Top 10 Slice of Life Anime List [Best Recommendations]

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Final Thoughts

Author: Eva B.

Hello! I’m Eva. I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. I’ve lived in Texas, Kentucky, and will soon be living in Japan! I’m a recent college grad with an MS in Justice Studies; a considerable feat in my life. When I’m taking a break from work/studies, I enjoy a variety of anime, passing a lot of time binging episodes alongside my husband. I also take pleasure in spending time with my two dogs and two cats, hiking, yoga, computer/video games, reading, and trying new cuisines. I’m pretty shy, so writing here has been a great outlet for me to come out of my box.

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Top 5 Anime by Eva B.

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Original Article Below

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Final Thoughts

Author: Kristian

British guy doing student things in Tokyo. Slice-of-life and moe anime are my speciality, though I think something good can be found in almost every show. Outside of anime I spend most of my time feeding on DotA 2 or studying Japanese in a quest to one day watch cute girls without subtitles.

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Top 5 Anime by Kristian

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Original Article Below

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Anime has made a name for itself around the world as an art form that crosses genres and touches on subjects that have never been breached by animation. Anime like Dragon Ball, which deals with superpowered yet relatable characters, have made anime the way it is - world renowned, unique, and incomparable.
However, not all anime is about superpowers and people who challenge fate to move and save the world. There are also some anime that deals with the little things in life - the little struggles and the little victories that the average man encounters on a day to day basis. These titles, though they focus on the simple realities of life, have become some of the finest examples of anime, creating a genre that is not usually found in western animation - the Slice of Life genre.
Here is a list of anime that have carved themselves in anime history without resorting to spectacles that are designed to take your breath away. Here are the Top Ten Slice of Life Anime!

• Episodes: 12


• Aired: April 2012 - June 2012

Adapted from an award-winning manga by Yuki Kodama, the story centers around Kaoru Nishimi, a young, introverted, talented classical pianist, who moves into a new place due to his father"s profession. While in his new school, he meets Sentaro Kawabuchi, an extroverted, free spirit who loves jazz music. The two different young men eventually hit it off, going on a personal journey of self-discovery through friendship and music.
Directed by acclaimed director Shnichiro Watanabe, who directed modern anime classics like Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop. The excellent direction of the show, as well as the excellent score set against the backdrop of the jazz Renaissance in Japan, the series perfectly captures the nostalgic, somewhat sunny feeling that one gets when reminiscing young adulthood. It is a time that is perfectly described by the anime - a time of when everything seems possible, if not just a bit out of reach.

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• Episodes: 13


• Aired: April 2009 - June 2009

K-On! is a fairly new anime that has charmed the world with its wholesome approach to the Slice of Life genre. Shunning the supernatural elements of titles like other High School anime like Angel Beats!, K-On! is another anime that utilizes music as a central theme to the story. Focusing on four young girls who end up joining the light music club (light music is usually translated to mainstream pop music) of Sakuragaoka Girl"s High School in order to save the club. Despite being the only members of the club, they eventually bond and become the best of friends.
Though somewhat light in plot, K-On! is a fresh addition to Slice of Life anime, featuring a soundtrack that is both catchy and great. Humorous, somewhat less over the top than its counterparts in the genre, K-On! is one enjoyable ride from the first episode to the last.

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• Episodes: 26


• Aired: April 2011 - September 2011

Hanasaku Iroha is an anime that deals with a relatively mature plot. Ohana Matsumae, a 16-year old girl, is left to care for her aging grandmother after her mother elopes with her boyfriend. Upon arriving at her grandmother"s estate, she quickly finds out that she is not there just to care for her grandmother, she is there to save a Taisho hot spring inn as well. Couple that with the fact that her grandmother and most of the workers in the hot spring inn dislike her and she has a huge challenge ahead of her. Undeterred however, she decides to take things into her own hands, doing what she can to make her stay there fulfilling.
With smooth fluid, animation and backdrops that will not look out of place in a high budget production, Hanasaku Iroha is one anime that is very hard to stop watching. The characters are very well-rounded, and Ohana is just charming as a lead. This title is definitely worth a watch for anyone who loves the Slice of Life genre.

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• Episodes: 26


• Aired: October 1998 - March 1999

From the studio that brought the masterpiece Neon Genesis Evangelion to the screen comes this complex, psychoanalytical, slice of life drama in the guise of a comedy anime. Based off of a manga by Masami Tsuda, Kare Kano centers on the life of Yukino Miyazawa, a seemingly perfect girl whose facade of being a model student is but a mask that hides who she truly is. When another popular, handsome student, Soichiro Arima, beats her in the academics she so desperately wants to dominate, she commits herself to bringing him down. However, a series of circumstances, some humorous, and some traumatic, happen to them, eventually making them realize that putting on a facade is unnecessary and that they can live as people who can honestly put their hearts out into the world.
With characters that are very real and relatable as well as a plot that is deeper that what it seems, Kare Kano is one entry in the Slice of Life genre unlike any other. What makes this series so great is the fact that the characters" psyche is so well-explored. Concepts from Freudian psychology and other concepts involving the student of the mind are touched on by the series.

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• Episodes: 1


• Aired: July 1995

Studio Ghibli is famous for creating imaginative stories that involve a good deal of fantasy and a great deal of style. Entries such as Spirited Away and the Howl"s Moving Castle are but two of the masterpieces that the studio has come up with under the guidance of two prominent anime directors, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. However, the studio did come out with a remarkable Slice of Life anime, directed by the protege of the two great directors, Yoshifumi Kondo, who was set to take the reins of Studio Ghibli from MIyazaki and Takahata had he not passed away due to an aneurysm at a fairly young age.
Centering on the coming-of-age story of a girl who is stuck between the twilight years of childhood and adolescence and the beautiful friendship she forms with a young man who has a passion for making instruments, Whisper of the Heart is one anime that has garnered universal acclaim, and for good reason too, for its story is simply beautiful.

