Best Romance Anime of 2011

During a summer holiday stay at her grandfather's place, six-year-old Hotaru Takegawa becomes lost in a forest said to be haunted by spirits. As she cries out in distress, a mysterious masked boy named Gin appears and offers to guide her. Overjoyed to see another person, Hotaru rushes toward Gin with open arms, only to be sharply pushed away. She soon discovers the harsh reason for his reaction: Gin is under a terrible curse—if a human ever touches him, he will vanish forever. Although Gin tells her never to come back, Hotaru does the opposite, and before long the two form a close bond despite his fragile condition. Yet as the years go by and their feelings deepen, Hotaru and Gin begin to struggle with the barriers that fate has placed between them.

Transferring to a new school, Kodaka Hasegawa wants to make a positive first impression and find friends. However, his blond hair and intimidating looks cause everyone to assume he is a violent troublemaker. After a month, he remains alone because of this false reputation. His situation changes when he meets Yozora Mikazuki, another social outcast, talking to an imaginary friend in an empty classroom. Connecting over their mutual isolation, they create the Neighbor's Club with the goal of helping members acquire social abilities and fit into society. With the arrival of eroge fan Sena Kashiwazaki and other unconventional misfits, Kodaka thinks he has finally discovered the nakama he longed for among these amusing oddballs.

Japan created the Infinite Stratos, a powered exoskeleton that only women can pilot, and its immense destructive power led to a global treaty banning its military use. When fifteen-year-old Ichika Orimura is discovered to be the only male capable of operating an IS, he is forced to attend the Infinite Stratos Academy—an all-girls boarding school where students train as IS pilots. There, Ichika reunites with childhood friends Houki Shinonono and Lingyin Huang, and also grows close to Cecilia Alcott, the representative of the United Kingdom. Under the strict supervision of Chifuyu Orimura, his older sister and their homeroom teacher, Ichika and his female classmates must use their abilities to defend themselves and their school from the dangers that arise during their exciting school life.

Kazuya Kujou is a foreign student at Saint Marguerite Academy, a luxurious boarding school located in the Southern European country of Sauville. Originally from Japan, his jet-black hair and dark brown eyes cause his peers to shun him and give him the nickname "Black Reaper," based on a popular urban legend about the traveler who brings death in the spring. On a day like any other, Kujou visits the school's extravagant library in search of ghost stories. However, his focus soon changes as he becomes curious about a golden strand of hair on the stairs. The steps lead him to a large garden and a beautiful doll-like girl known as Victorique de Blois, whose complex and imaginative foresight allows her to predict their futures, now intertwined. With more mysteries quickly developing—including the appearance of a ghost ship and an alchemist with the power of transmutation—Victorique and Kujou, bound by fate and their unique skills, have no choice but to rely on each other.

Following a momentous New Year's break and with Valentine's Day just around the corner, Sawako Kuronuma is starting to feel more comfortable with her classmates. But now that she's become aware of her romantic feelings for the popular Shouta Kazehaya, she grows reluctant about giving him obligatory chocolates and decides not to give him any. Meanwhile, Kazehaya, who also has feelings for Sawako, senses a growing distance between them. As February draws to a close and April arrives, Sawako begins her second year of high school. Fortunately, she ends up in the same class as her friends Ayane Yano and Chizuru Yoshida, along with Kazehaya and his friend Ryuu Sanada, as well as a new student named Kento Miura. When Kento takes an interest in Sawako, the feelings between Sawako and Kazehaya are truly put to the test.

Kinjirou Sakamachi has grown up with a mother and sister who are devoted to professional wrestling, resulting in a body tough enough to endure brutal punches, aggressive kicks, and even impacts from cars to survive their moves. Despite his physical strength, he suffers from severe gynophobia—a paralyzing fear of women. Any contact with a female causes his nose to bleed, profuse sweating, and occasional fainting. His life changes drastically after a restroom encounter where he discovers that Subaru Konoe, the school's most popular student and butler to principal's daughter Kanade Suzutsuki, is actually a girl. Startled, Subaru attacks Kinjirou, knocking him unconscious. When he wakes, Kanade offers to help cure his phobia in exchange for keeping her butler's secret.

