So let’s bring that down a bit. Here we’ll be looking at shows that are a bit more slow-paced, relaxed, and overall just a serene watching experience. Something to cozy up with at home and waste away an afternoon. We’re talking comedies, rom-coms, slice of life, the whole nine yards. These are our favourite comfy anime series worth watching.
15. Konosuba
Rarely am I ever not in the mood for some Konosuba, to be honest. It’s an isekai comedy that just follows a group of adventurers, each with their own flawed personalities and funny antics. And the show is just so laid back. Even when facing dangerous enemies, the combat is funny and light hearted. It’s perfect for some chill anime sessions, in bed or otherwise. The humour isn’t well-crafted satire or innuendoes like some other shows. But more panty stealing, blatant masochism, and a lot of insults. If that sounds like something that would tickle your funny bone then give it a watch.
14. Barakamon
Barakamon is as innocent, pure, and slice of life-y as you can get. The show follows a well-established calligrapher as he learns how to keep his cool, not punch people, and seek inspiration outside of a rulebook. He’s thrown into the most chipper and colourful gang of children and old people, all of whom feel like real people. Watching the show myself, it evoked the same feelings as looking at cute puppies. And honesty I don’t know what could be more comfy than cute puppies.
13. Working!!
I feel like everyone who has ever worked in retail will have the most vivid flashbacks while watching this show. The central premise is just a guy, Souta, working at a restaurant. There he meets more than just a colourful cast of co-workers. Will he be screamed at for being a man, or scared out of his socks at the sight of a brandished katana? All in a day’s work. Jokes aside, the cast just works extremely well together. And maintains this friendly/family-like atmosphere that just draws you in, and makes you feel like you’re just a regular guest observing the chaos in Wagnaria restaurant.
12. Dr. Stone
This one may be an odd pick, as it steps away from the usual slice of life formula and is more in the shounen camp. However, this show just feels like watching Bill Nye on a weekend. Munching on some popcorn and learning stuff along the way. It’s because the central plot device of the show is science, so even when the antagonist shows up, you still get a nice little info graph about how certain weapons work. Or why momentum is important in a fight. Plus the cast is a bit wacky, and the show rarely gets too serious, leaving just a neat little science anime show for us to enjoy.
11. Daily Lives of High School Boys
The title alone sums up everything you should expect from this anime, but in a more wacky sense. There are no 10-way love triangles or gods of death lurking around. It’s literally just high schoolers being high schoolers. And that means they get cringey as hell from time to time, and pretend-fight with sticks. So if you’re sick of the Sakamoto version of high schoolers, this show is gonna be far more comfy for you! Plus it has some really funny scenes and rarely (if ever) leaves a dull moment on screen.
10. A Place Further Than The Universe
Okay maybe you don’t want your next anime series to be just a slice of normal life. Maybe you want a grand adventure that still doesn’t get too intense. If that’s your goal then A Place Further Than The Universe is perfect. We have the usual cute girls do cute things set up, but their canvas is much bigger than just a single city. The end goal of the show is reaching Antarctica. And you honestly feel like you’re with the cast every step of the way. With a beautifully drawn world and a group chemistry that feels like a realistic friendship, you’re bound to end up fully immersed in this gem.
9. Somali and the Forest Spirit
Okay, this show isn’t exactly all sunshine and rainbows. I mean the central premise is that humans have been mostly wiped out and the supernatural rules the Earth. However, this is where our main duo comes into pay: a young girl named Somali and a golem named Golem. They create this father-daughter relationship and it’s honestly one of the purest things I have seen in a while. Just observing the two as they carry on their adventure is bound to put a smile on your face, and you may shed a tear here and there.
