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What makes life worth living? Comedy, romance, cuteness, relaxation. Slice of life anime attempt to recreate both the best and most turbulent parts of life as closely related to our reality as possible. Here, Chasing Anime has compiled the best 30 slice of life anime that you need to watch!
What is a Slice of Life Anime?
A Slice of Life Anime is an anime that seeks to replicate the interactions of everyday people and the world around them, as its name implies. While occasionally these anime will incorporate fantasy or otherworldly elements, at its core, a Slice of Life anime seeks to examine interpersonal relationships or society in general, as closely related to our reality as possible.
Sometimes your crush rejects you and sometimes your overtime work is positively relentless. Sometimes…life kind of sucks. However, amidst such turmoil, there are moments of true happiness, and it is by experiencing such negativity that you can truly learn to appreciate the good times.
What is the best Slice of Life Anime?
Clannad and its sequel Clannad: After Story, are the best Slice of Life Anime. Both seasons have some of the highest scores on MAL (the latter being 8.96) and both incorporate all the tropes associated with the genre. From the everyday laugh to the gut-wrenching sorrow, Clannad displays every aspect of the human condition to its audience.
Slice of Life Anime will often contain a mixture of joy and despair. Similarly to real life, each and every person alive today has experienced such conflicting emotions throughout their journey. Chasing Anime has listed the best Slice of Life anime to allow you to relive those moments at your leisure.
1) Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! (Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions)
MAL: 7.78
Anime like Clannad go to great lengths to accurately display the journey from adolescence to adulthood, warts and all. After watching such an anime, it is easy to see how the youth of today would not want to grow up and take on so many responsibilities. You would want to stay in your cosy middle school life until the end of days.
So why don’t you?
What is Chuunibyou?
Before getting in to the plot of Chuunibyou, let us first define the term itself. The term translates to “middle school second year” syndrome and it used to describe those teens who still retain delusions of grandeur. They do desperately want to stand out from their peers that they fool themselves into believing they hold special powers or hidden knowledge.
Enter, Rikka, a chuunibyou infected teenage girl who believes herself to be the main protagonist of your local Shounen Jump series. Upon discovering that her classmate, Yuuta (a teenage boy who used to suffer from chuunibyou), is the heralded Dark Flame Master, she begins pestering him to join her on her misadventures. Embarrassed by his past, Yuuta does everything he can to keep that part of his life locked away.
Chuunibyou and Growing Up
For those who have seen Peter Pan, he was the original chuunibyou so to speak. A child in the body of an adult who refused to grow up. We can see with Rikka, that when she is forced to accept the ordinary life she has been dealt, she struggles to come to terms with it. Not only this but Yuuta also struggles to grow out of his childhood embarrassments and leave them in the past.
We are all slaves to our past. Tossing and turning in our sleep as we recount the time we called the teacher ‘mom’ or accidentally slipped in front of our crush. Chuunibyou is a great anime for moving past such regrets. Not just moving past them but accepting them for what they are – hilariously funny. Growing up is learning to laugh at yourself and accept that every decision you have made thus far has shaped you into the person you are today. Those who revel in cringing at the past will find Chuunibyou to be a thoroughly amusing watch.
2) Sakura-sou no Pet Girl na Kanojo (The Pet Girl of Sakura-sou)
MAL: 8.21
Sakura-sou is an anime about finality. We all fear change and ending the comfortable lives we have gotten used to. Moving house, quitting your job, or graduating from school, Sakura-so is cheering for your future. Everything has to come to an end someday. That’s what makes moments of happiness so special. That’s why it’s ok to cry when moving forward with your life.
And boy are you going to cry at this one!
After being forcibly removed from his original dorm for having a pet cat, Kanda Sorata is forced into Sakura dormitory. As he attempts to adjust to life in the dorm, he meets Mashiro Shiina, a world-renowned artist who can barely take care of herself. Sorata ultimately becomes Mashiro’s caretaker.
Sakura-sou is a beautiful anime that deals with the trials and tribulations of growing up. As the final year of school draws to a close, the looming realization they they will soon become adults dawns on our cast. The realization that they will perhaps drift apart from one another as they begin their new lives.
Sakura-sou and Dealing With ‘The End’
I’m reminded of a quote from paper salesman and Office legend, Andy Bernard.
This line encapsulates the entire atmosphere of Sakura-sou. All the joy and happiness that the cast experience, is all undercut by the knowledge that it will soon come to an end. Moreover, this knowledge only amplifies any negative experiences the cast undergoes.
However, knowledge of ‘the end’ should not stop you from living for today. Almost akin to a mortal allegory, as humans we are cursed with knowing our own futility. Yet, we cannot let this impede on the short time that we do have to laugh, build relationships and try out new experiences.
Sakura-sou is a great anime for anyone on the verge of starting a new path in life, and who may be worrying about the future. You are not alone! Let Shiina take you by the hand and reassure you that no matter where you go in life, you will always have the memory of waking up to a cute girl lying on top of you.
And if you don’t have that memory yet well then…good luck out there!
3) Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai (Haganai: I don’t have many friends)
MAL: 7.30
You’re kind of funny looking. You have no friends. You have a thing for blondes and tsunderes. If this describes you, then I cannot recommend Haganai enough!
Haganai is a great love triangle anime, peppered with harem elements. Kodaka, a transfer student, struggles to make friends at his new school due to his abnormal hair color and intimidating stare. After forming a club with several classmates, he learns that in some cases having friends is a true blessing.
And in other cases, a serious headache.
