Top 10 Times Anime Nerds Got the Girl

“High Score Girl” (2018-19)

It’s a problem facing every gamer out there; what is the cheat code to unlock that perfect player two? In Yaguchi’s case, it just so happened to be with the one person who could outperform him when it came to fighting games. Starting off as bitter rivals, it’s not until they put down their controllers that he starts to see how important Oono is to him. Sure, he’s not exactly Guile when it comes to looks, but we challenge any gamer girl out there to not fall in love with someone who uses a sonic boom on a scooter in order to reach them in time before they’re parted forever.

“Summer Wars” (2009)

Our boy is such a mathematical god that he cracked a merciless A.I and prevented a nuclear apocalypse, of course he’s a catch! After being wrangled into being a fake boyfriend just to impress a popular girl’s family during their annual get-together, Kenji’s morality and math skills are put to the test when an A.I plunges the online and real world into chaos. Glad to see that after going through so much, Natsuki recognised that Kenji was the ideal hubby in the making…and at least was a better than her uncle, geez girl!

“Horimiya” (2021)

You never know what’s beneath the surface, and in the case of Miyamura, as opposed to being your typical, glasses-wearing, otaku in waiting, turns out to be a tattooed and pierced pretty boy whose all about that punk lifestyle. Something that apparently causes the most sought-after girl in school to fall for him hard. Of course, even under all that, he’s a swell guy, though far from a timid soul when it comes to letting his feelings be known. Hori likes it rough, and her meek-looking bad boy knows how to provide.

“Tonikawa: Over the Moon for You” (2020)

Full props to Nasa, because he’s the kind of nerd that everyone can aspire to be – the kind that’s a whiz with tech, calculations, and knows how to save money. Impossibly innocent, Nasa’s brand of sweetness nonetheless earns him a literal waifu. After falling in love with the mysterious Tsukasa, he puts his life on hold for her in the event she returns. This single-minded dedication pays off, since she becomes his beloved bride on the day of their reunion! Let this be a lesson rom-com protagonists; put in the effort!

“Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai” (2018)

Granted, Sakuta isn’t your conventional nerd. It’s more-so the way that circumstance and adolescence syndrome caused him to become a pariah among the rest of the student body. He’s certainly looked down upon by the upper echelons, but defies convention by how much spine he tends to show. The man is unflappable, which is probably why he ended up earning the affection of so many ladies in his life, though at the end of the day he’s only ever going to have eyes for Mai and her bunny suit.

“Tokyo Ghoul” (2014-18)

Back when he was kicking it as a human, this literature-loving cinnamon roll was more than content to spend his days buried in a book, unlikely to find himself a lover despite being in the throngs of his college years. Well, there was Rize, but she doesn’t count. It’s after his transformation and acceptance of becoming a One-Eyed Ghoul that Kaneki finds a kindred spirit in the equally traumatised Touka. Despite what the rabid fangirls would have you believe; we’re glad he got the chance to sink his teeth into the ghoul of his dreams.

“Accel World” (2012)

Given his size and social status, this loner preferred spending his days inside of a virtual space where he could game to his heart’s content without having to worry about being ridiculed or picked on. At least until a certain Black Snow Princess entered his life. Intrigued by his capacity in the online battles of Brain Burst along with his earnest nature, Kuroyukihime not only allowed Haruyuki to find his courage and become a stronger person, but fell for his awkward charms along the way. Now that’s a pro-gamer move.

“My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU” (2013-20)

Walking the line between pragmatic and clinically depressed, Hachiman certainly has a disillusioned view of the world, which doesn’t really help when it comes to catching the eye of the opposite sex. Unless you’re Yukino and Yui of course, who, despite being on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to a smiley disposition, still fall hard for Hachiman and endeavour in their own way to come to grips with their flourishing feelings. Of course, there was only ever going to be one winner!

“Steins;Gate” (2011)

Self-proclaimed mad scientists aren’t exactly known to light up the dating scene, especially if they have Okabe’s talent for getting himself into trouble and breaking the laws of time with a microwave. Wholly devoted to the pursuit of understanding the timeline jumps after their invention cracks it, it’s not until all his reality-breaking leaping leads to the deaths of his closest friends that Okabe starts to cherish what he has – and that includes his genius colleague Kurisu. Fair play to him, she’s well worth destroying spacetime for!

“Re;Zero – Starting Life in Another World” (2016-)

He fell into the deepest depths of suffering and despair that would have broken any other character, and yet this NEET waded through his endless cycles of death and came out the other side with the biggest win of them all. Humbled and strengthened by his experiences, Subaru’s newfound lease on life didn’t only allow him to overcome the gauntlet set out for him in his attempt to achieve the best loop for everyone, but also became a boanfied chad. Just ask Emelia, that boy is smooth.