8 Anime Like The Ramparts of Ice You Must See

‘The Ramparts of Ice’ or ‘Koori no Jyouheki’ is an anime series based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by the show’s creator, Agasawa Tea. It follows Koyuki Hikawa, a high school student who keeps others at a distance after difficult experiences in middle school leave her insecure and prone to overthinking. Her guarded routine begins to change when she meets Minato Amamiya and Youta Hino, two classmates who approach her without being put off by her behavior.

Alongside her friend Miki Azumi, Koyuki gradually spends more time with the group, discovering the happiness of forming close bonds, but the prospect of becoming attached to others still frightens her. When Koyuki and her friends navigate their own struggles, they slowly learn to open up, overcome their insecurities, and embrace high school life together. These anime, similar to ‘The Ramparts of Ice,’ feature entertaining stories on friendships, growing up, finding purpose, and more.

8. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (2013-2023)

‘My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU’ or ‘Yahari ore no seishun rabukome wa machigatteiru.’ is directed by Ai Yoshimura and Kei Oikawa, based on the eponymous light novel series written by Wataru Watari and illustrated by Ponkan 8. Hachiman Hikigaya is an antisocial high school student who believes that youth and its promises of happiness are built on lies. After mocking modern relationships in a school essay, he is forced by his teacher to join the Volunteer Service Club. There, he meets Yukino Yukinoshita, a brilliant but distant student who is the club’s only other member.

Together, they help classmates work through their personal problems, forcing Hachiman to engage with the social world he usually dismisses. While he and Yukino tackle new cases, his cynical outlook is tested by the people they encounter and the connections they begin to form. Both ‘The Ramparts of Ice’ and ‘My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU’ follow withdrawn students whose interactions with others gradually challenge their assumptions and change how they approach relationships.

7. Skip and Loafer (2023)

‘Skip and Loafer’ or ‘Skip to Loafer’ is based on the eponymous manga series written and illustrated by Misaki Takamatsu, who also serves as the show’s creative voice. It centers on Mitsumi Iwakura, a determined girl who leaves her rural hometown to attend a prestigious high school in Tokyo, hoping to make a positive difference in Japan. Confident that her carefully planned future will go smoothly, she arrives in the city only to get lost on her first day. She meets Sousuke Shima, a fellow first-year student who helps her reach school, but Mitsumi still struggles to make a good first impression on her classmates.

Despite their contrasting personalities, her growing friendship with Sousuke catches the attention of their peers. As Mitsumi adjusts to city life, she must learn to navigate unfamiliar social situations, build friendships, and pursue her ambitions despite the flaws in her plans. Like Koyuki in ‘The Ramparts of Ice’, Mitsumi in ‘Skip and Loafer’ must navigate unfamiliar social situations and learn how to build meaningful connections with her classmates.

6. Blue Spring Ride (2014)

‘Blue Spring Ride’ or ‘Ao Haru Ride’ revolves around Futaba Yoshioka, a high school student who deliberately remains stoic and charmless to avoid the attention and jealousy she experienced from her female classmates in middle school. Despite her efforts to fit in, she still cherishes memories of Kō Tanaka, her former crush, whose sudden transfer ended their friendship. When Futaba reunites with him in high school, she discovers that he now goes by Kō Mabuchi and has become more withdrawn and difficult to approach.

Hoping to reconnect with the boy she once knew, Futaba considers changing her behavior, but doing so could threaten the friendships she has built. As old feelings resurface, she must decide how much she is willing to risk for a second chance with Kō. The show is based on the manga series of the same name, written and illustrated by its creator, Io Sakisaka. Along the lines of ‘The Ramparts of Ice,’ the narrative follows teenagers whose friendships and romantic feelings force them to confront insecurities and reconsider how they connect with people around them.

5. Horimiya (2021)

‘Horimiya’ or ‘Hori-san to Miyamura-kun’ is the saga of Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, two very contrasting classmates. Kyoko is popular and outgoing, whereas Izumi is a more reserved person whose tattoos and piercings remain hidden from others. Although they appear to have little in common, an unexpected encounter allows them to see beyond each other’s public image. Hori discovers a different side to Miyamura, while he learns that her life outside school is very different from the image she presents to her classmates. Their meetings become more frequent, and the two develop feelings for each other.