At its core, this anime preaches the value of friendship. While the light novel delves into more of the romantic side of Kodaka’s life, the anime focuses more so on the cast’s time together as friends.
The gang go through the usual checklist of these kinds of shows.
We’ve got the beach episode, the water park episode, the theme park episode, the church episode. This is a wholly Christian and sinless anime I can assure you, and the excessive fanservice is meant to be a strict message about profanity.
In all seriousness, Haganai is an anime that preaches the value of being yourself. The club formed by Kodaka and his friends is a haven for the eccentric or socially impaired. Ranging from a perverted inventor to a sister with chuunibyou, the cast is as wild as you can imagine a group of outcasts would be.
As previously mentioned, there are smatterings of romance that make their appearance, however, this is not explored until the climax of season two, which sets up for the light novel’s continuation.
Kodaka seems a lot happier when he enters this club. He gains like-minded friends who do not judge him based on his appearance and even gains a love interest or two or three or four. The take-home message is that it is OK to be yourself and you should surround yourself with people who like you for who you are.
4) Seitokai Yakuindomo
MAL: 7.61
SEX! SEXY SEX! LOTS OF SEXY PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT SEXY SEX!
Good, now that you’re listening, let’s talk about Seitokai Yakuindomo.
Takatoshi Tsuda is a student attending his first day of school at a previously girl’s only campus. He is picked up for his untidy appearance by the student council president, who invites him to join her as VP to help her acclimate the new male populace into the school. What follows is an endless barrage of sexual jokes, lewd fantasies and innuendos, as the three female members of the student council are not as innocent as they may appear.
This anime is a lewd joke machine! It can get exhausting at times. Every single line spouted by the three main heroines has some link to sex or sexual activity. You would think it would become tiresome and worn out fairly quickly, but I can’t help but feel that we have all been in this situation before. Pretending to know so much about something despite having never experienced it ourselves. We draw wild and unexplainable conclusions to fill the gap in our knowledge.
Seitokai Yakuindomo is an anime that talks about sex. A lot. I can’t really say more than that to be honest. If this is the kind of anime you were looking for, Seitokai Yakuindomo should more than satisfy.
5) Nisekoi (Nisekoi: False Love)
MAL: 7.67
There is nothing quite like young love. We’ve all been there. The elevated heart rate from the first kiss. The sweaty palms from the first hand-holding session. The sudden palpitations as the knowledge dawns on you that at any moment, a sword-swinging yakuza could emerge from the bushes and slice you in two.
Oh to be young and in love again.
Raku, the son of a yakuza boss, and Chitoge, the daughter of a rival boss are forced to pretend that they are in relationship, in order to quell the ever growing tension amongst both gang’s members.
Nisekoi is a love story. Nisekoi is a harem. Nisekoi is an envoy for one of the most blood-soaked ‘best girl’ wars of the past decade. To me though, Nisekoi perfectly frames awkward teenage romance. Seriously, you could fry an egg on the forehead of Onodera with the number of times her blushed face heats up.
Regardless, we’ve all been experienced that youthful turmoil. Liking your crush but being too cowardly to act on it. Steadily developing romantic feelings from platonic friendships. Accidental hand touches, indirect kisses, sanctioned closeness, the list is endless. In spite of the very obscure circumstances, Nisekoi does not lean too heavily on the yakuza aspect of the story. Instead it chooses to focus on the development of its protagonist, and tease watchers as to who he will choose in the end.
Unfortunately however, you’ll have to go through the manga if you want to see who he ends up with. Don’t worry though, upon finishing the final episode, you won’t be able to start reading fast enough.
Continue reading Nisekoi from where the anime stopped by purchasing the manga. This is the best way to support your mangaka.
6) Kaichou wa Maid-sama! (Maid Sama!)
Let’s take a break from the harems for a minute. Sometimes, a great love story doesn’t need conflicting love interests all battling it out for the same prize. Sometimes, you just need two people who love each other.
Misaki, student president, is forced to work part-time at a maid café in order to make ends meat. One day, all around heartthrob Usui discovers her secret. He continues to show up at the café in order to pester her and the two become closer with each episode.
Much like Nisekoi, this anime explores young love. Where Kaichou wa Maid-sama differentiates itself, however, is the personalities of these characters. Misaki is flushed, embarrassed, and not confident when it comes to such feelings. Usui on the other hand is confident, persistent, and willing to lay his feelings bare to Misaki.
Like Nisekoi again, you’ll have to delve deeper into the manga to discover the end to Usui and Misaki’s relationship. However, if you are in the mood for a touching romance featuring mismatched characters, give some time to Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
Continue reading Maid Sama! from where the anime stopped by purchasing the manga. This is the best way to support your mangaka.
7) Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU/Oregairu)
MAL: 8.07
Ok, you had your nice two-person love story but now breaktime’s over! Back to work on the harem pain train for you!
The more I re-watch Oregairu, the more I think of it as a character study into Hikigaya Hachiman, the show’s protagonist. A cynical misanthropist, he despises humanity and everyone who conforms to it. After being shooed into a club with ice queen Yukinoshita Yukino (thereafter being joined by the perky Yuigahama Yui), 8-man (“Hachi”-man) struggles to bend his will to the command of social etiquette.
8-man speaks to a generation of socially outcast and awkward teenagers. Not fitting in with any particular clique at his school, he grows despondent and resentful of a society that cast him out.
However, as if being granted a second chance to revoke his hate-filled ways, his female companions show him that there is joy in the world when you spend it with those who accept you. It’s easy to turn your back on a society that shunned you and even more difficult to look on said society with forgiveness.
