Genres in the world of anime are more extensive than any other form of entertainment. From thrilling horror pictures to action-packed shounen masterpieces, Japanese animation continues to grow with each season. However, no genre makes for a better visual novel in particular than slice-of-life.
Visual novels explore worlds more than their traditional counterparts, especially given their heavier focus on imagery. With that in mind, it makes sense that slice-of-life would fit some of the best visual novels; a genre focused on the day-to-day lifestyles of the characters rather than on a specific plot makes for better world-building.
Updated May 6, 2022, by Scott Vengel: 2021 and 2022 have been very kind years so far for the slice-of-life community. In the anime industry, audiences were graced with daily life series like My Senpai Is Annoying, Spy x Family, and My Dress-Up Darling. While not as extensive, the visual novel community also saw quite an interesting lineup in 2022, including a new addition to the Persona 4 universe. With both visual novels and the slice-of-life genre becoming more popular in general, this article has been updated to include a few entries that were missed the first time around.
15 Clannad
Naturally, one of the best slice-of-life anime comes from a visual novel. Clannad focuses on the story of a high-school boy named Tomoya Okazaki, who is plagued with a skewed perception of happiness. Throughout the story, the player will watch as he, and the heroines he encounters, face their past traumas and move into the future day by day.
Among the anime and gaming communities, Clannad became the most well-known of Key's visual novels. The story is heartfelt, dramatic, and famous for leaving audiences with teary eyes. A perfect choice for players just entering into the slice-of-life genre, as well as for romance and drama lovers.
14 Little Busters!
Also by the makers of Clannad, the Little Busters! visual novel holds a special place in the hearts of novel lovers. The visual novel focuses on the misadventures of its narcoleptic protagonist Riki, and his group of childhood friends titularly nicknamed the Little Busters, as they go about forming a baseball team.
Little Busters! is more goal-driven than its other Key counterparts like Clannad and AIR, making it more suitable for players that enjoy a more straightforward plot and faster pacing. That said, for those that enjoyed Clannad and are looking for something just a bit different, then Little Busters! is a perfect slice-of-life visual novel.
13 Senren * Banka: A Thousand Colors of Love
The slice-of-life genre has become saturated with school-life fantasies. That said, many visual novel and anime fans miss the more dream-like, imaginative worlds of novels like that of Senren * Banka: A Thousand Colors of Love. Set in the remote village of Hoori, players will find themselves taken back by the daily customs of a more feudal-like atmosphere.
The protagonist, Masaomi, finds himself in a sticky situation. Breaking the legendary sword, marriage to the shrine maiden princess, a secret curse. Audiences will find the plot of Senren * Banka hilarious, as the story's hero finds himself in one ridiculous event after another as days go on.
12 Taishou x Alice
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The slice-of-life style being applied to a fairy tale setting is not necessarily an uncommon trend, but few visual novels are able to pull it off quite like Taishou x Alice. Each episode focuses on a different fairy tale: from Cinderella and Red Riding Hood to Kaguya and Gretel.
However, Taishou x Alice does something very interesting — the gender roles are reversed. Unlike the fairy tales where a hero saves a damsel-in-distress, Taishou x Alice has the protagonist save prince charming — a visual novel that offers a unique take on how issues of gender should be addressed as the player plays through each day. This, coupled with the game's amazing artwork, makes Taishou x Alice a good choice for many slice-of-life fans.
11 Katawa Shoujo
Key and Type-Moon visual novels may dominate the medium, but indie developers have a lot to offer too. Most notoriously, Katawa Shoujo became one of the best visual novels of the decade (not just among slice-of-life.) In the story, Hisao Nakai must transfer into a school for people with disabilities after a long hospitalization; the novel tells of his everyday relationships with each of the five heroines.
Katawa Shoujo makes for a heart-warming story that discusses important issues in society. Few other visual novels approach disclusion and the struggles of disabilities in this manner, putting the novel in its own tier. The visual novel is perfect for audiences looking for a heartfelt story that is easy to get into.
10 Flowers
While there are quite a few LGBT+ friendly visual novels that are excellent, few come into the mainstream. As such, finding a great slice-of-life visual novel that suits this orientation can be quite the challenge — visual novel fans need not look any farther than the Flowers series.
Starting with Flowers: Le Volume sur Printemps, the five-entry series focuses on the story of Suoh Shirahane, a shy girl starting her first year at a prestigious academy. The player will journey with her throughout her school life, unlocking lore surrounding her mysterious past, creating new friendships, and maybe even a little bit of romance. All in all, the Flowers series has breathtaking art, characters, and heartfelt storytelling, making it an option that all audiences can appreciate.
9 Steins;Gate
Not all slice-of-life visual novels take place in high school (a common mistake for newcomers.) Any narrative that focuses on a daily progression rather than by plot has the potential to be slice-of-life; Steins;Gate gives evidence to this fundamental truth. The visual novel explores the daily life of Rintaro Okabe, a "mad scientist" of sorts.
