Best Slice of Life Anime of 2022

Tooru Kirishima, known in criminal circles as "The Demon of Sakuragi" for his willingness to use violence, takes on a new assignment after nearly endangering a key peace agreement. His boss orders him to take care of Yaeka Sakuragi, the boss's young daughter, hoping that this responsibility will teach Tooru the value of looking out for others. At first, both struggle to connect: Tooru lacks the ability to relate to a child, while Yaeka, used to hiding her feelings, stays aloof. But over time, despite their vastly different lives, they begin to understand each other. Through this experience, the feared yakuza enforcer and the girl in his care discover that family ties go beyond blood alone.

Komichi Akebi has always loved sailor uniforms, so she asked her mother to make one for her if she got into Roubai Academy, the school her mother used to attend. When she is accepted into this prestigious school, Komichi is overjoyed. But she finds out the middle school no longer requires sailor uniforms, which makes her stand out from her classmates. Even so, she is allowed to keep wearing her favorite outfit. Feeling more confident, Komichi meets interesting classmates and starts a new chapter of school life with them. As different chances open up for them, an exciting future is waiting!

Shin Karino, a manga creator, encounters his new neighbor—four-year-old Kotaro Satou—who greets him with a box of tissues. Karino quickly realizes Kotaro is no ordinary child: he speaks with excessive formality and lives entirely alone, with no sign of any family around. Despite his solitary existence, Kotaro appears unworried and insists on his own self-reliance. Feeling concerned, Karino offers to take Kotaro along to a public bathhouse, where he learns that the young boy shares certain traits with him. As weeks go by, Karino and the other tenants in the apartment building grow fond of Kotaro and his unique quirks. In turn, Kotaro may be discovering a sense of belonging among these eccentric neighbors.

During the Fourth Industrial Revolution, everyday life is transformed by advanced technology, leading schools to update their curricula. Yuyu Girls' Vocational High School is a leading example, incorporating modern innovations into its programs. Childhood friends Serufu Yua and Miku "Purin" Suride both apply there. Purin, who excels with technology, is accepted, but the accident-prone Serufu is rejected and instead enrolls at the more traditional Gatagata Girls' High School, causing a rift between them. One day, while biking to school, Serufu gets into a small accident, and her bicycle is repaired by Rei Yasaku, a fellow Gatagata student known for her love of traditional handicrafts. Rei serves as president of the school's Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Club, which is at risk of being shut down due to insufficient members. Determined to close the distance with Purin, Serufu decides to join the DIY Club, hoping that working on craft projects will help her reconnect with her old friend. As new members join the club, Serufu learns the art of making things by hand and forms deep bonds with her fellow students.

In "Play It Cool, Guys," Souma Shiki, Hayate Ichikura, Shun Futami, and Takayuki Mima are four distinct individuals who each grapple with their own clumsiness. Despite frequent blunders, they keep a collected exterior to hide their genuine embarrassment. This blend of absentmindedness and composure attracts many girls. Through their daily experiences, they aim to maintain their cool regardless of the obstacles they encounter.

Following a decade-long pursuit of a dream that didn't materialize, Nagomu Irino returns to his hometown after learning that his father, who owns the Kyoto sweets shop Ryokushou, has been hospitalized. Concerned about the future of the family business, Nagomu resolves to take up his family’s tradition of crafting sweets. Upon his return, Nagomu discovers that his father has selected a new heir: Itsuka Yukihira, a ten-year-old girl whose father abandoned her at Ryokushou under mysterious circumstances. Now considered part of the family and serving as the shop's face, Itsuka remains hopeful of finding her father and pursues every clue that could lead her to him. Moved by Itsuka's story, Nagomu's mother requests that he assume the role of Itsuka's father, with the aim of helping her to open up and find some comfort. Initially at odds, Itsuka and Nagomu slowly grow closer, discovering unexpected commonalities between them. Bonded by their love for Ryokushou and its delicious treats, their relationship as a makeshift father and daughter begins to sweeten the lives of those around them.

