Key conclusions
- The anime novel often follows a predictable formula with interesting twists and turns, leaving fans wanting more.
- Some iconic romance anime could benefit from remakes to update the animation or modernize the storylines.
- Rebooting classic romance anime with tweaks like age reversals or shared universes can attract new and old fans alike.
Stop me if you've heard this one before – two main characters meet-cute and unexpectedly fall in love. Their relationship has its rough spots here and there, but they push through it all and end up together in the end. This is how romantic stories usually sound in almost every medium in which they are told. The anime seems to understand this formula by using it while also including interesting wrinkles that more often than not leave viewers wanting more.

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However, the older an anime is, the more likely it is that there might be one, two, or more things that could benefit from a remake. It could be something as simple as fixing the animation, but it could also be an issue at the core of the show's premise that, if changed in a remake, could make the show perfect for viewers in the modern era.
1 His and her circumstances
Has a slightly outdated art style
Release date |
October 2, 1998 |
Seasons |
1 |
Studio |
Gainax, JCStaff |
Creator |
Masses of Miracles |
Number of series |
26 |
Steaming services |
Amazon Prime Video |
His and her circumstances is a wonderfully fresh take on the class reputation prevalent in anime. This time, however, both parties are in that position, and the show focuses on the one-sided rivalry between the two, as well as the philosophical nature of what amounts to Tsundre's denial of their love.

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This anime was directed by Hideaki Anno Neon Genesis Evangelion fame. Aside from things like the interesting images of MC Yukino's supposed grandeur, there are plenty of gorgeous shots throughout the show. Something that would benefit from a rebuildable type of face lift EVE received not so long ago.
2 My wife is in high school
Includes a troubled marriage
Release date |
July 2, 2005 |
Seasons |
1 |
Studio |
A madwoman |
Creator |
Hiyoka Kobayashi |
Number of series |
13 |
It would be a difficult remake, as the premise is problematic, with not only the age difference to contend with, but also the strange power dynamic between a teacher and his student. However, the point of the show is something that fans of romance anime can get behind as it's about love that persists no matter what.
If it were to be remade, the feel of this anime could be kept intact while pushing the ages of the main characters forward a bit. Instead of a teacher and his student, perhaps it can be a man and a woman of diametrically opposite professions. Certainly new and old fans alike wouldn't mind a little progress in their romance.
3 Boots
Would benefit from today's popularization of shared universes
Release date |
April 2, 2002 |
Studio |
A madwoman |
Seasons |
1 |
Creator |
CLAMP |
Number of series |
27 |
Streaming services |
Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video |
Romantic plots between humans and artificial intelligence are not new, but since then Bootsthere were quite a few subtle takes on the idea, as in the famous American film, her starring Joaquin Phoenix. It is clear that it is new Boots anime will benefit from years of further progress in science fiction.

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Written by the CLAMP writing team, the series has been known for having a lot of fun and sometimes quite a bit of crossover between series. For now Boots didn't get as much of this as series like this xxxHolic and Tsubsa: Plastic chronicles did, its remake, like the entire CLAMP line, would benefit from exploring shared universes like the MCU.
4 School hum
Perfect for short content
Shows with small episodes, all focusing on different themes or gags, have to find a difficult balance between the genres they aim to portray. School hum does just that, making audiences laugh out loud with its often absurdist humor while offering plenty of surprises in the romantic drama elements.
At its core, School hum is a sketch show that fits in very well with today's craze for short content. Splitting new episodes into YouTube shorts or even TikTok clips will help the show attract new fans.
5 Ai Yori Aoshi
The character designs need some tweaking
Release date |
April 10, 2002 |
Seasons |
1 |
Studio |
JCStaff |
Creator |
Kou Fumizuki |
Number of series |
24 |
Steaming services |
Apple TV |
Protagonist Kaoru has escaped the shenanigans of his traditional Japanese family, but fate seems to have other plans for him. This leads him to end up in a harem, spearheaded by Aoi, a girl who has loved him since childhood.

