How Competitive can one be? There might not even be a limit. But is there competition in love too? Kaguya Sama: Love is War, is an anime series that depicts the story of the top two elite students of the prestigious Shuchiin Academy. Miyuki Shirogane is the president of the Student Council and Kaguya Shinomiya is the Vice president. And without even realizing they have been labeled as the perfect couple by the whole school; and the fun fact is, they are not in any sort of relationship. There might be some anime series similar to Kaguya Sama: Love is war, but it has its unique charm with how the series portrays the ‘you-are-my-competition-that-I’m-in-love-with-but-i-can-never-lose’ theme.

It is even more interesting to watch their competitiveness because the two are not fighting to get more marks in academics or be at a higher position in the student council but to get the other person to confess first. They might be in love with each other, but neither is ready to confess before the other person. And with the pridefulness and the tactics the leaders of the student council have, it is hard to say who will win or who will lose. But is there really a loss? And who will win?

Kaguya Sama: Love is War is an anime adaptation of a manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Aka Akasaka. The anime adaptation was announced by Shueisha in 2018 and premiered in 2019. The series became so popular among the fans that the second season was broadcasted in 2020. And now, the third season titled Kaguya Sama: Love is War – Ultra Romantic has been premiered in April 2020.
Of course, with how amazing the characters have been sketched and the memorable plotline is played out with underlying comedy, anyone would be addicted. Here are some anime series similar to Kaguya Sama, to keep you entertained, if you are missing the series.

Here are the Top 20 Series Similar to Kaguya Sama: Love is War.

1. Special A

Similar to Kaguya Sama, Special A revolves around the most talented students of an elite school Hakusenkan. Kai Takishima And Hikari Hanazono, along with a few other students belong to a class specially designed for exceptionally talented students. In Special A, similar to Kaguya Sama the plot depicts the competitive relationship between the two most talented students. If you are also competitive, then you would love the competitive spirit of Hikari.

Their competitive strick starts when Hikari meets Kei at the age of 6. Him being the first person to do better than her in wrestling. And how could she, who has never been defeated in a wrestling game by anyone, tolerate that? So, it becomes her life mission to defeat Kei and get him to admit defeat; and Kei just goes along with it; it’s not like he will lose anything. Similar to Kaguya Sama’s Kaguya, Hikari is also not ready to stand second and does her best to win. Just the matter of competition is a bit different.

If you loved watching Kaguya Sama, then you sure are going to love Special A. The series is similar to Kaguya Sama, with a unique twist of its own. It’s a light-hearted easy-going romantic comedy with a lot of humor that will have you rolling on the ground.

2. Kaichou wa Maid Sama

If you are looking for a series with self-proclaimed rivals, that is similar to Kaguya Sama, then Maid Sama will interest you. It is similar to Kaguya Sama with its high school romantic comedy plotline, rich-poor social class difference, and exceptionally talented lead characters. The story revolves around the first-ever female president Misaki Ayuzawa of a predominantly male school and the heartbreaker prince of the school, Takumi Usui.

Misaki is a determined girl who excels in everything that you can probably think of and if not, then she can probably learn it, except cooking, which, she is not good at. After becoming the Student council president of Seika High, her only goal is to make life better for the girls studying there. And to do so, she is exceptionally strict with the boys, which results in her earning the title of Demon President.

One day Takumi comes to know Misaki’s secret that she has been doing her best to hide, that if revealed will ruin her reputation in school. Misaki works in a maid cafe where her image is completely opposite to that of the school. Now, She must bear Takumi’s stupidity in exchange for him keeping her secret safe. It is a series similar to Kaguya Sama in lots of aspects, which you are sure to love with all the sweet moments and hilarious shenanigans.

3. His and her circumstances

His and Her circumstances is another anime adaptation of a manga with the same name. Similar to Kaguya Sama, the plot of this anime also revolves around the love-hate relationship resulting in comically awkward situations. Protagonists in both the series share the same characteristics, they are super stubborn and prideful, admired by all the other students for their skills and appearance.

Yukino Miyazawa is like an idol for the rest of the students in her school; she is good at academics and sports, is elegant and graceful, has a friendly personality, and comes from a rich household. But she is actually a quite vain and egoistic person, who thrives on the praises of others. But it all changes, when she enters high school and her top position is taken by Soichiro Arima. Whom she declares as her now new nemesis, to be defeated at any cost.

