Best Slice of Life Anime of 2017

One morning, as Kobayashi prepares for work, she is startled to find a dragon's head peering at her from the balcony. The creature quickly transforms into a lively, curvaceous young woman dressed in a maid outfit who introduces herself as Tooru. The night prior, a drunk Kobayashi had encountered this dragon in the mountains and, out of pity, offered her a place to stay. Tooru has now arrived to honor that promise, eager to repay Kobayashi's kindness by serving as her maid. Although Kobayashi regrets her intoxicated decision and initially hesitates, she eventually allows Tooru to remain, driven partly by guilt and partly by Tooru's impressive dragon abilities. While Tooru proves capable in her duties, her unconventional methods often horrify Kobayashi and create more problems than they solve. Furthermore, Tooru's arrival on Earth stems from complex reasons, as she carries deep emotional burdens and painful past experiences. Complicating matters, Tooru's presence draws other mythical creatures to their home, each possessing unique quirks and personalities. As Kobayashi attempts to manage this chaotic household, she discovers she is ill-prepared for the challenges of living with a dragon maid.

In the frozen remnants of what was once a bustling city, the silence is broken only by the rumble of a motorcycle engine. Chito and Yuuri ride this bike as the last survivors of a ruined urban landscape. They search through abandoned military bases for supplies, moving through the dead terrain while pondering the mysteries of the past. Though they often face loneliness, their bond helps them endure their solitary existence as the final humans. Yuuri's cheerful clumsiness and Chito's calm demeanor bring small moments of brightness to their somber routine, whether through target practice, finding books, or playful snowball fights in the wintry battlefield. Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou unfolds across empty spaces and decaying buildings, telling a heartwarming story of two young women discovering hope in a bleak and fading world.

In a quiet corner of a Tokyo shopping district, Western Restaurant Nekoya offers a fusion of Japanese and Western dishes, beloved by its local customers. However, this seemingly ordinary café hides a secret: it opens its doors on Saturdays only for non-human visitors from various dimensions. Dragons, elves, fairies, and mages regularly drop by, creating a diverse clientele. The mysterious chef, known simply as "Master," warmly welcomes these guests, preparing their favorite meals and ensuring they return each week.

During Valentine's Day, Tohru tries to give Kobayashi chocolates laced with a love potion, but Kobayashi quickly sees through her scheme. Even so, Kobayashi ends up eating some of it after mixing it up with chocolate meant for Kanna, but the love potion is neutralized by the alcohol already present in that chocolate. Later on, Makoto invites everyone for a trip to a hot springs inn, where Tohru presents Kobayashi with ordinary chocolates. This is episode 14, which was not aired and comes included with the volume 7 BD/DVD release of Kobayashi-san Chi no Maidragon.

In "Natsume's Book of Friends Season 6," Takashi Natsume continues navigating his encounters with youkai, guided by the Book of Friends—a collection of youkai names bound by contracts made by his grandmother, Reiko Natsume. Through each interaction, Natsume gains insights into the youkai, his grandmother, and himself. The Book of Friends holds significant power over youkai, making it a coveted object among both youkai and exorcists. Despite his desire for a peaceful daily life, Natsume frequently faces disruptions due to its influence. To resolve these ongoing issues, Natsume must explore the depths of the book's secrets and the exorcist realm, while also learning to trust those who offer their support.

In the lively village of spirits, Yuzu, a cheerful and energetic fox girl, begins her first job as an attendant at the renowned hot springs inn, Konohanatei. With no prior experience in such a refined establishment, Kiri, the dependable and gentle head attendant, quickly guides her through the basics. Although Yuzu’s initial enthusiasm often leads to mistakes, her lively personality adds a distinctive charm to the inn, endearing her to both guests and coworkers despite her clumsy but sincere efforts. Under the guidance of her fellow fox attendants—the strict Satsuki, the easygoing Natsume, the sharp-tongued Ren, and the quiet Sakura—Yuzu gradually learns the skills of running an inn and becomes increasingly captivated by the magical atmosphere around her. Konohana Kitan tells the heartwarming story of a young fox girl building bonds with others and discovering her place in the enchanting world of spirits.

