18 Anime Like Ouran High School Host Club

If you loved Ouran’s mix of comedy and heartfelt moments, Fruits Basket will absolutely steal your heart.

The story follows Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted girl who ends up living with the mysterious and wealthy Sohma family, only to discover that they’re cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by the opposite gender.

While Fruits Basket leans more into drama and emotional storytelling than Ouran, it shares a similar warmth, eccentric characters, and moments of laugh-out-loud comedy.

Also, both series revolve around a relatable protagonist who finds themselves surrounded by charming yet deeply flawed individuals.

Fruits Basket info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 25
• Released: Spring 2019
• Studios: TMS Entertainment
• Genres: Drama, Romance, Supernatural
• Themes: Love Polygon, School
• Score: 8.21 (MAL), 8.6 (IMDb)

Watch Fruit Basket trailer:

If you loved Haruhi’s no-nonsense attitude and Tamaki’s theatrics, Maid-sama! is your jam.

Misaki Ayuzawa is a strong-willed girl attending a former all-boys school, now trying to bring order as its first female student council president. But she’s hiding a big secret. After school, she works at a maid café to support her family.

Now, you can guess what happens after that. Yes, the popular (and annoyingly guy) Takumi Usui discovers her secret, their hilarious and heartwarming relationship unfolds.

The banter between these two is gold, blending romantic tension with laugh-out-loud scenarios. It’s got the same school-life comedy and slow-burn romance that made Ouran’s Host Club antics so addictive.

Maid-sama! info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
• Episodes: 26
• Released: Spring 2010
• Studios: J.C.Staff
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Themes: School
• Score: 7.99 (MAL), 7.9 (IMDb)

Change the host club to detective club, and you will get Pretty Boy Detective Club. This visually stunning series follows a group of impossibly attractive, overly dramatic young detectives who solve mysteries with flair.

Much like the Ouran Host Club, the members of the Pretty Boy Detective Club are ridiculously extra in everything they do, from their grand gestures to their poetic speeches.

While the tone is darker, the emphasis on aesthetics, eccentric personalities, and tongue-in-cheek humor will appeal to fans who loved Ouran’s style-over-sanity approach.

Pretty Boy Detective Club info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Bishounen Tanteidan
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Spring 2021
• Studios: Shaft
• Genres: Mystery
• Themes: Crossdressing, Detective, School, Visual Arts
• Score: 7.08 (MAL), 6.3 (IMDb)

Watch Pretty Boy Detective Club trailer:

If you enjoyed the rich-kid school antics and competitive friendships in Ouran, Special A will be right up your alley. This rom-com follows Hikari Hanazono, a fiercely determined girl always trying to surpass Kei Takishima, the top student at their elite school.

Kei, however, has been in love with Hikari forever, though she’s too stubborn (or oblivious) to realize it.

While it’s less parody-driven than Ouran, the over-the-top competitions (e.g., wrestling in giant hamster balls) and Hikari’s fiery determination channel the same chaotic energy. Kei’s Tamaki-esque charm and the group’s quirky bond will feel instantly familiar.

Special A info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Special A Class
• Episodes: 24
• Released: Spring 2008
• Studios: Gonzo, AIC
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Themes: School
• Score: 7.50 (MAL), 7.2 (IMDb)

If you adored Ouran’s satire and playful mockery of romance tropes, Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun is a must-watch.

This anime flips the script on shoujo clichés, following Chiyo Sakura, a high school girl who confesses to her crush, Umetarou Nozaki. But the thing is Nozaki happens to be a famous shoujo manga artist, and mistakes Chiyo’s confession as request to be his assistant.

This led to meta-humor about clichéd storylines (e.g., Nozaki studying “romantic situations” by awkwardly staring at Chiyo). The ensemble cast, including a princely guy who’s secretly a troll, delivers the same laugh-per-minute ratio as Ouran.

Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Summer 2014
• Studios: Doga Kobo
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Themes: Otaku Culture, School
• Score: 7.82 (MAL), 7.5 (IMDb)

Watch Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun trailer:

For a fresh, modern twist on the reverse harem setup, Romantic Killer is a fantastic pick.

The anime follows Anzu Hoshino, a girl who would rather spend her time gaming, playing with her cats, and eating chocolate than dealing with romance. But when a magical creature forces her into a reverse harem to “experience romance.”

Her response? Sabotage every cliché scenario (e.g., “accidentally” falling onto a love interest). Like Ouran, this series playfully mocks romance tropes while delivering sharp humor and an unexpectedly touching story.

Romantic Killer info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: 2022
• Studios: domerica
• Genres: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural
• Themes: Parody, Reverse Harem
• Score: 7.96 (MAL), 7.6 (IMDb)

Imagine Ouran High School Host Club, but instead of a reluctant girl getting swept into a club of dazzlingly handsome boys, the story follows a group of pretty boys trying (and failing) to transform a goth-loving girl into a “perfect lady.”

