It is not uncommon for a couple, stressed out from a day at work, to want to unwind by putting something on the TV and watching together. Anime is an excellent medium and there are several shows that a couple can bond over and experience together.
Such a list of shows can be tricky as it is so subjective. However, it should be noted that what makes a show a great one to watch by a couple is that it has things that can appeal to either party. This couldinclude romance, but isn’t limited to it as there are a large selection of anime that still fit into this criteria.
Makoto Shinkai’s brilliant movie,Your Name, was all the rage when it was released in 2016 and even broke a couple of records, but this was for good reason.Your Nameis more than just abody swapcomedy/romance, it is a gripping tale with some supernatural elements added to spice things up.
It is the kind of movie that has the great emotional moments to bring a couple together and, while it lacks the conventional action some might prefer, it has a great amount of suspense that is sure to keep a couple engaged in the story. The great visuals are an extra point.
My Happy Marriagehasa bit of Cinderellato it, but dialed up to the extreme with some of the treatment meted out to Miho pretty hard to deal with. That said, it is a great romantic show that has a historical edge to it and some added magic in the world makes it just a hint unpredictable.
It is a romance show at its core and has all the trappings of a good romance. It features pretty good characters, and the perceived grump of the show, Kiyoka Kudo, turns out to be a complete sweetheart.
Violet has never quite understood the concept of emotion, but when she is in the hospital with artificial hands and the memory of her commanding officer’s kindness to her, she sets out to understand emotion better while working as a typist (they are called Auto Memory Dolls in this world)
Violet Evergardenis heavy on the emotional front and is the sort of show that will provoke conversation, especially between people paired together as a couple. As Violet starts to understand empathy, the audience learns her lessons with her and it is one of those shows that can make a person shed a few tears.
For a couple who are in the mood for an excellent romantic comedy, thenHorimiyais a great choice. The story of the perfect girl, Hori ending up with the loner who has a secret, Miyamura, isn’t particularly new, anime pairs opposites as love interests all the time, but there’s something about Horimiya that elevates it beyond the standard romcom.
The sense of awkwardness in a first romance and the characterization of Hori and Miyamura really lends a lot to the show. Also, there are awesome supporting characters with one of them getting into a love triangle (since Hori and Miyamura was a given) which added some extra romantic excitement.
Bungo Stray Dogsis a great left-field pick for couples to watch, but it is a very valid one. It is perfect time-wise (each season is about 12 episodes long), it has little tono fanservice, it has all the amazing power systems that anime has to offer.
Add to this a great cast of characters from Dazai to enemies like Chuuya, and what’s left is an underrated show that should be considered a classic. The story of Bungo Stray Dogs is nice enough, but the rivalries, fights and characters are what really make it tick. It follows Atsushi who joins a mysterious organization and starts to learn more about his enigmatic co-workers.
Comedies are an easy choice for couples to watch together andHinamatsuriis perhaps the best show that should appeal to all parties. It is about a mysterious girl who comes into the life of Yakuza member, Nitta.
Hinamatsuri is a very funny show, and it does this without resorting to fan service, and somehow retains its humor even when its characters fall on hard times. There’s also the fact that the characters are likable and easy to support. It’s short (12 episodes) and pretty easy to follow, this also makes it ideal for a quick watch after work.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpaihas an interesting premise; a rare disease known as ‘Puberty Syndrome’ has hit a young former child actress, Mai Sakurajima and the only person who seems to be able to help is series protagonist Sakuta Azusagawa.
Sakuta and Mai end up in a relationship while the former continues to help out other people who have come in contact with Puberty Syndrome. The relationship between Mai and Sakuta is nice to watch and the two engage in pretty quick-witted dialogue which makes them likable.
Classroom Of The Eliteis a psychological anime involving highschool students in a very strange school which pits classes against one another for ‘survival’. Kiyotaka Ayanakoji wants nothing but a mundane school life, but his experience turns out to be anything but.
The scheming andmind gamesmake it a suitable watch for a couple. On top of that, there are also strong romantic elements without diving headfirst into harem territory. As a lead, Ayanakoji is very fascinating and his deadpan expression hides a very mysterious past.
It is true thatThe Promised Neverlandhad a second season that few were happy with, but its first season was a masterpiece in suspense. Set in an orphanage, it soon becomes clear that things aren’t what they seem, as Emma, and Ray discover that their friend wasn’t in a new home as they had been told.
What follows is 12 of the most heart-pounding episodes. The Promised Neverland’s children are smart, empathetic, and courageous, and in Isabella, the show has one ofanime’s great villains. This is a show that could have a couple peeking between fingers and pausing to catch their breath.
Fullmetal Alchemistis one of the greatest stories ever told, period. This makes it a sure-fire recommendation for date night. The story of how Edward and Alphonse attempt to get their bodies back against the backdrop of some sinister workings of a mysterious entity known as Father, is one that always delights.
As a story, it has everything; emotional weight, fist-pumping action, and great dialogue. It also doesn’t veer into any real controversial territory and mixes genres well enough to hold the interest of all parties watching it. It is a great series to watch with a partner from start to finish.
