Slice of life anime deals on daily life events. It is often a parody of some sort of a full-blown comedy with a hint of romance, fantasy, action (or horror, I guess?).
Whatever it is, this anime is your best bet if you’re not in the mood for action, dark anime, adventure, or futuristic themes.
The shows in this list can make you laugh, cry, fall in love, piss off, or scratch your head saying “What the heck just happened?”
Your pick. So, browse, select your top 5, binge-watch, and enjoy. They’re not ranked, so forget the numbers.
1. Tamako Market
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 12
Airing date: Jan 10, 2013 to Mar 28, 2013
Demographics: probably shonen or maybe shojo
Anime Genre/s: romance, comedy
Central Theme: how the two love birds will have the courage to tell their feelings
Anime Synopsis
This best anime is about Tamako Kitashirakawa. Tamako is the eldest and helps her father in selling mochi. One day, she finds a weird talking bird looking for a wife to its prince in a faraway land.
From this point forward, the show follows the life of the main protagonist, her secret love of a childhood friend, her daily life with her friends and family. Unknowingly, her feelings are mutually returned but Tamako and her love interest are too shy to confess.
Good Points From the Best Anime
The slice of life story is a great combination of a slice of life and comedy. Not much conflict but filled with life lessons worth learning.
It doesn’t have any plot twists, a storyline to follow or analyze. Still, Tamako Market is something you should watch during those times when your mind is tired and weary.
2. Lucky Star
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 24
Airing date: Apr 8, 2007 to Sep 17, 2007
Demographics: shonen
Anime Genre/s: Comedy, parody
Central Theme: high school girls doing cute things
Anime Synopsis
Konata Izumi, Tsukasa, Kagami, and Miyuki Takara are the main characters in the series. Lucky star is a slice of life anime that follows the mundane boring lives of these four high school cute girls.
Like Tamako Market, the anime doesn’t have a concrete storyline. You don’t need to overthink while watching. It’s just like watching your neighbors talk about just anything under the sun.
If you like high school girls doing cute things, this is your anime.
Good Points From the Best Anime
The slice of life anime is light. Some of the episodes can get too boring, especially if you don’t appreciate the nonsensical discussion. The main anime characters would often bring up topics at a whim.
For some, this could be endearing because after all, that’s how we normally talk with someone we know.
3. Kokoro Connect
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 13
Airing date: Jul 8, 2012 to Sep 30, 2012
Demographics: male
Anime Genre/s: Drama, romance, supernatural
Central Theme: supernatural and friendship
Anime Synopsis
Have you ever dreamed of switching bodies with someone? If you have, here’s the best anime that will satisfy this dream.
Kokoro Connect is the story of 5 students who could switch with one another. As the switches become more complicated, they discover that the experiment would test their friendship. Each of them discovers scars and secrets.
Aside from slice of life (SOL) and comedy, Kokoro Connect anime also has a romantic hint. Soon, these friends discover who is in love with whom.
Good Points from the Best Anime
This best anime series is a great combination of a supernatural, slice of life (SOL), comedy, and drama. You’ll never have a boring episode. Cry to your heart’s content or laugh at how they react during switches.
Although the main theme of anime series is fantasy, it gives you the greatest life lesson. Sometimes, you need to experience what others are going through to truly understand and form your own realization.
4. Violet Evergarden
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 13
Airing date: Jan 11, 2018 to Apr 5, 2018
Demographics: shoujo
Anime Genre/s: drama, fantasy
Central Theme: finding one’s purpose in life
Anime Synopsis
Violet Evergarden is a bit on the drama side. It’s a story of a young woman who was raised as a military weapon. During the last battle of the Great War, Violet survived. Her last memory of the person she loves most is a phrase she couldn’t understand.
After the war, Violet starts her post-war life as a worker in the postal office. She discovers by accident an Auto memory Doll that writes thoughts and feelings on paper. This inspired her to become one, too.
Good Points from the Best Anime
Violet’s life as an auto memory doll is the beginning of her adventure. She travels around the world, leading to self-discovery and understanding. The story is both poignant and sweet.
