Which to watch first?? — Romance Anime Question

Hey there! Huge romance anime fan here, along with the fact that Toradora! is my favorite anime, I wanted to ask a question.

I’ve been given the two recommendations of Clannad + Clannad: After Story & Golden Time.

From what I’ve been told, Golden Time is similar to Toradora!, yet not the same.

And for Clannad, I’ve heard that it is a great one to watch even though it has gotten some to deal with a lot of post-anime depression, which I can deal with…(have already 2-3 times after watching/rewatching Toradora!!!)…

Soooo, I wanted to ask, between Clannad & Golden Time, which should I watch first?

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AutoModerator2026-01-24 22:36

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AutoModerator2026-01-24 22:36

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A_Lupin562026-01-24 22:42

My Dress-Up Darling is good

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-24 23:00

Seen it! Thanks though!

A_Lupin562026-01-24 23:03

How about Fruits basket? Ive only seen the 2001 version but the reboots supposed to be super sweet

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-24 23:05

No, I haven’t seen that one. I assume there’s gonna be a remake of it when you mention a reboot??

A_Lupin562026-01-24 23:08

The reboot/remake has been out for a while i just haven't seen it yet, its on my list especially after i heard that most of the original English cast reprises their roles

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-24 23:26

That’s interesting! And pretty cool! It’s on my list for sure now!

A_Lupin562026-01-24 23:33

Right! After watching the 2001 anime i couldn't even imagine anyone else voicing touru honda her voice is just perfect

timpkmn892026-01-24 22:49

You're allowed to start both

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-24 23:01

I know!!!! I just wanted to see if anyone would recommend a certain one first…

Ok_Organization16672026-01-24 22:54

Blue box is up there

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-24 23:01

Ehh, on my list but thanks!

lavender_rose232026-01-24 22:54

I haven't seen Golden Time (yet), but Clannad + Afterstory is amazing! I definitely cried a lot but loved the show. I feel like you can't go wrong with either one and it seems like you'll be watching both regardless, so maybe do a coin toss to see which one to start first?

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-24 23:03

Good idea. I cried a ton after Toradora! & I just like the anime so much but yeah, I’m kinda leaning towards Clannad first. Is the After Story just like a second season?

lavender_rose232026-01-25 01:39

It's a continuation of the visual novel. I think of it like this: Clannad lays the groundwork for Clannad Afterstory. Clannad is a pretty standard set-up and Afterstory is where all the emotional damage comes from. The most sad and emotional plot points happen in Afterstory.
Edit: typo

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-25 01:46

Ohhhh ok. Good to know! Thank you!!!!!!

ActualRound76992026-01-24 23:07

Watch both. Both are good staples in the genre.
Golden Time is only 24 episodes and both Clannad and its sequel are 48 total. So, maybe watch the shorter one first? But it’s ultimately up to you.

Also depends on the romance you want. Golden Time starts in college and Clannad starts in high school.

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-24 23:25

Oh alright thanks! I definitely like the HS ones more, (even though I’m now personally in college), so I might start with Clannad and then shift to the college one. Can’t wait to watch them both.

PurpleNova972026-01-24 23:12

Personally golden time I think is better. The story hit harder for me and it has some nice comedy in there.

I didn’t really like clannad but to each their own

I have more recs though

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-24 23:27

Yeah, let’s hear ‘em! I’ve watched a bunch of others so I’m not necessarily new. But yeah, Toradora! hit hard for me, and it remains my #1 (favorite) anime since I first watched it!!

PurpleNova972026-01-24 23:34

Haha I’ll just give my whole list but it’s long. Idk what others you’ve seen so you can pick out ones you already watched.
Toradora was cute
Not my fave though

Here ya go! (In no particular rank order)
My first pick is Snow White with the red hair. I’ve seen it more than once

