I know that post anime hangover feeling. You finish The Duke of Death and His Maid, you sit there for a second, and your brain goes, “Okay… now what?”
Because it is not just romance. It is romance with rules. A cursed touch. A lonely boy stuck in a beautiful prison. A maid who teases him like it is her love language. And a story that somehow stays warm even when the premise is tragic.
Here’s the thing. Most romance anime give you distance, then closeness. The Duke of Death and His Maid gives you closeness first, then yanks it away. That tension is addictive.
If you want more recommendations beyond this list, I keep a running stash of anime picks that scratch similar emotional itches.
What I tried to match from Duke of Death:
- ✅ A romance that feels intimate even when the couple cannot fully relax
- 💡 Teasing and banter that is clearly affectionate
- 🚀 A curse, a “rule,” or a barrier that shapes the relationship
- ✅ A soft gothic or magical atmosphere, even when it gets funny
- 💡 That healing vibe where someone is pulled back from isolation
What to watch after The Duke of Death and His Maid
If you’re googling what to watch after The Duke of Death and His Maid, I’m going to save you the scrolling. I split my picks by vibe, because the “best” follow up depends on what you loved most.
Quick picks by vibe:
- ✅ If you want cursed, tragic sweetness: Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light
- 💡 If you want deadly touch energy: Code:Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~
- 🚀 If you want teasing romance with actual progress: Teasing Master Takagi-san
- ✅ If you want sharper teasing and chaos: Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro
- 💡 If you want battle of wits romance: Kaguya-sama: Love is War
- 🚀 If you want cozy healing in isolation: Taisho Otome Fairy Tale
- ✅ If you want magical romance atmosphere: The Ancient Magus’ Bride
- 💡 If you want nostalgic, slow burn gaming romance: High Score Girl
- 🚀 If you want playful clingy romcom energy: Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!
My 9 must watch anime similar to The Duke of Death and His Maid
I’m keeping this spoiler light. I’m also being picky. These are not random romance titles. I picked them because they hit at least one of the core Duke of Death triggers: forbidden closeness, teasing chemistry, magical melancholy, or isolation turning into love.
Also, if you’re curious about the studio side of things, it still makes me smile that the Duke of Death anime adaptation came from J.C.Staff. They have a recognizable rhythm with romcom pacing, especially when the story leans into character banter.
9Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light
This is the one I recommend when someone tells me, “I want the forbidden touch romance, but make it quiet and painful.”
It flips the Duke of Death idea in a way I really respect. Gin is cursed so that if a human touches him, he vanishes. Hotaru keeps coming back anyway. The bond grows slowly, and every scene feels like it is balancing on a fragile rule.
Why I think it fits Duke of Death fans:
- ✅ Strong romance anime where touching is forbidden energy
- 💡 That same aching tension of “I want to reach out, but I cannot”
- 🚀 Short watch that still hits hard emotionally
8Code:Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~
If you want the closest “deadly touch” cousin to Duke of Death, this is it. Cardia is feared because her body contains a lethal substance. People cannot safely touch her, and the story treats that isolation like a genuine trauma, not a cute quirk.
I also like the setting. The London, steampunk, adventure flavor gives it a different texture, but the emotional core is familiar. A girl labeled a monster. A found family forming around her. Romance that grows because someone chooses to see her as human.
Why I recommend it:
- ✅ It scratches the anime about a curse that kills by touch itch
- 💡 The romance is built on trust, not instant perfection
- 🚀 The ensemble cast gives you constant chemistry, not just one ship
7The Ancient Magus’ Bride
When people ask me for gothic fantasy romance anime recommendations, this is usually the first title out of my mouth.
It is not the same “touch kills” premise, but it hits the same emotional frequency for me. Loneliness. A strange home. A relationship that grows in awkward, tender steps. Magic that feels beautiful and unsettling at the same time.
I’ve found this one works best if you want atmosphere and healing, not just jokes. It can be gentle, but it does not pretend trauma disappears because love showed up.
Why it clicks for Duke of Death fans:
- ✅ Soft gothic vibe and magical melancholy
- 💡 A “learning how to live again” relationship arc
- 🚀 Romance that feels earned through trust and time
6Taisho Otome Fairy Tale
This is my comfort pick for anyone who loved the Duke’s isolation and the maid’s steady affection.
