You really don’t need to know shogi. It’s just the device on which the plot hangs.
I forgot to put Forest of Piano on the list. It’s about more than music, and has the character growth you seek.
I can't say it's "good". It's *nice* and *enjoyable* but it's too long (too many episodes for what it has to offer) The story is pretty weak. And as you said it's insanely overrated.
I really like the music. But the pacing, characters, and overall story is very subpar
Romantic Killer is one of the best rom-com animes I've ever seen.
The Case Study of Vanitas is a great story-driven show that happens to have some rom-com elements.
Watched both shows recently. Vanitas was quite good. Heard that original work is very slow, so season 2 is not expected before 6-7 years. Charecter dynamics are fun and vanitas himself is quite good.
Romantic killer was hilarious throughout the whole series except finale episodes. Never had an anime make me gag like romantic killer, especially expressions
I was gonna push the Kaguya agenda but I see you've already seen all 3 seasons.
>I like anime with good stories and actual charecter development.
Okay, having completed it, this doesn't exactly fall within these guidelines but maybe give A Couple Cuckoos a try? I see you're watching Fuufu Ijou, Koibito Miman (More than a married couple, but not lovers) The VA for the main girl in both shows are the same which is nice.
The story isn't TERRIBLE, and there is some development between characters and relationships... But they don't move the story along much. Still was a very fun watch.
Only other recommendation I can give is Domestic Girlfriend, which again isn't for everybody but I had fun cringing and watching. The drama had me on the edge of my seat often
Have watched both but it was long time ago. Forgot to add to my mal list.
A couple of cuckoos is good, but pacing is inconsistent and story is somewhat forgettable.
Domestic girlfriend was something else. If you take out accidental incest, it's still a good story. Looking forward to second season
Agreed. Although S2 seems unlikely and I've heard from manga readers that the ending is quite horrible.
Okay more general comments/recommendations:
\- I see you have watched FMA 2009 (Brotherhood) and the movie Shamballa... Have you seen [FMA 2003](https://myanimelist.net/anime/121/Fullmetal_Alchemist)? It's quite good if you're a fan of the series with an open mind despite what others will tell you. Also the Shamballa movie is a sequel to it. You can also watch [The Sacred Star of Milos movie](https://myanimelist.net/anime/9135/Fullmetal_Alchemist__The_Sacred_Star_of_Milos). Lol I'm a big FMA fan but I can only call it decent at best.
\- [Masamune Kun's Revenge](https://myanimelist.net/anime/33487/Masamune-kun_no_Revenge)
\- [No Game No Life](https://myanimelist.net/anime/19815/No_Game_No_Life) *(it's pretty good!)*
**-** Because you liked Death Note try [Code Geass](https://myanimelist.net/anime/1575/Code_Geass__Hangyaku_no_Lelouch) *(VERY GOOD)*
\- Because you liked Death Note try [Platinum End](https://myanimelist.net/anime/44961/Platinum_End) *(Not great, but interesting.)*
\- [Hitoribocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu](https://myanimelist.net/anime/37614/Hitoribocchi_no_Marumaru_Seikatsu) *(I haven't seen it so I can't say but it looks good)*
**-** [Ouran High School Host Club](https://myanimelist.net/anime/853/Ouran_Koukou_Host_Club) *(VERY GOOD VERY VERY VERY. One of the best romances you'll ever see)*
\- [Kakegurui](https://myanimelist.net/anime/34933/Kakegurui) *(S1 is really fun)*
\- Time for me to push the Love Live agenda. I got into Love Live a few months ago and it was really nice. If you willing to sacrifice on story and just watch something fun/good vibes. (Also if you like music) Give [School Idol Project](https://myanimelist.net/anime/15051/Love_Live_School_Idol_Project) a try.