5. Himouto! Umaru Chan
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 12
Airing date: Jul 9, 2015 to Sep 24, 2015
Demographics: seinen
Anime Genre/s: comedy
Central Theme: brotherly (or sisterly) love despite one’s bratty attitude and flaws
Anime Synopsis
This slice of life anime is combined with comedy and school-themed events. It features two siblings who look out for each other, even though the kid sister is a bratty person at home.
Umaru Doma is the perfect high school girl and an achiever. This personality ends when Umaru is at home and wears her hamster hoodie. Umaru often torments his brother, plays video games overnight, and is really bratty.
Her brother on the other hand is patient and does all he could to give what Umaru wants. Some people might not understand the storyline. But those who have naughty siblings can relate.
Good Points from the Best Anime
The slice of life anime series might be boring or nonsense to others. But, if you look closely at the episodes, it features brotherly. Despite the attitude of Umaru inside the house, her brother is doing his best to provide for her.
Even though Umaru never did something good or is lazy at home, her brother seems unfazed.
6. Toradora
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 25
Airing date: Oct 2, 2008 to Mar 26, 2009
Demographics: Shōnen
Anime Genre/s: Comedy, romance
Central Theme: friendship and romance
Anime Synopsis
Toradora is a story of Ryuuji and Taiga who started on the wrong foot but became an ally in the end. Ryuuji looks like a delinquent because of his killer eyes. Taiga, on other hand, gets the nickname “Palmtop Tiger” because of her small stature and feisty nature.
Ryuuji, despite his reputation, loves housework, cooking, and other household chores. He has a crush on Taiga’s best friend, while Taiga has her eyes on Ryuuji’s best friend. Because of some mixed up, Taiga begins to torment Ryuuji, using him and his mother at her bidding.
Later, Ryuuji and Taiga discover that there’s more than meets the eye. They learned the other side of one another that no one in their class understands about them.
Good Points from the Best Anime
Despite being a comedy and a slice of life anime, Toradora is a story of struggle and improvement. Sometimes, the episodes can get too intense, making you feel warm or mushy. It has a bit of romance, too.
7. Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 13
Airing date: Oct 3, 2014 to Dec 26, 2014
Demographics: Seinen
Anime Genre/s: Romance, comedy
Central Theme: marriage and love
Anime Synopsis
This best slice of life anime is about a couple who finds true love despite the differences in their personality. Hajime Tsuhashi is an otaku fan who stays home, earning a decent amount from his blog. Kaoru, Hajime’s wife, is an office worker who is a crazy drunk.
The two fell in love and got married. However, they discover that marriage is not just about kisses and hugs. Hajime and Kaoru learn about the challenges of married life. If they’re not careful, they might end up not being together.
As the couple seems to drift apart, they begin to fight or do pranks or antics on each other. However, their love for each other remains strong. They use it to improve and become better, so they could make one another happy.
Good Points from the Best Anime
This best slice of life anime series dwells on marriage life. It shows that marriage is not a bed of roses. But, if the couple tries to understand one another or commits to making each other happy, then, they will survive any ordeal.
They may even make their married life roses and rays of sunshine.
8. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 13
Airing date: Jan 12, 2017 to Apr 6, 2017
Demographics: seinen
Anime Genre/s: Comedy, fantasy
Central Theme: do good but expect nothing in return
Anime Synopsis
The series starts with Miss Kobayashi opening her apartment door and seeing a dragon that looks so fierce and scary. Before she knew it, the dragon transformed into a girl in a maid uniform. The dragon maid introduced herself as Tooru.
Miss Kobayashi met the dragon while she was drunk. Unknowingly, she offered Tooru her house. Kobayashi is hesitant whether to take the dragon maid in or refuse.
However, guilt overrode her hesitancy. As a repayment, Tooru serves Kobayashi as her personal maid.
Tooru has an unusual way of doing things, which ends up being a nuisance rather than of help. The dragon maid’s presence attracts other mythical beings into Kobayashi’s house. However, Tooru’s circumstances are more complicated than what it seems to be.
Good Points from the Best Anime
This best anime series is pure fun with several episodes that give you that mushy feeling associated with drama. It’s about working hard, repaying kindness, and dwelling with a past to improve one’s self.
