These best romance yandere anime series are honestly perfect if you enjoy those intense love stories where things get a little… crazy. You know the type — sweet anime girls on the surface, but once love kicks in, they become obsessive, jealous, sometimes even dangerous.
If you’re into psycho romance anime or those unforgettable obsessive female characters, this list should give you plenty to watch. The term yandere basically refers to someone who starts loving cutely but slowly turns possessive or unstable because of that love. And yeah, anime has given us some legendary ones.
What makes yandere romance anime fun is that mix of sweetness and danger. One minute it’s pure romance, the next it turns intense, emotional, or straight-up chaotic. That contrast is why these characters stick in people’s minds.
Updated for 2025/2026 with newer obsessive romance anime picks alongside classic yandere favorites.
So yeah — if you’re ready for romance with a darker edge, let’s jump into the list.
20. The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil
Studio: Children’s Playground Entertainment
Episodes: 12
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Supernatural
This is one of the more recent romance anime that plays directly with obsessive attraction. Aired in 2024, the story follows Masatora, a demon sent to Earth, who ends up meeting Lily, an angel who initially seems sweet and elegant.
But Lily quickly proves she’s not just a calm love interest. Once romance gets involved, her personality shifts into something far more manipulative and emotionally intense. She isn’t violently psychotic, but she absolutely shows possessive and controlling tendencies when love enters the picture.
The fun part is that both leads are morally gray supernatural beings pretending to be normal students. The romantic tension builds through power struggles and hidden intentions, which makes Lily’s obsessive streak feel natural rather than random.
19. Engage Kiss
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: 13
Genres: Action, Romance, Supernatural
Released in 2022, Engage Kiss quickly caught attention for its messy romantic dynamics, especially the character Kisara. She may look calm and supportive at first, but her attachment to Shu has clear obsessive undertones — the kind that fits modern “soft yandere” anime rather than the violent classic type.
Kisara literally sacrifices parts of her own memories to protect him, keeps a close emotional grip on his life, and shows obvious jealousy when other girls are involved. It’s not exaggerated horror-style obsession, but emotionally, it still hits that yandere territory.
The anime blends supernatural battles with complicated relationships, making the romance feel intense without becoming overly dark. If you’re looking for a recent romance yandere anime with a modern tone and strong emotional dependency, this one deserves a spot on the list.
18. Akame ga Kill
Studio: White Fox
Episodes: 24
Genres: Action, Dark Fantasy, Romance
Esdeath is honestly one of the clearest examples of a romantic yandere in action anime. She’s powerful, confident, and completely ruthless on the battlefield — the kind of character who usually scares everyone around her. But the moment she develops feelings for Tatsumi, you see a totally different side… still intense, just now directed toward love.
Her obsession isn’t subtle either. She openly claims him, wants him by her side no matter what, and genuinely struggles to understand why he won’t accept her worldview. That contrast makes the dynamic interesting: Tatsumi stays kind and principled, while Esdeath represents passion taken to a dangerous extreme.
What makes this work for a romance yandere list is that her feelings are real, not just comedic or exaggerated. She truly believes love and domination can coexist, which creates emotional tension throughout the story.
If you like strong, dominant yandere female characters with actual romantic stakes, Esdeath is hard to ignore.
17. Call of the Night
Studio: LIDENFILMS
Episodes: 13 (Season 1)
Genres: Romance, Supernatural, Vampire, Slice of Life
Premiered in 2022, Call of the Night isn’t a traditional violent yandere anime, but it absolutely plays with obsessive romantic tension. Nazuna Nanakusa, the carefree vampire heroine, forms an unusual bond with Ko Yamori, an insomniac middle schooler who wants to fall in love so he can become a vampire himself.
Nazuna isn’t possessive in a screaming, knife-wielding way — but she does show clear emotional fixation. She keeps him close during the night, isolates their time together, and becomes subtly jealous when other girls get involved. The more their connection grows, the more her playful teasing reveals genuine attachment.
What makes this series fit the modern yandere-romance category is its slow-burn dynamic. The obsession isn’t loud — it’s atmospheric, intimate, and built on emotional dependency.
If you’re searching for a modern vampire romance anime with subtle obsessive undertones, Call of the Night is one of the strongest recent picks.
16. Dark Gathering
Studio: OLM
Episodes: 25
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Psychological
Dark Gathering is mainly a horror anime of 2023— but if you pay attention, Eiko Hōzuki brings a very unsettling kind of romantic obsession to the story.