Young Chihaya Ayase once dreamed of making her older sister Chitose a top model, but her life changed when she defended Arata Wataya from Taichi Mashima, her childhood friend and a school bully. This incident introduced her to competitive karuta, a card game based on the Ogura Hundred Poets anthology that demands sharp memory, agility, and stamina. Enchanted by the sport, Chihaya forms the Shiranami Society with Arata and Taichi, pursuing the prestigious title of Queen of Karuta. After drifting apart from Taichi and losing touch with Arata during middle school, Chihaya reunites with them in high school to establish the Mizusawa Karuta Club. Teaming up with Taichi’s expertise and energetic new members, the club strives to claim victory at the national championship held at the Omi Shrine.

Keima Katsuragi, known as the "God of Conquest," resumes his mission to drive out runaway spirits that have taken hold of women's hearts. Still bound by his contract with the demon Elsie, he must apply the expertise gained from mastering countless dating simulators to eliminate the phantoms within by winning over the very thing he despises most: real-world girls. But the God of Conquest faces a tough challenge. Between exorcising a karate practitioner, a student teacher, and the arrival of Elsie's best friend from Hell, he encounters a diverse range of girls that will test his cleverness and may even catch him off guard. Though he would far prefer to remain in the realm of 2D, he is trapped in this lousy reality, so Keima must press on with his conquest of love.

To fight the surge in crime, Japan founded Tokyo Butei High, a top school where armed detectives known as Butei train as elite law enforcers, operating like mercenaries. Kinji Tooyama, a blunt and withdrawn sophomore, once belonged to the aggressive Assault Division but left it. He now lives a calm life studying logistics to conceal his powerful yet embarrassing special ability. His peaceful routine ends when the infamous Butei Killer targets him. During the turmoil, he meets Aria Holmes Kanzaki, an outspoken and highly ranked prodigy who saves him and demands he become her partner, having seen his true skills.

The misfits of Class F are back for more chaotic adventures! This time, instead of desperately battling the elite students of Class A for better amenities, they face a different set of problems. While the girls constantly compete for the boys' attention, Akihisa Yoshii and Yuuji Sakamoto find themselves blackmailed by a stalker who threatens to expose their most embarrassing secrets to the entire school. To make matters worse, everyone's avatar begins acting strangely. Packed with more nosebleeds and eye-pokes, the boys of Class F must join forces to uncover the stalker's identity and navigate the mishaps that come with love among fools.

Akito Takagi and Moritaka Mashiro, who work together under the pen name Muto Ashirogi, have achieved the serialization of their new manga "Detective Trap," bringing them closer to their goal of becoming famous mangaka. For Mashiro, this is only the beginning—he made a promise to marry his childhood friend and aspiring voice actress Azuki Miho once his work receives an anime adaptation, so he must keep pushing Ashirogi's series to gain popularity. A fierce group of talented rivals surrounds them, including the wild genius Eiji Niizuma, the elegant student Yuriko Aoki and her older admirer and partner Takurou Nakai, the lazy prodigy Kazuya Hiramaru, and the abrasive artist Shinta Fukuda. These mangaka both support and compete against Muto Ashirogi in the race to create the next major hit. While adapting to their new, young, and seemingly inexperienced editor, the duo works hard to maintain their current serialization, climb to the top of Shounen Jack, and ultimately secure an anime adaptation for their manga. With new rivals and allies, Bakuman. 2nd Season follows Takagi and Mashiro's uplifting journey of dedication and youthful romance.

Decades from now, humanity faces a relentless threat from an alien species called the Novas. Wherever they emerge, these inhuman creatures leave destruction in their wake, and the battles to repel them are known as Nova Clashes. To fight back, young women—dubbed "Pandoras"—and young men—called "Limiters"—are implanted with stigmata granting them superhuman abilities. They train at military academies, learning to cooperate if humanity hopes to survive. Freezing follows Kazuya Aoi on his first day at West Genetics military academy, which coincides with a Pandora battle royale. There, he mistakes Satellizer el Bridget—a formidable Pandora known as the "Untouchable Queen"—for his deceased sister and embraces her. Although his action costs her the match, she discovers that his touch does not repel her and decides to take him as her Limiter. The question remains whether their partnership can endure the schemes of their upperclassmen and the looming conflict with the Novas.

The samurai play a vital role in Japan's history, and having any link to them is one of the most inspiring things a high school student could wish for. Kawakami City is famous for its many citizens with samurai ancestry, and the city is filled with an atmosphere of fighting spirit, loyalty, and hard work. At Kawakami Academy, students like Yamato Naoe use this heritage every day, whether studying for exams, taking part in sports events, or making sure their traditions are well preserved. Yamato and his six closest friends—three boys and three girls—create the perfect team for friendship, rivalry, and motivation. But even samurai have their flaws. Although the group's balance and long-standing friendship have remained unchanged for ages, things start to get much more interesting when two new girls join them. Now they not only have to maintain what they see as the samurai tradition, but they also have to do so with plenty of "distractions."