Tamahiko gets exiled by his own family after tragedy and disability, and he gives up on life. Then Yuzuki arrives. She is sunshine in human form. And yeah, the premise can feel questionable at first, but emotionally it becomes a story about someone choosing to stay when it would be easier to leave.
I’ve rewatched scenes from this series when I wanted that simple, quiet reminder that care can change someone.
Why it belongs on this list:
- ✅ Isolation to healing, just like the Duke’s emotional arc
- 💡 A devoted heroine who does not give up easily
- 🚀 Romance that feels warm instead of chaotic
5Teasing Master Takagi-san
If you watched Alice tease the Duke and thought, “I want that dynamic forever,” Takagi-san is basically the purest form of it.
Nishikata tries to win. Takagi is always five steps ahead. The teasing is playful, not cruel, and that’s why I recommend it so confidently.
This anime centers around a cute girl who takes genuine joy in making a timid boy blush.
Why it works as a follow up:
- ✅ My top pick for teasing romance anime like Takagi-san and Nagatoro vibes
- 💡 Low stress episodes that still move the relationship forward
- 🚀 Pure “they obviously like each other” energy
4Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro
I’m not going to sugarcoat this. The teasing here starts sharper than Takagi and sharper than Alice.
But if you stick with it, it becomes surprisingly protective and sweet. Nagatoro does not stop teasing Senpai, but the tone shifts into something more obviously affectionate. I also like that the shy male lead slowly gains confidence instead of staying frozen forever.
My content note and why I still recommend it:
- ✅ Early episodes can feel abrasive and humiliating
- 💡 The relationship softens as the characters grow
- 🚀 Great pick if you want teasing romance with more bite
3Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!
Uzaki-chan is what I watch when I want teasing without the heavy emotional weight. It is clingy, loud, and intentionally embarrassing.
In Duke of Death, the barrier is tragic. In Uzaki-chan, the barrier is social awkwardness and pride. Different stakes, same satisfaction when the characters inch closer anyway.
Why it fits:
- ✅ Teasing as affection, not as cruelty
- 💡 Low commitment, easy binge
- 🚀 Great if you want comedy first and romance second
2Kaguya-sama: Love is War
This is my “romance as psychological warfare” recommendation. If the Duke and Alice feel like flirting trapped inside a curse, Kaguya and Shirogane feel like flirting trapped inside ego.
I love how the series turns tiny romantic moments into dramatic battles. It is ridiculous in the best way. And it still delivers emotional payoff when it counts.
Why it belongs on this list:
- ✅ Constant banter and mind games
- 💡 Slow burn romance that eventually feels real
- 🚀 Great if you want laughs and genuine character growth
1High Score Girl
This is the oddball pick that still fits, and I’ll tell you why. The romance is built on obsession, rivalry, and quiet understanding. Instead of a curse, the barrier is emotional immaturity and the inability to say what you feel.
I also like how specific it is. If you grew up around arcades or you just love nostalgia as a romance setting, this one hits differently.
Why Duke of Death fans might click with it:
- ✅ Slow burn chemistry that builds through shared ritual
- 💡 Romance that shows up in small moments, not speeches
- 🚀 Great if you want something sweet without magical stakes
My final take
If you only pick three from this list, I’d do it like this.
- ✅ Code:Realize if you want another deadly touch romance barrier
- 💡 Teasing Master Takagi-san if you want the playful flirting core
- 🚀 Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light if you want beautiful heartbreak
And if you want the full Duke of Death cocktail, the easiest move is mixing one “curse” pick with one “teasing” pick. I’ve found that combo gets me closest to the same emotional rhythm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to watch after The Duke of Death and His Maid if I want the same vibe?
If I want the same vibe, I look for a romance with a built in barrier and affectionate teasing. I start with Code:Realize for the deadly touch angle, Takagi-san for playful flirting, and Taisho Otome Fairy Tale for the isolation to healing mood.
What is the best romance anime where touching is forbidden?
My strongest recommendation for romance anime where touching is forbidden is Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light, because the entire relationship is shaped by the rule. It feels gentle, magical, and quietly devastating in the exact way Duke of Death fans usually appreciate.
