The anime industry churns out a lot of slice-of-life comedy and drama series, and they often take place in a high school. This isn't an accident; many anime viewers are in high school themselves, so this academic setting is relatable and familiar. But that doesn't have to make for stale, routine storytelling. Some high school anime go above and beyond.

Some high school anime are just so charming, so heart-warming, and so funny that anyone who's getting into anime for the first time can try them out as an introduction to the anime world. The students in these high school anime have a lot on their plate: homework, teachers, bullies, crushes, or even a harem of magical girls or robot classmates.

Update on February 8th, 2024 by Louis Kemner: Some high school anime series have magic or harems, while others are about the sheer relatability of daily teenage life in the classroom and in after-school clubs. Now this list of the best high school anime ever has been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards.

Related
10 Best Magical School Anime, Ranked
Series set in magical schools run the gamut, from parody to drama to slice-of-life, adding a bit of fantasy to the typical school life story.

30 One-Week Friends Is About a Girl Who Keeps Forgetting Her Friends

Kaori and Yuuki stand near each other in the One Week Friends Promo
One Week Friends
TV-14
Comedy
Drama

Kaori has distanced herself from her peers due to a condition that causes her memories to reset every week, but one of her classmates is determined to become friends with her no matter what.

Release Date
April 7, 2014
Creator
Matcha Hazuki
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
1
Studio
Brain's Base
Number of Episodes
12
Main Cast
Yoshitaka Yamaya, Sora Amamiya and Yoshimasa Hosoya

One-Week Friends Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.52
  • IMDb: 7.0
  • Anime Planet: 3.8/5

One-Week Friends may not rank that high among the best high school of all time, but it's still a lovable little anime that has a unique twist on the dandere archetype. The female lead Kaori Fujimiya isn't just quiet and insecure, she loses all memory of her friends every week.

Kaori gave up on having friends and a social life, only for her male classmate Yuuki Hase to take notice of her and offer to help her overcome this bizarre memory issue. Kaori hesitated at first, but then she warmly accepted Yuuki as her friend, and found happiness for the first time in years. One-Week Friends a charming little romance/comedy/drama anime with a fun twist, but it doesn't make the most of its premise, and many of its characters lack serious depth, so it ranks last among the best high school anime series worth watching.

29 Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible Gives the Unpopular Boy Another Chance at Friendship

Kubo Wont Let Me Be Invisible TV Poster
Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible
TV-14
Animation
Comedy
Romance

Junta Shiraishi wants a fulfilling youth, but achieving his dream seems next to impossible. No one around him seems to notice his existence except for Nagisa Kubo, the girl who sits next to him. Kubo makes a habit of teasing Shiraishi, often pushing him into situations that provoke his anxiety. Little does he realize, with Kubo on his tail, his life might not be near as boring as he thought.

Release Date
January 10, 2023
Creator
Nene Yukimori
Cast
Kana Hanazawa , Kengo Kawanishi , Miku Itō , Sora Amamiya , Ai Kakuma , Ayana Taketatsu
Main Genre
Comedy
Seasons
1
Studio
Pine Jam
Characters By
Nene Yukimori
Distributor
Sentai Filmworks
Main Characters
Nagisa Kubo, Junta Shiraishi, Akina Kubo, Saki Kubo, Hazuki Kudo, Tama Taira
Production Company
Pine Jam
Story By
Nene Yukimori
Writers
Yūya Takahashi
Number of Episodes
12

Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.57
  • IMDb: 7.1
  • Anime Planet: 3.82/5

Streaming exclusively on HIDIVE, Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible tells the tale of Junta Shiraishi who is such a plain dandere, he is almost literally invisible to everyone around him. Junta thought he'd spend his high school career all alone, but Nagisa Kubo won't let that happen.

The friendly, cheerful Nagisa Kubo befriended Junta one day and gently teased him, encouraging Junta to stand up for himself and let his presence be known. A gentle, innocent romance soon blossoms between them, and then it's Kubo's turn to be a bashful dandere when she must face her true feelings about the world's most invisible boy.

