During high school, young love can happen and grow. Many people find their true love here. It is also a place where many crazy shenanigans ensue. High school students are young, but they are also, more often than not, dumb.

They get into lots of trouble. When they get older, they look back at those memories with fondness. As such, many anime series explore this setting. Unsurprisingly, these shows get a lot of fans and followers.

One of these shows that garnered a lot of praise is Horimiya. The show depicts a somewhat realistic tone on how high school students behave.

The show is also beloved because of its characters and their development throughout the series. The way they interact with each other is funny and relatable. When you watch the show, you might even see yourself back when you were younger.

However, the anime series has already ended with only one season. Fans of the show are now left with nothing to fill the void that Horimiya filled. If you are a fan of Horimiya, take a look at these anime shows that are similar to it. If this is the first time you have heard about Horimiya, read on further to find out what it is.

What is Horimiya?

Horimiya

High school students Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura are immensely different from each other. Hori is a bubbly girl who is a perfect combination of beauty and brains.

Meanwhile, Miyamura is a silent boy who is distant from his other classmates. Yet one fateful day, the both of them met and got to know each other. Soon, they learn that the other is more than what they appear to be on the surface.

Miyamura learns that Hori is a homebody. She is busy with her house chores all the time. She also has a little brother to take care of. So, she has little time to socialize with her friends. Meanwhile, Hori realizes that Miyamura is a gentle and academic student.

He has tattoos and piercings on his body, making him look like a delinquent. These two slowly fall in love with each other and the journey they take is riddled with happiness and challenges.

Horimiya consists of 13 episodes that aired from January 10, 2021, to April 4, 2021. CloverWorks is the anime series studio. Horimiya is an anime adaptation of a manga with the same name.

Furthermore, the manga itself is an adaptation of a webcomic. It is an anime series about romance and comedy in a slice-of-life format. As of the moment, there is no second season, and it is unlikely to have one at all. Still, it is a beautiful story about young and mysterious love.

Toradora

Toradora

  • Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
  • Other Titles: Tiger X Dragon
  • Studio: C. Staff

Toradora was one of the most popular animes back then. Even today, it still ranks 18th in terms of popularity (according to MyAnimeList). It is important to take into consideration that the popularity ranking looks at every anime show.

It is 18th with the ranks of Code Geass, Naruto, and Noragami. It only had one season with 25 episodes. It aired from October 2, 2008, to March 26, 2009. Because of a shortage of material, there is no second season.

The story follows Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka, two high school students with different personalities. On the one hand, Ryuuji Takasu is a kind and gentle person who loves housework.

However, due to his intimidating face, he often gets labeled as a delinquent among his classmates. On the other hand, Taiga Aisaka is a small and cute girl. However, she is far from that. She has a fierce and feisty personality, earning the nickname: “Palmtop Tiger”.

Yet despite their different personalities, their fates intertwined due to an embarrassing mistake. Ryuuji finds out that Taiga is in love with Ryuuji’s best friend, Yuusaka Kitamura.

Funnily enough, Taiga also discovers that Ruuji is in love with Taiga’s best friend, Minori Kushieda. The two make an unlikely alliance with one goal in mind: to help the other get along with their love interest.

Similarities Between Toradora and Horimiya

  • Similar genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School
  • The setting takes place in a high school.
  • The main protagonists are high school students.
  • The main protagonists find unlikely love between each other.
  • The main protagonists have opposite personalities.

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku

  • Genres: Action, Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
  • Other Titles: Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii; It is Difficult to Love an Otaku
  • Studio: A-1 Pictures

From the studio that brought you Sword Art Online, Your Lie in April, Fairy Tail, and more comes Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku. Instead of having high school as its main setting, it is in the workplace instead. So, the main protagonists in this show are adults instead of high school students.

The romantic development here is mature, perfect for young adults to watch. It has one season with 11 episodes that aired from April 13, 2018, to June 22, 2018.

Narumi Momose is a lady who has just gotten herself a job in a new office. However, she has a dark secret that she does not want anyone to know.

She is secretly an otaku and a fujoshi (i.e., a person interested in male-to-male romance). Her plans are foiled when she encounters an old friend of hers from middle school: Hirotaka Nifuji. So, she tries to make her secret hidden by inviting him out to drink after work.

Her cover is blown once more when Hirotaka casually asks her if she will be attending the Summer Comiket. Thankfully, the only witnesses were their fellow otakus Hanako Koyanagi and Tarou Kabakura. While catching up, Narumi expresses her frustrations at Hirotaka.

