25 Anime That Gave Zero Screen Time to Straight Romance

Anime provides a wide variety of stories, moving beyond typical heterosexual romances to showcase diverse relationships. Many shows focus on strong friendships, family connections, or competitive professional journeys and personal development. LGBTQ+ themes are also common, with series exploring same-sex relationships and gender identity. If you’re looking for anime that doesn’t rely on traditional boy-meets-girl storylines, there are many excellent choices. The following shows offer captivating narratives that completely avoid straight romance as a central focus.

‘Yuri!!! on Ice’ (2016)

Yuri Katsuki, a Japanese figure skater, is devastated after a major loss and thinks about giving up the sport. Everything changes when Victor Nikiforov, a renowned Russian skater, comes to Japan to coach him. The story centers on the growing connection between Yuri and Victor – how their professional relationship blossoms into a deep love that fuels the plot. The series is celebrated worldwide for its sensitive and realistic portrayal of a gay romance.

‘Banana Fish’ (2018)

Ash Lynx, the leader of a New York City street gang, stumbles upon a dangerous conspiracy involving a strange new drug. He meets Eiji Okumura, a photographer’s assistant who has just arrived from Japan. The story is a dark and intense crime thriller, focusing on the powerful emotional connection between Ash and Eiji as they navigate violence and hardship. Their deep bond is the heart of the series, and it’s portrayed without any typical romantic subplots. The anime is based on a well-known manga celebrated for its tragic and passionate depiction of love.

‘Given’ (2019)

I stumbled upon this amazing series about a guitarist named Ritsuka who’d kind of lost his spark until he met Mafuyu, a quiet guy with a broken guitar. Mafuyu asked Ritsuka to fix it and teach him how to play, which led to them forming a band. It’s really beautiful watching them grow as musicians and, honestly, fall for each other. What I loved most is how the story deals with some heavy stuff – grief and finding a way to heal – all within this really sweet and genuine gay romance. It’s not just about the romance though; the series really focuses on the bonds between all the guys in the band, making it feel super relatable and heartfelt.

‘Bloom Into You’ (2018)

Yuu Koito enjoys romance comics but surprisingly doesn’t feel anything when someone expresses romantic feelings for her. She then meets Touko Nanami, who also turns down confessions because she doesn’t want to be loved. The two connect through this shared experience, and a complicated romantic connection begins to grow. The show playfully challenges typical romance storylines, focusing entirely on the developing relationship between the two women. It’s notable for its realistic portrayal of asexuality and a lesbian love story.

‘No. 6’ (2011)

Shion enjoys a comfortable life in a troubled city, but everything changes when he hides a runaway named Nezumi from a storm. This simple act of compassion forces Shion to abandon his old life and struggle to survive in the city’s dangerous slums. The story centers on unraveling the secrets of the city and the powerful connection that develops between Shion and Nezumi. Their relationship guides their every move as they battle a dishonest and unfair government. Their journey focuses on uncovering the truth and staying alive, and doesn’t include a traditional romantic storyline.

‘Promare’ (2019)

Galo Thymos is a firefighter who pilots a powerful mech to fight the Burnish, mutants with the ability to control fire. He clashes with Lio Fotia, the leader of a Burnish rebel group fighting for their independence. The movie is a fast-paced, visually stunning action film that shows the growing connection between Galo and Lio as they work together to save the world. It’s packed with excitement and focuses on their bond, without any distracting romantic storylines.

‘Free!’ (2013)

Haruka Nanase is passionate about swimming and works with his friends to rebuild his high school’s swim club, aiming to compete in tournaments. The show centers on the competitive spirit and strong friendships between the team members, exploring their pasts and their shared dream of competing in a relay race. It’s known for its realistic portrayal of swimming and the deep connections between the male characters, and notably doesn’t include any romantic relationships with female characters.

