Anime evokes all sorts of emotions, ranging from those that will make you sob to those that will keep you grinning. There are a variety of anime to watch, depending on one’s mood, and feel-good ones are the best anime to watch when one is feeling low.
Feel-good anime is all about the iyashikei genre, where attention is not given to exaggerated plotlines but soothing stories. Whether slice-of-life, comedy, romance, or a rom-com, they brighten your day when life gets too heavy to handle.
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5. My Cat is a Roommate
- MyAnimeList (MAL) Rating: 7.74/10
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Episodes: 12
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Subaru Mikazuki, a shy author who lived his entire life alone, hiding behind book pages and deadlines, didn’t have a simple life. Since his parents passed away, it’s even more difficult for Subaru to reach out to other people or even talk about his own emotions. However, everything changes when he finds Haru, a stray cat who, like him, understands loneliness.
What is unique about this anime is that it shows you the story in two ways. In the first, you’re watching through the anxious mind of Subaru, and in the other, you’re watching the simple and naive thoughts of Haru as she adjusts to her new life. They get off to a bad start as a pair, yet soon Haru teaches Subaru the importance of friendship, trust, and the small things regarding appreciating the moment.
It’s not the story of a man and his cat, but of how two hearts heal each other in silence or grand gestures. If you’ve ever been lost, alone, or trapped in sorrow, My Roommate is a Cat will leave you with a warm smile and a little hope for better days.
4. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
- MyAnimeList (MAL) Rating: 8.29/10
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Episodes: 11 episodes
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll and Netflix
Anohana might feel like a serious watch at first because the initial episodes revolve around loss and regret. But under all the crying, it actually reminds us how friendship can heal even the deepest wounds.
The protagonist, Jinta, is a socially withdrawn former socialite who has isolated himself from society after the premature death of his childhood friend, Menma. On a hot summer afternoon, Menma’s ghost appears, smiling as always, requesting Jinta to help her grant her wish so that she can move on. The wish was to bring together all his childhood friends.
The catch? Jinta can see her, but nobody else is, and it’s not as easy as it seems to get everyone back together. They each have their own guilt and emotional baggage over what happened that day.
Yes, Anohana will get you crying, but once the credits roll, you’ll be left with a warm, fuzzy feeling of closure and hope for the future. It’s a tale that teaches you that even when the people around you move away from you, the memories you’ve shared with them have a lasting effect on your heart.
3. Hi Score Girl
- MyAnimeList (MAL) Rating: 7.75/10
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Episodes: 12 episodes
- Where to Watch: Netflix
Yaguchi Haruo is a loser in academics, sports, and interpersonal relationships. Arcade games are his only escape from this harsh reality, where he attempts to get high scores in retro games.
But all of that changes one day when he encounters a girl at the arcade who beats him, Ōno Akira. Not only does Akira break his high score, but she beats him at his favorite game, Street Fighter 2, without breaking a sweat. This fuels his ego as a professional gamer, driving him to one day defeat her.
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Hi Score Girl offers a unique experience with its animation, along with the nostalgic atmosphere of retro games. The narrative itself is about the relationship between Haruo and Akira, as they bond together through their shared love of gaming. Whether you love retro games or just enjoy a good story, this anime will have you smiling through the union of two misfit characters through their love.
2. K-On!
- MyAnimeList (MAL) Rating: 7.86/10
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Episodes: 41 episodes across 2 seasons + 1 movie
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
K-On! is the story of a high school student named Yui Hirasawa who joins her school’s Light Music Club. Clumsy and naive, Yui doesn’t know how to play an instrument but joins the club to play the guitar because it looks cool. The members, in desperate hope of preventing the club from being disbanded, welcome her in.
This anime is all about friendship, and not just about music. Being a part of the “cute girls doing cute things” concept, K-On! provides the audience with positive experiences and makes them appreciate the little things in life. Whether it is the light-hearted practice scenes or even the simple laughing sound around, this anime will have you smiling throughout.
1. Nichijou: My Ordinary Life
- MyAnimeList (MAL) Rating: 8.47/10
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
- Episodes: 26 episodes + 1 OVA
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Despite its name, Nichijou (which can be roughly translated to “My Ordinary Life”), is anything but ordinary. This anime takes the ordinary, everyday aspects of high school life and turns up the absurdity level to an all-time high. The story is about three friends, Yuuko, Mio, and Mai, and a handful of other characters, including a child genius, her robot bodyguard, and even a talking cat.
You’re watching a debate on homework for one minute, and suddenly, there are slow-motion action scenes or completely over-the-top reactions that make no sense, and that’s exactly what makes it so hilarious. You may have seen some funny clips of it on social media, which may have left you with a smile.
The anime’s wild sense of humor and adorable characters make it impossible not to crack a smile. So, if you’re having a bad day or need to turn your brain off for a little while, Nichijou is the best option to watch. It’s not attempting to teach you something amazing, but its quirky weirdness is enough to make you smile and tell you not to be too serious.
From the peaceful day-to-day enjoyment of K-On! to the offbeat wackiness of Nichijou, each of these anime is a vehicle to boost you up. The next time the blues get the better of you, pop some popcorn and immerse yourself in these inspiring tales to brighten up your mood and have you smiling.
