Slice-of-life genre is simple and laidback with a new and refreshing outlook. It has a lot to offer, with a range encompassing romance to supernatural elements, drama, and science fiction.
A slice-of-life anime is always invigorating to watch as it provides the viewers with a new take on often ignored day-to-day circumstances occurring in our lives. It is one of the most nuanced and intricate anime genres, providing much insight to the viewers.
Nicijou was one such slice-of-life anime that offered an anime portraying dull everyday life with a fresh new perspective. Nichijou is a widely acclaimed anime with fans spanning critics and viewers alike. If you love Nichijou or enjoy watching anime, give the animes from this list a try.
1. Your Lie in April
A tale spun in the humdrum of the everyday lives of young teenagers, Your Lie in April tells the story of dread dreams and persistence. Kosei Arima, a piano virtuoso, navigates the aftermath of personal tragedy and his rediscovery of passion through the nurturing guidance of an unconventional violin prodigy, Kaori Miyazono.
Their profound love for music is mutual. So is their journey of exploring the depth of human feelings and the perseverance of the human spirit, ultimately leading to a sublime comprehension of the beauty and fragility of life and the importance of holding dear every note.
Your Lie in April was acclaimed by viewers and critics thanks to its mesmerizing soundtrack. Abundant in classical pieces and original compositions, the soundtrack of Your Lie in April was commended for its evocative auditory experience.
Studio A-1 Pictures produced Your Lie in April. The same studio produced the likes of Sword Art Online, Erased, and Fairy Tail. If you love a story on human bonds and treasure melody, “Your Lie in April” must make it to your watch list.
- IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
- Where to Watch: Hulu and Funimation
2. True Tears
True Tears shape life’s richness and complexities. Set in an archetypal high school background, it follows the story of one Shinichiro Nakagami. Shinichiro is caught in the horns of a dilemma and cannot come to terms with his feelings for his childhood friend Hiromi Yuasa and the freshly transferred student, Noe Isurugi.
Shinichiro’s tale navigates one through the intricacies of human emotions, relationships, the nuances of loving, losing, and the quest of soul-searching. True Tears, with its pensive and reflective sketch, delves deep into human experiences. It illuminates a mundane and banal human experience and makes one realize the worth of the present moment.
True Tears is adorned with a detailed account, complex characters, contemplative narrative, and a realistic depiction of involute human bonds and emotions. It has a quality to resonate with the audience.
Jukki Hanada, the renowned scriptwriter who has written Nichijou, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions, has also written True Tears. The studio P.A. Works produced the anime True Tears.
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Crunchyroll
3. Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai
Human struggles take a supernatural shape through Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai. The protagonist, Sakuta Azusagawa, a typical high school student, is embroiled in a series of perplexing events when he encounters an enigmatic girl donning a bunny girl costume named Mai Sakurajima.
Mai, an alluring beauty, was a famous child actress who decided to withdraw from the spotlight. Sakuta and Mai’s paths cross, and a peculiar plague them. Mai is becoming invisible to others, save for Sakuta.
This series is spun with comedy, supernatural elements, and emotional turmoil. As Mai and Sakuta continue to cross paths, she appears to him in various unnatural forms. With its gripping and raveled plot, this series explores the innermost thoughts and emotions through its storyline.
It is a perfect watch through the labyrinthine intricacies of human struggles like bullying and mental health. Studio CloverWorks produced the anime, and Hajime Kamoshida wrote it.
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Where to Watch: Hulu, and Funimation.
4. Kimi Ni Todoke
Karuho Shiina has crafted a thought-stirring and emotional manga, Kimi ni Todoke. Kimi ni Todoke has also been adapted into an anime series. The narrative revolves around Sawako Kuronuma, a high schooler. Sawako receives treatment like an outcast because she resembles the horror movie character Sadako. Her peers are afraid of her, and they often misunderstand her.
Her life has overturned with the advent of their high school sweetheart Shota Kazehaya. They strike an amicable bond, and with this friendship, Sawako slowly opens herself up to her peers, sheds her timid past image, and grows into a confident young girl.