Is there an anime about a curse that kills by touch like the Duke?
For an anime about a curse that kills by touch in a similar emotional lane, I go with Code:Realize. It is not the same premise, but the “I cannot safely touch people” isolation is front and center, and the romance builds through trust and protection.
What teasing romance anime like Takagi-san and Nagatoro should I try next?
If I want softer teasing, I pick Takagi-san or Uzaki-chan. If I want sharper teasing that turns protective over time, I pick Nagatoro. If I want teasing disguised as strategy, I pick Kaguya-sama.
What are your gothic fantasy romance anime recommendations after Duke of Death?
My gothic fantasy romance anime recommendations are The Ancient Magus’ Bride for atmosphere and healing, Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light for bittersweet magic, and Code:Realize for the steampunk adventure twist on “do not touch” romance.
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THE “TEASING GIRL & FLUSTERED BOY” DYNAMIC 🎩💕
1. Teasing Master Takagi-san (Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san)
– Similarity: The ultimate “teasing” anime. If you loved Alice teasing the Duke, this is the purer, school-life version. No supernatural elements, just pure fluff.
2. My Dress-Up Darling (Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru)
– Similarity: A shy, outcast boy finds confidence through a bold, beautiful girl who completely accepts him. High-tier romance chemistry.
3. Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro (Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san)
– Similarity: Starts more aggressive than Alice, but evolves into a sweet, protective dynamic where the girl pushes the boy out of his shell.
4. The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses (Suki na Ko ga Megane wo Wasureta)
– Similarity: A close-proximity romance where the girl (often blindly) invades the boy’s personal space, causing flustered panic.
SUPERNATURAL ROMANCE & CURSES 🥀👻
5. Ancient Magus’ Bride (Mahoutsukai no Yome)
– Similarity: Features an outcast “monster” male lead and a human girl who accepts him. It is darker and more magical, but shares the “Beauty and the Beast” atmosphere.
6. Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun (Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun)
– Similarity: Gothic art style, supernatural mysteries, and a cute but tragic romance between a human girl and a ghost boy who can’t fully be together.
7. Kamisama Kiss (Kamisama Hajimemashita)
– Similarity: A human girl lives with a supernatural fox familiar. The master/servant dynamic is reversed, but the romance and supernatural comedy are very similar.
8. Snow White with the Red Hair (Akagami no Shirayuki-hime)
– Similarity: A fairy-tale romance that focuses on mutual respect and overcoming social status barriers. Very wholesome.
9. Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light (Hotarubi no Mori e)
– Similarity: *Warning: Sad.* A girl meets a spirit boy she *cannot touch* or he will disappear. Directly mirrors the Duke’s “touch and kill” curse.
GOTHIC AESTHETICS & VICTORIAN VIBES 🕯️🏰
10. Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji)
– Similarity: The visuals. The setting is Victorian England, featuring a young master and a devoted servant dressed in black. (Much darker and action-focused, though).
11. Shadows House
– Similarity: A gothic mystery about “Shadows” (nobles without faces) and their “Living Dolls” (servants). Focuses heavily on the master/servant bond in a mysterious mansion.
12. Gosick
– Similarity: A Victorian mystery romance featuring a small, doll-like girl and a boy who protects her.
13. Taisho Otome Fairy Tale (Taishou Otome Otogibanashi)
– Similarity: *Closest Match.* A depressed boy is disowned by his family due to a disability (injury) and sent to live in isolation, where a devoted girl arrives to care for him and heal his heart.
WHOLESOME OUTCAST ROMANCE 🧶🤝
14. Horimiya
– Similarity: Two people who hide their true selves from the world find comfort in each other. Very natural romantic progression.
15. Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You
– Similarity: Pure domestic fluff. Just a couple living together, being cute, and supporting each other.
16. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku
– Similarity: Low-drama romance between adults who understand each other’s quirks.
THE “TOUCH-STARVED” THEME 🤚🚫
17. Engaged to the Unidentified (Mikakunin de Shinkoukei)
– Similarity: Supernatural fiancé moves in. Cute, funny, and has a mysterious undertone regarding the male lead’s identity.
18. Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts
– Similarity: A human girl loves a beast king. The “monster vs human” romance dynamic is central to the plot.