Best Slice of Life Anime of 2016

A chronic lack of energy defines Tanaka's daily existence at high school. Known for his apathetic attitude and ability to fall asleep anywhere, Tanaka views each day as a dull repetition of the last, striving to maintain his laid-back routine while shunning any extra exertion. Supported by his dependable friend Oota, who handles duties Tanaka refuses to touch, this lethargic teen constantly encounters disruptions that challenge his quest for a tranquil, undisturbed life.

After losing his wife, Kouhei Inuzuka struggles to properly care for his young daughter Tsumugi, relying on convenience store food due to his poor cooking skills and demanding job as a teacher. Wanting to give Tsumugi healthier meals, Kouhei agrees to join his student Kotori Iida for dinner at her family’s restaurant. When they arrive, they find the restaurant often closed because Kotori’s mother works away from home, leaving Kotori to eat alone. Despite this, Kotori insists, and Kouhei continues bringing Tsumugi there regularly. Together, they enjoy cooking and sharing homemade meals with Kotori. Amaama to Inazuma tells the heartwarming story of a devoted father trying to bring happiness to his daughter’s life through cooking, exploring the warmth and importance of family and home-cooked meals often taken for granted.

In accordance with witch customs, apprentices must leave their families at age 15 to live independently and further their magical education. Makoto Kowata, a young witch, leaves her home in Yokohama to embark on this journey, accompanied by her familiar, a black cat named Chito. She heads to Aomori, known among witches for its natural beauty and strong magical presence, and moves in with her second cousins, Kei Kuramoto and his younger sister, Chinatsu. While Makoto outwardly appears to lead a normal high school life, her unique approach to magic sets her apart from her classmates. Her days are filled with the peculiarities of witchcraft, such as meetings with an anthropomorphic dog fortune-teller and unconventional magical training sessions with her older sister, Akane. These experiences enrich her daily life, blending the ordinary with the magical, and she shares these adventures with her friends and family.

Season 5 of Natsume's Book of Friends follows Takashi Natsume, who can see youkai but conceals this ability to keep peace with his family and friends. Still, he shows kindness to gentle spirits and uses the Book of Friends from his grandmother Reiko to give them back their names. The Matoba clan of exorcists keeps pursuing Natsume because of his powers. But he refuses their offers, aware that unlike his ally Shuuichi Natori, most exorcists do not respect youkai—they just seal any spirit they meet. Frustrated by Natsume's rejection, Seiji Matoba compels him to attend a major assembly of influential exorcist families. Facing dangers from both humans and youkai, Natsume firmly stands against the exorcists' brutal methods and clings to his belief that humans and spirits can live together.

Chika Takami has always considered herself an ordinary girl with no special skills or involvement in any school clubs. That changes when she travels to Tokyo and discovers the world of school idols—a stage where normal students can shine brightly. Inspired by the legendary idol group μ's, Chika decides to create a school idol club at Uranohoshi Girls' High School, a small institution in her seaside hometown. However, her plans hit a wall when the student council president, Dia Kurosawa, firmly opposes the new club. When all seems hopeless, Chika meets Riko Sakurauchi, a transfer student from Otonokizaka High School, where μ's once performed. Although Riko is shy and reserved, she has impressive piano talent, making her a perfect fit for Chika’s dream. But persuading Riko to join is no easy task. Despite these difficulties, Chika remains determined to build a school idol group that can live up to the brilliance of the nine members of μ's.

In "Tawawa on Monday," a salaryman called Oniisan rides the train alongside high school student Ai-chan every Monday to protect her from unwanted attention during their commute. Though they exchange only limited conversation, they build a connection and learn about each other's daily habits. To help lift Oniisan's mood at the start of the week, Ai-chan gives him small motivational gifts. Likewise, other girls who share a particular charming trait also work to brighten the Mondays of their male companions, making the tough beginning of the workweek a bit easier to endure.

Since time immemorial, "Kanojo" and her cat Daru have been constant companions. Now in her third year of college, her roommate Tomoka—who had lived with her for eighteen months—moves out, leaving the apartment empty. To keep her housing, Kanojo must secure a job. From his feline vantage point, Daru watches over her daily struggles, anxiously awaiting her return each night. When she comes home, it is once again just Kanojo and her cat. This warm, concise series examines the bond between a cat and its owner.

