If You Loved Nina the Starry Bride, Here Are 12 Similar Anime
If you liked the romance, royalty, and Nina’s tough story in Nina the Starry Bride, this list has more similar anime for you. Nina the Starry Bride premiered in Fall 2024 with 12 episodes by Signal.MD. Nina has had a tough life, stealing to survive until her own brother sells her into slavery. But instead of a miserable fate, Nina’s path changes when Prince Azure decides she’ll live as Alisha, the kingdom’s recently lost princess-priestess. Adjusting to her new life isn’t easy—Nina’s determined to stay true to herself while dealing with the royal world and her complicated feelings for Azure, knowing she’s supposed to marry someone else.
Without further ado, here are the best anime like Nina the Starry Bride that have brave characters, royal drama and unexpected relationships. From sheltered princesses to guarded princes, they all have romance and adventure.
12. Cipher
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Studios: Madhouse
- Episodes: 1 (OVA)
- Premiered: 1989
Kicking this list of the best anime like Nina the Starry Bride is Cipher. The story is about Anise, who is thrilled to be at the same high school as the cool, famous Siva, a former child star with a cold personality. But when she becomes close to him, she learns his secret—he has a twin brother, Cipher, and together they’ve been switching identities for years. As Anise unravels the complexities of their lives, she finds herself entangled in their world, exploring identity, fame, and trust. This OVA delivers a good point of view on relationships and the issues of human connections, by highlighting the lives of two brothers who share both fame and the desire to escape it.
11. Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom
- Genre: Romance, Adventure
- Studio: Madhouse
- Episodes: 1 (Movie)
- Premiered: 2023
Next up, we have Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom an anime movie that share similarities with Nina The Starry Bride. Set in a world split by a century-old feud, the Gold Kingdom and the Water Kingdom have barely seen peace. Each kingdom possesses resources the other lacks, leading to longstanding mistrust. When a princess from the Water Kingdom and a boy from the Gold Kingdom cross paths, their bond becomes the bridge between their people. As the two learn more about each other, they begin to believe that perhaps love can succeed where politics have failed. This Madhouse’ movie has stunning visuals and an epic story of love transcending borders make it a sweet watch filled with unity and adventure moments.
10. 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!
- Genre: Romance, Fantasy
- Studios: EMT Squared
- Episodes: 12
- Premiered: Summer 2023
Reborn into a noble family in a foreign empire, our protagonist finds herself in a world of lavish privilege. But this new life comes with its own pressures, especially when she’s betrothed to a prince with an icy reputation. As they share time in the palace, her lively spirit and his stoic personality clash and blend, revealing unexpected sides of each other. Beneath his reserved exterior lies a deeply caring soul that only she can bring out, while her zest for life reminds him of what he’s been missing. Like Nina the Starry Bride, 7th Time Loop anime depicts a story about love set in a royal setting, filled with wit, warmth, and the responsibilities of courtly duty.
9. Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance
- Studio: J.C. Staff
- Episodes: 24
- Premiered: Spring 2023
Well, in both Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts and Nina the Starry Bride, we have young heroines, who rise from difficult beginnings to confront their fate in royal courts. Here, a girl from the slums is selected as a sacrifice to the fearsome Beast King, a fate she accepts. But to her surprise, the king spares her and declares her his princess. Thrown into palace life, she must adapt to the court’s customs and learn what it means to survive. Her story is one of resilience and learning, with romance woven into her journey as she deals with the emotions and alliances around her. This anime explores the delicate balance of trust and power, where each character must decide who they truly are in a world that’s both beautiful and brutal.
8. The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
- Genre: Fantasy, Isekai, Romance
- Studio: OLM
- Episodes: 12
- Premiered: Summer 2023
Moving on to The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen, where Pride Royal Ivy awakens to realize she’s been reincarnated as the villainess of an otome game. Now destined to become the notorious queen feared by all, but knowing her future, she chooses a different path, striving to turn enemies into allies and protect her kingdom instead of terrorizing it. With smartness and tender, Pride works to change her fate, transforming from villainess to unexpected hero. This anime is similar to Hoshifuru Oukoku no Nina, as it brings scheme and romance together, as our characters handle their relationships built on redemption and personal growth in a kingdom filled with hidden agendas.