Junta Shiraishi looking confused in the anime Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible

28 More Than A Married Couple, But Not Lovers Is About an Experiment With Fake Marriages

More than a married couple TV poster
More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers
Not Rated
Comedy
Romance

High school student Jiro Yakuin gets paired with Akari Watanabe, a gal who finds him repulsive at first, but they agree to attain enough points so that they can switch partners to the people they really like.

Release Date
October 9, 2022
Cast
Saori Ōnishi , Seiichiro Yamashita , Toshiki Masuda , Sho Nogami , Minami Takayama , Azumi Waki , Shūichi Uchida , Yui Ogura
Main Genre
Comedy
Seasons
1
Studio
studio MOTHER
Characters By
Yūki Kanamaru
Distributor
Crunchyroll
Main Characters
Akari Watanabe, Jirō Yakuin, Shiori Sakurazaka, Minami Tenjin, Sadaharu Kamo, Sachi Takamiya, Natsumi Ōhashi, Shū Terafune, Mei Hamano
Production Company
studio MOTHER
Story By
Yūki Kanamaru
Writers
Yūki Kanamaru
Number of Episodes
12

More Than A Married Couple, But Not Lovers Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.59
  • IMDb: 7.4
  • Anime Planet: 3.87/5

More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers is a high school anime with a wacky premise perfect for romantic comedy. At a particular high school, all the boys and girls are expected to co-habitate as pretend married couples, all to get them ready for the real thing in adult life.

What follows is classic high school rom-com shenanigans between protagonist Jiro and his flamboyant "wife" Akari, who's more interested in Minami, but she may come to appreciate Jun as well. The arrangement of "married" couples doesn't exactly match who's got a crush on whom, leading to some light-hearted drama throughout the series.

27 The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya Is a Wacky School Anime With a Divine Being

Haruhi Suzumiya poses in The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya
TV-14
Comedy
Fantasy

The crazy adventures of the SOS Brigade, led by the insane but charismatic Haruhi.

Release Date
April 2, 2006
Creator
Nagaru Tanigawa
Cast
Tomokazu Sugita , Crispin Freeman , Wendee Lee
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
1 Season
Production Company
Kadokawa Entertainment, Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co., Kyoto Animation

The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.83
  • IMDb: 7.8
  • Anime Planet: 4.0/5

The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya was a juggernaut for the high school anime subgenre back in the early 2000s. Kyon, the male lead, is notoriously snarky and always has a sarcastic comment for every situation, which only encourages the titular Haruhi's eccentric behavior.

Haruhi admits that she's bored with "normal" people, so she sets her sights on communicating with paranormal and extraterrestrial entities. Haruhi became the president of her school's paranormal activity club, called the SOS Brigade. The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya has withstood the test of time, and every anime fan should watch it at least once.

26 Classroom Of The Elite Takes Place in a High School For Society's Upper Crust

The students pose on poster for Classroom of the Elite
Classroom of the Elite
TV-14

When Kiyotaka enters government-sponsored elite high school, he finds out just how merit-based this education system is.

Release Date
July 17, 2017
Main Genre
Thriller
Studio
Lerche
Main Cast
Shouya Chiba, Akari Kitou, Justin Briner and Felecia Angelle
Related
When Does Classroom Of The Elite Season 3 Come Out?
Classroom of the Elite is returning with a highly anticipated third season, making fans eager to learn more about its plot before the release date.

Classroom Of The Elite Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.86
  • IMDb: 7.7
  • Anime Planet: 4.09/5

Most high school anime try to keep things short, sweet, and funny. However, Classroom Of The Elite isn't afraid to call out the reality of high school. This anime observes the flaws of the education system and portrays it in a dog-eat-dog light. Koudo Ikusei Senior High seems like the average high school, except with more freedom. It's a highly respected institution in Japan.

