In anime, the childhood friend and the main character are like two peas in a pod – they support each other during tough situations. Sometimes though, a new character takes the main character away from their childhood friend. But here, we've compiled romance anime where the childhood friend wins.
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I’ve Always Liked You
Also called Zutto Mae Kara Suki deshita.: Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai, this romantic anime movie follows Natsuki Enomoto of Sakuragaoka High School, who decided to confess her love to her childhood friend, Yu Setoguchi.
However, at the last moment, she chickens out and tells him that it is just a practice confession.
Yu remains unaware of her real feelings but vows to help Natsuki find her true love.
Enter the third character – Koyuki Ayase who asks Natsuki out on a date.
The anime movie centers on friendship and unrequited love.
Read More: Best School Romance Anime You Should Watch
Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose
The title itself is cheeky and gives it all away. The anime follows Sueharu Maru and his childhood best friend, Kuroha Shida, who also happens to be one of the most popular girls in school.
Kuroha is cute and outgoing, and the boys are dying to go out with her. However, she asks Sueharu out instead.
Unfortunately, he turns down her proposal because he can’t think of Kuroha as his girlfriend.
Moreover, he is in love with the school idol Shirokusa Kachi. However, he finds out that Shirokusa is already in a relationship.
His dreams of dating her are shattered as he remains upset.
Kuroha has a plan, and she suggests to Sueharu that they should get revenge.
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Cross Game
Cross Game mixes sports and romance. The anime revolves around Kou Kitamura who lives close to the Tsukishima family, the owners of the Clover Café, and a batting cage.
Kou and Wakaba Tsukishima are a couple, while Aoba, the third daughter of the Tsukishima family, is at loggerheads with Kou.
Wakaba wants to see Kou pitching at the prestigious Koshein Stadium. However, he is not interested in baseball. Meanwhile, Aoba is like a baseball prodigy.
Both Kou and Aoba hold Wakaba close to their heart.
Now, the game of baseball will bring these two opposite characters together, and they will eventually overcome their differences.
Love, Election and Chocolate
Yuuki Oojima is a member of the Food Research Club along with his childhood friend, Chisato Sumiyoshi, and seven others.
The members of this unique club spend their time eating and tasting different kinds of food.
All is well at the club until the election for the new student council president comes up.
The most popular candidate, Satsuki Shinonome, wants meritless clubs like Yuuki’s club to shut down so the money could be allocated to other worthy clubs.
The current student council president advises the Food Research Club to allow Yuuki to run for president against Satsuki in the upcoming election.
Satsuki, who is adored by many, will do her best to make Yuuki lose in the election.
Read More: The Best Romance Anime with a Female Lead
KimiKiss Pure Rouge
Kazuki Aihara and Kouichi Sanada’s childhood friend, Mao Mizusawa, has returned after spending a few years in France. However, Mao’s parents are still in France.
Kouichi is surprised that his mother has allowed Mao to stay with them.
Now, the three friends live together and deal with the ups and downs of romance in high school.
Special A
This love and rivalry anime follows Hikari Hanazono, the main character who has always been behind Kei Takishima.
Hikari believes Kei is her rival and friend, but Kei is actually in love with her.
Everyone is aware of this but Hikari is too preoccupied to notice it.
An incident from their childhood has turned them into rivals, and now, all Hikari wants to do is beat Kei at everything. She even enrolled in the same school as Kei.
Both Kei and Hikari are the top students with the former holding the number one position.
Can they forget their rivalry and explore their relationship?
Kamisama Kazoku
Samatarou looks like an ordinary high school boy, but the truth is that he is the son of a god.
Samatarou and his family are living in the human world because the family wants him to learn more about human customs and habits.
An angel named Tenko is assigned to watch over Samatarou. She was born on the same day as Samatarou and is his close friend.
Life takes a turn when Kumiko, a transfer student, appears and Samatarou falls head over heels in love with her.
He is the son of a god and can use his powers to make her fall in love with him, but he can’t because it will have grave repercussions.
Boarding School Juliet
A legendary boarding school, Dahlia Academy is attended by students of two rival countries – the Eastern Nation of Touwa and the Principality of West.
Juliet Persia and Romio Inuzuka are leaders of feuding dorms and they are archenemies.
The truth is that Juliet and Romio are madly in love with each other. However, they cannot reveal their relationship as it would destroy their relationships with their comrades.
All they can do is keep their relationship a secret.
Tamako Love Story
Mochizou makes the decision to head to Tokyo to study.
However, before he leaves, he makes up his mind to confess his love to Tamako. But Tamako is shocked and unsure how to respond.
This comedy-romantic movie beautifully showcases a childhood friendship that blossoms into something even more special.
True Tears
Shinichirou Nakagami was living an enviable life – he was staying with Hiromi Yuasa, a prodigal student of sorts.
However, the usually cheerful Hiromi has been feeling depressed at home after the sad demise of her mother.
Enter Noe Isurugi, a girl known for cursing her classmates, and whose curses often become reality.
She even ends up cursing Shinichirou but it backfired on Noe.
Noe is deeply hurt yet she does not shed a single tear.
For Noe to cry, she needs someone else’s tears, and Shinichirou knows someone whose tears must be taken away.
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