The slice-of-life genre lacks the explosive excitement of action series or the captivating suspense of mystery shows. Yet, this anime category is still adored by countless devoted fans. The appeal of slice-of-life anime may be tricky to put into words since many assume that simply following the mundane lives of ordinary characters can be rather boring.
However, the joy and comfort this misunderstood anime genre brings to its fans is an indescribably blissful feeling. Nevertheless, even such a tame anime category is not lacking in controversial shows. This genre is surprisingly diverse, featuring some unconventional series that may not be to everyone's liking. These great slice-of-life anime are unique for the genre, making them a hit or miss among the fans.
10 Life Lessons With Uramichi Oniisan Brings Dark Humor Into A Typically Lighthearted Genre
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While most slice-of-life anime strive to make their viewers smile, Life Lessons With Uramichi Oniisan’s harsh nihilistic humor threatens to bring the audience to tears. The show’s protagonist, Uramichi Omota, begrudgingly hosts an educational children’s morning show.
However, the man’s life lessons tend to be a bit too real for the innocent children’s psyche. This dark comedy is a perfect pick for fans of adult humor but might get a bit too depressing for those who prefer their entertainment on the lighter side.
9 Haibane Renmei's Philosophical Themes Can Get Too Sophisticated
Media that deals with heavy philosophical themes and encourages soul-searching in the audience can be difficult to get into. Yet, art that urges the audience to think can significantly impact their lives. The somber, surreal world of Haibane Renmei is a purgatory inhabited by angel-like girls who have no memories of their past lives.
Together with the audience, the characters revisit timeless questions of mortality. Due to its distinctiveness and non-linear narrative structure, viewers looking for a more straightforward show may find Haibane Renmei too confusing and senseless, making it a rather divisive slice-of-life series.
8 Aria Is Too Boring And Slow-Paced For Modern Viewers
Among diehard slice-of-life fans of the early 2000s, the science fiction fantasy series Aria holds a cult-classic status. The show takes the audience on a somber adventure through the rustic sceneries of Neo Venezia, a futuristic replica of Venice on the planet Aqua.
Despite Aria's impressive legacy, many fans consider it the most boring slice-of-life series in history. This show takes an already unrushed genre and slows it down to a glacial pace. However, its deliberate progression is also something dedicated fans grew to love, and many have come to appreciate the show’s willingness to take its time.
7 After The Rain Features A Large Age Gap Between Its Romantic Leads
The success of a romance series is predetermined by how well the viewers can relate to the characters and believe in their relationship’s potential, which makes unconventional love stories hard to recommend. After the Rain is notorious for making a lot of its viewers uncomfortable due to the large age gap between its romantic leads, timid high schooler Akira and her 45-year-old manager, Masami.
While the series tries to treat its controversial subject matter delicately, focusing more on the complexity of Akira’s conflicted feelings, the moral ambiguity of such a relationship can be enough for many to dismiss this show.
6 School-Live! Destroys The Audience's Expectations With A Shocking Genre Twist
School-Live! threw many of its viewers off with its first episode, which portrayed the series as a typical cutesy slice-of-life anime about a group of carefree junior high students. However, that assumption is shattered by the end of Episode 1, as the sinister nature lurking beneath the series’ sugary facade is revealed
It turns out that ordinary life exists only in the fractured mind of the show’s protagonist, Yuki Takeya. Beyond that, the world was destroyed amid a zombie apocalypse. This juxtaposition might turn many viewers away from this bizarre mix of horror and slice-of-life. Nevertheless, fans of unique shows will get a lot out of School-Live!
5 Kotaro Lives Alone Has A Depressing Hidden Meaning
The latest hidden gem of the slice-of-life genre, Kotaro Lives Alone won countless fans over with its bittersweet story. Its hero, Kotaro, is a surprisingly self-sufficient toddler, living all by himself in a worn-down apartment building and shocking his neighbors with his overly mature attitude.
And while Kotaro’s adventures seem lighthearted at the surface, overly emotional viewers may find his story unbearably heartbreaking. The little hero moved into the apartment complex to hide from his abusive father after suffering years of neglectful parenting. The sensitive, traumatic topics explored in Kotaro Lives Alone make it a hit-or-miss show for slice-of-life fans.
4 His And Her Circumstances Is An Unconventional Romance Story
Slice-of-life and high school romance are genres that often go hand in hand and attract herds of fans. Yet, Hideaki Anno’s romance series, His and Her Circumstances, was much less popular than his mecha icon, Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Even devoted romance fans don’t hold it in high regard, criticizing it for its inconsistent animation quality and bizarre directorial style. This slice-of-life series may not be for everyone, especially not admirers of Anno’s other works. Yet, the show’s realistic approach to romance and characterization makes it a cult classic.
3 Many Fans Are Surprised To Find Action-Heavy Beastars Listed As A Slice-Of-Life Anime
No one anime genre can exist in a vacuum. Yet, Beastars majorly pushes the boundaries of what can count as a slice-of-life anime. This peculiar show about a society of anthropomorphic animals features plenty of slice-of-life elements and identifies with the genre.
However, its action scenes rival the most thrilling seinen series in intensity. For fans of conventional slice-of-life anime, Beastars’ focus on action and gore combined with the show’s unusual CGI art style might override the charm of its less fierce components.
2 Lucky Star's Unique Brand Of Comedy Didn't Age Well
For the early 2000s otaku community, Lucky Star was a genre-defining series, encapsulating the culture surrounding anime for an entire generation of fans. This seemingly bland and insignificant show was the cornerstone of all things otaku at its time, gaining a massive cult following.
For modern anime audiences, there’s hardly anything appealing or relatable about this slow and boring slice-of-life flick, since the community transformed massively since Lucky Star’s release in 2007. However, older fans still look back on this iconic series fondly.
1 Girls' Last Tour Mixes Cheerful Slice-Of-Life Tropes With A Daunting Dystopian Setting
Slice-of-life is all about appreciating the little things about existence, and no show portrays the importance of that mindset as effectively as Girls' Last Tour. The series portrays two girls traveling through the desolate wastelands of a grim post-apocalyptic world.
The show’s protagonists, Chito and Yuuri, only have each other to keep them company as they cling to hope in an otherwise despairing world. Girls' Last Tour is not your typical comforting high school slice-of-life flick, which sets it apart from more popular shows in the genre.