However, with a friend at either side to help you along the way, even a cynic such as 8-man can make it through the darkness. Never giving up no matter how hopeless things may seem is the message Oregairu hopes to inspire
8) Great Teacher Onizuka
MAL: 8.70
Eikichi, former motorcycle gang member, Onizuka, entered into the teaching industry in hopes that he could seduce his students. Eikichi’s teaching methods are unorthodox to say the least and life-threateningly illegal at most. Over time, however, he grew into a fine and transparent educator.
GTO is a great anime about breaking away from traditions (albeit in a far too exaggerated manner). Onizuka himself starts out as nothing more than a delinquent substitute.
However, when conversing with his students, he does so as an equal rather than abusing a sanctioned power dynamic. It allows his students to be themselves and question both him and their own actions. Onizuka allows for freedom of thought (almost to a fault). Yet, how will anyone ever learn that something is a mistake unless they experience it first hand? I think Onizuka himself puts it best.
“Give a kid a smoke and he’ll be happy for a day. Teach him how to smoke… he’ll be happy for his whole shortened life.”
Eikichi Onizuka, Great Teacher Onizuka
Continue reading Great Teacher Onizuka from where the anime stopped by purchasing the manga. This is the best way to support your mangaka.
9) Hyouka
MAL: 8.15
Hyouka is a detective anime for those sick of tobacco pipes, monocles and British protagonists. The show effortlessly blends a beautiful character dynamic of the literature club members with their thirst for uncovering the many mysteries surrounding both their school or family history.
Oreki, an energy conservative student, finds himself caught up in a cavalcade of mystery sleuthing after joining the classics club at the behest of his sister. Together with bright-eyed companion Chitanda, the group members set out to solve several mysteries surrounding their school-life.
Life is full of mysteries. The meaning of life still alludes us to this day. Most of us simply accept these mysteries for what they are and conclude that they are unsolvable.
Yet, there are a select few curious little devils out there who are not content with such a lukewarm approach. Hyouka taps into the desire for exploration and the desire for answers. Hyouka wants you to go out there and find the truth for yourself. Perhaps it will bring you joy or perhaps it will bring you anguish. Regardless, Hyouka believes that it is better to know the truth rather than live a life of blissful ignorance.
Just like Chitanda, you too should be very curious!
10) Clannad / Clannad: After Story
Clannad MAL: 8.09
Clannad: After Story MAL: 8.96
While I spoke briefly about Clannad during the introduction, I must caution those who have yet to see this anime to ready themselves. While the subtitle may read: “Clannad: After Story”, in truth, should read: “Clannad: How Many Times Can Life Kick Tomoya in the Groin?”.
You have been warned.
Tomoya Okazaki is a highschool student with little interest in anything. That is however, until he meets Nagisa Furukawa. In order to impress her, he helps her reform the drama club. The plot of the first series sees the two grow to become romantically intimate, while After Story details their lives as an adult couple after graduating.
Several horrible events occur in this anime. Events that I will never forget. Not to mention, the entire anime is plastered over a background of parental abuse, alcoholism, death, rejection, and abandonment. There are pleasant moments and jokes to be found here but where Clannad truly shines is its ability to activate your tear ducts at the drop of a hat.
This anime effortlessly displays the trials and tribulations of life after high school. While other light-hearted anime often come to a close after graduation, Clannad spares you no courtesy in detailing just how difficult the real world can be for some people. While Clannad is a piece of fiction, the storylines present could easily occur to anyone of us.
If you choose not to adhere to my advice and proceed with watching this Slice of Life anime, strap on a compression cup and brace yourself for the repeated swings this series is going to take to your nether regions.
11) Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu (Baka & Test – Summon the Beasts / Baka Test)
MAL: 7.62
Detention sucks. I think we can all agree with that. Now, what if you had the ability to not only escape such punishments but in doing so, elevate your status in your school? All that’s required is a good worth ethic and the ability to should this word very loudly:
“SUMMON!”
Baka Test follows the lives of the F class of a prestigious school. At said school, one’s grades are equivalent to their social rank. As such, the A class are permitted luxuries such as new desks, textbooks and several other amenities. Contrastingly, those in F class are forced to work in freezing classrooms with broken desks and worn out study aids.
It is however possible to improve one’s conditions through the use of summon battles, where small versions of each student battle it out for the chance to steal the other’s classroom.
Baka Test is a great anime about never giving up. The F class is ridiculed mercilessly by the other students, and several F class students simply accept their lot in life. Similar to the real world, we aren’t all born into wealth and it can be disheartening to stare at the mountain you have to climb to reach success.
Baka Test incorporates these summon battles but each person’s fighter’s strength is linked directly to their test scores. As such, it can be seen how Baka Test wants to leave its viewers with the message that working hard can result in greatness and prosperity. Baka Test is a great watch in between those long studying sessions while you work towards the future.
12) Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru (Oreshura)
MAL: 7.10
Eita Koudou, a child still coming to terms with his parents’ infidelity, despises love and dedicates his entirety to studying and becoming a doctor. Likewise, popular girl Masuzu is tired of her peers’ undying affections towards her and has become resentful of any notion of romantic feelings. She proceeds to blackmail Eita to pretend to be her boyfriend to ward off any suspected suitors.
This anime flies under the radar when compared its more mainstream contemporaries. When faced with the option to watch a Nisekoi or an Oregairu, why would anyone choose to watch Oreshura instead?
