The Best Romance Anime of the 2020s so far Okay look the 2020s have been completely owned by those giant shonen/fantasy adaptations. You know the ususal suspect: JJK CSM KNY DDD every other threeletter hype machine and yeah even Frieren snuck in there and stole everyones heart. Its been nonstop action crazy fights and animation from ufotable and MAPPA that makes your eyes water from how good it looks. But something huge has been missing the whole time. And now we finally got it. A nonaction completely ORIGINAL anime story that actually hits the same level of quality as those mega manga adaptations. No source material. No manga to carry it. Love Through a Prism from Wit Studio 20 episodes of pure slowburn goodness. This thing absolutely nails the balance between really wellwritten characters actual romance that feels real and the whole art is life theme. None of those parts feel forced or shoved in they all grow together so naturally it hurts in the best way. Wit Studio went full send on the visuals. The background art is stupidly gorgeous. Were talking some of the prettiest painted cityscapes and art studios Ive seen in anime and it makes total sense because the whole story is about people obsessed with painting. 1910s London looks so dreamy so real and livedin you kinda forget its animated. Quick semispoilerish thing that pushed this show over the edge for me: they actually pulled off the villain becomes best friend trope without it feeling cheesy or fake. The way they handle that characters arc is so clean and satisfying. No sudden 180 no dumb redemption bait just gradual believable change that actually makes the friendships hit harder. Its rare to see it done this well. Anyway bottom line If you love slowburn romance that actually takes its time and doesnt rush the feelings this is your show. If you want something set in a beautiful historical period early 1900s London: gas lamps fancy coats rainy streets art academies the whole vibe bonus points like a big point since you simply can not name another anime ever that place in this period and this location prove me wrong. And if youre someone whos avoided romance anime forever because youre tired of the same loud overthetop Japanese highschool nonsense with tsunderes screaming accidental boob grabs and 50episode misunderstandings this is literally the only romance anime you need to start with. It just skips all that crap and gives you something mature quiet pretty cute and emotionally honest. Lili our Japanese exchange student who has to be top of her class or get dragged back home for an arranged marriage and Kit the classic cold talented rich boy who slowly melts simply just work dont fix something thats not broken type of dynamic. Their relationship builds through paintbrushes latenight sketching sessions awkward silences that turn into meaningful ones and tiny moments where you can literally feel the shift. No screaming confessions in the rain. Just two people slowly figuring out they cant live without each other while also chasing their art dreams. Its refreshing as hell. The side characters are surprisingly great too. Dorothy is an absolute sweetheart Catherine is straightup writing perfection and everyone feels like they belong in this world. Visually the way they use light the color shifts in some eps the little details in every classroom or foggy street man... The soundtrack is elegant without being boring. So yeah. If youre looking for the best romance anime the 2020s have dropped so far its this one. Hands down. Go watch Love Through a Prism. Give the first three episodes a real chance. This is the best Romance anime of the 2020s the best Wit Studio anime since Vinland Saga and the best anime original story since odd taxi. 9.5/10