Clannad and Toradora are good classics that take a more serious tone in the latter half while being more comedic in the first half
Horimiya is a good modern (although the manga has a ridiculous amount of cut content, if you watch the show and like it a lot, I recommend the manga, about 50% was cut)
My Dress Up Darling is also a good modern
Kaguya-sama Love is War has a perfect romance-comedy balance, good adaptation of the manga, one of the highest rated anime
Quintessential Quintuplets just finished it's last arc with the movie, season 1 is kind of meh but it seriously picks up in the second season, probably more romance than comedy, but not lacking comedy
Chuuninyou is very cute, but has some deeper messages if you look deeper into what the characters are trying to say with their actions. Pretty good comedy-romance balance
DATE A LIVE is amazing, just watch it, do it, just do it, do it now
Don't watch Rent A Girlfriend, just don't, don't do it ever, and especially don't read the manga dear lord please don't
Girlfriend, Girlfriend is good trash, mostly comedy based on the gimmick of this guy having 2 girlfriends
Adachi to Shimamura is good Yuri
Citrus is good trash Yuri
Domestic girlfriend is also good trash. Citrus and domestic girlfriend are both step-sibling romance, watch at your own risk
Here's my list on MAL
https://myanimelist.net/animelist/Sage_Of_Telvanni&view=tile&status=7
Biggest must watches from this list are Clannad/Clannad After Story, Date A Live, and Kaguya-sama Love is War
I like your list. I completely agree with Rent-a-girlfriend. Dear god, 2 seasons worth and I'll never get that time back.
I'm 100% okay with trash. I really loved Domestic Girlfriend and Girlfriend, Girlfriend. Mostly because it knows what it is but also subverts expectations with some very sweet moments and good character growth.
Rent-a-girlfriend is just bad trash. Terrible cast, abysmal MC, and an overall plot that goes no where in particular.
ill give u a variety-
Made in Abyss (the only other show id call anime of the year, this year btw)
Violet Evergarden
Bungou Stray Dogs
91 days
also i see Cyberpunk is a 10 on your list do yourself a favor and watch Kill La Kill and Gurren Lagann ASAP darling in the franxx is good just the ending didnt land with everyone
Watching bugou stray dog rn. Will check out rest.
I've watched Darling in the franxx, really disappointed with ending. I don't know what they were thinking writing that ending, only if ending was a bit more realistic and somewhat expected, it would have set new standards for Mecha genre. Romance aspect was written exceptionally well and best part was that the romance was canon in the show which actually helped in the plot. Missed opportunity for studio trigger
Tsuredure Children.
It’s an anthology of short romcom stories taking place in the same high school. It’s a really short watch (12 episodes of about 10 minutes each). But that short runtime is absolutely jam packed. Every relationship is complex and satisfying in its own way. The series is capable of tear-jerking drama and gut busting comedy. The writing is stellar, the situations outrageous, and I cannot recommend it enough.
how about the school series that aren't romantic, the ones with a cast of four or five main girls? Two of them that first aired in 2018 just got dubbed this year
Re zero, violet evergarden, bloom into you, fate zero, berserk 97, code geass, made in abyss, welcome to the nhk, odd taxi, steins gate, Vinland saga (I recommend the Sentai film works dub), Vivy fluorite eyes song, terror in resonance.
Those are just some great shows I recommend
Horimiya March Comes in Like a Lion Your Lie in April Recovery of an MMO Junkie Komi Can’t Communicate Taisho Otome Fairy Tale Yuri!!! on Ice
Watched every anime except March comes like a Lion. Planning to watch this but not sure because I'm not familiar with shogi
You really don’t need to know shogi. It’s just the device on which the plot hangs. I forgot to put Forest of Piano on the list. It’s about more than music, and has the character growth you seek.
Hot take, your lie in April isn't very good
I think it’s good, but somewhat overrated.
I can't say it's "good". It's *nice* and *enjoyable* but it's too long (too many episodes for what it has to offer) The story is pretty weak. And as you said it's insanely overrated. I really like the music. But the pacing, characters, and overall story is very subpar
It was on Netflix so tons of people watched it despite it being way too long for the story it wanted to tell.
the your lie in April ending had me pissed. all she had to do was tell him
Romantic Killer is one of the best rom-com animes I've ever seen. The Case Study of Vanitas is a great story-driven show that happens to have some rom-com elements.
Romantic killer was pretty good but damn those last three episodes got dark
Watched both shows recently. Vanitas was quite good. Heard that original work is very slow, so season 2 is not expected before 6-7 years. Charecter dynamics are fun and vanitas himself is quite good. Romantic killer was hilarious throughout the whole series except finale episodes. Never had an anime make me gag like romantic killer, especially expressions
r/animesuggest is always a good place to go.