We often assume and develop a prejudiced image of someone without knowing them personally. Kimi ni Todoke questions this very fact. Self-acceptance, the strife of an outcast, friendship, love, and the boundaries of societal expectations form this anime’s theme.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix
5. A Whisker Away
Ever wondered what would it feel like to be a fluffy little kitty? Well, this poignant anime film, A Whisker Away, tells a tale of a young girl Muge, who has the opportunity to embody a feline.
Muge has fallen head over heels for her childhood friend Kento. She is desperate and longs to be with him.
She goes to dangerous lengths for her love, and her naivety renders a bittersweet reminder to the viewers that, in reality, sometimes love may not be enough.
Stunning animation, picturesque landscapes, and the emotional score with a tale of love make the audience resonate with the pain and longing that the characters feel. This anime movie will resonate with everyone with a powerful expedition of the emotion of love, the sacrifices that it brings, and a story with fun and frolic.
- IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix
6. Teasing Master Takagi-san
A comedic anime set in the mundanity of daily life, Teasing Master Takagi-san. Follows the everyday interactions between the mischievous and witty Takagi-san and her target Nishikata.
Takagi-san constantly pokes Nishikata with her playful banter and pranks. Poor Nishikata badly wants to outwit Takagi-san, but is he successful? A heartwarming and playful anime, Teasing Master Takagi-san, offers a joyride into the light-hearted and flirtatious dynamics of puppy love and the triumphs and summons of growing up.
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix and Funimation.
7. ReLIFE
What if the triumphs of adolescence came with the prudence and perspective of adulthood? Well, no need to ponder so hard. ReLIFE explores just that. It is a thought-provoking anime series that explores adulthood and its complexities. Our lead, Arata Kaizaki, is 27 years old. He gets another chance to relive his high school years.
As the series forwards, we see Arata struggling with self-worth, life’s meaning, and purpose, and he learns invaluable lessons about love, camaraderie, and mindfulness. ReLIFE also explores the themes of redemption and second chances as Arata gets another opportunity to correct his past error. It is an anime to make you feel a medley of emotions. It is scattered with parts where it can elicit laughs and tears.
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
8. Haikyuu!!
Hinata Shoyo, a passionate high school student, is determined to become a volleyball player after being inspired by a professional volleyball player. A realistic portrayal of the sport of volleyball with a dynamic and emotive story that’s Haikyuu!! for you.
Hinata and his teammates, Kageyama Tobio and Tanaka Ryunosuke, embark on a journey to improve their skills and ultimately to victory. This anime explores the struggles and victories of young volleyball players while also exploring the relationships and dynamics between the characters.
Haikyuu is enamored with the themes of one’s craft, teamwork, and persistence. Even if you are a non-sports fan, consider watching “Haikyuu.” It was written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate while Production I.G. produced the anime.
- IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
9. Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom is a popular anime and manga series written and illustrated by Yusei Matsui.
A strange octopus-like otherworldly creature becomes a homeroom teacher at an underachieving junior high class.
The octopus-like monster, fondly called Koro-sensei by his students, is an alien who has previously destroyed much of the moon, making it a crescent shape. He now threatens to destroy Earth unless a student from his class, Class 3-E, at Kunugigaoka Middle School, can assassinate him.
The series follows the attempts of the students to carry out the implausible task of assassinating their teacher while attending school, like an archetypal Jane Doe. The failures of 3-E are faced with the ardent task of saving humanity from their Koro-sensei, who is set to bring carnage to Earth in a year.
It is an action and comedy-filled delightful drama with valuable lessons to impart. It has scenes where one can weep, their eyes dry, and laugh uncontrollably.
- IMDb Rating: 8/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, and Funimation
10. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
Kaguya-Sama: Love is War is set in an elite high school Shuchiin Academy. It is centered around Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogan. Kaguya and Miyuki are in love with each other, and that’s all… Wait, no. So, Kaguya and Miyuki might be in love but are too proud to confess their feelings to each other. Each tries to make the other acknowledge their feelings first through various schemes.
As the anime progresses, a dramatic comedy unfolds with several challenges within the student council and the school. Kaguya-Sama: Love is War is well-known for its clever storyline and humorous dialogues. Viewers and critics have widely lauded Aka Akasaka for Kaguya-Sama: Love is War since it was first serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump in 2015.
- IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix
11. Toradora!
What would people with an untamed personality resembling a marionette and one with an amicable heart with an intimidating face have in common? Well, weird question.
In Toradora! we come across Taiga Aisaka and Ryuuji Takasu, two people with poles apart exterior and interior. They both are as distinct as day and night! However, they share one trait; each has a crush on their best friend, but alas, the one they are eyeing is already in love with the other.
This trait brings these two antithetical personalities together, and they hatch a conniving plan to help each other catch the attention of their love interests. Do they succeed? Or fate has something else in store for them?
Toradora! has hues of romance, drama, and teenage dilemmas and challenges. It is a comedic anime that can evoke genuine heartfelt laughter from its viewers. It was produced by J.C. Staff and directed by the acclaimed storyboard artist and director of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, to name a few.
- IMDb Rating: 8/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix
12. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
A group of buddies, inseparable as kids, have now grown distant after the passing of their beloved friend, Meiko Honma. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day follows this tragedy. It is the story of the spirit of Menma, who has come back to earth to ask her friends to help her cross to the afterlife. She divulges that she cannot cross to the other side unless her last wish is fulfilled.
This somber series stirs emotions in the formerly close friends making them realize and reflect on their actions and emotions. The series is well written with grief, friendship and the void one leaves after passing as its themes. Anohana is a beautiful anime with an even better lesson to pass.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix
13. Kuroko No Basketball
Our protagonist, Tetsuya Kuroko, is a high school student who is a talented and remarkable basketball player. Tetsuya Kuroko joins the basketball team. Imbued with an unconventional playing style, he uses his highly unorthodox playing style and exceptional ball passing skills to aid his team, Generation of Miracles, in winning games.
This basketball anime traverses through different aspects like interpersonal relationships, rivalries among the team members, and the themes of sportsmanship and vying dynamics among the characters.
Kuroko no Basketball showcases one’s passion, dedication, and hard work to become a star basketball player. It was written by Tadatoshi Fujimaki and produced by Production I.G.
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix and Crunchyroll
14. Clannad
Our leads are Tomoya Okazaki, a rogue teenager, and Nagisa Furukawa, a soft-spoken coy girl. Serendipity plays its game, and two distinct persons cross paths. A walk with Nagisa changes Tomoya’s life forever.
Tomoya aids Nagisa in living her dream of reviving her school’s drama club while living an imperfect and troubled life. He shares an uneasy relationship with his father. This bittersweet and emotionally stirring anime has a beautifully penned storyline and the unique personal strife of every character.
Clannad was first created as a visual novel by Key, and Kyoto Animation adapted it later into an anime series. It is often regarded as one of the most emotional and tragic anime of all time.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Funimation
15. School Rumble
From romantic escapades to tumultuous adolescence, School Rumble is an anime that portrays any high schoolgoer’s life. Harima Kenji and Tsukamoto Tenma are the two characters around whom the narrative is spun.
Harima, a wayward teenager, harbors feelings for Tenma, but he is reticent to confirm his affections, while Tenma is infatuated with her childhood friend, Karasuma Oji. A love triangle!
Who wins whose affection is something you have to dig on your own? This anime has comical elements, romance (remember, a love triangle), unique personalities, and intricate arcs. A romantic comedy with ample drama is a fun series for all age demographics.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Hulu and Funimation
16. A Place Further Than The Universe
A group of four chums set out on a journey to Antarctica. These school girls are Mari Tamaki, Shirase Kobuchizawa, Hinata Miyake, and Yuzuki Shiraishi. Each of them has a struggle personal to them. Mari, a young girl, wants to be set free from her daily boring life and become a globetrotter.
Shirase aims to embark on a journey to Antarctica and find her beloved mother. While the other members, Hinata and Yuzuki, tag along on a voyage to Antarctica for reasons personal to them.
Going to Antarctica is challenging, and these young girls face hindrances and circumstances on their journey. What happens to them? Were they successful? Every question you have regarding this emotional anime will be answered. Brilliant animation and the accuracy with which Antarctica is covered are other laudatory aspects of A Place Further Than the Universe.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix
17. Laid-Back Camp
A laid-back anime. “Laid-Back Camp” is a slice-of-life anime series that focuses on a young group of high school girls.
