20 Best Slice of Life Anime to Watch in 2025 (Ranked)

Slice of life anime has a special way of showing the beauty in everyday life. They are amazing stories about everyday life. Slice of life anime shows everyday life in a meaningful way, from peaceful countryside moments to lively high school friendships. It focuses on small details like body language, eye contact, and little smiles that make life special. Unlike action-packed stories, these anime highlight simple moments and personal growth.

Slice of life anime are something special and relaxing because they feel real, making even simple stories deeply relatable and emotionally lovely. These shows explore unfamiliar lives, cultures, and experiences, making fans step into the characters lives during their most honest moments. These anime beautifully showcase relaxing moments like growing up, a community coming together, or characters facing life’s challenges. That’s why fans love watching slice of life anime because it teaches important life lessons and can change your view on life.

Fans who only love watching explosive action and crazy superpowers, slice of life might seem pretty boring at first. But trust me, these shows are like a chill journey into everyday moments that can totally surprise you. there are no epic battles or superhero transformations, but they’ve got their own magic , real characters, genuine emotions, and stories that’ll make you laugh, maybe cry, and definitely feel something. If you want to start a new journey, you can start by picking any of these series in this list. Here are my 20 best slice of life anime recommendations.

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20. Flying Witch

Flying Witch is that perfectly chill slice of life anime that combines everyday rural life with just the right sprinkle of magic to make it special. The story follows Makoto, this adorably dorky teenage witch who moves to the countryside to live with her relatives while continuing her witch training. What makes this anime so refreshing is how wonderfully casual it is about the magical elements. There’s no big drama or world-saving quests, just Makoto accidentally summoning a murder of crows while trying to grow some herbs or casually flying her broom over beautiful countryside sunsets. The show has this amazing way of making magic feel like just another ordinary part of life! You will see Makoto’s little cousin Chinatsu, who’s equally terrified and fascinated by witchcraft, Makoto’s sassy black cat familiar who’s always judging everyone, and a bunch of other magical folks who pop in and out of their lives. The gorgeous rural scenery and detailed food animations will make you want to move to the Japanese countryside immediately. Everything about this show feels like taking a deep breath of fresh air; it’s a perfect slice of life anime for when you’re stressed out and want something that’s the viewing equivalent of a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. This perfect a slice of life anime if you’re looking for a show that makes the ordinary magical and the magical ordinary in the most charming way possible.

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19. Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless

Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless is that slice of life anime that basically turns extreme laziness into an art form and a whole personality. The story follows Tanaka, this high school boy who has basically perfected the ability to do absolutely nothing with maximum style and commitment, and his best friend Ohta, this giant muscular dude who basically exists to carry Tanaka around and make sure he doesn’t collapse from pure inertia. What makes this anime so interesting is how it turns Tanaka’s complete lack of energy into the most hilarious comedy possible, like him finding new ways to avoid doing literally anything, or his incredibly dramatic explanations for why moving is just too much work. The show somehow makes absolute laziness feel like a legitimate life philosophy! Each side character is perfectly designed to either enable or challenge Tanaka’s legendary listlessness, from his hyper friend Miyano, who wants to be just like him, to his classroom crush, who finds his total commitment to doing nothing weirdly fascinating. If you’ve ever wanted to see laziness increased to a supreme art form, or if you simply need a slice of life anime that offers the beauty of doing nothing, Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless is a perfect is perfect anime for you!