After finishing college, Yoshino Koharu, feeling let down by her rural upbringing, longs for a more thrilling life in Tokyo. But after failing to land a job there, she reluctantly accepts a temporary position as the "Queen" of the Kingdom of Chupakabura, a quirky tourist attraction in the small farming village of Manoyama. Upon arriving, she realizes she was mistaken for a celebrity, yet with no other options, she chooses to embrace the role in order to boost the town’s tourism. Determined to breathe new life into the fading village, Yoshino launches various projects that showcase Manoyama’s unique cultural treasures, collaborating closely with the local residents. Through these endeavors, "Sakura Quest" depicts a close-knit community grappling with the pressures of modernization while cherishing its deep-rooted traditions and communal bonds.

Following her move into a new apartment complex, Yui Hanasaka visits her neighbor as a courtesy. Learning that he is a senior at the university she plans to attend, she seeks his help in preparing for the entrance exams. Meanwhile, Natsuki Momohara journeys to Tokyo to visit her brother, who resides alone in an apartment. Additionally, aspiring vocalist Moka Aoshima reunites with her childhood friend, a budding novelist. Despite appearing unrelated, these narratives converge through a shared element: the intertwining threads of destiny will bring together those destined to meet, all centered around one particular apartment room.

Driven by a desire to forge their own identity separate from the idols who inspired them, the members of Aqours push forward with renewed determination to succeed as school idols. Their previous performance brought a modest uptick in applications for their struggling school, and they are eager to build on this small victory through the upcoming open house and the next Love Live competition. To draw more attention to their institution, the team commits themselves to delivering their best performances. Despite their efforts, the incremental progress fails to sway Mari Ohara's father from his plans. In spite of Mari's heartfelt pleas, the decision to close the school remains firm, halting all new student admissions at Uranohoshi Girls' High School, including for the open house. Though the situation seems grim, Aqours refuses to give up. Faced with daunting obstacles, the group continues to sing, dance, and radiate hope, striving to spark a miraculous change of events.

Hinako Sakuragi, often called Hina, grew up in rural Japan and suffers from severe anxiety around strangers, frequently becoming completely unable to move. After being inspired by a theatrical performance she saw during a school trip, Hina resolves to conquer her fears by pursuing theater. She moves to Tokyo, takes up residence at Hitotose Manor, and enrolls at Fujiyama High School with the goal of joining its well-known theater club. Upon arriving, Hina learns that Fujiyama High's theater club has been inactive for a long time. Feeling adrift after her move to Tokyo and the start of school, she is uncertain how to proceed. Witnessing Hina’s distress and her passion for theater, Chiaki Hagino—the owner of Hitotose Manor—suggests that Hina form her own troupe using the manor’s other residents as her actors. The story of "Hinako Note" follows Hina’s journey as she becomes accustomed to city life, learns the fundamentals of theater, and gains support from her newly made friends.

Specials included with the BD/DVD release of Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon.

In a world where only supernatural creatures exist, Himeno, a timid and kind-hearted centaur, navigates her everyday life. At her school, where each student possesses distinctive magical traits such as horns, wings, tails, or halos, Himeno enjoys a joyful and largely ordinary school life alongside her closest companions, Nozomi and Kyouko.

In "Free!: Take Your Marks," set between "Free!: Eternal Summer" and "Free!: Dive to the Future," four separate tales follow the graduating seniors through their final summer before they head off to new paths. "Unmei no Choice!" (Destined Choice!) centers on Haruka Nanase and Makoto Tachibana as they look for a new apartment in Tokyo where Haruka can settle down. "Hitou no Cooling Down!" (Cooling Down at the Secret Hot Spring!) focuses on Aiichiro Nitori, who picks out a graduation present for Rin Matsuoka and Sousuke Yamazaki, and Momotaro Mikoshiba, who wins tickets to the Anago Hot Springs. Hoping for a group getaway, Aiichiro and Momotaro invite Rin and Sousuke to join them. "Kessoku no Batafurai!" (United Butterfly!) showcases Rei Ryugazaki, Nagisa Hazuki, and Gou Matsuoka as they produce a recruitment video to draw new members to the swim club for the upcoming school year. "Tabidachi no Etanaru Buru!" (Departing Eternal Blue!) follows the Iwatobi and Samezuka swim teams as they arrange a surprise farewell party for Rin, marking his departure for Australia.

