Coming of age, inspirational romances like Beck/Bakuman

Just finished Beck and really loved it. Two of my all time favorite animes are Bakuman and Beck. I love the entire coming of age theme that inspires you to chase your dreams. Also really loved how both the characters were influenced a lot by a girl. I don't care what the anime is about whether it be sports, music, or whatever. I'm just looking for a romantic coming of age story about a kid chasing dreams and the relationship he develops with friends/a girl.

Any suggestions appreciated!

Baby Steps
Hajime no Ippo
Cross Game
Major

The quartet of sports/romance animu :3

Dunno if this exactly fits, but you could try Eureka 7

I totally forgot about Baby Steps. Thanks for reminding me. :D

There's been no real development for the romance in Hajime no Ippo in over 1050 chapters of the manga/3 seasons of anime. Still a great story though, just weak in the romance department.

Agreed. They did focus a bit of the romance in Champion Road. But yeah, can't really say anything else about it.

how is the romance in Major? It looks pretty good but doesn't have a romance tag. I'v always heard things about Cross Game but im just not a fan of the character models, they look odd. I stiill might try it out though because I'v heard so many good things about it. I'll definitely check out Baby Steps, looks pretty good.

In Major, he actually dates the girl and they get married. But this happens after like four seasons. It's still an amazing ride and definitely fits "coming of age"! :)

Baby Steps is probably the best choice, very modern and the romance is faster.


I know, but OP said "Also really loved how both the characters were influenced a lot by a girl" which is something Ippo did.

Well I'll certainly watch Major now, I always thought it sounded good but always skipped over it because it just seemed like some long sports anime. Knowing that something actually happens with romance and the fact it's so long is a big plus for me. Short animes always leave me a little disappointed because you start liking the characters and just want to watch more of them but then it ends.


Curious, which anime do you guys think is better? Major or Cross Game? I like the art in Major a lot better but if Cross Game is better in other areas than I might start with that. Please no spoilers xD

Oh, right I forgot to mention these:

Sakamichi no Apollon
Honey and Clover
Nodame Cantabile
Uchuu Kyoudai

It's literally tagged as a coming of age (for one of them), and all have developing romance (except Space Brothers). Like prevalent and not just in the background.

+1 Sakamichi no Apollon is amazing coming of age story, this is the anime you are looking for

Sakamichi no Apollon looks really good. I'm going to start with that first and then move onto Baby steps -> Major -> Cross Game.

I tried watching Honey and Clover but thought the comedy was a little over the top and couldn't stand having a super lolli romance interest. Also tried Nodame Cantabile but got bored after a couple episodes, I might revisit it at some point though.

Anyways, I'm starting my winter/spring break now which is 2 months so i'll probably finish these animes really quick. If any one has some other suggestions just let me know :D

Thanks!

Shinsekai Yori is a good fantasy coming of age story, it takes place over two decades following the development of a group of 5 kids. It has romance in it but its never the core focus.

Other than the above-mentioned, the only anime that comes to mind is Chihayafuru.

oh yeah, forgot about Chihayafuru! I've wanted to watch that for a while. I'm already on episode 5 of Sakamichi no Apollon. It's pretty good so far.

I watched half of Shinsekai Yori and dropped it, didn't like one of the plot twists near the middle and thought it was kind of boring anyway. If it picks up a lot i might go back and finish it though.

I finished:

Baby Steps
Cross Game
Major
Sakamichi no Apollon


I started Chihayafuru but didn't like it very much. Also watched half of Eureka Seven but never got into it so I ultimate just dropped it.


I loved Baby Steps, it was my favorite out of all of them. I liked it so much that I even read the rest of the Manga after it. Cross game was alright and Major was pretty good but the last 3-4 seasons felt exactly the same.

Any other suggestions?

How far are you in Chihayafuru? It's pretty slow in the start.

Also:
Tsuritama (no romance)
Ookiku Furikabutte (no romance)
Haikyuu!! (no romance)

fit coming of age. they're all about friendship and that jazz

Perhaps you would like to try out Nana?

Whisper of the Heart

Hanasaku iroha maybe...

PING PONG. Its sogud

It doesn't have romance, but if you're willing to give it a go,

Hikaru no Go.

Kemono no Sou-ja Erin and Junni Kokuki don't have romance, but they fit your other criteria. Both require patience, though.

I remember watching a bit on toonami jetstreaml what would u compare 2

Tatami Galaxy

FLCL

Chihayafuru follows some similar themes as Hikaru like recruiting a group of players in their schools (Go, karuta) and having main characters who wish to reach the top of the professional ranks in their games.

ive heard of that series as well! Im thinking of watching it as well....I just hope neither series is something like yugioh/cardfight?