7 Anime with Stories and Plots Similar to Indonesian FTV Dramas

Kapanlagi.com - Who here really loves watching Indonesian FTV? Short dramas with plots that sometimes make you feel annoyed, sometimes make you laugh, and often make you emotional have a special place in our hearts.

Indonesian FTV is often known for its distinctive storytelling formula: unexpected meetings, hate turning into love, differences in social status, arranged marriages, or even love stories blooming at the workplace. The plots tend to be simple, focusing on romance with a bit of comedy or drama, and always end happily. Interestingly, some anime also have a similar recipe!

Now, have you ever thought that some popular anime have storylines that are quite similar to our beloved FTV? They manage to present romance stories that make us smile to ourselves, with conflicts that aren’t too heavy, and lovable characters.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at 7 anime whose storylines are reminiscent of Indonesian FTV!

1. Toradora! (2008)

Ryuji, a boy with a fierce face but a gentle heart, accidentally gets involved with Taiga, a small and fierce girl who is known to be 'dangerous' at school. They initially help each other to get closer to their respective crushes, but their relationship develops into a sweet closeness, full of warmth, and small dramas surrounding teenage love.

This anime is similar to Indonesian soap operas because of the love-hate relationship between the characters that grows more affectionate over time, with many misunderstandings, gossip, and sweet jealousy moments, and the ending is romantic and full of feelings like a noon soap opera.

2. Lovely Complex (2007)

Lovely Complex Anime Poster (Photo credit: IMDB)

Risa (the tall girl) and Otani (the short boy) are often seen as a comedy duo at school. They constantly tease and argue with each other, but they actually feel comfortable together and eventually start to realize their feelings for one another. Their love journey is full of funny and adorable ups and downs.

This anime is similar to Indonesian soap operas because of the 'Unequal Couple' concept typical of soap operas: tall-short, rich-poor, fierce-chatty, with silly humor that makes you feel emotional, and a light story full of funny coincidences like a teen soap opera.

3. Ao Haru Ride (2014)

Ao Haru Ride Anime Poster (Photo credit: IMDB)

Futaba reunites with her first love, Kou, after a long separation. But Kou has completely changed: from a gentle boy to cold and distant. Futaba tries to understand Kou while facing various feelings from high school, from friendship to a winding love.

This anime is similar to Indonesian FTV because of the theme 'The lost first love that meets again' (the most classic FTV trope), with small dramas full of push and pull without heavy conflicts, leading to many mellow moments, crying in school hallways, and miscommunication.

4. Kimi ni Todoke (2009)

Anime Poster Kimi ni Todoke (Photo credit: IMDB)

Sawako, a super shy girl misunderstood for resembling Sadako, falls in love with Kazehaya, a popular and kind-hearted boy. They slowly get closer through small moments, filled with awkwardness, warmth, and a slow but sweet character development.

This anime is similar to Indonesian FTV because of the story 'a good girl who is misunderstood falling in love with an idol boy' and its narrative is very soft, like an FTV with a super mellow tone that makes the audience smile like watching a shy couple.

5. Horimiya (2021)

Anime Poster Horimiya (Photo credit: IMDB)

Hori is a popular student who seems to have a perfect life, while Miyamura is a quiet boy with a different appearance outside of school. After discovering each other's 'hidden sides', their relationship develops into a warm romance without excessive drama.

This anime is similar to Indonesian FTV because of the plot; 'two people from different worlds turn out to be a perfect match', typical of modern FTV. The story is also light, warm, focusing on sweet everyday moments, and there are many wholesome couple scenes like contemporary FTV.

6. Tsuki ga Kirei (2017)

Anime Poster Tsuki Ga Kirei (Photo credit: IMDB)

This anime follows the love journey of Akane and Kotarou, two shy middle school students. Their relationship develops slowly: late-night chats, awkward meetings, simple dates, and struggling to face separation and personal ambitions.

This anime is similar to Indonesian FTV because of its pure and realistic love story, like light FTV, focusing on small moments that make you feel emotional, rather than big drama. The ending is also sweet and leaves a warm impression.

7. Nisekoi (2014)

Anime Poster Nisekoi (Photo credit: IMDB)

Raku and Chitoge, two high school students from rival yakuza families, are forced to pretend to be in a relationship to maintain peace. Although they initially hate each other, they gradually start to develop feelings. Added to this are childhood promises, a love triangle, and absurd funny moments, making the drama even more exciting.

This anime is similar to Indonesian soap operas because of the premise of 'contract dating but falling in real love'. There are also many cheesy and dramatic plot twists typical of ANTV soap operas, such as jealousy, misunderstandings, and strange coincidences that bring the two together.

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