Even the most shonen-focused anime viewers admit to watching a slice of life anime to take a break from twisted storylines to lighter and fun anime. Generally, a slice of life anime has the main character and a few other characters. The anime usually shows the protagonist’s day in their lives daily, focusing on their inner struggles, challenges, and happy moments.
Critics and viewers agree that slice-of-life anime is like cream at the top, meant to be enjoyed while watching. Both 2021 and 2022 have been incredible years for a slice-of-life anime with many new releases. Here, we have handpicked our favorite slice of life anime that is worth watching at least once.
Horimiya
Horimiya was released last year, 2021. It has been the most-watched romantic comedy debut of all time. With its excellent visuals and fun storyline, it attracted many viewers and ended up being one of the most popular shows of all time. The story starts with the high school famous sweetheart, Hori, and the introverted outcast Miyamura.
We witness the two polar opposite characters get closer to each other and form a deeper bond. The show also peels each character’s unique traits that break the stereotypical image of typical ‘outcast’ or ‘bubbly’ school-going students. Horimiya is yet to be available on Netflix. You can visit RARBG and watch the show, free of cost and without any interruption.
Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket has been a popular choice of anime for some years now. It is a slice-of-life anime with a twist. Tohru Honda is an orphan who moves in with the reclusive Soma family. She later learns about the curse of Chinese zodiac animals that runs through the Soma family. The anime does an excellent job exploring each character and their relationship with Tohru, especially with Kyo and Yuki.
Toradora
Toradora is a masterpiece in the slice of life anime category. The series has a humorous start with the two main characters, Ryuuji and Taiga. Ryuuji has a fierce outlook but is soft at heart. Taiga is a short girl with a sharp tongue who keeps an uncompromising attitude. They develop an unlikely bond to help each other confess their love to each of their crushes. Initially, Taiga keeps on picking fights with Ryuuji. But as the series progresses, the story gets intense and explores their inner struggles and backstories. What sets the series apart from other slice-of-life anime is a romantic anime with emotional episodes.
Orange
The series Orange is a slice of life anime that sets itself apart from the mental struggles that young people face. The anime revolves around Kakeru Naruse, who is going through post-traumatic stress after his mother’s death. Although it was focused on Kakeru, the whole story was portrayed from Naho Takamiya’s point of view. The anime deals with topics like depression, PTSD, bullying, and suicide. Orange is pretty refreshing, but it has its share of emotional episodes. Orange is one of the intense and meaningful series worth watching at least once.
Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden was first released in 2018 and was beautifully animated by Kyoto Animation studio. This series is an emotional rollercoaster that focuses on the aftermath of a war where a young woman named Violet Evergarden struggles to carry on her daily life. Violet is an emotionally detached soldier who became a ghostwriter in a post-war scenario.
After joining her work, she only begins to reconnect with her feelings and the meaning behind her former commander’s last words before his death. This series is a real tear-jerker that leaves us in awe with its cinematic beauty. Violet Evergarden has been compared to shows like Clannad for its emotional storytelling. This anime is undeniably one of the best slices of life released.
ReLife
ReLife is a pretty relatable slice of life anime about young adulthood and turning your life over for good. Kaizaki Arata, the show’s protagonist, is a young, unemployed adult given a drug that makes him look more youthful. By being his young self, he can make the correct choices and change his life in the right direction. The show follows the lives of a few handfuls of students from the college. What comes later is a pure comedy but with a meaningful storyline. ReLife is worth watching if anybody wants a refreshing change from the usual serious shows.
CONCLUSION
Slice of life anime are a treat to the eyes and mind, they bring a refreshing change from a thriller or shonen anime with a tense storyline. If you want to take a break from One Piece or Attack on Titans, you can always watch any slice of life anime.
They are light-hearted and help you relax in every episode. Apart from having humorous elements, there can also be some drama and even a bit of romance present in the anime. Other notable slices of life anime include My Dress-Up Darling (2022), Clannad, or The Disastrous Life of Saiki k.
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