For seven seasons, Gilmore Girls dealt with family, relationships, and growing up, in general. Fans loved the dynamic between Lorelai and Rory, as well as the romances the two women were involved in. But do the elements that make this series so great carry over to the medium of anime?
In fact, they do. The genre of romance anime is perfect for Gilmore Girls fans, with its complex layers of emotion, humor, and trials of everyday life. Some of the best are slice-of-life anime that follow teenage love affairs, while others have more magical components yet still capture the passion of youth and the importance of friendship and family.
Horimiya (2021 - ) - Available On Hulu & Funimation
A slice-of-life anime, Horimiya focuses on the unexpected relationship between top student Kyouko and quiet and sad loner, Izumi. Viewers will see a lot of similarities between Kyouko and Rory: both are hardworking and studious with a high prioritization of their families. As for Izumi, he has traits very much like those of Jess: socially distant with a hidden layer of depth to his personality.
With romantic tension blossoming between the two high schoolers, viewers will be rooting for Kyouko and Izumi to get together just as much as they did for Rory and Jess.
Fruits Basket (1998 - 2006) - Available On Hulu, Funimation & Crunchyroll
Family is the central theme of Fruits Basket, specifically with the cursed Sohma family. The isolation they feel may remind viewers of the small-town vibe of Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls, although the Sohmas experience more negative effects.
The cold and misguided attitude of family head Akito is similar to that of emotionally stunted Emily Gilmore. There are also references to Tohru's deceased mother, Kyoko, and her wild youth and unbounded love for Tohru are reminiscent of Lorelai's teenage years and her relationship with Rory.
Maid Sama! (2010 - ) - Available On Hulu
In Maid Sama!, student council president Misaki secretly works in a maid café and is discovered by heartbreaker, Takumi. Given Misaki's rigorous efforts to reign in the male population of their high school, the series has the same focus on female strength and independence as Gilmore Girls.
The element of the Maid Latte maid café is parallel to the Dragonfly Inn that Lorelai owns, and the dynamic between the industrious Misaki and the aloof Takumi mirrors the one between Rory and Jess.
Ouran High School Host Club (2006) - Available On Hulu & AppleTV
Haruhi, the heroine of Ouran High School Host Club, experiences the same type of change that Rory does when it comes to high school. Both girls end up at prestigious schools with wealthy classmates, while they both come from more modest backgrounds.
Even some of the Chilton students that Rory interacts with resemble members of the Host Club. Paris is as driven as Kyoya, Tristan takes the same heartthrob role as Tamaki, and Madeline has the same innocence as Honey.
Clannad (2007 - 2008) - Available On Hulu
The romance between Tomoya and Nagisa in Clannad is another anime relationship that echoes the one between Jess and Rory. Tomoya is seen as a delinquent and has to deal with a tough past, similar to Jess. Nagisa is smart yet quiet and introverted, just like Rory.
Nagisa's mother Sanae would also appeal to Gilmore Girls fans with her similarities to Lorelai. Both mothers are somewhat childish with terrible cooking skills but are eager to support their daughters through thick and thin.
Sailor Moon (1992 - 1997) - Available On Hulu & Funimation
While Lorelai and Rory are not transforming into magical warriors like the girls in Sailor Moon, their story consists of the same theme of strong female connections. There is a familiar mother-daughter dynamic in both series: Lorelai is like the immature yet loyal Usagi and Rory is like the driven yet still maturing Chibiusa.
The rivalry turned friendship between Usagi and Rei emulates the rapport between Rory and Paris, while the main romance between Usagi and Mamoru will remind fans of the relationship between Lorelai and Luke.
Paradise Kiss (2005) - Not Currently Available To Stream
The journeys of Yukari in Paradise Kiss and Rory are similar in the way that they both go from a simple upbringing to a world more extraordinary. Rory finds herself at Chilton while Yukari becomes a model for the art school students she befriends.
Yukari and Rory also share a devotion to their studies and have romantic feelings for someone who encourages them to strive for their dreams: Joji helps Yukari find her passion for modeling, while Logan supports Rory as she tries to become a journalist.
Love Hina (2000 - 2001) - Not Currently Available To Stream
The primary locale for Love Hina is Hinata House, an old inn that is converted into a girl's dormitory. The size of the building and the ambiance inside prompt viewers to recall The Independence Inn where Lorelai first worked.
There is also the common theme of education, which is important to Rory in Gilmore Girls and both Naru and Keitaro in the anime. Naru emulates Rory with her studiousness, while Keitaro's down-to-earth attitude resembles that of Rory's first boyfriend, Dean.
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War (2019 - ) - Available On Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu & More
Instead of resonating with the titular Gilmores, Kaguya-Sama follows more closely with the story of Paris Gellar, someone who got better throughout the show. Like Paris, female protagonist Kaguya is a high achiever who is a leader of the student council and isn't known for her warm personality. Both girls also have trouble confessing their feelings to their specific love interests.
But while Kaguya's crush Miyuki returns her feelings and is having the same problem confessing to it, Paris gets passed over and rejected by the object of her desire, Tristan.
Nana (2006 - 2007) - Available On HIDIVE
While Nana does feature several romances, the primary relationship is the friendship between two women who meet on a train and both happen to be named Nana. Nana Osaki is independent and sarcastic, while Nana Komatsu is friendly and naïve.
Their connection is a near replica of the bond between Lorelai and Rory. While Lorelai has several boyfriends, the one man most fans want her to be with is the gruff yet lovable Luke, just as anime fans root for Nana O. and her romantic partner, Ren.