The main character of the series, Rin Shima, along with her friends, has a jolly good time exploring the outdoors. This anime offers something relatable to the audience as the characters venture a typical outdoor experience of enjoying delicacies, scenic locations, and a serene atmosphere.
Jin Tanaka wrote “Laid-Back Camp.” The warmth of friendship, the importance of relaxation, and enjoying life are some of the themes of this anime. Laid-Back Camp Is an anime that offers viewers a truly serene and tranquil happy time atmosphere.
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
18. Love, Chunibyo And Other Delusions
Most of us go through a phase where we like to believe that we possess supernatural powers and we have our dream fantasy world. Well, this phase or, rather say, the condition is called Chunibyo.
The protagonist of this series, Yuta Togashi, had Chunibyo. However, he has left that phase behind to give his life a fresh new, and regular start. The Chunibyo past still needs to be done with Yuta. He meets a girl named Rikka Takanashi, and she is engrossed in her Chunibyo delusions. As Yuta and Rikka interact and get to know each other, they develop intense romantic feelings for each other.
A beautiful balance of comedy, romance, and creativity, Love, Chunibyo and Other Delusions delves deep into the themes of growth, acceptance, and fantasy. It is an anime to charm and churns laughter from its viewers.
- IMDb Rating: 8/10
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll and HiDive
19. Lucky Star
Lucky Star scouts us through the lives of four high school girls, namely, Konata Izumi, Kagami Hiiragi, Tsukasa Hiiragi, and Miyuki Takara. Set in a small town in Japan, this anime takes us through the lives of these girls who are classmates. The eldest is Kagami, Konata is a weeb, Tsukasa is the group’s baby, and Miyuki is the smart one.
A relatable anime with comedy at its core and a theme focused on friendship, bonds, and relationships. It also has a satirical and parodical take on various pop culture references. Lucky Star showcases the prosaic day-to-day life of young and lively high school-going girls. Lucky Star was written by Kagami Yoshimizu, and the anime adaptation ran for 24 episodes. It was directed by Yutaka Yamamoto.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll and Funimation
20. The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is often called Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan. Our protagonist Saiki Kusuo has only one desire to be an archetypal high school student. However, he possesses superhuman psychic abilities. Saiki can alter the weather, teleport, and even read minds!
His life has no tranquility thanks to his notorious and scheming classmates who always find a way to involve him in their conniving schemes. Saiki tries hard to keep his abilities and quirks latent, but he cannot. A well-appreciated anime, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. offers a fun and delightful watch.
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix and Funimation
21. Josee, The Tiger and The Fish
Josee, The Tiger, and The Fish give us the perspective of life as a differently-abled person. In Josee, The Tiger and The Fish, we meet a crippled yet free-spirited and frolic girl, Josee. She is very artistic and longs to explore the outside world. Josee meets a hardworking and poor college goer Tsuneo, who wants to study Marine Science abroad in Mexico. They strike a bittersweet and playful bond and explore places together.
Their journey takes us on a delightful journey of self-discovery, wanderlust, and growth. The movie was first written as a short story in 1984 by Seiko Tanabe. A heartwarming movie to bring tears to your eyes, it is a must-watch.
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Funimation
22. Ouran High School Host Club
A group of six young male students of the prestigious Ouran Academy runs a high school Host Club. These handsome men entertain their female clients with their dashing personalities and striking looks.
We are introduced to a scholarship student Haruhi Fujioka. Her clumsy self lands her into trouble when she accidentally breaks an extravagant vase of the Ouran High School Host Club. Now, Haruhi isn’t that well-off, and to pay the price for the vase, Haruhi disguises herself as a young man and serves the ladies who come to the Host Club.
A perfect strike between humor and romance, this anime explores several layered themes and plots and the lives of the Host Club members. A light-hearted comedy written by Bisco Hatori and produced by Bones studio is here to tickle you with its fun.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Where to Watch: Hulu, and Netflix
23. Komi-san Can’t Communicate
Komi-san Can’t Communicate is a tale of a socially anxious and shy yet strikingly beautiful and popular Shouko Komi. She is often misunderstood for being haughty and arrogant, while she is coy.