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18. Kakushigoto

Kakushigoto is that rare slice of life anime that hits you with this perfect mix of hilarious comedy and unexpected gut-punch emotions when you least expect it. The show follows Kakushi Gotou, this single dad who’s desperately trying to hide his career as a manga artist (who draws slightly inappropriate comedy manga) from his adorable young daughter Hime. What makes this anime so special is how it constantly bounces between absolutely ridiculous situations like Kakushi diving into bushes or creating elaborate lies whenever his daughter gets close to discovering his job and these incredibly tender father-daughter moments that’ll make your heart melt. The whole show has this bittersweet atmosphere because there are these mysterious flash-forwards to teenage Hime that make you wonder what happened to her dad, which adds this emotional weight to all the silly actions. The animation style shifts perfectly between the goofy comedy bits and these gorgeously detailed, warm scenes of everyday life. All the side characters are hilarious too, especially Kakushi’s manga assistants, who get dragged into his increasingly absurd schemes to keep his secret. This slice of life anime will hit you right in the feels while still making you laugh out loud. It’s that perfect show that reminds you how the seemingly small moments of childhood often become our most precious memories.

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17. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is that hilariously chaotic slice of life anime that somehow turns “what if dragons lived in modern Japan?” into one of the most heartwarming found family stories ever. The show starts when Kobayashi, this overworked, no-nonsense office programmer, drunkenly invites a dragon to live with her and wakes up to find Tohru, an incredibly powerful dragon maid in her apartment who’s completely obsessed with her. What makes this anime heartwarming and a good slice of life is how it balances the absolute ridiculousness (like Tohru constantly trying to get Kobayashi to eat her tail or dragons causing accidental property damage) with these surprisingly deep emotional moments about belonging and acceptance. The cast grows to include Kanna, this adorably deadpan child dragon who becomes the world’s cutest elementary schooler; Fafnir, the grumpy dragon who becomes a hardcore gamer; and several other mythical creatures all adjusting to modern human life in their own bizarre ways. The animation from Kyoto Animation is absolutely gorgeous, especially during the few scenes when the dragons show their true forms or use magic. Despite all the silliness and occasional fan service, what really sticks with you is how this random group of fantasy beings and humans creates this beautiful chosen family together. This anime is perfect mix of heart and humor.

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16. Aria The Animation

Aria the Animation is that rare slice of life anime that feels like taking a warm, relaxing bath for your soul. Set in the far future on a terraformed Mars (now called Aqua), the story follows Akari, a super optimistic girl training to become a gondolier (called “Undines”) in Neo-Venezia, a perfect recreation of old Venice. What makes this anime so different is its absolute commitment to the most gentle, healing vibe you’ll ever experience in animation. There’s basically zero conflict instead, each episode is just Akari and her friends discovering little moments of wonder in their beautiful water city, guided by their more experienced mentors. The pacing is actually slow in the best possible way, allowing you to take in the beautiful backgrounds and gentle character connections. Even the soundtrack feels like it’s washing away your stress! There’s also President Aria, this pudgy cat mascot who makes the cutest sounds ever. If you’re feeling stressed with life or simply need a mental vacation to a beautiful place where problems are tiny and easily solved, Aria is like that perfect cup of tea on a rainy day, comforting, warm, and somehow making you appreciate the simple beauty of just existing.

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15. Kotaro Lives Alone

Kotaro Lives Alone is that slice of life anime that totally blindsides you by being both hilarious and absolutely heartbreaking at the same time. The story follows this ridiculously formal 4-year-old boy who moves into an apartment by himself with just a toy sword and somehow manages to adult better than the actual adults around him. What makes this slice of life anime so unique is how it balances these super funny moments, like Kotaro talking like a samurai from some historical drama or meticulously budgeting his grocery money with these gut-punch reveals about why he’s so independent in the first place. The way the neighbors in his apartment building slowly form this lovely little family around him is so perfectly done, especially Karino, the manga artist next door, who becomes this unwilling father figure despite being a complete mess himself. The show has an incredible ability to make you laugh at Kotaro’s old-man in a tiny-body behaviors one minute and then hit you with flashback scenes that make you want to reach through the screen and protect this kid forever. Kotaro Lives Alone is a must-watch slice of life anime with good life lessons showing how people can become family even without being related.

