We’re kicking off this list with an excellent age-gap romantic comedy. When first-year high school student Momota saves a girl from being harassed on the train, he thinks he’s found his perfect match! Orihara shares his love of video games, and mixtapes, and they were both born in the Year of the Snake!

Except…Orihara’s first video game was on a cartridge…and her mixtapes are all MiniDiscs! She might be a full zodiac cycle (twelve years) older than Momota, but she’s also never been on a date. Cue a series of blushingly-cute dates and romantic drama between Momota and his older girlfriend.

Choppiri Toshiue Demo Kanojo ni Shite Kuremasu ka? (Are You Okay With a Slightly Older Girlfriend?) is sugary-sweet, and takes the age gap quite seriously, but never at the cost of having fun in this ecchi romance!

For high school pro-gamer Tomozaki, the hardest game of all might just be reality… With terrible social skills and a sad outlook on the world, he proclaims himself a bottom-tier character in the game of life. That all changes when he meets another gamer just like himself — the beautiful and sociable Hanami, who promises to help him “level up” his IRL skills!

Tomozaki soon climbs the ladder of social success, meeting new friends, and encountering new challenges — such as finding a girlfriend, falling in love, and weathering the storm of new friendships and romantic challenges. If you watched the anime of Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun (Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki) and want more content, then check out the light novels!

If, like us, you enjoy torturing yourself with an adorable couple that continually refuses to admit their feelings for each other, then do we have the novel for you! High-schooler Kai has a perfect life, with a “super hottie” best friend, Jun, who shares his love of otaku hobbies. From chatting about video games and manga to singing anime songs at karaoke, Kai and June spend all their time together…but they’re just friends, right?

Ore no Onna Tomodachi ga Saikou ni Kawaii (She’s the Cutest…But We’re Just Friends!) is the type of romance for someone who enjoys the comedy and tension that comes from a couple getting close but never quite realizing their feelings. There’s no guarantee they’ll end up together in this series, but that doesn’t make their story any less enjoyable!

A total newcomer on the rom-com block, Yatarato Sasshi no Ii Ore wa, Dokuzetsu Kuudere Bishoujo no Chiisana Dere mo Minogasazu ni Guigui Iku (From Toxic Classmate to Girlfriend Goals) is a sugary-sweet romance with a guaranteed happy ending (seriously, the author actually promises it)!

After saving the school’s “venomous ice queen” from a pushy guy, our main character Naoya learns that the thorny Koyuki is really just hiding her vulnerable heart from the cruelty of the world. Little by little, this pair who live in opposite worlds start to open up to each other, in a sweet school-life romance.

Keep an eye out for more volumes of From Toxic Classmate to Girlfriend Goals - we think it’ll be a hit!

We first spoke about Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon (My Happy Marriage) in our article about shoujo manga to expect in 2022 — and mere months after that article, My Happy Marriage has been announced for an anime! And no wonder, because this historical shoujo is packed with drama and romance in a dark setting.

Born without magic in a family of esteemed nobles, young Miyo is sold into slavery by her abusive stepmother. She prepares herself for a life of cruelty at the hands of her infamously cold fiance, Kiyoka. But, though her would-be husband is pale and beautiful, he’s not the monster she expected — instead, Miyo and Kiyoka realize they are kindred spirits spurned by the world simply for being different.

We’re excited for the manga adaptation of My Happy Marriage later this year, and looking forward to the anime, too!

Another loner-turned-lover entry on our list, Jakushou Soshage-bu no Bokura ga Kami Gei o Tsukuru Made (Our Crappy Social Game Club Is Gonna Make the Most Epic Game) distinguishes itself with a great cast of characters and high-pressure stakes for the novel’s titular video game club!

Loner Kai has shunned friends thanks to his past trauma, but he begins to open up when he joins his new school’s social game club — a club on the brink of being disbanded by the student council! With a crazed gacha addict for a programmer, an illustrator who faints from the cuteness of her own drawings, and a manager who can barely hold this team together, can this club somehow pull out a win and avoid being disbanded?!