Komi meets a fiddly guy named Tadano Hitohito. He may be a little idiotic and awkward. However, he is instilled with the determination to help Komi communicate.
This funny anime centers around the theme of social awkwardness, communication, and friendship. Without a shadow of a doubt, this relatable anime is highly praised for its life-like portrayal of social awkwardness and shyness. Written and illustrated by Tomohito Oda, this heartwarming and entertaining anime series highlights the importance of communication in a relationship.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix
24. K-On!
K-On!, a production of Kyoto Animation, is a Japanese anime television series. It focuses on the struggles of the main characters, Yui, Mio, Ritsu, and Tsumugi, who joined the school’s light music club. Their mission is to save it from disbanding under the leadership of the sensei, Sawako Yamanaka, to help them learn the instruments and to keep the club running.
Directed by Naoko Yamada and written and illustrated by Reiko Yoshida, it follows the beautiful memories the girls make together with the elements of music and friendship at its core.
As you can guess from the introduction above, this anime series is beloved by its audiences, and anime critics have popularly received it. Who would want to miss more of K-on? No one. The manga of the same name has multiple adaptations, a feature film, and a live-action film.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, HiDive, and Crunchyroll
25. Scum’s Wish
Unrequited love, the fragility of human emotions, and how love affects one’s mental health are the core of Scum’s Wish, which Mengo Yokoyari writes.
We meet a firework, not a real firework but her namesake Hanabi Yasuraoka and Mugi Awaya. Two typical high school teenagers who share a friendly bond. However, all is not that; Muge and Hanabi strike a bond to help each other overcome their feelings for their unrequited love.
Intertwined with love, friendship, and emotions, Scum’s Wish treads maturely when exploring such themes. Taboo topics and innermost desires are other subjects of Scum’s Wish. This anime is food for thought, and sensitive anime is not for someone with an irresolute heart.
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
26. Daily Lives Of High School Boys
Who would want to watch a humorous teen series with three high school boys in it? I surely do. An anime beautifully written and illustrated by Yasunobu Yamauchi, Daly Lives of High School Boys is a Japanese manga series’ adaptation showcasing the lives of three high school boys, Tadakuni, Hidenori, and Yoshitake.
The anime takes us through the way of their ups and downs of their teenage life. This teen series gives you the feel of high school life and abounds in high school humor, friendship, crushes, love, and romantic relationships.
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
27. Wasteful Days Of High School Girls
We have another work written and illustrated by Mengo Yokayari, known as the Wasteful Days of High School Girls. Momoko, a lazy couch potato with no motivation, is our protagonist (sheesh, many of us relate). As the anime series progresses, we find Momoko and her friends scouting their way through the challenging high school years.
Though the anime deals with a daily life story, the animation is refreshing and unique. A minimalist animation coupled with witty and comedic characters showcases the challenges of maturing into young adults. A perfect blend of fun and touching moments, this anime revolves around friendship. If you are looking for a break and want a funny, light-hearted watch, give Wasteful Days of High School Girls a watch.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Where to Watch: HiDive
28. Your Name
What if you could switch your body with someone living a completely different life? Well, that would be interesting. In this well-loved movie, Your Name, we come across two high schoolgoers, Mitsuha and Taki.
Mitsuha lives in the countryside, while Taki lives in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. They experience a peculiar occurrence; they switch bodies without warning or notice. It just happens randomly for them. Strange!
This strange phenomenon leads Mitsuha and Taki to develop a bond and leave notes for each other whenever they switch bodies. As the movie progresses, they learn more about each other and realize their connection and the strange happening are not for naught. This exciting movie offers a nuanced and intriguing plot and visually stunning animation. Your Name is spun with the themes of human bonds, destiny, fate, and love.
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
29. Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon
A world is full of scary dragons… Matte Kudasai (Wait, please). This is not what Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon is about. Coolkyousinnjya writes a tale of a programmer named Kobayashi. Kobayashi saves a dragon Tohru’s life, and fast forward, Tohru is now Kobayashi’s maid dragon.
While working as her personal maid, Tohru learns a lot about humans and how human societies work. Slowly we find more dragons visiting the human world, and now humans and dragons bond, beautiful interactions!
