Sometimes, you just want to sit down and watch a silly little slice of life anime while you work on something in the background. The genre of “slice of life” refers to a representation of everyday life through a form of media. So here are some underrated slice of life anime you should watch!
10. Tanaka-Kun is Always Listless, 1 Season, 12 Episodes (Completed)
Tanaka-Kun is Always Listless follows the always-sleepy Tanaka and the adventures that his best friend, Ohta, goes through to try and get him to stay awake. Unfortunately for the energetic Ohta, Tanaka always finds a way to fall straight to sleep.
This slice of life anime is perfect for a comfy day at home. The comedic relationship between Tanaka’s sleepiness and Ohta’s hyperactiveness makes for hilarious interactions. It’s heartwarming and lovely for a lazy afternoon with a warm cup of tea.
Watch Tanaka-Kun is Always Listless on Crunchyroll or Amazon Prime.
9. Polar Bear Cafe, 1 Season, 28 Episodes (Completed)
Mix coffee and adorable animals together and you get Polar Bear’s Cafe. It follows Polar Bear, who quit his day-to-day job to open a café nearby a zoo. His friend Penguin is a regular who provides snarky commentary to his everyday life and the newcomer, Panda, is a lazy part-timer at the zoo.
Make yourself an iced latte to enjoy this adorable and humorous anime. The interactions between the animals as well as the side character humans are endearing and positively hilarious. There’s something so comforting about their shenanigans that pulls viewers right in.
Watching Polar Bear Cafe on Crunchyroll.
8. Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World, 1 Season, 12 Episodes (Completed)
In a spectacular and eye-opening animated series, Kino’s Journey features the well-traveled Kino alongside a talking motorcycle named Hermes. It follows Kino through many different countries to learn about their unique customs and people. Kino’s own custom is to only stay three days in each country before moving on to a new exploration.
There’s a particular word that’s perfect for this anime: Sonder. It can be defined as the realization that everyone has their own story and their own life beyond yours. Kino’s Journey is the purest definition of sonder through its portrayal of not just Kino’s everyday life but each country and its rotating cast. It’s thought provoking and utterly fascinating.
Watch Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World on Crunchyroll.
7. Smile Down the Runway, 1 Season, 12 Episodes (Completed)
Smile Down the Runway features the passionate Chiyuki whose sole aspiration is to be a model. But after being told she is too short to be one, she bumps into the quiet Ikuto, whose dream is to be a fashion designer. To achieve their dreams, they work together and against one another to prove themselves to the fashion industry.
Something unique about Smile Down the Runway was its usage of the four primary characters. They all have aspirations and goals, but they intersect with each other in a variety of ways. Relationships are not a one-way street in this anime, and the characters become so much more realistic in that way. It’s a good slice of life anime to watch for those that need a little reminder of their passions.
Watch Smile Down the Runway on Crunchyroll.
6. Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan, 1 Season, 13 Episodes (Completed)
31-year-old Uramichi Omota understands the difficulties of adulthood all too well. Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan follows the exercise instructor, Uramichi, as he navigates being an adult while working for a children’s show. Though sometimes it’s hard to be child-friendly on set, especially when your co-workers are struggling as well.
Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan is absolutely hilarious. Each episode will have you laughing aloud as you get to know this comedic cast. The characters are lovable, the songs are catchy, and there’s something relatable about watching the cast navigate their lives and work together.
Watch Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan on Crunchyroll.
5. Kotaro Lives Alone, 1 Season, 10 Episodes (Completed)
A strange new neighbor has arrived at this dilapidated apartment complex. As odd gifts begin appearing in front of neighbors’ doors, they meet the eclectic Kotaro, who seems to be living alone.
Tears are the first thing that might occur upon watching this heartfelt anime. It features the found family trope and an abundance of adoration for the sweet Kotaro. With an unreliable narrator like Kotaro, the viewer relies a lot on the inferences and references he–as well as his neighbors–make to understand why exactly he’s come to live by himself.
Watch Kotaro Lives Alone on Netflix.
4. School Babysitters, 1 Season, 13 Episodes (Completed)
After losing their parents in a plane crash, Ryuichi and his younger brother, Kotaro, are taken in by the chairman of Morinomiya Academy, who lost her son and daughter-in-law in the same crash. But their stay comes with a condition: Ryuichi must babysit the teachers’ children at the daycare room at school!
School Babysitters is an adorable comedy filled with precious moments and bittersweet ones as well. The brotherhood between Ryuichi and Kotaro are adoringly endearing. The characters have excellent dynamics and it’s just the type of anime to get started on a lazy Tuesday.
Watch School Babysitters on Crunchyroll.
3. Nanbaka, 1 Season, 26 Episodes (Completed)
Welcome to Nanba, the world’s most formidable prison! Follow the four new inmates: Jyugo, a master at escaping; Uno, a womanizing gambler; Rock, a rambunctious fighter with a big appetite; and Nico, a sweet otaku with a history of narcotics.
While Nanbaka’s atmosphere is a little different in comparison to others on the list, it’s a comedic and absolutely hilarious slice of life featuring the inmates and their guards alongside their chaotic adventures. The characters are lovable and leave you laughing with every gimmick and bit.
Watch Nanbaka on Crunchyroll.
2. The Royal Tutor, 1 Season, 12 Episodes, 1 Movie (Completed)
A new “Royal Tutor” has arrived on the steps of the royal palace in the kingdom of Glanzreich. Heine Wittgenstein, a talented and intelligent man, has been tasked with training and teaching the four princes of Glanzreich to find a worthy candidate for the throne. However, these four brothers have a bit of a reputation: not one of their previous “Royal Tutors” lasted longer than a week!
The Royal Tutor is a sweet and entertaining, historical slice of life with a wide arrangement of rather attractive characters and charming stories. The four princes all have distinct and lovable personalities that are sure to capture viewers’ hearts.
Watch The Royal Tutor on Crunchyroll.
1. Kakushigoto, 1 Season, 12 Episodes, 1 Movie (Completed)
Kakushi Goto has an extremely important secret to keep from his curious daughter. He’s actually a top-selling mangaka of a popular erotic manga! In order to keep her from finding out what he really does for a living, he must go to extreme lengths.
Kakushigoto is a heartwarming and sweet slice of life anime series about a father-daughter relationship. In addition to the comedic and light-hearted scenes between the characters, there are also hints of bittersweetness and even a heart-tugging ending. It’s wholesome and positively a must-watch for those that love a good story of a single father and his precious daughter.
Watch Kakushigoto on Crunchyroll.
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