Yuuko Konagai is a shy and socially awkward high school student who leads a quiet life, achieving average grades and having few classmates she can call friends. To escape the monotony of her daily routine, she returns home to find her talking cats, Maa, Shi, and Ro, waiting for her. These feline companions possess human-like forms and distinct personalities, giving Yuuko the affection and companionship she desires. Nyanko Days portrays the heartwarming moments between Yuuko and her charming cat friends as they share joyful experiences and strengthen their bonds over time.

Inaba Yuushi lost his parents during middle school and went to live with his relatives, who cared for him but made him feel like a burden. When he graduated, he was excited to start high school in a dormitory, but the dorm burned down just before he could move in. Unwilling to impose further on his reluctant family, Yuushi struggles to find affordable housing. His search leads him to an appealing old building that seems too good to be true. The catch is that it's a Monster House, where humans and yokai share living space. Yuushi meets Akine, a fellow high school student who finds the supernatural residents perfectly normal and can even exorcise evil spirits. Yuushi's high school experience takes an unexpected turn, becoming far stranger than he imagined.

On a sweltering summer afternoon, Takashi Natsume and his feline companion Madara venture out to buy jelly. A speeding truck suddenly passes them, running over an old man in a mask who calls out to Natsume for help. It turns out that the injured individual is a youkai, the spirit of a Suzunaru tree that was recently destroyed by lightning. As the tree's life fades, the youkai pleads with Natsume to fulfill his final wish: to receive daily water until his death. Meanwhile, Tamami, a young girl, walks through a forest counting her steps according to directions on a piece of paper. Taking a break to rest, she falls asleep but is abruptly awakened by a peculiar talking cat. Through her interactions with the cat and its human friend Natsume, Tamami learns that the forest harbors a hidden world where unseen entities become visible. Trusting the pair, she shares her tale of assisting a white owl, which later appeared in her dreams to lead her back into this extraordinary forest.

One Night Sake Cup While returning from an errand, Takashi Natsume becomes lost in the forest. He is helped by a pair of traveling youkai who make a living crafting sake cups. After drinking water from one of their cups, called the "One Night Cup," Natsume suddenly feels a surge of energy. The cup temporarily enhances the flavor of any drink, but its effects only last until morning. The next day, Natsume attends a youkai gathering with his devoted protector, the sake-loving Madara, a plump cat youkai, and gets a rare chance to learn about making sake cups. Party of Fun & Games Feeling regretful for quickly turning down an invitation to a banquet from Madara, Natsume grows curious and follows the cat to a run-down mansion. There, he senses the unsettling presence of many youkai. Meeting the charming youkai Hinoe, he learns the abandoned house is used as a hide-and-seek arena where the winner controls a valley. Unable to find Madara, Natsume begins having strange dreams about the mansion, now seeing himself as part of the game.

Cocoa returns to her family home in the mountains after a long absence, prompted by a letter from her sister Mocha urging her to come back soon. While Cocoa is away, her friends spend a week in town without her, and Cocoa enjoys time with the family she hasn't seen in a while. But Chino, who considers herself Cocoa's little sister, wants to attend the upcoming fireworks festival with Cocoa and all their friends, which is less than a week away. Missing everyone, Cocoa decides to cut her visit short and head back early, but can she make it in time for the festival's grand finale?

Room Mate is a first-person anime viewed through the eyes of a female protagonist who lives opposite three male neighbors.

The Blu-ray exclusive episode, which was not aired, returns to the initial sequences with the three girls, now presenting them in swimsuits instead of their regular clothing.

At Ayanagi Academy's new semester, Yuuta Hoshitani and his classmates from Team Ootori are getting ready for the yearly school production titled "Shadow and Lights." As second-years in the Musical Department, taking part in this event is mandatory. Out of the department's twenty-five students, only five will be picked for training roles, which allow them to perform alongside the graduating seniors. These positions are extremely coveted because they boost a student's status within the department and could open the door to joining the prestigious Kao Council. Although every student hopes to land one of these prized spots, Riku Ageha of Team Yuzuriha stands out as a likely candidate for the part of Alexis' Shadow. Motivated by how a former Ayanagi graduate portrayed Alexis, Ageha has dedicated years to perfecting his craft in the hope of being chosen for that role. Hoshitani, on the other hand, has limited background in performing arts and is at a clear disadvantage. With support from the "Ancients"—ex-members of the Kao Council and alumni of Ayanagi—the second-year students work hard to pursue their ambitions and reach for stardom.