9. Aria The Animation
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 13
Airing date: Oct 6, 2005 to Dec 29, 2005
Demographics: Shōnen/Shōjo
Anime Genre/s: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Central Theme: doing your best on a given job
Anime Synopsis
This best anime series is futuristic and is set in the 24th century. In the Aria the Animation, people found a way to inhabit Mars. Mars got a new name planet Aqua. Furthermore, the central setting focuses on Neo Venezia. The city was built based in Venice, Italy.
Similar to “old” Venice, the city is teeming with beautiful sceneries with gondolas drifting through the canals. It is also a tourist spot where people around the planet go to the city to have a tour. With this, tourist guides become in demand.
Companies form to cater to tourists and hire professional Undine, the term for a tourist guide in Planet Aqua. One of these companies is the Aria Company where Akari Mizunashi works.
As Akari transports tourists from one place to another, she discovers valuable lessons from the tourists she accompanies. Akari learns that miracles could happen and men (or women) are capable of making them.
Good Points from the Best Anime
The animation is so beautifully made with those panoramic and scenic views. The slice of life anime maybe futuristic but it still manages to feature how an employee could find happiness and satisfaction in his or her job.
No matter how simple or complex the tasks may be, you’ll need to give all your best in performing excellently.
10. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 13
Airing date: Apr 5, 2013 to Jun 28, 2013
Demographics: male
Anime Genre/s: romance, comedy, drama
Central Theme: Goodness even in the most unexpected places (or people)
Anime Synopsis
Hikigaya Hachiman has narcissistic tendencies. He believes that being young is nothing but a way to manipulate people. It’s not true and anyone who says it’s true is living in an illusion. Youth is something made up to escape some sort of reality.
Hachiman voices out his views and mocks society and relationships in his essay. This earns him a novel punishment.
His teacher forces him to join a volunteer service club. This club extends a helping hand to anyone who needs support in goal achievements.
The other member of the club is Yukino Yukinoshita, the regarded ice queen. Yukino is beautiful and almost perfect. The two face numerous complaints from the students about their life. They had to give advice or solutions to these problems.
Good Points from the Best Anime
This best anime series dwells on difficult topics: relationship, social norms, among other things. Despite Hachiman’s view of society and youth’s capricious attitude, he was trying his best to fulfill his duty as a club member.
Whether it’s a good or bad thing, the main character is given the opportunity to use society to his advantage and succeed in life.
11. WataMote
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 12
Airing date: Jul 9, 2013 to Sep 24, 2013
Demographics: Shōnen
Anime Genre/s: comedy
Central Theme: accepting one’s true self and use it to succeed
Anime Synopsis
Tomoko Kuroki enters high school thinking she could be popular after living 50 alternate lives and dating 100 times in a virtual environment.
However, she soon discovers that her preparations are useless because nothing could really prepare you for the trials of everyday life until you experience them first hand.
Tomoko Kuroki is an introvert and has trouble fitting in. However, she denies or is oblivious to this fact. All her efforts of becoming the most popular girl in high school seem to fail.
With the help of Yuu Naruse, her best friend, and Tomoki, her brother, Tomoko tries her best to survive as a high school student.
Good Points from the Best Anime
This slice of life anime perfectly describes the everyday life of a socially awkward teenager. Her efforts end in failure. The best anime teaches the audience to be yourself and show who you really are.
True friends never look at how you socialize with lots of people. They look at your inner beauty regardless of your personality. True friends will accept you for who you are.
12. Flying Witch
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 12
Airing date: Apr 10, 2016 to Jun 26, 2016
Demographics: shounen
Anime Genre/s: supernatural, magic, comedy
Central Theme: the pursuit of knowledge and personal and skills development
Anime Synopsis
This best anime series is a fantasy about witches and magic. At the age of 15, witches have to leave their family and home to become an apprentice. During their apprenticeship, they have to enhance their skills and power.
Makoto Kowata is one of these witches. At 15, Makoto left her home. Together with her black cat, Chito, the two journey to Aomori where witches prefer to live because of the abundance of magic and the beautiful nature.
The main character lives with her cousins.
Like other normal high school cute girls, Makoto attends school. But at the end of the day, she explores her magic and trains to become stronger and skillful. Despite her weird personality, Makoto is sweet and kind.
