Best Romance Anime of 2001

Following the accidental death of her mother, sixteen-year-old Tooru resides with her grandfather while his home undergoes renovation. Choosing to avoid leaning on friends or facing family disapproval, she decides to camp alone in the woods, feigning a search for accommodation. One evening, after returning from work, she discovers her tent buried beneath a landslide. Yuki Sohma, the school's prince charming, and his cousin, the renowned writer Shigure Sohma, rush to her aid and invite her to stay at their residence until the renovations are finished. Within the Sohma household, Tooru uncovers a shocking secret: family members transform into zodiac animals when embraced by someone of the opposite sex. This metamorphosis is no trivial matter but a grave curse rooted in a tragic past. As Tooru grows closer to various zodiac members, she must determine if her gentle yet resilient nature can help them liberate themselves from the heavy burdens that plague their lives.

In the futuristic city of Metropolis, where humans treat robotic citizens with cruelty and oppression, private investigator Shunsaku Ban and his nephew Kenichi travel there to look into Dr. Laughton, a scientist accused of trafficking human organs. Dr. Laughton is thought to be hiding somewhere within the city. Unknown to most people, Dr. Laughton has constructed an advanced female android named Tima for Duke Red, the most powerful man in the city. When a sudden fire breaks out at Dr. Laughton's laboratory, Shunsaku and Kenichi get separated while trying to find survivors. Kenichi comes across the disoriented Tima and tries to protect her from Rock, Duke Red's ruthless adopted son, who is pursuing the android. Believing Tima to be human, Kenichi grows close to her. Meanwhile, Shunsaku searches for Kenichi and uncovers dangerous schemes unfolding in the city's underground, including the essential role Tima plays in Duke Red's bid for control.

In the feudal era, while searching for the scattered fragments of the sacred Shikon Jewel, Inuyasha, Kagome Higurashi, and their allies draw the ire of Menoumaru Hyouga, a revived demon who seeks Inuyasha's ancestral blade, Tessaiga. Following a prior conflict with Inuyasha's father, Menoumaru believes Tessaiga holds the key to reclaiming his stolen birthright. After ambushing Inuyasha, Menoumaru learns that only its rightful owner can wield Tessaiga. Unfazed, he captures Kagome to force Inuyasha to unsheathe the sword and awaken the dormant powers of the Hyouga clan. Alongside their steadfast companions, Inuyasha and Kagome confront Menoumaru, unaware that his sinister ambitions and formidable strength threaten not only their era but also a distant future.

Fifty years ago, the sinister Dark Brings triggered the "Overdrive," a catastrophe that wiped out a tenth of humanity. In the present, the evil organization Demon Card seeks to exploit the Dark Brings for their own dark purposes. Haru Glory, a young swordsman with silver hair, takes on the role of Rave Master, wielding the legendary Rave Stones that can neutralize the Dark Brings. But after the Overdrive, the Rave Stones were scattered worldwide, allowing Demon Card to continue their schemes unopposed. In Groove Adventure Rave, Haru sets out on an epic journey alongside his strange dog-like companion Plue, the passionate blonde Ellie, and the infamous thief Musica, traveling across the vast world to gather the Rave Stones and put an end to Demon Card's tyranny.

Kenshin's past, filled with killing and devastation, has earned him a reputation across Japan as the master assassin who wields a sword. In search of atonement for his deeds, he travels far, hoping to find a place he can call home. Though his actions have brought about an era of peace, Kenshin continues to distance himself from those he loves. His wife, Kaoru, waits anxiously for the day he returns. Will Kenshin ever come back to Kaoru before she passes away from longing?

The story "Automatic Maiden" introduces Mahoro Andou, a highly advanced battle android created by Vesper—a covert organization tasked with protecting Earth from extraterrestrial threats. Due to her design, Mahoro's systems will cease functioning within roughly a month if she participates in combat; however, refraining from battle can extend her operational life to over a year. Separately, Suguru Misato is a high school student living by himself after the loss of his parents, struggling to maintain his large household. He often wishes for a maid to help around the house, but his situation changes dramatically when a girl wearing a maid outfit saves him from a bus hijacking—that girl is Mahoro. She decides to use her remaining time working as Suguru's maid. As Mahoro cherishes these ordinary days, she forms deep connections with Suguru and his circle of friends through their daily experiences together. Yet she conceals the true motive behind her choice to serve as his maid—a secret that hints at a far deeper link between their histories than Suguru suspects.

Sixteen-year-old Himeno Awayuki, a lively girl, moves into a grand house with a beautiful garden after her father remarries. Despite the promising surroundings, her new stepfamily feels distant: her stepmother focuses on her own concerns, her stepsister Mawata seems uninterested, and her peer Mayune repeatedly tries to trick her. However, Himeno's life changes suddenly when she encounters seven magical beings called the Leafe Knights. They propose that she become a magical princess who can harness their powers. Although she accepts the role of Prétear, Himeno remains unsure of her ability to defend the world and the Leafes, the vital life force. Can Himeno find joy with her new family and defeat the Princess of Disaster to save the planet?

