10 90s Romance Anime That Redefined the Genre

Romance is one of the most popular genres among anime fans worldwide, as it allows creators to share heartfelt and memorable tales of love and tragedy. Like most other popular anime genres, this category saw a huge boom in quality and popularity during the 90s, with many of the best romance anime being released during this decade.

Still, despite the plethora of amazing romance series released during this time, there were a handful that stood out because of their revolutionary story and characters. These anime took the usual tropes of the genre and turned them into innovative and memorable shows, most of which remain beloved by millions of fans even decades later.

Related

10

Revolutionary Girl Utena Is an Amazing Deconstruction of the Genre

After a fateful meeting with a mysterious prince left her enchanted, a girl named Utena vows to become just like her savior. As such, when she is enrolled in the prestigious Ohtori Academy, she decides to live her life as a prince, resulting in her admission to the school’s swordsmanship competition. Although hesitant at first, she accepts in the hope of saving Anthy, a princess being offered as a prize to the winner due to her enigmatic power to revolutionize the world.

A series that has been praised countless times for being far ahead of its time, Revolutionary Girl Utena is a complex critique of romance anime’s signature tropes. While still romantic at its core, the series challenges the idea of female characters being damsels in distress by having a heroine as a protagonist. It also involves deep, eye-opening character studies that make it one of the most beloved and iconic series written by a woman.

9

His and Her Circumstances Expertly Explored the Issues Surrounding Its Main Couple

Ever since she was a young girl, Yukino’s world has revolved around being praised and admired by her peers, pushing her to study harder and try to stand out from the crowd. As such, when a boy named Soichiro steals her spotlight by scoring higher on the high school entrance exam, she begins a heated rivalry against him. Yet, as they get to know each other better, their masks start to crack, reforming something much more special.

His and Her Circumstances caused shock across the globe by being one of the first romance series not to focus solely on the romance or hilarious situations experienced by its main couple, but on their personal lives as well. The series takes fans on a moving journey of acceptance and growth, as the protagonists learn not only what love is, but how to overcome the trauma and pain that held them back.

8

Macross Plus Is a Genuine Depiction of Adult Conflicts

Close

Recruited to test experimental high-tech aircraft for the U.N. Spacy Military, former best friends Isamu and Guld are forced to confront their fractured relationship. Things only get worse when Myung, a friend of both who grew distant after their fallout, returns to their lives as the producer of an upcoming AI Idol, plunging the trio into a tense and dangerous adventure for the fate of the world.

Widely considered one of the most influential mecha anime of the 90s, Macross Plus takes its characters on an emotional and thrilling quest to save the world. Unlike many other shows, whose entire appeal is the budding bond between the characters, this beloved OVA centers on the struggles that come with a relationship strained by time. The show manages to intertwine this outstanding emotional plot with amazing action scenes, making it a true treat for audiences.

7

Marmalade Boy Brought Soap Opera Themes to Anime

Close

Image via Toei Animation

Image via Toei Animation

Miki’s regular life was flipped upside down when her parents announced that they would not only be getting a divorce, but also be swapping couples with another duo they met on vacation. If that was not enough of a nightmare, the people whom her parents met will be moving into their home, bringing their son Yuu, a handsome but mischievous boy who loves teasing her.

Related

While not the first series to attempt it, Marmalade Boy managed to popularize long, convoluted, and emotional plots that enchant audiences and keep them engaged for long periods. The story does not follow a simple path, as the team behind it wanted it to feel like a real soap opera, full of twists and turns. Although the main premise might be too far-fetched for some, the hilarious jokes and charming cast make this show more than worth it.

6

Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play Became a Pioneer of the Isekai Genre

Close

What should have been a normal trip to the library ended up becoming a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for Miaka and Yui, who are unexpectedly transported into the world of a fantasy novel. Forced to fight on opposite sides of an ancient conflict, the friends must fulfill their destinies and find a way back home, aided by the many noble and handsome characters of the book.

