Are you looking for more anime like Horimiya, the delightful rom-com that captured your heart?
If you enjoyed the blend of sweet romance, relatable characters, and a dash of humor, then you’re in luck! The world of anime offers a treasure trove of similar stories waiting to be discovered.
Explore the complexities of high school life, friendships blossoming into love, and the unexpected sides hidden beneath a character’s exterior with our top recommendations for anime like Horimiya.
Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming tale of overcoming social anxieties, a second chance at love, or a hilarious battle of wits disguised as a romance, there’s an anime like Horimiya out there waiting to become your next favorite.
Buckle up and get ready to discover a collection of anime like Horimiya that will make you laugh, cry, and root for your favorite characters as they navigate the complexities of love and self-discovery.
What is Horimiya about?
Horimiya, also known as Hori-san to Miyamura-kun, is a romantic comedy that dives into the double lives of high school classmates. Originally a webcomic by Hiroki Adachi under the pen name Hero, it ran from 2011 to 2021.
The story follows Kyouko Hori, a popular and outgoing student who balances schoolwork with a glamorous social life. However, outside of school, she cares for her younger brother and keeps her home life a secret.
Enter Izumi Miyamura, a seemingly nerdy and unassuming classmate. But beneath his glasses and unkempt hair lies a secret world of piercings and tattoos.
When Kyouko and Miyamura accidentally discover each other’s hidden identities, an unlikely friendship blossoms as they navigate their contrasting facades and explore the world of love and self-discovery.
Romantic comedy anime like Horimiya
All of these anime, along with Horimiya, fall under the genre of romantic comedy, or rom-com for short. This means they blend elements of romance with humor to create a lighthearted and entertaining love story.
These anime like Horimiya center around developing relationships between characters. They explore the awkwardness, sweetness, and challenges that come with navigating love and friendship.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Nicknamed “Sadako” for her resemblance to a horror movie character, Sawako Kuronuma is a sweet but misunderstood high school girl ostracized for her intimidating appearance. Yearning for friendship, her world changes when Kazehaya, the most popular boy in class, extends kindness towards her.
As their bond deepens, Sawako goes on a journey of overcoming social anxieties, navigating friendships, and discovering the world of love with Kazehaya’s gentle guidance.
Both Kimi ni Todoke and Horimiya explore the theme of hidden depths and unexpected connections. Like Miyamura in Horimiya, Sawako in Kimi ni Todoke has a misunderstood appearance that hides her true personality. Both characters crave connection and find it through classmates who see beyond their facades.
Ao Haru Ride
Futaba Yoshioka, a tomboyish girl who once harbored a crush on her classmate Kou Tanaka, reinvents herself in high school to avoid unwanted attention. However, her world flips when she encounters a seemingly cold and distant boy named Kou Mabuchi – her former crush with a new last name.
As they reconnect, Futaba grapples with his changed personality, seeking to understand the reason behind his disappearance and the shift in their dynamic. This journey of rediscovering Kou and confronting hidden feelings reignites a potential romance with a touch of mystery.
Ao Haru Ride shares similar themes of second chances and navigating changes in relationships with Horimiya. Both stories feature characters who reunite after a significant time apart, grappling with the changes in themselves and each other.
Just like Miyamura and Kyouko in Horimiya, Futaba and Kou in Ao Haru Ride confront their past experiences and hidden feelings. They rebuild their connection and explore the possibility of rekindling a romance.
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
Shizuku Mizutani, a studious and introverted girl, gets pulled into the world of Haru Yoshida, a truant classmate with a wild reputation. Tasked with delivering his schoolwork, she becomes his unlikely friend.
As their contrasting personalities clash, Haru’s impulsive nature challenges Shizuku’s rigid focus on academics. This unexpected friendship blossoms into a heartwarming and humorous exploration of self-discovery, acceptance, and navigating the complexities of first love.
An anime like Horimiya, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun shares a similar concept of “opposites attract”. Both stories feature protagonists with contrasting personalities — the studious and reserved Shizuku in Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun mirrors Kyouko’s responsible side in Horimiya.
Just like Miyamura brings out Kyouko’s playful side in Horimiya, Haru’s outgoing personality challenges Shizuku’s focus, pushing them outside their comfort zones.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War
At the prestigious Shuchiin Academy, Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane, the student council’s vice president and president respectively, are regarded as the perfect couple. However, their immense pride prevents either from confessing their feelings first.
Instead, they engage in an elaborate “war” of elaborate schemes and witty banter, determined to make the other person confess their love first, creating a hilarious and unconventional romantic comedy.
Just like Kyouko and Miyamura in Horimiya, Kaguya and Miyuki present a facade to the world. Beneath their perfect exteriors lie genuine feelings they struggle to express.
Both stories offer a comedic yet heartwarming look at characters overcoming their anxieties and insecurities to navigate the path of love.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
Sakuta Azusagawa, a high school loner, encounters classmates manifesting strange phenomena — a popular actress invisible to everyone but him, a classmate with bunny ears only he can see, and his own sister with maturity stunted by puberty syndrome.
Determined to solve these mysteries, Sakuta unravels the emotional struggles behind these fantastical situations. As he helps them confront their anxieties and insecurities, he forms genuine connections and discovers the power of empathy and love.
Similar to how Kyouko and Miyamura in Horimiya hide their true selves, the fantastical situations in Rascal are manifestations of the characters’ emotional struggles.
Both stories explore the importance of empathy and understanding as the protagonists help others confront their inner demons, fostering genuine connections and personal growth.
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