During her summer break, Morina Nanase takes on a part-time job as a waitress at Trattoria Festa, a cozy Italian restaurant near her home. She quickly settles into her new role. But her work brings her into contact with a range of quirky coworkers and unfamiliar Italian dishes. From spicy penne arrabbiata to rich tiramisu and savory caponata, the menu offers variety. Follow Morina's journey as she gets to know her colleagues and serves tasty Italian food to her customers with a cheerful spirit.

An unaired episode bundled with the seventh Blu-ray volume of the Amanchu! anime series.

On the last day of summer vacation, Kokona Aoba looks forward to spending quality time with her mother, but those plans are unfortunately called off because of work. Deciding to head outdoors instead, she walks along a familiar route—one where cherished memories appear at every turn. Later, during the middle of autumn, Hinata Kuraue and Aoi Yukimura flip through a scrapbook from their childhood. While poking around in Aoi's room, Hinata discovers that she has kept a peculiar acorn as a memento, though she cannot recall the reason behind it. As the discovery lingers in her mind, a flood of old memories surfaces, prompting her to reflect on a forgotten incident from her youth. From time spent with loved ones to promises made in the past, Yama no Susume: Omoide Present follows the three girls as they treasure old memories while creating new ones to remember.

Once popular across the country, local heroines—superhero characters who promote their towns through stage shows—thrived. Among them, Kamidaio was especially famous. Mikan Kise’s younger sister Yuzu was thrilled to see Kamidaio perform in their small town of Hinano. But when they arrived, Mikan discovered the show had been canceled, leaving Yuzu upset. Determined to keep her promise, Mikan asked her classmate An Akagi, an ardent fan of local heroines, for help. Together, Mikan and An staged an impromptu Kamidaio performance in homemade costumes. Though not professional, it delighted the watching children. The student council president, Misaki Shirogane—who came from a politically influential family and aimed to revitalize Hinano—captured the act on video. Impressed by their dedication, Misaki recruited Mikan and An to become the town’s official local heroines. With support from a lively group of people, the trio worked hard to polish their shows and bring joy to their community.

Unaired episode included with the 7th BD volume of BanG Dream!. Following Poppin'Party's success at Space, the girls go to the beach for relaxation and fun. They spend their time in the sun swimming, playing volleyball, and naturally putting on a performance for other beachgoers.

After a period of unrest and coup fears in the Kingdom of Dowa, a time of political calm has finally come. Jean Otus and Lotta Otus now pass their days in relaxed talks with their good friend Niino, smoking and drinking together. In spite of this peace, they remain watchful against any possible danger to Dowa. Even the top officials of ACCA seem to be savoring this hard-won stability.

The characters of Code Geass create a time capsule.

The story of this heartwarming anime centers on the two title characters, Escha and Chron, whose personalities are as different as the sun and the moon. Both women come from a future post-apocalyptic world called Terminal, which is barren and devoid of color. They cross between worlds and end up in the present day, which they refer to as Transit. While Escha and Chron take in the light of the scenery and the sounds of music from the real world, the future world of Terminal slowly transforms into a more vibrant place.

The fourth installment of Ameiro Cocoa. The Hawaiian coffee shop Rainy Cocoa is having financial difficulties, prompting the owner Amami to bring back a Shiba Inu named Nana as a mascot. It emerges that Nana possesses a unique talent for detecting quality coffee by scent.

Usami Ichika and her friends decide to enter a famous sweets competition taking place in France. Lately, Ciel has been acting strangely, making it hard for her to cook and even transform into a Cure. When they arrive at the competition venue, they meet a pastry chef named Jean-Pierre, who turns out to have taught Ciel how to bake back in Paris. Ichika gets an idea: why not have Ciel and Jean create a nostalgic dessert called Mille-feuille for the contest? But as they start cooking, a mysterious monster attacks Jean-Pierre! Furthermore, they discover that Paris holds the secret to the ultimate sweet ever created! What's going on〜!?