‘SK8 the Infinity’ (2021)

Reki Kyan, a high schooler passionate about the underground skateboarding scene called S, introduces new student Langa Hasegawa to the exciting and risky world of downhill skateboarding. The anime follows Reki and Langa’s developing friendship and the competitions they face against a cast of unique skaters. The story focuses on the adrenaline of skateboarding and the strong bond between the two main characters, offering intense moments and emotional connections without being primarily a love story.

‘Land of the Lustrous’ (2017)

In a world of ageless, genderless gems, a constant battle rages against the Lunarians, who seek to capture them for ornamental purposes. The youngest gem, Phos, struggles to find their place and meaning, ultimately discovering unsettling truths about their kind. The series delves into questions of identity and purpose, featuring a cast naturally embodying non-binary identities. Bonds between characters are built on friendship and shared responsibility, rather than romantic love, creating a setting where traditional romance doesn’t fit.

‘K-On!’ (2009–2010)

Yui Hirasawa impulsively joins her school’s Light Music Club, even though she’s never played an instrument before. The show follows Yui and her friends as they practice music, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a classic example of a ‘slice-of-life’ series, focusing on the fun and everyday adventures of female friendships. The story is light and cheerful, centering on the girls’ relationships and their shared experiences with music, all the way through their school years and graduation – without any romantic distractions.

‘Laid-Back Camp’ (2018)

Rin Shima loves solo camping trips near Mount Fuji, but her adventures change when she meets Nadeshiko Kagamihara. Together with their friends, they discover different campsites and appreciate the little things about being in nature. The anime is known for being calming and also offers helpful advice on camping equipment and cooking. The show focuses entirely on the girls’ friendship and shared love of camping – romance isn’t a part of the picture, adding to its cozy and relaxing feel.

‘Bocchi the Rock!’ (2022)

Hitori Gotoh is a shy girl who wants to overcome her social anxiety and connect with others through music. She joins a band, Kessoku Band, and learns to play live despite her intense shyness. The story centers on her personal challenges and the strong bonds she forms with her fellow band members. The humor and heartfelt moments come from dealing with her anxiety, and the series focuses on music and friendship, without any romantic relationships.

‘A Place Further Than the Universe’ (2018)

Mari Tamaki, eager to experience life to the fullest, spontaneously joins a girl on a journey to Antarctica. The story follows four very different women who team up for a civilian expedition to the icy continent. It’s a moving adventure about overcoming sadness and chasing your dreams, with the strong connection between the travelers being central to the narrative. While romance is present, the focus is on the incredible adventure and the personal journeys of these women as they brave the challenging Antarctic environment.

‘Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!’ (2020)

As a total animation fan, I’m really excited about this show! It follows Midori Asakusa, who’s determined to make anime, and she starts an animation club with a couple of other students. What’s cool is they all bring something different to the table – one’s great with the visual ideas, another keeps everything organized and running smoothly. It’s not about romance or anything like that; it’s a really pure celebration of making things, of the whole creative and technical process. You spend your time rooting for them to finish their project, dealing with all the challenges of animation, instead of getting bogged down in relationship stuff. It feels really authentic and focused on the art itself.

‘Nichijou: My Ordinary Life’ (2011)

This show follows the funny, chaotic lives of high school students and a young professor. It takes everyday situations and blows them way out of proportion, adding in strange, supernatural twists like a robot girl. The humor is based on physical comedy and bizarre scenarios, not on romance. While friendships are a big part of the show, it avoids typical love stories. It’s become a beloved cult classic thanks to its unique humor and unpredictable, non-traditional storylines.

‘Azumanga Daioh’ (2002)

Chiyo Mihama is an incredibly gifted young girl who starts high school and quickly makes friends with a group of unique and funny older students. The show follows their everyday lives over three years, highlighting their experiences with school events, tests, festivals, and summer vacations. The comedy comes from the characters’ quirky personalities and the silly things they talk about. It’s a classic example of a ‘slice-of-life’ story, focusing entirely on the power of friendship and keeping things lighthearted and wholesome – you won’t find any romance here!