This anime really warms my heart. It’s a great, short series with a satisfying conclusion, yet one that can be expanded upon should you choose to read past the anime ending. A great mixture of not only touching moments but also hilarity as well. Oregairu, although a fantastic character study, never really tickled my funny bone. Granted, I wouldn’t watch an anime like Oregairu if I was in the mood for a hearty laugh, but it’s nice that Oreshura can combine both the sentimentality and humor of its premise, into one unique package.
Oreshura is a an allegory for judging a book by its cover. Masuzu, the most popular girl in school with hordes of adoring fans, is actually disillusioned with her role and wants it to come to an end. Eita, an apathetic fellow, is actually dealing with significant emotional trauma. Only when the two become a fake couple, can they come to understand the person beneath the surface. A very positive message for a very positive anime.
13) Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai (OreImo)
MAL: 7.14
Wait, wait, wait! Before you go into this anime thinking it’s about incest, let me first assure you that it isn’t. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about ‘My Little Sister Can’t Be This Cute’.
Just go with me on this one, OK?
Kyousuke, older brother to all-around perfect lifeform Kirino, one day discovers her long-held secret – a passion for erotic anime and media. In order to keep him quiet, Kirino decides to introduce him into her world.
Once again, this anime is also about not taking for granted the first appearance. However, OreImo expands upon this idea, pushing it even further. OreImo not only encourages empathy among those in close relationships but also strives for the eradication of shame. Had Kirino simply stood up and proclaimed her interest in such things, there would be no show to speak of.
We’ve all been there. Anime lovers far and wide are ridiculed for their interests by those outside the sphere. ‘Weeaboo’ is the most widely used slur and oftentimes, the mere utterance of interest in anime is enough to turn away a crowd. If you enjoy doing something, you should not have to keep it hidden. Anyone who would judge you for enjoying something so wholeheartedly cannot be considered a true friend or family member.
14) Seitokai no Ichizon (Student Council’s Discretion)
MAL: 7.37
Seitokai no Ichizon is one of my favorite anime of all time. Without delving too deep into my twenty-page thesis as to why this anime is amazing, I will do my best to help all of you understand just how special this show is and why I offer it such high praise.
Seitokai no Ichizon follows the story of a group of student council members, one of which is Ken Sugisaki. Sugisaki, a long time fan of girl games where the protagonist attempts to win the heart of one or many love interests, strives to form a harem (a polygamous relationship) with the remaining four girls in his team.
Seitokai no Ichizon is more of a sketch comedy than anything else. There is a through-line that can be followed but usually, a premise will be set up, it will be explored, an amusing punchline will land, before a quick transition and onto the next skit. It doesn’t sound as if it breaks any boundaries but the rapid-fire comedy of this show is second to none.
Seitokai no Ichizon puts on a parade for stagnation. The council members achieve little to no progress through their workings and even less so when they embark on one of their many expeditions. However, this love of the present moment is what keeps Seitokai no Ichizon from growing irritating.
Of course, planning for one’s future is important, however, when doing so as rigorously as some, it becomes easy to miss the moments happening in front of you. Seitokai no Ichizon takes joy in every moment the cast are in their study room. It also takes joy in every millisecond it has with its viewer, pumping out as many jokes as humanly possible in such a short allotted time.
Seitokai no Ichizon is a very underrated anime in my opinion. If this anime lover’s opinion is worth anything, I cannot recommend this show enough.
15) Koe no Katachi (A Silent Voice)
MAL: 9.01
We all make mistakes. Even more so during our uneducated youth. Thoughts of these wrongdoings can eat away at a person. Surely, it shouldn’t be too hard to find closure.
As an abhorrent child, Shouya Ishida tormented his classmates to cure his boredom. One such person was deaf classmate Shoukou Nishimiya. After coming of age and happening upon a chance encounter, the two are reunited during their adolescence. Wanting to redeem his wicked ways of the past, he sets out to make amends with Shoukou.
A beautiful feature-length picture that explores not only deafness and the many difficulties that deaf people suffer from but also more ephemeral topics like resentment and regret. Most of the screen time is eaten up with interactions between our two main characters and seeing Ishida try his best to make things right just warms my heart. From constantly pestering her to practicing sign language, Ishida seems truly set on the road to personal recovery.
As previously stated, we all make mistakes. If you find yourself lucky enough to be given a second chance, be sure not to squander it.
16) Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki (Wolf Children)
MAL: 8.66
Let’s keep the motion picture ball rolling with another classic, Wolf Children. A gripping story of love and acceptance.
After falling in love with a half-man half-wolf hybrid, thereafter giving birth to two children, a single mother is forced to care for her offspring. They pose as humans during the day but have the unique ability to transform into their wolf forms at will.
Life can be hard. Living just your one life, it can be safely assumed that you have experienced difficulties and hardship. Wolf Children takes those experiences and doubles them.
Struggling to come to terms with where they belong in the world, the two children wrestle with identity issues. Are they human or are they wolves? After being forced by their mother to live a life of human normalcy, they consider that perhaps there are other options out there yet to be explored.
Children from strict parents can relate to this anime. While the mother does not act in any way negatively towards her children, she does shoo them toward her idea of normal. Perhaps your father wanted you to follow in his footsteps taking over the family business once you reach adulthood. Perhaps your mother wanted you to grow up to be a world-famous doctor. Maybe lots of people had different dreams for you when all you wanted to do was sit around and watch anime (I hope I did you proud mom)!
