Kara Dennison
February 14, 2025 
There’s no shortage of sweet anime couples in the current season—whether they realize it or not. This Valentine’s Day, we’re paying tribute to some of this season’s sweetest duos. From high school crushes to married life to love across dimensions, here are some of our faves!
Maria and Kazuhiko
Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! is a genre-spanning series—equal parts isekai action and Japanese tourism. Twentysomething salaryman Kazuhiko lives a mostly normal modern life. Well, normal except for one thing: he travels to a fantasy world in his sleep! There, he’s known as Kazuhiho and is close friends with an elf named Mariabelle. But one morning, after a particularly dangerous encounter, he awakens at home with Marie next to him! It’s less Valentine’s Day romance and more awkward antics, but give them time. They’re getting there.
Just as Kazuhiko had a lot to learn about Marie’s world, Marie has a lot to learn about Japan. Now they can see each other in both worlds. At night, they go to sleep together and go on grand adventures. By day, Marie learns Japanese and takes in the culture of the modern world. And as time goes on, they start developing feelings for each other. Regardless of which world they’re in, we think they’re one of this season’s cutest couples.
Taiki and Chinatsu
Now in their second cour, Taiki and Chinatsu of Blue Box have made it all the way to Valentine’s Day 2025! The beloved sports manga turned anime is just as much about young love as it is about aiming for your high school sports dreams. For those not in the know, these two teens are living under the same roof as Chinatsu pursues the interhigh basketball championships. Taiki, who has been carrying a torch for her for some time, is doing the same, but for badminton. The two encourage each other’s dreams while figuring out what the heck they actually feel for each other.
But they’re not the only lovebirds at the school. Taiki’s high school friend Hina is not shy about making her feelings for him known, even though she’s aware of his crush on Chinatsu. And as the series progresses, more couples and crushes will continue to pop up… all while everyone strives for the nationals.
Taro and Aoi Sakamoto
This Valentine’s Day, let’s all remember the hitman who gave up his job for the woman he loves. Sakamoto Days is a fresh spin on the John Wick formula, centered on a retired hitman who now runs a convenience store. He also takes in other stray criminals, bringing them all into his family. And the first rule of the Sakamoto family? No killing.
Aoi is a force to be reckoned with herself—mainly because she helped Taro Sakamoto understand why she objects to taking lives. (If you’ve seen the scene in question, you know she doesn’t mess around.) But when his old life does end up following him back to the family’s doorstep, she wants to be in the know. These two have each other’s backs in a way few fictional couples do, and we love them for it.
Need more romance? Check out our review of the A Star Brighter Than the Sun manga!