A collaboration between the eye drop brand My Tear CL, which was advertising their new "Ice Crash" product, and the production crew behind Uchiage Hanabi and Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka?, produced one television commercial and two web-only advertisements, as well as various associated merchandise. Though the distribution channels differed, the visual content stayed identical across all three ads; only the narration varied. The footage was taken from a feature film, which is why MAL classified the campaign as a single episode—since each release did not contain distinct new anime material.

Set in the realm of "Puchuu" rather than outer space (uchuu), this movie launches the first-ever "Puchuu tour" in PriPara history. As the PriPara idols travel across the solar system, they encounter many wonders. Yet their path is filled with obstacles, making their journey far from simple. Can the idols successfully overcome these trials and find their way back to Earth?

Second Season of Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Yousei no Door.

Anime director Tensho revealed on Saturday that he has established a new animation studio called Bibury Animation Studio. The studio takes its name from the English village of Bibury. The studio has launched a website, which features an original promotional video for the studio.

Mari Hirakura has been part of the workforce for nearly a decade. She frequently talks with her friends about careers, marriage, getting older, and family life, but she views the difficulties others encounter as intricate and diverse. Even though she puts in her best effort every day, she continues to question whether she is truly satisfied with herself.

The story follows the daily life of the baby spotted seal Goma-chan and its owner, schoolboy Ashibe Ashiya.

A 3DCG short screened alongside Kirakira☆Precure A La Mode Movie: Paritto! Omoide no Mille-Feuille!.

An animated short produced by studio GYORAI EIZO through crowdfunding, created for the Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau's subway promotional initiative, the Get on! Kyoto City Subway campaign. The story follows three high school girls as they travel around Kyoto using the Kyoto City Subway system. Originally released in May 2017, it later had a theatrical run from December 23rd, 2017 to January 5th, 2018, and was subsequently uploaded to the official YouTube channel in May 2018.

The story revolves around the Hinobori brothers—three siblings who operate a plush toy store named Nui Nui, situated on the outskirts of Tokyo's Kappabashi shopping district. The oldest, Kaede, acts as the shop's manager; Aoi, the second brother, handles pattern design; and the youngest, Akane, is in charge of organizing the store's displays.

Tokiko-san works at Chuukyou Television Broadcasting, a legitimate broadcasting company that features anime programming. Her job involves designing quizzes, brain teasers, and puzzles, especially matchstick riddles. The story explores her puzzle-making methods, along with her backstory, family life, and personal traits that influenced her career, with a focus on her compulsive need for order.

The video follows Miki and Kazuki, two individuals struggling in their respective careers. Miki's bakery is failing to attract customers, and her desserts lack a certain something. Meanwhile, Kazuki is tasked with a curry-related report for his company, only to be told by a coworker that his approach is flawed. After shadowing this coworker to uncover his secrets, Kazuki accompanies him to a pachinko parlor and a sushi shop. Simultaneously, Miki and her friend traverse the city, visiting a fashion show, the same pachinko parlor, and a restaurant. Following a conversation with his coworker, Kazuki recalls drawing a red sky as a child, a time when he did not worry about being different from others. Miki's friend advises her that courage is required to generate original ideas. This prompts Miki to remember watching her father shovel snow during her childhood, when he taught her that enduring bothersome tasks is necessary to persevere through struggles and achieve goals. Miki begins experimenting with various recipes while Kazuki conducts field research. By tapping into their creativity and originality, both characters ultimately succeed in their professions.

Set in the village of Sylvania, the story centers on Chocolate Usagi-chan, Kurumi Risu-kun, along with their friends and families.

A web anime created for the Dotwan dog food company. The episode illustrates the daily life of a family and their dog.

In "Hello Kitty & Friends: Let's Learn Together," Hello Kitty and her sister Mimmy love discovering and learning new things, especially when they can share those experiences with their friends. Whether it's caring for flowers, refining dance moves, or understanding the finer points of etiquette, they find joy in expanding their knowledge of the world around them.

The 4th season of Ukkari Pénélope.