Wolf Children is a slice of life anime about acceptance. Accepting that you are in control of your own life and nobody else can tell you otherwise. People can relate to this as they reminisce over their overbearing childhoods and new parents can relate to this as they see how such forcefulness can disrupt a child’s development.
17) Kimi no Na wa (Your Name)
One of the most critically acclaimed animated movies of this generation, Your Name amazed audiences with its crisp and fluid animation, it’s excellent narrative, and its faithful use of setting.
After discovering that they can switch bodies akin to Freaky Friday, two young teens find themselves distressed with the antics their bodies get in to when not under their own supervision. However, perhaps such heartache is all just compensating for a more powerful emotion.
If you have not made the pilgrimage yet to the famous stairs featured in Your Name, I highly implore you to do so at your next convenience. Your Name is a great slice of life anime in that it pays so much respect to the world we live in. Taking one look at the care and accuracy that went into designing each set piece comparatively to their real world counterparts, is mind-boggling.
I think it sends a great message about finding love in the real world. Regardless of the way our two protagonists initially made contact, their reunion was one of pure circumstance. You never know who you may come to love. The person you despise today could be your fiancé tomorrow. The childhood girlfriend you hadn’t seen in a decade, could one day pass you by in the street. Never give up hope of finding your special someone. You may just meet them whilst climbing the stairs.
18) Byousoku 5 Centimeter (5 Centimeters Per Second)
MAL: 7.77
This movie tells a tale addressing the harsh reality of long distance relationships. Buckle up, this one’s about to get messy.
As fate does everything in its power to keep them apart, young couple Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara (long since childhood friends) find themselves unable to keep in contact due to extenuating circumstances. In spite of this however, the memories that got them to this point stand firm – disrupting their present day lives and their newfound friends, as they obsess over the past and the hope that they might one day see each other again.
Time and time again, the notion that long distance relationships are doomed to fails rears its ugly head. Whatever your stance is on the matter, I assume that should you meet the love of your life, you would do everything in your power to keep that person by your side.
5 Centimeters Per Second goes over the reality of balancing an unconditional love for someone, against the cruel and thoughtless world that we live in.
Do they reunite at the end? I suppose you’ll just have to watch it and find out.
19) Nichijou (My Ordinary Life)
MAL: 8.48
Nichijou does not really have a plot of which to speak of. Similar to Seitokai no Ichizon in that regard, the focus is instead placed on the everyday antics of the townspeople of Tokisadame. With a title that literally translates to “everyday life” or “ordinary life”, this anime does slice of life like no other.
Despite mentioning that this anime’s primary focus is on everyday shenanigans, our concept of normality is thrown out of the window in this anime. The antics that this cast gets up to border on the absurd be it from witness a deer be suplexed, or being bitten by a cow on your morning commute.
While you may be thinking that such a crazy show can have no relation to slice of life, I would argue the opposite. Our world is a magical and mysterious place rife with unexplained happenings occurring each and every day. While we may not be able to converse with talking crows, technological and medical advancement over the past several decades has improved dramatically.
Those willing to look past the view directly in front of them, are rewarded with a host of wonder that they could not possible witness with such a stagnant view. Nichijou is a great anime for making sense of the craziness of the world we live in.
20) Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san (Teasing Master Takagi-san)
MAL: 7.79
Did you ever have a best friend that knew you so well that you could finish each other’s…
Where this may seem like a benefit to most, in the case of Nishikata, this proves to be nothing more than a burden.
Nishikata is tormented on a daily basis by his classmate Takagi, who knows his personality inside and out. Due to this, she can often predict his actions and thought processes, using them to enact comical punishments. Nishikata vows to one day counter her teasing, and make her blush from embarrassment.
Due to the age of the cast being much younger in this slice of life anime, the anime itself has a much more light-hearted tone, leaning more so on its jokes than heavy plot development. That isn’t to say however that the protagonists we have been given are not great characters. Takagi and her conniving ways are a joy to watch for anyone that has ever spent their time tormenting a younger sibling or underclassmen.
As for Nishikata, it’s easy to relate to someone constantly under the thumb of someone more powerful. Anyone who has been the subject of bullying will find themselves rooting for Nishikata to one day get his long sought after revenge.
Takagi-san is a wonderfully comical and well thought out anime about and intense rivalry.
21) Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou (Daily Lives of High School Boys)
MAL: 8.28
This one is for the boys out there. Sorry ladies, no girls allowed!
Much like Nichijou, this anime follows the lives of three high school boys as they attempt to circumvent intense drama, passionate romances and tough battles.
Unfortunately however, all of these scenarios only play out in the imaginations of the cast. In reality, they are just an ordinary trio of boys no different than you or I.
This anime really does justice to the male teenage experience. The growing attraction to girls, the vivid imagination; everything that encompasses being a male youth is explored through these characters. If you are a man and looking for a good laugh at some relatable content, Daily Lives of High School Boys encapsulates most of our childhoods.
Women on the other hand, will be able to gain valuable knowledge as to why we act the way we do.
That is to say, they can finally come to understand why we are so incompetent.
When life is mundane, it’s fun to escape into the world inside your head. Bringing those ideas into reality, to make everyday life more interesting, is what Daily Lives of High School Boys is all about.
22) Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii (Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku)
MAL: 7.97
If you’re reading this, chances are you consider yourself an otaku. An otaku, put in the most simplest of terms, is one who enjoys the media of anime or video games, and oftentimes dislikes extended social interactions. How can such people find love, I hear you ask. Well, Wotakoi is here to solve all of your problems.
