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With shows known far and wide like Dragon Ball or One Piece, it's hard to deny the popularity of anime. Still, even the most action-oriented anime viewer can enjoy a simple story about the day-to-day lives of its characters.

The slice of life genre can contain hilarious comedic moments, serious drama, and even a bit of romance — it all depends on what viewers are looking for. Still, fans and critics alike agree that certain shows are the cream of the crop and are more likely than most to be enjoyed by those who give them a try.

Best Winter 2024 Slice Of Life Anime

Winter 2024 is well underway by this point, and it has been a solid anime season. The lineup covers most of its bases, including action, romance, comedy, and isekai. Mecha, magical girls, and sci-fi also have representation, even if they are limited to one or two shows each. Unfortunately, slice of life has more in common with these genres than the more popular ones.

While traditional slice of life stories are in short supply, Winter 2024 has a few shows that are not far removed from the genre. Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki 2nd Stage, A Sign of Affection, The Dangers in My Heart, Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable!, and Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! are all capable of scratching a similar itch. The season also has a few genuine slice of life anime.

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Mr. Villain's Day Off

Mr. Villain's Day Off anime
Mr. Villain's Day Off

MyAnimeList Score
7.15
Japanese Title
Kyuujitsu no Warumono-san
Release Date
January 8, 2024
Studio
SynergySP, Shin-Ei Animation
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Manga
Creator
Yuu Morikawa
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

Although very much a comedy centering around skits, Mr. Villain's Day Off also slips neatly into the slice of life sphere. The premise is all about following Warumono-san, a sentai-style villain, during his off days, which can involve things like an excursion to a zoo or accidental run-ins with the red ranger. Sure, the concept seems fairly "out there" due to featuring largely over-the-top characters, but it is otherwise the definition of a slice of life tale in the sense that it directly revolves around the protagonist's lifestyle when he is away from work. The show follows an episodic structure, with most segments being only tentatively linked. That might change in the future, although that appears to be unlikely.

More importantly, Mr. Villain's Day Off is decent. Warumono-san is entertaining as a sentai villain who wants to enjoy Earth's simple pleasures while working toward world domination. The anime might benefit a touch from depicting Warumono-san's villain persona a bit more, just so it would be easier for viewers to compare his attitude at work and home; that said, most of the episodes are pleasant and cute. While slightly repetitive since Warumono-san's interests seem to primarily revolve around pandas, Mr. Villain's Day Off works well as a weekly escape from reality stripped of any tension or frustration.

Fluffy Paradise

fluffy paradise anime
Fluffy Paradise

MyAnimeList Score
7.05
Japanese Title
Isekai de Mofumofu Nadenade suru Tame ni Ganbattemasu
Release Date
January 7, 2024
Studio
EMT Squared
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Light Novel
Creator
Himawari
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

As always, Winter 2024 has plenty of isekai anime, and they cover a spectrum of genres. Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp leans into romance, while Tales of Wedding Rings is a proper harem story. The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic is a pretty funny comedy, while My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered is an unapologetic isekai parody. Villainess Level 99 fills the villainess quota for the season, and The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash is almost a slow-life story, albeit with a dark premise. The latter is not a bad shout for slice of life fans who don't mind a few tense moments; that said, Fluffy Paradise is a better fit for the genre.

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Overworked and exhausted, Akitsu Midori dies and is granted the opportunity to select a unique ability before being reincarnated into a fantasy world. As a lover of everything fluffy, she wishes to be adored by animals (or similar entities). Now a child in a loving family with ties to the ruling class, Akitsu embraces her existence as Nefertima, a girl who is constantly surrounded by adorable (and terrifying) creatures. Although some grim elements are constantly bubbling under the surface, Fluffy Paradise is generally a slice of life story without much in the way of significant conflict. With decent animation and an endearing protagonist, this series is a harmless watch for the most part.

Now, on to the best slice of life anime ever...

