Can you recommend some slice of life anime? Ones of the cute variety?

[ninja666]

I know you're probably scratching your head and wondering why I'm asking for that here, when there are tons upon tons of anime-related websites and forums and this sort of thread would probably fit much better on those. Allow me to explain. I've already tried asking around on those kinds of sites, but I'm having a hard time getting any useful suggestions there because people on those sites seem weirdly unable to follow simple instructions and keep posting recommendations that either are hilariously inaccurate or outright go against my requirements, despite them being clearly stated in the post, and then getting mad at me for telling them their suggestions don't fit what I'm looking for, only making me more frustrated. Over here, on the other hand, it's always been smooth sailing when it comes to recommendation threads, so I thought I'd ask for your help once again.

Okay, that'd be all in terms of foreword. Onto the request itself.

Lately, I've been depressed more than usual, and turns out what works wonders in cheering me up and making me feel comfy and relaxed is watching those typical moe, "cute girls doing cute things", slice of life anime, where everything is so cutesy and cheerful, you get stage 3 diabetes 10 minutes into the first episode. The thing is, I'm having a really hard time finding something that would keep my interest because the usual "4 schoolgirls hanging out in school, doing school stuff" formula the majority of this kind of anime uses just bores me to tears. Can you suggest something that fits what I'm looking for? Here's what I want:

- focuses on cute girl antics rather than comedy (I don't find Japanese humor funny, personally)
- has very cheerful, relaxing atmosphere
- doesn't have conflict, action, or drama of any sorts
- doesn't focus on school life
- if it's set in modern Japan, it doesn't take place in overly urban areas (Tokyo etc.)
- [OPTIONAL] isn't overly mundane, i.e. has some light fantasy/sci-fi/supernatural elements to make everything a little bit more interesting

What I've already seen that fits:

- Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka?
- So Ra No Wo To (yes, it has some drama, but there wasn't really enough of it to ruin the show for me)

Don't suggest (they don't really fit what I'm looking for anyway because of not enough focus on moe, but I'm posting them because they are popular suggestions that are likely to be recommended):

- Non Non Biyori
- Aria
- Flying Witch
- Barakamon
- Hanasaku Iroha

Please suggest only series that are finished airing and end in a conclusive way, i.e. the "story"/events end on such a note that nothing is left hanging, no manga is required to be read afterwards, and you feel that any additional content after the ending would feel unnecessary and forced.

Thanks in advance for the help and not laughing me out of the room.

 

[NPC009]

That's a very specific request... There are plenty of 'iyashikei' shows, but they usually have atleast some sort of drama or conflict to tie the stories together. Something that just ultra plainly cute however... Most moe anime do something to not be that type of moe anime. Plus, series with high-school aged girls are usually atleast partly set in high school because that's kind of the point of high school girls.

But I do like a challenge.

Ichigo Marshmellow, maybe? I recall that one being teeth-rottingly cute.

Erm... The Atelier Escha & Logy is pretty relaxing, though it does have some fantasy action, especially later on. Lots of cute girl characters, though and the designs are very moe.

I've never seen the anime, but I have read the Someday's Dreamers manga. That might come close. It's cuter than Flying Witch, I guess?

Or maybe one of the cuter monster girl series? I liked Interviews with Monster Girls myself. Still, there's a focus on school life... It's the same with the currently airing A Centaur's Life. And Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid probably has too much action for your taste. Great feel-good series, though.

Erhm... how about cute girls doing their jobs cutely? Like Shirobako and New Game?

Or an idols show? Like Love Live?

In an different category: I find cooking anime like Sweetness & Lightning to be really relaxing. If all else fails, maybe try something like that?

... Oh, I found a thing that might be a little helpful! The Guide to Cute Girls doing Cute Things [https://myswordisunbelievablydull.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/guide-to-cute-girls-going-cute-things.jpg]

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Not a show but have you seen Kiki's Delivery Service?

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

Muv-Luv alternative. Trust me, its actually really cute and charming once you get past people getting eaten alive.

 

[ninja666]

Plus, series with high-school aged girls are usually atleast partly set in high school because that's kind of the point of high school girls.

To be honest, I'd be perfectly fine with something that has bits that take place in school and has schoolgirls as main characters. I just don't want another K-On, where all they do is go sit in class, then go sit in their clubroom and eat cake, rinse and repeat every episode. I'd like some variety in terms of all the nothing they're doing.