Narui Momose is an otaku and Fujoshi (a fan of Yaoi). After accidentally letting her secret slip to fellow otaku Hirotaka Nifuji, he reassures her that she has nothing to be ashamed of. Where Narui’s previous boyfriend left her as he refused to date a Fujoshi, Hirotaka promises to always be there for her be it helping her game or watching her favorite anime. Met with such a romantic proposal, Narui quickly agrees and the two begin dating.
I don’t think it is too unfair to say that being an otaku and struggling in social or romantic situations is that unheard of. The two protagonists find it difficult to adapt to their new relationship at first, making countless mistakes and suffering through awkward interactions. However, over time, they come to find that being in a relationship with someone who understands you, is much better than being alone.
Wotakoi is a great anime for those otakus who have given up on ever finding someone. Perhaps, according to Wotakoi, you have just been looking in the wrong place. When to otaku have such negative feelings towards social interactions, the result of them dating each other will oftentimes have a positive reaction.
Two negatives make a positive, after all.
23) Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai! (Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!)
MAL: 7.10
This anime came out of complete left-field to totally wow the entire anime community. Uzaki-chan left such a mark on the slice of life anime community with her distinct, teasing, and very energetic personality.
Uzaki-chan follows the life of titular character Uzaki; an energetic and loud-mouthed underclassmen, and her upperclassmen Sakurai; a more aloof loner student. Uzaki having such a perky personality, constantly attempts to save Sakurai from being alone by inviting him to movies and other miscellaneous activities. Sakurai finds these types of events irritating but will usually comply to Uzaki’s wishes.
Over time, their relationship grows and people begin to mistake them for a couple. Uzaki and Sakurai constantly deny this fact yet, perhaps there is more to their friendship than meets the eye.
Uzaki is the star of the show here and whenever she and Sakurai are given the chance to interact, hilarity is sure to ensue.
Not only has Uzaki-chan catapulted itself into the mainstream anime community, but her patented “Sugoi Dekai” shirt left two very large impressions on anyone who watched the show.
Uzaki-chan is actually a very sentimental anime when you break down its premise. The desire to save someone from being a lone. Perhaps you know someone who struggles to make friends or you yourself are said person. Uzaki-chan displays the value of friendship and how one simple act can lead to a lifelong partnership.
24) Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day)
We are all haunted by our past. Be it past mistakes of those we have been forced to say goodbye to too early. For most of us, these hauntings are nothing more than memories. However, for Jinta Yadomi, he is haunted by something much more visceral.
Jinta Yadomi one day finds himself being haunted by his childhood friend who had since passed away. Convinced that Menma is nothing more than a heat-induced hallucination he initially pays her no mind. However, when her visits become much more prolific, Jinta tracks down his old crew of friends as they attempt to finally lay Menma’s soul to rest.
This anime taps into the pain and guilt of losing a loved one. It can be difficult to let memories of that person die, as they will always linger about your brain space. Harboring such negative emotions can occasionally lead to trauma and other illnesses. The cast of anohana relive these feelings on their journey to save Menma’s soul.
If you have ever lost someone dear to you, anohana does a great job of putting how you feel on the big screen. For those lucky enough to have never experienced such misfortune, anohana can give great insight into such a situation, should you ever need to console a grieving friend.
Anohana is a great anime about not only evoking such negative feelings surrounding loss, but also coming to terms with them and proceeding onwards into the future.
25) Toradora!
MAL: 8.27
Toradora! is a fan favorite and all-around iconic slice of life anime. Kugimiya Rie (who also plays Louise in Zero no Tsukaima) brings her exceptional voice acting skill to this production as she voices the ever-popular character of Taiga.
Both Taiga and her classmate Ryuuji are in love with the other’s best friend. Ryuuji, often labelled as a delinquent due to his intimidating stare, struggles in his pursuit of women. Taiga on the other hand, is a feisty ball of fire who is anything but cute and friendly. The two decide to join forces to help each other finally find love. However, they may come to find that the person they had been searching for, was in front of them all along.
Toradora! is a love story through and through. One that details the progression from dislike, to friendship, to love. Like several other slice of life anime on this list, it displays how any two people have the potential to fall in love if given the chance.
Where Toradora! sets itself apart is in the character dynamic with Ryuuji and Taiga. Slice of life anime like Uzaki-chan or Nisekoi play on the cutesy, lovey-dovey partnership of the cast. Akin to Zero no Tsukaima (Kugimiya Rie will forever be typecast as a tsundere with that voice), Toradora! focuses on the clashing personalities of its protagonists, who spend most of their time constantly bickering.
Toradora! is a lovely anime about blossoming love that anyone who enjoyed Zero no Tsukaima should give some attention to.
26) Kanojo, Okarishimasu (Rent-a-Girlfriend)
MAL: 7.38
Kazuya Kinoshita is a twenty-year-old student, who one day discovers that his girlfriend had been cheating on him. Utterly devastated, he decides to hire a rental girlfriend through an online app. Believing his new fake lover, Chizuru, to only be acting in her exaggerated affections, he rates her poorly, causing her more temperamental side to erupt.
The two’s argument is cut short when Kazuya and Chizuru are forced to rush to the hospital to attend to Kazuya’s grandmother who recently collapsed. On impulse, Kazuya accidentally claims that Chizuru is his girlfriend and so, the two must continue their facade into the foreseeable future.
Rent-a-Girlfriend is a very hilarious take on the notion of wanting what you can’t have. Breakups are a messy business and can lead to those involved needing a long time to recover. In Kazuya’s ex-girlfriend’s case, it does not take her too long to regret her decision and aim to win him back. Not wanting to be with someone yet, at the same time not wanting them to be with anyone else, is just one of the many difficult to explain relationship conundrums that Rent-a-Girlfriend explores in its series.
