31. Chi’s Sweet Home: IMDb (7.8) 2008
Plot: A small kitten got lost while out for a walk with her family. A boy named Yohei and his mother, Miwa, found her and took her home. They couldn’t keep her because of their housing rules, so they tried to find a new home for the kitten. The kitten learned to use the bathroom in the house but mistakenly responded when called “Chi.” This became her name. Chi lived happily with her new family and had many adventures meeting different people and animals.
My Recommendation: “Chi’s Sweet Home” is a cute anime show that everyone can enjoy. It tells the story of Chi, a curious kitten who goes on adventures and learns important things. The animation and characters are really charming, and it will definitely make you feel happy.
Genre: Slice-of-life, Comedy
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Mitsuyuki Masuhara
Producer: Shinichi Koga
Writer: Tomoko Konparu
Released Date: March 31, 2008
Runtime: 104 episodes, approximately 3 minutes each
Distributor: Madhouse
Production Company: Marza Animation Planet
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
30. School Rumble: IMDb (7.8) 2004
Plot: School Rumble is a story about the students of Class 2-C at Yagami High School. Tenma secretly likes her classmate Karasuma, who is obsessed with curry. Harima also likes Tenma and befriends Yakumo, Tenma’s sister. Misunderstandings and bumbling by Harima complicate things further. Harima gets involved with Eri after embarrassing situations bring them together. Harima also writes manga where he saves a girl like Tenma from Karasuma-like characters. As time passes, relationships develop and complications arise between the characters, but there is no clear resolution for the main protagonists in the end.
My Recommendation: “School Rumble” is a fun and exciting anime about high school adventures, love, and comedy. The unique characters and crazy situations will keep you engaged from beginning to end. It’s a great choice if you want to watch something light-hearted and entertaining.
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Slice of Life
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Shinji Takamatsu
Producer: Akio Matsuda, Manabu Tamura, Tetsu Kawaguchi
Writer: Hiroko Tokita
Released Date: October 5, 2004
Runtime: Approximately 24 minutes per episode
Distributor: Funimation (North America)
Production Company: Studio Comet
Where to watch: Hulu, Crunchyroll
29. K-On!: IMDb (7.8) 2009
Plot: In Japan, four high school girls join the light music club at Sakuragaoka High School to prevent it from disbanding. They are the only members initially. Yui Hirasawa starts with no musical experience but becomes skilled at playing guitar. Music teacher Sawako Yamanaka oversees the club and becomes their homeroom teacher in their final year. They discover the Light Music Appreciation Society run by Riko Satou along with classmate Maho Sawabe at a different school.
My Recommendation: “K-On!” is a sweet and enjoyable anime about a group of high school girls who come together to start a band. It has lovable characters, catchy music, and funny moments that make it a great choice for anyone wanting to watch something heartwarming and uplifting.
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Music
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Naoko Yamada
Producer: Yoshimi Nakajima
Writer: Reiko Yoshida
Released Date: April 2009 (Japan)
Runtime: Approximately 24 minutes per episode
Distributor: TBS (Japan)
Production Company: Kyoto Animation
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
28. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: IMDb (7.8) 2006
Plot: Kyon is a student at North High School in Nishinomiya. He used to want an extraordinary life but now he just wants a normal one. He becomes friends with Haruhi Suzumiya, an eccentric schoolgirl who wants to make life interesting. They have special abilities and were sent to observe Haruhi because she has the power to create and destroy reality unknowingly. They work together to keep Haruhi happy and protect her from threats while forming a bond as misfits.
My Recommendation: “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” is a captivating mix of everyday life, science fiction, and humor. Its unique way of telling the story, interesting characters, and Haruhi’s mysterious appeal make it a must-see for fans of anime. Just be ready for some oddness and occasional unpredictability on this enjoyable journey.
Genre: Slice-of-life, Sci-Fi, Comedy
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Producer: Atsushi Itou, Hideaki Hatta, Kyoko Ihara
Writer: Nagaru Tanigawa (original light novels), Yūichi Suzumoto (anime adaptation)
Released Date: April 2, 2006
Runtime: Approximately 23 minutes per episode
Distributor: Kadokawa Pictures
Production Company: Kyoto Animation
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
27. Daily Lives of High School Boys: IMDb (7.8) 2012
Plot: This story is about three friends, Tadakuni, Hidenori Tabata, and Yoshitake Tanaka. They go to Sanada North Boys High School and have many experiences with other students. It’s a coming-of-age story that follows their daily lives and adventures.
My Recommendations: “Daily Lives of High School Boys” is a funny show about the silly and ridiculous things that happen in high school. It uses clever jokes and relatable situations to tell its stories. The characters are charming, and it’s great for anyone who wants to laugh and feel nostalgic about their own high school days.
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Shinji Takamatsu
Producer: Shinichi Ikeda
Writer: Shinji Takamatsu
Released Date: January 2012 – March 2012
Runtime: Approximately 24 minutes per episode
Distributor: Media Factory
Production Company: Sunrise
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
26. Little Witch Academia: IMDb (7.8) 2017
Plot: Little Witch Academia is a story about Akko, a girl who dreams of becoming a witch. She enrolls at Luna Nova Magical Academy and finds a powerful magical relic called the Shiny Rod. Akko wants to show the world that magic is still amazing, but Luna Nova struggles because people think it’s outdated. However, her rival Croix tries to stop her with negative emotions and techno-magical artifacts.
My Recommendations: “Little Witch Academia” is a cute anime show full of magic and emotion. Join Akko and her friends as they explore the enchanting Luna Nova Academy. The story is captivating, the characters are lovable, and the animation is beautiful. It’s a wonderful journey that appeals to people of all ages.