But then Soichiro confesses his crush on her, which she obviously takes pride in rejecting. It all becomes a mess when Soichiro comes to her house one day and witnesses Yukino’s true personality. It’s an amazing anime that is similar to Kaguya Sama, to watch for a light-hearted evening. If you enjoyed watching Kaguya Sama, then you are going to love the push-and-pull relationship between Yukino and Soichiro.

4. Kaze no Stigma

Kaze no Stigma also known as Stigma of the Wind is as intense of a series as the title sounds. But it has its own heartwarming and comic moments as well. It is similar to Kaguya Sama on many points but it is a bit deeper and darker than Kaguya Sama. Similar to Kaguya Sama, the protagonists are in a sort of love-hate relationship and are always trying to prove themself better than the other. Kazuya and Ayano even though develop feelings for each other while working together but refuse to accept it.

Kazuma Yagami was exiled from the Kannagi Household because of his inability to master fire returns after 4 years as the strongest Wind power wilder. But his timing couldn’t have been more wrong. As recently many members of the Kannagi family have been murdered by a wind power wielder and not only he is criticized for his return but also, is now a suspect in the recent murders. Now he has to find the real killer and clear his name, all the while working with Ayano Kannagi, who was one of the reasons for his exile and hates him.

If you loved watching Kaguya Sama, then this one might interest you. Even though the series is more fantasy and action-based, you won’t be able to miss how similar to Kaguya Sama in a few aspects it is.

5. My Little Monster

My Little monster, you might think from the title that the story is about a monster, but it is not so. It is actually a fluffy light-hearted romantic comedy similar to Kaguya Sama in those aspects except the confession part. The plot revolves around two different types of anti-social teenagers, Shizuku and Haru, who have no idea how to interact with people. Haru’s best friend is a rooster, while Shizuku doesn’t have any; you can probably guess how their school life must be.

It all starts changing when Shizuku has to deliver some notes to Haru, who no longer attends classes after causing trouble in the first year of high school. Due to his emotionally volatile nature, his classmates refer to him as a monster. But after coming to know Haru, Shizuku realizes that is anything but true. At the very first meeting, Haru tells Shizuku he likes her and now she is his friend. And from then on he starts tailing her along.

The plot depicts the journey of the two teenagers in friendship, emotions, relationships, and self-recognition. All the while keeping it sweet and light-hearted. There are a lot of elements that you will find are similar to Kaguya Sama, especially the accepting their own feelings and comedy part; you can’t miss it.

6. Hyouka

Hyouka is another anime similar to Kaguya Sama that revolves around high schoolers who are bad at expressing their feelings. The plot revolves around a loner who is always living in an energy-saving mode and a girl who is super bubbly and curious, who can’t stay away from mysteries if her life depended on it.

Houtarou Oreki is forced by his sister to join his school’s Classic Literature Club to save it from being disbanding. He’s saved from his predicament when a fellow student Eru Chitandra applies for the membership before him. Eru is a cheerful girl who loves mysteries. And Houtarou despite his lazy demeanor is exceptionally smart. With Eru’s knack for digging up mysteries and Classic Literature Club’s schedule of doing nothing, they start solving mysteries surrounding their school and neighborhood. Obviously, dragging a reluctant Hautarou along with them everywhere.

The series is light-hearted and funny similar to Kaguya Sama. With the mix of mystery, it becomes more intriguing and engaging. Give it a try, who knows you might just come to love it, especially if like watching mystery series.

7. Oran High School Host Club

Oran High School is another anime similar to Kaguya Sama that is absolutely hilarious with the weirdest ways of characters expressing their love. And like Kaguya Sama, Oran High School also depicts the story of a couple with a rich and poor dynamic.

Haruhi Fujioka coming from a financially weak background enrolls in Oran High School, one of the most prestigious schools in Japan, solely based on scholarship. One day while searching for a quiet place, she stumbles into Oran High school and accidentally breaks a very expensive vase. Unable to pay for it, she now has to do errands for the club. But when she unexpectedly becomes popular among the girls who come to the club, The original members decide to make Haruhi a host as well.

But the twist is – they don’t know that she’s a girl; due to her tomboyish personality, they assume she is a boy. It sure results in some hilarious situations. But even after they find out, they decide to let her play as a host because of her popularity among their customers. Slowly the members of the host club become friends with her and feelings start developing. Similar to Kaguya Sama, Oran host club is a light-hearted anime that will have you rolling on the ground in each and every episode.