Relationships are very complicated and Rent-a-Girlfriend displays the tribulations involved in being in one. It also deals a lot with moving on after a breakup. The cast of this anime is significantly older than most slice of life anime on this list which allows for a more mature stance on the relationships in question.
Rent-a-Girlfriend is a funny slice of life anime that perfectly encapsulates all the hard to pin down feelings of being in a relationship.
Continue reading Rent-a-Girlfriend from where the anime stopped by purchasing the manga. This is the best way to support your mangaka.
27) Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen (Kaguya-sama: Love is War)
MAL: 8.44
Making the first move is always difficult when attempting to start a new relationship. Not only this, but a significant amount of strategic thinking is required nowadays in order to appear a perfect combination of seldom eager and seldom apathetic.
This anime is the equivalent of waiting two hours to text back your crush, because they took one hour to reply to you in the first place.
Kaguya-sama follows the lives of a student council, namely the top two representatives, Kaguya and Miyuki. Both are wildly in love with the other, yet due to their standing and grotesque sense of pride, neither one is willing to confess first and be deemed the loser. As such, they constantly battle it out to force the other one into making their confession first.
As mentioned before, there are so many small intricacies that go into the forming of a relationship nowadays. It is important to appear eager so you partner is aware of your intentions, yet not too eager as to imply desperation. It is crucial that you reply to your partner’s messages in a timely fashion, but not too timely as to imply that you have nothing better to do than wait for them to talk to you.
Kaguya-sama explores all of these small nuances around new love and the strategy required to combat a worthy adversary. If you are sick and tired of playing games when it comes to relationships, why not watch some other people suffer instead?
Continue reading Kaguya-sama from where the anime stopped by purchasing the manga. This is the best way to support your mangaka.
28) 3-gatsu no Lion (March comes in like a lion)
MAL: 8.44
As stated in our Best Shogi Anime list, 3-gatsu no Lion follows the life of professional shogi player, Rei. Rei is an orphan, estranged from his foster family, and does not have any friends to speak of. What he does have however, is an exception skill in playing one of Japan’s most popular gaming pastimes.
While this is a sports anime to some degree, a large part of the story revolves around Rei deepening his relationship with his sisters. Rei learns to grow into more than just a shogi playing machine in this anime, and let people give him the care he deserves.
3-gatsu no Lion is a wonderful anime about learning to create and sustain relationships with people you care about, on top of being a very well executed shogi anime.
29) Skip Beat!
MAL: 8.15
It’s 2020 people! Women are strong and independent and they don’t need no man!
Skip Beat! follows the life of a young woman named Kyouko Mogami. Despite being bright and intelligent in her own right, she devotes herself entirely to her up and coming famous idol boyfriend. She is horrified to realize one day that Shou has simply been using her as a personal servant.
Determined to get her revenge, she enters into the world of entertainment to beat him at his own game.
Skip Beat! is a wonderfully executed anime about feminist empowerment. Watching this anime we see Kyouko transform from a timid follower into a world-renowned superstar. She learns to not only be confident in herself, but to stop putting other people’s satisfaction before herself and work towards her own goals rather than someone else’s.
Skip Beat! is a great anime for anyone who enjoys strong female protagonists.
30) Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai (I want to eat your pancreas)
MAL: 8.60
I want to eat your pancreas is a chilling tale of zombie invaders who want nothing more than to dine on the innermost organs of the human race. Truly a terrifying slice of life anime that…
What was that? It’s a beautiful story about finding joy in life?
Well who the hell was in charge of naming this one!?
I want to eat your pancreas tells the story of a young girl with organ failure, and the apathetic boy who decides to keep her company for her remaining days.
Despite showing little to no interest in her plight, our protagonist comes to learn that life does in fact have meaning, and if someone facing death’s door has still not given up living her life, he is rather selfish to be doing so.
Organ failure and terminal diseases are harrowing topics. Topics that one would hope to avoid entirely. However, dealing with such topics allows us to give meaning to each and every day we have on this planet, and motivate us to spend those days as best we can. Our protagonist is often laughing and joking in order to bring her kuudere friend out of his shell. Possibly as some kind of coping mechanism, she helps him to realize that the world around him isn’t so bad, communication should not be loathed, and living each day like it could be your last should be a given.
I want to eat your pancreas is a touching story that is not afraid to use its intense plot as a vessel to portray its slice of life themes.
31) Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun (Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun)
MAL: 7.95
We’ve all been in that familiar situation. You have feelings for that special someone but cannot bring yourself to act upon them. However, one day you surmount enough courage to confess your love! Unfortunately, life seems to have other plans as the said person ultimately does not feel the same way. Instead, he hands you an autograph, explains that he is a famous mangaka, and invites you to become his assistant. Is there anything greater than young love?
Nozaki-kun is a hilarious slice of life romantic comedy anime following the life of Chiyo as she does all she can to make Nozaki notice her feelings for him. While perhaps not to Chiyo’s degree, we’ve all laughed at jokes that weren’t particularly funny, walked the long way home to spend more time with someone or even entered into a club or activity with the hope that your crush might be forced to spend time with you.
Maybe all of this energy could be better expended were you to just confess and move on after receiving a rejection. However, that’s not what youth is about now, is it? Hindsight is 20/20 and it’s easy to look back on situations like these and realize that the worrying was ultimately pointless. Yet, for the lives of teenagers, these problems are cataclysmic in their severity. Nozaki-kun perfectly encapsulates that sense of teenage anxiety when it comes to all things romance.
