Interest Stacks

Yuri with Childhood Friend Romance

Anime
byMyYuriList
Apr 18 2023, 6:55 PM | Updated Oct 22, 2023 1:00 AM
One popular trope in romance anime is two characters who’ve either known each other since childhood or having met in childhood falling in love when they grow older. The “childhood friend” is also a common rival in love triangles and harems.

In Japan, this is known as “osanajimi”.

I divide it into three types:

childhood friends-to-lovers : two characters who have been friends for most of their lives grow closer
childhood promise: two characters were friends in childhood and made a promise. Usually, they separated after that. Now that they are reunited, it is now time to fulfill the promise
romantic rival: a now grown-up childhood friend is rival in a love polygon or a harem. Often, because she has a past with the main character, she feels she is the best pick and doesn’t want to “lose” her to others she deems less worthy


Here are yuri anime which fit the trope.


Before watching any anime listed here, I encourage you to check out my full list with much more info on different anime to help you decide whether an anime is right for you: https://myyurilist.wordpress.com/
TV, 1997Finished 26 eps, 22 min

Akari Kanzaki has just joined an all-girls academy in hopes of entering the University Satellite, an elite sports training facility. She wants to win the title of Cosmo Beauty - a title held years ago by her mother. It's not an easy task for her as fear, doubt and peer pressure get in her way, but friends, rivals and fans slowly encourage her to overcome her obstacles and become the best of the Battle Athletes. (Source: ANN)

StudioAIC
SourceOriginal
ThemeSchool
6.86
10K
TV, 2006Finished 12 eps, 24 min

Hazumu was a shy boy who enjoyed gardening, collecting herbs, and long walks in the mountains. One day he finally worked up the courage to confess his love to Yasuna, but she rejected him. Depressed, he wandered up Mt. Kashimayama, the place where they first met, to reconsider his feelings. After getting lost, he wished upon a shooting star and received a bizarre twist of fate. Now he is a she, and she stumbles headfirst back into social life and relationships only to find that the entire landscape has changed! (Source: Media Blasters)

6.62
51K
TV, 2020Finished 12 eps, 23 min

In a fateful childhood encounter, Mira Kinohata met a stargazing dreamer named Ao Manaka. Though their time together was short, Ao showed Mira the wonders of astronomy, from orbiting planets to distant stars. Before they parted, Mira learned that a star with her name exists, but there are none with Ao's. And so, she forged a promise: one day, she would discover a new asteroid and name it after Ao. Years later, Mira is still fascinated with astronomy. Now in high school at Hoshizaki Academy, she tries to join the Astronomy Club. Unfortunately, she finds out that the club has been merged with the Geology Club to form a single Earth Sciences Club. She joins this new club and finds a pleasant surprise—she reunites with Ao after years of separation. Alongside their new clubmates, Mira and Ao begin their journey together to fulfill their promise. How hard could it possibly be to find an asteroid? [Written by MAL Rewrite]

StudioDoga Kobo
Source4-koma manga
6.88
90K
TV, 2017Finished 12 eps, 9 min

High school students Yuma Okazaki and Hotaru Mizushina are childhood friends. With their respective boyfriends, Takeda and Fujiwara, their lives couldn't be more perfect. From playing in school to going on group dates, it seems nothing can break their bond. However, during one such group date, Hotaru makes an unexpected move. While Takeda and Fujiwara are distracted, she begins stroking Yuma's thighs. Taken aback by this peculiar action, Yuma awkwardly retreats to the toilets, followed shortly by her aggressor. Now in private, Hotaru forces the innocent Yuma into a locked cubicle and whispers into her ear: "You'll be more nervous with a boy; I'll help you practice." [Written by MAL Rewrite]

SourceManga
5.33
162K
TV, 2018Finished 12 eps, 24 min

As preparations begin for Seishou Music Academy's yearly Seishou Festival, the girls of the 99th class are gearing up to perform their very own rendition of Starlight, the tragic tale of two goddesses drawn together by the glow of the heavens but destined to be pulled apart, never to meet again. Created to foster the next generation of theatrical talent, this girls' only school works to improve the singing, acting, and dancing skills of its students. One student is 16-year-old Karen Aijou, an easygoing girl who has dreamed of performing on stage since she was a child. Her love for theater is further invigorated when her childhood friend Hikari Kagura transfers to Seishou Academy. Through her old friend, Karen stumbles upon a secret elevator leading to a massive theater underneath the school. Hosted by a talking giraffe, this arena serves as a battleground where her classmates participate in duels to determine who among them deserves the title of "Top Star," earning them the right to play one of the lead roles in Starlight. Emboldened by the promise she made with Hikari to someday be stars together, Karen enters these mysterious battles in the hopes of making their dream a reality. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

SourceOriginal
7.66
88K
TV, 2018Finished 12 eps, 3 min

As Hanabi Natsuno returns home after six years in Tokyo, memories flood into her. As she prepares to start high school, she moves to Tachibanakan, the local dormitory for female students. Upon her arrival, Hanabi stumbles upon a bare naked beauty, and instantly falls head over heels for her. She also reencounters Konomi Fujiwara, her childhood friend who she barely remembers. Hanabi is introduced to the other residence of the dorm and quickly becomes the center of attention. As the girls instantly take to the newcomer and begin shooting for her affection—subtly or obtrusively—Hanabi realizes that it is certainly going to be an interesting school year. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

SourceManga
5.62
70K

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