In Laid-Back Camp: The Movie, Rin Shima, Nadeshiko Kagamihara, and their friends have become busy professionals with demanding careers, leaving little room for the spontaneous outdoor adventures they once treasured. However, Chiaki Oogaki, now working at the Yamanashi Tourism Organization, brings the group back together with an ambitious plan: to build a campground that revitalizes a neglected part of Yamanashi Prefecture. Driven by this project, the friends work together to create a place where others can form lasting memories, similar to those they made during their high school camping trips. As they pursue their goal, they look back on the simple pleasures of camping from their younger days.

In "Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S: Japanese Hospitality (The Attendant is a Dragon)," Kanna Kamui, after befriending a girl named Chloe during her trip to New York, invites her to Japan for a sightseeing visit. When Chloe arrives at the airport, Kanna, accompanied by Kobayashi, Tooru, and their other companions, takes Chloe to explore various Japanese landmarks, beginning with Akihabara. With Tooru leading the group, they enjoy their tour of the city before returning home to welcome Saikawa and continue the festivities. On Chloe's final day in Japan, Kobayashi arranges a farewell party so everyone can share one last memorable gathering before Chloe returns to the United States.

After bandits killed her parents, Sarasa Feed is taken to an orphanage. There, she discovers her love for alchemy, inspired by the legacy of her late parents, and dreams of starting her own alchemy business. To make this happen, she enrolls in the Royal Alchemist Academy for training and certification. Five years later, after graduating, Sarasa is only one step away from achieving her dream, but she does not have the money to do so. With few other options, she decides to open a small shop in a remote town far from the busy capital. Even though the area is full of dangerous landscapes and wild beasts, Sarasa begins her exciting journey as a novice alchemist.

Hiyori Yamakawa finds comfort in fly fishing, a pastime she once enjoyed with her father before he passed away. Even after his death, she continues to visit the coastline to fish, discovering a sense of peace there. Three years later, her mother reveals plans to remarry and arranges a dinner with her fiancé and his daughter. While waiting nervously, Hiyori heads to her favorite fishing spot and encounters Koharu Minagi, an energetic person who becomes curious about fly fishing. This encounter is no accident; Koharu is destined to become Hiyori’s stepsister, marking the start of their life together as sisters filled with many treasured moments ahead.

As the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club gains more recognition, their activities draw the notice of Zhong Lanzhu, another school idol hopeful. When Lanzhu meets the club members, she realizes their ambitions don't match hers, which ignites a rivalry between them. Lanzhu throws down a challenge to the group, aiming to show who can draw a larger audience at the upcoming School Idol Festival. This pushes the club toward new goals in their idol journey. The girls grow closer and step up their practice, determined to display their own distinct idea of what being a school idol means.

In "Non Non Biyori Nonstop: Our Club Worked Hard," Shiori begins her first year of school, initially frightened by the daunting stories she has heard about homework. Her anxiety soon turns into excitement as the girls from Asahigaoka Elementary decide to join forces and complete their assignments together at Komari and Natsumi Koshigaya's home. The plan seems promising, but Natsumi's habit of procrastinating soon disrupts their efforts, leading to chaos. On another occasion, Natsumi asks their teacher, Kazuho Miyauchi, for permission to start and lead a badminton club at school. Despite facing significant challenges due to limited resources and equipment, Natsumi and her friends remain determined and seek assistance from the local candy store owner, Kaede Kagayama. While practicing badminton spontaneously, an incident causes Kaede to recall a fond memory of looking after Renge Miyauchi.

In the Imperial Capital's fifth district, the Black Cat Cafe employs restored Automata—sophisticated mechanical dolls originally built for combat but now repurposed for civilian life. Dressed in traditional kimonos, these dolls struggle to adapt to their new existence, haunted by lingering echoes of their past military missions that prevent them from fully embracing peace. Among them is Haizakura, a newly repaired Automata whose memories were erased during the reset process. Despite her uncertain identity and purpose, she carries an innate passion for singing. Driven by her relentless curiosity and musical talent, Haizakura embarks on a journey alongside her fellow Automata to discover their renewed purpose, facing every challenge together with steadfast support.