She had a previous boyfriend who broke up with her because she was a fujoshi. Hirotaka has a sudden proposition; she should date an otaku like him. And so, their awkward romance begins.

Similarities Between Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku and Horimiya

  • Similar genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
  • Both of the show’s themes are focused on the dating aspect of romantic relationships.
  • Both female protagonists are energetic and outgoing.
  • Both female protagonists have secrets that they do not want their colleagues to know about.
  • Both male protagonists are shy and reserved.
  • Both feature other couples apart from the main protagonists.

Kaichou wa Maid-sama!

Kaichou wa Maid-sama!

  • Genres: Game, Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School
  • Other Titles: Class President is a Maid!
  • Studio: C. Staff

Kaichou wa Maid-sama is another banger from J.C. Staff. This show is ranked 93rd most popular anime series (according to MyAnimeList). It is a famous show that has a large fanbase that is popular with female audiences.

It is an anime adaptation of a manga with the same name. It only has one season consisting of 26 episodes. The show aired from April 2, 2010, to September 24, 2010. It also has a couple of side stories for you to enjoy.

Misaki Ayuzawa is the student council president of her high school. Her job is not easy as their school had just transitioned from being an all-boys school to a co-ed system.

Because of this, she implements a strict disciplinary personality among the students. She earned the nickname “Demon President” by using Aikido techniques on misbehaving students. However, she has a secret that she does not want anyone to know at all.

Despite her intimidating persona, she works part-time in a maid cafe as a maid. She works to help her family keep afloat. Impressively, she managed to keep her secret among her classmates.

Yet one day, the most popular guy in school, Takumi Usui, stumbles upon the maid cafe. He witnesses the stellar student council president and hatches a plot. He could reveal her secret to everyone, or he could use this leverage to make the president do his bidding.

Similarities Between Kaichou wa Maid-sama and Horimiya

  • Similar genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School
  • Both female protagonists are A+ students.
  • Both female protagonists have secrets that they do not want their colleagues to know.
  • Both female protagonists have jobs outside school.
  • Both shows have a couple that makes unlikely relationships.

Tsurezure Children

Tsurezure Children

  • Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School
  • Other Titles: Tsuredure Children
  • Studio: Studio Gokumi

Tsurezure Children is an anime adaptation of a manga with the same name. Although not as popular as some of the shows on this list, it still gets lots of praise. It has garnered a lot of fans.

According to MyAnimeList, the show has at least half a million followers. There is only one season available, consisting of 12 episodes overall. The series aired from July 4, 2017, to September 19, 2017.

The story is unique; it follows multiple people in their journeys with romance. The show features how young love can shape a person’s maturity into adulthood.

It depicts many scenarios of romantic relationships as well as the obstacles and joys that come along with them. It depicts the struggles that all of us can relate to, from the hardships of confessing to the hardships of understanding what love is.

The cast of characters in the show is large. Each of the cast has their own story and personality. Each of them has reasons for why they are what they are. Indeed, it depicts a realistic look at what young love is.

It is beautiful, but it can be painful at the same time. If you want a unique experience that is different from the typical romance anime shows, you might enjoy Tsurezure Children.

Similarities Between Tsurezure Children and Horimiya

  • Similar genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School
  • Both shows feature multiple couples.
  • Both shows feature possible relationships of different couples.
  • Both shows tackle the realistic nature of young love.
  • Both shows have characters with detailed personalities.

Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Kaguya-sama: Love is War

  • Genres: Comedy, Psychological, Romance, School
  • Other Titles: Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen; Kaguya Wants to be Confessed To: The Geniuses’ War of Love and Brains
  • Studio: A-1 Pictures

If you are looking for an anime show with a good balance of comedy and romance, Kaguya-sama is the show for you. It is a popular show, being ranked 71st most popular anime show (according to MyAnimeList). It has two seasons, with a third one coming in 2022.

Its first and second season consists of 12 episodes each. The first season aired from January 12, 2019, to March 30, 2019. Meanwhile, its second season aired from April 11, 2020, to June 27, 2020.

The student council of the elite school Shuchiin Academy is full of bright people. Miyuki Shirogane is the president of this council, while Kaguya Shinomiya is the vice-president.

They are somewhat opposite from each other. Shirogane comes from a poor household after his father’s business goes down, while Kaguya is born from a rich family. At first, the two are at odds with each other. Yet slowly, they come to terms with their emotions.

It turns out that they love the other person. However, according to their principles, love is war. It is a battlefield of wits and strategies. The one who confesses first loses the war.

Being smart individuals, they deploy their strategies to make the other confess first. However, their actions and antics hilariously fail. Along with the ride are their gloomy treasurer Yuu Ishigami and their bubbly secretary Chika Fujiwara.