The Wallflower centers on Sunako Nakahara, a occult-obsessed recluse who couldn’t care less about romance, and the four handsome guys tasked with making her more “ladylike” in exchange for free rent.

This series shares Ouran’s reverse harem setup, and playful jabs at romantic clichés. Sunako’s dramatic reactions and the boys’ constant struggle to “fix” her make for a hilarious watch. She reminds me of Haruhi from Ouran.

The Wallflower info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge♥
• Episodes: 25
• Released: Fall 2006
• Studios: Nippon Animation
• Genres: Comedy
• Themes: Reverse Harem
• Score: 7.71 (MAL), 7.4 (IMDb)

If you loved Ouran’s comedic take on romance, Lovely★Complex delivers an equally hilarious and heartwarming love story.

The anime follows Risa Koizumi, a tall girl, and Atsushi Ōtani, a short guy, as they constantly bicker while struggling with their height complexes. Their constant bickering earns them the nickname “the comedy duo” at school.

Their friendship is full of witty banter, much like Haruhi and Tamaki’s dynamic, and their slow-burn romance is both adorable and painfully relatable.

It’s a hilarious yet heartfelt ride about embracing your flaws, with a friend group as chaotic as the Host Club.

Lovely★Complex info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Love Com
• Episodes: 24
• Released: Spring 2007
• Studios: Toei Animation
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Themes: School
• Score: 8.03 (MAL), 7.9 (IMDb)

If what drew you to Ouran was the sheer amount of handsome, eccentric men vying for attention, Uta no Prince-sama takes that concept to an extreme.

This reverse harem anime follows Haruka Nanami, a girl who dreams of becoming a composer, as she enrolls in a prestigious performing arts school filled with gorgeous, talented idols.

Like in Ouran, the male leads each have their own quirks and exaggerated personalities, and the anime thrives on dramatic musical performances, romance, and a healthy dose of sparkles. of ikemen.

Uta no Prince-sama info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ Maji Love 1000%
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Summer 2011
• Studios: A-1 Pictures
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Themes: Idols (Male), Music, Reverse Harem, School
• Score: 7.01 (MAL), 6.5 (IMDb)

Much like Haruhi, Skip Beat!’s Kyoko Mogami is a determined and independent female lead who finds herself caught up in a world she never expected.

After being betrayed by her childhood crush, Kyoko reinvents herself as an actress to destroy his career. The catch? She’s terrible at acting… at first.

Skip Beat! thrives on chaotic energy, from Kyoko’s “demon mode” outbursts to her rivalry-turned-romance with the arrogant actor Ren. It’s Ouran’s blend of comedy and character growth, but with a backstage pass to the entertainment industry.

Skip Beat! info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 25
• Released: Fall 2008
• Studios: HAL Film Maker
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Themes: Love Polygon, Showbiz
• Score: 8.07 (MAL), 7.8 (IMDb)

This one’s for the Ouran fans who live for parody and absurd story.

Kae Serinuma is a hardcore fujoshi (boy’s love fan) who suddenly loses a ton of weight and finds herself the object of affection for multiple handsome boys. However, she’s not interested in any of them.

She just wants to see them date each other. Now, the question is “is she going to stay true to her nature as hardcore fujoshi or will date with one of the ikemen?”

The show’s self-aware humor pokes fun at reverse harem tropes, much like Ouran’s satire of shoujo clichés. Kae’s obsession with “scenarios” and the boys’ desperation to win her (non-existent) affection is comedy gold.

Kiss Him, Not Me! info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Watashi ga Motete Dousunda
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Fall 2016
• Studios: Brain’s Base
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Themes: Otaku Culture, Reverse Harem, School
• Score: 7.51 (MAL), 7.3 (IMDb)

Much like Ouran, Kamisama Kiss follows a normal girl who is unexpectedly thrust into an unfamiliar world filled with eccentric and beautiful men.

After losing her home, Nanami Momozono becomes a land goddess and is forced to live in a shrine, along with a fox spirit familiar, Tomoe.

The series blends romance, comedy, and fantasy elements, with a strong-willed heroine and a dynamic reminiscent of Haruhi and Tamaki’s relationship.

If you enjoy supernatural twists in your romantic comedies, this one’s for you!

Kamisama Kiss info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Kamisama Hajimemashita
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Fall 2012
• Studios: TMS Entertainment
• Genres: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural
• Themes: Mythology
• Score: 8.11 (MAL), 8.1 (IMDb)

If the witty, fast-paced humor in Ouran was one of your favorite aspects, Kaguya-sama: Love is War is an absolute must-watch.

This series focuses on two genius student council members, Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane, who are hopelessly in love with each other but refuse to admit it.