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Yoh Yoshinari
Producer: Naoko Tsutsumi
Writer: Michiru Shimada
Released Date: January 9, 2017 – June 26, 2017
Runtime: Approximately 24 minutes per episode
Distributor: Netflix (international streaming)
Production Company: Trigger
Where to watch: Netflix
25. Clannad: IMDb (7.8) 2007
Plot: Tomoya Okazaki is a high school student who feels disconnected from his life. He meets Nagisa Furukawa, a determined girl who wants to restart the Drama Club at their school. With the help of their friends, they gather members and successfully re-establish the club. His friends organize a retreat to help him overcome it. In the end, Tomoya finds happiness and fulfillment when he is reunited with Ushio and sees Nagisa’s smiling face again under the Tree of Promises.
My Recommendation: “Clannad” is a touching story about friendship, love, and the challenges of family relationships. It has well-developed characters and explores themes of loss and finding forgiveness. The emotional storytelling and powerful moments make it a must-watch for anime fans looking for meaningful stories.
Genre: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Producer: Eharu Oohashi, Yoko Hatta
Writer: Makoto Nakamura
Released Date: October 4, 2007
Runtime: Approximately 22 minutes per episode
Distributor: Pony Canyon
Production Company: Kyoto Animation
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
24. ReLIFE: IMDb (7.8) 2016
Plot: The story is about Arata Kaizaki, a 27-year-old who has been jobless and lying about having a job for many years. He only works part-time at a convenience store. One day, he meets Ryō Yoake, who offers him a job opportunity. The job requires Kaizaki to become a tester for ReLife, an experiment that makes him look 10 years younger and sends him back to high school. The goal of the experiment is to give Kaizaki a chance to relive his youth and fix any problems in his life.
My Recommendation: “ReLIFE” is a TV show that combines comedy and drama in a special way. It tells the story of people getting another chance to be young again through a mysterious experiment. This adds more depth to understanding the characters. The show explores themes like making up for past mistakes and finding oneself, which many people can relate to. If you’re looking for an honest and moving story, “ReLIFE” is worth watching.
Genre: Slice of Life, Romance, Comedy
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Tomo Kosaka
Producer: TMS Entertainment
Writer: Kazuho Hyodo
Released Date: July 2, 2016 (Japan)
Runtime: Approximately 24 minutes per episode
Distributor: Aniplex
Production Company: TMS Entertainment
Box Office in US Dollars: Not applicable (since it’s a TV anime series)
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
23. Grand Blue Dreaming: IMDb (7.8) 2018
Plot: Iori Kitahara is excited about his college life on the Izu Peninsula. He stays above his uncle’s diving shop called “Grand Blue.” But he gets surprised when he meets the local Diving Club. The club is full of strong men who spend more time partying and getting naked than diving. Even though Iori tries to stay away from them, he gets involved in their crazy activities. Meanwhile, his cousins try to teach him the beauty of diving into the ocean and sea.
My Recommendation: “Grand Blue Dreaming” is a funny story about college life and scuba diving. It combines comedy and friendship in a way that shows how silly and entertaining youth can be. Get ready for an exciting and hilarious journey!
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Shinji Takamatsu
Producer: NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan
Writer: Masahiro Yokotani
Released Date: July 14, 2018 – September 29, 2018
Runtime: 24 minutes per episode
Distributor: NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan
Production Company: Zero-G
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video.
22. When They Cry: IMDb (7.8) 2006
Plot: In June 1983, Keiichi moves to a village called Hinamizawa and makes friends with Mion, Shion, Rena, Rika, and Satoko. They find out about the Watanagashi Festival but also learn about some murders in the past that are connected to a curse called the “Oyashiro Curse.” As they investigate further, they uncover some horrifying things. A theory about a syndrome comes up and eventually leads to a very bad event. After going through many different versions of events, they come together to stop the person behind it all and change their destiny. Finally, they find peace.
My Recommendation: “When They Cry” is an exciting and scary story that combines mystery with horror. The plot is complicated, making you guess what will happen next, and the characters are well-written, making you feel both sorry for them and suspicious of them. Get ready to experience a lot of different emotions as you uncover the hidden secrets in a small village full of surprises.
Genre: Psychological thriller, horror, mystery, slice-of-life
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Chiaki Kon
Producer: Passione
Writer: Ryukishi07 (visual novel), Toshifumi Kawase (anime adaptation)
Released Date: April 4, 2006 (first season)
Runtime: Approximately 24 minutes per episode
Distributor: Geneon Entertainment (North America)
Production Company: Studio Deen
Where to watch: Crunchyroll and Hulu.
21. Hinamatsuri: IMDb: (7.9) 2018
Plot: Yoshifumi Nitta, a member of the Ashikawa-gumi gang, has his peaceful life disrupted when a girl named Hina falls from the sky. Hina possesses special powers and Yoshifumi becomes her makeshift father. However, Hina’s appearance triggers a series of events that impact the whole city. Soon, more girls from the future will arrive with intentions to either take Hina back or harm her. This creates chaos and uncertainty for everyone involved in this futuristic tale.
My Recommendation: “Hinamatsuri” is a funny and heartwarming anime that has both comedy and heartfelt moments. The story revolves around a yakuza member taking care of a girl with psychic powers, which results in funny situations and the growth of the characters. It’s a great choice for anime fans who want something unique and memorable.
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Kei Oikawa
Producer: TBD
Writer: Keiichirou Oochi
Released Date: April 6, 2018
Runtime: Approximately 24 minutes per episode
Distributor: TBD
Production Company: Feel
Where to watch: Crunchyroll