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14. Azumanga Daioh

Azumanga Daioh is basically the grandparent of all the cute high school slice of life anime we love today, and it still holds up amazingly well! This show follows a group of strange high school girls and their equally weird teachers through three years of everyday high school life, and somehow makes the most random stuff hilarious. What makes this anime so special is how it doesn’t need any big drama or romance, it just focuses on the girls friendships and the absolutely bonkers situations they get into. You’ve got Osaka, who spends half of her time in her own dream world, child prodigy Chiyo with her hair that might actually be intelligent, athletic Sakaki, who’s secretly obsessed with cute things but gets bitten by every cat she tries to pet, and their absolutely insane homeroom teacher, who might be plotting murder (kidding…mostly). The comedy has this perfect random timing that hits you when you least expect it, and the animation style has this charming simplicity that makes the character reactions even funnier. Even though it’s from the early 2000s, the slice of life humor feels timeless. If you want an anime that feels like hanging out with your weirdest, most entertaining friends doing absolutely nothing important but having the best time, Azumanga Daioh is your perfect weekend binge!

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13. Nichijou

Nichijou is a completely out-of-the-box slice-of-life anime that takes everyday moments and turns them into absolutely ridiculous levels! The show follows a bunch of high school students, a child professor, and her talking cat robot through what should be normal days but somehow turns into the most overdramatic situations you will ever see. What makes this anime so interesting is how it fully commits to every joke, such as when a student drops her sausage at lunch, resulting in an epic slow-motion disaster with cinematic camera angles and heartbreaking music. The comedy timing is absolutely genius. It can switch from hidden humor to nuclear explosion-level reactions in seconds. Some sketches make no sense, but they will still make you cry with laughter! If a normal slice of life anime is too chill for you and you want something that feels like someone dropped your everyday life into a blender with energy drinks and anime magic, Nichijou delivers this beautifully chaotic experience that somehow still has tons of heart underneath all the insanity.

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12. Hyouka

Hyouka is that ridiculously gorgeous slice of life anime that somehow makes solving the most everyday little mysteries feel like the most intense thing ever. The story follows Oreki, a self-proclaimed “energy-conserving” high schooler (extremely lazy), who is dragged into the Classic Literature Club by his sister and meets Chitanda, a curious girl with HUGE purple eyes who literally cannot stop herself from wanting to know the answer to every tiny mystery around her. The slice of life part of this anime comes from Kyoto Animation (anime studio) use of animation to turn Oreki’s thoughts into cool imagery, such as when he is figuring out something and you get to see this amazing series of parts where gears are turning or pieces of puzzle connect. The mysteries themselves are delightfully low-stakes, such as “Why did someone check out this library book?” or “Who really made this chocolate?” but the show treats them with the same dramatic weight as a murder investigation! The slow-burn relationship between curious-about-everything Chitanda and wants-to-do-nothing Oreki is so perfectly done. If you want a slice of life anime with stunning animation that makes everyday high school life feel magical and meaningful, then watching Hyouka would be a great choice, though it’s quite popular, so you may have already seen it.

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11. K-On!

K-On! is that slice of life anime that somehow makes doing almost nothing look like the most fun you could possibly have! The story follows four high school girls (later five) who join their school’s light music club basically just to hang out and eat snacks, but somehow end up actually forming a band called Ho-kago Tea Time. What is an amazing thing about this series is how it perfectly captures that “enjoying the moment” vibe of high school friendships. You will get to see Yui, the airhead guitarist who can’t read music but has natural talent once she actually tries; Mio, the serious bassist who’s terrified of literally everything; Ritsu, the hyperactive drummer who’s always plotting some scheme; and Mugi, the sweet keyboardist who’s secretly super rich and fascinated by “normal people stuff.” The way these girls spend 90% of their time eating cake and drinking tea instead of practicing should be frustrating, but it’s actually what makes the show so relatable and charming! The animation is gorgeous too, Kyoto Animation Studio went all out making those desserts look mouthwatering and the rare music performances feel electric. If you’re looking for an anime that captures the bittersweet joy of just hanging out with your besties, K-On! will hit you right in the feels while keeping you laughing the entire time.