This anime gives a refreshing perspective on dragons and how they are not just ferocious mythical creatures. A heartwarmer, this anime is another comedy with themes delving into diversity, bonds, and family. Kyoto Animation produced this amusing anime, which was well-received by audiences and critics alike.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Funimation
30. 5 Centimeters Per Second
5 Centimeters Per Second is a unique movie with three distinct parts, each focusing on a different story about Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara.
Cherry Blossom, the first part, tells the childhood tale of Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara. They are the best of friends, inseparable, but as fate would have it, they have to live far apart, but maintaining their long-distance relationship is no issue to Takaki and Akari.
Cosmonaut, the second part shows a teenage Takaki who still longs for Akari and thinks about the promise they made several years ago as young kids. 5 Centimeters Per Second, the final part follows a grown-up Takaki and Akari, Takaki has seemingly moved on from Akari, but her thoughts remain. The bond he shared with her has not left his memories.
This movie is named after the speed with which the petals fall off the cherry blossom. A picturesque animation taking us from different seasons to landscapes stirs deep-seated emotions from deep within. A clean and simple story with profound layers is what 5 Centimeters Per Second are about.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
31. A Silent Voice
Yoshitoki Oima has written and illustrated A Silent Voice. A Silent Voice focuses on the story of Shoya Ishida, who used to bully as an elementary school student.
A deaf and mute girl, Shoko Nishimiya is sweet and eager to make friends. She was bullied while she studied in Shoya’s class, and her mother transferred her to a new elementary school due to constant bullying. Years later, a high school student, Shoya, who his classmates have now isolated, repents and introspects his past actions. Determined to seek forgiveness, Shoya sets on a journey of redemption.
This anime follows the themes of bullying, redemption, communication, and friendship. A beautifully penned, emotional slice-of-life film dealing with fragile and sensitive matters, A Silent Voice is a visually stunning and moving anime to watch.
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
32. Azumanga Daioh
Azumanga Daioh follows the lives of Yukari-sensei, a high school English teacher, and his six pupils. A slice-of-life comedy, it focuses on a greater depth of each character’s story. Daily lives, friendships, and what the characters do in their free time are what we explore in Azumanga Diaoh.
Each of the six pupils is diverse, with Chiyo, a brilliant young girl; Tomo, the lively and high-spirited one; Kagura, the sports lover; Yomi, the nerd; Osaka, the daydreamer; and Sakaki, the coy one. At the same time, their teacher is an outlandish young man. A hilarious anime with jovial fun and characters to resonate with is often praised for its chibi characters and unconventional satire.
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Where to Watch: Hidive, and Crunchyroll
33. The Garden Of Words
Takao Akizuki is a young student passionate about the Japanese art of shoemaking and meets an enigmatic young woman Yukari Yukino in a garden. That’s The Garden of Words for you.
Both of the primary characters are struggling with issues personal to them. They meet and strike up a conversation during the rainy months. As time flies by and the monsoon ends, their meetings lessen. What happens to them? Well, only the movie can answer that. A beautifully animated movie with a pleasant background score explores the themes of love, friendship, isolation, and the fleeting life.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu
34. My Neighbors The Yamadas
If you loved Spirited Away and are in love with Studio Ghibli, My Neighbors the Yamadas is definitely for you. Hisaichi Ishii writes the manga on which the anime My Neighbour the Yamadas is based. The Yamada family is your average middle-class Japanese family. The typical family comprises the parents, Takashi, Matsuko, and siblings Noboru and Nonoko.
The everyday life of a middle-class family is beautifully explored in this anime. From the father’s struggle at work to the mother’s role as a homemaker and their children trying to fit in school and become diligent students is what it portrays. A simple story with simple animation is what My Neighbors The Yamadas showcase. A familiar tale with relatable characters and a comedic tone, this anime is undoubtedly a refresher.
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video
35. Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku
Ah! Finally, an anime on us otakus. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku follows the story of Narumi Momose, Hirotaka Nifuji, Hanako Koyanagi, and Taro Kabakura. These friends are well into adulthood and share a pristine love for anime, manga, and video games.