Eiko clearly loves Keitaro. That part isn’t subtle. What makes it uncomfortable (in a good way) is how intense that love feels. She tracks his movements, collects information about him, and shows flashes of jealousy that feel a little too calculated. It’s not explosive, knife-in-hand yandere energy — it’s quiet, controlled, and psychological.
The scary part is that she always smiles while doing it.
Romance isn’t the main focus of the series, but her fixation adds an emotional layer beneath the ghost-hunting plot. You start wondering whether she’s protecting him… or slowly wrapping him in something he doesn’t fully see yet.
If you prefer subtle, modern yandere vibes instead of chaotic violence, Dark Gathering fits the obsessive love story wave perfectly.
15. Mawaru Penguindrum
Studio: Brain’s Base
Episodes: 24
Genres: Psychological, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural
One of the best romance yandere anime series is Mawaru Penguindrum (2011), which focuses on the complicated fate of the Takakura family. Twin brothers Kanba and Shouma live alone after their parents disappear, and their biggest concern is caring for their fragile younger sister Himari, whose health keeps getting worse.
During a rare day out at the aquarium, Himari suddenly collapses — but she’s mysteriously revived by a strange penguin spirit. That moment sets the brothers on a surreal journey to find the mysterious “Penguindrum,” a quest filled with symbolism, emotional trauma, and intense relationships.
While not a traditional romance anime, the show explores obsession, sacrifice, and complicated love dynamics that sometimes lean into yandere territory. The emotional tension and psychological storytelling make it a unique pick for fans of darker romance anime themes.
14. Kodomo no Jikan
Studio: Studio Barcelona
Episodes: 12 + OVA
Genres: Drama, Romance, Psychological, School
Kodomo no Jikan (2007) is definitely not your typical romance anime, and honestly, it can feel uncomfortable at times. The story follows Aoki Daisuke, a new elementary school teacher who quickly realizes his class isn’t going to be easy — especially because of Rin Kokonoe.
Rin looks like a cheerful kid, but emotionally, she’s way more complicated. She becomes strongly attached to Aoki, sometimes crossing boundaries in ways that feel obsessive rather than innocent. That’s where the subtle yandere vibe comes in — not violent, but emotionally intense and driven by loneliness.
The show features drama, psychological themes, and controversial romance elements. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re exploring different types of romantic yandere anime, especially ones focused on emotional instability rather than action, this one stands out.
13. Shiki
Studio: Daume
Episodes: 22 + Specials
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Psychological, Mystery
Shiki (2010) is honestly one of those anime that stays in your head long after finishing it. The story starts in a quiet village called Sotoba, where sudden mysterious deaths begin happening. At first, people think it’s some kind of epidemic, but it quickly becomes clear that something darker is going on.
This anime isn’t a classic romance show, but if you look closely, some character relationships carry strong obsessive and emotional attachment vibes — the kind that sometimes slip into yandere territory. Love, fear, survival, and obsession all mix together here.
What really makes Shiki interesting is how it blurs the line between human and monster. Nobody is completely innocent, and nobody is completely evil either. If you like dark psychological anime with subtle romance tension and intense emotional themes, this one definitely deserves a spot on the list.
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12. Hida No Aria
Studio: J.C.Staff
Episodes: 12
Genres: Action, Romance, School, Comedy
Kinji Tōyama is honestly just trying to live a quiet life, even though he studies at an academy that trains armed detectives known as Butei. Crime, weapons, danger — all normal there. But Kinji wants none of it… until trouble basically finds him.
That’s when Aria Kanzaki shows up. Skilled, fearless, and definitely intense. She saves him from a criminal situation and then casually decides he should become her partner. Not really a suggestion either.
Aria has that strong, slightly possessive energy that fits the yandere female character vibe, even if she’s more action-driven than psycho. She gets attached fast, doesn’t like competition, and makes it clear Kinji isn’t walking away easily.
11. School Days
Studio: TNK
Episodes: 12
Genres: Romance, Drama, Psychological, School
If you’ve watched romance anime for a while, you probably already know School Days. It starts pretty normally — Makoto has a crush on Kotonoha, a quiet girl he sees on the train. Then Sekai steps in to help… and that’s where everything slowly goes off the rails.
What makes this one stand out isn’t cute romance. It’s how messy relationships get when jealousy, insecurity, and obsession start creeping in. Some characters clearly cross into yandere territory, especially once emotions spiral out of control.
Not gonna lie — this anime divides people. Some hate it, some love how brutally honest it is about teenage relationships. Either way, if you’re exploring romance anime with darker emotional turns, this one is hard to ignore.