8. Usagi Drop
I’m really starting to sense a pattern with the shows that warm my heart the most. There’s just something about a grown man still finding his purpose in life, taking care of a little girl, and learning how to love that just gets to me, you know? And Usagi Drop is exactly that type of a show. After getting the Snow treatment, a young girl Rin is ostracized and left to fend for herself. But our smart boy Daikichi can’t just leave the young girl alone, so he takes on the role of her guardian; even though he has 0 experience in taking care of someone. It is beyond precious, trust me.
7. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
At its core, this is just a slice of life, but with the most “out there” twist ever. If you haven’t watched the show, slight spoiler warning here. The main female lead is basically God. So the entire cast has to dance around her and make sure she doesn’t, oh I don’t know, destroy the universe. You would think that a show with this premise would be very action packed. But in all honesty it’s a very laid back and comfy show to watch on a lazy afternoon. I mean, the entire second season is basically like 3 episodes. How could you possibly get more laid back than that?
6. Merman in my Tub
For this show, I’m going to mention it as a short and very tasty little snack. This is because it’s a really short show and you can easily watch it in an hour. However, don’t underestimate the sweet part either! It’s a very silly anime about a man who just happens to find Ariel’s cooler brother, and decides to let him live in his bathtub. And that’s all the set up this show needs. From that point on it’s just the two characters goofing around, sometimes bringing in other aquatic palls, and living life. So again, there’s no denying the show is short with a very simple story. But it is definitely worth the time.
5. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
If you liked the description of Merman in my Tub, but feel it would only tease your need for some “fantastical creature roommate” action, then check out Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid. Instead of aquatic men we get a dragon girl. And oh boy is she an odd one. Because she doesn’t want to be a freeloader dragon girl, Tooru takes it upon herself to do the chores around the house. But god knows she refuses to do things in a “normal” way, often just making a bigger mess than what was initially there. And if that wasn’t bad enough, soon other mythical creatures start showing up. I can’t tell if Kobayashi is extremely lucky, or basically cursed.
4. Sweetness & Lightning
You never realize the beauty of a home-cooked meal and a family dinner until you move out and keep yourself alive strictly through ramen. Trust me. This show serves as a great reminder of just that feeling. Kouhei is a single dad who tries his best to take care of his daughter Tsumigu. But being that he isn’t a great cook and has a busy schedule, they mostly just opt for store bought food. That is, until our third protagonist Kotori comes into the picture. She knows how to cook, but usually just eats alone. So the three join forces and start having dinners together. And it’s so wholesome that it almost makes me look forward to Thanksgiving.
3. Non Non Biyori
If you have ever been to the countryside, you know that it’s like geographical meditation. The calmness of the air, the sense of community, and the rascally children running around enjoying life. This show brings that calming feeling to you via television. In a rural village we follow the daily lives of four girls. Because it’s a small place, they are all placed into the same class. Even though they are of different ages; not to mention temperaments, attitudes, and maturities. And that’s all you need to know! They run around, face everyday problems, and form realistic bonds. It almost makes you want to go outside and play with a stick like in the old days.
2. The Helpful Fox Senko-san
From all the fantastical worlds I have seen, I probably want to live in this one the most. Because in this world, when you’re overly stressed and perhaps heading towards a dark path, a spirit will manifest and try to save you from ruin. Sounds nice, huh? All we get is like antidepressants and some motivational posters. Our protagonist Kuroto, after being stressed out of his gourd with work, is met with a fox spirit called Senko-san. She decides to take care of the poor bastard and make sure that his mental state flourishes once again. And honestly, just Senko’s calming voice and fluffy appearance are enough to take the edge off my life.
1. Saint☆Oniisan (Saint Young Men)
This two-episode OVA just feels like a very wholesome South Park episode. What’s the premise? Jesus Christ and Buddha are now roommates and living in Tokyo. That’s it. There are a lot of jokes about religion itself, as well as some general humor in these two episodes. And it just feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s not like it’s just mocking religion, nor is it like a Jehovah’s Witness situation. It is just plain fun. And at the very least, you have to give it to the creators for coming up with such an oddly wholesome premise.