Ao haru ride

Wotakoi:love is hard for otaku

Duke of death and his maid

Saints power is omnipotent

Bunny senpai series

Ice guy and his cool coworker

The world is still beautiful

A condition called love

A sign of affection

My next life as a villainess all roads lead to doom

I’m the villainess so I’m taming the final boss

Love is war

7th time loop

More than a married couple but not lovers

Insomniacs at school

Wolf girl and black prince

Say I love you

Fruits baskets

Kamisama kiss

Sugar apple fairy tale

Taisho otome fairy tale

Apothecary diaries

Raven at the palace

Why raeliana ended up at the dukes mansion

King of beasts and sacrificial princess

Love yamada lvl 9999

Kimi ni todoke

Ouran high school host club

Horimiya

Angel next door spoils me rotten

Romantic killer

My happy marriage

Maid Sama

Tonikawa

My little monster

Golden time

Ancient magus bride

Yona of the dawn

Snow White with the red hair

Vampire dormitory

Unnamed memory

Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte

Science fell in love so I tried to prove it

Sword art online

Doctor elise

Bed and breakfast for spirits

Relife

Bibliophile princess

Darling in the franxx

Tada never falls in love

My dress up darling

Call of the night

Case study of vanitas

Noragami

Shikimoris not just a cutie

Magical girl evil lieutenant used to be archenemies

Special A

Hiro no kakera

Villainess level 99

School rumble

Diabolik lovers

Grancrest Senki

Inu x boku

Meiji tokyo renka

Otome youkai zakuro

Itazura na kiss
Do over damsel conquers the dragon emperor

Most heretical last boss Queen

Koikimo

Earl and fairy

Mysterious play

Girl and her guard dog

Story of saiunkoku

Paradise kiss

Nana

Vampire knight

I’ll become a villainess that goes down in history

Nina the starry bride

I have a crush at work

Gorilla gods go to girl

Honey lemon soda

Yakuza fiancé

Too perfect saint tossed aside by my fiancé and tossed to neighboring kingdom

Violet evergarden

Demon prince of momochi house

Galaxy next door

365 days until the wedding

Archdemons dilemma how to love your elf bride

Frieren

Fragrant flower blooms with dignity

I’m giving the disgraced noble lady a crash course in naughtiness

Fated magical princess: who made me a princess

Betrothed to my sisters ex

Pass the monster meat milady

May I ask for one final thing

Dark history of the reincarnated villainess

Mechanical Marie

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-25 01:35

Holyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! That’s a LOT! Thanks!

I’ve seen: (mentioned or recommended)
Toradora! obviously,

Bunny Senpai Series — Not Finished and I don’t know why. I kinda “dropped” it unintentionally. I know what I’m on though. Pretty sure S1; last episode.

Horimiya — Another one I kinda mysteriously dropped after… I think somewhere between 7-9. Want to finish that too.

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten — 10/10 my second favorite anime ever ✨❤️‍🩹✨ — Excited for S2!!

Tonikawa — this is the one I’m currently watching, gotta start S2!!

Sword Art Online — DEFINITELY ONE that I want to really watch, but I know it’s a whole series to watch in a specific chronological order, so it’s on my list but kinda the “wait list”.

My Dress Up Darlimg — another one of my favorites, probably top 10 somewhere, love both seasons, can’t wait for 3rd (HOPE!!); has the full manga + last volume on pre order.

Shikimori’s Not Just A Cutie — Another great one I love.

For all others, WOW, what a list. Thank you!!!!!! 😊

PurpleNova972026-01-25 01:40

LMAO I did warn you! No problem
I’ve been on a mostly romance journey for a while so that’s why I gave all of these.

Ah yeah bunny senpai is more of a romance subplot
One of the movies is kinda slow but I enjoyed it
The new second season also feels slow and then magically ramps up but it doesn’t have the same affect as the early stuff - hit or miss even my sister didnt love it

Ahh horimiya I liked a lot it’s a little slower but it’s funny and cute
The extra series is not bad
Even slower not canon

Yes angel next door was cute
Im just hella picky but I liked it so it’s mid tier for me I wanted more development in the first season

Tonikawa I loved but there are some plot holes
I do enjoy it though

Sword art online is a trip! Yeah there’s a lot to watch lmao
Earlier stuff is better IMO but good
Romance subplot for sure

Also dress up darling - wasn’t sure if I’d like it
I liked the first season better
Second was cute but again wanted more development
Something about the animation felt.. off? Idk cute though

Shikimoris - also cute and funny

Would definitely wanna hear your thoughts on the others though!

ROCKETZOMBIE772026-01-25 01:52

>LMAO I did warn you! No problem I’ve been on a mostly romance journey for a while so that’s why I gave all of these.

Oh yeah, I’ll be on a mainly romance journey for a good while. I am enjoying it.

>Ah yeah bunny senpai is more of a romance subplot One of the movies is kinda slow but I enjoyed it The new second season also feels slow and then magically ramps up but it doesn’t have the same affect as the early stuff - hit or miss even my sister didnt love it

Good to know, I’ve gotta re-search-up how to watch it in chronological order. When did the 2nd season come out? Recently?

>Ahh horimiya I liked a lot it’s a little slower but it’s funny and cute The extra series is not bad Even slower not canon

Ok, thanks for that info.

>Yes angel next door was cute Im just hella picky but I liked it so it’s mid tier for me I wanted more development in the first season

No disagreement there, but Mahiru kissing Amane, even just slightly or quickly was so cute to see. I could agree with the want for more development though. I REALLY want to read the LNs.

>Tonikawa I loved but there are some plot holes I do enjoy it though

Yeah, I don’t dislike anything from it so far.

>Sword art online is a trip! Yeah there’s a lot to watch lmao Earlier stuff is better IMO but good Romance subplot for sure

Happy to hear!!!!!!

>Also dress up darling - wasn’t sure if I’d like it I liked the first season better Second was cute but again wanted more development Something about the animation felt.. off? Idk cute though

Not sure, but I definitely love the anime. Both seasons too.

>Shikimoris - also cute and funny

Happily so!!!!!!

>Would definitely wanna hear your thoughts on the others though!

I’ll DM you.