And yeah… the ending? You don’t forget it.
10. Big Order
Studio: Asread
Episodes: 10
Genres: Action, Supernatural, Psychological, Romance
Big Order is honestly one of those anime that people either forget quickly… or remember because of how intense some characters get. The story revolves around Eiji, a guy whose childhood wish basically helped destroy the world. Years later, he discovers he has powers tied to those wishes — and he’s not the only one.
When it comes to yandere energy, the spotlight naturally goes to Rin. She’s not subtle about her feelings, and once she locks onto someone emotionally, she doesn’t really let go. There’s this constant mix of affection and danger around her, which keeps the romance angle slightly uneasy.
The anime itself leans more action-heavy than romantic, but the obsessive relationship dynamics are definitely part of the ride, especially if you’re browsing romance anime with darker character psychology.
9. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: 24
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Isekai, Military
Gate isn’t a pure romance anime, but it does bring that obsessive attachment energy more quietly. The story kicks off when a mysterious portal opens in Tokyo, connecting modern Japan to a fantasy world. Soldiers, dragons, magic — it escalates fast.
Itami, the main character, is surprisingly chill for someone in the middle of all this chaos. He’s not chasing romance. It kind of chases him. And some of the girls around him don’t exactly keep their feelings subtle.
One character in particular leans into that intense devotion territory. It’s not loud or violent yandere madness, but there’s that possessive undercurrent. The kind where you can tell affection runs deeper than it should.
The show focuses more on politics and war, but those relationship moments are definitely there if you’re paying attention.
8. Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai
Studio: J.C.Staff
Episodes: 12
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Ecchi, School
This anime is honestly chaotic in the best way. Shimoneta takes place in a world where anything remotely “indecent” is banned — even jokes. So naturally, the whole thing turns into a rebellion against that fake purity culture.
Tanukichi just wants a normal high school life, mostly because he has a crush on Anna, the perfect student council president. The twist? Anna starts sweet and innocent… but once her feelings awaken, they come out intense. Like, really intense.
She doesn’t fully go horror-level yandere, but that obsessive romantic energy is definitely there. The contrast between her public persona and her emotional reactions is what makes it memorable.
7. Elfen Lied
Studio: Arms
Episodes: 13
Genres: Horror, Psychological, Romance, Supernatural
Elfen Lied isn’t soft. It doesn’t ease you into anything. From the first episode, you already know this story is going somewhere dark.
Lucy — or Nyuu, depending on which side you’re seeing — isn’t just a tragic character. She’s dangerous. Experimented on, isolated, treated like a monster her whole life… so when she finally escapes, the violence feels less shocking and more inevitable.
But then there’s Kouta. Calm, kind, almost too forgiving. That’s where the romance angle starts to feel heavy. Lucy’s attachment to him isn’t simple affection — it’s tied to guilt, trauma, and a desperate need to be accepted by at least one person in the world.
6. Date a Live
Studio: AIC Plus+ (Season 1)
Episodes: 12 (Season 1, multiple sequels later)
Genres: Romance, Supernatural, Comedy, Action
Date A Live sounds ridiculous at first. The world is being wrecked by powerful spirit girls, and the solution isn’t to defeat them… It’s to date them. That’s literally the plan.
Shido ends up meeting girls who can wipe out cities without trying, and instead of fighting them, he has to make them fall in love with him to seal their powers. And yeah, some of those girls don’t exactly handle emotions in a calm way.
Kurumi especially stands out. She’s charming, playful, and completely unpredictable. When she shows affection, it never feels safe. There’s always that edge, like she could either kiss you or shoot you and smile the whole time.
The show balances comedy and chaos, but underneath that, there’s real obsessive energy in some of these relationships. Not every girl is a yandere, but the ones who are? They will steal your heart for sure.
5. Renai Bokun
Studio: EMT Squared
Episodes: 12
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Harem
If you want a more chaotic and comedic take on the romantic yandere anime type, Love Tyrant delivers exactly that. The best female character here is Akane Hiyama — sweet, beautiful, and completely devoted to Seiji… until jealousy kicks in. Then things escalate fast.
Akane isn’t just clingy — she’s intensely possessive, easily triggered, and not afraid to get violent when she feels her relationship is threatened. Despite the exaggerated comedy tone, her obsession is clearly rooted in genuine romantic feelings, which keep her firmly in yandere territory.
The story itself revolves around a magical “Kiss Note” that forces romantic connections, creating a messy love polygon full of misunderstandings, overreactions, and emotional chaos. Through all of it, Akane’s fixation on Seiji remains one of the main driving forces.
