In the world of anime, there are no boundaries to imagination and fantasy - that's one big reason why many viewers prefer the medium over the others. But other than serving as a realm of fictional escapism, anime is also known for its visceral depiction of reality, either through allegories of the real world or through its portrayal of "slices of life."
The slice-of-life genre drifts away from the common narrative devices of anime. Instead of having firm plot points, slice-of-life shows either give viewers an insight into Japanese culture or bring about relatable elements that resonate with viewers from many different age groups. So for anyone who's having a bad day, there's nothing better than a good dose of slice-of-life anime, many of which can now be streamed on Netflix.
The Devil Is A Part-Timer
The Devil is a Part-Timer is reverse Isekai at its best. It is taut, hilarious, and perfect for a weekend binge. It centers on Sadao Maou who, for mortals, comes off as a regular human being who is determined to climb the corporate ladder. But in reality, he's the Demon Lord Satan himself, who got trapped in the human realm during his quest to conquer the land of Ente Isla.
There was a time when he was determined to find his way back to Ente Isla to finish what he had started. However now, his only goal is to rule Earth by learning to deal with the day-to-day snags of mankind.
Rilakkuma And Kaoru
Rilakkuma and Koaru is a stop motion anime series that is touted as a kids' show. However, considering how it deals with prevalent social issues, it is more relatable for adults.
Its plot follows a young woman named Kaoru, whose life is far from being perfect. But even on the worst days, she comes back home to her fuzzy toy bear roommate, Rilakkuma, and finds solace. With each short, the anime sheds light on the common pitfalls faced by most adults, and without getting preachy about it, the anime forms a connection with the viewer.
Hi-Score Girl
coming-of-age story of Haruo Yaguchi. Also known as “beastly fingers," the young boy has an aptitude for arcade gaming that remains unmatched. He takes immense pride in his reputation until one day, Akira Oono smashes all of his records.
Determined to win back his supremacy in gaming, he develops a very competitive relationship with her. But somewhere along the way, he realizes that he always needed someone like Akira in his life.
Clannad
Based on a visual novel, Clannad takes viewers on a rollercoaster of emotions. It starts off by introducing Tomoya Okazaki, a high school delinquent who has given up on life and spends his days skipping classes. But when he meets Nagisa Furukawa one day, everything begins to change.
After learning about Nagisa's struggles and her dreams of reviving the school's drama club with four other girls, he discovers a newfound purpose. The more he hangs out with the girls, the more he learns to empathize with them and help them overcome their problems.
Aggretsuko
Because of its anthropomorphic characters, every character in the show represents a real-life stereotype.
There's a sexist pig of a boss, a neurotic hyena, and then there's Retsuko, who's a heavy metal singing corporate employee. Akin to Bojack Horseman, Aggretsuko cleverly uses its kawaii characters to create some delightfully relatable satire.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened
Saiki K. isn't a stereotypical superhero. He's stoic, introverted, and silently judges everyone around him. Unfortunately for him, with his great psychic abilities comes great responsibility, whether he likes it or not. Due to this, he often finds himself fighting strange odds just to protect the ones close to him and keep his abilities a secret.
What makes The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. stands out is its quick-paced gags and expansive humor, not to mention, it has a diverse set of eccentric characters who never leave a dull moment.
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions
The term "chunibyo" is used to refer to young adults who live in their own imaginary fantastical worlds. Yuuta Togashi, who was once a chunibyo himself, now wishes to leave his childish gimmicks behind and start afresh. However, after he meets Rikka Takanashi, a self-proclaimed vessel of the "Wicked Eye," he finds himself drifting back to his old embarrassing life.
Created by Kyoto Animation, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions is a simple lighthearted anime that pleases viewers with its comic and heartfelt moments, both of which are well-balanced throughout its runtime.
Teasing Master Takagi-san
Teaser Master Takagi San is like a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winter evening. With its comedy grounded to reality and its characters well fleshed out, the series focuses on the highs and lows of Nishikata's complex relationship with his classmate, Takagi.
Takagi knows all about Nichikata, but instead of being a blessing, this turns out to be a curse for Nishikata, as she keeps finding new ways to catch him off-guard and embarrass him. Tired of being the victim of her jokes all the time, Nishikata vows to himself that he'll someday find a way to get back at her.
March Comes In Like A Lion
Adapted from the eponymous manga, March Comes in Like a Lion explores the life and catharsis of a prodigy. At its fore is a middle schooler, Rei Kiriyama, who is among the world's best shogi players. But his brilliance comes with a cost. His parents and others in the shogi community pressure him to sur his limits. Rei eventually moves out and starts living by himself.
However, his life only begins to change for the better when he meets three sisters, who help him deal with his loneliness and take better care of himself.
Beastars
Beastars is set in a world where carnivores and herbivores co-exist in a civilized society. It primarily revolves around the students of Cherryton Academy, where anthropomorphic animals come together from all walks of life. Among them is Legoshi, an intimidating but kind-hearted wolf who is drawn between his natural urge to hunt herbivores and protect them from bigger threats.
With its coming-of-age premise, Beastars cleverly explores social issues such as class divide, self-identity, racism, and fascism. What makes it all-the-more gripping is the simplicity with which it deals with these themes without getting too preachy.