Narumi is in love with Hirotaki, a diligent worker and a coy young lady. Hirotaki is an insensitive ladies’ man who doesn’t understand feelings, specially Narumi’s feelings. Hanako is a cosplayer and is the social butterfly of the group. Taro and Hanako are dating, and Taro is the lazy one with a tough time motivating himself.
The anime follows their love lives and the struggles of being an otaku. A fun, light-hearted comedy on otakus, their lives, and their efforts is a laidback watch for any anime lover.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
36. I Want To Eat Your Pancreas
Sakura Yamauchi, a sweet and outgoing girl suffering from a terminal illness, meets Haruki Shiga, an introvert who maintains a distance from his classmates. Haruki learns about Sakura’s pancreatic illness that will soon rob her of her life.
The titular characters spend time together, learning more about each other and developing a friendly yet intimate bond over time. Will Sakura die? Will she be cured? What will happen to Haruki? Interesting questions!
It would be best if you gave this anime heartwarming and heartwrenching anime movie a try to find the answers. A powerful depiction of relationships, fatal illnesses, and how fleeting life is, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas will indeed churn tears from viewers.
- IMDb Rating: 8/10
- Where to Watch: Bilibili
37. Horimiya
High school students Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura are two distinct characters. At least superficially.
Kyoko is a tenacious student who is well-loved among her peers. As her class representative, she is meticulous and responsible. While on the other hand, we have the outlier Izumi, a loner with an edgy and don’t mess with me personality.
Kyoko and Izumi learn about each other’s secrets and establish a love-hate relationship. As they learn more and more about each other, they realize their commonalities, and a beautiful relationship blossoms. Acceptance, love, friendship, and bonds are the themes of this stirring anime series, Horimiya.
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Funimation
38. Asobi Asobase: Workshop Of Fun
A series full of misadventures, comedy, and fun, Asobi Asobase: Workshop of Fun follows the lives of Hanako Honda, Olivia, and Kasumi Nomura. These high school girls created a club called Pastimers Club. A club where having fun is vital.
Each trinity member has a different personality; Olivia is an exchange student from the US, while Hanako is a notorious and outlandish girl playing mischief against Kasumi, the shy one. A fun series with slapstick comedy, it explores the themes of youth, friendship, and joy. Takao Yoshioka wrote this anime and also happened to be the director.
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix
39. The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya tells the story of a bored teenager looking for a thrill- Haruhi Suzumiya.
To find excitement and kill boredom, Haruhi establishes the SOS Brigade. SOS Brigade is a club dedicated to exploring paranormal, supernatural, and weird incidences and phenomena.
Kyon, Mikuru, and Yuki are Haruhi’s prey dragged to join the club. However, each of them has a secret. Mikuru is a time traveler, while Yuki is an alien. With the series’ progression, we find Haruhi’s abilities and powers. This science fiction slice-of-life series has self-identity, desire, friendship, and actuality as its theme. Yasuhiro Takemoto wrote it, and Tatsuya Ishihara led the direction.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, and Funimation
40. Arakawa Under The Bridge
Arakawa Under the Bridge follows the tale of Kou Ichinomiya. Kou is a young industrialist. His family has a rule that every member must abide by, to never be in anyone’s debt.
Kou has always followed this family principle, but one fateful day, he falls into the river, and Nino, a young girl, saves him. Now, he has to pay her debt and agrees to become her partner. Nino lives under the bridge, and Kou has mysterious encounters with the people there.
Arawaka Under the Bridge is an appealing comedy with themes of love, societal bonds, values, and principles. This off-beat anime is sure to stir laughter and empathy from the viewers.
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video
41. Squid Girl
Pollution of the ocean triggers not just us but the protagonist of this anime, Squid Girl. She vows to avenge the water pollution and uses the Lemon Beach Shack, a restaurant, for her ulterior motives. The Aizawa siblings are the owners of this restaurant.
Well, things go a little wayward, and now our dear little Squid Girl works part-time, waiting tables at the same restaurant. Masahiro Anbe has written this comedic anime with a vital lesson on water pollution at its core. Squid Girl is famous among viewers and is not only a comic anime, but it has a twist; you should pay a visit to this anime and learn more yourself.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll and Apple TV
Also Read: 20 Best Slice-of-Life Anime Series to Watch from BLS to Classics