7. Chihayafuru
- Genre: Romance, Sports
- Studio: Madhouse
- Episodes: 25
- Premiered: Fall 2011
Chihayafuru is an anime series is akin to Nina The Starry Bride, as it captures the power of competition, the beauty of friendship, and the hardship of young love, following Chihaya’s experience toward discovering her true self and the joy of pursuing a passion. The story revolves around Chihaya Ayase’s life, that changes when she’s introduced to the world of Karuta, a traditional Japanese card game, by her childhood friend Arata. Inspired by his passion, she aims to become Japan’s top Karuta player, determined to carry their shared dream forward. Forming a Karuta club in high school, Chihaya and her friends face fierce competition and form tight bonds along the way.Â
6. Holiday Love: Fuufukan Ren’ai
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Studio: Signal.MD
- Episodes: 20 (Short Episodes)
- Premiered: 2018
Another anime recommendation if you like Nina The Starry Bride is Holiday Love, where Azu Takamori has always thought her marriage was built on mutual trust. Later, her world will be shattered as soon as learn about her husband’s affair. Now, Azu must confront the pain and betrayal, deciding whether to rebuild their bond or move forward alone. The story is an honest portrayal of the emotional rollercoaster of infidelity, tackling things of forgiveness, dignity, and the struggles of healing. Holiday Love is serious in depicting the raw, complex realities of love and trust, offering a mature look at relationships in the face of heartbreak.
5. Kobayashi ga Kawai Sugite Tsurai!!
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Studio: Production I.G
- Episodes: 2 (OVA)
- Premiered: 2013
Coming up, we have Kobayashi ga Kawai Sugite Tsurai!!, a story about the twin siblings Mitsuru and Megumu Kobayashi, who decide to have fun by switching places. But things don’t go as planned when Megumu ends up at her brother’s tough all-boys school and encounters a mysterious, eye-patch-wearing student who becomes her unexpected protector. Meanwhile, Mitsuru’s experience in Megumu’s all-girls school leads to its own comical misadventures. With similarties to Nina The Starry Bride, this 2-episodes anime offers an amusing look at teenage romance, mistaken identities, and the hijinks of high school life, delivering plenty of funny and tender moments.
4. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
- Genre: Drama, Historical
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Episodes: 13
- Premiered: Winter 2016
After serving a prison sentence, a young man finds hope in the art of Rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of storytelling. Drawn to the stage, he apprentices under Yakumo, a Rakugo master whose past is as intricate as his craft. Alongside him is Konatsu, the daughter of another Rakugo storyteller who harbors her own ambitions. The series follows these lives, that intertwine as they deals with a world of art, rivalry, and redemption, each confronting their hidden pasts through the timeless art of performance. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a good anime like Nina The Starry Bride that comes with a profound look at the power of storytelling, rich with history and emotion.
3. Kids on the Slope
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Studios: MAPPA, Tezuka Productions
- Episodes: 12
- Premiered: Spring 2012
Kaoru Nishimi is used to being the outsider, constantly moving due to his father’s job. In his new town, he meets Sentarou, a rough-around-the-edges drummer, and Ritsuko, a gentle girl with a love for jazz. Together, they introduce him to the world of jazz, where Kaoru finds a way to express himself and a place he can belong. Through jam sessions and schoolyard adventures, the trio’s bond deepens, exploring friendship, love, and the beauty of jazz music. Kids on the Slope with similarities to Nina of the Starry Kingdom, which is a heartfelt story into youth, music, and the impact of true friendship.
2. Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
- Genre: Romance, Fantasy
- Studios: Bones
- Episodes: 12
- Premiered: Summer 2015
The ranked number two anime similar to Nina The Starry Bride in this list is Akagami No Shirayuki-hime. The red haired protagonist catches the eye of a prince who demands she become his concubine, but she escapes and soon encounters Zen, a prince from a neighboring kingdom who values her for her character. With Zen’s friendship and encouragement, Shirayuki builds a new life, finding her way in his kingdom as an herbalist. Their relationship grows steadily as they tries to handle royal responsibilities and face everything together. Akagami no Shirayuki-hime is a tender yet inspiring fantasy romance story of independence, respect, and love.
1. Akatsuki no Yona
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- Studio: Pierrot
- Episodes: 24
- Premiered: Fall 2014
Ending our list of the top anime like Nina The Starry Bride with Akatsuki no Yona. Yona, a princess, loses everything when her cousin steals the throne in a brutal takeover. With her friend Hak by her side, Yona is forced out of her palace walls. She decides to reclaim her kingdom and searches for the legendary Four Dragon Warriors, each with powers tied to her ancestors. The series is about courage, friendship and loyalty as Yona goes from a naive girl to a determined leader willing to do whatever it takes to protect her people. Akatsuki no Yona is a romance, action and self discovery all wrapped up in a story of resilience and transformation.