The examination period arrives, and Keitaro can only hope for success. However, during the final stretch, he performs poorly and drifts off into a daydream during the exam. Convinced he has failed, he flees, prompting the rest of the cast to pursue him on a secluded desert island to retrieve him. Keitaro once again faces the Toudai entrance exams. He sits for the paper full of confidence, but falls asleep and dreams of Narusegawa. Waking with barely any time left to complete the paper, Keitaro thinks he will fail and attempts to escape from Hinata Lodge, wanting to forget all the memories associated with it. By a stroke of luck he meets Seta, but ends up on a faraway island with the entire cast trying to find him.

Amawa Hibiki, a recent college graduate who studied to become an athletics teacher, has struggled to find work since finishing school, spending all his savings on daily living. When his landlady demands the first month's rent upfront, he goes to the nearby middle school hoping to be hired as a teacher. But the principal turns him down immediately, refusing to employ any man and openly declaring her hatred of men, claiming they lack love in their passions and work. Instead of giving up, Amawa, with his landlady's assistance, decides to crossdress as a woman without hesitation and successfully lands the job, aiming to earn money and prove the principal wrong. Now he must hide his true gender while navigating awkward situations, including the affections of students from both genders.

Motoko's sister Tsuroko suddenly appears, intending to pass on the dojo to her. But Motoko still hasn't surpassed Tsuroko in swordsmanship. Seeing this, Tsuroko offers Motoko a difficult ultimatum: either defeat her in battle or accept marriage to Keitaro.

After his mother passes away, middle school student Tarou Hanaukyou is supposed to go to Tokyo and live with his grandfather. But when he arrives at the given address, he finds something completely unexpected: a huge mansion filled with hundreds of maids. Tarou receives a warm welcome, and the head maid, Mariel, plays a recorded message from his grandfather. In it, his grandfather declares that Tarou is to inherit the entire estate. Though he is hesitant at first, Tarou gradually gets used to his new life, where the maids are completely devoted to fulfilling their young master's every desire.

Wataru Minakami, a top student, unexpectedly fails his high school entrance exam due to a computer error. Soon after, he learns he has been enrolled at Stargazer Hill Academy, located on the mysterious Promised Island. Following his father's wishes, Wataru travels to the island. Upon arrival, he is immediately surrounded by a dozen beautiful and captivating girls who all introduce themselves as his younger sisters. As Wataru begins to form bonds with these newfound siblings, a deeper mystery about their presence on the island gradually unfolds.

Due to a shortage of ambassadors for the newly subjugated worlds left behind by the rapidly advancing fleet of the Bebaus brothers, Lafiel is assigned as Territorial Ambassador for the planet Lobnas II. Upon arriving on the planet, Jinto and Lafiel learn that it was used by the United Mankind as a prison world, now holding one million inmates on its sole inhabited island. The prisoners are divided into three sectors: the western sector houses women, the eastern sector holds men, and the central sector is mixed, with the condition that all inmates living there have been sterilized. The women in the western sector wish to emigrate from the planet out of fear of the men, and when they do, the men in the east rebel, overpower the guards, and capture Jinto in an attempt to stop the women's departure. At the same time, an enemy fleet approaches the system, forcing Lafiel to abandon Jinto.

After many years of trials that tested their bond, Miaka Yuuki and Taka Sukunami have married and are now expecting a child, which represents the height of their unbreakable relationship. However, not everyone celebrates their happiness; Taka's student Mayo Sakaki secretly loves him and cannot stand seeing them so content. When she discovers The Universe of the Four Gods, Mayo realizes this ancient book is the key to Miaka and Taka's former identities as the Suzaku priestess and the celestial warrior Tamahome. Driven by her own desires, Mayo enters the book intending to replace Miaka as Suzaku's priestess and change their fate to suit her goals. Her actions soon cause severe consequences. As Miaka falls into a coma at the hospital, Taka ventures into The Universe of the Four Gods to stop Mayo's schemes and protect his wife and unborn child.

In an effort to prevent the impending disaster known as the Grand Fall, Rid Hershel and their allies, Farah, Keel, and Meredy, have secured the three Greater Spirits, referred to as Craymels in the game, from Inferia. During their journey to Mount Farlos, Rid is kidnapped by the bounty hunter Marone Blucarno, compelling the group to venture to the distant archipelago of Belcarnu, which lies far from the main urban areas of Inferia. As they navigate a series of adventures, they find themselves stranded on these islands, where a more immediate danger to Inferia awaits.