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10. Silver Spoon

Silver Spoon is a relaxing, down-to-earth slice of life anime that replaces typical high school drama with the mud, sweat, and surprising joys of agricultural school life. The story follows Hachiken, a burned-out city boy who escapes to an agricultural high school in rural Hokkaido thinking it’ll be easier than prep school, only to discover farming is way harder than he ever imagined. What makes this relaxing anime so special is how it doesn’t shy away from the realities of modern farming, you’ll see everything from the birth of baby animals to honest conversations about livestock being raised for slaughter. The show has this amazing way of making you laugh one minute (watching Hachiken freak out about where eggs come from) and then hitting you with unexpected depth the next. As Hachiken gradually finds his place among classmates who’ve grown up on farms and already know their life paths, the series becomes this beautiful story about finding your own purpose and appreciating where our food actually comes from. The beautiful countryside where it is set and the attractive food shows only are a few of the bonuses. Silver Spoon delivers a happy experience that may even change how you view your next meal, and it is a good slice of life anime with a unique touch.

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9. Non Non Biyori

Non Non Biyori is that magical slice of life anime that makes you nostalgic for a countryside childhood you probably never even had. The show follows this tiny group of kids in rural Japan where the “school” is basically one room with like five students total from different grades. What makes this series an amazing slice of life anime isIt perfectly captures how time feels different in the countryside, where everything moves at a sweetly slow pace and kids can spend an entire afternoon catching crayfish or exploring an abandoned building. The comedy is so perfectly understated, especially with Renge, this deadpan first grader who comes out with the most hilariously weird observations in the flattest voice ever. The backgrounds are absolutely gorgeous too, all these rice fields, mountains, and sunset scenes that’ll make you want to immediately quit your job and move to rural Japan. The show somehow turns “nothing really happens” into the most comforting thing ever. If you’re stressed out from city life and need a slice of life anime that feels like taking a deep breath of fresh country air, Non Non Biyori is that perfect mental vacation that’ll leave you feeling weirdly refreshed and wondering why you don’t spend more time just staring at pretty bugs or climbing trees.

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8. Usagi Drop/Bunny Drop

Usagi Drop is that slice of life anime that hits you with all the feels while making parenting look both terrifying and weirdly beautiful at the same time. The story starts when 30-year-old bachelor Daikichi attends his grandfather’s funeral and discovers this quiet little girl named Rin, who turns out to be his grandpa’s secret kid that nobody wants to deal with. Daikichi decides to take her in himself despite knowing absolutely nothing about raising children. What makes this series a beautiful slice of life anime is how refreshingly real it is about the everyday challenges of suddenly becoming a parent, like Daikichi desperately researching daycares, shopping for kids clothes, and completely rearranging his work-life balance. The animation has this soft, watercolor style that perfectly matches the gentle tone of their growing relationship. There’s no dramatic orphan trauma or evil relatives trying to take Rin away, just this man and this little girl figuring out how to be a family one day at a time. Usagi Drop will warm your heart, though manga is disappointing and I personally do not recommend, but anime is perfect for slice of life fans.

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7. Bocchi the Rock!

Bocchi the Rock! is that slice of life anime that perfectly captures the absolute nightmare of social anxiety while making it somehow both hilarious and deeply relatable. The story follows Gotou Hitori, this super awkward high school girl who dreams of being a rock star but can barely talk to actual humans without having a complete collapse. What makes this anime so funny and good is how it shows her inner anxiety, such as literally transforming her into different weird objects or imagining serious social scenarios whenever she tries to interact with other people. Her journey from being a complete shut-in who practices guitar alone in her room to slowly joining a band is both painfully funny and honestly touching.Her bandmates are also amazing, each dealing with their own behaviors while somehow dragging Bocchi closer to realizing her rock star dreams. The show absolutely nails how terrifying but exciting it is to try something new when you’re someone who would rather disappear than speak to strangers. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable, anxious, or like social interactions are basically a form of extreme activities, Bocchi the Rock! is that perfect slice of life anime.