Souta Tawara leaves behind the chaos of Tokyo, returning to his hometown in Kagawa Prefecture, where the memories of his family remain despite their absence. When he visits his childhood home and the family-run udon shop, he discovers a small, disheveled boy sleeping inside the restaurant. At first, Souta simply gives the boy some food and clothes without much thought. But then the child suddenly develops furry ears and a tail, revealing himself to be the legendary shape-shifting tanuki that has lived in Kagawa for centuries. Feeling compassion for the seemingly lonely being, Souta decides to take the boy in and names him Poko. "Poco's Udon World" follows the growing relationship between Souta and Poko. As they spend more time together, Souta reflects on his past, the home he left behind for city life, and his connection with his father.

College student Chitose Karasuma wants to escape an ordinary adult existence and enrolls in a voice acting training school. Her fierce personality helps her get into "Number One Produce," a seiyuu agency run by her older brother, Gojou. Believing she has what it takes to be a star, Chitose grows frustrated when she keeps landing only minor roles. While clashing with other agency members—among them a sly airhead and a girl with a Kansai dialect—Chitose comes to understand that making it in this cutthroat industry demands far more than she ever imagined.

Futaba Ooki, originally from a busy city, documents her everyday life through smartphone photos. After relocating to a seaside town, she looks out at the vast ocean and becomes mesmerized by its endless charm. Hikari Kohinata, a local who loves diving, notices Futaba's reflective moment. The next day, finding themselves in the same class, Hikari is intrigued by Futaba's quiet nature and gives her the nickname Teko, gently guiding her toward a growing friendship. Struggling to adjust to her new, slower-paced life, Futaba slowly gets pulled into Hikari's lively world and enthusiasm for diving. Together, they decide to join their school's diving club, led by their homeroom teacher, Mato Katori. With Hikari's encouragement, Futaba works toward getting her diving certification, discovering fresh friendships and adventures along the way.

After losing his mother, elementary school student Chihiro Komiya finds himself homeless and orphaned. His luck changes when he meets Madoka Takatori, a wealthy and easygoing man who turns out to be his long-lost uncle. Madoka offers Chihiro a place to stay, but the mansion is a mess when they arrive. Driven by his obsession with cleanliness, Chihiro takes it upon himself to clean the entire property. In this lighthearted comedy, Chihiro ends up wearing a frilly maid outfit made by his uncle, getting paid, and working as the household's maid.

In life, some people are fortunate enough to have a trusted person to rely on when times get tough, providing warmth and reassurance no matter the difficulty. A few are especially blessed to freely embrace their loved one, always certain a close companion will stand by them through any hardship. Honobono Log portrays the everyday joys and challenges of couples and families, making it a favorite among romantic comedy fans who appreciate its recognizable moments.

Tennomifune Academy is known for hosting exceptionally talented and intelligent students, but it also houses a peculiar class designated as the "Happiness Class" (Class 1-7). This class is designed to help each student conquer their individual difficulties and achieve genuine happiness. After entering the academy, An Hanakoizumi, Ruri Hibarigaoka, and Botan Kumegawa are placed into the Happiness Class, where they continually contend with persistent misfortune, tangled interpersonal dynamics, and physical ailments. Joined by their classmates, they cooperate to surmount these hurdles and strive for a more satisfying and cheerful life.

Above an ordinary kitchen counter, a bunch of plump yellow bananas hangs peacefully. Suddenly, one of the long fruits starts to quiver, at first gently but then more intensely, until it finally breaks free from the cluster. With a smooth fall, the curved fruit carefully peels off its golden skin, revealing a surprising sight beneath its solid exterior: a cat! This mysterious cat-fruit hybrid is known as Bananya. Cheerful and gentle, this adorable creature dreams of one day becoming a tasty chocolate-dipped banana. Alongside the other bananas, this kitty wrapped in yellow lives each day without a care, enjoying a calm and peaceful existence as it explores the world around it.

Hane Sakura has a tough time getting to school, struggling each morning to pedal her bicycle up a steep hill. One day, she encounters Onsa Amano, a passionate motorcycle enthusiast, who introduces her to the school's motorcycle club. The club is led by the quiet and composed Raimu Kawasaki. Even though Sakura has no experience with motorcycles, she becomes determined to learn how to ride and recapture the excitement she felt during her first biking experience. With the support of her friends—Baita, a talking motorcycle; Rin Suzunoki, a dedicated Suzuki fan; Hijiri Minowa, a wealthy student who wants to act like a delinquent; and professional racer Chisame Nakano—Sakura works toward getting her motorcycle license. Along the way, she discovers both the joys and challenges of motorcycling.

