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10 Relaxing Anime to Watch and Unwind After a Stressful Day

10 Relaxing Anime to Watch and Unwind After a Stressful Day (Credit: Toei Animation, bones, CloverWorks, Wit Studio and Kinema Citrus)

Watching a anime packed with drama and excitement can be thrilling, but there are times when it’s nice to switch gears.

Sometimes, a simple and calming anime show is perfect for unwinding. An easy slice-of-life or romantic comedy can lift the audience’s spirits, no matter how many times fans watch it.

Whether to relax after a tough day or to revisit childhood memories, a heartwarming anime is just the thing.

These shows take viewers through everyday life, with light-hearted moments between friends and gentle trials, sure to bring comfort and smiles at the end of a long day.

1) Spy x Family

Spy x Family is a humorous family adventure that also pulls at the heartstrings, based on the original manga by Tatsuya Endo. In a time of war, spies, and secrets, Loid Forger is sent undercover to prevent a disaster.

However, he needs a ‘family’ as part of his cover story. Joining forces with secret assassin “Thorn Princess” Yor, the duo ends up taking in an adorable telepathic child named Anya.

Spy x Family (Credit: CloverWorks & Wit Studio)

The three navigate the trials of family life while keeping their secrets hidden from each other and the forces working against them.

Spy x Family blends action-packed scenes and supernatural abilities with a heartwarming family story for funny and heartfelt adventures.

This slice-of-life anime is adorable, showing the softer sides of its characters and highlighting the unlikely bond among a mismatched trio.

It’s hilarious, adventurous, and sweet, making it a perfect anime to watch again and again. You can watch Spy x Family on Crunchyroll and Hulu. 

2) Haikyu!!

Haikyu!! is a beloved sports anime that focuses on camaraderie and passion, based on the original manga by Haruichi Furudate. Shouyou Hinata may not have the typical volleyball player’s physique, but his skills on the court are impressive.

Despite his shorter stature, he becomes a key player on the Karasuno High School volleyball team. There, he reunites with his old rival Tobio Kageyama, and the two decide to put aside their differences and work together with their team to achieve success.

Haikyu!! (Credit: Production I.G)

Haikyu!! delves deep into the friendships and bonds that go beyond rivalry, inspiring viewers with the characters’ determination and passion for success.

The anime is packed with thrilling volleyball matches and funny moments among teammates, as each character works through their own challenges and imperfections.

With a Haikyu!! sequel movie set for release in February 2024, now is the perfect time to watch or re-watch the anime. You can watch Haikyu!! on Crunchyroll and Disney+. 

3) The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is a funny glimpse into the daily life of a psychic, based on the original manga by Shūichi Asō. Having psychic abilities might seem like a dream, but for Kusuo Saiki, he just wants to be normal.

The inconveniences of his gift keep piling up, but they always end up being the key to saving the day. With his array of supernatural abilities and a quirky group of characters, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is a beloved and hilarious slice-of-life anime.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (Credit: J.C. Staff & EGG FIRM)

This fast-paced anime is packed with endless laughs that never fail to hit the mark. All the characters are lively and quirky, and when they come together in comedic situations, the audience is guaranteed to be entertained.

Despite Saiki’s frustration with his powers and friends, their hilarious escapades show that friendship triumphs, even amidst the silliness. You can watch The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. on Netflix or Crunchyroll.

4) Barakamon

Barakamon is a story about art, ego, and making positive changes, based on the original manga by Satsuki Yoshino. Barakamon tells a tale of art, ego, and positive transformations.

Seishuu Handa, an aspiring calligrapher, is highly respected for his talent, but his self-centered attitude can be off-putting to some. When a master criticizes his work as ‘unoriginal’, Sei takes it badly, leading to a tough lesson in self-reflection.

Barakamon (Credit: Kinema Citrus)

He’s sent off to the Goto Islands as a form of exile, hoping to find inspiration. Along the way, he encounters the lively locals of the not-so-peaceful countryside, and slowly finds himself changed by their spirited ways.

Even with its humor and quirky moments, Barakamon tells a beautiful tale of growing relationships, self-discovery, and personal growth.

The characters feel real and their connections are genuine, making the anime relatable as viewers delve into a heartwarming slice of life with meaningful messages. You can watch Asobi Asobase on AppleTV, Prime Video and Crunchyroll. 

5) Asobi Asobase

Asobi Asobase is a cheerful, hilarious anime that’s perfect for rewatching, based on the original manga by Rin Suzukawa.

Asobi Asobase follows three middle school girls: the beautiful Olivia, the intellectual Kasumi, and the cheerful Hanako, as they navigate their after-school club antics.

The show presents their hilarious and cute escapades in a slapstick, episodic style, creating a funny and enjoyable experience for viewers. This underrated comedy combines everyday school life with hilarious, over-the-top humor.

Asobi Asobase (Credit: Lerche)

Each girl’s quirks add to the fun, mixed with a dash of sci-fi, romance, and action. It’s light-hearted, energetic, and cheerful, known for its rewatch ability. Despite seeming simple, the show will have viewers laughing so hard they might end up in tears. You can watch Asobi Asobase on AppleTV and Crunchyroll. 