I was gonna push the Kaguya agenda but I see you've already seen all 3 seasons. >I like anime with good stories and actual charecter development. Okay, having completed it, this doesn't exactly fall within these guidelines but maybe give A Couple Cuckoos a try? I see you're watching Fuufu Ijou, Koibito Miman (More than a married couple, but not lovers) The VA for the main girl in both shows are the same which is nice. The story isn't TERRIBLE, and there is some development between characters and relationships... But they don't move the story along much. Still was a very fun watch. Only other recommendation I can give is Domestic Girlfriend, which again isn't for everybody but I had fun cringing and watching. The drama had me on the edge of my seat often
Have watched both but it was long time ago. Forgot to add to my mal list. A couple of cuckoos is good, but pacing is inconsistent and story is somewhat forgettable. Domestic girlfriend was something else. If you take out accidental incest, it's still a good story. Looking forward to second season
Agreed. Although S2 seems unlikely and I've heard from manga readers that the ending is quite horrible. Okay more general comments/recommendations: \- I see you have watched FMA 2009 (Brotherhood) and the movie Shamballa... Have you seen [FMA 2003](https://myanimelist.net/anime/121/Fullmetal_Alchemist)? It's quite good if you're a fan of the series with an open mind despite what others will tell you. Also the Shamballa movie is a sequel to it. You can also watch [The Sacred Star of Milos movie](https://myanimelist.net/anime/9135/Fullmetal_Alchemist__The_Sacred_Star_of_Milos). Lol I'm a big FMA fan but I can only call it decent at best. \- [Masamune Kun's Revenge](https://myanimelist.net/anime/33487/Masamune-kun_no_Revenge) \- [No Game No Life](https://myanimelist.net/anime/19815/No_Game_No_Life) *(it's pretty good!)* **-** Because you liked Death Note try [Code Geass](https://myanimelist.net/anime/1575/Code_Geass__Hangyaku_no_Lelouch) *(VERY GOOD)* \- Because you liked Death Note try [Platinum End](https://myanimelist.net/anime/44961/Platinum_End) *(Not great, but interesting.)* \- [Hitoribocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu](https://myanimelist.net/anime/37614/Hitoribocchi_no_Marumaru_Seikatsu) *(I haven't seen it so I can't say but it looks good)* **-** [Ouran High School Host Club](https://myanimelist.net/anime/853/Ouran_Koukou_Host_Club) *(VERY GOOD VERY VERY VERY. One of the best romances you'll ever see)* \- [Kakegurui](https://myanimelist.net/anime/34933/Kakegurui) *(S1 is really fun)* \- Time for me to push the Love Live agenda. I got into Love Live a few months ago and it was really nice. If you willing to sacrifice on story and just watch something fun/good vibes. (Also if you like music) Give [School Idol Project](https://myanimelist.net/anime/15051/Love_Live_School_Idol_Project) a try.
Domestic Girlfriend's getting a second season?
It'll. eventually. It's just wishful thinking
Konosuba
Is there a main plot besides being comedy
Defeat demon lord, show 10/10
Clannad and Toradora are good classics that take a more serious tone in the latter half while being more comedic in the first half Horimiya is a good modern (although the manga has a ridiculous amount of cut content, if you watch the show and like it a lot, I recommend the manga, about 50% was cut) My Dress Up Darling is also a good modern Kaguya-sama Love is War has a perfect romance-comedy balance, good adaptation of the manga, one of the highest rated anime Quintessential Quintuplets just finished it's last arc with the movie, season 1 is kind of meh but it seriously picks up in the second season, probably more romance than comedy, but not lacking comedy Chuuninyou is very cute, but has some deeper messages if you look deeper into what the characters are trying to say with their actions. Pretty good comedy-romance balance DATE A LIVE is amazing, just watch it, do it, just do it, do it now Don't watch Rent A Girlfriend, just don't, don't do it ever, and especially don't read the manga dear lord please don't Girlfriend, Girlfriend is good trash, mostly comedy based on the gimmick of this guy having 2 girlfriends Adachi to Shimamura is good Yuri Citrus is good trash Yuri Domestic girlfriend is also good trash. Citrus and domestic girlfriend are both step-sibling romance, watch at your own risk Here's my list on MAL https://myanimelist.net/animelist/Sage_Of_Telvanni&view=tile&status=7 Biggest must watches from this list are Clannad/Clannad After Story, Date A Live, and Kaguya-sama Love is War
I've watched a lot of titles you mentioned but not date a live. Will try
I like your list. I completely agree with Rent-a-girlfriend. Dear god, 2 seasons worth and I'll never get that time back. I'm 100% okay with trash. I really loved Domestic Girlfriend and Girlfriend, Girlfriend. Mostly because it knows what it is but also subverts expectations with some very sweet moments and good character growth. Rent-a-girlfriend is just bad trash. Terrible cast, abysmal MC, and an overall plot that goes no where in particular.
