Are you looking for anime like Tomo-chan Is a Girl? Did Tomo have you rolling in the aisles?
Did you find yourself cheering for her hilarious attempts to break through her childhood friend’s dense perception of her?
If so, then you’ve likely fallen for the charm of romantic comedies where the path to love is paved with laughter and quirky characters.
The good news is, there are plenty of anime like Tomo chan Is a Girl.
Get ready to explore a diverse range of rom-coms, from classic favorites to hidden gems, all guaranteed to deliver heartwarming moments, comedic situations, and protagonists who challenge the status quo.
What is Tomo chan is a Girl about?
Tomo chan is a Girl originated as a four-panel manga series created by Fumita Yanagida.
The manga ran from 2015 to 2019, publishing its chapters on the Twi4 Twitter account and Saizensen website before being collected into eight volumes by Kodansha.
In February 2018, the series was picked up for an English release by Seven Seas Entertainment.
This romantic comedy with a slice-of-life twist follows Tomo, a tomboyish high school girl, who has a major crush on her childhood friend, Junichiro.
The problem? Junichiro, oblivious to Tomo’s feelings, sees her only as one of the guys due to her strength and athleticism.
5 anime like Tomo chan Is a Girl
Tamako Market
Tamako Market follows the life of Tamako, a high school girl working at her family’s mochi shop in a charming shopping district.
Her life gets turned upside down with the arrival of Dera, a talking bird searching for a princess, and the blossoming feelings between her and her childhood friend Mochizou. As Tamako juggles school, friends, and family, she navigates these new complexities, all with a slice-of-life charm.
While both are lighthearted rom-coms, Tomo chan is a Girl and Tamako Market offer distinct experiences.
Tomo chan focuses on a comedic struggle for recognition as the protagonist actively tries to change how someone perceives her.
Tamako Market, on the other hand, is more relaxed. It explores everyday life with a touch of romance, focusing on navigating situations as they arise rather than actively pushing for change.
Sasaki and Miyano
Sasaki and Miyano explores the blossoming relationship between two high school boys. Miyano, a quiet freshman who loves boys’ love manga, keeps his hobby a secret.
Sasaki, a seemingly delinquent upperclassman, takes an interest in Miyano and his hidden passion. Their initial encounter leads to an unexpected friendship that slowly develops into a sweet romance.
Sasaki and Miyano is an anime like Tomo chan Is a Girl in terms of tone and themes. Both are lighthearted rom-coms with a focus on a central couple’s journey towards love.
They also explore themes of self-discovery and navigating friendships.
Cardcaptor Sakura
Sakura Kinomoto, a young elementary school student, accidentally releases a magical deck of Clow Cards that cause chaos. Aided by the guardian beast Kero and her best friend Tomoyo, Sakura transforms into the Cardcaptor to capture the cards and restore peace.
Along the way, she develops her own magical abilities, faces challenges, and discovers the meaning of friendship and responsibility.
Cardcaptor Sakura, an anime like Tomo chan Is a Girl, captures the innocence and energy of school life. Sakura juggles capturing magical cards with schoolwork and friendships, similar to how Tomo deals with her crush alongside everyday high school activities.
It is important to note that Tomo chan is a full-fledged romantic comedy where the protagonist actively pursues a relationship. Sakura, on the other hand, is a magical girl series with a lighter touch on romance.
While Sakura has a crush on her classmate Syaoran, it develops more slowly in the background as she prioritizes capturing the Clow Cards.
Toradora
Misunderstood high schooler Ryuji, with a kind heart and intimidating eyes, and Taiga, a pint-sized but fierce girl with a hidden crush, form an unlikely alliance.
They agree to help each other land their crushes, but their plan goes awry as unexpected feelings blossom between them.
As they navigate hilarious schemes, domestic situations, and the support of their quirky friends, Ryuji and Taiga learn the true meaning of love and friendship.
Toradora and Tomo chan Is a Girl share some fun rom-com elements, particularly the focus on a central couple overcoming misunderstandings to find love.
Both feature protagonists who defy expectations: Tomo with her tomboyishness and Ryuji with his intimidating looks.
They also have comedic schemes and the support of quirky friends that add to the wholesome atmosphere.
Lovely Complex
Lovely Complex dives into the lives of Risa, a tall girl, and Otani, a short boy, who are constantly teased for their mismatched heights.
Their bickering and comedic antics mask a secret: Risa develops feelings for Otani. As she navigates her newfound affection and societal expectations, she tries to win Otani’s heart, all while facing hilarious challenges.
Lovely Complex and Tomo-chan Is a Girl! are both romantic comedies that share a core theme: overcoming physical appearance-based misunderstandings to find love.
Both feature protagonists who defy traditional gender norms — Tomo with her tomboyishness and Risa with her height. They also have hilarious situations that arise from these misunderstandings, with the support of quirky friends adding to the fun.
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