The chaotic fun at Wagnaria continues as even more ridiculous situations unfold, bonds between coworkers grow stronger, and new emotions come to light. Alongside Souta Takanashi and his oddball colleagues, fresh eccentric figures join the family restaurant: Haruna, Hyougo Otoo's long-missing wife, who has a tendency to get completely lost while traveling through the sewers; Kirio Yamada, Aoi's older brother, who can endure Mahiru Inami's brutal punches without flinching; and the twins Youhei and Mitsuki Mashiba, juniors of Kyouko Shirafuji who constantly clash with each other. Absurdity, romance, and laughter are all served up at the Wagnaria family restaurant!

On the night he was supposed to choose between fighting evil at Shana's side or living as a normal teenager, Yuji vanished. Returning from the brink of death, he now leads the Crimson Denizens in a suspicious plan to bring peace to the universe—but Shana is not deceived. In a fiery reunion, the blazing warrior confronts her most unlikely opponent, while Flame Hazes from around the world band together to ignite a war that will decide the fate of all supernatural beings.

Haruka Nanami, a budding composer from the countryside, dreams of writing songs for her favorite idol, Hayato Ichinose. To make this ambition a reality, she enrolls at Saotome Academy, a prestigious vocational school focused on the performing arts. Once she arrives, Haruka discovers that every staff member, even the headmaster, works as either an idol, composer, or poet. What's more, she finds herself among exceptionally talented future idols and composers, and the rivalry between students is intense. With the chance to be scouted by the Shining Agency after graduation, the stakes couldn't be higher. As she pursues her goal at the academy, a series of events one fateful night leads Haruka to a mysterious man standing under the moonlight—and he looks strangely familiar...

Kazuma Hoshino is getting ready for a new chapter in his teenage life. Because his younger brother Ayumu has always had weaker health, their parents decided it would be best for the family to leave the city and move to a more rural area. The two brothers head to the Yorozuyo Inn, where they will stay until their parents finish handling matters back in the city and set up their new home. Their arrival at the inn does not go smoothly. They take the wrong bus, end up lost in the middle of nowhere, a wild monkey steals Ayumu's hat, and Kazuma gets lost in the woods while chasing the animal. This leads to a chance meeting with a lively young girl named Ui, whom Kazuma accidentally falls onto and kisses as she tries to guide him back to the bus stop. Ui's friend Ibuki is not happy about this and quickly kicks Kazuma, sending him on his way. To Kazuma's continued dismay, his bad luck persists at the inn, thanks to the landlady Senka and her slightly perverted sense of humor, and he later discovers that two of his classmates are the very girls he embarrassed himself in front of back in the woods. Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi follows Kazuma as he adjusts to his new school, deals with the multiple women who have entered his life, provides emotional support for his younger brother, and copes with living under his new landlady's roof. Yet, for some reason, something about this place stirs whispers of the past in Kazuma's mind—brief flashes to a more innocent time and a long-forgotten friendship. What could this déjà vu mean?

The peaceful everyday life of ordinary high school student Kisaragi Ryuji takes a dramatic turn when his second cousin Eriko returns. Together, they confiscate a relic box from a black market dealer. Inside the box, they discover a red dragon girl named Rose. To keep Rose safe from the sinister black organization, Ryuji resolves to fight, harnessing his abilities as a relic handler.

When boys suddenly find themselves in areas they've never been permitted to enter before, some girls tend to react negatively. So when the decision is made to merge the elite Yuihime Girls' Private Academy with the coeducational Kagamidai Private Academy, everyone is determined to be extra cautious in preventing problems while uniting the two schools. Instead of bringing all the Kagamidai boys into Yuihime at once, a plan is devised where a small group of test males will be introduced to the Girls' Academy first. As a result, poor young Shingo is thrown in as a sacrificial lamb to the lionesses of Yuihime, who are not exactly welcoming him with open arms. Will Shingo manage to survive the estrogen-soaked pit of death that is Yuihime? Can the girls learn to be more accepting of boys? And just how long will it be until an incident involving panties ignites emotions, sparks fly, and the battle of the sexes explodes?

