Weekend watch: Romantic anime for you

Anime is an art form that covers a wide variety of genres. Because of the soft, dream-like quality that anime can have, it is an excellent choice for depicting great romances.

Top-tier animation can work with excellent writing to draw you into thrilling, heart-wrenching, and just downright incredible romances. Japanese culture has always had a profound sense of the romantic (if not always the happy romantic) and this has carried on into modern anime.

So curl up with your favorite beverage in a cozy spot with a soft blanket. Here are the eight best Japanese romance anime movies.

Doukyuusei (Classmates)

This popular anime romance tells the tale of two very different high school boys as they grow up and meet each other. It's a simple story that follows the ups and downs of a high school romance, with a lot of the drama you might expect from the yaoi genre of anime romance.

The unique art style is a major element of what sets this movie apart. It has a unique simplicity that appeals to many people, though it is unusual for the genre.

Kimi no nawa (Your name)

Body-swapping is one of the major tropes of anime and manga, often played for comedy. However, Kimi no Na wa uses it for romance.

A country girl wants to live the life of a boy in the lively metropolis of Tokyo, while a young man is weary of his crazy busy life in the city. Strange, sweet, and even sad, the story takes striking turns. This is a must-see for any fan of romance.

Tamako Love Story

Looking for a romantic comedy? Tamako Love Story is about two awkward high school students finally confessing their feelings. When a boy, Mochizo Oji, decides to leave for college, he also decides to confess his feelings to the ever-clueless Tamako.

It's a classic tale that is sure to warm your heart and make you laugh as you follow along with the misadventures of two young people in love.

Mimi wo Sumaseba (Whisper of the Heart)

Whisper of the Heart comes from the legendary Studio Ghibli. Like all the studio's works, the animation is incredible. A boy and a girl keep crossing paths- with the boy seeming to work at getting on the young songwriter girl's nerves. Over time, the two start to get to know each other and their hopes and dreams.

It is a story many of us can connect to, a story about not only love but also pursuing your dreams and figuring out what matters. A must-see.

Hotarubi no Mori e (Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light)

Translated as "Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light", this movie utilizes Japanese folklore to tell a story of love and loss. Gin is a forest spirit, while Hotaru is a young girl who, as a small child, meets him when she is lost in the woods. Gin cannot touch a human or he will disappear.

The beautiful animation helps make the story a striking experience.

Kotonoha no Niwa (The Garden of Words)

This dramatic love story is the tale of two very different people, a young shoemaker and a mysterious woman.The two meet in a park with no idea who the other is. When identities are revealed and even more things come to light, the story takes a turn for the near-tragic.

It is an intensely emotional and sentimental film, making it the perfect romance watch.

KazeTachinu (The Wind Rises)

Another movie from Studio Ghibli, this movie is based on the real-life of Jiro Horikoshi, who developed the Zero fighter plane. Jiro is a man who has faced many struggles, first learning his eyesight prevented him from flying an airplane, then facing many challenges as an airplane engineer. It is a sweet and must watch story.

Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time)

When Makoto finds out that she can time travel, she starts using her powers to make her life easier and fix her own problems, like chronic lateness and bad grades.

Not all is at it seems in this creative drama, though, and has earned its many accolades and awards. If you are looking for great anime (romance or not) you should.

You have your weekend watch list for anime, Anime and chill