We’re getting close to the first anniversary of the LiA Bespoke program. And I think it’s been quite a success – I’ve had the chance to write on some interesting topics I might otherwise not have, and it’s provided a small but meaningful boost to my efforts to keep the site financially viable. This project goes out thanks to the support of LiA patron Casey W. – thanks as always for all your support, Casey – and it certainly counts as an interesting one for me.
As usual with any “best of” or favorites request, there are challenges with this one (beyond the simple inevitability of forgetting some series and leaving them out). You’ve heard me talk about a certain “niche” on the schedule, and it’s easier to give examples of it than to define it. But a list like this forces me to try and do both. And to determine what series qualify, no easy task. We’re talking about series that represent a certain vibe, a feeling. Easy to watch, easy to take for granted maybe. They’re often but not always comedies, and the humor tends towards the cheeky style. A quality of wistfulness is common, and a lot of them seem to have Shinto connections. But I struggle to define the category more specifically than that.
The nebulous definition makes it challenging to determine what series I’d make eligible for this list. And I apologize for not being able to provide more specificity. Many of these series would commonly be called “slice of life” but that incredibly-overused moniker is not the essence of what I’m talking about here. Being too plot-driven seems to be a disqualifier in my mind, as does being overtly a drama. But these are mostly not gag series either – they seem to lean towards offbeat, observational humor. A relaxed tone is certainly a common trait. I considered a ton of series for this project, and I left some out despite them being on balance ones I’d rank ahead of some I included because they didn’t fit that niche. Whatever it is.
Anyway, that’s about the best I can do. Here’s the list:
- Shirokuma Cafe – A representative of the almost peerless class of Spring 2012, Polar Bear Cafe in many ways epitomizes what sort of series I’m talking about here. It’s episodic, but the relationships among the cast evolve over the course of its 50 episodes.
- Miira ni Kaikata – Quite a different specimen here. How to Raise a Mummy is only one cour, and rather more plot-heavy than Shirokuma, yet still a show full of warmth and cheeky humor that was incredibly easy to love (and hard not to).
- Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge – Tanaka-kun is Always Listless is an example of the arbitrary nature of this exercise. Why it, and not – for example – Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Monday ga Aru (which I also love)? I thought about whether this one was too conventionally structured, but in the end the tone of its comedy seemed too spot-on not to include it.
- Minami-ke – One might almost have put Minami-ke first on this list, because it’s probably at the head of the class for whatever it does. I tend to think it’s just slightly different than my Platonic ideal of the niche, which is why it isn’t #1, but it’s incredibly influential (read: much-copied) and one of the funniest anime comedies of all time.
- Gingitsune – A sadly under-appreciated series which uses Shinto mythology to keenly observe daily life. Gingitsune is as close as any series to fitting what this category signifies for me, if that’s any help.
- Senpai ga Uzai Kouhai no Hanashi – Workplace comedy is another fruitful sub-category of this niche, and My Sempai is Annoying is one of my favorites.
- Aharen-san wa Hakarenai – Romcom wasn’t a disqualifier for me here – if it was, Aharen-san would have been out – but it’s inarguably a different category. Only a certain type of romcom entered my deliberations, and Aharen-san is the epitome of that. If you know, you know.
- Koori Zokusei Danshi to Cool na Douryou Joshi – The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague is another workplace comedy that fits the niche like a glove. I don’t think I need to explain this one – it’s a perfect example.
- Tonari no Seki-kun – Okay, it’s half-length but I never said that was a consideration. Sort of a unique specimen but I think it fits because at heart it’s just a silly, easy to enjoy school life show that keenly observes the differences between boys and girls.
- Kyuujitsu no Warumono-san – This is not recency bias, as Mr. Villain’s Day Off is very much a representative example of the sort of show this list celebrates. Easy to enjoy but deeper than it seems at first glance.
Some series that narrowly missed: Nekogami Yaoyarozu, Youkai Apartment no Yuuga na Nichijou, Kyoukai no Rinne, Potemayo, and Kyoto Terramachi Sanjo no Holmes. And a couple that were certainly good enough but in the end just didn’t quite fit: Hoozuki no Reitetsu, Working, and the aforementioned Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga Aru.
geha714
February 21, 2024 at 9:41 pmVery interesting list. I wish we could have more Tanaka-kun and Seki-kun anime.
My personal addition to this list is a show I caught late last year: Non Non Biyori. It’s not just a vibe into itself, but happens to be entertaining, very funny and even brought tears at one point. 39 episodes and a movie that feel like a complete story well told and a cast of very likeable characters.
Ren-chon is probably the most well-known character of the show and she’s adorable but the entire cast is fantastic. Especially Natsumi (Ayane Sakura is the MVP of this show). Also I really liked Kaede (best girl, don’t @ at me) and her relationship with Renge. Silver Link does a great job with the animation which enhances the vibe factor along with the musical score (they use a version of Row Row Your Boat even if the show is set at the mountain side but fits perfectly). Highly recommended.