8. Toradora

Similar to Kaguya Sama, Toradora also explores the unique romantic relationship of two high school students. Ryuuji and Taiga, are two very different individuals in personality, but there are two things common between the two. First, their personalities are ironically opposite to what they look like, and second, they have a crush on each other’s best friend. So, they decide to help each other confess their feelings for their crush. Ryuuji Takasu is an intimidating-looking teenager who is often labeled as a delinquent. Whereas Taiga is the actual delinquent one, with her feisty personality and well-trusted weapon of wooden katana; however cute and adorable she might seem at first glance.

Ryuuji unexpectedly comes to find that Taiga has a crush on the vice-president of the student council, who also happens to be his best friend. And Ryuuji has a crush on Taiga’s best friend. They decide to form an alliance and help each other. But when are things this simple? In the middle of setting things for the other person with their best friend, the two come to develop feelings for each other. And instead of confessing to their crushes, they end up confessing to each other.

It’s a sweet and hilarious journey to watch Ryuuji and Taiga fall in love with each other, all the while trying to set the other with their best friend. Similar to Kaguya Sama, the rom-com plot is absolutely hilarious with a ton of sweet heart-melting moments.

9. Lovely Complex

Lovely Complex is another anime similar to Kaguya Sama, that will keep you rolling on the floor with the theater antics between Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Ootani. The anime series is one of the best romcoms that is not only hilarious and light-hearted but also carries a depth to the story and characters.

Risa and Atsushi have been labeled as the comedy duo by their classmates, not only because of their height difference but also their personalities. Risa like most girls has an ideal type who is taller than her, but it is when she is 172 cm in height. Atushi, on the other hand, is shorter than the average guy with 156cm. They form an unexpected friendship when they find each other heartbroken after their crushes fall in love with each other. They encourage each other to find love with someone else, all the while bickering like the sun is to never rise again.

It’s an interesting series, to say the least, with not your typical rom-com couple. The bickering and antics between the two are so similar to Kaguya Sama, that it will leave you reminiscing about Kaguya and Miyuki’s tactics.

10. Ghost Hunt

The ghost hunt is an amazing series, not only for the ones who love the horror mystery genre but also for the ones who enjoy hidden romance. Similar to Kaguya Sama, Mai and Shibuya are in love with each other but can’t seem to express it in words, but you can see it in their actions very well. Their bickering can be hilarious and endearing at the same time, which is also quite similar to Kaguya Sama’s Miyuki and Kaguya. The story has a paranormal baseline, mixed with friendship, romance, mystery, and comedy.

Mai Taniyama is a high schooler who accidentally destroys an expensive piece of equipment in her empty old school building. The owner of the equipment is the head of a paranormal investigation agency Kazuya Shibuya, which is employed to investigate the unusual events happening in the building. And now she has to act as his part-time assistant to make you for injuring Kazuya’s assistant and for the cost of the equipment.

It sure is not easy working with a narcissistic know-it-all, but she still ends up falling for him. Kazuya and the other members of his team will remind you how similar to Kaguya Sama, the series is. Although it might share the romcom element with Kaguya Sama, it still is a classic in its own right. So do give it a try, you might just come to love it.

11. Chihayafuru

Do you play any sports? Do you know about a Japanese sport named Karuta? Chihayafuru is a sported based romcom on Karuta. The anime depicts the story of Chihaya Ayasa, who comes to know about a card game called Karuta and is enamored with the title of the top female karuta player – Queen of Karuta. And thus her journey to become the queen starts.

Ayase and her best friend Taichi meet Arata in elementary school and become friends while playing Karuta, a Japanese card game based on Ogura Hundred Poets. In middle school, they have to part ways due to different reasons. But Ayase never gives up her dream. Even started a Karuta club and starts participating in competitions as well. Unbeackoned to any of them, the three of them cross paths again in high school. But will they play together again?

Although the anime is sports-based but similar to Kaguya Sama, it has the high school love theme as well. The slice-of-life theme is also similar to Kaguya Sama. All in all, it’s an amazing series to watch. If you love sports, it’s just for you; if you like high school slice-of-life, then this is for you too. But if you like both, then, this is gold.

12. Horimiya

Horimiya is a story about two teens who are quite opposite to what they seem. But most people are like that, aren’t they? Similar to Kaguya Sama, Horimiya is an easy-going light-hearted anime. It is one of the most realistic and down-to-heart romance comedies.