Similarities Between Kaguya-sama: Love is War and Horimiya

  • Similar genres: Romance, Comedy, School
  • Both shows feature two protagonists different from each other.
  • Both shows have the main protagonist who works hard outside of school.
  • Both shows have the main protagonist who works for their family and themselves.
  • Both shows feature smart main protagonists.
  • Both shows feature the struggles of young love.

Karekano

Karekano

  • Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School, Drama
  • Other Titles: Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou; His and Her Circumstances
  • Studio: Gainax, J.C.Staff

Many people are not familiar with Karekano. Still, it is a beloved classic. Many speculate that Horimiya takes great inspiration from shows such as Karekano.

The show is an anime adaptation of a manga with the same name. It only has one season consisting of 26 episodes. Each episode takes about 24 minutes to finish. The season aired from October 2, 1998, to March 26, 1999.

Just like Horimiya, Karekano features a young girl who is very famous in her school. Yukino Miyazawa is famous because of many things. She is the female representative of her class, has good grades, is good in sports, and overall is an elegant and sociable person.

Yet she has a secret to keep. She is a vain person who works hard to maintain her appearance. She craves attention, and that is why she cannot stand her classmate Soichiro Arima.

Soichiro Arima is the male representative of the class. Just like Yukino, he is good at academics. He always beats Yukino in terms of academic ranking.

But one day, Yukino managed to get the top score. However, shock overcame her as he congratulated her. What was more surprising was that he confessed his love to her. Yukino, being the vain person she is, rejects him. Yet when Soichiro came to her house and saw her actual personality, things went awry.

Similarities Between Karekano and Horimiya

  • Similar genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School
  • The main protagonists in both shows have secrets to keep.
  • The male protagonist in both shows discovers the female protagonist’s secret.
  • Both shows feature a smart and popular female main protagonist.
  • Both shows have the main protagonists form an unlikely relationship.
  • Both shows focus more on developing the romance in a relationship rather than the buildup to it.

Tonari no Kaibutsu-Kun

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

  • Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School
  • Other Titles: My Little Monster; Tonari no Kaibutsukun; The Monster Next Door; My Neighbor Monster-kun
  • Studio: Brain’s Base

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is a mildly popular anime show, ranking 121st in popularity (according to MyAnimeList). It also garnered itself a pretty big fanbase. Like many shows in this list, it is an anime adaptation of a manga with the same name. It only has one season, however, which consists of 13 episodes. It aired from October 2, 2012, to December 25, 2012.

The show follows Shizuku Mizutani, a brilliant young girl who does not care about her classmates. She does not have much of social life of her own. Soon, she encounters Haru Yoshida, a troublemaking delinquent.

Haru was known for being a violent person. He no longer attends classes and like Shizuku, he does not have a social life. What shocked Shizuku the most, however, was when Haru proclaimed her as his friend. He then immediately confesses to her.

At first, Shizuku does not know what to make of their relationship. Both of them do not have experience in social interaction. She has a hard time trying to understand him at times.

Yet slowly, their relationship starts to form. They discover things that they did not know about each other. Slowly, Shizuku develops feelings that confuse her. She is unsure what to make of her emotions either. And so, the story follows the development and maturity of these two characters.

Similarities Between Tonari no Kaibutsu-Kun and Horimiya

  • Similar genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School
  • The main protagonists in both shows have secrets to keep.
  • The male protagonists in both shows are delinquents in appearance.
  • The male protagonists in both shows have had bad experiences in school.
  • The female protagonists in both shows are smart.
  • Both shows have the main protagonists form an unlikely relationship.
  • Both shows focus more on developing the romance in a relationship rather than the buildup to it.

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki

  • Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School, Drama
  • Other Titles: Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun; Jakusha Character Tomozaki-kun, The Low Tier Character “Tomozaki-kun”
  • Studio: Project No.9

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki, or just Bottom-Tier, is a relatively new show. As such, it has not garnered many fans. However, it still gets praise for its character development and fun concept.

Like many in this list, Bottom-Tier is an anime adaptation of a manga with the same name. It has one season consisting of 12 episodes. The show aired from January 8, 2021, to March 26, 2021.

Fumiya Tomozaki is a gamer who excels in the online game “Attack Families”. He is so good that he is the best player in Japan. Yet his excellence in video games does not translate well to his social life.

He does not have any friends at all in school. In frustration from his shortcomings, he blames life. According to him, life is a complicated game with confusing mechanics and unfair rules. He convinces himself that he is a bottom-tier character in this game of life.