Ichigo Marshmellow, maybe? I recall that one being teeth-rottingly cute.

Might be worth a shot. Is it something along the lines of what I described above, i.e. has school bits but focuses on them doing different, non-school-related stuff for the most part?

Erm... The Atelier Escha & Logy is pretty relaxing, though it does have some fantasy action, especially later on. Lots of cute girl characters, though and the designs are very moe.

Not really what I'm looking for. I mean, the character designs are right up my alley, but I'm not really in the mood for action right now.

I've never seen the anime, but I have read the Someday's Dreamers manga. That might come close. It's cuter than Flying Witch, I guess?

I don't know. Something about it just doesn't click with me for some reason. I guess I'll give this one a pass.

And Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid probably has too much action for your taste. Great feel-good series, though.

I've been seeing this series everywhere pretty much from the moment it started airing. Is it really that good? Also, is it what I'm looking for? When I asked around about it, people were telling me it's more of a comedy and the only moe thing in the whole show in that purple-haired loli.

Erhm... how about cute girls doing their jobs cutely? Like Shirobako and New Game?

Well, New Game's second season is still airing, so it's out. As for Shirobako... I dunno, an animation studio doesn't sound very appealing as a setting for me.

Or an idols show? Like Love Live?

Nope, sorry. Idols are completely not my cup of tea.

In an different category: I find cooking anime like Sweetness & Lightning to be really relaxing.

Looks good. I might give it a chance, but I'd like to see what other options I have, first.

Oh, I found a thing that might be a little helpful! The Guide to Cute Girls doing Cute Things [https://myswordisunbelievablydull.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/guide-to-cute-girls-going-cute-things.jpg]

Thanks, but I already got it from someone else on one of the anime forums. I had a look at it, and it might prove useful to me, if not now then another day, as I generally like anime with female cast of characters.

 

[ninja666]

Not a show but have you seen Kiki's Delivery Service?

Yep, loved it.

Muv-Luv alternative. Trust me, its actually really cute and charming once you get past people getting eaten alive.

No, thanks. I'm looking for something more cheerful and less action-y right now.

 

[NPC009]

I've been seeing this series everywhere pretty much from the moment it started airing. Is it really that good? Also, is it what I'm looking for? When I asked around about it, people were telling me it's more of a comedy and the only moe thing in the whole show in that purple-haired loli.

Depends on what you find cute, I guess. Kanna, the cute tiny dragon gets a lot of screentime and is definitely the cutest part of the show, but the focus of the show lies on these extremely powerful dragons finding their place in the human world, and friendship and family play a huge role in that. So it's warm fuzzy feelings galore.

 

[ninja666]

the focus of the show lies on these extremely powerful dragons finding their place in the human world, and friendship and family play a huge role in that. So it's warm fuzzy feelings galore.

In that case, I might give it a watch. Something that will make me feel warm and fuzzy inside is pretty much what I'm seeking right now. Thanks.

 

[NPC009]

Oh, and I tried to remember if Ichigo Marshmallow takes place mostly outside of school, and if I recall correctly, it does. One of the main characters is an elder sister who watches after the girls, so that means not all that much school stuff. I think. It's been 10 years...

Oh, and I thought of something else that's probably a longshot, but maybe... My Love Story!!. It's a sugar coma inducingly sweet romance story of an unlikely couple. It basically throws shojo conventions out of the window by making the main character a by Japanese standards ugly guy, but he's really sweet and caring and me and my female friends were like "Kyaa^&$#*(*T This shit's so &%^&# adorable I can't breathe!"

 

[ninja666]

Oh, and I tried to remember if Ichigo Marshmallow takes place mostly outside of school, and if I recall correctly, it does. One of the main characters is an elder sister who watches after the girls, so that means not all that much school stuff.

Great. I'll add it to my list, then. Thanks.

Oh, and I thought of something else that's probably a longshot, but maybe... My Love Story!!. It's a sugar coma inducingly sweet romance story of an unlikely couple. It basically throws shojo conventions out of the window by making the main character a by Japanese standards ugly guy, but he's really sweet and caring and me and my female friends were like "Kyaa^&$#*(*T This shit's so &%^&# adorable I can't breathe!"