The romance takes more of a backseat in this series compared to, say, Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun (Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki). If you’re looking for a comedy with great characters and a “something more” relationship bubbling away under the surface, you’ll definitely like this one!

What do you do when the school’s hottest girl wants to fake-date you?! Second-year high schooler Tomoki considers himself pretty normal, but most people avoid him thanks to his scary-looking face (even though he’s a really nice guy!). From out of nowhere, his best friend’s little sister confesses her love to him…except that the beautiful Touka only wants a fake boyfriend to protect herself from the advances of every other guy in school!

Of course, if you’ve read any rom-coms in your life, you know where this is going. Tomoki and Touka might claim to feel nothing for each other, but there are definitely feelings blossoming there — and romantic tension flares when an old childhood friend enters the picture and confesses her love!

Yujinchara no Ore ga Motemakuru Wakenaidaro? (There's No Way a Side-Character Like Me Could Be Popular, Right?) is an excellent mashup of different tropes that come together perfectly for a harem romantic comedy!

Okay, we’re getting ahead of ourselves here — the English release of Hige o Soru. Soshite Joshikousei o Hirou (I Shaved. Then I Brought a High School Girl Home) won’t be until July, which thankfully is just peeking around the corner. However, the first three volumes of the manga are already available, and of course, HigeHiro (as it’s commonly known) already hit the screens as an anime.

If you’re unacquainted, HigeHiro is a beautiful but bittersweet age-gap story about a dejected office worker, Yoshida, who shelters a runaway high school girl. Young Sayu has been living on the streets and offering her body to men just for a night under a solid roof, but Yoshida has no intentions of doing anything except helping Sayu get back on her feet. He gives her a phone, pocket money, and a reason to keep living — and in return, his empty apartment becomes a little less lonely.

Yoshida and Sayu don’t have an ordinary relationship; what starts as complete strangers transitions into an almost fatherly bond, and then into something more romantic. We won’t say anything else for fear of spoilers, but we highly recommend you keep an eye out for Hige o Soru. Soshite Joshikousei o Hirou (I Shaved. Then I Brought a High School Girl Home) when it releases in July this year!

Honestly, the first and second spots on this list were a complete tossup, so consider this tied with our number-one pick!

Second-year high school student Akiteru prides himself on living an ‘efficient’ life, and that means he has no time for romance – not when he’s pushing for his game-development group to get hired by his uncle’s famous studio. Akiteru certainly doesn’t have the time of day for Iroha, his best friend’s little sister, who’s constantly breaking into his room, clinging all over him, and teasing him constantly!

Akiteru’s efficient life is turned upside down when his uncle makes a proposition: pretend to be his daughter’s boyfriend, and keep her out of romantic trouble at school. Thus, Akiteru begins fake-dating his cousin, Mashiro, a reserved and cold girl who harbors a secret that could disrupt Aki’s efficient life…

We absolutely love Tomodachi no Imouto ga Ore ni Dake Uzai (My Friend’s Little Sister Has It In For Me), and if you’re looking for a romance with drama and a smart (but romantically dense) main character, you really can’t go wrong here!

If a romance could be sweet enough to give you diabetes, Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken (The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten) would be an absolute killer.

First-year high schooler Amane is living out of home and attending a new school. His grades are good, he has a best friend, and he’s not particularly interested in romance. By sheer coincidence, he runs into the school’s “angel”, the gorgeous and unattainable Mahiru. She’s famous for her beauty – and for rejecting every boy who confesses to her – so Amane has no thoughts about dating her, or even becoming her friend.

After a mixup that leaves Amane sick and Mahiru feeling responsible, this gorgeous angel enters his life and seems intent on staying! It turns out the pair are neighbors, and after a few brief exchanges, the pair begin hanging out together, with Mahiru cooking for Amane quite often. Neither seem intent on progressing their relationship to the next level, but nevertheless, they’re growing closer together as they open up to each other!

