Kuronuma Sawako has a terrifying expression that scares away just about everybody she meets. It does not help that her name is just one character away from the popular horror figure - Sadako which coincidentally, is her nickname. Deep down, however, Sawako is just a shy high school girl who really just wants to make friends. Isolated and deprived of friends, this was to change when she happened to meet the most popular guy in the school - Kazehaya Shouta. They happened to click and started hanging out more often than not which started to spur some rumors of a relationship between them. This relationship might just be the break that Sawako has been looking for in her whole high school life.
 
Just like Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, both female heroines are somewhat weird or social outcasts. The relationship formed between them started off awkward and interesting to watch at first but eventually developed to one that is bittersweet and cute. Both heroines learn more about being more sociable with the male protagonists. Of course, the romance factor progresses at a consistent pace that never makes you feel bored if you're someone that likes the romance and high school genre. Kimi ni Todoke might just be the show like to Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun so if you liked the latter, do give this anime a try!

Freshly entered college, Tada Banri happened to witness a quirky encounter between two individuals. One of them will  become his best friend and the other, a potential love interest. It doesn't take him long to enter into a relationship with Koko Kaka. However, with the meeting of his childhood friend in college, the repressed memories of his past starts to surface. Might Banri have made a wrong decision in his soulmate? Who is his childhood friend and what was the one memory that he seemingly forgot that might change his whole relationship? 

If you're into the romance genre, then this anime is one that you should not give up! Golden Time has many similar themes like Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. Both have a hard-to-describe relationship going on. Both also has characters that constantly evaluates their relationship, having their ups and downs. With Golden Time, however, the existence of an unknown prior relationship adds spice to the anime, something that Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun lacks. It's an added bonus if you ask us! 

The Sakura Hall in Suimei High is well known to house the gifted and talented savants of the school. However, when his good conscience of not abandoning kittens takes over him, Sorata Kanda has to move into the famous dorm. There he finds many eccentric individuals who have been the dorm residents for quite a while now. Things did not end there. With the inclusion of a genius painter, Mashiro Shiina, Sorata now has to take care of her. Due to her eccentricity, Shiina can't perform normal tasks alone and as the title suggests, Sorata's job is to care for the pet girl at Sakurasou.
 
Quirky, weird and inconceivable, the premise of this romance anime is just that. This anime highlights just how 2 very different 'different' people can get together just like Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. Both have their fair share of comedy and romance. Both occur in the high school setting. The colorful cast adds substantial humor and develops the plot, because, who needs a normal relationship when you have quirky characters running around?

Ayuzawa Misaki is the first female president of the school council after a merger with an all boys school. Her prowess in Aikido promptly earned her the nickname of Demon Princess. However, even the intimidating president of the school has a dark secret. To aid the financial stress on her household, she works part time at a maid cafe. All was well until Usui Takumi walks in on her while at her job. He could end her tyranny with the revelation of her job or he can use this opportunity to become closer with her. Get ready, the tale of Usui and Misaki is just starting.

Like Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, Kaichou wa Maid-sama has similar vibes with the female protagonists both being somewhat distant and aloof. The male protagonists are somewhat playful and cheery in contrast with the stiff personalities with the female protagonists. Both are somewhat light hearted romance comedy that is sure to get you laughing. Development of the story is neither too fast nor too slow. So if you're looking for an anime that is not romance heavy to the point of a melodrama like Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, definitely give Kaichou wa Maid-sama a try!

Erika Shinohara is a single high school girl. Like every high school girl, she really wanted to impress her friends with romance. The only way that she knows how however, is to lie about her romantic pursuits. It would have been smooth had her friends not asked for a picture. Desperate, she took a picture of the next guy that she thought was cute and showcased it to her friends. Unfortunately for her, the guy was identified to be Kyouya Sata, an immensely popular guy whose appearance beguiles just about every high school girl. Explaining her situation to him does not help, as she realizes soon enough that he is not the kind hearted person that everyone painted him out to be. Now, he has her at his fingertips unwillingly. Will their relationship ever develop to be one of romance?

Both anime have very sweet moments despite the characters bumbling attempts to make sparks happen. Although extremely complicated, the efforts that both characters take will make you appreciate the pace and development of the story. Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji, like Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, truly highlights the ups and downs of teenage romance in an easy setting. Both female protagonists struggle to come to terms with their feelings, working hard to accomplish their goal. In that way, both animes are strikingly similar despite having characters that are different so do definitely give this one a try!

This is a story of an adult who has the chance to relive his youth. Not everyone is given the opportunity to relive their  life and go back to high school. As Kaizaki Arata re-enters high school, he recalls his high school days but his perception as an adult makes him an eccentric kid but nevertheless a sociable one. Arata resolves the problems of his fellow high school mates while at the same time, catching the attention of Chizuru Hishiro. This could very well be a new life for but his journey is set to expire in 1 year so he has to make full use of the time he has left. 

ReLIFE is also a high school romance anime like Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. Likewise, the characters in both series can be a bit awkward. However, they try their best to overcome their social differences and improve themselves. For ReLIFE, it is more focused on self-improvement whereas for Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, it is more on how the couple develops each other. Expect your daily dose of high school interactions and innocent love in both series!