Craving romance anime that simmers slowly, with each episode revealing a deeper connection? Then settle in for these 10 anime that are in many ways like Days with My Stepsister. Each of them offers a delightful mix of unexpected situations, heartwarming connections, and genuine emotions that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
10. A Galaxy Next Door
- Aired: 2023
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Romance, Sci-Fi, Comedy
- Studio: Asahi Production
It would be a sin not to include one of the most wholesome romances that exist, featuring lovable characters that share insane chemistry. A great choice for those looking for an anime that’s lighthearted and easy to watch, A Galaxy Next Door is a slow-burn romance just like Days with My Stepsister.
In this anime, a struggling manga artist’s life gets flipped upside down when his new, super-talented assistant turns out to be an alien princess! She needs to hide her true identity while learning Earth’s ways, leading to hilarious situations. As they help each other, a sweet romance blossoms between them. But can their love survive her secret?
9. Love, Chunibyou & Other Delusions!
- Aired: 2012 to 2024
- Episodes: 24 (2 Seasons)
- Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
Love, Chunibyou & Other Delusions! is a lighthearted comedy about a group of teenagers who are former or current “chunibyous,” which refers to children who have delusions of grandeur. The main character, Yuuta Satou, used to have such delusions but now wants to live a normal high school life. However, his plans are disrupted when he encounters Rikka Takanashi, a girl who still clings to her “chunibyou” persona.
In a similar vein to Days with My Stepsister, Love, Chunibyou & Other Delusions! features a slow-burn romance with a focus on the characters’ quirky personalities and their journey towards emotional maturity.
8. Tsuredure Children
- Aired: 2017
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
- Studio: Studio Gokumi
Sweet young love during middle or high school is something you might be experiencing now or fondly remembering if you’re older. Even if you haven’t experienced it, Tsuredure Children is here to make you feel it!
While not a single couple’s story, this anthology series features several couples with slow-burn romances and awkward interactions, similar to the early stages of Yuta and Saki’s relationship in Days with My Stepsister.
7. My Dress-Up Darling
- Aired: 2022
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
- Studio: CloverWorks
Wakana Gojo is a high school boy who loves to sew doll clothes. Marin Kitagawa, a popular and outgoing girl, discovers his talent and convinces him to use his skills to help her cosplay. As they work together, a cute romance blossoms.
Similar to Days with My Stepsister, My Dress-Up Darling offers an adorable and patient love story with characters who couldn’t be any different, yet they complement each other perfectly.
6. Horimiya
- Aired: 2021
- Episodes: 13
- Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
- Studio: CloverWorks
Horimiya is another romantic comedy anime with a slowly blossoming romance, similar to Days with My Stepsister. Before receiving a well-received anime adaptation in 2021, it was already a reasonably well-established slice-of-life school romance manga, avoiding the over-the-top “will they, won’t they” drama typical of the genre.
In this anime, a popular girl Hori hides her homebody side, while shy Miyamura secretly has piercings and tattoos. When they discover each other’s secrets, a sweet romance blooms as they deal with their day-to-day lives together.
5. Oregairu
- Aired: 2013 to 2020 (3 Seasons)
- Episodes: 37
- Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
- Studio: Brains Base (Season 1), feel. (Season 2, Season 3)
Those who enjoy watching a brooding protagonist change his ways and learn to build genuine relationships, finding meaning in social interaction, will love Oregairu.
The anime follows Hachiman, a cynical loner forced into a service club with two classmates. The first is Yukino Yukinoshita, a beautiful but cold girl with a perfect image. The other is Yui Yuigahama, a friendly and cheerful girl who bridges the gap between Hachiman and Yukino. Together, they tackle problems for others while dealing with their own awkward social interactions.
4. Domestic Girlfriend
- Aired: 2019
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Studio: Diomedéa
Natsuo crushes on his teacher, Hina. After a failed date, he spends the night with a strange girl, Rui. Turns out, his dad’s marrying Hina’s mom, making Rui and Hina his new stepsisters!
While some viewers enjoy the drama and slow-burn romance, Domestic Girlfriend also received criticism and low ratings due to its controversial premise. That being said, it’s similar to Days with My Stepsister as it also builds romantic tension between step-siblings who begin living together after their parents marry.
3. Citrus
- Aired: 2018
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, Yuri
- Studio: Passione
Citrus follows Yuzu, a fashionable and outgoing girl, whose life turns sour when she transfers to a strict all-girls school and ends up clashing with the stern student council president. To her shock, the president turns out to be her new stepsister, Mei!
Despite their initial friction, a slow-burn yuri romance simmers between them, similar to Days with My Stepsister, with a touch of forbidden love due to their newfound family ties.
2. My Stepmom’s Daughter Is My Ex
- Aired: 2022
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
- Studio: Project No. 9
My Stepmom’s Daughter Is My Ex is a romantic comedy that deserves a spot on this list due to its striking similarity to Days with My Stepsister in terms of living arrangements. However, the series adds an unexpected twist: the characters are not strangers but former lovers!
Similar to Days with My Stepsister, both stories feature main characters brought together by their parents’ remarriage, becoming stepbrother and stepsister. The heroine is popular in school for her beauty, and the protagonist starts as a gloomy nobody, highlighting their personal growth throughout the story.
1. The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
- Aired: 2023
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
- Studio: Project No. 9
From strangers to something more, both main characters gradually develop their own romance stories through unexpected events—call it pure luck or coincidence. Similar to Yuuta and Saki who become part of the same family when their parents marry, Amane and Mahiru are next-door neighbors and classmates.
The similarities are obvious upon first viewing. Each anime’s characters have their own terms and conditions for making their relationships work. The boys prefer not to stand out in public, while the heroines, admired for their beauty and charm, unintentionally attract attention from other boys at school.