6) Polar Bear Cafe

Polar Bear Cafe is a cute and quirky anime that blends humans and animals, based on the original manga by Aloha Higa.

The anime is about a Canadian polar bear who decides to open a cafeteria near a zoo after leaving his dull job. He finds a new family with a human couple who took him in, and he charms the cafe’s customers with his fascinating personality.

This unique slice-of-life story offers a twist as viewers follow both human and animal customers through the seasons. Watching a polar bear, a penguin, and a panda go about their everyday tasks and silly antics will leave the audience feeling relaxed.

Polar Bear Cafe (Credit: Studio Pierrot)

Each character has their own quirky traits, and the show’s zany humor adds to its charm, making it an easy and cute anime to unwind with. You can watch Polar Bear Cafe on AppleTV, Prime Video and Crunchyroll. 

7) School Babysitters

School Babysitters is a heartwarming anime about family, responsibility, and growing up, based on the original manga by Hari Tokeino. School Babysitters focuses on brothers Ryuuichi and Kotarou Kashima after they lose their parents.

They are taken in by the Chairwoman of Morinomiya Academy, with the condition that Ryuuichi becomes the school’s daycare babysitter. This heartwarming slice-of-life anime brings out your inner child as it follows characters of various ages

School Babysitters (Credit: Brain’s Base)

.This short anime is both funny and heartwarming as viewers follow different sets of siblings in school. The characters, though clumsy, are lovable, and the show explores touching family dynamics through small challenges.

Every episode is sure to leave watchers with a warm heart. You can watch School Babysitters on AppleTV and Crunchyroll. 

8) Ouran High School Host Club

Ouran High School Host Club is a funny and meaningful shojo anime classic, based on the original manga by Bisco Hatori. 

Commoner Fujioka Haruhi earns a scholarship to the prestigious Ouran Academy. She stands out, dressing in a more masculine style and coming from a humble background compared to her classmates.

When she discovers the Host Club, filled with beautiful and charming boys, she reluctantly starts working with them and begins to form unexpected bonds.

Ouran High School Host Club is a lively, humorous, and heartfelt classic of the shojo genre. It’s easy to watch with its episodic plot and the overarching theme of love, friendships, and family.

Ouran High School Host Club (Credit: bones)

Despite the anime series being cut short and straying from the original manga plot, it continues to be a beloved classic among fans. You can watch Ouran High School Host Club on Prime Video and Crunchyroll. 

9) Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon is a lively magical girl anime icon that explores themes of love and destiny, based on the original manga by Naoko Takeuchi.

Usagi Tsukino is an ordinary, sensitive student until her life takes a surprising turn after rescuing Luna, a cat with a crescent moon on its head.

This fateful encounter leads her to become Sailor Moon, the magical guardian of Earth.  Usagi sets out on a quest to find a lost princess, unite with other Sailor Guardians, and secure a legendary crystal to protect Earth.

It’s a story of love, hope, and destiny. Sailor Moon holds a special place in many people’s childhoods and is a wonderful anime to revisit in adulthood.

Sailor Moon (Credit: Toei Animation)

The characters’ designs and growth are delightful, crafting an ethereal and subtly mature story. It blends drama, vibrant colors, enchanting magic, and timeless music, solidifying its status as an iconic magical girl anime. You can watch Sailor Moon on Prime Video and Hulu. 

10) Natsume’s Book of Friends

Natsume’s Book of Friends is a tender exploration of bonds and overcoming the past, based on the original manga by Yuki Midorikawa. Natsume has always felt like an outsider.

His ability to see yokai sets him apart and has caused others to see him as strange, leading to a series of different caretakers. However, after moving to his grandmother’s hometown, he befriends a spirit trapped in a Lucky Cat statue.

Natsume’s Book of Friends (Credit: Brain’s Base)

Through this friendship, Natsume discovers more about his past and his unique gift, finding potential connections that help heal the wounds in his heart.

This anime  feels like a ray of warm sunshine as viewers follow Natsume on his journey of coming out of his shell, learning to care for others and be cared for in return.

Alongside the fascinating yokai lore, his challenges always lead to a deeper understanding, mirroring viewers’ hopes for his happiness. You can watch Natsume’s Book of Friends on Crunchyroll and Prime Video. 

Memes of the Day

Boku no Yayoi-san 1 & 2

Ikemen Kateikyoushi Onee-San

Honorable Mention

Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro

The story is about a high schooler named Hayase Nagatoro who enjoys bullying her senpai. Nagatoro is secretly in love with Naoto, an introverted second-year student who prefers to draw manga in his free time.

When Nagatoro and her friends find drawings of an aspiring artist, they start teasing the artist, who is called “Senpai” by Nagatoro.

If you want to buy the book, you can buy it by clicking on Amazon

What you are looking for is Nanashi; you can look it up on certain h-manga websites. Just Google Nanashi with the H-manga site name, and you will have everything you are looking for.

Banita Mohanty: Banita Mohanty is a journalism and mass communication graduate. She lives in Dehradun, India. She enjoys watching shoujo and slice-of-life anime during her free time, and reading manga of the same genre brightens her mood. She specializes in writing about anime and manga. You can reach her at banitam226@gmail.com.
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