Maeda has just relocated to a new apartment and is getting settled when Chie Satonaka, a cute middle school student, suddenly appears in his room, announcing herself as his new landlord. This catches Maeda off guard, as he hadn't expected such a young landlord. His joy increases when Reiko Shirai, an attractive woman from the neighboring unit, comes over to introduce herself as his neighbor. In "Landlord is in Puberty!", the daily life of Maeda and his new neighbors unfolds, with each day bringing unexpected events and strengthening their connections.

This unaired episode comes bundled with the tenth manga volume. In the countryside of Asahigaoka, life proceeds at its own unhurried rhythm. Lacking both the thrills and stresses of a big city, this little village might initially seem dreadfully uninteresting. But despite residing so far from her native Tokyo, Hotaru Ichijou has found a circle of friends to share meaningful moments with. Whether it is winter, spring, summer, or autumn, they make the most of everything the natural world around them has to offer.

In the Blu-ray release of Getsuyoubi no Tawawa, two special episodes were included. The first episode is titled Ukkarimono daga Aisare Jouzu no Kawaii Kouhai, and the second is called Ai-chan to Private Film.

The first episode begins with Ai practicing on a gondola alongside Akari. While navigating a canal, they run into Aika and Alice. Since becoming Prima undines, the three have rarely had time to meet. Considering even the brief moments they share a "miracle," Akari recalls a particular incident and tells Ai about it. The second episode starts with Ai relating a story to Akari about a "miracle" she encountered during her own practice. While traveling down an unfamiliar route, she caught sight of Cait Sith. After stepping off her gondola to chase it, she comes across two Single undines from Himeya company and Orange Planet who are in the middle of a practice session.

One of the greatest joys of having a close circle of friends is knowing there are always a few guardian angels looking out for you. When Shinobu finds herself responsible for both writing the script and sewing the costumes for a school festival play, her classmates quickly realize she may have taken on more than she can handle—or rather, more than she can write and stitch. Fortunately for the success of Shinobu's theatrical endeavor, Alice, Yoko, and Aya are eager to lend a hand, offering a chance to look back on their shared memories from the days before Alice arrived. Will everything come together in time, or will the audience be in stitches for all the wrong reasons as the costumes fall apart onstage?

Yume Nijino enrolls at the prestigious Four Stars Academy, where the legendary S4 idol group trains. As a freshman, she searches for her own special gift among the four fields of beauty, singing, dancing, and acting. The road ahead is tough, demanding that the new students come together, sharpen their individual talents, and conquer their shortcomings. During the first-year showcase, Yume delivers an impressive performance but later cannot recall anything from the stage, leaving her confused about what her true talent might be. Her path changes when she encounters Rola "Laura" Sakuraba, sparking a friendly rivalry that pushes both girls to improve through training. Although each student follows their own approach, they all share the same goal: earning a place among the top S4 idols. Reaching that coveted rank requires not only hard work and persistence but also teamwork and collaboration.

Computer-generated short vignettes from the Flying Witch series, initially released on the official VAP YouTube channel, and later included with the Blu-ray and DVD releases.

This collaboration project between Suntory and Kimi no Na wa consists of several commercials. In the "Mitsuha no Omoi" (Mitsuha's Thoughts) advertisement, Mitsuha Miyamizu is shown drinking SUNTORY Minami Alps Tennensui Yogurina, a yogurt-flavored mineral water. The "Taki no Omoi" (Taki's Thoughts) advertisement features Taki Tachibana drinking SUNTORY Minami Alps Tennensui, a plain mineral water. Finally, the "Kasanaru Omoi" (Overlap Thoughts) advertisement presents Taki and Mitsuha sharing their feelings through overlapping dialogue, accompanied by extra footage and an original song.

The final movie of a four-part finale of Tamayura.

Bundled with the 7th and 9th volumes of the Bakuon!! manga.

To mark the occasion of the Flying Witch anime, its initial Blu-ray and DVD set featured an exclusive extra episode titled Flying Witch Petit.

Kodansha's Morning magazine has unveiled a new 3D CG anime adaptation of Kanata Konami's slice-of-life manga, Chi's Sweet Home, as revealed in its combined 22nd and 23rd issues released on April 28.

After their victory at the Ayanagi Festival, Yuuta Hoshitani and the rest of Team Ootori celebrate the start of their final semester as first-year students at Ayanagi Academy. Their joy is cut short when Itsuki Ootori's removal from the Kao Council causes Team Ootori to lose recognition as a Star Team, stripping them of their privileges and preventing them from taking part in the upcoming graduation ceremony. Determined to restore their mentor's standing, Hoshitani and his teammates come up with a plan to convince the Kao Council to reinstate Ootori in his former position.