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6. Yuru Camp/Laid-Back Camp

Yuru Camp is that slice of life anime that somehow makes sitting outside in freezing temperatures seem like the coziest, most appealing thing ever! The show follows Rin, this super independent girl who loves solo camping in the winter, and Nadeshiko, this energetic goofball who accidentally falls asleep at a campsite and gets totally hooked on camping life. What makes this relaxing and feel-good anime so special is how it perfectly captures that feeling of being all bundled up in a warm blanket with hot food while nature does its beautiful thing all around you. The animation is gorgeous, they make every cup of ramen and every mountain sunset look absolutely wonderful. There’s literally zero drama in this anime no fighting, no romance, no tragic backstories, just girls being genuinely supportive friends who really, REALLY love camping. The way they obsess over camping gear is so relatable for anyone with a hobby they’re obsessed with! The show also has these helpful little camping tips sprinkled throughout that make you actually want to try winter camping yourself (until you remember how much you hate being cold). If you’re stressed out and need an anime that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket while drinking hot chocolate next to a crackling campfire, Yuru Camp is the perfect anime for you.

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5. March Comes in Like a Lion

March Comes in Like a Lion, it’s honestly one of the deepest slice of life anime and all of a sudden it pricks your heart. The story is about Rei Kiriyama, a teenage shogi (Japanese chess) prodigy who lives in depression and quiet after losing his family. What is unique about this series is its reality the way it shows Rei’s struggle with mental health isn’t pretty or easy, it’s raw and sometimes painful to watch. But then there’s this amazing balance when he meets the Kawamoto sisters three girls who basically adopt him into their warm, chaotic household and start to heal his broken heart with home-cooked meals and genuine care. The animation is gorgeous too, using these incredible visual metaphors where you can literally see Rei drowning in dark water when he’s at his lowest. Don’t let the heavy themes scare you off though, this slice of life anime has plenty of light moments and even makes you laugh between the tears. It’s like watching someone learn to live again slowly, step by step. This is the slice of life anime that will first make your heart heavy, then hopeful and light, while remaining very realistic in how it shows life’s difficulties. This is definitely worth your time.

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4. Natsume’s Book of Friends

Natsume’s Book of Friends is that rare slice of life anime that somehow makes you feel peaceful and emotionally damaged at the same time. The story follows Takashi Natsume, this lonely teenager who can see yokai (Japanese spirits) receives his grandmother’s “Book of Friends,” which is basically a list of spirit names she bullied into work. The special thing about this anime is how it balances Natsume’s spirit adventures with his slow, careful attempts to finally connect with humans after years of being labeled the weird kid. The show’s got this gorgeous, soft art style with these beautiful rural settings and spirit designs that range from super cute to genuinely creepy. And then there’s Nyanko-sensei, this sarcastic cat-shaped bodyguard who’s supposedly just waiting to eat Natsume and take the book but is obviously totally attached to him (though he’d die before admitting it). Each episode feels like a gentle exploration of loneliness, belonging, and the bonds between humans and yokai. Natsume slowly develops this new family of friends who accept him despite not knowing his spirit secret, and it is genuinely touching without ever feeling forced. If you want a slice of life anime with supernatural elements that’ll leave you feeling like you just had this peaceful walk through an autumn forest, Natsume’s Book of Friends is a perfect emotional balance of grief and hope. More importantly, the manga has not yet ended, and this series is still ongoing.

