We all have shows we can put on and just have it running in the background while we do chores, do homework, or even just have noise playing. These also show that we can re-watch over and over without getting bored. For me, these are mainly shows like Spongebob Squarepants, Wizards of Waverly Place, The Amazing World of Gumball, etc.
Of course, I have my own selection of anime as well. These shows I find myself going back every year and indulging whenever I have the time in between finding new shows. I think we can all agree that while the drama and adventure can be nice, it’s not so bad to just watch a show without insane plot twists or having to remember details about characters. These are my go-to shows!
1. Tanaka-Kun Is Always Listless
For high school student Tanaka, the act of being listless is a way of life. Known for his inattentiveness and ability to fall asleep anywhere, Tanaka prays that each day will be as uneventful as the last, seeking to preserve his lazy lifestyle however he can by avoiding situations that require him to exert himself. Along with his dependable friend Oota who helps him with tasks he is unable to accomplish, the lethargic teenager constantly deals with events that prevent him from experiencing the quiet and peaceful days he longs for.
via myanimelist.com
The reason I resonated with this series so much was that in high school I was literally Tanaka. I barely participated in any outside activities and wanted to not exert myself as much as possible. In the beginning, I felt bad but watching this made me feel as if someone understood. Sometimes you just want to be lazy or not be outgoing. He’s a little more extreme than I am but I understand him. The show is really a calming slice of life with some comical elements. It’s really just Tanaka going through daily life and wanting to sleep. Couldn’t relate more.
2. Yu Yu Hakusho
One fateful day, Yuusuke Urameshi, a 14-year-old delinquent with a dim future, gets a miraculous chance to turn it all around when he throws himself in front of a moving car to save a young boy. His ultimate sacrifice is so out of character that the authorities of the spirit realm are not yet prepared to let him pass on. Koenma, heir to the throne of the spirit realm, offers Yuusuke an opportunity to regain his life through completion of a series of tasks. With the guidance of the death god Botan, he is to thwart evil presences on Earth as a Spirit Detective.
To help him on his venture, Yuusuke enlists ex-rival Kazuma Kuwabara, and two demons, Hiei and Kurama, who have criminal pasts. Together, they train and battle against enemies who would threaten humanity’s very existence.
via myanimelist.com
If you’re unfamiliar with this show, I have no words. It’s my ultimate shonen comfort show. I’ve probably told this to everyone but it is my favorite anime of all time so every year I like to rewatch it and it never misses a beat. The jokes still land, and the action still excites me, I still fangirl over Kagome and Yusuke being kids in love, it’s wonderful. Also, it has the best tournament arc of any show.
3. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K
To the average person, psychic abilities might seem a blessing; for Kusuo Saiki, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Gifted with a wide assortment of supernatural abilities ranging from telepathy to x-ray vision, he finds this so-called blessing to be nothing but a curse. As all the inconveniences his powers cause constantly pile up, all Kusuo aims for is an ordinary, hassle-free life—a life where ignorance is bliss.
Unfortunately, the life of a psychic is far from quiet. Though Kusuo tries to stay out of the spotlight by keeping his powers a secret from his classmates, he ends up inadvertently attracting the attention of many odd characters, such as the empty-headed Riki Nendou and the delusional Shun Kaidou. Forced to deal with the craziness of the people around him, Kusuo comes to learn that the ordinary life he has been striving for is a lot more difficult to achieve than expected.
via myanimelist.com
I’m currently rewatching this series right now and it’s still as good as when I first started. If you enjoy seeing a sassy pink-haired psychic navigate life around his idiotic friends, this is the show for you (but really Kaido is my husband).
4. Haikyuu!!
Ever since having witnessed the “Little Giant” and his astonishing skills on the volleyball court, Shouyou Hinata has been bewitched by the dynamic nature of the sport. Even though his attempt to make his debut as a volleyball regular during a middle school tournament went up in flames, he longs to prove that his less-than-impressive height ceases to be a hindrance in the face of his sheer will and perseverance.
When Hinata enrolls in Karasuno High School, the Little Giant’s alma mater, he believes that he is one step closer to his goal of becoming a professional volleyball player. Although the school only retains a shadow of its former glory, Hinata’s conviction isn’t shaken until he learns that Tobio Kageyama—the prodigy who humiliated Hinata’s middle school volleyball team in a crushing defeat—is now his teammate.
To fulfill his desire of leaving a mark on the realm of volleyball—so often regarded as the domain of the tall and the strong—Hinata must smooth out his differences with Kageyama. Only when Hinata learns what it takes to be a part of a team will he be able to join the race to the top in earnest.
via myanimelist.com
The best sports anime is also highly rewatchable. Even when the floodgates of anime rained down on us, I still found myself going back and rewatching Haikyuu!! It’s just so fun to watch and yet emotional at times. I feel like I’m the one coaching these kids and wanting them to all win.
5. The Devil is a Part-Timer!
Striking fear into the hearts of mortals, the Demon Lord Satan begins to conquer the land of Ente Isla with his vast demon armies. However, while embarking on this brutal quest to take over the continent, his efforts are foiled by the hero Emilia, forcing Satan to make his swift retreat through a dimensional portal only to land in the human world. Along with his loyal general Alsiel, the demon finds himself stranded in modern-day Tokyo and vows to return and complete his subjugation of Ente Isla—that is, if they can find a way back!