Nozomu Tokura, Aoi's older brother, has become the manager of the Hawaii branch. With new characters joining the team, the question remains whether he can successfully open the store.

Episode 8.5, which was released with the third volume of the BD/DVD.

The story takes place in a port town in Miyagi Prefecture, where 13-year-old Hina Satou, an avid figure skater, lives with her father in temporary housing after losing her mother in the 2011 earthquake. Despite being burdened by painful memories of the disaster and precious recollections of her kind mother, the optimistic Hina continues to chase her dreams.

In this movie, the Legendary Dress Audition takes place on a tropical island. Nijino Yume and her companions are tasked with locating hidden dresses that are rumored to be concealed somewhere across the island.

Mirai and her companions travel to the Magical World to take part in the Wishing Stone Festival, a once-in-a-century event where the legendary stone fulfills the wish of one fortunate attendee. When a mysterious bear wizard separates Mirai and Mofurun, Mofurun's own wish is granted, leading to a series of comedic and chaotic events.

This short film is part of McDonald's "Crew ni Narou. Campaign" (Join the Crew. Campaign), designed to recruit part-time restaurant staff. It follows the coming-of-age story of Sumire, a new crew member.

An event adapted into a film, with Ichigo Hoshimiya as the director and Akari Oozora, the idol who recently became the Starlight Queen, as the main heroine. It is a slapstick story centered on locating a single Aikatsu! Card, featuring the final stage of the 25 idols.

Short specials included with the Bakuon!! BD/DVD volumes.

This is a multimedia character collaboration between Sega Toys and Sanrio, encompassing a TV anime, merchandise, books, a game, and events. Within the franchise's narrative, Fairilu are fairies originating from flowers, insects, mermaids, or other beings, all born from Farilu Seeds. Each Fairilu comes into existence with a unique key, and must seek out and unlock the door that matches that key. Upon passing through these doors, the Fairilu undergo maturation. The doors also have a connection to the human world.

Falulu is far away in the core of the PriPara world within Puransu. The sparkle is vanishing from the sacred idol ground PriPara, so Falulu sends an SOS call to Laala and her friends. If the sparkle does not return, the PriPara world itself will cease to exist. Laala and her companions try to assist Falulu, joining forces to protect the PriPara world.

This collection of short films showcases the cultural highlights of Saga Prefecture. In "Yakusoku no Utsuwa - Arita no Hatsukoi," the story takes place in the town of Arita, presenting a youthful romance that brings out the appeal of the Arita area. Meanwhile, "Fuyu no Chikai, Natsu no Matsuri - Takeoshi no Dai-Kusunoki" is set in the city of Takeoshi, where a young boy and girl grow up beneath the constant presence of a large camphor tree, representing continuity throughout the changing seasons and the flow of time.

Cure Miracle and Cure Mofurun begin a magic lesson for their viewers, but soon lose focus and start fooling around. Their playful behavior spirals into disorder, forcing Cure Miracle to ask the audience for help in getting things back under control with Mofurun.

A short animation created to celebrate Kyoto Animation reaching 50,000 Twitter followers.

Genki-kun uses mechanized transplanters to plant eighty thousand rice seedlings in a tranquil field situated at the edge where the mountains meet the plains.

This manga takes place in Matsuyama City, located in Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku Island, during the Showa 40s era (1965–1975). The Onda household consists of Sachiko, the older sister who is a passionate devotee of idol Hiromi Dō; her younger brother Takushi, who is dreadful at arithmetic; their father Yoshito, a factory worker and Yomiuri Giants baseball fan; their mother Natsuko, who dreams of building a house for the family; and the newest family member—a cat named Mii.

Through the obi of the eighth compiled volume of Takayuki Mizushina's Itoshi no Muco manga, it was announced on a Friday that an original anime DVD will be released in spring 2016. This DVD will come bundled with a limited edition of the manga's ninth volume.

The show follows the everyday adventures of twin bear sisters Lulu, who has orange fur, and Lolo, with her yellow fur. The pair try out different jobs, and though they sometimes fail and cry, they always do their best.

Animated advertisements produced for the Nishitetsu Group (Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd.), available for viewing on the company’s official YouTube channel.

Pochi Hana follows a young girl named Hana and her dog Pochi. Ayaka Miyamoto created this piece as her graduation project while she was a student in the Department of Image Arts at Kobe Design University.