Girlfriend, Girlfriend (2021) redefines harem rom-coms with its absurd premise: high schooler Naoya Mukai blatantly dates two girls simultaneously, leading to chaotic, hilarious situations. Its core themes—unconventional relationships, over-the-top comedy, and subversion of romantic tropes—resonate with fans seeking fresh narratives beyond mainstream hits.
These 15 underrated gems share similar bold storytelling, character-driven humor, or innovative takes on romance, yet remain overlooked despite their quality.
1. Rent-A-Girlfriend (2020)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Plot: College student Kazuya Kinoshita hires a rental girlfriend, Chizuru Mizuhara, to cope with heartbreak, but their fake relationship spirals into genuine chaos as feelings blur.
- Similarities: Like Girlfriend, Girlfriend, it thrives on cringe humor and absurd romantic entanglements, with Kazuya’s harem-esque misadventures mirroring Naoya’s chaotic love life1.
- Details: 36 episodes (3 seasons), Studio TMS. MAL: 6.8/10. Nominated for Best Romance at Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2023.
2. Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister (2024)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Orphan Uryuu Kamihate must marry one of three shrine maidens to stay at Amagami Shrine, leading to a comedic harem as he navigates their clashing personalities.
- Similarities: Its harem structure and reluctant protagonist echo Girlfriend, Girlfriend’s polyamorous chaos, blending slapstick with heartfelt moments.
- Details: 24 episodes, Studio Drive. MAL: 7.1/10. Based on Marcey Naito’s manga.
3. The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You (2023)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Plot: After a divine error, Rentarou Aijou must date 100 soulmates simultaneously to save them from fatal misfortune, creating a ludicrously oversized harem.
- Similarities: A direct parody of harem tropes, it amplifies Girlfriend, Girlfriend’s absurdity with breakneck comedy and meta-humor about polyamory.
- Details: 24 episodes, Bibury Animation Studios. MAL: 7.7/10. Praised for subverting genre clichés.
4. Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! (2024)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Tokyo transplant Tsubasa Shiki bonds with Hokkaido gyaru Minami Fuyuki, but their budding romance complicates when other girls enter his life.
- Similarities: Shares Girlfriend, Girlfriend’s harem-lite dynamic and comedic misunderstandings, with Minami’s bold personality driving chaotic scenarios.
- Details: 12 episodes, SILVER LINK. MAL: 7.0/10. Winter 2024’s underrated rom-com.
5. My Love Story!! (2015)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HBO Max
- Plot: Gentle giant Takeo Gōda defies stereotypes by winning the heart of shy Rinko Yamato, navigating sweet, slow-burn romance amid societal doubts.
- Similarities: Its focus on unconventional relationships (like Takeo’s appearance) parallels Girlfriend, Girlfriend’s theme of non-traditional love, minus the harem chaos.
- Details: 24 episodes, Madhouse. MAL: 8.1/10. Won Best Comedy at Anime Awards 2016.
6. Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie (2022)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Plot: Clumsy Izumi Yuuki’s girlfriend, Shikimori, transforms into a protective powerhouse when he faces danger, balancing romance with action-comedy.
- Similarities: Reverses gender roles like Girlfriend, Girlfriend, using humor to explore relationship dynamics, though it replaces harem with power-couple antics.
- Details: 12 episodes, Doga Kobo. MAL: 6.9/10. Nominated for Best Romance at Crunchyroll Awards 2023.
7. Insomniacs After School (2023)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Plot: Insomniac teens Ganta Nakami and Isaki Magari bond in their school’s observatory, forming a tender romance while stargrading.
- Similarities: While quieter, its realistic, character-driven humor and focus on “imperfect” love align with Girlfriend, Girlfriend’s emphasis on genuine connection over tropes.
- Details: 13 episodes, Liden Films. MAL: 7.8/10. Rated a hidden gem for its mature storytelling.
8. Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii (2024)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Yoshino is forced to engage with yakuza heir Kirishima, sparking a darkly comedic relationship where obsession clashes with reluctance.
- Similarities: Mirrors Girlfriend, Girlfriend’s forced-relationship chaos but with a crime twist, blending danger and absurd humor.
- Details: 12 episodes, Studio Deen. MAL: 7.3/10. Noted for subverting romance expectations.
9. Bloom Into You (2018)
- Streaming: HIDIVE, Tubi
- Plot: Yuu Koito, who feels numb to love, navigates a complex relationship with student council president Touko Nanami, who can’t accept others’ feelings.
- Similarities: Its unconventional take on romance (ace-spectrum representation) parallels Girlfriend, Girlfriend’s theme of non-standard relationships, minus comedy.
- Details: 13 episodes, TROYCA. MAL: 7.9/10. Critically acclaimed for LGBTQ+ portrayal.
10. After the Rain (2018)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Plot: Teen Akira Tachibana falls for her middle-aged manager, exploring unrequited love with poetic subtlety.
- Similarities: Tackles taboo romance like Girlfriend, Girlfriend, but with dramatic depth, focusing on emotional complexity over comedy.
- Details: 12 episodes, Wit Studio. MAL: 7.5/10. Praised for mature writing.
11. My Senpai Is Annoying (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Petite Futaba Igarashi constantly clashes with her towering, loud colleague Harumi Takeda, leading to office-based romantic tension.
- Similarities: Shares Girlfriend, Girlfriend’s height-difference gags and comedic misunderstandings, with a workplace twist.
- Details: 12 episodes, Doga Kobo. MAL: 7.4/10. Beloved for wholesome humor.
12. Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It (2020)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Plot: Scientists Shinya Yukimura and Ayame Himuro use data-driven experiments to “prove” their love, resulting in nerdy romantic comedy.
- Similarities: Like Girlfriend, Girlfriend, it absurdly deconstructs romance tropes (here, with STEM humor) while embracing chaos.
- Details: 24 episodes, Zero-G. MAL: 7.0/10. Unique for blending romance with academic satire.
13. Gamers! (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: High schooler Keita Amano’s love for gaming spirals into romantic misunderstandings with four peers, fueled by comedic miscommunication.
- Similarities: Nails Girlfriend, Girlfriend’s signature “chain of chaos” humor, where small lies snowball into relationship pandemonium.
- Details: 12 episodes, Pine Jam. MAL: 6.9/10. Underrated for its meta-commentary on gaming culture.
14. Masamune-kun’s Revenge (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Plot: Once bullied Masamune Makabe schemes to make popular girl Aki Adagaki fall for him, but his revenge plan backfires hilariously.
- Similarities: Features Girlfriend, Girlfriend-style deception and over-the-top schemes, with a harem subplot adding chaos.
- Details: 12 episodes, Silver Link. MAL: 7.0/10. Ends on a cliffhanger, fueling cult demand for S2.
15. Recovery of an MMO Junkie (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: NEET Moriko Morioka finds romance in an MMORPG, blurring lines between virtual and real-life relationships.
- Similarities: Celebrates unconventional romance like Girlfriend, Girlfriend, using gaming as a vehicle for comedic, heartfelt connections.
- Details: 10 episodes, Signal.MD. MAL: 7.4/10. Won Best Slice of Life at Crunchyroll Awards 2018.
Why These Anime Work for Girlfriend, Girlfriend Fans
These series capture the essence of what makes Girlfriend, Girlfriend stand out: unapologetic absurdity, subverted tropes, and character-driven comedy. While not all replicate the harem chaos, they share a DNA of innovation—whether through genre-blending (e.g., Science Fell in Love’s STEM romance) or emotional depth (e.g., Insomniacs After School’s tender realism). Crucially, they prioritize humor and heart over clichés, making them perfect for fans craving romance that dares to be different. Despite limited acclaim, each offers a unique lens on love, proving that underrated anime often house the most creative storytelling.