Good Points from the Best Anime
This best anime series isn’t that intense and has an easy or slow phase. It even has that peaceful quality in each episode. Each episode of the Flying Witch features comedy at the right level and perfect time.
13. Clannad
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 23
Airing date: Oct 5, 2007 to Mar 28, 2008
Demographics: shoujo/shounen
Anime Genre/s: Comedy, Drama, Romance,
Central Theme: life is worth living
Anime Synopsis
Tomoya Okazaki finds his life dull and boring. Being a delinquent is his way of finding excitement in his mundane life. Tomoya with Youhei Sunohara skips class most of the time and the two plan on wasting the rest of their high school days.
However, Tomoya’s life changes after he meets a young girl muttering to herself and suddenly screams the word Anpan.
The girl is Nagisa Furukawa. Nagisa declares Tomoya as her friend. As time passes by, he notices that he and Nagisa bump into each other more often.
Tomoya learns that Nagisa had been sick and didn’t attend school for a year. Upon returning to the school, Nagisa wants to revive the drama school club. Then, Tomoya decides to help Nagisa since he doesn’t have any goals to achieve.
The male character learns a lot as he helps Nagisa and four other girls. He discovers that his life is worth living and he must do everything to make it worthwhile.
Good Points from the Best Anime
The series may seem cliché in some episodes but the central theme is quite remarkable. It dwells on emotional healing as each of the anime characters finds ways to connect with the persons that matter to them.
For some, it's a half-baked anime series with nothing much to watch. But, for me, it’s one of the best slice of life anime shows because of the life lessons one can learn from it.
14. Laid-Back Camp
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 15 + 3 OVA (Season 1), 12 (Season 2)
Airing date: Jan 4, 2018 to Mar 22, 2018 (Season 1), January 6, 2020 – March 23, 2020 (Season 2)
Demographics: Seinen
Anime Genre/s:comedy
Central Theme: outdoor travels, camping adventures, and struggles
Anime Synopsis
Laid Back Camp anime focuses on outdoor camping and solo traveling. Rin Shima has always liked to camp alone at the base of Mt. Fuji. She loves her solitary world until one day, a lost traveler seeks her help.
Nadeshiko Kagahimara got lost when she decided to see Mt Fuji. She fell asleep while in transit and ended up asking for the help of Rin. The two became friends and planned to go camping together.
Good Points from the Best Anime
This best anime series is a great reminder that you can find friends in unexpected places.
It also tells the audience that while solitary living is not bad, there are some things that are more enjoyable when shared with friends or someone special.
15. Azumanga Daioh: The Animation
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 26
Airing date: April 8, 2002 – September 30, 2002
Demographics: Shōnen
Anime Genre/s: Comedy
Central Theme: High school can be pretty boring without your friends.
Anime Synopsis
Azumanga Daioh is a story of Chiyo Mihama who is accelerated to high school. She is 10 years old, academically skilled, and a plush doll lover.
Chiyo becomes friends with other girls in her class. Soon after, they discover that high school could be the most difficult part of their lives. Still, the group tries to enjoy high school despite its ups and downs.
Good Points from the Best Anime
This slice of life (SOL) is the best anime that perfectly depicts high school. High school is sometimes boring and sometimes exciting. However, your high school life wouldn't be complete if you don't do some silly things.
16. Fruits Basket
Anime at a Glance
Episodes: 26 (Season 1), 25 (Season 2)
Airing date: July 7, 2001 – December 27, 2001 (Season 1), April 6, 2019 - September 21, 2020 (Season 2)
Demographics: Shoujo
Anime Genre/s: Comedy, Supernatural, Drama, Romance,
Central Theme: put the past behind you and success is just around the corner
Anime Synopsis
Tooru finds herself living with Yuki Souma and his family after her makeshift tent is buried in mud.
The gesture is sweet and heartwarming. However, the main female character discovers that the Souma family is cursed.
When the opposite gender hugs them, they turn into zodiac animals. This curse was the result of a dark past. Tooru soon discovers that her lighthearted nature may not be enough to battle or understand the dark secrets that this family has.
Good Points from the Best Anime
Everyone has dark secrets. However, these secrets should overshadow the good deeds of a person, especially if these secrets are all in the past.