Anime isn’t a medium that’s particularly known for its realism. Superpowers, earth-shattering circumstances, and explosive battles are pretty much the norm in anime. Even some of the most realistic premises can become fantastical and bizarre in this medium.
However, there are quite a few anime that are realistic. While it’s nice to delve into worlds of fantasy and science fiction, it’s also comforting to see characters in the same circumstances as us. Some of these anime are considered part of the “slice of life” genre, while others simply handle their subject matters in a way that’s grounded in reality rather than fiction.
10 Haikyuu! Is One Of The Most Realistic Sports Anime
Not many people know that the author of Haikyuu!, Haruichi Furudate, actually played volleyball during junior and senior high as a middle blocker. Arguably, that could be why the series is so realistic. Regardless of the mangaka’s past, Haikyuu! is one of the most realistic sports anime.
While other sports anime rely on ridiculous and superhuman moves, Haikyuu! explains the fundamentals of volleyball by depicting everything realistically. Additionally, the anime doesn’t have any clear “antagonist,” so its character interactions feel more organic than others in the genre. Plus, Shoyo Hinata is a relatable protagonist who, despite his small stature, never gave up on being the best volleyball player he could be.
9 Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku Is Relatable For Older Anime Fans
While most anime takes place in high school and features a predominantly teenage cast, Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku is centered around young adults. Most of the cast are average office employees, so it’s certainly a refreshing choice for older fans of the medium.
This romance anime follows Narumi as she struggles to keep her obsession with anime hidden from her coworkers. Hirotaka, her love interest, doesn’t see a problem talking about these topics in the workplace. Ultimately, Narumi’s greatest struggle in the anime is maintaining a work-life balance. She feels that others would look down on her because of her hobbies, but Hirotaka accepts her for who she is.
8 Nana Does An Excellent Job Humanizing Its Characters
One of the downsides of most anime is that many of the characters aren’t entirely humanized. While they have many relatable and lovable qualities, there’s still a barrier between the character and the audience. Nana, however, does an excellent job humanizing its characters. It’s one of the best “slice of life” anime around.
Though it features a romance, it’s not the primary focus. Nana is so refreshing because it doesn’t only recognize a character’s strengths. It doesn’t fear veering into the darker parts of someone’s psyche and fleshing out all of their flaws. For that reason, fans are sure to see themselves in some of the characters. Plus, the soundtrack is impossible not to rock out to.
7 Banana Fish Tackles Several Difficult Issues
While there are plenty of anime with excellent social commentary, many opt to use supernatural circumstances as an analogy to a real-world problem. Banana Fish, however, portrays these issues through a practical lens. The anime tackles several challenging problems in a way that others in the medium wouldn’t dare to.
Ash and Eiji’s relationship feels grounded in reality. Ash comes from a background of volatility and crime, while Eiji was relatively sheltered for most of his life. Despite their differences, they found ways to connect and stuck together throughout the entire story. The anime is heartwrenching, and its subject matter isn’t for the faint of heart. Sometimes, fiction has to be dark and gritty to increase its realism. After all, our reality isn’t one with universally fair circumstances, so fiction needs to reflect it.
6 Usagi Drop Shows The Ups & Downs Of Fatherhood
After Daikichi’s grandfather passed away, he returns to his old home to pay his respects. However, he has to extend his visit upon meeting Rin, his grandfather’s illegitimate daughter. Rin believed she was a stain on the family’s name since relatives always treated her like a black sheep.
Angered by her treatment, Daikichi took Rin in, where the true plot of Usagi Drop begins. The anime is heartwarming and shows the ups and downs of fatherhood. Daikichi doesn’t have any parenting experience, but he’s trying his best to raise her in a loving environment. It’s a heartwarming anime that every “slice of life” fan should watch at least once.
5 A Diehard Otaku & An Office Employee With A Drinking Problem Collide In I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying
I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying is the perfect romantic comedy for fans looking for an older cast. The anime follows Hajime and Kaoru as they explore the ins and outs of marriage. Hajime is a classic hikikomori and diehard otaku, while Kaoru is an office employee who can’t quite handle her liquor.
They’re opposites, but they’re surprisingly compatible. This heartwarming anime shows what happens after the wedding, exposing the rollercoaster of love through an adult lens. The anime takes on these rather mundane topics with the addition of wacky antics and neverending tongue-in-cheek comedy.
4 Silver Spoon Shows The Reality Of Struggling To Find One’s Dream
While most anime start with a protagonist who is entirely sure of their convictions and goals, Silver Spoon starts in a different direction. This anime is more relatable than most because it shows the struggle of discovering what one’s dream truly is.
Yuugo is an average high school student who, despite his best efforts, can’t seem to live up to the expectations others set for him. He barely understands his dream, but he decides to enroll in an agricultural boarding school to get away from his parents. Yuugo quickly discovers just how difficult working in agriculture is, and starts to truly respect those who devoted their lives to the field.
3 Given Is One Of The Most Realistic Romance Anime
Given is one of the few romance anime that portrays mundane, everyday things without rose-colored lenses. Ritsuka and Mafuyu are the leading pair, and their relationship started when they bonded over their mutual love of music. Their relationship is down-to-earth and sweet, and it doesn’t rely on many tropes. They’re bandmates alongside Haruki and Akihiko, who are in a relationship. However, theirs is more tumultuous and chaotic at first – but it’s clear to see that they’re meant to be together.
The anime isn’t afraid to delve into the harsh realities of falling in love while coping with former relationship losses – a central theme for both couples. Additionally, since they’re all in a band, it’s refreshing to see that the anime doesn’t depict a band suddenly rising to stardom. Instead, it shows the realities that smaller artists face as they try to get their names out there.
2 Horimiya Strays From The Norms Of Romance Anime
Most romance anime relies on the buildup between two characters and ends after confessing. However, Horimiya does the opposite. It shows the confession between Miyamura and Hori early on and then fleshes out their relationship throughout the series. The two seem like opposites, but they’re just keeping their true selves a secret from the rest of the world. They act like a real couple – something that’s surprisingly uncommon in most romance titles.
The anime plays upon several classic tropes, but it reinvents them so that it’s not something the audience has seen a thousand times before. Another thing that makes this anime so unique compared to other romances is that it also elaborates on the relationships between its side characters.
1 A Silent Voice Shows The Consequences Of Bullying From The Perpetrator’s Perspective
A Silent Voice is a true tearjerker. It shows the consequences of bullying. The movie follows Ishida, a boy experiencing overwhelming guilt for his past of bullying Nishimiya – a deaf girl. All of Ishida’s old friends started ignoring him because nobody wanted to be associated with such a bully.
After transferring schools, he imagines X’s over his new classmates’ faces as a way to isolate himself further. A Silent Voice is revolutionary because, instead of further victimizing the target, it shows the perpetrator living with the consequences of their actions.
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