10. Jingai San No Yome
In a world where supernatural creatures and high school students can and should get married, Hinowa finds himself the chosen husband to a furry, white beast known as Kanenogi. While overwhelmed at first, the once lonely teen realizes how blessed he is to be married to such a creature. And his little world opens up when he bonds with other students who have become spouses to these loving creatures as well.
I’m bummed how incredibly short this anime is. And we don’t even know the lore behind it. Like why is marrying off high school kids and nonhuman creatures a thing?
Hinowa and the cast are seriously adorable. This is a slice-of-life you will binge watch again and again. And then ask why can’t more anime be like this.
Like quit cashing on My Hero Whatever and give unique anime like this the attention (and episodes) it deserves!
I still need to know: can a human and a creature in this world also have KIDS?
9. By the Grace of Gods
Three kind-hearted gods aid a man who until his embarrassing death had led a life of misfortune and abuse. They offer him a chance to reincarnate in another world...with amazing powers to boost!. There is no catch, they actually just really want him to find fun and happiness in his new life. So Ryoma reincarnates as a small boy, with amazing abilities. He finds refuge in a forest where he discovers slime creatures. For the last three years, he’s been catching, training, and multiplying them. Life has been pleasant, just him and his slimes. But then he encounters the first ever human contact since he died. His previous life may have been miserable and lonely, but these people make his world much, much bigger.
Think Ash Ketchum, but he was a slimer farmer. Ryoma is quite adorable whether he’s a man or a young boy.
The variety of characters this anime gives fills you with serotonin because everyone is just SO. GOSH. DARN. CUTE.
And the slimes aren’t bad either!
8. Hinako Note
Very shy but sweet Hinako moves from her quiet village to the city of Tokyo. There, she attends Fujiyama High and hopes to become a member of their school’s theater club. However, it turns out the club is on break. While this disappoints Hinako, she finds joy in forming her own little troupe with her new friends. Over time, she’s able to handle her shyness, and open more of herself to others.
I learned about chibis in the early 2000s. This anime hones that style and makes it 100x cuter!
Hinata-chan and her girls are so adorable and hilarious, which is why this slice-of-life deserves more attention than it gets. I would rather watch episodes about this girls preparing for plays and shows than some depressing, confusing sh*t like Attack on Titan or Sailor Moon Crystal.
Okay, sure, there’s the obvious sexual innuendo throughout the series, but it’s very few and in-between. And you’re too distracted by the cuteness and humor that you forget how perverse the animators must have been when creating this.
7. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Satou Mikami was just a 37-year-old man who pretty much accepted his average life (and no girlfriend). He’s suddenly killed by a passing robber, and magically reincarnates in a different realm. As a slime now named Rimuru Tempest. Rather than be overwhelmed by this sudden transformation, he actually embraces it. Anything he swallows can give him an advantage. Soon, he meets other characters who are in dire need of his aid. And as someone who played fantasy role-playing games in his previous life, he’s all too willing to help. Soon he ends up forming a powerful, peaceful nation that accepts all kinds. Something that has never happened before, thus increasing his popularity.
Rimuru is adorable whether in slime form or in human form. He’s not much for running an entire nation, but his loyal followers believe he’s worthy!
He is VERY powerful. Being a slime, he can consume other creatures and objects and absorb their abilities.
Makes me wonder who would win in a fight: him or Goku.
6. Pri-Pri Chii-Chan!!
Kind-hearted girl Yuuka one day comes across an odd, roundish yellow creature with an antenna stuck in a hole. She rescues it and takes it home, where she learns it is an underground dweller whom she nicknames Chi-chan. As thanks for saving him (and not turning him in to get experimented on by scientists), Chi-chan is completely in debt to her. Now inseparable, they are joined by new friends and make every day interesting!
This anime will make it feel like you’re back in the early 2000s when KidsWB and Toonami were still a thing.
The characters and episodes give you a Pokemon feel with some Sailor Moon and Tamagotchi mixed in. The human and nonhuman characters are so cute and precious, you’d wish the series could have had one more season (it had 2). Better yet, a better franchise because can you imagine the merch this anime could sell?!
5. Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
As foretold in a prophecy, a being from space known as the Star Warrior would arrive in Cappytown. That person would be the key to ending the monster attacks that have been rumored to occur. Unfortunately, that hero is also a pink, baby creature. But don’t let his appearance fool you! He can absorb anything and turn into a true fighter. With King Dedede secretly ordering up monsters to take on the baby Star Warrior, Kirby fights them clean off and protects Cappytown.
Mario’s got nothing on this little guy!
4. Sanrio Boys!
Highschool boy Kouta adores the Sanrio character Pom Pom Purin. He treasures a character plush gifted to him by his late grandma. But quite often he’s unsure whether or not it’s normal for him to like something that seems so girly. After all, Hello Kitty and Friends is just for girls...right? Male classmates from his school prove him wrong. He’ll meet the biggest fanboy of My Melody. And Kouta will learn to embrace his obsession without embarrassment. It’s a lesson to learn for both genders.
To anyone who says that guys can’t like stuff like Barbie, Care Bears, or Hello Kitty can just crawl back into their mom’s womb because you’re the people we definitely don’t want in this world!
3. BNA
It was just an average day at school for Michiru. However, her normal life suddenly turns upside down when she becomes what is referred to as a “Beastmen”. The teen-turned-tanuki hightails it to Anima City, escaping the harsh treatments humanity could inflict. Once she enters the animal-safe haven, she meets all sorts of characters who become her allies, friends, and surrogate family. But despite the surrounding love she receives, there are enemies who wish to do harm to not only her, but to all Beastmen.
While Beastars is an okay anime, it’s not really “cute” per say compared to how bouncy and stretchy this animal-furry anime is.
Whether they’re good guys or bad guys, ALL the characters have a pleasant, adorable design. Especially when those characters transform into human-like animals!
If you’re a fan of Zootopia, then you will definitely love this!
2. Fruit Basket
High school girl Tohru has been residing in the woods since losing her mother. However, it’s only temporary since her grandfather is preparing his new place and she doesn’t want to burden her overly protective/affectionate friends. Her tent is discovered by her school’s most popular boy, who offers her a place to stay in his estate. While settling in, she discovers his long-kept family secret: that he and his members turn into animals when hugged by the opposite sex.
It was practically two decades before this 2001 anime finally got its second season in 2019. Proves that anything can make a comeback with time (and high demand from fans).
Harem anime is nothing new. But the kind where it’s the girl who gets a harem? We seriously need more of that. Not saying this because I’m a woman, but because it’s a nice twist.
The 2019 version really bumped up the animation. While the 2001 anime was during a time where the look and feel were more “classy”, you’re blown away by just how much animation has been approved since while watching the second season!
1. Tamagotchi!
The beloved mini toy game has its own anime series! Join Mametchi and his friends all around the world of Tamagotchi! Every episode is an adventure no matter how small and simple the task might be. Whether it’s cleaning the classroom for their beloved teacher. Teaching siblings how to be brave. Or learning how to make really good donuts.
I’ve never actually played those little devices when they were a thing. But the movie and anime really got me into loving these little guys!
Mametchi is an absolute precious gem who needs to be protected at all costs!
