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Anime is a medium with a plethora of genres, but none are quite as specific as the genre Cute Girls Do Cute Things. It's a specific subgenre of slice-of-life anime that is popular enough to garner its own theme tag on MyAnimeList. Although the term is usually associated with the early 2000s and 2010s moe culture, the genre has begun to come back with the recent trend of slice-of-life and romance taking the forefront in the anime mainstream.
But what separates Cute Girls Do Cute Things, often shortened to CGDCT, from other slice-of-life anime with female protagonists? Where did it start, and what kept it going? And of course, why is it seeing a resurgence? CGDCT is a very specific subgenre of slice-of-life and may not be for everyone, but it is not one to be overlooked.
What Makes An Anime CGDCT?
Now, there is a difference between a female-led slice-of-life and a CGDCT anime. The main difference is quite frankly in the content; is its sole purpose for the female protagonists cute? If the anime you are watching focuses more on the plot than the cuteness, then it isn't a true CGDCT. Some anime such as the recent Keep Your Hands Off The Eizouken! do contain a completely female cast doing wholesome things together, but the anime focuses on progressing the plot where the girls are creating their anime more than the cute moments, so it doesn't technically count. Keep Your Hands Off The Eizouken! is still worth watching, however.
The perfect example, and often considered the poster child, of CGDCT is K-On!, and is the highest rated under the CGDCT tag on MyAnimeList. Although there may be a minute or two in an episode where the plot progresses, albeit marginally, most of the episode focuses on the cute and adorable antics of the equally cute girls. The relationship between the girls, their daily lives, and the stereotypically cute things they do together make up over 90% of the show.
The early 2000s and 2010s were full of CGDCT anime. Aside from K-On!, other notable entries into the genre include Lucky Star, Is The Order A Rabbit?, Yuru Camp, and Non Non Biyori. Occasionally there is a CGDCT with a twist, such as Girl's Last Tour, which is a CGDCT with a wartime theme, and the infamously-horrific School-Live that barely squeaks its way into the CGDCT genre. Most idol anime also fit into this genre, especially when focusing more on the girl's antics than the plot or music.
What Makes CGDCT Worth Watching?
As with any genre, that is completely dependent on your taste. That being said, CGDCT is worth checking out. CGDCT is mostly known as plotless media. But that is the beauty of it; it is something you can completely relax to, or zone out with, without missing on key elements. CGDCT is usually predictable, School-Live excluded, but that's part of the draw of not just CGDCT but slice-of-life. The predictability makes the genre not only feel familiar but also easy to watch regardless of your mood.
Especially as the world becomes increasingly more stressful to exist in, wholesome and simple shows like those found in the CGDCT genre are more enjoyable than jumping from an exhausting day at work to an emotionally-exhausting drama series, or a high-energy shounen battle arc. Both of those have their place, but where the CGDCT truly shines is when you are too tired or busy to invest in complex plots or energetic action scenes, and shows without extensive substance are easier to enjoy to their fullest extent.
Is There A Resurgence In The Genre?
While many of the legendary series in this genre were from the 2000s to the 2010s, the past year, has seen this genre pop up again along with the recent uptrend in slice-of-life anime. However, it appears to put more emphasis on the plot, the anime themselves still exist for the sake of cuteness and wholesome moments and is instead using a more linear storyline to inspire the adorable moments that make up the rest of the show. Recently, anime such as Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle, Cue!, and the return of popular idol series such as Zombieland Saga, Love Live!, and Dragon Maid in the past two years have only shown that the demand is there.
This season alone, there are CGDCT anime like Prima Doll, Teppen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, and the isekai spin on the genre Alternate World Pharmacy. Next season has a few more entries into the genre as well, so although it isn't a guarantee the genre is returning to its 2010's glory days, it is a step in the direction. Nothing is finate, however. This year has seen much slice-of-life anime and romance at the top of the ratings each season, but only time can tell if anime will really trend towards CGDCT again, or if the effect is more residual due to the rise in slice-of-life anime again. Only time will tell, but for now, we can enjoy this short resurgence while it lasts.