4. Bakemonogatari
Studio: Shaft
Episodes: 15
Genres: Romance, Supernatural, Psychological, Mystery
Bakemonogatari is kind of its own thing. Lots of talking, weird supernatural cases, sharp humor — definitely not your average romance anime. But when you focus on Hitagi and Araragi, there’s a relationship there that feels intense in a quieter way.
Hitagi isn’t loud about her feelings. She’s sarcastic, blunt, and sometimes even intimidating. But when it comes to Araragi, you can tell she takes that connection seriously. There’s a possessive edge to how she talks to him, like she doesn’t need to raise her voice to make a point.
Their dynamic is actually pretty fun to watch — teasing, awkward honesty, occasional emotional walls dropping. It feels less dramatic than classic yandere anime, more psychological.
And honestly, that dry humor between them is half the charm.
3. Shuffle
Studio: Asread
Episodes: 24
Genres: Romance, Drama, Harem, School, Fantasy
In the Shuffle! anime, Kaede Fuyou first comes across as the sweet childhood friend type — calm, caring, always there for Rin Tsuchimi. But underneath that kindness, she carries a lot of emotional baggage, especially connected to her mother’s death. That’s where the yandere side slowly starts showing.
Kaede clearly wants Rin close, maybe a little too close. When he begins spending more time with other girls like Asa Shigure or even the quiet Primula, you can feel the tension building. It’s not immediate madness — it creeps in gradually.
Since the story comes from an eroge background, romance is obviously front and center, but the emotional romantic instability gives it that classic yandere anime flavor. Once Kaede’s feelings start overflowing, things definitely get messy… and yeah, obsession becomes part of the equation.
2. Higurashi: When They Cry
Studio: Studio Deen (2006), Passione (2020 sequel)
Episodes: 26 (Season 1) + sequels
Genres: Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Mystery
Higurashi: When They Cry is one of the most iconic horror anime that also features strong yandere elements. Originally released in 2006, with a modern sequel in 2020, this psychological thriller takes place in a quiet rural village where strange murders and disappearances begin happening during the annual festival.
At first, the story feels like a simple slice-of-life series about a group of friends. But as the mystery unfolds, some of the female characters reveal deeply obsessive and unstable behaviors driven by fear, paranoia, and emotional attachment.
While romance is not always the central focus, the series includes several intense yandere-style moments where love and loyalty turn violent. The mix of psychological breakdowns, emotional instability, and dark twists makes Higurashi a classic example of horror blended with yandere girls.
If you enjoy dark romance undertones mixed with psychological terror, this anime will always remain a fan-favorite and must-watch.
1. Mirai Nikki
Studio: Asread
Episodes: 26
Genres: Action, Psychological, Romance, Supernatural, Thriller
This is the story of Yukiteru Amano, a lonely high school student who prefers writing in his cellphone diary instead of talking to people. He lives in his own world… until Yuno Gasai walks into his life.
And that’s when everything changes.
Yuno isn’t just a normal love interest. She’s sweet, loyal, and completely devoted — but in a way that feels dangerous. Her love for Yukiteru is obsessive, intense, and sometimes terrifying. She’ll protect him no matter what, even if that means hurting anyone who gets in the way.
Once their diaries start predicting the future, they’re forced into a deadly survival game against other diary users, all competing to become the next god. But honestly, the real tension comes from watching Yuno’s unpredictable behavior.
If someone asks what a true romance yandere anime looks like, this is usually the first answer.
- And if you want more romance with dangerous or unpredictable female leads, check out our list of anime where bad girls fall in love with good guys.
Final Thoughts
Yandere romance anime will probably never lose popularity. There’s just something unforgettable about watching love go too far. Whether it’s full-on psycho obsession like Mirai Nikki, psychological tension like Higurashi, or emotional instability like Shuffle, these stories mix romance with danger in a way that normal love stories don’t.
Some of these girls protect. Some manipulate. Some completely lose control. But all of them are sweet and psycho at the same time, which makes romance feel intense.
If you enjoy anime where love isn’t safe, calm, or predictable, this genre always offers something memorable.
FAQ
What is a yandere in anime?
A yandere is a character who starts sweet and loving but becomes obsessive or violent due to intense romantic feelings.
What is the best romance yandere anime?
Mirai Nikki is often considered the most iconic example because of Yuno Gasai’s obsessive love dynamic.
Are all yandere characters violent?
Not always. Some show emotional manipulation or possessiveness instead of physical violence.
