The romance genre is known to feature happy endings that feel like a warm, cozy hug. Not all of them are bright. Dark and daunting stories are prevalent in the genre as well. A dark romance anime combines scary themes with fuzzy feelings. This results in a beautiful, heartwarming story.
These days, many dark romance animes are more realistic because of their adult themes. Some have more twists and turns, making them as terrifying as a horror anime. Let’s look at popular dark romance anime which fans can get behind.
Scum’s Wish
Scum’s Wish is not considered a romance anime despite having elements of the genre. The series looks at the light side of love and lust. High school student Hanabi Yasuraoka has been in love with Narumi Kanai, her older childhood friend. However, the latter is now her homeroom teacher.
But Hanabi soon realizes that Narumi is in love with Akane and not her. She meets Mugi Awaya, another student who is in love with Akane. Hanabi and Mugi make a pact and begin a fake relationship to satisfy each other’s loneliness from their unrequited love.
Charlotte
Charlotte offers a refreshing twist to the age-old romance genre. The story occurs in an alternate reality where a comet, Charlotte, passes near Earth every 75 years. The comet disperses dust, giving supernatural abilities to the small percentage of children who inhale it. The plot centers around Yuu Otosaka, a boy who awakens the ability to possess people for five seconds. He hopes to use his power to live a carefree life.
However, Nao Tomori exposes Yuu. She can make herself invisible to a specific target. As a result, she forces him to transfer to Hoshinoumi Academy and join the student council, of which she is the president. Their main objective is to ensure the safety of ability users from organizations that seek to exploit their powers.
School Days
School Days is one of the most popular romance anime. The heart-warming tale takes the concept of love triangles to the next level with a deadly element. The story revolves around Makoto Itou, a first-year high school student living with his divorced mother.
During his second term, he falls in love with Kotonoha Katsura, a beautiful, shy girl with whom he rides the train. Makoto cannot approach her and takes a secret picture of her. However, his classmate Sekai Saionji notices the picture and offers to set him up with Kotonoha, beginning the trio’s journey.
Future Diary
Future Diaries has made a name for itself as one of the most gruesome romance anime of all time. The anime premiered in 2011 and was well-received by fans. The story follows Yukiteru Amano, a 14-year-old boy who observes life and jots down the events on his cell phone.
His only friends are Deus Ex Machina, the God of Space and Time, and his assistant, Muru Muru. Deus transforms Yukiteru’s phone into a diary that can predict the future. Yuki discovers he and eleven others are in a survival game created by Deus. He has to eliminate the other diary holders to succeed Deus as god.