Despite not being as well-known as many other series in the genre, Fushigi Yugi is objectively one of the founding pillars of what would become the widely popular Isekai genre, handling not only the romance that accompanies its plot but the fantasy aspects flawlessly. It is thanks to this epic and remarkable series that audiences worldwide can now enjoy the many amazing examples of what this beloved genre offers.

5

Sailor Moon Is an Iconic Example of Girl Power

Close

When a talking cat named Luna appears one night in her room, Usagi couldn’t have expected how much her life would change. The animal not only revealed to her that evil entities from outer space were planning to conquer Earth but also that she was Sailor Moon, a guardian of the cosmos. With only her newfound abilities and friends by her side, Usagi was tasked with the responsibilities of a teenager while also protecting the planet.

Objectively one of the best-written and most beloved anime of all time, Sailor Moon was a pioneer in depicting female characters as strong and determined warriors. Usagi does not abandon her feminine side nor her desire for love to fight as Sailor Moon, creating a perfect blend of emotional everyday adventures with epic action scenes that rival any of the most popular shonen romp.

4

Gokinjo Monogotari Is a Moving Tale of Determination and Passion

Mikako’s dream has always been to become a well-known fashion designer, which is why she and her childhood best friend, a boy named Tsutomu, enroll in the Yazawa School for Arts. While chasing her dream, the girl begins to notice her classmates have become interested in Tsutomu, as he looks eerily like a popular idol, sparking deep jealousy.

Related

Gokinjo Monogatari is a series that not only explores the emergence of feelings of love between two long-time friends, but also the complications and fears of pursuing one’s passion. Mikako’s journey goes far beyond just trying to gain her friend’s attention; it also revolves around a dream that she is willing to give anything for, demonstrating how much pain and determination can go behind finding success.

3

Kodomo no Omocha Does Not Shy Away From Serious Topics

Her first day of class was nothing like the child actress known as Sana expected, as she quickly found out that her classroom was a chaotic nightmare ruled by the cynical Akito. Tired of not being able to learn properly, the girl decides to reach an agreement with her bitter rival, discovering the pain that pushed the boy to act in such a way. Together, they try to find ways to overcome their trauma and turn their lives around for the better.

Well-known among shojo fans for its expert use of both hilarious scenes and heartbreaking moments, Kodomo no Omocha is a refreshing series that perfectly depicts the damage that trauma can cause to children. The show never abandons the main romantic plot, but it does masterfully use it to explore other important themes that surround the ever-changing life of the prepubescent cast.

2

The Vision of Escaflowne Merges Romance and Mecha Flawlessly

Close

Image via Sunrise

Sunrise Studios

Sunrise Studios

Trapped in a mysterious and fantastical world named Gaea, where Earth is a distant Moon, a high school student named Hitomi finds herself in the middle of a war between the tyrannical Zaibach Empire and the other countries of this plane. On the day of the coronation of one of her new friends, Prince Val, the enemy launches an attack, forcing the boy to awaken and pilot an ancient Mecha, which Hitomi shares a deep mental link with.

When thinking about romance anime, fans likely don’t imagine thrilling battles between gigantic robots and evil empires. Nevertheless, The Vision of Escaflowne managed to not only seamlessly bring these two genres together, but did so while not neglecting either side. As such, fans can see a romantic tale for the ages while also witnessing one of the coolest mechas of all time battle against the Zaibach Empire.

1

Boys Over Flowers Would Go On to Inspire Countless Other Anime

Enrolled at the prestigious and elitist Eitoku Academy despite her socioeconomic status, Tsukushi hopes to have a calm and regular school life. This all changes when the leader of a group of wealthy boys known as the F4, Tsukasa, begins to bully her friends, prompting the girl to stand up for them. Instead of becoming the target of the bully’s anger, the members of the F4 become enamored by her strength and kindness, beginning a race to win her affection.

Although not as innovative as other 90s romance anime, Boys Over Flowers inspired many beloved tropes that forever changed the way in which the romance genre is depicted. From the idea of elitist groups ruling over school to the forbidden relationships between poor girls and rich boys, this series became the blueprint for several of the best romance anime of all time.