Slice-Of-Life anime tend to forego typical show conventions like central conflicts and intense dramatic action in exchange for more leisurely paced affairs where viewers get nothing more than a glimpse into the lives of some fictional characters. Though these anime may have plot progress and character development, they often have minimal exposition and mainly try to depict the everyday lives of ordinary people, occasionally with sci-fi and fantasy elements thrown in.
The genre has seen a number of breakout hits like Lucky Star and K-On!, the likes of which have inspired countless shallow imitators as well as worthwhile successors. 2020 is looking to be another good year for the genre, so keep reading to see the year's most anticipated Slice-Of-Life anime.
10 My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU 3
First up is this continuation of the popular series My Teen Romantic Comedy Snafu. This third season builds upon previous seasons. By this point, the main character Hachiman Hikigaya has been part of the Volunteer Service Club for a while, and, though he has worked to help others around him as best as able, he still hasn't left completely left behind his dispassionate and somewhat nihilistic outlook on life.
This show perfectly captures the isolated lives that some high schoolers live, and, in its slow-burn plot, viewers get to see Hachiman change little by little. It leaves a lot to look forward to in the upcoming season.
9 Fruits Basket 2nd Season
Fruits Basket is an adaptation of the incredibly popular Shoujo manga of the same name. This 2019 anime was a complete reboot that moved past the less than stellar early 2000s anime adaptation to give us an all-new look at this beloved work. In it, the main character Tooru Honda is left homeless after a family tragedy.
Things begin to look up for her after the wealthy Souma family hears of her plight and offers to take her in. But, throwing a supernatural wrench in the works is the reveal that the Souma family transforms into animals of the Chinese Zodiac when they're hugged by a member of the opposite sex. The new season still has a lot of original material left to cover, giving viewers plenty to be excited about.
8 Ascendance of a Bookworm 2nd Season
This show is another one with an upcoming second season. Ascendance of a Bookworm follows Urana Motosu, who, as the name suggests, is a huge fan of books and reading, devouring whatever she can get her hands on. Then classic Isekai tropes kick in and after her life is ended in an accident and she finds herself resurrected in a medieval world as Myne.
Her love for books still remains the same, and she naturally sets out on a quest to read all that she can. The show focuses on her new life and the relationships she fosters with others while taking a slow pace to tell its story. Tune in to a second season starting in April to see where her adventures will take her.
7 Yesterday wo Uttate
The long-running manga this show is based on may have ended in 2015, but passions still burn hot for this upcoming anime. In it, viewers will follow Rikuo Uozumi, a college graduate who is relatably aimless and without ambition or aspiration. Rikuo spends repetitive days working in a convenience store until he meets his former girlfriend and classmate.
From there a love story starts that interweaves the lives of four different people who are all trying to find themselves. This show looks to be taking a more mature stance on its coming of age story, featuring complex characters and dense motivations, which, combined with its Slice-Of-Life aspirations, could make for an excellent watch.
6 Kakushigoto
Kakushigoto is a story about Gotou Kakushi, a manga artist who draws somewhat risque work to make a living. Still, he does it to support himself and his daughter Hime, who he is solely responsible for taking care of.
This simple premise packs in a lot of social commentary and black humor with an in-depth focus on the manga industry and what it is like to be a creator within it. This is all supported by good jokes and heartwarming father-daughter moments that look like they'll come together for a great anime.
5 Somali to Mori no Kamisama
This currently airing show is another one that covers the bond between father and daughter, though this anime has a bit more of a fantastical spin. Somali to Mori no Kamisama takes place in a magical world presided over by spirits, goblins, and all types of extraordinary beings.
In this world, human beings are marginalized almost to the point of non-existence, but they still subsist, with the main pair of the show being a golem and a single human girl. With this simple premise, we follow the duo as they explore the world and go on wholesome adventures. This show is one to keep your eye on.
4 Heya Camp
This anime follows the Outdoor Activities Club and its members Nadeshiko Kagamihara, Aoi Inuyama, and Chiaki Oogaki. One day while debating what it means to be a Yamanashi Native, the topic of the Yamanashi Kids' Stamp Rally comes up. The rally is a competition to visit famous places in the area and collect stamps with winners receiving a year's worth of steamed buns.
Naturally, our main cast is enticed to participate. This show then follows their daily lives as they travel around the prefecture and collect stamps. The lighthearted story is a simple treat that rewards viewers with a pleasant time. Definitely watch this one in the coming months to see where the story will go.
3 Koisuru Asteroid
Koisuru Asteroid follows the story of Mira Kinohata and Ao Manaka. They first meet in a town campsite, and, while gazing at the night sky, they agree to one day explore the asteroids in hopes of finding a star to name after Ao.
Years later, Mira enrolls in high school and joins the astronomy club, which turns out to be merged with the geological research club to form an earth science group, to hold up her end of the promise, where she again runs into Ao. The show takes a cute idea and builds on it with a warm and fuzzy story about friendship, all wrapped in a peaceful and relaxed anime.
2 Runway de Waratte
This Slice-Of-Life anime jumps into the world of high fashion and modeling, a realm that has rarely been seen in the world of Japanese animation. Main character Fujito Chiyuki is an aspiring fashion model and the daughter of an upstart modeling agent, Mille Neige.
Though she originally looked to be on track to be the star model at her dad's agency, her plans are thrown into disarray when she stops growing at a height that is too short to be a model. Just as her dream starts to look impossible, she meets a classmate Tsumura Ikuto, who designs clothes, and together they go on a journey to chase their dreams. This show takes itself seriously and asks that viewers do the same.
1 Boku no Tonari ni Ankoku Hakaishin ga Imasu
Boku no Tonari ni Ankoku Hakaishin ga Imasu is one of many anime set in the world of the Japanese school system. In this manga adaptation, viewers follow Seri Koyuki, a boy trying to have an ordinary time in school. Naturally, this doesn't happen, with Seri instead getting roped into the schemes and misadventures of his eccentric classmate Kabuto Hanadori.
Kabuto is deep in the throes of chuunibyou, which means that he's ironically convinced that he's the star of his own anime, with delusions ranging from knighthood to alter egos to supernatural phenomena. This humorous show looks like it'll keep a good pace with varied funny scenarios that'll keep viewers interested.