The anime adaptation of Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken (The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten) airs this season, and we’re confident you’ll be seeing Mahiru’s angelic face all over your social feed!

A soldier with seemingly questionable morals was selected to participate in a time travel experiment. Fascinated with the era of the Warring States, he selected to travel to that particular realm. However, things went awry and he was stuck in that timeline. Relying on his knowledge of history, he must survive the series of challenges that come his way should he want to ever return. With nothing but his combat skills and his historical knowledge, he begins his life anew in the military of ancient times.

A Step into the Past in no conventional light novel. Rarely do we get to see Chinese Light novels put in the spotlight. This romance light novel is a martial art epic and with all epics, it combines various genres in one novel. Focusing on the romance genre alone, this novel does well in showing how conflict sows the seeds of romance. The passion on the battlefield is also translated to the passion between two. This epic is a must read if you want a balanced novel of various genres with a well-developed romance storyline as well!

Kanda Sorata was kicked out of the usual school dormitory after he was found keeping a cat. As such, he had no other choice but to move into the infamous Sakurasou dorm, known throughout the academy for its eccentric inhabitants. It was here he met the infantile Shiina Mashiro. Shiina is a world class painter and an art savant. Yet, she is lacking in just about everything. Unfortunately for Kanda, he became her caretaker and her everyday life depends entirely on him.

Sakurasou is a bittersweet romance light novel between Kanda and Shiina. At first glance, the relationship between the two is merely that of friends. After being in constant close proximity to each other, their relationship evolved to that of being mutually exclusive. Along the way, Kanda had to battle the other eccentric characters of the dormitory as well, making this no easy feat. The greatest challenge of all perhaps was to tackle the feelings of his childhood friend as well. Indeed, romance is no easy game and Sakurasou perfectly highlights the ups and down of romance.

Tsukumo Jin accidentally released the most powerful legendary creature, the vampire. Now bound to her, he acts as her servant. This little vampire girl clings on to him on a daily basis such that Jin also has to perform his role as a lover to her as well. In addition, he also has to save his own sister. Together with the help of Ayase, an enigmatic student, they set off together to uncover the mystery of a series of urban legends. Ultimately, they will have to confront the mastermind orchestrating the events behind everything - the last vampire.

In a strange blend of fantasy and romance, the last vampire details the life of Jin and the accident of his actions. Everything culminates with the final event. Along the way, however, the relationship between the two develops just as much. This romance light novel highlights the balance of uncovering secrets and how it leads to the development of relations. A unique blend of genres and is thus, a must read!

Katsuragi Keima is known online as the God of Conquests. There is no dating sim game that he cannot complete. However, he is an otamegane in real life who absolutely hates girls. That was until he met Elsie, a demon tasked with capturing evil spirits. Unfortunately, these spirits reside in females and the only way to release them is to make them feel loved. It is now time for the God of Conquest to take it to the 3D world with his vast knowledge in dating...

Unlike typical otakus portrayed, Keima is quite skilful when it comes to dating. Each arc represents a female lead of which he tries to 'conquer'. The romance in this romance light novel can be described as orthodox but sweet. Instead of a single love story, Kami Nomi breaks it series into multiple experiences. This is a good casual romance light novel to read if you are into the romance genre!

Erlink is a knight who transferred into the school of Kurama Kenji. Not long after doing so, she falls in love with him. Thinking he likes someone else, she transforms into a different person by taking off her dark knight armour. She visits him every day in order and it was only natural that they became closer with each other. This is the daily lives of the two of them.

Ankoku is a simple romance light novel of a girl 'moving' in with a male protagonist. Focusing on the school life and comedy genre, this series is an enjoyable series to read to pass time. If you ever feel like you just had a long day, this is the romance light novel for you. This series will make you forget about your daily troubles by engaging you in a minimalistic storyline that is packed with emotions. Simple, but very engaging, definitely check Ankoku out!