Goro is experiencing a series of bad luck, including losing jobs often and struggling with money. While passing a pet store, he encounters a fortune-teller who tells him his luck is about to change. That night, three young women show up at his home, explaining they are his guardian angels. In the end, twelve girls come to assist him, each one the reincarnation of a pet Goro once had and lost.

One guy, five girls, and a single roof—it's a familiar setup, but it never gets old. Happy Lesson delivers a frenetic twist on the classic harem formula. Chitose shares his home with five women. You'd think having that much female attention would be a blessing, but too much of it can actually be painful. Oh, and did I mention they're also teachers at his school? That's where the title comes from. He's not just the target of their antics at home—he suffers just as much in the classroom. Even when things finally settle down at night, every room is taken, leaving Chitose stuck sleeping on the couch.

Set a few years before the events chronicled in Z.O.E Dolores,i, this OVA centers on the "Deimos Incident," an act of terrorism carried out by revolutionaries from Mars. Radium and Viola, the BAHRAM army's finest pilots, have been handpicked to spearhead testing of a new weapon system—one that Mars hopes will free the planet from the oppressive rule of the UNSF (United Nations Space Force). This cutting-edge technology, dubbed the "Orbital Frame," runs on an incredibly scarce and potent energy source known as the metatron ore. The OVA portrays both the Deimos incident itself and the chain of events leading up to it.

Over the course of the three-episode OVA series, Taro comes to grasp the truth behind Cynthia's dual identity as both herself and her other persona, Grace. He also takes part in training exercises led by his protector, Konoe. Furthermore, Ikuyo uses clever manipulation to persuade Taro to wear a maid outfit for an entire day.

Youka is a young boy of thirteen. When his uncle, Kakusei, instructs him to follow in his footsteps and learn the martial art of Zenshinkyou, Youka obeys. However, after suffering mistreatment, he runs away from Zenshinkyou. He stumbles upon a Forbidden Tomb, where he encounters a beautiful young woman named Shouryuujo. Before long, Shouryuujo accepts Youka as her student, teaching him the techniques of the Koboha. Thus begins their journey through martial arts and love.

A package from Cyberdoll Mami containing five "Chibi-Cyberdoll Mays" arrives at Kazuya's apartment. Soon after, an accident causes May's personality to be transferred into the five mini-Mays, with each one receiving a different aspect of her character. Elsewhere, Rena finds a lost child and brings it home.

It has been a year since Nao and Uehara accidentally ended up sharing the same apartment, and they have since become a couple. As Uehara's sixteenth birthday draws near, Nao's main concern is finding the perfect present. Everything appears to be going well until Nao discovers that Uehara's birthday already passed while she was serving as a hair model for the attractive stylist Asai.

Tomoya Mikami's life was forever altered when his girlfriend Ayaka was struck by a car and killed while on her way to meet him. He held himself responsible for her death and was never the same following the accident. He started behaving coldly toward Yue and his other friends. Additionally, whenever Tomoya becomes involved with a new girl, he sees visions of Ayaka in his dreams. He resolves that he must find a way to bid farewell to his lost love once and for all, while simultaneously managing several side romances.

Kanzaki Meirin is a junior high school student who has the special ability to repel evil spirits using feng shui. In secret, she works as a fortune teller under the name Dr. Rin. She harbors romantic feelings for Yuuki Asuka, her best friend and fellow soccer club member, but he has a strong aversion to fortune-telling and anything related to superstitions.

Tatsuya heads to the United States to play baseball on his own, trying to step out of the shadow of his brothers' renown, and becomes a pitcher for the Emeralds, a minor league team that is having difficulties. In Japan, Minami looks for a new direction after ending her gymnastics career; motivated by a snapshot of her final routine, she chooses to work as an assistant to a photographer.

Mami-chan has feelings for Ishida-senpai, the standout player of her school's soccer team, and desperately wants to find the courage to present him with chocolate on Valentine's Day. Her friend, Koko-chan, tells her about the fabled Magical Chocolate. Can this enchantment help Mami achieve her wish?

Three years after their adventure, Lafiel becomes captain of the brand-new assault ship "Basroil," and Jinto completes his training as a supply officer to join her crew. They depart to join a large fleet on a mission to defend the strategically vital Laptic Gate against a force fifteen times larger than their own. Adding to their worries, their new fleet commander comes from the Bebous family, a family infamous for its "spectacular insanity."

The queen is gathering certain jewels that could threaten the entire cosmos if they fall into the wrong hands. However, Zephel makes a mistake and loses one of these jewels. What can he do to fix this mistake?

The music video collection Please Save My Earth Music Image Video: The Passing of the Golden Age includes six music videos featuring both exclusive footage and content adapted from the manga. It also presents an alternative version of the OVA's concluding sequence, accompanied by distinct end credits designed specifically for these image videos.