Accidentally discovering a means of time travel, the visual novel explores the consciences of meddling with time. Though the artwork is a little grainier than other novels, Steins;Gate offers a one-of-a-kind sci-fi anime experience with thrilling suspense. Sci-fi and mystery lovers will love Steins;Gate, as well as the first entry of the Science Adventure series, Chaos;Head.
8 Rewrite
Key visual novels, like Clannad, are known for their distinct style that focuses primarily on a school setting. However, Rewrite offers a different take on what a Key visual novel can be, as well as a unique take on slice-of-life in general. Most slice-of-life visual novels keep their focus purely on school life, however, Rewrite quickly makes the story unfold into the mystery genre.
The story focuses on the many strange circumstances surrounding Kotarou Tennouji, from the forested Kazamatsuri city to alternate dimensions. The fantasy elements are more pronounced in Rewrite than in other Key novels, making for an interesting addition to the slice-of-life genre.
7 Higurashi: When They Cry
Many view slice-of-life as being happy-go-lucky or dramatic. However, many horror novels have come to light in the industry. Higurashi: When They Cry became the best starting point for horror when it was first released, remaining so to this day even when compared to its sibling Umineko. Focusing on the town of Hinamizawa, players will explore the murder-filled days of Keiichi Maebara.
Higurashi is perfect for anime lovers that love a good murder mystery. Granted, the novels require a hefty viewing time, as well as a lot of gore (warning to uncomfortable players.) However, in the end, the visual novel is a classic among visual novels and a thrilling read all around. Perhaps, this comes from the fact that viewers can really perceive the events day-by-day in the protagonist's shoes.
6 Mystic Messenger
South Korea is not always known for its selection of visual novels, however, Mystic Messenger does not hold up to this trend. A hit 2016 otome novel, the game received worldwide appeal back in 2017, and continues to hold a large audience in the slice-of-life community.
The visual novel focuses on the story of a female protagonist (whose name is chosen by the player) who downloads a mysterious messaging app that leads her to meet a wide variety of interesting love interests. The game upholds a lot of the classic otome tropes that fans have loved throughout the years, while also offering a new atmosphere of more corporate-like characters.
5 Utawarerumono
The term "visual novel" may be a little bit loose when it comes to the Utawarerumono series. It's best to think of the games as being half visual novel, half JRPG (much like the Fire Emblem series.) Nonetheless, the three-game series makes for a fun time for any player that likes slice-of-life.
Focused on the journey of an amnesiac man named Hakuowlo (or Haku depending on the game,) the series explores the diverse nation of Tuskur. The world is vast, so a lot of the gameplay focuses on world-building the daily lives of the animal-like inhabitants. For anime watchers that want an RPG-like visual novel with a vast story, Utawarerumono makes for the best option by far.
4 Symphonic Rain
Music is one of the most instrumental parts of daily life, whether it be anime soundtracks or real-life pop. Sounds make up the backdrop of any given situation, and Symphonic Rain shows the best ways to use sound in a visual novel. Focused on the story of a music student in Italy named Chris, the novel introduces rhythm into gameplay.
Love in the town where the rain never ends, Symphonic Rain ensures that its striking backgrounds match its top-tier soundtrack. The plot offers up an interestingly unique take on slice-of-life, with a heavier focus on the soundtrack, a European setting, and much more.
3 Ever17 -The Out of Infinity-
Ever17 -The Out of Infinity- can't be described by any word but unique. To be fair, it only barely qualifies as a slice-of-life visual novel; while the plot runs on an end goal with a time limit, it does revolve around real-time pacing. The story takes place in the underwater park LeMU, which due to circumstances will implode after 119 hours.
Interestingly, the game gives the player two options for the protagonist: Takeshi Kuranari and the Kid. Unlike other entries, Ever17 has a sense of urgency that makes for a more suspenseful playthrough. This makes it a perfect choice for readers that love a good thriller, as opposed to a slow romance.
2 Our Life: Beginnings & Always
No visual novel is more slice-of-life than a novel that lasts a lifetime. Our Life: Beginnings & Always does just that, taking players through childhood to adulthood. The player can design their own character, and play through each day interacting with their childhood friend.
The visual novel is noteworthy for its fully immersive feel, allowing the player to customize their character to their image, and express all of their emotions be it anger, happiness, or whatever the character is feeling at the moment. All in all, Our Life: Beginnings & Always is a slice-of-life experience like no other.
1 The Fruit Of Grisaia
Many consider school to be a prison, but never in the literal sense. Well, this is exactly what players get in The Fruit of Grisaia, as they follow the view of Yuji Kazami. Enrolled in the mysterious, prison-like Mihama Academy, readers soon find that each of the five heroines has their own circumstances for being in attendance.
Dramatic and twisting, players will find themselves allured by the hidden personalities of the game's five heroines. The mix of comedy and suspense, complex yet simple enough to understand; The Fruit of Grisaia delivers an experience that any slice-of-life fan can enjoy.