Romance as a genre in anime is often placed in high school with the setting done over a thousand times, but My Dress-Up Darling adds a unique spin with a love story spinning out of interest in cosplay and dressmaking. Wakan Gojou wants to follow his grandfather’s profession of making Hina dolls, perfecting his painting and sewing skills in his free time after school.

In comes Marin Kitagawa, an amateur cosplayer that struggles to make her own outfits and asks Gojou for help. The bubbly Marin contrasts the shy Gojou as the two begin a relationship that brings them ever closer as they work on each cosplay. Much like Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie, the main couple’s completely contrasting characteristics make the comedy and relationship of each series pop, especially with Gojou’s cluelessness toward popular culture being so endearing in the face of Marin’s hip lifestyle.

My Dress-Up Darling also hits home with more tasteful fanservice than the average Rom-Com, like Gojou having to measure Marin in his room as she wears a bikini, but outside of cosplay settings, Marin dresses appropriately, unlike in other anime.

Similar to Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie, TONIKAWA starts with a couple that skips the awkwardness of unspoken feelings with a confession in the first episode that is accepted under the condition that they get married. Nasa Yuzaki is almost killed by a truck but is saved by the swiftness of Tsukasa, a seemingly ordinary girl that stops the truck.

A wholesome love story with a hint of supernatural elements, TONIKAWA brings elements of Princess Kaguya’s legend to a Rom-Com anime that warms our hearts. Seeing Nasa and Tsukasa go from strangers to two newlyweds trying to navigate living together in a small apartment when they barely know each other is sweet, the same way Shikimori and Izumi navigate being a stand-out couple in high school. The comedy flows in a wholesome way in these two anime as our couples grow closer together.

A diligent and studious Misaki Ayuzawa has made strides in her high school career, becoming the first female student president, all while trying to improve the daily lives of other female students earning her the nickname “Demon President” amongst the school’s boys. Enter Takumi Usui, the most popular boy in school. After witnessing him reject a girl and make her cry, Misaki reprimands Usui only to meet him again at her part-time job in a maid cafe.

A love story centred around two very conflicting personalities, similar to Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie, Maid Sama is a wholesome Rom-Com anime that brings the comedy through differences. Usui’s nonchalant attitude to life versus the diligent Misaki is heartwarming to watch, and we recommend it to any fans of Shikimori,

Yuki Kurihara has had a crush on Shinya Momotsuki for over a year and finally works up the courage to ask him out in their second year of high school. However, what Momo doesn’t know about Kuri is that she has been secretly photographing him and observing his life.

A strange romance blooms between Momo and Kuri as she continues her strange habits of observing her new boyfriend, similar to Shikimori’s fascination with Izumi always looking cute when he gets into trouble, and she has to save him. Watching the two couples awkwardly navigate the perils of young love breeds comedy and tender moments alike, the perfect mix for high school Rom-Coms.

Komi Can’t Communicate tells you all you need to know about this anime as we follow the titular Komi-san in her awkward high school life, struggling to make friends with her lack of social skills. Enter Hitohito Tadano, the first friend Komi-san makes in class and joins her on her journey to making one hundred friends.

The blend of beautiful animation for emotional moments and goofy cartoon-esque caricatures brings the comedy to life without detracting from the romantic moments between Komi-san and Tadano. Similarly, Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie utilises the same art style to show the ridiculousness of Izumi’s goofy situations, like a sign falling on his head, whilst also turning to a crisp manner to showcase the emotional moments.

Horimiya centres on a romance between the two titular high school students, Izumi Miyamura and Kyouko Hori, cleverly blending their two names for the title. Both appear as regular students, with Hori being bubbly and outgoing, whilst Miyamura keeps to himself and appears studious in nature. However, both lead different lives outside of school, with the two coming together in a fateful meeting laying bare their true selves. Hori barely has time to socialise due to housework and busy home life, whilst Miyamura hides his long hair, piercings, and tattoos that give him the appearance of a delinquent.

The personalities of Miyamura and Hori match up with Shikimori and Izumi, with the two guys having meek demeanours in comparison to the leading ladies. Hori’s bossiness matches Shikimori’s calmness in how they carry themselves, and despite the heavier story in Horimiya, the two anime bring the same energy as Rom-Coms.