Guardian Enzo
February 21, 2024 at 10:05 pmI tried that one, but it really didn’t click for me. Too mannered and self-aware, maybe.
Collectr
February 21, 2024 at 10:49 pmHow about “soothes my soul after a hard week” as the category? These shows are warm, a bit fuzzy, with a slice-of-life component. Too strong a plot disqualifies a show, as does real violence. I might have added “Acchi Kocchi” to the list, although perhaps it had too much moe-pandering with Chibiki.
Shirokuma Cafe was my go-to stress-relief while it aired, and I’m delighted to see it lead the list. How I miss Polar Bear, Penguin, Panda, Miss Sasako, and all the rest! Mairimashita! Iruma-kun started out that way, during its goofy world-building phase, but it developed too much plot armor. The Serious Development™ is the curse of anime comedies in general and this genre in particular.
Guardian Enzo
February 21, 2024 at 11:05 pmIruma-kun is an interesting one. I agree, it kind of outgrew the category but not in either a good or bad way, just an evolution.
Acchi Kochi, see NNB comment above.
geha714
February 22, 2024 at 1:26 amI wasn’t much of a fan of Acchi Kocchi. Not just to moe-ish but also aimless and trying too much to be wacky.
Casey W
February 22, 2024 at 12:11 amWell I’m over the moon about this. Thanks, Enzo, I have months of shows to add to my queue now. Warumono-san is the only comedy I’m following this season and it absolutely belongs on the list.
It wouldn’t have occurred to me to include Aharen-san, but you’re right, it does have that Shirokuma mood. It’s funny, it’s cool, it’s only a little sentimental (and it earns it). And it’s a comedy before it’s a romantic comedy.
A few more that I’d toss into this hopper would be: Cool Doji Danshi, Atarashii Joushi wa Do Tennen, Tenchi Souzou Design-bu. Those ones are all more or less workplace shows, as is Shirokuma Cafe. I agree with Collectr’s comment: the shows in this category are all soul-soothing, and they all repair some of the damage incurred by having to do an actual stressful job all week, every week.
When we finished watching Shirokuma (all 50 episodes), at my house, we were really desperate for something else in that vein. I put on “Africa no Salaryman”… there’s some seiyuu overlap there and the setting seemed similar, but the tone was just awful and we turned it off after about 10 minutes.
Guardian Enzo
February 22, 2024 at 6:12 pmThank you for requesting it, it’s a very interesting category. All three of the ones you mention would be on my next tier list for sure – they all fit the niche.
Kim
February 22, 2024 at 7:46 amStill waiting for someone to license Shirokuma Cafe in the US. But I think the moment has sadly passed
Collectr
February 22, 2024 at 8:46 amThe CR subs were good, and Orphan did a Blu-ray release, from Japanese BDs, with full typesetting and OP/ED lyrics for all 15 songs. I personally wouldn’t be interested in a dub; the Japanese cast is a Who’s Who of famous seiyuu, even in small roles.
Guardian Enzo
February 22, 2024 at 9:25 amMy favorite Sakurai role, probably (maybe along with Fune wo Amu), and among my favorite Fukuyama roles (though Natsuyuki Rendezvous is probably #1 for me there). Some great seiyuu work in Shirokuma (including singing) by actors clearly having fun.
Nellie
February 22, 2024 at 3:32 pmIf we’re talking about cosy comfort shows, I’d add Skip and Loafer and Gakuen Babysitters to the mix (I’m still surprised that didn’t Skip and Loafer didn’t crack your top 20 last year, lol.)
Guardian Enzo
February 22, 2024 at 6:14 pmS & L didn’t miss the second 10 by much. I don’t think it quite fits this category for me though – a bit too plot-driven and conventional romcom in format.
Gakkuen Babysitters is a good call, one of those I mentioned that I was going to inevitably forget. Damn good series – the only question for me is whether it slots into the category. It does have a fair amount of drama but it’s also a very heartwarming series with a good bit of slice of life. Maybe.
Tanaka
February 22, 2024 at 10:46 pmRestless is something Tanaka-kun is surely never. 🙂
Guardian Enzo
February 22, 2024 at 10:54 pmThat’s one weird Freudian slip.
Riv
February 29, 2024 at 4:15 amHad not encountered Shirokuma Cafe before. Am watching it now and loving it. Many laugh out loud moments. Glad to have this list!
Guardian Enzo
February 29, 2024 at 8:53 amIt gets better as it goes. Enjoy the ride.
Este
March 4, 2024 at 1:28 amJust (and Finally) managed to get started on Shirokuma cafe, .. a dear sweetly soothing matter-of-factly bonkers piece of work that so effectively snuggles fittingly into a niche in one’s heart … 🙂 Thanks Enzo .. and Casey W for nudging this project along!