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3. Barakamon

Barakamon is that perfect slice of life anime that hits you with all the feels while making you laugh out loud at the culture clash between city and country life. The story follows Handa, this young calligraphy artist who gets exiled to a remote island after he punches an old critic (total anger issues), and suddenly finds himself surrounded by the most hilariously disruptive villagers ever. What makes Barakamon a perfect slice of life anime and relaxing is the relationship between frustrated Handa and Naru, a totally insane island kid who basically adopts him and rushes into his house whenever she wants. The comedy timing is spot on, such as when Handa is trying to work on his serious art and there are suddenly seven village kids, three elderly folks, and a bug collection in his house. But then the show hits you with these unexpectedly deep moments about discovering your true creative voice and learning to connect with others. The countryside environment is also stunning, with bright colors and amazing views of the sea that will make you want to leave city life immediately. Handa’s slow change from a stuck-up city boy to caring about these strange people on islands feels natural and heartwarming. Barakamon is a perfect slice-of-life anime with great character development that might encourage you to move to Japan’s countryside. Easily one of the best slice of life anime out there.

Series Details:

• Release date: 2014
• MAL Rating: 8.37
• Episodes: 12
• Studio: Kinema Citrus
• Based on: Manga by Satsuki Yoshino
• Where to watch: Crunchyroll

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2. Mushishi

Mushishi is a deeply beautiful slice-of-life anime that feels more like a collection of ancient folktales than a regular show. The story follows Ginko, a super chill white-haired guy who travels through rural Japan helping people in dealing with mysterious creatures known as “mushi” that exist somewhere between normal animals and spirits. What makes this anime so good is its incredible atmospheric quality; each episode feels like a perfect little short story, with gorgeous, lovely visuals and an amazing soundtrack made basically of atmospheric nature sounds. There’s no big plot or villain, just Ginko showing up in different villages, figuring out what strange mushi problem they’re having (like a mushi that steals sounds or one that lives in dreams), and bringing peace between humans and these ancient life forms. The show has an incredible philosophical vibe without ever being boring about it. Some episodes end happily, others are pretty bittersweet, but they all leave you feeling weirdly peaceful. This anime is very relaxing and quiet. Something that feels like taking a quiet walk through a beautiful forest where something magical might happen at any moment.

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1. Clannad and Clannad: After Story

Clannad is that slice of life anime that starts off like your typical high school comedy-drama but ends up absolutely destroying your heart in ways you never saw coming. The first season follows Tomoya, this delinquent guy who’s basically given up on life, as he meets Nagisa, a sweet girl trying to restart the theatre club, and their growing circle of friends with their own stories and struggles. What makes Clannad feel-good anime (well, eventually not-so-feel-good) so special is how it starts with these light-hearted school adventures and unusual characters but slowly builds this emotional foundation that After Story then uses to completely destroy you emotionally. The animation has this beautiful, soft quality with these gorgeous light effects that make everyday moments feel magical. And then there’s After Story… oh man. When this show shifts to following adult life after high school with all its brutal realities, responsibilities, and heartbreaking twists, it becomes something else completely. I literally can’t think of another anime that portrays the journey from teenager to adult with such emotional honesty. There are these weird fantasy elements with the girl and robot in another world that seem random at first, but trust me, it all comes together in the most beautiful, heartbreaking way. If you want a slice of life anime that shows both the beauty and pain of growing up, loving people, and facing life’s hardest moments, Clannad is perfect for you because it is different from other series and includes a lot of lessons.

Series Details:

• Release Date: October 3, 2008
• MAL Rating: 8.93
• Episodes: 24 (23 episodes of Clannad)
• Seasons: 1 (Sequel to Clannad)
• Studio: Kyoto Animation
• Creator: Jun Maeda (Visual Novel)
• Where to Watch: Prime Video (based on your location)

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Conclusion On Best Slice of life Anime

Slice of life anime shows us that life’s most beautiful moments aren’t about big adventures, but about the small, everyday experiences that truly matter. If you are looking to relax, smile, chill or see the world a little differently, the above anime series, which i recommended are the best to start. So sit back, relax, and let these incredible anime remind you of life’s simple joys.

If you want to look for more anime recommendations, you can check similar lists, such as 10 Best Romance Anime, 15 Best Sports Anime and many more out there!

And Don’t forget to share your favorite slice of life anime in the comments box as well, and feel free to recommend your favorite anime.