Current events are really scary right now.
At least, I’m frightened and stressed out about a lot of things right now, and judging by the Instagram stories of my peers, this feeling is widespread. I mean, take one look at the news… or don’t. That’s why we’re here! Sometimes, when the world is frightening, one must check out from reality for a bit and watch a cartoon about cute characters doing cute things, with no dark twists or existential genre deconstruction in sight. So here are my recommendations for fun, non-stressful, relaxing-and-nothing-else anime. Perfect for avoiding your worries! Rest assured, every show on this list has been slammed as “boring” by a shounen bro at least once, which is how you know it’s peak slice-of-life.
Flying Witch
Iyashikei (literally “healing” in Japanese) is a genre focused on calm, simple stories, and Flying Witch is the pinnacle of this. Every episode unfolds slowly and organically, staying grounded despite being a show about magic. The protagonist, 15-year-old Makoto Kowata, has left her home, as all witches must do, to learn about the world and practice her magic. The characters that surround her in her new town all act like real people, and the underlying theme of the show is simply that humans are obligated to learn from nature. There’s really not much of a conflict or plot, but it’s captivating nonetheless.
Tanaka-Kun is Always Listless
This is what I like to see- an anime with a main character as enthusiastic about boring things as I am. The titular Tanaka is a high school student who is determined to put in as little effort as possible to everything he does. Balanced out by his dependable best friend Oota who serves as his straight man, the duo make up a cute comedy series with a simple premise. It’s fine to not reinvent the wheel, you know? Tanaka and Oota’s “old married couple” dynamic works well, and the characters who endeavor to disrupt Tanaka’s peace all create some interesting scenarios. Personally, I’m a fan of Miyano, a short, energetic character who endeavors to be just as nonchalant as Tanaka, because, well, me too.
Azumanga Daioh
Every character in Azumanga Daioh’s main cast is a little bit stupid, except for the characters who are extremely stupid. Adapted from a 4-koma comic strip, this is a slice-of-life classic. Azumanga Daioh centers around a cast of 6 high school girls, including the country-accented Osaka and child prodigy Chiyo, as well as two of their teachers, the irresponsible Yukari and level-headed Myanmo. The 26-episode show is filled with screwball humor and non-sequitur musings as the girls experience three years of high school, all accentuated by the simple but expressive animation. Hilarious and bizarre, Azumanga Daioh is peak anime.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K
“Sub or Dub” is a question that has been debated by losers for years, but Saiki K is one show where the answer actually matters. The English dub for the first season on Netflix is perfect. Every single line delivery is a home run. Following the reluctant psychic Saiki Kusuo and his strange classmates, this is genuinely one of the funniest anime of all time. Saiki’s exploits range from avoiding spoilers despite his mind-reading powers to avoiding the apocalypse, and every one of the predicaments presented is treated with the same gravitas. Perfect score, no notes. Also, once again, watch the dub.
Ranma ½
This 90s anime/manga series recently got a reboot on Netflix, and it’s really fun. Following a top martial artist named Ranma who transforms into a girl whenever splashed with cold water and his arranged fiancé, fellow martial artist, Akane, this 12-episode refresh series does a lot more with the premise than I expected it to. I was anticipating something a lot weirder, but the characters are engaging, the jokes are usually pretty funny, and it has excellently vibrant animation. I will say, there are some more risqué gags that might make some viewers uncomfortable, but they’re really only in the first few episodes. Overall, Ranma ½ is a solidly endearing rom-com.
Girl’s Last Tour
Girl’s Last Tour follows two girls who are the sole survivors of the human race. The girls explore the layered city that they inhabit, each tier more advanced than the last, and not much really happens. That’s what makes it a good show in my eyes- the two characters play off of each other well, and there are some good jokes scattered throughout, but mostly, you get to enjoy the surprisingly beautiful post-apocalyptic animated scenery. What sounds like a depressing premise becomes calming and optimistic; the core message is, ultimately, about finding joy in small things and appreciating being alive. Our main characters never get sucked into the temptations of submitting to overwhelming loneliness; instead, they simply continue to roam, enjoying each other’s company and all the remnants of beauty they find along their aimless journey. Pensive but hopeful, Girl’s Last Tour is the perfect winter watch.
Honorable Mentions
Skip and Loafer: This anime was the subject of my first ever Eagle’s Eye article! It’s a good, chill, show with a second season coming out soon. If you want to know more, go read about it here.
Nichijou: Although it’s a classic slice-of-life, I’ve never seen it and therefore cannot recommend it to you. I’ve heard it’s good, though.
Yotsuba&: Written by the same person who made Azumanga Daioh, this is a manga and therefore doesn’t belong on this list. Even so, it’s a really excellent read following the antics of a young girl, her single father, and the family that lives next door to them.
Lucky Star: I ultimately felt it was too rooted in relatively niche otaku culture to recommend. However, if you are an avid fan of anime- especially early 2000s anime- this is a fun watch, and a personal favorite (first anime I ever watched)! It does a good job of simulating pretty realistic conversations amongst its four main characters.
Even though paying attention to the news and participating in society are maybe the singular most important thing for one to be doing right now, it’s also important to take a breather. Even if you aren’t interested in watching one of the shows (or reading the singular manga) recommended in this article, please make sure to find something to destress with, and make sure to take care of yourself during this rather taxing start to 2025.