However, appearances aren't everything. Within the schools' walls lies a harsh ranking system. Students at the top receive the best treatment, while those at the bottom are regarded as trash. Class rankings aren't permanent, but it's not an easy task to ascend in such a system, especially since it's built to work against those inside it.

Close-up of Kiyotaka Ayanokouji looking bored while sitting in school in Classroom Of The Elite

25 The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K. Is Ideal For Fans of Goofy Comedy Series

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K anime cast surrounding Saiki Kusuo
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
TV-14
Fantasy
Comedy

Saiki Kusuo is a powerful psychic who hates attracting attention, yet he is surrounded by colorful characters who always find a way to remove him from his everyday life.

Release Date
July 4, 2016
Creator
Michiko Yokote
Cast
Hiroshi Kamiya , Daisuke Ono , Nobunaga Shimazaki
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
3 Seasons
Studio
J.C. Staff
Producer
Sayako Matsumura, Takashi Umemoto, Tomoya Negishi
Production Company
Shogakukan
Number of Episodes
146 Episodes

The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K. Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 8.41
  • IMDb: 8.3
  • Anime Planet: 4.29/5

The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K. is a must-watch for any fan of comedy. The anime follows Saiki Kusuo, a teenage psychic with a seemingly endless roster of magical powers. It's fast-paced, and every episode adds to the show's already long list of running gags.

Saiki mainly sticks to internal monologues and doesn't talk much to the other characters. He proves that high school is already hard enough, but it's even more challenging as a psychic who can read others' minds. He finds his powers and other people equally troublesome. The show doesn't follow a strict plot, but that's part of its charm for fans of such comedy series. That said, the Saiki K. anime might not scratch the itch for dedicated fans of high school slice-of-life series, so it ranks a bit low among the best high school anime shows.

Kusuo Saiki making a serious face while Riki talks to him in The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.

24 Horimiya Shows What Healthy, Low-Drama Teenage Love Looks Like

All the characters in their own colored boxes smiling and posing on Horimiya anime poster
Horimiya
TV-14
Comedy
Drama

Two very different people - an academically successful schoolgirl and a quiet loser schoolboy - meet and develop a friendship.

Release Date
January 10, 2021
Creator
Hiroki Adachi
Cast
Haruka Tomatsu , Koki Uchiyama , Seiichiro Yamashita
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
1 Season
Production Company
Aniplex, CloverWorks
Number of Episodes
26
Network
Crunchyroll
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

Horimiya Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 8.2
  • IMDb: 8.1
  • Anime Planet: 4.32/5

Most romance anime often don't show what occurs after the confession, but the high school anime series Horimiya does just the opposite. Not only does it flesh out the relationship between the main characters, Miyamura and Hori, but it also expands upon the romance between its side characters.

Miyamura and Hori's relationship follows a tried-and-true trope but reinvents it. These two prove that opposites attract. At first, it seems like these two high schoolers would have never been compatible- Hori is a popular, bright girl while Miyamura seems like a geeky introvert. However, a chance encounter proves that there's always more beneath the surface.

Hori and Miyamura standing back to back in the anime HoriMiya

23 Komi Can't Communicate Stars a Quiet High Schooler Who Wants 100 Friends

Komi smiling in front of panels featuring her school friends on the cover of the Komi Can't Communicate Anime Poster
Komi Can't Communicate
TV-14
Anime
Comedy
Drama

An elite and aloof schoolgirl is in fact severely withdrawn and anxious about communicating with others. An ordinary schoolboy befriends her and helps her to open up and talk with people.

Release Date
October 21, 2021
Cast
Aoi Koga , Gakuto Kajiwara , Rie Murakawa , Rina Hidaka
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
2

Komi Can't Communicate Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.88
  • IMDb: 7.8
  • Anime Planet: 4.06/5

After its release, Komi Can't Communicate quickly became one of Netflix's most popular anime. It follows Shoko Komi, a high school girl with severe social anxiety. However, her classmates are completely unaware of her anxieties. Hitohito Tadano quickly picked up on her communication issues and vowed to help her achieve her goal of making 100 friends.