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5 Isekai anime set in the most traditional fantasy worlds
These isekai stories have traditional fantasy elements that are not as common in the realm of isekai.
The anime itself is really nothing special in terms of animation or style. Honestly, it feels a lot like a lot of other shows of the time, with the biggest offender being its bland character designs. But that's something that could be fixed fairly easily in a remake to accompany its truly special story.
6 Tatchi
Could use an upgrade in its animations
Release date |
March 24, 1985 |
Seasons |
1 |
Studio |
The TAC group |
Creator |
Mitsuru Adachi |
Number of series |
101 |
U Tatchiknown in English as touch love blooms on the pitcher's mound. The series focuses on the love triangle between twins Tatsuya and Kaguya Uesugi, and Minami Asakura as they enter the throes of high school and intramural baseball.
Fortunately, Mitsuru Adachi's iconic work doesn't need much fuss. In fact, that instantly recognizable '80s style would undoubtedly make a remake of this story stand out from the countless rom-coms that dominate every season today. Just a thorough refresh of the animation itself is all it would take to make this game good.
7 House of Ikoku
The number of episodes may be reduced
House of Ikoku
- Release date
- March 26, 1986
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- Dean's studio
- Creator
- Rumiko Takahashi
- Number of series
- 96
Originally a manga created by one of the masters of romantic comedy, Rumiko Takahashi, House of Ikoku tells the complicated love story of Yusaku Godai and his property manager Kyoko Otonashi. It's a fascinating story, even if many of the story's biggest moments predictably begin with misunderstandings.

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The show has seen a number of remasters, re-releases and even movies in its time. However, what could certainly benefit is a concerted effort to trim the fat from the original 90+ series. That being said, it's otherwise a timeless classic that, frankly, doesn't need anything done.
8 Peach girl
An example of 2000s anime with a lack of animation quality
Momo Adachi is, for all intents and purposes, Gyaru, even if that's not her intention. Of course, it comes with the many ups and downs of that life, which inevitably involves being involved in a classic love triangle with several handsome guys. Unfortunately, this causes a little jealousy in Momo's “friend”, Sai, who spends the streak complicating things even more.
Although not very old, a lot of anime from the early to mid 2000s often came across as heavy-handed and, as a result, a bit simple. That said, a look at the show's animation with a modern feel would be a welcome fix. There is also a sequel to the manga, Girl Peach Nextwhich has yet to be animated and could be incorporated into this new show, making a remake of the original anime a simple task.
9 Gravity
Audiences will be more receptive to this kind of show
Release date |
October 4, 2000 |
Seasons |
1 |
Studio |
Dean's studio |
Creator |
Maki Murakami |
Number of series |
13 |
Steaming services |
Crispy roll |
This classic yaoi focuses on the love story between famous writer Yuki and aspiring musician Shuichi. Throughout the series, Shuichi tries to break down Yuki's emotional walls, all the while pursuing his own goal of succeeding in the music scene.
It's a relatively short story, but it's the type of “boy love” story that American publisher Tokyo POP played a big role in popularizing in the West, meaning the anime remake will be even better these days. It would also give the creators the opportunity to animate the entire Gravity story, as the original show only covered the first half of the manga.
10 Maria is watching us
There are tons more light novels to adapt
Release date |
January 7, 2004 |
Seasons |
1 |
Studio |
Dean's studio |
Creator |
Oyuki Konna |
Number of series |
13 |
Steaming services |
Amazon Prime Video |
Although is a bit dense in its French naming rules, the core Maria is watching us is rooted in the relationship between the characters of the series, who attend a Catholic school. These relationships range from official to romantic and everything in between, but never feel taboo despite the setting of the story.
A reboot of this anime would just make sense. The series began as a light novel that ran until 2012, meaning there is a wealth of content that neither the manga nor the anime ever touched. Also, a retelling could have given the creators a chance to give the show a little more direction, since the original was more focused on the characters than anything else.

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