But navigating their own insecurities proves tougher than either of them expected. Helmed by Masashi Ishihama and penned by Takao Yoshioka, the show is based on the eponymous manga series written by Hiroki Adachi and illustrated by Daisuke Hagiwara. Both ‘The Ramparts of Ice’ and ‘Horimiya’ explore how teenagers conceal parts of their personalities at school while gradually learning to be more open with people they trust.

4. Tsuki ga Kirei (2017)

Written by Yūko Kakihara and directed by Seiji Kishi, ‘Tsuki ga Kirei’ or ‘Tsukigakirei’ centers on Kotaro Azumi, a boy who dreams of becoming a writer, and Akane Mizuno, a student who dedicates herself to the school’s track team. Their lives begin to intersect when they become classmates in their final year of junior high, and their initial encounters gradually give way to romantic feelings. As they grow closer, both must deal with the uncertainty of a first relationship, including the difficulty of revealing their emotions and the complications that arise from other people’s attention.

As high school approaches, Kotaro and Akane must find the confidence to express their feelings while navigating the emotional changes that come with growing up. Akin to ‘The Ramparts of Ice,’ the show is a poignant commentary on the trials and tribulations of youth. Like Koyuki in ‘The Ramparts of Ice’, Kotaro in ‘Tsuki ga Kirei’ faces the challenge of expressing his feelings, making emotional honesty an important part of his relationships.

3. You and I Are Polar Opposites (2026-)

‘You and I Are Polar Opposites’ or ‘Seihantai na Kimi to Boku’ is based on the manga series written and illustrated by Agasawa Tea, who also serves as the creative voice of the show. It depicts the life of Miyu Suzuki, a high school student who enjoys being around people but often worries about fitting in, and Yuusuke Tani, her quiet classmate who pays little attention to others’ opinions. Despite their contrasting personalities and limited interactions, Suzuki develops a crush on Tani but struggles to approach him. When a misunderstanding finally pushes her to confess her feelings, she discovers that a relationship between them may be possible after all.

The two begin dating, setting out on a new experience that challenges their assumptions about each other. Suzuki and Tani learn to navigate their differences and understand themselves through their unexpected connection. While Koyuki struggles to let others past her emotional barriers in ‘The Ramparts of Ice’, Suzuki in ‘You and I Are Polar Opposites’ must overcome her nervousness to confess her romantic feelings.

2. The Dangers in My Heart (2023-)

Directed by Hiroaki Akagi and written by Jukki Hanada, ‘The Dangers in My Heart’ or ‘Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu’ delves into the experiences of Kyotaro Ichikawa, a withdrawn middle school student who often imagines killing his classmates. Anna Yamada, a girl in his class, frequently becomes the focus of his dark thoughts, but their encounters in the school library gradually change how he sees her. Ichikawa discovers that Anna is not as perfect as she appears and can be surprisingly absent-minded and awkward around others. As they spend more time together, his violent fantasies slowly fade, replaced by genuine affection and a desire to look out for her.

Their growing bond challenges his self-perception and introduces him to feelings he never expected to experience. The show is based on the manga series of the same title, written and illustrated by Norio Sakurai. Both ‘The Ramparts of Ice’ and ‘The Dangers in My Heart’ explore how interactions can change teenagers’ perceptions of others and themselves. Minato and Anna become important to classmates who initially struggle to connect with others, helping them see relationships differently.

1. Kimi ni Todoke (2009-2024)

‘Kimi ni Todoke’ or ‘Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You’ is the tale of Sawako Kuronuma, a shy and kind student whose resemblance to the horror character Sadako earns her a frightening reputation among her classmates. Despite her gentle nature, others avoid her, leaving her struggling to make friends and enjoy a normal school life. Her circumstances begin to change when she grows closer to Shota Kazehaya, a cheerful and popular classmate whose friendliness inspires her to become more confident. When Kazehaya encourages her to participate in a class activity, Sawako sees an opportunity to connect with her peers, including Ayane Yano and Chizuru Yoshida.

While she experiences new friendships and emotions, Sawako discovers that her growing bond with Kazehaya is changing both their lives. Based on the eponymous manga series written and illustrated by Karuho Shiina, the show is penned by Tomoko Konparu and helmed by Hiroshi Kaburagi. ‘The Ramparts of Ice’ and ‘Kimi ni Todoke’ explore how mistaken impressions can create social barriers that teenagers must gradually overcome to build meaningful relationships. Minato and Kazehaya help socially withdrawn classmates feel more comfortable around others by being willing to approach them.