With dynamic storytelling and a lovable cast, fans fell in love with this high school anime for several reasons. Many fans feel Komi gave them the representation they needed, while others appreciate the adorable slow-burn romance between Komi and Tadano.

Komi and Tadano akwardly stand on a bridge together in Komi Can't Communicate season two

22 My Dress-Up Darling Pairs Up Two Students With the Power of Cosplay

My Dress-Up Darling Anime Poster
My Dress-Up Darling
TV-14
Comedy
Romance

Traumatized by a childhood incident with a friend who took exception to his love of traditional dolls, doll-artisan hopeful Wakana Gojo passes his days as a loner, finding solace in a room at his high school.

Release Date
January 8, 2022
Creator
Shinichi Fukuda
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
1 Season
Characters By
Hina Suguta, Shoya Ishige, AmaLee
Production Company
Aniplex, CloverWorks, Square Enix Company
Related
Everything We Know About My Dress-Up Darling, Season Two
My Dress-Up Darling was one of the best romance anime of 2022, and it's now gearing up for a second season. Here's everything to know about it.

My Dress-Up Darling Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 8.2
  • IMDb: 8.0
  • Anime Planet: 4.26/5

My Dress-Up Darling stars the lovably shy and loyal dandere Wakana Gojo, a high schooler who loves tailoring and hina dolls. Then, one fateful day, the cheerful genki girl Marin Kitagawa recruits him as her new personal tailor so she can take her cosplay to the next level.

What follows is a delightful high school romance that's all about the magic of cosplay, opposites attacting, and soon, true love. Wakana will learn to express himself and his true feelings with these costumes, and Marin, in return, can't help but fall for her helpful new friend and cosplay partner.

Marin sitting on the couch next to Gojo in My Dress-Up Darling

21 Angel Beats! Takes Place in a Strange School With Supernatural Secrets

Yuzuru, Yuri and Kanade look down at the viewer in Angel Beats!
Angel Beats!
TV-14
Drama
Supernatural

Rebellious teens fight in armed combat against one dispassionate girl's supernatural powers in an afterlife high school.

Release Date
April 3, 2010
Main Genre
Anime
Studio
P.A. Works
Main Cast
Harumi Sakurai, Kana Hanazawa, Hiroshi Kamiya and Ryouhei Kimura

Angel Beats! Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 8.06
  • IMDb: 7.6
  • Anime Planet: 4.15/5

Angel Beats! may take place in a high school, but something is off about it. The male lead, Yuzuru Otonashi, ends up at an unfamiliar high school where a petite kuudere girl with angelic white hair is getting shot at, and he gets caught in the crossfire.

This high school is actually a sort of purgatory for students who died in real life with unresolved issues, and it turns out that Angel may not be the real problem after all. The characters have to look inward to find peace and move on over the course of Angel Beats!.

20 Oresuki: Are You The Only One Who Loves Me? Is About a Student Surrounded By Intriguing Girls

Oresuki
Oresuki
TV-14
Comedy
Drama

A high school student's romantic expectations turn upside down, when the girls he likes go with someone else and a girl he hates makes a love confession to him. How will he be able to cope?

Release Date
October 3, 2019
Creator
Rakuda
Cast
Daiki Yamashita , Haruka Shiraishi
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
1 Season
Producer
Kozue Kananiwa, Kotaki Kentarou, Nobuhiro Nakayama, Masaru Takahashi, Shioya Yoshiyuki, Takaaki Yuasa, Yamaoka Yuuki, Tomoyuki Ôwada
Production Company
Connect
Number of Episodes
14 Episodes

Oresuki: Are You The Only One Who Loves Me? Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.31
  • IMDb: 7.0
  • Anime Planet: 3.77/5

Most high school anime is hilarious and exciting, and Oresuki is no exception. Anyone who thinks one love triangle is compelling is in for a treat. In Oresuki, the main character, Joro, is asked to speak privately with two different beautiful girls. He hopes that he's about to get some love confessions.

