For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, our attention this time turns to a slice of life. From heartwarming adventures to cozy farm-like shenanigans, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite. Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
Laid-Back Camp
That said, it’s best not to expect for this tale to diverge into anything complex or thought-provoking. While the characters have well-rounded personalities and views, viewers can anticipate them to indulge in common outdoor activities from telling spooky stories to roasting a few marshmallows. Laid-back Camp is a beautiful tale about the growing friendship between its protagonists Rin, Nadeshiko, and others. If you’re looking to simmer down after a hard day’s work, I recommend putting this show on your television or computer screens.
Planetes
At first glance, you’re probably anticipating our characters to embark on an outer space adventure. If you were expecting anything on that scale, you might be disappointed with Planetes. This show doesn’t offer an adventure as grand as shows like Outlaw Star or Cowboy Bebop. What it provides is a show focusing on the daily antics of astronauts in space. From the buffoonish chief clerk Phillipe to the mysterious Edelgard, fans can expect our characters to partake in various activities during their outer space expedition. The activities they participate in range from feeling peaceful to comedic. The characters serve as one of the show’s best features. As the show continues, it’ll slowly reveal information concerning their past lives and current goals. Everyone adds a layer of fun to this show. If you’re searching for a delightful slice-of-life anime with a sci-fi theme, check out Planetes.
Welcome To The NHK
Kids On The Slope
Kids On The Slope delivers an incredible coming-of-age tale full of music and romantic elements. With its emphasis on music, friendship, and love, fans will walk away from this anime entertained. Our tale follows Kaoru, who becomes close friends with a talented jazz musician named Sentarou. Fans who’ve experienced multiple stresses will empathize with Tatsuhiro’s character and his dilemmas. On top of his lack of social skills, Tatsuhiro will face issues including paranoia and peer pressure. However, it’s the people that enter his life that will change him for the better. If you’re looking for a show with a relatable protagonist who faces common world issues, check out Welcome to the NHK. Their friendship spirals into a well-formed partnership as the two form a band with other members. Thus, our tale focuses on Kaoru, Sentarou, and the others’ lives as they play music and bring joy to everyone around them. This anime may feel lackluster to some because of its slow start. Thankfully, the show does pick up near the middle and leads into something grander. Fans will enjoy the chemistry between Kaoru and his bandmates. Their love for playing music will feel semi-infectious and may inspire some to pick up and learn an instrument themselves.
Azumanga Daioh: The Animation
Azumanga Daioh is a non-stop bundle of laughter and sketches. While the series lacks a complex plot, it makes up for it by delivering hilarious dialogue and visual gags to keep fans giggling. Azumanga Daioh has it all from clever slapstick humor to hysterical one-liners. Jokes aside, Azumanga Daioh feels relaxing to watch and is excellent for those needing to wind down from a hard day’s work. The characters all have colorful personalities and indulge in various hobbies that will remind folks of their youth. From completing homework assignments to chatting about their days, there’s a lot for fans to look forward to in this show. Overall, Azumanga Daioh promises viewers will walk away from the show feeling happier about themselves and the world we all inhabit.
Silver Spoon
This is a slice-of-life anime with excellent humor, likable characters, and a compelling narrative. The manga this anime’s based on was created by the same mind that brought you Fullmetal Alchemist. If you found the alchemy concepts in that show fun then you’re in for an educational lesson with Silver Spoon. This anime revolves around Yuugo, a student who enrolls in a countryside boarding school. He expects all his past mistakes to vanish, but that’s just wishful thinking. What awaits Yuugo at this boarding school is a farm life full of bombastic personalities and hard work, making it fun work to watch. The anime highlights Yuugo’s quest for self-discovery and self-fulfillment. He’ll attain successful farming and social skills with this new lifestyle. Some fans may find the predicaments Yuugo endures relatable and humorous. Some activities Yuugo and the others tackle include raising cattle, stock management, and waking up at dawn to harvest, water, and care for the planet and animal life. This is an anime to watch if you enjoy shows where people make friends and adore life. Fans of farming and agricultural lifestyles will get a kick out of this anime, too.
Nichijou – My Ordinary Life
Regardless of anyone’s circumstances, everyone endures something dramatic, dumb, or eventful in their lives. Nichijou – My Ordinary Life follows the shenanigans and mischief of five female characters as they go about their daily lives. This series doesn’t aim to feature the most original plot nor does it offer any twists that’ll get your brain’s juices flowing. This is simply a cozy anime with a relaxing atmosphere. While things do get eventful and hilarious sometimes, there isn’t anything groundbreaking about this work. That said, fans shouldn’t downplay everything else about Nichijou. From its episodic format to its stellar characterization and art style, the world of Nichijou feels boundless and fun. Nichijou’s an outstanding bundle of comedy and cuteness. This is a great anime to watch if you’re feeling down or stressed out.
Great Teacher Onizuka
Great Teacher Onizuka is a hilarious slice-of-life anime. This anime follows Eikichi, a former gang leader who becomes a teacher at a local high school. His mission is to score a date with any girl that appeals to him. While Eikichi doesn’t receive a woman’s hand, he does receive something that’ll make him prouder. This anime offers a great balance of comedic and harmonious energy. While Eikichi gets wrapped up in many sexual and delinquent activities, fans will appreciate how much of an impact he leaves on his students. Whether good or bad, Eikichi’s bond with his students makes this show a worthwhile watch. Eikichi will stand up for his students when time beckons it but humiliate them whenever he feels like it. This is a strange roller coaster that leads down to multiple different outcomes. However, this ride offers something fans will never forget.
Shirobako
From perverted antics to artsy shenanigans, we land at Shirobako. If fans ever wanted to peer into an animator’s life, this show offers a great starting point. It doesn’t showcase the lifestyle in a fantasized light but it portrays the occupation in a more realistic fashion. Even though the anime’s characters aren’t talented, their passion for the craft will keep anyone engaged. It differentiates from other similar anime because it focuses on an adult cast. In addition to hilarity, this anime delivers sad scenes involving our main cast that feel emotionally impactful. The themes it tackles aren’t deep, though. It highlights the everyday obstacles anime creators face and bases the character’s problems around those concepts. Obstacles like rushing to meet deadlines, identifying abnormalities, and editing their work are a few issues that crop up in Shirobako. If you’re looking for an anime that offers a world similar to ours, then Shirobako’s worth watching.
Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad
Have you ever wanted to know what it feels like to be an incredible musician? Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad offers one possibility. It is an anime with relatable characters, a gritty environment, and engaging storytelling that portrays the struggles people face when seeking popularity. Our tale follows Koyuki, a boy who lacks a purpose. He receives an answer after he saves a dog named Beck from a group of rambunctious kids. This exchange leads Koyuki to encounter Beck’s owner, Ray, who happens to be an emerging guitarist and a former member of a popular rock band. Ray shows Koyuki his band’s headquarters and plays a song in front of Koyuki. Mesmerized. Koyuki picks up a guitar and wishes to help Ray achieve his goal of leading the best rock band. With Ray’s sister Maho and others, the two gentlemen launch their rock-infested career and form BECK. This anime features numerous struggles and obstacles for BECK to overcome in this quest for worldwide fame. Our cast will suffer from poor performances, and terrible synergy, and engage in multiple arguments because of their clashing ideals. It captures the realistic problems most bandmates face on a daily basis. Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad is an incredible work about passion, meaning, and reliability. So, there we have it, our picks for the best slice-of-life anime through the years! What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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