28 Flying Witch

MyAnimeList: 7.50

Flying Witch anime
Flying Witch

Release Date
April 10, 2016
Studio
J.C.Staff
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Manga
Creator
Chihiro Ishizuka
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , HIDIVE

Anime witches come in many forms, but they do not typically feature in low-key slice of life stories set in the normal world. Flying Witch bucks that trend by delivering a traditional entry in the genre, albeit one with a hint of magic. A witch-in-training, Makoto will be spending some time living with her family in Aomori, a peaceful town surrounded by nature. With the aid of her cousins and aunt, Makoto experiences the slow life as she continues her training as a witch, which largely plays out like a coming-of-age narrative.

Flying Witch does an impressive job of balancing the mundane with the fantastical, creating a universe that is one step removed from reality. The "witch" element takes a backseat for most of the season, with the focus being squarely on Makoto's everyday interactions with the larger community.

27 School Babysitters

MyAnimeList: 7.90

School Babysitters anime kotarou ryuuichi
School Babysitters

Japanese Title
Gakuen Babysitters
Release Date
January 7, 2018
Studio
Brain's Base
Number of Episodes
12
Creator
Hari Tokeino

While rare, a few slice of life anime start with a shot to the heart before settling down into a cozy rhythm for the rest of their run. School Babysitters opens with a backstory that would be considered tragic for a drama, let alone a comfy show about brothers babysitting their siblings at their school. Once that setup is out of the way, the series quickly transforms into a lighthearted and touching tale about familial love and friendship.

Featuring a cast primarily consisting of babies and their older brothers, School Babysitters does an admirable job of differentiating all of its characters, including its many toddlers. Along with providing an overabundance of adorableness, the anime is also consistently funny.

26 My New Boss Is Goofy

MyAnimeList: 8.02

my new boss is goofy
My New Boss Is Goofy

Japanese Title
Atarashii Joushi wa Do Tennen
Release Date
October 7, 2023
Studio
A-1 Pictures
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Manga
Creator
Dan Ichikawa
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

After years of abuse at the hands of his boss, Momose finally quits and joins another company. At his new workplace, he is assigned Shirosaki as a supervisor, and Momose quickly realizes that his new senior is the complete opposite of his former boss. To his delight, he also learns that Shirosaki can be a bit silly at times, even if it is usually unintentional.

My New Boss Is Goofy is just a lovely workplace comedy. Momose is still carrying scars from his previous job, but he is in the ideal location to regain his confidence. All the central characters are endearing and likable, and the show has a cozy tone that complements its easy-going humor.

25 YuruYuri: Happy Go Lucky

MyAnimeList: 7.57 (Season 1)

Yuri Yuri anime akari
YuruYuri

Japanese Title
Yuru Yuri
Release Date
July 5, 2011
Studio
Doga Kobo, TYO Animations
Number of Episodes
42
Based On
Manga
Creator
Namori
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

A prominent slice of life subgenre is known as "cute girls doing cute things," and these anime generally deliver exactly what they advertise on the tin. Initially, YuruYuri comes across as a stereotypical example of this type of story; it brings together four girls with archetypal personalities and doesn't do a lot with them. At least, that is the case for most of the anime's opening season.

After that point, YuruYuri improves quickly and considerably. The show gets progressively weirder as it introduces more secondary characters who all seem to have a crush on each other. It is also consistently funny.

24 March Comes In Like A Lion

MyAnimeList: 8.38 (Season 1)

March Comes In Like A Lion  Rei Kiriyama anime
March Comes in Like a Lion

Japanese Title
3-gatsu no Lion
Release Date
October 8, 2016
Studio
Shaft
Number of Episodes
44
Based On
Manga
Creator
Chica Umino
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

March Comes In Like a Lion is a fantastic series with gorgeous animation, realistic and relatable characters, and intelligent writing. While certainly worth recommending based purely on its quality, the show's depiction of depression and the first season's extensive focus on shogi means March Comes In Like a Lion might not be what everyone is searching for in a slice of life anime.

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The second season is particularly strong, but it is also emotionally draining. At times, March Comes In Like a Lion is more of a drama with slice of life elements than the other way around.

