Top 10 Teen Couples in Anime Movies

By seemingly combining elements of a family drama with the "Digimon" movie, "Summer Wars" somehow creates an effective adventure in the process. Kenji is invited by his crush, Natsuki, to a family event, and winds up pretending to be the girl's fiance before being framed for essentially hacking the internet. "Summer Wars" dedicates a great deal of time to the OZ debacle, but Kenji and Natsuki's adorable budding friendship adds a beating heart to what is quite an action-heavy film. The earnest and soft interactions between Kenji and Natsuki help ground the story's more outlandish moments.

While not usually a significant part of Studio Ghibli's movies, romance or a budding relationship is occasionally used to spur character growth. In "Whisper of the Heart," Shizuku is a teenager lacking direction and confidence, especially when it comes to writing; on the other hand, Seiji is driven to become a violin-maker, even going as far as to travel to Italy. After some initial hesitation, Shizuku develops something of a friendship with Seiji, who was already in love with her, and the aspiring master luthier ends up inspiring the writer to commit to her dreams.

Teen romance tends to be fueled by the fiery intensity of a thousand suns, but love takes many forms. Studio Ghibli's "From Up on Poppy Hill" tells a quaint tale about two teenagers who came together through their shared respect for the past. While some complications threaten to turn this awkward but cute romance into something far more forbidden, Umi and Shun go through a pleasant journey that involves both characters learning more about their histories. If these two had never met, Umi and Shun would not have been able to truly move forward as people.

While "Tamako Market" is a slice of life series about embracing the everyday joys of youth and the endless potential of mochi, the sequel film "Tamako Love Story" is all about growth and change. With high school coming to an end, Mochizō decides to finally confess to the blissfully oblivious Tamako, who initially reacts by running away. "Tamako Love Story" manages to convey the struggles that came with crossing from adolescence to the cusp of adulthood while still maintaining an air of innocence and purity. Mochizō and Tamako are both incredibly awkward together, but they make for a cute couple as they decide to live in the moment despite planning very different futures.

A coming of age story with a hint of romance, “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” flip-flops from a charming comedy to an impactful drama in the blink of an eye. Makoto picks up the ability to leap back in time, which the teenager uses thoughtlessly and to avoid awkward declarations of love from Chiaki, a close friend. Chiaki is side-lined for the majority of the film's opening half but eventually becomes a crucial part of Makoto's burgeoning maturity. Makoto's unwillingness to face uncomfortable situations causes the character to almost miss out on love while also hurting those dearest to her, including Chiaki - but fortunately, she wises up.

A tearjerker that does not hide the tragic direction it is heading, "I Want to Eat Your Pancreas" tells a heartbreaking but also inspirational tale about making the most out of life. A loner - known as Haruki Shiga in the novel - learns that the bubbly Sakura has only a few months to live, and the unlikely pair end up spending a lot of time together. Although coming across as cliched initially, "I Want to Eat Your Pancreas" breaks down Me’s and Sakura's walls as the two begin to reveal more about themselves, becoming more real in the process.

Love is difficult enough without throwing the fate of a city into the mix. After running away to Tokyo, Hodaka meets Hina, a kind orphan who literally brings sunshine into the protagonist's life. Through a blend of the normal and the mundane, "Weathering with You" challenges Hina and Hodaka's connection in both extraordinary and relatable ways. Even as the stakes are raised in the second half of the story, Hina and Hodaka's romance remains defined by warmth and earnestness, leading to an ending that is simultaneously really selfish and kind of sweet.

Based on the visual novel's final route, "Heaven's Feel" is a stunning trilogy that revolves around the relationship between Shirou and Sakura, with the Holy Grail War serving as the backdrop. Sakura's life has been torturous, but the teenager gains strength through her feelings for Shirou, who reciprocates them in this route of the story. Sakura and Shirou's journey is one filled with pain, seemingly insurmountable odds, and the ever-present risk of death; however, it is also defined by personal growth and self-sacrifice. Both characters are significantly changed through their relationship, and definitely for the better.

Technically, "Your Name's" central characters barely ever get to meet face to face, but Taki and Mitsuha know each other inside out. Thanks to magic, Taki and Mitsuha repeatedly switch bodies, as the universe forces the teenagers to get to know each other intimately while simultaneously also keeping them apart. Due to their unique situation, Taki and Mitsuha's bond is built over time and is based on a level of honesty and familiarity that is rarely seen. Fate might have handled the introductions, but Taki and Mitsuha have to fight to be together.

High school love stories are a dime a dozen, but "Doukyusei" is a singular entity despite not being especially unique. This 2016 movie details the blossoming relationship between Hikaru, a popular guitar player, and Rihito, an honor student, as the two teens come to realize and decide to explore their interest in one another. Rihito and Hikaru are three-dimensional characters who are not defined solely by their romance, and the film avoids many of the more polarizing tropes associated with yaoi stories. "Doukyusei" also stretches beyond the pair's confessions, as the characters face realistic trials that stem from their wider lives.