Both girls are into his friend, Oga, and he hopes to date whichever girl Oga rejects. But the quiet library girl, Sumeriko, then confesses to Joro, and Oga is interested in Sumeriko. Things only get more complex from there, leading to an amusing high school saga of a boy who simply can't decide what to do with all the girls around him. It's a fun premise that makes Oresuki a fairly good high school anime, hence its place among the best, but there are even better series to watch.

Sumireko Sanshokuin coyly looking over her should while at a ball in Oresuki

19 We Never Learn: BOKUBEN Is About Studying and True Love

We Never Learn
We Never Learn: Bokuben
TV-14
Comedy
Romance

Yuiga Nariyuki tutors three genius of different subjects in highschool to get a scholarship.

Release Date
April 7, 2019
Creator
Gō Zappa
Cast
Ryōta Ōsaka , Haruka Shiraishi , Sayumi Suzushiro
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
2 Seasons
Producer
Kozue Kananiwa, Nobuhiro Nakayama, Kazumasa Sanjôba, Tomoyuki Ôwada
Production Company
Aniplex, Arvo Animation, Asatsu-DK, Barnum Studio, Movic, Nippon BS Broadcasting Corporation, Quaras, Shueisha, Silver
Number of Episodes
28 Episodes

We Never Learn: BOKUBEN Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.28
  • IMDb: 7.0
  • Anime Planet: 3.8/5

This heartwarming high school anime has a roughly similar premise to The Quintessential Quintuplets, another popular high school anime. We Never Learn is also all about high school friendships, studying, and an entertaining harem, and even one of the teachers may get involved.

We Never Learn stars Nariyuki Yuiga, a humble but smart boy who becomes the private tutor for these three girls: Fumino, Rizu, and Uruka. Yuiga only meant to help them sharpen their academic skills, but he soon gets involved in a whole lot more than that.

Nariyuki Yuiga becoming determined as he walks down a hallway in We Never Learn: BOKUBEN

18 Aharen-San Is Indecipherable Gives Two Kuuderes a Chance at Friendship and Love at School

Aharen-San is Indecipherable poster
Aharen-San is Indecipherable
Romance
Comedy

Follows small and cute Reina Aharen, as she starts an odd friendship with her classmate Raidou Matsuboshi.

Release Date
April 2, 2022
Creator
Asato Mizu
Cast
Inori Minase
Seasons
1
Production Company
Felix Film
Number of Episodes
12

Aharen-San Is Indecipherable Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.3
  • IMDb: 7.0
  • Anime Planet: 3.76/5

Aharen-San is Indecipherable is an overlooked but simply delightful high school anime series that's all about the kuudere archetype. The petite Reina Aharen is a friendly and helpful person, but no one can appreciate that fact because her voice is far too quiet to hear.

One day, Aharen's kuudere classmate Raido takes notice of her, and they soon hit it off as quiet but loyal friends who understand one another. Raido and Aharen hardly even speak to each other; instead, they use video games, arcade games, and good as their mutual love language to make their affection known.

Aharen whispering to Raido in Aharen-san Is Indecipherable

17 Kakegurui Is Set in a Gambler's High School

The main cast of Kakegurui on a promotional poster
Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler
Drama
Mystery

A gambling prodigy comes to an elite school run by games and turns the order upside down.

Release Date
July 1, 2017
Cast
Saori Hayami , Minami Tanaka
Studio
MAPPA
Streaming Service(s)
Netflix
Related
Why Kakegurui Twin Lives Up to the Original Series
Kakegurui Twin is a prequel to Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler that depicts Mary Saotome as a first-year student, but does it live up to the original?

Kakegurui Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.24
  • IMDb: 7.1
  • Anime Planet: 3.82/5

Kakegurui has a thriller edge to it, and unlike many other high school anime, it's not just a collection of slice-of-life hijinks. Instead, viewers visit an elite school where the students are the children of wealthy families and business owners and they're enrolled to learn the ways of gambling.