23 The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons

MyAnimeList: 7.90

The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons​​​​​​​
The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons

Japanese Title
Yuzuki-san Chi no Yonkyoudai
Release Date
October 5, 2023
Studio
Shuka
Based On
Manga
Creator
Shizuki Fujisawa
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

In the aftermath of both of his parents' deaths, Hayato has been left to take care of his three siblings, who are all still in school. Struggling to carry the load that comes with this responsibility, the oldest son does not always manage to balance work and taking care of his brothers, although the latter try to help whenever they can. Fall 2023's most conventional slice of life anime, The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons has a fairly heavy premise, although the show itself is lighthearted and wholesome.

The four siblings all have distinctive personalities that bounce well off each other, and they are grounded in reality and are not presented as overly cute caricatures. The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons went somewhat unnoticed during its initial run, which makes sense since the story does not have much of a hook; however, the series has some pretty great all-around writing, and it even handles a few challenging themes well.

22 Komi Can't Communicate

MyAnimeList: 7.90 (Season 1)

Komi standing nervously with her friends Nejima and Tadano
Komi Can't Communicate

Japanese Title
Komi-san wa, Comyushou desu
Release Date
October 7, 2021
Studio
OLM
Number of Episodes
24
Based On
Manga
Creator
Tomohito Oda
Streaming Service(s)
Netflix

Komi Can't Communicate's sophomore effort solidified the show's position among the best slice of life anime of the modern era. Due to experiencing intense social anxiety, Shoko Komi has spent most of her life alone, her silence misunderstood for aloofness and snobbishness. Determined to change things in high school, Komi sets out to make a hundred friends, a journey that commences when she befriends the unpopular Hitohito Tadano.

Komi Can't Communicate is an uplifting show that offers quite a realistic look into anxiety, particularly during its first couple of episodes. Komi and Tadano's relationship is sweet, and their friendship paves the way for quirkier characters to be introduced.

21 Lucky Star

MyAnimeList: 7.74

lucky star anime cast
Lucky Star

Release Date
April 8, 2007
Studio
Kyoto Animation
Number of Episodes
24
Based On
Manga
Creator
Kagami Yoshimizu
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

Released in 2007, Lucky Star's influence on the slice of life genre can still be seen today. This show helped write the blueprint on how to put together a modern "cute girls doing cute things" anime; consequently, the series can feel a bit uninspired if revisited today.

Slow-paced even for a slice of life anime, Lucky Star lives and dies by its characters. Konata Izumi is the anime's resident otaku and most popular figure, but the rest of the cast should not be dismissed either. Kagami's antagonistic personality is especially important for Lucky Star's humor. Just be warned, the first episode is not the anime's strongest.

20 K-On!

MyAnimeList: 7.85 (Season 1)

k-on  anime
K-On!

Release Date
April 3, 2009
Studio
Kyoto Animation
Number of Episodes
39
Based On
Manga
Creator
Kagami Yoshimizu
Streaming Service(s)
HIDIVE

A classic, K-On! revolves around the daily lives of the Light Music Club's members. Although the anime is not devoid of memorable songs, music takes a backseat in favor of comedy in K-On! All the central girls are innately likable, and it is a pleasure to watch their friendships grow across the two seasons and movie.

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K-On!'s popularity led to many imitators, so much so that the series can feel a bit by the numbers in this day and age. However, it is still one of the greatest slice of life anime of the last two decades.

19 Hyouka

MyAnimeList: 8.07

tv-shows-hyouka
Hyouka

Release Date
April 23, 2012
Studio
Kyoto Animation
Number of Episodes
22
Based On
Novel
Creator
Honobu Yonezawa
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

On the surface, mystery and slice of life do not seem like they could be congruent with each other. After all, the former tends to be high-stakes and packed to the brim with tension (and, more often than not, death), while the latter is synonymous with relaxing and trivial stories. Mystery anime are usually plot-driven, while slice of life shows tend to focus on their characters rather than a constantly forward-moving story. Somehow, Hyouka manages to harmonize these two genres so well that it is a brilliant representative of both.

Oreki just wants to do nothing. That is his daily ambition, and he is willing to put the effort into achieving it. However, he joins the Classics Club, a decision primarily fueled by the contagious energy of Eru, one of his schoolmates. Teaming up with two other friends, these students start tackling a wide range of school-based mysteries, most of which are fascinating but also rather inconsequential. Hyouka takes the best elements of the mystery genre and combines them with the easy-going nature of slice of life stories, finding a middle-ground that elevates both genres to great heights.

