Golden Time (2013) is a rare blend of romantic drama, coming-of-age storytelling, and emotional depth. With mature characters navigating complex relationships, memory loss, and identity, the anime dives into personal growth and love in a grounded, relatable way. It subverts the typical school romance genre by focusing on university life, introspective character arcs, and the emotional weight of past traumas.
If you’re craving similar themes—emotional realism, deeply flawed characters, and mature romantic plots—these 15 underrated anime deserve your attention.
1. Nodame Cantabile (2007)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
MAL Rating: 8.27
Episodes: 23
Studio: J.C. Staff
Notable Staff: Kenichi Kasai (Director), Tomoko Ninomiya (Original Creator)
A gifted but eccentric pianist and an ambitious conductor develop an unexpected bond through their shared passion for classical music. Their emotional journey is set against the high-pressure world of music conservatories.
Why it’s similar: Like Golden Time, this series features university students with messy personal lives and a slow-burning romance with equal parts comedy and angst.
2. White Album 2 (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.93
Episodes: 13
Studio: Satelight
Notable Staff: Masaomi Andō (Director)
A quiet student forms a band with two talented classmates for the school festival, only to find himself entangled in a painful emotional triangle.
Why it’s similar: Both anime delve into mature romantic dynamics and emotional consequences, with characters haunted by choices they can’t undo.
3. ReLIFE (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.01
Episodes: 13 + 4 OVAs
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Notable Staff: Kazuaki Morita (Director)
A 27-year-old man is offered a second chance at youth by participating in a social experiment that lets him relive a year of high school in his original body.
Why it’s similar: Explores identity, regret, and emotional reinvention—core aspects also present in Golden Time’s character arcs.
4. Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
MAL Rating: 8.14
Episodes: 24
Studio: J.C. Staff
Notable Staff: Atsuko Ishizuka (Director)
A high school boy is forced to live in a dorm full of eccentric geniuses, including a world-renowned artist with little grasp of social norms.
Why it’s similar: Emotional drama meets quirky characters, with personal growth and interpersonal struggles central to the narrative.
5. Just Because! (2017)
Streaming: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.35
Episodes: 12
Studio: Pine Jam
Notable Staff: Atsushi Kobayashi (Director)
As high school seniors prepare for graduation, a returning transfer student reawakens old feelings and unresolved tensions among classmates.
Why it’s similar: A quiet, melancholic tone and realistic portrayals of unspoken love and youth’s fleeting nature echo Golden Time’s mood.
6. KimiKiss Pure Rouge (2007)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.23
Episodes: 24
Studio: J.C. Staff
Notable Staff: Kenichi Kasai (Director)
Three childhood friends reconnect in high school, leading to romantic complications and bittersweet outcomes.
Why it’s similar: Multiple perspectives on love, awkward transitions into adulthood, and grounded emotional storytelling.
7. Tsuki ga Kirei (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.20
Episodes: 12
Studio: feel.
Notable Staff: Seiji Kishi (Director)
A shy literature-loving boy and a diligent track team girl fall in love during their final year of middle school.
Why it’s similar: Captures the emotional intensity and awkwardness of early romance with sincerity and subtle storytelling.
8. Honey and Clover (2005)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.00
Episodes: 24
Studio: J.C. Staff
Notable Staff: Kenichi Kasai (Director)
Art school students wrestle with love, friendship, and finding meaning in their work and lives.
Why it’s similar: A powerful blend of heartache, growth, and the confusion of early adulthood—with a touch of artistic melancholy.
9. True Tears (2008)
Streaming: HIDIVE
MAL Rating: 7.25
Episodes: 13
Studio: P.A. Works
Notable Staff: Junji Nishimura (Director)
A high school boy’s mundane life changes when he becomes entangled with three very different girls, each carrying emotional baggage.
Why it’s similar: Beautifully animated and emotionally charged, this series emphasizes subtle storytelling and real consequences in relationships.
10. Scum’s Wish (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
MAL Rating: 7.18
Episodes: 12
Studio: Lerche
Notable Staff: Masaomi Andō (Director)
Two seemingly perfect high school students engage in a fake relationship to cope with unrequited love, leading to emotional turmoil and self-destruction.
Why it’s similar: Both anime explore darker aspects of love and vulnerability without romanticizing the pain.
11. Tada Never Falls in Love (2018)
Streaming: HIDIVE, Amazon Prime
MAL Rating: 7.51
Episodes: 13
Studio: Doga Kobo
Notable Staff: Mitsue Yamazaki (Director)
A photography-loving student meets a foreign exchange student and gradually develops a heartfelt connection.
Why it’s similar: Understated romance with charming characters and emotional sincerity at its core.
12. Ef: A Tale of Memories (2007)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.87
Episodes: 12
Studio: Shaft
Notable Staff: Akiyuki Shinbo (Director)
Two interwoven love stories explore memory, loss, and emotional trauma, layered with abstract visuals and poignant symbolism.
Why it’s similar: Psychological depth, haunting memory themes, and emotional storytelling akin to Golden Time’s core narrative.
13. Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.69
Episodes: 12
Studio: Brain’s Base
Notable Staff: Shigeyuki Miya (Director)
A high school boy moves into a boarding house full of oddballs and falls for a quiet, book-loving girl.
Why it’s similar: Slice-of-life pacing with romantic awkwardness and introspective character arcs.
14. Kokoro Connect (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.79
Episodes: 13 + 4 OVAs
Studio: Silver Link
Notable Staff: Shin’ya Kawatsura (Director)
Five students experience supernatural phenomena that force them to confront each other’s inner selves and secrets.
Why it’s similar: Emotional vulnerability, identity crises, and the tension of hidden feelings—especially in a group dynamic.
15. Myself; Yourself (2007)
Streaming: HIDIVE
MAL Rating: 6.86
Episodes: 13
Studio: Doga Kobo
Notable Staff: Tetsuaki Matsuda (Director)
A boy returns to his hometown after several years, rekindling old relationships and uncovering dark truths beneath the surface.
Why it’s similar: Focuses on memory, change over time, and the complexity of rekindled love and friendship.
Why These Anime Work for Golden Time Fans
What made Golden Time stand out was its unflinching look at young adult life—filled with emotional uncertainty, fragile identities, and the highs and lows of love. Each of the anime listed here taps into similar veins: grounded romances, mature character arcs, and explorations of memory, identity, or growing pains. Whether you’re drawn to bittersweet romance, complex emotional conflicts, or just love characters who feel human, these hidden gems offer rewarding experiences that echo Golden Time’s spirit.