At the start of the new school year at Yuigaoka Girls' High School, the school idol club Liella!, led by co-founder Kanon Shibuya, hopes to recruit new members to their already celebrated group. However, Liella!'s outstanding reputation makes potential recruits hesitant, as they are intimidated by the rigorous training needed to maintain such high standards. While the club worries about recruitment, Kanon meets first-year student Kinako Sakurakouji and introduces her to the world of school idols. Although Kinako is impressed, she feels she is unremarkable and doubts whether she can contribute to Liella!'s dazzling performances. With encouragement from the club, Kinako decides to join, reigniting the team's shared determination to excel in the prestigious Love Live! Competition.

In a world where "vocal medicine" is recognized as a legitimate healing method alongside conventional treatments, talented singers use their voices to cure injuries and diseases. Aspiring healers from all over the world train diligently to master this art and help others through song. Kana Fujii, a singer with a natural gift, begins this path after a transformative encounter. She teams up with the determined Reimi Itsushiro and the easygoing Hibiki Morishima at the Karasuma Phoniatric Clinic, where Ria Karasuma provides rigorous yet kind instruction. As Kana and her companions chase their ambitions, they encounter various unique healers and come to realize that excelling in vocal medicine demands more than just effort and devotion.

In "Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit," Aoi Yukimura rekindles her enthusiasm for mountain climbing with fresh determination. After Koharu Senjuin invites her to join the school's Mountaineering Club, Aoi considers the offer. Koharu, the club's energetic leader, emphasizes their focus on achieving success in climbing competitions. Though Aoi respects the club's dedication, she initially hesitates to become a member, preferring to maintain her own pace and savor the sport on her terms. Yet, her brief experience with the group leads her to reflect on what truly drives her love for climbing. With encouragement from her friends, Aoi explores the deeper reasons behind her passion for this hobby while preparing for the eagerly awaited second ascent of Mt. Fuji.

At the dawn of the Taishou period, the era of tanuki mischief began to fade. Once celebrated for their ability to transform and trick like humans, these raccoon dogs found their pranks becoming obsolete as modern technology advanced. Yet Mameda, a young tanuki, remains devoted to her traditions and travels to Osaka determined to deceive humans, just as her father once did. As expected, Mameda’s attempts at trickery fail, and she ends up chased by an angry crowd. Taking refuge in a theater, she witnesses a rakugo performance by the renowned Bunko Daikokutei. Captivated by his masterful storytelling and expressive acting, Mameda develops a deep passion for rakugo and resolves to become Bunko’s apprentice. Though Bunko is initially reluctant to take on a student, he agrees to teach Mameda after seeing her unwavering dedication. Balancing her apprenticeship with taiko, her duties at the theater, and the memorization of countless plays, Mameda throws herself completely into mastering rakugo—the only art truly capable of deceiving people.

This slapstick comedy follows a protagonist reincarnated as a dummy head microphone, a device featuring a fake human head designed to faithfully capture aural ambience. This unique microphone is utilized by Yuri and her fellow high school girls in the ASMR club, who are determined to compete in the "ASMR Koushien" national championships. ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, refers to the tingling or relaxing sensation triggered by specific auditory or visual stimuli.

What a Chiikawa truly is remains unknown, but their small size, appealing looks, and endless cheerfulness are unmistakable. Watch these creatures as they travel through their bizarre world with clever humor and sly antics, making them completely captivating.

This anime is based on the spin-off manga Meitantei Conan: Zero no Tea Time and focuses on the triple agent as they work to balance their multiple identities.

Kentarou Sanada, a former salaryman struggling to find work after his previous company went bankrupt, submits numerous job applications. When he arrives for what he believes is a standard job interview, he instead discovers it is actually an idol audition. Much to his surprise, he is called back and told he has been selected. Along with five other men in their forties, Sanada joins Eternal Boys, a newly formed idol group created to prove that age should not prevent someone from becoming a star. As these middle-aged idols strive to make their mark in an industry dominated by much younger talent, they must face the question of whether their age will be a disadvantage or whether their life experiences will ultimately lead them to success.

