Just curious of some of the best ones that didn't include Yao or Yuri in it?

Madoka and Nanoha.

Toradora is my personal favorite romance anime.

Yep, I just watched that one...it was pretty good.

There's Chobits , which I have no have business liking as much as I do with how many cliches it shoves in. I haven't really seen many romance anime that weren't shoujo-ai, none that i'd recommend to anyone at least.

Kimi Ni Todoke
Lovely Complex
Itazura na Kiss
Kaichou wa Maid-sama
Toradora
Kare Kano

Those are all my favorites that are pure slice of life. When it comes to anime, I'm a fan of romantic comedies.

Thats quite a list you got there...there's like two there that I haven't seen yet.
Thanks

Great list. All of those are extremely good. I was actually going to come in and recommend Lovely Complex, Kimi ni Todoke, and Kare Kano personally, but you beat me to it.




I'll add a few more:

-Kuragehime (This will appeal to the otaku in you)

-Bakuman (Romance is not front and center, but is the driving force behind the story)

-Air (From the makers of Kanon, it's so damn cute. Also, watch Kanon if you haven't. I recommend the remake released in 2006)

-Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (Be prepared to cry, a lot, even if you are a man)

-Eureka 7 (Be prepared to cry a lot again)

-*Saikano (Be prepared to cry until your tear ducts spit out dust, and be prepared to go into a depressed state)

-Maison Ikkoku (Finally, a happy romance! Watch the live action dramas as well as they are as good as the anime)

-Nodame Cantabile (This is one of my all time favorites, both the anime and the live action. All of the seasons and live action put together are long, but there is no filler. Some of the best character development in a romance IMO. The music is also all performed for real for the show, and in the live action the actors actually play the instruments.)

-Clannad (Another one from the same people that did Kanon. Basically, watch all of the romances produced by Kyo-Ani, they know romance anime)

*I am warning you for real, this show is not to be taken lightly

This list should get you started. Let me know if you want any more recommendations.

I'm sure that the OP is probably already watching them, but My Little Monster and Say "I love you" are pretty excellent romance anime's that are currently mid-season for Fall 2012 and are being simulcast here on Crunchyroll.

Say "I love you" is more of a straight up romance melodrama, whereas My Little Monster focuses on the comedy a lot more (I was laughing out loud a whole lot while watching it), but there is also a lot of romance in it as well. They're both going to probably end up on my list of favorites after this season is over.

This list is awesome thanks a lot and I laughed soo hard at the parts you put about crying...
It happens...I'm not ashamed to admit it, kinda.

Lots of great recommendations here, and although I'm sure there are more, the only thing I can think to add to the list is Spice and Wolf. It's not strictly a romance show, and you won't find many of the mainstays of the romance genre. However, the show is all about the relationship between the two main characters, and how they explore each other and the world together, which sounds like a romance show to me, so I'll just add it to the shows that others have said.

Cross Game
Gunparade March
Kimi ni Todoke
Macross
NANA
Paradise Kiss
School Rumble

Haha, You know if you had just asked what is the best romance you ever watched I wouldn't even thought of yaoi and yuri but since you were so specific as to not include it, it seems to be the only ones I can think of

Eureka Seven

Ok. i'm gonna second a lot of recommendations already made.and add a couple more.

Kare Kano/ His and Her Circumstances- Really good! The show that got me into romance shows.

Paradise Kiss- I freaking love Ai Yazawa. This is my favorite work by her. Also a good show about growing up. Very flashy and has to do with fashion.

Nana- Also a Yazawa work. Came after Paradise Kiss. Has a lot do with music. Also a good show about growing up. I believe all the characters are 20ish?

Gokinjo Monogatari/ Neighborhood Story. Once again, another Yazawa work. This one is a lot lighter and happier than her later two works. If you have seen and enjoyed Toradora I highly recommend this show.

Princess Jellyfish- I personally don't see a lot of romance in this one, but is a very good and interesting show. One of my favorites. Also has to do with fashion and a bunch of social misfits.

Honey and Clover- set in an art school. Characters are college age. I enjoy finding shows with characters that are a little older.

Ouran High School Host Club- It sort of starts out as a parody of harem/reverse harem, but the show really comes into its own and has a lot of heart.

Princess Tutu- I'm just gonna throw this one in. It's sort of a romance, but also a fairy tail/ magical girl show. This show makes me cry, but it is really good.

Toradora
Kimi Ni Todoke
Say "I Love You"
My Little Monster
Spice and Wolf

That's all I can think of right now. I really can't recommend Ai Yazawa's stuff enough.