Kyoko Hori is the perfect combination of beauty and brain, making her popular in her high school. And just opposite her is Izumi Miyamura, a needy and supposedly gloomy boy, who is usually left alone due to his gloomy preposition. But who knew, outside the school, he’s the cool guy they all wanted to be friends with. At home, Hori is also a much simpler person, she likes taking care of her younger brother and doing housework. She comes to know about Izumi’s real personality when he helps her brother home one day.

The two come to know about each other’s true personalities but decide to keep it a secret from their classmates. And so, they become friends and starts sharting their true self with each other. Similar to Kaguya Sama, the two are more similar than they realize. If you are looking for a light-hearted series similar to Kaguya Sama, then go for it.

13. Ao Haru Ride

Ao Haru Ride is another anime similar to Kaguya Sama. The anime is about Futaba Yoshioka, a 16-year-old high school student who reunites with her first love Kou after he had to move with his mom in middle school. But after so many years, there are a lot of mysteries surrounding him. So, similar to Kaguya Sama, Ao Haru Ride is also a high school rom-com with slice-of-life.

Futaba, due to her classmates’ jealousy and misconception has to restrain herself to fit in. With the start of the new semester, she decides to change that, she opts to become the class representative and make new friends. Much to her surprise, she meets her first love in her new class. But he has changed a lot. Not only his surname but his personality has also changed. Somehow Fou ends you helping Futaba, and the two end up getting involved in each other’s lives, more than they wished for.

This is not a light-hearted series, but it sure does give you similar Kaguya Sama vibes. If you are looking for a high school romantic comedy similar to Kaguya Sama, then you can give it a try.

14. The Wallflower

The Wallflower is a classic in both the romance and comedy genres. It is a humorous tale of a girl named Sunako, and four boys living rent-free in her aunt’s mansion, and all the unconventionally ridiculous scenarios they go through to make her into a perfect lady.

Sunako is a girl, who after being disappointed by her first love, loses interest in anything beautiful and hides from it. Her concerned aunt assigns the four handsome boys living in her mansion to transform her into a perfect lady and somehow stop her from hiding from beautiful things. Either they complete the assignment or pay the actual rent for living in a literal mansion. So, the four high school boys get on their mission and leave no stone to unturn to save their free residence. But can they really change Sunako’s habit?

So, if you enjoyed watching Kaguya Sama, and are now looking for an anime similar to Kaguya Sama, then you can’t miss it. It has the perfect mix of sweet moments and comedy. A must-watch in any rom-com list but especially for an anime similar to Kaguya Sama.

15. Kimi ni Todoke

Kimi ni Todoke is another high school slice of life similar to Kaguya Sama. Some people do change your life, don’t they? The people who bring light to your life are always so memorable. This is the story of Sawako Kuronuma, who is misunderstood for her semblance to the fictional character Sadako from the ring. Her classmates think her personality is also mean and frightening like Sadako, but in reality, Sawako is a sweet and timid girl, who also wants to make friends.

But her school life starts changing, when the nicest person in her class, Shouta Kazehaya befriends her. Her other classmates slowly start talking to her. She makes friends with Ayane and Chizuru, who starts including her in their lunch talks and fashion quizzes. She admires Shota for his ability to be the center of attention and change her life for the better. But is it just admiration? or is it Love?

It is a simple high school rom-com similar to Kaguya Sama, that has so many moments that just warm your heart. If you are looking for a sweet series with some emotional depth to enjoy your evening, this one is just for you.

16. Kyoukai no Kanata

Kyokai no Kanata also known as Beyond the Boundary is a unique mix of series. It has action, supernatural, gore, romance, and comedy, all along with high school shenanigans. There are a lot of high school slice-of-life and rom-com moments similar to Kaguya Sama in it. The anime revolves around two individuals, one hunter and the other, hunted. But both rejected by their own kind somehow ends up finding each other.

Mirai Kuriyama is the last member of her spirit hunting clan. She is a spirit world warrior who has the ability to control blood. One day, Akihito Kanbara saves her from the edge of the roof, thinking she’s trying to commit suicide and gets stabbed with her blood sword. Coming to the discovery that he is an immortal half-youmu. And from here on, their lives become intertwined. Akihito starts helping Mirai gain confidence to kill youmu and develop an unconventional type of friendship.