These boys and girls are the smartest, most cunning, and most daring high school students ever seen in anime, and some truly high-stakes poker, blackjack, and roulette all lie ahead. Protagonist Yumeko Jabami lives for gambling, and she'll show everyone what reckless, unrestrained gambling really looks like.

16 After The Rain Focuses On the Healing Power of Love

After the Rain anime poster art
After the Rain
Drama
Romance

A young student and track and field star Akira begins to fall for her middle-aged boss Masami while working part time at a restaurant. They have both reached a significant turning point in their lives.

Release Date
January 12, 2018
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
1
Studio
Wit Studios
Number of Episodes
12

After The Rain Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.49
  • IMDb: 7.4
  • Anime Planet: 3.82/5

On some levels, this short animated series is a romance between high schooler Akira Tachibana and her middle-aged, divorced boss, but that is just the start. After the Rain is actually a quietly uplifting series about healing and self-confidence.

Akira loves running track, but an unfortunate injury sidelined her, and she fell for her boss as a way to heal herself. Her boss and his young son cheered her up and gave her all their earnest support, and perhaps one day, Akira really will run like the wind again. Until then, Akira will simply go through the motions of her high school life, constantly preoccupied by her painful distance from the running track.

Akira and Kondou staring at each other while it rains in the anime After the Rain

15 Nisekoi Creates a Romeo and Juliet Scenario at School

The girls from Nisekoi looking at the reader happily
Nisekoi
TV-PG
Comedy
Romance

The heir to a Yakuza Family is forced to be in a relationship with the daughter of the head of a gangster family to avoid a gang war, much to their chagrin.

Release Date
January 11, 2014
Creator
Naoshi Komi
Cast
Koki Uchiyama , Nao Tôyama , Kana Hanazawa , Yûki Kaji
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
2

Nisekoi Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 7.57
  • IMDb: 7.2
  • Anime Planet: 3/89/5

Nisekoi is Romeo and Juliet in anime form, this time featuring the son and daughter of two rival crime families. On one side is Raku Ichijo, from a terrifying yakuza family, and on the other is Chitoge Kirisaki, from a mafia family. Chitoge moved to Japan for high school, transferring from the United States, and at once, her family and Raku's arrange for them to meet.

Both young "lovers" are flabbergasted and don't enjoy being in the spotlight, but they try to at least put on appearances. Things get even messier when love rivals show up in force, and then there's the mystery of which girl gave Raku the locket he now wears around his neck. The hilarious harem antics, the surprising emotional depth of Chitoge Kirisaki, and the tantalizing mystery of Raku's promise girl ensure Nisekoi ranks in the middle of the pack among the best high school anime of all. However, it lacks the depth of the very best high school series.

14 Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai Features High Schoolers With a Unique Problem

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai anime cover art with Bunny Girl
Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai
TV-PG
Drama
Fantasy

The seemingly normal life of Sakuta Azusagawa, a high school student changes drastically when he meets a wild bunny girl that seems to be invisible to others.

Release Date
October 3, 2018
Creator
Hajime Kamoshida
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
1
Studio
CloverWorks
Number of Episodes
13

Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 8.24
  • IMDb: 8.0
  • Anime Planet: 4.19/5

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai features Sakuta, a high schooler meets his upperclassman in the library in a bunny girl outfit. Sakuta and his senpai, the bunny girl Mai, start a quest to help their classmates, who suffer from what's called "adolescence syndrome."

Anyone with this syndrome develops a supernatural ailment that stems from their own insecurities. Along the way, Sakuta helps his little sister, Kaede, overcome her fear of the outside world and become a member of society once again.

