Ao Haru Ride, also known as Blue Spring Ride, is a heartwarming shojo romance anime that follows Futaba Yoshioka, a girl who reinvents herself to have a tomboyish personality. When she reunites with her childhood friend Kou Mabuchi, who has become distant and cold, Futaba is determined to help him heal from past traumas. Their journey together explores themes of first love, moving on from the past, and the importance of self-acceptance.
Top 10 Anime Like Ao Haru Ride
If you enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster and sweet romance of Ao Haru Ride, then you’re in for a treat! Here are 10 anime series that capture similar themes and will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside:
Horimiya
This rom-com centers around Kyoko Hori, a popular, outgoing high school student, and Miyamura Izumi, a seemingly gloomy classmate. Unbeknownst to their peers, Hori hides a domestic side, while Miyamura has a secret life outside of school as a tattooed punk rocker. Their paths collide outside of school, leading to an unexpected and heartwarming romance.
Kimi ni Todoke (From Me To You)
This anime follows Sawako Kuronuma, a sweet but misunderstood girl nicknamed “Sadako” due to her resemblance to the horror movie character. Sawako longs to make friends but struggles due to her classmates’ fear of her. When a popular boy named Shota Kazehaya reaches out to her, Sawako’s world begins to change as she navigates friendship, love, and self-discovery.
Hirunaka no Ryuusei (Daytime Shooting Star)
Yosano Suzume, a country girl, moves to the city to attend high school. There, she meets a cynical city boy named Mamura Daiki. Despite their contrasting personalities, Suzume’s optimism and determination slowly chip away at Daki’s hardened exterior. As they learn more about each other’s pasts, a heartwarming romance blossoms.
Fruits Basket
This award-winning anime tells the story of Tohru Honda, an orphaned girl who finds herself living with the mysterious Sohma family. The Somas are burdened by a family curse that transforms them into the animals of the Chinese zodiac when they are weak or stressed. Tohru’s kindness and compassion help the Somas break the curse and learn to love themselves.
Ore Monogatari!! (My Love Story!!)
Takeo Goda, a giant high school student with a heart of gold, struggles to find love due to his intimidating appearance. When he falls for the cheerful and petite Rinko Yamato, he’s determined to help her find love with another. However, Rinko only has eyes for Takeo, leading to a hilarious and heartwarming love story.
Toradora!
This classic rom-com features a complex love square. Ryuuji Takasu, a kindhearted but intimidating-looking boy, and Taiga Aisaka, a feisty but small girl, make a pact to help each other with their love interests. As they spend more time together, their feelings begin to change, leading to a comedic and heartwarming journey of self-discovery.
Lovely Complex
This anime explores the challenges faced by Koizumi Risa, a tall girl, and Atsushi Otani, a short boy. Both teased for their height throughout their lives, they develop a rivalry that eventually blossoms into love. Lovely Complex is a humorous and heartwarming story about acceptance, self-love, and finding love in unexpected places.
Nana
Nana tells the story of two girls named Nana who meet on a train to Tokyo. Both share the same name but have very different personalities and dreams. Nana Osaki, a punk rock singer, seeks fame and fortune. Nana Komatsu, a naive girl, follows her boyfriend to Tokyo. Their paths intertwine as they navigate love, friendship, and the complexities of young adulthood in the big city.
Paradise Kiss
This anime follows Yukari Hayasaka, a high school student focused on academics and getting into a prestigious university. Her plans are upended when she encounters a group of fashion design students who convince her to become their model. Paradise Kiss is a coming-of-age story about friendship, pursuing dreams, and the exploration of self-identity.
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun (My Little Monster)
Shizuku Mizutani, a cold and calculating student, is tasked with returning class notes to her troubled classmate, Haru Yoshida. Haru, who frequently skips school, brings unexpected joy and challenges Shizuku’s rigid way of life. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is a heartwarming story about breaking out of one’s comfort zone, embracing individuality, and the power of friendship.
Last Updated on March 24, 2024 by Yu Alexius
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.