18 Daily Lives of High School Boys

MyAnimeList: 8.23

Tadakuni from Daily Lives of Highschool Boys
Daily Lives of High School Boys

Japanese Title
Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou
Release Date
January 10, 2012
Studio
Sunrise
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Manga
Creator
Yasunobu Yamauchi
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

With "daily lives" right in the title, it's easy to see how this is a slice of life anime. Daily Lives of High School Boys follows the mundane daily adventures imagined by its three main characters — Hidenori, Yoshitake, and Tadakuni — who are just trying to find ways to keep themselves entertained. The skits can get silly and weird, but they never venture into fantasy territory.

The scenarios can range from an epic pretend RPG fight to anything else high school boys might think up. It's a lot of wacky fun and shows what life is like for those who let go now and then.

17 My Dress-Up Darling

MyAnimeList: 8.22

Kitagawa from My Dress-Up Darling in and out of cosplay
My Dress-Up Darling

Japanese Title
Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru
Release Date
January 9, 2022
Studio
CloverWorks
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Manga
Creator
Shinichi Fukuda
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

My Dress-Up Darling is wholesomeness captured in animated form. Revolving around the friendship between Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Gojou, My Dress-Up Darling has cosplay, positive vibes, and hints of romance stemming from a dynamic that feels genuine.

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Beautifully animated and irresistibly charming, this series knocks it out of the park, and the show's focus on cosplay helps it stand out from other slice of life anime with romantic overtones. The central couple's relationship develops quite a bit throughout the first season to coincide with their evolving relationship.

16 Bunny Drop

MyAnimeList: 8.35

Bunny Drop anime, Rin Kaga and Daikichi Kawachi
Bunny Drop

Japanese Title
Usagi Drop
Release Date
July 8, 2011
Studio
Production I.G
Number of Episodes
11
Based On
Manga
Creator
Yumi Unita
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Tubi

After his grandfather passes away, Daikichi learns that his relative had an illegitimate child named Rin. This news comes as a shock to the entire family, who react by rejecting Rin at her father's funeral, prompting Daikichi to adopt the young girl.

Putting aside a heavy opening episode, Bunny Drop quickly slips into a heartwarming rhythm as it earnestly explores the blossoming relationship between Daikichi and Rin. A grounded tale about two people finding solace in each other, this anime is beautiful.

15 Wagnaria!!

MyAnimeList: 7.65 (Season 1)

Kitchen staff holding up signs that spell WORKING
Wagnaria

Japanese Title
Working!!
Release Date
April 4, 2010
Studio
A-1 Pictures
Number of Episodes
40
Based On
Manga
Creator
Karino Takatsu

Most people have worked a service industry job like in a restaurant in their lifetime. However, few have had such a wacky arrangement of coworkers wrapping them up in increasingly silly antics. How many kitchens have a floor chief that swings a katana around?

Wagnaria!! has highly laughable moments spliced in over a backdrop that almost anyone can identify with, making it incredibly satisfying to watch. It's certain to put a smile on anyone's face, and the characters are generally all likable. While the later seasons slowly evolve into romantic comedies with slice of life elements, the latter remains a central component throughout the full series.

14 Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless

MyAnimeList: 7.82

Tanaka from Tanaka-Kun Is Always Listless
Tanaka-Kun Is Always Listless

Release Date
April 9, 2016
Studio
SILVER LINK.
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Manga
Creator
Nozomi Uda
Japanese Title
Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge

People live at their own speeds. While some folks are always on the go, others prefer to take things slow, and nobody takes things slower than Tanaka. Whether at home or school, this high school student is always on the verge of drifting away into a peaceful nap, and there is very little that anyone can do to light a fire under Tanaka. This anime is just pleasant, largely thanks to its protagonist. In real life, Tanaka's lethargy could be frustrating; however, watching him make the least of his anime existence is oddly calming and therapeutic.

Tanaka-kun is Always Listless has some light teen drama courtesy of a few crushes, but they rarely amount to any significant tension since they wash off the protagonist's back without significantly impacting him. The anime complements Tanaka's personality with an art style that uses soft colors, which enhances the story's relaxing tone.