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• Episodes: 3


• Aired: February 2007 - March 2007

From the humble studio of one of the rising starts in the creation and development of anime comes this understated, yet poignant title, Five Centimeters per Second. Dealing with the theme of love, distance, and the progression of life, the story focuses on Takaki Tono, who befriends a young girl, Akari Shinohara.However, circumstances beyond their control have forced them to be apart from each other.
The concept of the story is simple enough, but its subtle, execution is just beyond beautiful. What makes this anime even more amazing is the fact that it was created by just one person, Makoto Shinkai, heralded by many to be the next Miyazaki in the anime directing world. With backgrounds that are beyond detailed and a story that is sure to pull at your heartstrings, Five Centimeters per Second is one anime that is simply impossible to forget. Mark Schilling, reviewing the anime, states that Shinkai has even reached a point beyond Miyazaki with this title, for the anime "(pierces) the veil of the everyday to reveal a poignant, evanescent beauty most of us notice only in rare moments."

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• Episodes: 96


• Aired: March 1986 - March 1988

Rumiko Takahashi has carved her name in anime with her world-famous titles Ranma 1/2 and the epic Inuyasha series. However, she has also created a sweet, funny, down-to-earth love story between Yusaku Godai, a 20-year old who is down on his luck while studying for college entrance exams, and the manager of his boarding house, the beautiful, 22-year old widow, Kyoko Otonshi.
With humor that only Rumiko Takahashi can pull off and charming story that is light and heartwarming, Maison Ikkoku is a humble title that definitely deserves to be checked out. Reviewers from prominent sites have given the series critical acclaim, stating that with a relatively simple plot, the story was able to focus more on the development of its characters, which drove the story forward and created a plot that is both beautiful and simple at the same time.
Allen Divers of Anime News Network, who gave the series a positive review, stated that "the beauty of Maison Ikkoku is the fact that the entire cast feels dynamic enough that each could be the center of an episode without pulling away from the main idea of the series." As an anime fan, I have to fully agree.

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• Episodes: 26


• Aired: April 2002 - October 2002

Widely considered as the forerunner of the Slice of Life genre, Azumanga Daioh is an anime that is light on plot but heavy with humor and enjoyment. Centering on the day to day exploits of six girls in school as well as their young and equally quirky teacher, the story focuses on the banalities and absurdities of every day life. This simple formula was executed masterfully to the point that it has created a whole new subgenre on its own, the type of anime that involves Girls Doing Things Together.
In a lot of ways, Azumanga Daioh has managed to strike the prefect balance between its elements. In fact, a number of anime have already attempted to simulate and achieve what the series has accomplished, but none have gotten the formula as right as this so far. As time passes, this anime just continues to establish itself not simply as the forerunner of the Slice of Life genre, it has established itself as one of its finest examples as well. If you are interested in checking out Slice of Life anime, this should definitely be on the list.

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• Episodes: 11


• Aired: July 2011 - September 2011

Bunny Drop is one of those anime that presents a very realistic scenario that viewers simply cannot look away from. Centering on the story of Daikichi Kawachi, a single, 30-year old man who finds a surprise when he visits home after the death of his grandfather. As it turns out, his grandfather has a six-year old child, Rin Kaga, with another woman six years before his death. Unfortunately, the child is widely considered as a disgrace due to the fact that the child"s mother has abandoned her. Taking pity on the unwanted child, Daikichi decides to raise her on his own, despite the fact that he has absolutely no idea how to be a parent.
With touching scenes and a moving story about the journey of a man and his adopted daughter. Despite the lack of experience in parenting on Daikichi"s part, he nonetheless decides to change his ways and commit himself full time to be the father that Rin has never had. Truly a heartwarming series, Bunny Drop is not to be missed in the Slice of Life genre.

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• Episodes: 24


• Aired: October 2008 - March 2009

Though the story itself has some elements of the fantasy genre, Clannad: After Story nonetheless stands as one of the finest examples of anime that shows its viewers a slice of life. Revolving around the story of Tomoya Okazaki, a delinquent whose life changed direction after meeting and falling in love with Nagisa Furukawa, the sweet, optimistic, albeit fragile girl with a passion for theater, Clannad: After Story is one anime that has not only moved its viewers, it is probably one of the few anime that was make the world shed its tears.
With an honest story that is not afraid to pull any punches in showing its viewers the realities and tragedies of life, Clannad: After Story is an anime that has almost become sublime, a modern anime classic that is surely going down in history as one of the finest examples of the Slice of Life genre. Universally acclaimed by critics and viewers alike, this is one anime that, regardless of the genre, deserves to be watched and pondered upon.

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Slice of Life anime is arguably one the most understated and possibly underrated genre in the anime world. However, the genre also possibly contains anime"s most subtle, honest titles. Even if anime is best known for titles that have taken the world by storm, Slice of Life anime is something that surely deserved to be fully appreciated, for all its humble glory.

Author: Peter "Virage" de Jesus

In the game of life, the Universe deals us a hand of cards. Some revel in the fortunes they are provided. Others resort to clawing their way up with the bad hand that they are dealt. A number would fold as the years go by. Our existence is a game of chances, and in this game, we all play. I play life in Hard Mode.

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Top 5 Anime by Peter "Virage" de Jesus

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