The internet is a place full of memes, dark humor, and the harsh reality of today’s society. Web-surfers can easily get overwhelmed while being exposed to anything from simple crude jokes to injustices around the world. As a result, slice-of-life is a popular genre because its light-hearted nature can serve as a temporary distraction from life’s hard experiences.
Slice-of-life anime can be the easiest way to take a break from a hectic schedule. The temporary escapism that can be felt while watching an entertaining light anime makes series like Mushi-Shi, Usagi Drop, and Bloom Into You fan favorites.
10/10 Violet Evergarden Is An Orphan Finding Her Passion In Life
Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden is an anime about the life a young orphan who was recruited into the military before she was educated enough to even speak. She was brainwashed into being a tool purely to be used by others. While this anime’s background is dark, the journey that the titular main character takes is beautiful.
In addition to the movies, there are scenes in Episodes 6, 7, 10, and 11 that show gorgeously depicted emotional moments. This anime has plots that are relatable and wholesome by showing stories where people can find happiness even if they don’t get a fairy tale ending.
9/10 Ginko Keeps The Peace Between Humans & Mushi
Mushishi
Mushishi is about Ginko, a traveler who studies the mythical Mushi creatures. Each episode of the anime focuses on Ginko’s journey to help people coexist with Mushi. This series has a very laid-back vibe and the color scheme is full of neutral greens and browns.
Mushishi has some darker mini plots, but, overall, it’s calming and soothing to watch. From watching the mellow travels of Ginko to seeing beautiful nature scenery, this anime paints a picture of a calm life away from modern city-based society.
8/10 Daikichi & Rin Grow Familial Ties Despite Being Strangers
Usagi Drop
Usagi Drop follows the lives of a young kid named Rin and her relative Daikichi after they move in together due to familial reasons. Even though they didn’t know each other well beforehand, their interactions quickly developed into a reliable parent-child relationship.
Despite his late hours and exhaustion, Daikichi always makes time to hang out with Rin and take care of her. Similarly, Rin is always considerate of Daikichi and appreciates the time they spend bonding. This anime’s wholesome vibe is a nice refresher from darker anime.
7/10 Touko & Yuu Demonstrate A Wholesome & Underrepresented Romance
Bloom Into You
The plot of Bloom Into You is about a high schooler named Yuu who’s never felt attraction to anybody. Then, she meets her classmate named Touko. Touko went through an experience similar to Yuu, but eventually realized she typically felt attraction to women not men.
Throughout the series, Yuu and Touko share endearing moments of finding out who they are and how to be true to themselves. This anime can be a wholesome romance, but also an entertaining comedy depending on which episode the viewer is watching.
6/10 Aang, Sokka, Katara, & Toph Become Each Other’s Found Family
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender is about a group of teenagers who develop great abilities and are burdened with the responsibility of saving the world and keeping it in balance. The plot can get heavy in this series, but the majority of episodes focus on mini plots and the nuances of character interactions.
From first love to budding friendship, Avatar shows the best part about human interactions in addition to the worst parts. Despite its darker moments, this anime’s focus on humor and relationships is refreshing and comforting to both anime and cartoon fans alike.
5/10 Panda Experiences Friendly Interactions Between Customers & Staff
Polar Bear Café‘s plot is about young Panda’s first experience with a job. He struggles to find a place to work and eventually ends up befriending the owner of a café. This anime almost entirely focuses on gags and puns, so it’s a great choice for fans of comedy anime.
The slice-of-life elements in Polar Bear Café, like the mundane moments of Panda eating at the café, also keep the vibe casual. Polar Bear Café is a relatively long anime with near countless episodes full of jokes and comfort.
4/10 Tanaka & Oota’s Relationship Is Chill & Comforting
Tanaka-Kun Is Always Listless
Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless is about a tired high schooler who constantly takes naps. The main character Tanaka uses any opportunity he can to sleep, whereas his best friend Oota acts as a foil character and takes care of him. The anime has few major plots and focuses more on daily interactions between the main characters and the people in their lives.
Oota’s and Tanaka’s relationship is shown to be caring and compassionate. The characters in this anime show genuine care for each other’s wellbeing and the anime itself doesn’t have overbearing humor, so it’s great to watch while low on energy or trying to fall asleep.
3/10 Ryuichi & Kotaro Find Support In New Friends
School Babysitters
In School Babysitters, Ryuichi is recruited to work at a daycare center owned by the elderly woman who took in Ryuichi and his baby brother Kotaro after their parents died in a plane crash. Although this anime shows the toll grief can have on people and young kids, it also shows how strong relationships with others can make it more bearable to move through tough times.
Ryuichi and Kotaro find a community of people who care for and want to look after them when they move into the elderly woman’s house. This anime is about the beauty of friendship and community.
2/10 Food Helps Kohei Foster Friendships While Healing From Grief
Sweetness & Lightning
Sweetness & Lightning is about single dad Kohei and his daughter Tsumugi. After the passing of his wife, Kohei took on the role of parenting Tsumugi alone. Even though he works long hours and struggles to make home-cooked meals, he tries his best to be there for Tsumugi in any way she needs, whether it be as a parent, friend, or playmate.
While trying to take Tsumugi to a restaurant, Kohei finds out the place is closed. However, the restaurant owner’s daughter Kotori volunteers to cook for them in her mother’s place and the three become friends. This anime shows the wholesome parts of found family and how strong bonds of friendship can develop between people.
1/10 Kirishima & Yaeka Show The Strong Bonds Between New Friends & Family
The Yakuza’s Guide To Babysitting
In the anime The Yakuza’s Guide To Babysitting, a yakuza member named Kirishima is tasked with watching a young child name Yaeka. Yaeka, the daughter of Kirishima’s boss, has no idea how dangerous her family’s business is. Kirishima goes to extreme lengths to protect Yaeka and keep out of the darker sides to his work.
This anime’s cuteness reaches another level because of the sincerity of each of its characters. Yaeka’s desire to make friends and hang out with Kirishima is never overlooked or invalidated by other characters in the anime. Instead, they all band together to give Yaeka the happy childhood she deserves.