Romantic Killer is a refreshing anime that humorously subverts typical romance tropes by forcing its protagonist, Anzu—a girl who actively avoids love—into clichéd dating scenarios by a mischievous magical entity. The series explores themes of autonomy, friendship, and emotional growth beneath its comedic and often exaggerated surface. Its blend of strong, expressive female leads, subversion of expectations, and situational humor make it unique yet resonate with fans of underdog stories and unconventional romantic comedies.
The following 15 underrated anime series share thematic or stylistic similarities with Romantic Killer, ranging from narrative tone, character-driven comedy, to subversion of romance tropes. These shows deserve more recognition for their clever writing, distinctive animation, and unique approaches to relationships and personal growth. They offer a blend of humor, heartfelt moments, and engaging character development that fans of Romantic Killer are likely to appreciate.
1. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Plot: Katarina Claes, cursed to face doom in all romantic routes of her life, tries to avert disaster by changing her fate in a fantasy romance-filled world.
Similarities: Like Anzu, Katarina is a strong-willed female lead subverting typical romance and harem tropes through comedic resistance and self-awareness. The series balances humor with surprisingly deep character growth.
MAL Rating: 8.04 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Silver Link
Notable: Praised for its comedic timing and fresh take on the otome game trope.
2. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Plot: High school girl Chiyo Sakura confesses to her crush Nozaki, who turns out to be a shojo manga artist recruiting her as his assistant, leading to comedic misunderstandings.
Similarities: Shares Romantic Killer’s meta-humor around romance tropes and an expressive female lead. The comedy arises from character quirks and flipped expectations in romantic scenarios.
MAL Rating: 8.07 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Doga Kobo
3. Kiss Him, Not Me (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: After the death of her favorite anime character, a fujoshi high school girl suddenly attracts multiple boys’ romantic interest, despite her own disinterest in romance.
Similarities: Features a female protagonist who humorously resists romantic advances, blending exaggerated comedic expressions with romance subversion like Romantic Killer.
MAL Rating: 7.11 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Brain’s Base
4. Horimiya (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Plot: A sweet, low-key romance about two classmates with hidden sides discovering each other beyond school façades.
Similarities: While more sincere, it shares character-driven storytelling and emotional growth beneath romantic comedy elements, balancing light humor with depth.
MAL Rating: 8.43 | Episodes: 13 | Studio: CloverWorks
5. Ouran High School Host Club (2006)
Streaming: Funimation, Hulu
Plot: Tomboy Misaki Ayuzawa navigates the eccentric host club while subverting gender and romantic stereotypes in a prestigious school.
Similarities: Both series parody and subvert shoujo romance tropes with a strong female lead and comedic references breaking the fourth wall.
MAL Rating: 8.21 | Episodes: 26 | Studio: Bones
Recognition: Cult classic for its satire of romantic clichés.
6. Love Tyrant (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A supernatural cupid forces a high school boy into hilarious and chaotic romantic entanglements against his will.
Similarities: Both deal with forced romantic scenarios manipulated by a magical being, blending absurdity with romantic comedy.
MAL Rating: 6.49 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Platinum Vision
7. Tomo-chan Is a Girl! (2023)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Tomboy Tomo tries to reveal her romantic feelings to her childhood friend, clashing with her masculine appearance and misunderstandings.
Similarities: Like Anzu, Tomo is a strong female lead who struggles against romantic clichés and expectations with humor and emotional sincerity.
MAL Rating: 7.96 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Lay-duce
8. My Senpai is Annoying (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Office woman Futaba navigates growing feelings for her overbearing yet caring senpai in their everyday workplace.
Similarities: Combines comedy and romance through a reluctant female lead forced into closer relationships, balancing humor and character growth.
MAL Rating: 7.21 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Doga Kobo
9. Henneko (Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko) (2013)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Plot: A magical statue forces a boy to confess his emotions uncontrollably while another girl loses her ability to express feelings, creating awkward but comedic romantic situations.
Similarities: Like Romantic Killer, it uses fantasy elements to subvert and complicate romance with humor and distinctive character quirks.
MAL Rating: 7.14 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: J.C.Staff
10. Insomniacs After School (2023)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Two high school students bond through their struggles with insomnia, slowly developing a gentle romance against a soothing, atmospheric backdrop.
Similarities: Focuses on emotional development and friendship evolving into romance with a quiet, heartfelt tone unlike typical edgy romcoms but remains character-driven.
MAL Rating: 7.67 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: LIDENFILMS
11. Skip Beat! (2008)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Plot: Kyoko aims to become a top actress in showbiz to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend, learning self-worth and love along the way.
Similarities: Features a determined female protagonist breaking conventional romance narratives with humor, focus on personal growth, and ironic twists.
MAL Rating: 8.01 | Episodes: 25 | Studio: Studio Pierrot
12. She, The Ultimate Weapon (Saishuu Heiki Kanojo) (2002)
Streaming: Varies by region (check local)
Plot: Childhood friends face hardship when one is turned into a reluctant cyborg weapon, blending romance with sci-fi drama.
Similarities: Mixes romance with unusual premises and emotional complexity similar to Romantic Killer’s layered storytelling.
MAL Rating: 7.13 | Episodes: 13 | Studio: Gonzo
13. Nekopara (PG Version) (2020)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, FUNimation
Plot: A young chocolatier lives with catgirls while run into sweet and comedic slice-of-life scenarios.
Similarities: Shares slice-of-life and expressive comedic style focusing on eccentric characters, appealing to fans of lighthearted, quirky romances.
MAL Rating: 6.34 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Felix Film
14. Yamada Tarou Monogatari (1999)
Streaming: Limited availability
Plot: An underdog salaryman copes with absurd challenges in his office life with deadpan humor and perseverance.
Similarities: Though non-romantic, this series shares the underdog story, comedic tone, and subversive narrative style that Romantic Killer fans might appreciate for its exploration of quirky characters.
MAL Rating: 6.89 | Episodes: 13 | Studio: Group TAC
15. My Girlfriend is Shobitch (2017)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Plot: A high schooler dates a girl who is painfully frank about sexual topics, leading to comedic situations breaking usual romantic modesty.
Similarities: Both use explicit humor and a strong-willed female lead to subvert romantic comedy expectations.
MAL Rating: 6.38 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Creators in Pack
Why These Anime Work for Romantic Killer Fans
These selections resonate because they share Romantic Killer’s core ingredients: a strong, often unconventional female lead, comedic subversion of romantic clichés, and thoughtful character development that rises above typical genre formulas. Several integrate magical or fantastical elements that force romance or emotion in unexpected ways, paralleling Anzu’s forced dating scenarios. Others focus on underdog stories where protagonists resist societal or romantic pressures, prioritizing personal autonomy and humor.
Combined, these anime offer a mix of laughter, heartfelt moments, and insightful commentary on romance and relationships through fresh storytelling and unique animation styles. They highlight the overlooked gems that deserve a wider audience among fans who appreciate Romantic Killer’s blend of comedy, charm, and critique of love tropes.