Powerless in a world without magic, Satan assumes the guise of a human named Sadao Maou and begins working at MgRonald’s—a local fast-food restaurant—to make ends meet. He soon realizes that his goal of conquering Ente Isla is just not enough as he grows determined to climb the corporate ladder and become the ruler of Earth, one satisfied customer at a time!
Whether it’s part-time work, household chores, or simply trying to pay the rent on time, Hataraku Maou-sama! presents a hilarious view of the most mundane aspects of everyday life, all through the eyes of a hapless demon lord.
via myanimelist.com
This is 1/2 shows on this list that I highly recommend watching dubbed over subbed due to the comedy. Yu Yu Hakusho is the second. Also, the idea of Satan flipping burgers and frying fries at a fast food restaurant should sell you.
6. School Babysitters
After losing both parents in a fatal plane crash, teenager Ryuuichi Kashima must adjust to his new life as the guardian of his younger brother Kotarou. Although Ryuuichi is able to maintain a friendly and kindhearted demeanor, Kotarou is a reserved toddler still too young to understand the reality of the situation. At their parents’ funeral, they are approached by Youko Morinomiya, the stern chairman of an elite academy, who decides to take them under her care.
However, there is one condition Ryuuichi must fulfill in exchange for a roof over their heads and enrolment in the school—he must become the school’s babysitter. In an effort to support the female teachers at the academy, a babysitter’s club was established to look after their infant children; unfortunately, the club is severely short-staffed, so now not only is Ryuuichi responsible for his little brother, but also a handful of toddlers who possess dynamic personalities.
via myanimelist.com
Probably the most wholesome show on the list, School Babysitters is really just a show of teenagers looking after babies (babies raising babies) and we get to see them interact and also BABIES! When I read the description I thought the show was going in a different route but it was much more fuzzy and warm than expected.
7. Days
The series is about two boys named Tsukushi and Jin. Tsukushi is a boy with no special talent or traits while Jin is considered a soccer genius. On one stormy night, Jin meets Tsukushi, and they get dragged into the world of soccer.
via myanimelist.com
One of my OG sports favorite (it’s usually soccer) Days is a highly underappreciated gem. It’s also way too short. The series revolves around Tsukushi who, in the nicest way possible, sucks at sports. He’s the opposite of athletic and is a walking hazard. But he falls in love with soccer and nobody can tell him anything. We see the journey of someone who was laughed at and ridiculed turn into an inspiration and heart-warming player that organically develops his skills and becomes a crucial part of his team. 10s across the board.
8. Tonari no Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time
All Rumi Yokoi wants to do is focus during school, but she is constantly distracted by Toshinari Seki, her neighboring classmate. Paying attention during class is the least of Seki’s worries, as he obsesses over intricate setups created using an assortment of items, from an elaborate domino course on his desk to a treacherous war played out with shogi pieces. Yokoi desperately attempts to focus in class, only to be repeatedly sucked into his intriguing eccentricities; however, they always seem to end up with her getting in trouble with their teacher. Fortunately, lessons will never be dull with Seki’s antics around!
via myanimelist.com
I stumbled upon this show years ago when I just didn’t know what to watch on Crunchyroll. It’s another show where there’s really no complicated plot. It is simply about a boy who clearly hates paying attention in class and rather do literally anything else.
9. You and Me
Four childhood friends are in their second year at Homare High School: kind and cheerful Shun Matsuoka, hot-tempered Kaname Tsukahara, and the Asaba twins, gentle Yuuta and lazy Yuuki. When a dynamic transfer student, Chizuru Tachibana, joins their group, the friends get caught up in his creative yet troublesome ideas that end up bringing excitement to their everyday lives. With new encounters and experiences, they begin to learn more about each other and themselves.
via myanimelist.com
This show will come off boring to a lot of people but I enjoyed it very much. It’s just a group of friends living their lives in high school. That’s it. Nothing exuberant or life-changing. There is just something I love about the slice-of-life genre that I can’t describe. Maybe it’s because I love people watching that I enjoy just seeing people doing everyday things. There’s also a second season which made me feel complete.
10. Witch Hunter Robin
Witches are individuals with special powers like ESP, telekinesis, mind control, etc. Robin, a 15-year-old craft user, arrives from Italy to Japan to work for an organization named STN Japan Division (STN-J) as a replacement for one of STN-J’s witch hunters who was recently killed. Unlike other divisions of STN, STN-J tries to capture the witches alive in order to learn why and how they became witches in the first place.
via myanimelist.com
This show gives me nostalgia like no other. Back when I used to watch all my anime on my computer and the quality was crappy, I found this show. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else actually talk about it and it makes me sad! It’s a genuinely good show (plus I like witches). My only complaint was that it ended with one of those open-ended situations where you pretty much use your imagination to guess what happens next. Honestly, while we’re just revamping older series with better animation, I’d nominate this show and possibly add another season!
And there you have it, my top 10 comfort anime! I hope you guys will give them a watch and let me know if you like them or not. What are some of your comfort anime?
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