It's no secret to even the most casual anime fans that most series tend to focus on adolescent aged characters. While they are popular for very good reason, sometimes fans want to see the more mature storylines and relationships you can't always find in shonen, shojo or series aimed at younger audiences, especially when it comes to romance.
Although there are plenty of great romance anime out there, the amount of them that focus on two adult aged characters are lacking in comparison. Whether the characters are college aged, or already working an office jobs, the complex problems their relationships face can be very different than those of their younger counterparts, making for a more diverse experience.
If you're an older anime fan or simply looking to get out of your comfort zone, here are 10 romance anime centered around adult-aged characters and couples.
Nana
Easily one of the most well-known romance anime of its time, Nana is often many fans' introduction to more mature adult-driven romance. Weaved with trauma, tragedy, and themes of first love, this series follows two unlikely friends named Nana and shows not only how complex adult romance can be, but also how that can affect maintaining friendships and the pressures of trying to make it in the music industry.
Golden Time
Golden Time is an especially fun anime because it's set in college, so it bridges the gap between high school and adult romance, almost like a stepping stone from one to the other.
This series is a well-balanced mix of comedy, romance, and drama that follows Tada Banri, a college student trying to navigate life again after experiencing a life-altering accident. There, he meets Kaga, a spoiled girl used to getting whatever she wants except Banri’s best friend, Mitsuo. In her attempts to date Mitsuo, Banri, and Kaga form an unexpected connection that reveals there’s more to them than anyone thought.
Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku
Many adult romances are also office romances, which isn't surprising given how serious office culture is in Japan. However, Wotakoi takes what should be a stuffy setting and turns it into a hilarious backdrop for a lighthearted, romantic comedy about Narumi and Hirotaka, two adults trying to figure out how to love each other and still enjoy their quirky hobbies.
Devil's Line
Devils Line is an adult romance with a familiar twist: vampires. In a society where vampires are encouraged to stay hidden, Taira manages to fall for Anzai, a half-breed vampire who works for the Metropolitan Police Department's Public Safety Division 5 catching his own kind.
While there are overarching themes of heavy topics like discrimination, the main story focuses on Taira and Anzai as they try to make sense of societal changes towards vampires while maintaining a relationship between different races.
ReLife
While this series teeters on the edge between adult and teenage romance, it's so unique in its premise that it's hard not to recommend.
The Relife program gives struggling adults a chance to “redo” their mistakes by taking a drug that makes them young again. The catch however, is it doesn't send them back in time, it only makes their bodies appear younger so that they can attend high school.
Arata is a program participant who hopes to be offered a job at the end. Knowing he's an adult in all but appearances, he goes out of his way not to romance any of his “peers. " But then he meets Chizuru, a girl he has an obvious connection with and who has a life-changing secret of her own.
The Duke of Death and his Maid
Despite being a perfectly eligible bachelor, Viktor has never experienced the love of a woman physical or otherwise. Thanks to a curse placed on him as a child, his touch causes anyone who comes in contact with him to die.
Still, he maintains a positive attitude and holds himself back from the feelings he's developed for Alice, one of the few people who's remained by his side. The Duke of Death follows Viktor and his efforts to break the curse while also forming a relationship with someone he literally can never touch.
The Stranger by the Shore
Life and love are often unpredictable, and The Stranger by the Shore illustrates this very well. In this LGBT manga-turned movie, old friends Shun and Mio reconnect after three years apart when Mio moves home and confesses his love.
However, in the time they've been apart, it's evident both of their lives have changed in ways that could hinder their future together. Shun is the more hesitant of the two, and he fears that by accepting, he's ruining Mio’s chances of a normal life, but Mio is more than willing to fight for what he wants.
The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague
A mix of office romance, romantic comedy, and even a little fantasy, Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague is a fun adult romance for people who aren't looking for the trauma that often comes with older characters. In this anime, Himuro, a descendant of the snow spirits who frequently causes mini storms on the job, falls in love with Fuyutsuki, his regular worker who often helps him with his problem.
A Sign of Affection
While this series is a romance at heart, it's also an informative look into the struggles of dating with a disability. As a deaf woman, Yuki does her best to fit into a world that isn't always as accommodating to her condition. Despite the obstacles, she lives a full life with school and friends until the day she meets Itsuomi, whose genuine efforts to get to know her as a person spark a beautiful story about how true love will always find a way.
Spy x Family
For fans who still like a little excitement with their romance, Spy x Family manages to fulfill that craving and more. This story follows a spy named Loid who is need of a fake family for his latest undercover mission.
He quickly takes in Anya, a small girl with psychic powers, and Yor, a seemingly normal government worker who, unbeknownst to him, moonlights as a dangerous assassin. While this anime is more of a slow burn when it comes to romance, it's clear that some sparks are developing between the two adult characters.
While falling in love has no age limit, oftentimes, it feels like anime tends to focus on young love stories, forgetting about the complexities that come with adult romance. Of course, there's plenty of room for both, but as fans get older, it can be nice to watch shows about adults your age in situations you can relate to. Here's hoping this list of adult-aged romance anime gives you a good place to start.