13 Horimiya

MyAnimeList: 8.20 (Season 1)

Horimiya
Horimiya

Release Date
January 10, 2021
Studio
CloverWorks
Number of Episodes
26
Based On
Manga
Creator
Hero
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu

Horimiya not only balances a few genres – romance, slice of life, and comedy – but it is capable of all of them. Its charming and relatable characters can easily win over the hearts of most viewers, and the original season holds up as one of the better shows of the 2020s so far.

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It has some surprisingly spicy moments, although the show tends to lack the forced drama of other romances, making it surprisingly refreshing to watch. Season 2 is an even better slice of life option since it covers small, almost inconsequential events that are generally comedic.

12 Natsume's Book Of Friends

MyAnimeList: 8.31 (Season 1)

Natsume's Book of Friends  anime, Natsume and Madara
Natsume's Book of Friends

Japanese Title
Natsume Yuujinchou
Release Date
July 8, 2008
Studio
Brain's Base, Shuka
Number of Episodes
74
Based On
Manga
Creator
Yuki Midorikawa
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

Capable of seeing Yokai, Natsume inherits a book from his grandmother containing the names of various spirits. This grants the book's owner control over the Yokai, making it a highly desirable commodity in the spirit world.

On the surface, Natsume's Book of Friends has all the trappings of an action series, just with one significant difference: Natsume decides to free the Yokai by returning their names. Except for an occasional dramatic burst courtesy of a flashback or an especially violent Yokai, Natsume's Book of Friends moves at a slow and calm pace. This anime is tranquil, touching, and elegant.

11 Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid

MyAnimeList: 7.95 (Season 1)

A girl resting with two dragons
Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid

Japanese Title
Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
Release Date
January 12, 2017
Studio
Kyoto Animation
Number of Episodes
25
Based On
Manga
Creator
Coolkyousinnjya
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

Who hasn't suddenly woken up from a night of drinking after climbing a mountain and meeting a dragon only to find the dragon now wants to serve them as a maid? The premise for the show is quite silly but Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid is more heartwarming than most other shows out there.

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The show has an isolated and lonely programmer in Kobayashi, who slowly opens up as her household expands alongside the other dragons who slowly start coming to the human world.

10 Clannad

MyAnimeList: 8 (Season 1)

Characters from Clannad in a courtyard.
Clannad

Release Date
October 5, 2007
Studio
Kyoto Animation
Number of Episodes
23
Based On
Video Game
Creator
Key
Streaming Service(s)
HIDIVE

Based on a 2004 visual novel and known to occasionally inspire waterfalls of tears, Clannad and especially its sequel, Clannad: After Story, are cornerstones of the slice of life genre. The anime revolves around Tomoya Okazaki, a high school student who just has a knack for getting involved with girls who might have an issue or two.

The first season is a passable slice of life drama that does a decent job of establishing the main characters. Clannad: After Story follows Tomoya and Nagisa in their post-high school lives. Most slice of life anime capture a specific period of life, typically childhood or adolescence, but Clannad goes beyond that. It shows the characters growing, changing, finding love, and experiencing loss.

9 Girls' Last Tour

MyAnimeList: 8.21

Yuuri and Chito resting on a tank in Girls' Last Tour
Girls' Last Tour

Japanese Title
Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou
Release Date
October 6, 2017
Studio
White Fox
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Manga
Creator
Tsukumizu
Streaming Service(s)
HIDIVE , Amazon Prime Video

Slice of life anime are synonymous with lighthearted, carefree stories that offer viewers much-needed escapes from their day-to-day struggles. Most of these shows take relatable existences and tweak them until they become their idolized selves. They envision schools without bullying, romances that never leave their honeymoon phases, and tightly-knit friend groups where disagreements rarely have consequences.

Girls' Last Tour is strange and entirely unlike the genre's typical representative. This is a slice of life post-apocalyptic show set long after humanity's fall, and there is no rising back up. The anime follows two girls as they try to make it through each day, with their goal being to reach the city's highest level. In reality, this ambition is just there to give them some vague purpose, and they are under no illusions that this journey will somehow pave the way to civilization's revival. Girls' Last Tour is sad, bleak, hopeless, funny, and unforgettable.