Recommendations for Slice-of-Life Anime | Heartwarming! Funny! Absurd!

This is the Kameari Park-mae Police Box in Katsushika Ward

Kochikame OP “Katsushika Rhapsody”

Kochikame: Tokyo Beat Cops is one of Japan’s most iconic comedy works.

Affectionately known as “Kochikame,” it’s beloved across generations.

The anime adaptation was also extremely popular, and thanks to its top-tier voice cast, it faithfully captured the series’ world.

Although the series has concluded, it still enjoys strong support from many fans.

Its style is both funny and warm, giving off a homey vibe, making it an ideal choice as a slice-of-life anime for the whole family to enjoy.

Gag Manga Biyori

Eagle Talon: Season 1, Episode 02

Gag Manga Biyori, serialized in magazines like Weekly Shonen Jump and Jump Square—of course including Gag Manga Biyori GB—is one of those works you can’t stop reading once you start.

It’s held onto Jump’s fiercely competitive gag-manga slot for a long time, which alone is proof of its guaranteed hilarity.

Whether it’s story-driven humor or pure nonsense, it’s top-notch, showcasing the talent of its creator, Kosuke Masuda.

While it’s fundamentally built on parodies of historical figures and great personalities, the way it pokes fun at them is so wild that I wish it could be used as teaching material in social studies classes! The anime, which preserves the series’ unique rhythm, is also highly recommended.

If you’ve got a lot on your mind, this will surely blow your worries away.

Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!

TV anime Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! ω - Teaser PV 1 (Broadcast starts Fall 2022!)

The anime Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! began in 2020.

It’s a slapstick romantic comedy featuring the protagonist, Shinichi Sakurai, and the heroine, Hana Uzaki, with a story that unfolds around episodes that feel like they could really happen—just like a typical slice-of-life anime.

The show’s charm, I think, lies in the funny dynamic between the loner protagonist, who wants to be left alone, and Hana Uzaki, who keeps pestering him in a troublesome yet endearing way.

Uzaki-chan’s overactive imagination is depicted adorably, so be sure to check it out.

Himouto! Umaru-chan

TV anime 'Himouto! Umaru-chan' Non-credit OP video: 'Kakushin-teki☆Metamaruphōze! (Kakushin-teki☆Metamorphose!)'

Himouto! Umaru-chan, released in 2015, became a popular title.

While it may not have been a nationwide mainstream hit, it gained a great deal of love from anime fans.

I believe the charm of Himouto! Umaru-chan lies above all in the character of its protagonist, Umaru Doma, whose extreme contrast is striking.

Umaru can do anything perfectly, yet the way she turns into a lazy “Umaru-chan” only at home is irresistibly endearing to viewers of any gender.

Everyday life

Nichijou PV 2 (#0)

A slice-of-life anime, Nichijou.

Yep (lol), as you can tell from the title, it’s a classic slice-of-life show.

In terms of style, it’s close to Bonobono, centering on absurdities that occur at Tokisadame High School, with a generally surreal atmosphere.

While something like Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! focuses on episodes that could plausibly happen in the real world, the charm of Nichijou lies in its outlandish events that only fiction can portray.

Definitely check it out.

Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku

Howdy! The Gag Family of Urayasu

A hugely popular gag manga that has long supported Weekly Shonen Champion.

If its depictions were just a bit gentler, it could stand shoulder to shoulder with Sazae-san—yes, it’s that kind of family story.

But it’s precisely because it doesn’t get too gentle that Great Teacher Onizuka—er, My Neighbor Totoro—no, Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku shines.

And of course, the times didn’t overlook such a funny series: it’s been adapted into anime and live-action drama, both well-received! The cast is so distinctive that whenever fans gather, the conversation inevitably turns to which character everyone supports.

For the record, I’m a fan of Ryu Harumaki, the teacher who dresses like Bruce Lee! Anyway, if you want a good, hearty laugh, give it a try!