Young princess Astarotte "Lotte" Ygvar is a succubus, a being that depends on men's life essence to survive, restore her magical power, and carry on the royal bloodline of the magical realm. As such, succubi must maintain a harem of men nearby. However, Lotte holds a strong aversion to men, which will endanger her life when she comes of age. To persuade her to accept her responsibilities, her attendant Judith Snorrevik ventures into the human world to find a male human that Lotte can stand. Judith brings back Naoya Touhara, a 23-year-old single father who unfortunately leaves his daughter Asuha behind in the human realm. As the first member of Lotte's harem, Naoya quickly adjusts to his new surroundings, focusing on serving the princess to make her happy rather than viewing her with any sexual interest. Unfortunately, when his daughter is permitted to come to the magical realm, Naoya's relationship with Lotte quickly deteriorates. Still, he works hard to mend their bond. But soon it becomes evident that Naoya's arrival in the magical realm is no mere coincidence. As his connection with Lotte deepens, fate begins to weave together the ties that bind him and everyone else in this enchanting world.

Taito has been experiencing excessive drowsiness, and repeatedly dreams about a vampire woman who claims she has injected him with her "poison." Occasionally, he even believes he can hear her voice while awake. However, after miraculously surviving a fatal accident, Taito's life is completely transformed, and he comes to understand that his dreams hold more truth than he initially believed.

Effeminate fifth grader Shuuichi Nitori is widely seen as one of the prettiest girls in school, but to her own dismay, she is biologically male. Fortunately, Shuuichi has a childhood friend who shares similar feelings of gender discomfort: the lanky tomboy Yoshino Takatsuki, who is biologically female but does not identify as a girl. The two friends share this secret and find comfort in each other, but their lives grow more complicated as they navigate a new school, try to make new friends, and hold on to old ones. Faced with daunting challenges, they must learn to cope with the harsh realities of growing up, being transgender, relationships, and acceptance. Praised as a serious exploration of gender identity and LGBT struggles, Takako Shimura's Hourou Musuko follows Shuuichi and Yoshino as they seek their true selves through puberty, making friends, falling in love, and confronting very real and difficult decisions.

Second-year middle school student Nao Takanashi has an intense brother complex for her older brother Shuusuke, desiring him to view her as a woman. She makes daily advances toward him, which often results in Shuusuke giving in and further encouraging her teasing. While disposing of porn magazines from Shuusuke's room, Nao discovers a photo album filled with his childhood pictures—none of which include her. After learning the truth about her family relationships, Nao grows even more affectionate toward Shuusuke. However, her dreams of having her brother all to herself are soon threatened.

The story centers on Taketo Akutagawa, a student at Inspiration Academy Private High School, an institution for prodigies. Taketo is a talented novelist who writes erotic fiction. Despite the negative views many people have of him, he strives to become the top student in his class and gain recognition as the world's greatest writer.

Haneda Takashi harbors a secret he must keep to himself. He had intended to flee his mundane school life by escaping into another world, but certain emotional bonds pull him back. Among these are his socially awkward younger sister Kobato and his inattentive girlfriend Watarai Asuka. Chitose Shuusuke lives as a destitute moocher, spending his days juggling multiple part-time jobs. One day, he has a calamitous first meeting with Tamaizumi Hiyoko. Upon their next encounter, Shuusuke realizes they are coworkers at his part-time workplace. Narita Hayato fancies himself a "hard-boiled" individual, unfazed by grueling labor. He avoids ordinary social interaction, yet at night he gathers with troublemakers and other nocturnal figures. On one such night, he encounters the cheerful and unaware Otori Naru. The connections these three young men form with these girls will profoundly impact their lives. But what, precisely, is the bond that ties these young men to one another?

Adapted from the guidebook 30-sai no Hoken Taiiku (Health and Physical Education for 30-Year-Olds) by Mitsuba and Ichijinsha, this story targets thirty-something men who have never had romantic or sexual encounters with women. Imagawa Hayao is a thirty-year-old virgin bachelor. A cupid arrives from heaven with the sole mission of ensuring he loses his virginity. This leads to a wholesome romance between a thirty-year-old single man and a thirty-year-old single woman.

Based on the online mobile otome game "Sengoku☆Paradise". The first three minutes of the ten-minute spot for Sengoku☆Paradise Kiwami consist of the anime itself. The remaining seven minutes feature cast members of Sengoku☆Paradise Kiwami—Daisuke Namikawa along with others (first time with Tetsuya Kakihara, second time with Rei Mochizuki)—as they go on missions, plus an informative short.