Soon, he meets another gamer who is excellent in “Attack Families”. To his shock, he realizes that this gamer is Aoi Hinami. Aoi is a smart, popular, and sociable classmate of his. She, too, is surprised to know the real identity of Fumiya. She decides to help him out in excelling at the game he finds difficulty in, which is life.

The process for Fumiya is brutal as he is forced to go through ordeals of social interaction and relationships. But it works, and he finds himself leveling up in life.

Similarities Between Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki and Horimiya

  • Similar genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School
  • The couples in both shows are complete opposites from each other.
  • The female protagonists in both shows are popular and sociable.
  • The male protagonists in both shows are gloomy and loners.
  • The main protagonists in both shows meet each other unexpectedly.
  • Both shows have the main protagonists form an unlikely relationship.
  • Both shows have the female protagonist help out the male protagonist in making friends.

Honorable Mentions

TONIKAWA: Over the Moon For You

TONIKAWA: Over the Moon For You

Nasa Yuzaki is a smart boy aiming for a distinguished high school. Yet one day, Nasa gets into an accident after trying to approach a beautiful girl across the street. His life is saved thanks to the girl.

After facing the ordeal, he asks her out. She agrees, but only if they both get married. And so, they did. This show focuses on the development of the relationship, much like Horimiya. This is a good recommendation if you want more of the romance that Horimiya has.

Rent-a-Girlfriend

Rent-a-Girlfriend

Kazuya Kinoshita has a hard time dealing with relationships. Just recently, his girlfriend broke up with him. He hires a rental girlfriend to ease the pain and meets Chizuru Mizuhara. He falls in love with her due to her beauty and cute personality. However, he quickly learns of her true side: greatly hot-tempered.

Yet after a misunderstanding, the both of them must continue their act. This is recommended if you love the steady development of romance that Horimiya has.

Ao Haru Ride

Ao Haru Ride

Futaba Yoshioka is an attractive girl who has a certain crush. That crush is Kou Tanaka, a classmate of hers with who she shares fond memories. Yet after a misunderstanding and the disappearance of Tanaka, she is left friendless. It is now high school and she is determined to be a class favorite.

But soon, Tanaka comes back in her life with a different name and a different personality. This is recommended if you love the youthful love that Horimiya has.

Frequently Answered Questions

Question: Is Horimiya on Netflix?

Answer: Yes, it is. Other shows in this list are available as well. These shows include Toradora, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, and Kaguya-sama: Love is War. Some shows are available on Netflix but are limited to certain areas like Japan. For example, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is available in Japan but not in the U.S.

Question: In Horimiya, who Ends Up with Hori?

Answer: In the anime, it ended with Hori and Miyamura graduating together. They are shown holding hands and talking with each other. Miyamura is having an inner monologue on how much he loves Hori. In the webcomic that the manga is based on, Hori and Miyamura end up together. They get married and they even have a child together.

Question: In Horimiya, when Did They Start Dating?

Answer: In the anime, it happened in episode 6. In the manga, it happened in chapter 23. However, it is not made clear, so some people might miss it. It happened when Hori’s father asked if the both of them were dating. Both of them are embarrassed by the question. However, Hori realizes that she does love Miyamura, and she says yes.

Final Recommendation

To recap, here are the 11 recommendations mentioned here that have similar elements to Horimiya:

  • Toradora
  • Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
  • Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
  • Tsurezure Children
  • Kaguya-sama: Love is War
  • Karekano
  • Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
  • Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki
  • TONIKAWA: Over the Moon For You
  • Rent-a-Girlfriend
  • Ao Haru Ride

All of these are good recommendations, but sometimes it is hard to pick one. If you are low on time, it is best to watch the shows with the least amount of episodes. Many of the shows here consist of only one season, though.

Thus, it is not hard to pick. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is a good pick because it only has 11 episodes. Tsurezure Children, Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki, and Ao Haru Ride are also good picks. They each have 12 episodes.

If you would rather watch a long show, then I would recommend Kaguya-sama: Love is War. Currently, it has two seasons, each having 12 episodes. There is an upcoming third season, too.

Toradora and Kaichou wa Maid-sama are also good picks. The former has 25 episodes while the latter has 26 episodes. Another good contender is Karekano, having 26 episodes in its season.

If you want to focus on the sweet, light-hearted romance, go for TONIKAWA: Over the Moon For You. Another good show that gives you jitters from the romance is Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. If you want to focus on the comedy aspect, consider Kaguya-Sama: Love is War. Rent-a-Girlfriend has nice visuals and a good soundtrack, so it is a pleasant experience.

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