The 15 Most Underrated Romance Anime You Should Check Out

Snow White with the Red Hair is one of the most popular anime on this list, but it still doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves and is virtually unknown to many anime fans.

It follows a young woman who works at an apothecary who must escape the prince of her nation, who wants to force her to serve as his concubine. She's rescued by Zen Wistalia, the prince of a nearby nation, and finds a new life as an herbalist in his country - as well as a new chance at true love. 

Though not nearly as well known as NANA, an anime based on a manga by the same author, Paradise Kiss is still a must-watch. Yukari Hayasaka is a strait-laced student who focuses all of her energy into getting into college with the aim of escaping her dull hometown and overbearing parents. That aside, she doesn't have any real goals of her own.

One day, she's asked to model for an eccentric group of fashion students going to art school. At first, she doesn't want to get distracted from her studies, but she finds herself impressed by their dedication to a singular goal. What's more, she might be falling for George Koizumi, the leader of the group.

You've probably at least heard of Fushigi Yugi, but if you haven't actually watched it, you should give it a chance - especially if you're a fan of more popular shows like Inuyasha and Fruits Basket. While there are aspects of it that haven't aged well, it still offers a wonderful combination of action and romance that's hard to find.

It tells the story of Miaka, who is transported into a world resembling ancient China. There, she becomes the Priestess of Suzaku, a person whose destiny is to summon a god and save the nation of Konan from destruction. While there, Miaka falls in love with Tamahome, one of the Suzaku Seven.

Their love story is a complicated one that's repeatedly challenged by everything from others vying for their affection to the fact that they're from different worlds. By turns frustrating and beautiful, it definitely leaves an impression.  

Romance can blossom in any environment, including a post-apocalyptic one. Shion and Nezumi come from vastly different worlds. Shion lives a privileged life in a protected enclave where he has no idea about the horrible things that people outside of his environment go through - meanwhile, Nezumi is a fugitive from the outside world.

When Shion takes in Nezumi for the night, he and his mother are stripped of their "elite" status and forced to reckon with the same environment Nezumi fled. The two meet again - and as they deal with complex political issues, they start to fall in love with each other. 

Nanami Takahashi and Motoharu Yano start out their relationship cautiously but quickly end up deeply entangled with one another's lives. Unfortunately, their relationship is complicated by Yano's past, which involves a girlfriend who passed away in an accident, as well as a tryst with his former girlfriend's younger sister.

If you love anime that digs deep into relationship drama to the point of resembling a soap opera, Bokura ga Ita is the show for you. 

If you're looking for a unique plot, look no further than Natsuyuki Rendezvous. When Ryousuke Hazuki falls in love with widow and flower shop owner Rokka Shimao, he expects to have to win her heart - not to be blocked by the ghost of her former husband. In order to even get close to Rokka, he has to get past all the obstacles that the ghost puts in place.

While the two duke it out over whether or not Rokka should move on, the three protagonists begin to form strange but powerful bonds with one another.