Irodorimidori is set at Maigahara Senior High School, a school famous for producing many gifted musicians. Among the students, a rumor circulates that a truly impressive performance at the upcoming festival will earn extra credits. Serina Akesaka, a lively first-year student on the verge of failing her classes, recalls this rumor and decides to form a band. She brings together Nazuna Tennouzu, Aliciana Ogata, Hakobe Naru, and Nagi Kobotoke to create the group. Through their musical journey, these five dedicated girls strive to touch the hearts of everyone around them and leave a lasting impression.

After civilization crumbles, the only human left and her dog, Haru, trek across a barren wasteland, yet this story avoids the typical bleakness of a doomsday narrative. Haru, a shiba inu with wisdom far beyond his years and the ability to speak, ensures his master never succumbs to post-apocalyptic despair through his witty antics, funny observations, and deep philosophical musings. Although she might be the last girl on Earth, having Haru by her side guarantees that their journey through the apocalypse will never be dull.

Get ready for more stop-motion fun with Rilakkuma and Kaoru! In the upcoming "Rilakkuma's Theme Park Adventure," Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, Kiiroitori, and Kaoru visit an amusement park during its final hours of operation.

A special animated short that released alongside the 20th tankoubon volume celebrating the manga reaching 100 chapters.

Aikatsu Planet! The Movie serves as the film adaptation of the Aikatsu Planet! series. It was shown in theaters alongside Aikatsu! 10th STORY: Mirai e no STARWAY. Mao Otoha, now a second-year high school student at Seirei Private High School, continues to perform as the top idol Hana in Aikatsu Planet! A few months have passed since the Planet Princess Grand Prix, and her daily schedule is fully booked. The reason Mao can remain an active idol stems from the connection she shares with her fans—a bond that has changed and moved her. To express her gratitude to those important to her, she decides to organize the "Aikatsu Planet! Gratitude Festival."

"Punirunes" follows the everyday lives of the enigmatic PuniRunes, who enjoy being looked after, and Yuka, a fourth-grade student with a particular fondness for soft and squishy things.

The narrative follows Shirushi Nishizumi, a 10-year-old girl residing in the city, and the extraterrestrial she encounters after it crash-lands in Inzai. This alien requires "Aruaru Energy" in order to recharge its spaceship.

"Insect Land" is an anime adaptation based on "nature learning picture books," delving into the lives of different insects and highlighting the themes of ecology and biodiversity.

Travel through the words of people with dementia by seeing how they experience the everyday and problems they face.

A TV series based on the Sylvanian Families toy line.

A collection of short films helmed by Ayako Kurata. This project was created as a joint effort between the color examination organization Shikisai Kentei Kyoukai, the animation studio CloverWorks, and manga artist Tsubasa Yamaguchi. Episodes: 1) 色を知るたび、世界が広くなる「就活篇」/ Iro wo Shiru Tabi, Sekai ga Hiroku Naru.: Shuukatsu (August 18, 2022) 2) 色を知るたび、世界が広くなる「私の仕事篇」/ Iro wo Shiru Tabi, Sekai ga Hiroku Naru.: Watashi no Shigoto-hen (August 25, 2022)

Second season of Chickip Dancers.

Short animation depicting the day before the events of the Miko Note mobile game (which is now defunct).

Unyan, a young cat from Cat Island, is overjoyed to take on his very first delivery job. But when he gets distracted by floating soap bubbles and snacks on the candy he received, he ends up losing his delivery bag. Catching sight of the bag, Unyan races after it with all his might. This is a heartwarming tale of the connection between a little one and the adults who look after him.

Second season of Bo & To's Family.

A collection of animated advertisements helmed by Naoko Yamada. Features: 1) きっかけは、キットカットで。(Feb 21, 2022) 2) きっかけは、キットカットで。娘と母の心をつなぐきっかけ (Oct 3, 2022)

Two ducks and a pig prepare and enjoy various dishes together.

The narrative centers on the everyday experiences of Kai Ootsuchi, the official station mascot for Ootsuchi Station on the Sanriku Railway. It depicts their routine and responsibilities as they live and work diligently in the local community.