Instead, they engage in elaborate, witty mind games to try and force the other to confess first. As the title said, Love is War, the one who confess first is the loser. They both use their shart intellect to devise scheme that ensure the other’s defeat.

In this anime, Shirogane shares the same situation as Haruhi, a commoner learning in prestigious school only for the elite. Like Ouran, this anime is packed with exaggerated comedy, lovable characters, and moments of unexpected sweetness.

Kaguya-sama: Love is War info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Winter 2019
• Studios: A-1 Pictures
• Genres: Comedy, Romance
• Themes: School
• Score:8.40 (MAL), 8.5 (IMDb)

While Blend S is set in a café rather than an elite school, it shares Ouran’s brand of humor and character-driven comedy. Both host club and cafe serve customer, so it’s pretty much the same in that aspect.

Blend S follows Maika, a sweet girl whose natural “sadistic glare” lands her a job at a themed café where waitresses roleplay as archetypes (tsundere, little sister, etc.)

The story follows Maika, a girl with a naturally intimidating expression, who ends up working at a themed café where each waitress roleplays a specific “character type” for customers (tsundere, imouto, sadistic, etc.).

Much like Ouran, Blend S thrives on exaggerated personalities, hilarious misunderstandings, and situational comedy, making it a great watch for fans of Host Club-style comedy.

Blend S info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Fall 2017
• Studios: A-1 Pictures
• Genres: Comedy
• Themes: Otaku Culture, Workplace
• Score: 7.25 (MAL), 6.8 (IMDb)

If you loved Ouran’s gender-role humor, Princess Princess takes that idea and runs with it.

The story follows Tooru Kouno, a boy who transfers into an all-boys school where a bizarre tradition exists. Each year, the most beautiful first-year students are chosen to dress as “princesses” to boost student morale.

The result? A hilarious, self-aware comedy that plays with gender expectations in a way that Ouran fans will find familiar (at least in the early episode) and fun.

Princess Princess info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: PuriPuri
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Spring 2006
• Studios: Studio Deen
• Genres: Comedy
• Themes: Crossdressing, School
• Score: 6.97 (MAL), 6.5 (IMDb)

If the mistaken-identity setup in Ouran was one of your favorite elements, Aoharu x Machinegun offers a fresh take.

The series follows Hotaru Tachibana, a girl who is often mistaken for a boy due to her tough demeanor. Through a series of misunderstandings, she ends up joining an all-male survival game team.

While Aoharu x Machinegun replaces romance with action-packed paintball battles, it keeps the Ouran spirit alive through its comedy, energetic cast, and gender-mistaken themes.

It’s a niche pick, but the blend of comedy, mistaken identity, and oddball friendships hits the same sweet spot.

Aoharu x Machinegun info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Aoharu x Kikanjuu
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Summer 2015
• Studios: Brain’s Base
• Genres: Sports
• Themes: Crossdressing, Team Sports
• Score: 7.51 (MAL), 7.3 (IMDb)

If you’re looking for another series where the female protagonist is suddenly surrounded by an excessive number of charming men, Brothers Conflict might be up your alley. It’s a classic reverse harem for fans who crave drama.

Brothers Conflict follows Ema, who moves in with her 13 stepbrothers after her dad remarries. Yes, 13, all of whom develop feelings for her.

While it’s a more dramatic take on the reverse harem genre, it still offers plenty of romance, character-driven comedy, and dramatic moments reminiscent of Ouran.

Brothers Conflict info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: BroCon
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Summer 2013
• Studios: Brain’s Base
• Genres: Romance
• Themes: Reverse Harem
• Score: 5.90 (MAL), 5.9 (IMDb)

If your favorite part of Ouran was watching a charismatic lead deal with a group of ridiculously extra rich boys, The Royal Tutor is your next choice.

The anime follows Heine Wittgenstein, a small but stern tutor assigned to teach four handsome, eccentric princes into worthy heirs.

The show’s charm lies in the brothers’ antics, from the flirtatious Licht to the brooding Leonhard, and Heine’s deadpan reactions. It’s Ouran’s mix of comedy and character growth, but with a regal twist.

The Royal Tutor info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Oushitsu Kyoushi Heine
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Spring 2017
• Studios: Bridge
• Genres: Comedy
• Themes: Historical
• Score: 7.46 (MAL), 7.1 (IMDb)

Conclusion

Ouran High School Host Club is a rare mix of comedy, romance, and lovable characters, but plenty of other anime offer a similar charm.

Whether you’re here for the reverse harem chaos, laugh-out-loud parodies, or found-family vibes, these anime capture the magic that made Ouran High School Host Club unforgettable.

From supernatural rom-coms to over-the-top school hijinks, there’s a whole host of shows waiting to charm you.

Now, which of these have you added to your watchlist? Or do you have a favorite we missed? Shout it out in the comments, we’re all ears!