitagawa Kyo Soma played by Shohei Hashimoto Shigure Soma played by Yuya Asato Hatsuharu Soma played by Shogo Tamura Isuzu Soma played by Nene Shida Momiji Soma played by Ruito Koga Arisa Uotani played by Chisato Minami Saki Hanajima played by Yukari Nakamura Kakeru Manabe played by Yuro Hiroi Machi Kuragi played by Marina Horiuchi Kagura Soma played by Yuna Sekine Kisa Soma played by Erena Kamata Hiro Soma...

So many shojo anime titles were really popular in their day for a reason. Many set the standard for other series to follow, like Miaka's magical girl story in the historical fantasy world of Fushigi Yugi. Some viewers may assume that more vintage shojo was popular solely because they followed trends of the time, but there's far more to them than once-trending shojo tropes.

There are many shojo tropes that are just as popular today as they were ten or more years ago, too, like the tsundere love interest who's surly to everyone but their love interest. While some titles should fall out of favor for a reason, there are many that endure the test of time. Whether it's ten or twenty years past their initial release, these series are just as engaging for audiences today as they were before.

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New romance anime titles are taking off in popularity. Not only are the concepts creative, refreshing, and incorporate well-loved romance tropes, they have amazing characters. The love interests have diverse personalities, heart-throb good looks, and they sweep the main character off their feet.

Tsundere love interests used to be the most popular type of love interest in shojo and shnen anime, and they still have their place in romance anime. But there are other love interest character types that fans love more and more. Kuudere love interests are calm and Stoic, but their still waters reflect hidden depths. Himbos like Jinshi in The Apothecary Diaries lodge themselves in the audience's hearts because they remind them of another classic himbo, like Howl Pendragon in Howl's Moving Castle.

Related 15 Anime Characters Who Got Rejected By Their Love Interest

When it came time to confess their feelings, some anime characters experienced truly heartwrenching rejection.

Hey, it’s me again — the resident shojo anime enjoyer and defender. I don’t think there’s been a better time than now to gush about shojo; it’s making a comeback. This time, I’m highlighting all the butterflies-in-your-stomach moments from my favorite shojo shows on Crunchyroll and why they live in my head rent-free. Warning: Intense amount of blushing ahead. A Condition Called Love The newest shojo anime on the block, A Condition Called Love lets the main character, Hotaru Hinase, understand what love means before she commits to a serious relationship. She doesn’t show interest in Saki Hananoi in a romantic way despite him being very open about his feelings toward her. I find that refreshing, as characters don’t always have to immediately catch the love bug. But you know the relationship trope, “Person A fell in love first, but Person B fell harder?...

Spoilers for the ending of Fruits Basket !! Fruits Basket has a heartwarming and satisfying finale with all characters finding true happiness. The series reflects important shojo themes like love, self-acceptance, and friendship in a satisfying way. The love triangle between Kyo, Yuki, and Tohru creatively resolves without hurt feelings, showcasing unique storytelling.

For anyone looking to get into the shojo genre of anime, there is no better franchise to turn to than Fruits Basket. The manga, which ran from 1998 to 2006, is an iconic and moving story written by Natsuki Takaya. The series has received two separate anime adaptations: a 2001 version that ran for one season, and a 2019 reboot that went more in-depth and ran for three seasons.

Shojo is a diverse subgenre of anime that is rapidly growing more popular by the day. The subgenre was intended to appeal primarily to young girls and women, often containing romantic and fairly...

After the release of episode 293, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime announced an indefinite hiatus. To the chagrin of many fans, there was no update regarding the anime’s return for more than a year.

That was until recently when the staff hinted at a huge change in Boruto‘s airing format. Fans have been debating the seasonal vs weekly airing format for years now, and Studio Pierrot might just humor seasonal anime lovers with a shocking transformation of Boruto.

Michiyuki Honma Talks Future of Studio Pierrot with a Hint at Boruto

The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime is produced by Studio Pierrot. Recently, the president of the studio, , had an in-depth interview with Japanese publication, Comic Natalie. During the interview, Honma revealed his goals for the upcoming years and the changes he is ready to make.

Boruto Uzumaki | Boruto

Honma first discussed the poor working environment in anime studios all across Japan.

Watching shojo anime is my Roman Empire, my raison d'etre. As someone who prefers to be in the audience rather than a participant in romantic relationships, gushing over fictional couples is my way of experiencing love. I’ve been an avid fan who has consumed shojo from the late ‘90s to now. Though it’s had its ups and downs over the years, shojo has been seeing a renaissance recently, which means more couples for me to cheer on. As one does for the fictional characters they love, here are my favorite shojo anime couples who made it official. Spoilers ahead so read at your own discretion! Yuki and Itsuomi – A Sign of Affection I’ve never felt more butterflies in my stomach for a fictional couple than Yuki and Itsuomi from A Sign of Affection . They’re, dare I say, the perfect match — a boy who loves to travel...

Romance anime couples, though often overlooked, can have complex dynamics and character arcs that rival popular action and fantasy pairings. Healthy couples in anime may not always have dramatic narratives, but their understated feelings and devotion can make for realistic and heartwarming stories. Some of the best anime couples may not be the main focus of a series, but their enduring and devoted relationships can still leave a lasting impact on viewers.

Action and fantasy anime tend to be the most popular, but romance isn't that far behind. There are so many classic romance anime series and worthy new releases that some couples don't get as much recognition as others. Some of the best anime couples aren't even in romance anime, or they may be easily overlooked side characters.

Some romantic couples have lots of drama and complicated character arcs. Popular romance anime couples often go a long way before they find love together,...