Sakuta and Mai sitting next to each other in Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai

13 K-On! Is Cute Girls Doing Cute Things In After-School Clubs

K-on anime poster
K-On!
TV-PG
Musical
Slice of Life

K-ON is about 5 high school girls who become friends through the Light Music Club: Yui the lead guitarist, Tsumugi the keyboardist, Mio the bassist, Azusa the rhythm guitarist, and Ritsu the drummer.

Release Date
April 2, 2009
Creator
Reiko Yoshida
Cast
Aki Toyosaki , Yoko Hikasa , Minako Kotobuki , Satomi Sato , Lili Troncale
Main Genre
Comedy
Seasons
2
Franchise
K-On!
Number of Episodes
39 + 2 OVAs

K-On! Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 8.17
  • IMDb: 7.8
  • Anime Planet: 3.98/5

K-On! is a delightful "cute girls doing cute things" anime with a musical twist. The deredere protagonist Yui Hirasawa will team up with her classmates Mio, Ritsu, and Tsumugi to form their own amateur rock band and happily pass the peaceful days with good music.

Even if K-On! feels bog-standard for high school and CGDCT anime series, it's a pleasure to watch and has an undeniable innocent charm. Older fans might say it's Bocchi the Rock! before it was cool, and it has more episodes, too, plus a movie.

Ritsu Tainaka from K-On with a smug look on her face

12 Kimi Ni Todoke Depicts a Misunderstood High Schooler Finding True Love

Volume 8 collection of Kimi Ni Todoke anime
Kimi Ni Todoke: From Me To You
TV-PG
Drama
Comedy

Sawako's one wish in life is to make friends. That's a difficult proposition due to her resemblance to Sadako from The Ring. Her life starts to change after she befriends her classmate, Kazehaya, an easygoing guy who is nice even with her.

Release Date
October 6, 2009
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
2
Studio
Production I.G.
Number of Episodes
38
Related
10 Ways Kimi Ni Todoke Embraces Shojo Clichés
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Kimi Ni Todoke Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 8.01
  • IMDb: 7.8
  • Anime Planet: 4.11/5

Kimi ni Todoke, or "From Me To You," is a must-watch shojo anime series taking place in a fairly ordinary high school. The dandere protagonist Sawako Kuronuma is often compared to horror movie villains with her pale, unexpressive face and pitch-black hair, but she's actually a kind, sensitive person who just wants friends.

Fortunately, all that will change when Sawako makes two great female friends, and the three of them really look out for one another. Best of all, the popular and supportive Shota Kazehaya has his eye on Sawako, which may change their school life forever for the better.

Sawako blushing at Kazehaya in Kimi Ni Todoke/From Me To You.

11 Azumanga Daioh! Is a Delightful High School Comedy

Sakaki, Chiyo, Tomo, Koyomi, and Ayumu from Azumanga Daioh being chaotic.
Azumanga Daioh
TV-PG
Comedy
Fantasy

A humorous and highly unpredictable animated series following a group of high school girls and their teachers.

Release Date
April 9, 2002
Creator
Ichirō Ōkouchi
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
1 Season
Characters By
Tomoko Kaneda, Yuki Matsuoka, Chieko Higuchi
Producer
Shin'ichi Ikeda, Yûji Matsukura, Don Rush, Nobuhiro Ôsawa
Production Company
Genco · J.C. Staff
Number of Episodes
26 Episodes

Azumanga Daioh! Scores:

  • MyAnimeList: 8.02
  • IMDb: 8.2
  • Anime Planet: 3.91/5

Azumanga Daioh! looks tame compared to some other school anime series, but it holds up. It features six main girls, who each annoy each other, take up nonsensical challenges, daydream, and find themselves running for their lives a little too often. The tall, stoic Sakaki hides a soft side that adores cats, and Chiyo is a kid genius who's still a bit naive despite her smarts.

Their homeroom teacher, Yukari Tanizaki, is more bratty than half her students are, and Mr. Kimura keeps shouting all kinds of inappropriate things. Despite that, it's heart-warming to watch all these girls grow up together, and Azumanga Daioh! bids each character a fond farewell upon graduation.