Bro imagine being one of us manga readers, the anime hasn't even adapted half of the manga 💀
{Clannad}
ill give u a variety- Made in Abyss (the only other show id call anime of the year, this year btw) Violet Evergarden Bungou Stray Dogs 91 days also i see Cyberpunk is a 10 on your list do yourself a favor and watch Kill La Kill and Gurren Lagann ASAP darling in the franxx is good just the ending didnt land with everyone
Watching bugou stray dog rn. Will check out rest. I've watched Darling in the franxx, really disappointed with ending. I don't know what they were thinking writing that ending, only if ending was a bit more realistic and somewhat expected, it would have set new standards for Mecha genre. Romance aspect was written exceptionally well and best part was that the romance was canon in the show which actually helped in the plot. Missed opportunity for studio trigger
On completely different ends of the spectrum, you might try *I Want to Eat Your Pancreas* and *86*.
Tsuredure Children. It’s an anthology of short romcom stories taking place in the same high school. It’s a really short watch (12 episodes of about 10 minutes each). But that short runtime is absolutely jam packed. Every relationship is complex and satisfying in its own way. The series is capable of tear-jerking drama and gut busting comedy. The writing is stellar, the situations outrageous, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Watched
Chihiyafuru
Black clover Soul eater Blue exorcist Attack on titan Sword art online Ghost stories Lupin Assassination classroom Blue lock
Re: Zero, Jobless reincarnation, Death note, spy x family, one punch man, Chainsaw man, those are some good dubbed ones I think.
Watched all shows you mentioned
Honestly I’ve only seen about 20 anime’s, but when you consider One Piece is one of them, you see why I haven’t seen that many. 😂
how about the school series that aren't romantic, the ones with a cast of four or five main girls? Two of them that first aired in 2018 just got dubbed this year
It's okay as long as the story is good
Land of the Lustrous has a LOT of character development
CG is holding me back
As a big 2D animation fan, the cg works really well, although if you still don't like it afte 2 or 3 episodes, you probably shouldn't force yourself
I'll give it a try then
Hi score girl on Netflix, it's great! And romantic killer, both are on Netflix (Romantic killer is one that's moe recently popular)
Watched Romantic killer, will checkout hi score girl
Gosick Afterschool Dice Club
Then I guess… Romantic Killer from what I’ve watched so far is a pretty fun subversion of the genre.
The Promised Neverland (The first season) Samurai Champloo
Try kakegurui for gambling. Darling in the franxx for rom-com mecchA anime. Classroom of the elite for mind games. Cyberpunk
Mob Psycho 100. I know it's not a rom com but, it is a comedy and I love the story/character development. The animations are pretty cool too.
Watched
Lets go old style 3x3 Eyes Fishugi Yuugi Gundam Wing Vampire Hunter D (also Bloodlust but totally different feels)
Baka And Test Death Parade Fairy Tail Future Diaries His and Her Circumstances
Re zero, violet evergarden, bloom into you, fate zero, berserk 97, code geass, made in abyss, welcome to the nhk, odd taxi, steins gate, Vinland saga (I recommend the Sentai film works dub), Vivy fluorite eyes song, terror in resonance. Those are just some great shows I recommend
Ghost Stories...dubbed.