The series is more comedy and sweet-hearted than it sounds. If you are ok with weird looking at monsters and blood swords, then you will surely enjoy it. You might also find how similar it is to Kaguya Sama, in the high school life and couple bickering tags. It is one of that unique rom-com that is hard to find; in that sense, you may say similar to Kaguya Sama.

17. Nodame Cantabile

Nodame Cantabile may not be a high school anime but Noda sure sometimes makes you feel as if she could be in an elementary school and not in Japan’s Top Music University. With her childish personality, unkept behavior, and tendency to speak without any filter, Chiaki Shinichi feels the same way. His other option is a mental asylum. So, this is the dynamic between Chiaki and Noda. Their love-hate relationship and confession game remind of its similarity to Kaguya Sama.

Chiaki is a top-notch musician in his fourth year at japan’s top music university, who only dreams of conducting an orchestra in Europe among the elites. Due to his arrogant personality, he is demoted to teach a reject class. Where he meets Noda Megumi, a very annoying girl who has proclaimed herself his girlfriend, the new nemesis of his life after airplanes. Even despite her unruly personality, Chiaki can’t ignore the awe- aspiring music that she creates.

If you enjoy music animes, then this is a gem. An anime that is similar to Kaguya Sama and has its own musical notes collection. Who knows, you just might get inspired to learn a new instrument after watching it.

18. Monthly Girl’s Nozaki Kun

This is another anime series similar to Kaguya Sama. A throughout comedy, that will keep you going for more. Similar to Kaguya Sama, this is also a light-watch high school romance. The story revolves around Chiyo Sakura and his crush Umetaro Nozaki.

Similar to Kaguya Sama, the series also revolves around confession, just this one’s basis is the confession gone wrong. It is pretty hilarious to watch how much Nozaki can misunderstand. Sakura confesses her love to Nozaki but he thinks, she is a fan and gives her an autograph. (Tramadol) And when she tells him that she wants to be with him, he decides to make her his assistant and bring her home to help him with his work. In all this, Sakura discovers that he is a manga artist known by the pen name Sakiko Yumeno. She decides to stay and help with his work while trying to make him realize her love.

It is a fabulous anime that you are not going to forget once you have watched it. If you enjoyed Kaguya Sama, then this is quite similar to Kaguya Sama in a lot of ways. Do give it a try you might come to love this one too.

19. Ore Monogatari

Ore Monogatari is a unique love story with a comedic undertone. The story revolves around a plain-looking high schooler and his luck with girls. The story is sweet and mellow, a bit similar to Kaguya Sama in that sense, with its own brand of comedy.

Takeo Goda, like any other high schooler, wants to enjoy his school life, make friends, and fall in love. But due to his plain and muscular look, he does not have much luck with girls. But it changes when one day he helps his petite classmate Rinko Yamato. Rinko is a beautiful but shy girl who everyone is friends with. Rinko falls in love with Takeo’s kind nature and they become an unexpected couple according to their schoolmates.

So, this is the journey of Rinko and Takeo’s love story. A soft and sweet rom-com similar to Kaguya Sama except for the competition, which you can enjoy after a busy day. It is a nice watch if you like soft and heartwarming stories.

20. Wolf Girl and Black Prince

It is another easy-going high school rom-com similar to Kaguya Sama. The story revolves around Erica Shinohara who just wants to fit in with her new classmates, even if she has to lie for that. But most of us know lying rarely leads us anywhere good. Like any other teenager, her concept of fitting in also includes a boyfriend, but she has none, so, she lies.

When her friends ask her to show them her boyfriend’s photo, she just takes one of a random good-looking guy on the road. And well, this is where the trouble starts. That random guy is not actually so random but rather the most popular guy in her school, Kyoya Sata. Kyoya is known as the White prince for his kind-hearted, easy-going, and friendly nature. To save herself from humiliation, Erica decides to explain her situation to Kyoya and requests him to act as her boyfriend. Much to her surprise, he agrees, on the condition that she acts as her pet wolf girl.

If you are looking for a light-hearted comedy similar to Kaguya Sama, then this is just for you. Every episode is so hilarious you would be rolling on the floor by the end. So, do give it a try.

So, this is the list of top 20 rom-com similar to Kaguya Sama; Love Is War?. All these anime series revolve around the same genre as Kaguya Sama: Love is War? Some are pretty classic anime, have you watched any of these animes before? Is any of your favorite rom-com in this list of series similar to Kaguya Sama? Please do comment and share with us.