When it comes to romantic comedy anime, none are more iconic than Ouran High School Host Club, which was adapted from the manga created by Bisco Hatori in 2002 and animated by Studio Bones in 2006. Ouran High School Host Club follows Haruhi Fujuoka, a scholarship student attending Ouran Academy, an elite private school for the super-rich and famous. Specifically, it showcases her adventures with the school’s Host club and its six handsome members. 

 The anime pokes fun at common romance tropes, such as love triangles and cliche romantic characterization of the male leads. The anime cleverly meshes satire humor with genius character writing, which creates for many iconic and hilarious moments throughout the show. Whether you’re watching sub or dub, the comedy is still present regardless of the language. 

The anime’s plot explores the friendships between each of the members and Haruhi, which eventually evolved to something more. Haruhi herself breaks the tradition of female protagonists in this genre in many ways. Her personality and appearance are clever contrasts to everyone around her, as she is usually the one to comment on the over-the-top behavior portrayed in other characters. 

This subversion of tropes is what makes Ouran High School Host Club a classic in the genre; it defies expectations with the exploration of gender identity, social status and found family. Valuable lessons are woven into the stories told that make for an exaggerated yet realistic anime that many can relate to. Ouran High School Host Club is a must-watch for any rom-com fans looking for a show that will make you laugh and cry all at the same time.