I'm not really a romance guy, so I don't think I'd like it. Sorry.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

Gochuumon wa usagi desu ka - story about a bunch of schoolgirls running a cafe with a bunny

Koufuku Graffiti - moe cooking show made by Shaft, top tier eating pleasure scenes

Gakkou Gurashi - Happy tale about girls spending the night at school

Rokyubu - basketball themed slice of life story, lots of what one could say fbi-inducing moments



I haven't seen the anime but the manga of ichigo marshmallow comes of a bit...lolicon-ish at least btw, so keep that in mind XD. (the sister is basically an insert for a creepy older dude, she's 16 but she smokes and all her habits and mannerisms reminded me of that lol, but it definitely is VERY funny, Miyu is top troll)

 

[ninja666]

Gochuumon wa usagi desu ka - story about a bunch of schoolgirls running a cafe with a bunny

Koufuku Graffiti - moe cooking show made by Shaft, top tier eating pleasure scenes

[...]

Rokyubu - basketball themed slice of life story, lots of what one could say fbi-inducing moments

I haven't seen the anime but the manga of ichigo marshmallow comes of a bit...lolicon-ish at least btw, so keep that in mind XD. (the sister is basically an insert for a creepy older dude, she's 16 but she smokes and all her habits and mannerisms reminded me of that lol, but it definitely is VERY funny, Miyu is top troll)

I've already seen GochiUsa (I even mentioned it in the OP), but I might check out the rest; they all look like fun times (in their own ways). And I ain't afraid of no FBI, so don't you worry about that.

Gakkou Gurashi - Happy tale about girls spending the night at school

I already know that one. You can't troll me with it anymore.

 

[Catnip1024]

Try Nichijou. I'm pretty sure it breaks like 4 of your criteria, but it is genuinely funny, doesn't do the stupid stereotypes and over-sexualisation that plagues a lot of anime, and doesn't drag much.

 

[Kae]

No school and no drama...

I've got nothing though that is mostly because I really enjoy drama so I don't have recommendations for feel good moe shows as I mostly don't watch those shows.

Though I must say I find it odd that you seek happy things when you are depressed, I crave sad stories when I'm depressed not happy ones.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Azumanga Daioh is pretty fantastic, but it has school girls in school, so... It has one of the cooler dream sequences though. It also has little girl abuse...


I guess if you don't mind reading manga you can try Yotsubato. It's from the same creator as Azumanga, but without the school setting. It's just watching this little girl bringing her lovely enthusiasm to everyday situations.

 

[Choppaduel]

https://myanimelist.net/anime/16417/Tamako_Market

Tamako Market is elemental sugar.

If you want more of a comedy, Nichijou is fantastic.

 

[ninja666]

Though I must say I find it odd that you seek happy things when you are depressed, I crave sad stories when I'm depressed not happy ones.

It depends mostly on my mood, really. There are times when all I want is darkness, sadness, and brooding atmosphere, too. However, there are times like this as well, when what I want is as much sugary cuteness, happiness, hugs, and good times as humanly possible.

Try Nichijou. I'm pretty sure it breaks like 4 of your criteria, but it is genuinely funny

Do you have any clips that would show off its humor the best? I'm asking because while I generally don't enjoy Japanese humor, sometimes there are exceptions to the rule, and Nichijou might be one of them.

Azumanga Daioh is pretty fantastic, but it has school girls in school, so... It has one of the cooler dream sequences though. It also has little girl abuse...

I've already seen it years ago, and don't really feel like rewatching it right now, even if I got over my dislike for school-oriented anime.

I guess if you don't mind reading manga you can try Yotsubato. It's from the same creator as Azumanga, but without the school setting. It's just watching this little girl bringing her lovely enthusiasm to everyday situations.

The premise sounds nice, but I'm looking strictly for anime. Sorry.

 

[PapaGreg096]

Not an anime series but We Bare Bears is sort of a cutesy slice of life show.

 

[Choppaduel]

Try Nichijou. I'm pretty sure it breaks like 4 of your criteria, but it is genuinely funny

Do you have any clips that would show off its humor the best? I'm asking because while I generally don't enjoy Japanese humor, sometimes there are exceptions to the rule, and Nichijou might be one of them.

Those clips sold me on the show when I was considering watching it years ago.

 

[Marik2]

Snow White with the Red Hair.

There was another anime that I cannot remember the name, but it was about a little Japanese girl visiting 16th century France.