Every story benefits from a bit of decoration, but it's refreshing to see shows occasionally depict their characters in a more realistic sense. Heroes are often perfect protagonists with shallow faults, extravagant adventures, and no problems that can't be solved with the tasteful amount of plot armor. While these intricately-woven tales are fun, there is something underappreciated about stories that feature ordinary people with ordinary problems.
There is no shortage of realistic characters in the world, especially in anime. If a viewer wants to tune into a series with relatable characters and humdrum scenarios, it's a fairly easy search once they turn to slice-of-life, shojo, or anything that focuses on typically low-stakes adventures. This isn't to say that one genre of anime is better than another, but that series with mundane plots bring out the best in everyday life.
10 Angel Beats Gives Its Cast A Second Chance At A Normal Life
Angel Beats takes place in a purgatory of sorts where kids who meet premature deaths get to enjoy their youth in a school setting as they embark on whacky adventures. Despite the setting's demand that viewers suspend their disbelief, the characters' connections reflect real-world relationships between various types of high schoolers.
The fantastical setting mixed with the lifelike cast implies that the simplest parts of youth are taken for granted, as well as how temporary and fleeting life can be. Beyond the existential themes of the show, Angel Beats relies on its characters to bring sense to an otherwise confusing world.
9 Assassination Classroom Sheds Light On Unjust School Systems
The concept of Assassination Classroom leans heavily into absurd ideas. After all, a tentacled assassin teaches a group of middle schoolers how to kill him. While the students trying to kill Korosensei may be at the forefront of the plot, the show also explores everyday middle school problems.
The students in Class 3-E are tossed aside by the school for their lack of academic performance. The show sheds light on the unfair ranking systems in schools and the way these systems are used to justify exclusion. While Korosensei's backstory and powers are cool, the real appeal of Assassination Classroom is its compelling portrayal of students as well as how a good support system can go a long way.
8 Orange Conveys A Sad Story With Fun Characters
The best shojo series have a group of teens with varying personalities that riff off of each other with ease. Orange balances its six prominent characters and their overlapping personalities without diminishing their individuality, proving that just like in reality, friend groups are composed of diverse personalities.
While there is a supernatural element to the show, it never strays too far from its high school setting, managing to create a world that is both realistic and unique. Even if the ending is a nail-biter, the story along the way is filled with relatable teen angst.
7 Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun Is Realistically Chaotic
While the portrayal of Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun's high school students turned manga creators is a step away from reality and their personalities tend to be over-the-top, it isn't too over-the-top that the characters' antics can't be chalked up to their boisterous lineup.
Each episode's build-up often falls flat but in an anticipated and comedic way. Through humor, the show demonstrates how chaotic high school life can get, and how messy young love is no matter the effort expended. The series even starts with the protagonist, Sakura Chiyo, failing to confess to her crush. From there, nothing seems to go according to plan.
6 Lovely Complex Digs Into High School Insecurities
The most realistic aspect of these characters coincides with Lovely Complex's premise in which the two protagonists have a drastic height difference. Risa Koizumi wants to date a boy taller than her, and Atsushi Otani wants to date a girl shorter than him. The two coconspire, but in their attempts to act as wingmen for each other, they realize they have a lot in common.
Physical insecurities, especially at these characters' ages, are quite typical. That's why this show's use of its characters' height difference is refreshing to see. While the plot is predictable and falls back on more than one trope, the concept itself isn't seen in much media.
5 A Silent Voice Follows The Story Of A Former Bully
It isn't uncommon these days for most protagonists to be perfect or possess flaws so shallow they barely count. In A Silent Voice, Shoya Ishida is a former bully who attempts to right the wrongs of his past. The movie demonstrates that solely being sorry isn't enough and that people need to actively work toward atonement. Even then, forgiveness is never owed.
Shoya is realistic in the sense that he has made huge mistakes that reverberate into the present. The movie cuts between the past and present, showing how Shoya has changed, but the hurt he caused has not disappeared.
4 Non Non Biyori's Characters Make The Best Of Their Small Town
Non Non Biyori's premise follows four young girls in a small town where not much happens, so it makes sense that they would be written in a realistically underwhelming manner. The girls themselves are portrayed in a fun way that endears them to the audience, but the plot remains admirably bland.
Since the show sells itself on not creating anything out of this world in terms of its story-telling, the viewers find themselves impressed with how such an unassuming small town and the people within it can force them to become invested after just a few episodes.
3 Blue Spring Ride Has No Gimmick And Excels Because Of That
While most shojo series pride themselves on a gimmick to set them apart from the rest, Blue Spring Ride is upfront with its premise. The show follows a group of friends as they go through high school and navigate their relationships with each other.
While there isn't anything predominately "special" about the 12-episode series, the characters' ability to not only admit their faults and mistakes but to take time to right their wrongs is impressively realistic. Many shows of the same genre use their protagonist's too-perfect personality as a crutch, but Futaba Yoshioka is about as ordinary as a high schooler can be, and interesting because of that.
2 Carole & Tuesday Features Characters Who Bond Over Art
Despite Carole & Tuesday taking place on Mars in the future, both Carole and Tuesday translate on-screen as an in-depth and creative depiction of aspiring musicians. The two girls have different personalities, but immediately forge a bond over their music, and swear to stand by one another until the end.
The show's setting has unique sci-fi influences, but the story itself could be plucked from modern times. Every character who enters the story, hero or antagonist, has a unique but relatable backstory and drive. In the end, nearly every character in the show bonds over music, which is commonplace amongst viewers as well.
1 Your Lie In April Is A Reality Check
Your Lie in April's realisticness lies in its harsh reminder that not all stories get a happy ending. The characters are pragmatic, but their interactions and dialogue are fluffed-up at times. That, however, can be written off to the show's genre and use of musical elements.
As the show progresses, the fanciful story quickly turns sour and the themes of hope become wake-up calls. Youth, life, and love are fleeting. Despite making the audience shed some tears, this 22-episode series leaves on a bittersweet note. It reminds fans that beyond the pain, there are always memories to cherish.