‘Girls’ Last Tour’ (2017)

I’m completely captivated by Chito and Yuuri’s journey. They wander this incredible, broken world on their trusty motorcycle, always searching for the next meal or fuel. It’s fascinating to watch them piece together the story of the people who lived here before, and there’s something strangely beautiful about the sadness of it all. They have everything they need in each other, just two souls relying on one another to survive. What I love most is how deeply connected they are – it’s a story about true companionship, not romance, and it makes you think about life in a really profound way.

‘Serial Experiments Lain’ (1998)

Okay, let me tell you about Serial Experiments Lain. It’s a truly unsettling anime that really gets under your skin. It follows Lain, a painfully shy girl who spirals down the rabbit hole after getting a strange email from a friend who’s passed away. What starts as curiosity quickly becomes a terrifying descent into a world where the digital and real become indistinguishable. It’s not a typical horror, though – it’s deeply psychological, exploring big questions about who we are, what consciousness even is, and how technology impacts all of it. Forget any expectations of a cute romance; this is a complex, abstract story focused entirely on Lain’s intensely lonely and frightening journey of self-discovery. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a powerful one.

‘Kino’s Journey’ (2003)

Kino journeys across the globe on a talking motorcycle called Hermes, spending just three days in each country. Each stop introduces a different culture with its own traditions and ethical challenges, which Kino observes as an outside observer. The series is thoughtful and features self-contained episodes, focusing on what makes people tick. Kino remains impartial and doesn’t form close relationships, prioritizing observations about society over personal connections.

‘Natsume’s Book of Friends’ (2008)

Takashi Natsume can see spirits, and after inheriting a special book from his grandmother, he sets out to return the names within it to the spirits who own them. A powerful spirit in the form of a cat helps him on his journey. Each episode tells a touching story about the spirits he meets and how Natsume grows as a person. The series centers on his connections with both the supernatural world and his human family, and it’s a peaceful, atmospheric story without a romantic focus.

‘Barakamon’ (2014)

Seishuu Handa, a talented calligrapher, is exiled to a quiet island after getting into a fight with an art critic. There, he meets Naru, a cheerful young girl, and a cast of quirky locals who help him learn about life and rediscover his passion for art. The story follows Handa’s growth as a person and his connection to the island community. Naru especially becomes like a little sister to him, encouraging him to develop his unique artistic voice. It’s a feel-good comedy centered around the bonds of community, without any romantic subplots.

‘Mushi-shi’ (2005–2006)

Ginko travels from village to village, helping people troubled by mysterious, otherworldly creatures called Mushi. The stories are calm and thoughtful, focusing on the wonders and secrets of the natural world. Ginko is a lone wanderer, moving on after resolving each problem. The series emphasizes the connection between humans and nature, rather than focusing on romantic relationships.

‘Mononoke’ (2007)

Mononoke follows a Medicine Seller as he journeys through feudal Japan, tasked with defeating evil spirits. To do so, he must first understand the spirit’s true form, the events that caused its pain, and its lingering regrets. The anime has a unique look, appearing like a beautifully animated, colorful paper art painting. Each story is a heartbreaking and terrifying look into the darkness within people, and the Medicine Seller himself remains an enigmatic, detached figure.

‘Shirobako’ (2014)

Aoi Miyamori is a production assistant at an animation studio, and the show follows her efforts to get each episode finished on schedule. It offers a realistic portrayal of the anime industry, highlighting the challenges faced by the people who create it. The series centers on a big team working together to overcome work-related issues and meet tight deadlines. While characters’ personal lives are touched upon, the main focus is on their professional lives and their dedication to making animation – it’s not a romance-driven story.

‘Non Non Biyori’ (2013)

Hotaru Ichijo trades the bustling city of Tokyo for a quiet life in the countryside, where she attends a tiny school with only five other students. She quickly gets used to the slower pace and enjoys playing with her new friends amidst the beautiful natural scenery. The anime beautifully captures the changing seasons and the carefree joy of childhood, offering charming and funny moments centered around everyday life and play. It’s a heartwarming and relaxing show with absolutely no romance.

2026-01-01 00:48