Shan Shan shares the same blood type of the sister of an heir to a rich company. As such, she was employed in order to donate her blood to her. Resigning herself to fate, it wasn't long before she caught the attention of the heir himself. Noting her kind demeanour and clumsy nature, he soon fell in love with her. What began as a simple blood donor will transform into something with much more passion.

Come and Eat Shan Shan tells the tale of a rich heir and a worker way down on the corporate ladder. Although worlds apart, fate had them met together. It was soon made known that all is predetermined by fate and the two of them will eventually get together. If you are the kind of person who believes that romance can be found anywhere, then this romance light novel may just be the right one for you!

Larcus is a young man who has a very high expectation of himself. However, due to his limitation, he was unable to fulfil what he desired and he tragically lost his life. Larcus was reborn into the world of Riguyuru, where the notion of magic and skills are the norm. In this world too, however, lies monsters that cannot be beaten by conventional means. Larcus possesses the unique skill of having any skill he desires as long as he works hard for it. It is up to Larcus to once again bring his aspiration to fruition in this new world.

Reborn as a new person, Larcus sets off on an adventure in a new world. As typical of the isekai trope, he is soon accompanied by a maiden who will fight by his side. This is the story of how their relationship develops alongside the fighting and adventure. The romance genre in this series is complemented well by the action and adventuring. As such, it provides for a breather, allowing the story to change its environment. Despite being a side genre, the romance factor is not downplayed and this romance light novel is a must try!

Tsurumi Asuta is a 17-year-old working at a diner managed by his father. However, that diner caught on fire one day. Charging into the diner in order to recover a precious kitchen knife left by his father, he soon met his demise. When he awoke, he found himself in the middle of a jungle. While exploring, he was attacked by a boar. Thankfully, he was saved by a girl named Ai and only then did he realised that he was in a world that is unknown to him.

Cooking with Wild Game is an adventure - romance light novel. The relationship between the protagonist is built through the mutual aid that both provide to each other. As the both of them embark on an adventure together, their bonds with each other deepen. If you are looking for something fast paced to circumvent the usually slow pace set by romance light novels, Cooking with Wild Game is the light novel for you! Combining the elements of adventure and romance makes for a steady paced storyline that is neither too fast nor too slow!

Sakuragi Ryo classifies his classmates into 3 distinct groups. Group A consists of the most attractive students with the best grades while Group C are the outcasts. Unfortunately, he desired to live a normal life and was actually put into Group A against his will. Now in high school, he tried his best to remain in Group B in the hopes that the days pass by uneventfully. One day after school, however, he happened to save a girl from a group of delinquents. That girl was revealed to be the prettiest girl in the school and now he has to try even harder to avert the attention he is getting in order to stay in Group B...

In a slice of life setting, B Group no Shounen is a daily life light novel. As expected of the usual trope, the main lead of the story is dragged against his will into a situation. However, unexpected developments occur and eventually, they developed feelings for each other. It is not complicated and the story flows quite smoothly. This romance light novel is a short and simple series that is perfect for an easy read!

Chuunibyou - the phase of life where we believe that we are special and wield some form of special power. This embarrassing phase is usually in middle school. Yuuta Togashi is someone who is still hindered by the scars of this phase. He meets Rikka Takanashi, a girl who declares herself a vessel of the Wicked Eye. As she enters his life, his ideal normal life fades away and the delusions of his past once again catch up to him.

Chuunibyou is an awkward romance story between two geeks. While it may be cringey, it tells a warm story of the support between the two protagonists. Ultimately it is a story of accepting the other party for who they are. Sometimes growing up is not necessarily a good thing. Chuunibyou reminds us that sometimes it is better to indulge in the peak of our youths for those days will soon fade away. This makes chuunibyou an enthralling tale of blossoming love!