My Tiny Senpai (2023) charms viewers with its blend of workplace romance, gentle humor, and endearing character dynamics as Shinozaki navigates his crush on his petite, supportive senpai, Shiori.
These underrated series mirror its themes of slow-burn relationships, quirky office or school settings, and heartfelt connections, offering wholesome storytelling for fans of lighthearted romance.
1. Servant x Service (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Civil servants tackle bureaucratic chaos and budding romances in a humorous office environment, led by Lucy’s quest to confront the bureaucrat who named her.
- Similarities: Workplace humor, quirky coworkers, and low-stakes romantic tension.
- Rating: MAL 7.3 | 13 episodes
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
2. Recovery of an MMO Junkie (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: NEET Moriko reinvents herself in an MMORPG, forming bonds that blur virtual and real-life identities.
- Similarities: Adult romance, themes of self-reinvention, and cozy character growth.
- Rating: MAL 7.5 | 10 episodes
- Studio: Signal.MD
3. Working!! (2010)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Part-timers at family restaurant Wagnaria juggle eccentric coworkers, absurd customer requests, and simmering crushes.
- Similarities: Ensemble cast, workplace comedy, and episodic bonding.
- Rating: MAL 7.8 | 39 episodes
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
4. The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague (2023)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Himuro, a descendant of a snow spirit, navigates office life and a growing crush on pragmatic coworker Fuyutsuki.
- Similarities: Supernatural charm, gentle romance, and cosy workplace vibes.
- Rating: MAL 7.4 | 12 episodes
- Studio: Zero-G
5. Ojisan and Marshmallow (2016)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: Office worker Iori teases marshmallow-obsessed Habahiro, sparking a playful yet sincere bond.
- Similarities: Short, sweet episodes; humour-driven affection.
- Rating: MAL 6.6 | 12 episodes (3-min shorts)
- Studio: Creators in Pack
6. Senryu Girl (2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Mute Nanako communicates through senryu poems, bonding with ex-delinquent Eiji, who deciphers her verses.
- Similarities: Unique communication style; school-based, low-stakes romance.
- Rating: MAL 7.0 | 12 episodes
- Studio: Connect
7. Tsurezure Children (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Anthology of high school couples navigating awkward crushes, from failed confessions to comedic misunderstandings.
- Similarities: Lighthearted vignettes; a blend of humour and sincerity.
- Rating: MAL 7.4 | 12 episodes
- Studio: Studio Gokumi
8. My Senpai Is Annoying (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Petite Igarashi butts heads with her boisterous senpai Takeda, whose loud personality masks genuine care.
- Similarities: Workplace odd-couple dynamic; slow-burn chemistry.
- Rating: MAL 7.3 | 12 episodes
- Studio: Doga Kobo
9. Aharen-san wa Hakarenai (2022)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Quiet Aharen and overthinker Raidou bond through absurdly wholesome school antics, defying personal space norms.
- Similarities: Quirky character duo; humour rooted in mutual support.
- Rating: MAL 7.5 | 12 episodes
- Studio: Felix Film
10. Hitorijime My Hero (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Teacher Kousuke mentors former delinquent Masahiro, blending protective instincts with slow-building romance.
- Similarities: Mentorship dynamics; gentle BL storytelling.
- Rating: MAL 6.9 | 12 episodes
- Studio: Encourage Films
11. Love is Like a Cocktail (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A stoic salarywoman discovers her softer side through her husband’s inventive cocktails in bite-sized episodes.
- Similarities: Adult romance; cozy, episodic bonding.
- Rating: MAL 6.8 | 13 episodes (8-min shorts)
- Studio: Creators in Pack
12. After the Rain (2018)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime
- Plot: High schooler Akira grapples with unrequited feelings for her middle-aged manager, exploring maturity and emotional boundaries.
- Similarities: Age-gap tension; focus on introspection over drama.
- Rating: MAL 7.5 | 12 episodes
- Studio: Wit Studio
13. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (2018)
- Streaming: Prime Video
- Plot: Otaku coworkers Narumi and Hirotaka bond over gaming and manga, balancing geeky passions with workplace norms.
- Similarities: Adult romance; humor without clichés.
- Rating: MAL 7.9 | 11 episodes
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
14. Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! (2020)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Adachi gains mind-reading powers at 30, discovering coworker Kurosawa’s secret crush in this BL office rom-com.
- Similarities: Workplace fantasy; heartfelt communication hurdles.
- Rating: MAL 8.0 | 12 episodes
- Studio: Satelight
15. Hidamari ga Kikoeru (2017)
- Streaming: Limited (DVD/rental)
- Plot: College student Kōhei, losing his hearing, bonds with Taichi, who helps him navigate campus life through shared lunches and mutual respect.
- Similarities: Disability representation; tender, realistic romance.
- Rating: MAL 7.2 | Film (130 mins)
- Studio: Toho
Why These Anime Work for My Tiny Senpai Fans
- Workplace Wholesomeness: Series like Servant x Service and The Ice Guy capture the charm of office camaraderie and subtle crushes.
- Quirky Character Dynamics: Aharen-san and Ojisan, and Marshmallow thrive on eccentric yet heartfelt interactions.
- Slow-Burn Romance: Recovery of an MMO Junkie and Wotakoi emphasize gradual emotional growth over rushed plots.
- Humor & Heart Balance: Tsurezure Children and Working!! blend laughs with genuine warmth.
These underrated gems mirror My Tiny Senpai’s ability to find beauty in everyday connections, proving that love often blooms in life’s quietest moments.