32) K-On!
MAL: 7.84
K-On! follows the Light Music Club with newcomer Yui and her inability to play instruments. While the show focuses a lot on music, the slice of life essence runs throughout this series as the girls do all they can to ensure their time together is enjoyable.
School is…an experience to say the least. While those still locked between the classroom walls may not attest as such, those who have escaped through graduation often look back fondly over their time in education. One such experience that all children should go through is the joining of extracurricular clubs. Be it high school or University, spending time with friends either working towards a competition, performance, or just for fun, can be incredibly fulfilling.
Friends are fleeting. You can be hanging out with your buddies one minute and have not talked to them in several years the next. Treasure your friends while you still have the opportunity to be around them. A wise man once proclaimed that friends were very much like toilet paper. You only start missing them when they’re nowhere to be found.
33) Emiya-san Chi no Kyou no Gohan (Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family)
MAL: 7.82
For those who love Fate but detest all things violent, look no further than this delightfully quaint ONA. With the threat of a Holy Grail War no longer looming in the distance, each of the servants has adapted to their new yet mundane lives. Wanting to show Saber all kinds of delicious cuisine, Shirou embarks to the marketplace each episode to find exciting ingredients with which to amaze Saber’s palette. He is often joined by various Fate mainstays on his adventures which only add to the pleasantness of his trips.
Perhaps a bit of a reach but even fans of Fate can enjoy this show despite having little to no knowledge about character interactions of unique personalities. Frankly, it’s enough to know that the original series is all very serious, but here we have moved past that. Much like life in general, the monumental problems that once tormented our everyday existence, seem to dissolve into comical anecdotes after a year or two.
That rejection you swore to never get over – what was that person’s name again? That failed test that would surely cause your entire life to rupture – how’s homeless life treating you? No matter what catastrophe is occurring during your life at the moment, rest assured that one day, you will have no bigger responsibilities than filling the belly of a cute yet gluttonous partner. Happy days!
34) Horimiya
MAL: 8.26
Horimiya is a recent release that took the world by storm. Usually, in romance comedy anime such as these, we are forced to wait until the series climax before witnessing the pivotal confession. However, Horimiya does not stop to smell the roses, as we are graced with a confession within the first half of the story!
What this allows for is a great relationship to blossom for Hori and Miyamura. For those unaware, these two characters come from very different backgrounds. Hori is the typical girl scout who can do no wrong, whereas Miyamura is a tattooed and pierced delinquent. This is only upon first glance, however, as when the two become to understand each other, they learn that they have a lot in common! Whether you are in the mood for romance or not, Horimiya’s characters are filled with lessons about not judging books by their covers. Regardless of appearances, it’s impossible to know what kind of person someone is until you talk to them. You may just find that the tattooed trucker who occupies the same cafe as you, has a deep-rooted history collecting beanie babies!
Come for the life lessons but stay for the touching romance between Miya and Hori, who just ooze adorableness whenever they are on screen. Whether it be Miya’s embarrassed whining or Hori’s dutiful scolding, there is never a dull moment!
35) Hige wo Soru. Soshite Joshikousei wo Hirou. (Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway)
Higehiro has sturred a lot of controversies recently. With a plot centered around a salaryman taking in a dishevelled high school student off the streets, this anime was bound to turn heads. Not only this but we learn that Sayu is no stranger to this way of life, as she offers her body as recompense for a roof over her head (implying she has done this thing before). People were furious at this depiction of an underage child living with a fully-grown adult and it is understandable as to why.
However, Yoshida acts as the perfect protagonist to counter these arguments. He instead decides to save Sayu, rejecting any advances she offers to him. He knows it would be wrong and illegal to take advantage of a child in this way, and so resolves himself to securing a future for her. Those looking for moving moments should definitely give this anime a chance. As you come to learn more about Sayu’s history and the expectations she has of people, it is not uncommon to well up over Yoshida’s parental guidance.
If you can watch Higehiro without your eyes spilling over with happy tears then something must be wrong! Higehiro is a touching narrative about the savior of a young girl’s future. Be sure to check it out and decide for yourself if it’s worthy of the scorn it’s receiving.
36) Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san (Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro)
MAL: 7.16
Another anime with a lot of buzz at the moment is Nagatoro-san. While a seemingly tame storyline about a young girl bullying her senpai (out of affection), this anime has been gaining a lot of traction for 2 reasons. Firstly, its depiction of a colored protagonist, and secondly, for it gave rise to the awareness of the “sadodere”
Let’s talk about the lighter of these ideas first. The sadodere is a character who loves to toy with the emotions of their beloved and is often referred to as a tease (think Tokisaki Kurumi from Date A Live). If you are a closeted masochist and long for the day someone will willingly step on you, you’ll feel right at home next to Nagatoro. Finally, people are not happy with the pigmentation of Nagatoro; likening it to racism. However, it should be remembered that in Japan, “gyaru” culture is still very common to this day. Regardless, be sure to check out Nagatoro to see firsthand what caused Twitter to meltdown several weeks ago!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR8mdrUDlxU
Tell Us About Your Life!
Slice of Life anime are great for reliving or reimaging the everyday struggles we as humans face on a daily basis. These anime range from wacky to hilarious to thought-provoking to depressing; with everything in between.
Let us know your favorite slice of life anime and any slice of life anime that we missed on this list down below! Which Slice of Life anime best represents your life?
