Living in lockdown for several months and counting, people cannot help but feel a sense of uneasiness brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. But instead of falling into a pit of negative thoughts during these trying times, one should turn to uplifting activities.
One thing that you can do to make the most out of your time is by binge-watching feel-good series on the internet. In case you’re looking for a list of Japanese animated shows that will keep your spirits high, then look no further. Here are some of the finest anime series that will surely keep you entertained in your lonesome.
ReLIFE
Have you ever gone through a rough patch and thought to yourself: “What if I get to relive a particular phase in my life in order to do certain things differently?” Well in the case of Kaizaki Arata, an unemployed, 27-year-old man who serves as the main protagonist of the series, that afterthought turned into reality.
Following a slew of failed job interviews, Arata met a mysterious lad, who offered him a chance to turn back into his 17-year-old self. Should he accept it, he will get to live through his high school days for a year, allowing him to figure out his deficiencies as an adult as well as to regain his lost confidence.
ReLIFE delves into the pretend life of a grown man, whose maturity and experience are already ahead of his 17-year-old self’s contemporaries, in a setting where the flower of youth is still in full bloom. Exploring matters of the heart, self-realization and friendship, the narrative alone is enough to keep the viewers interested throughout the course of 17 episodes, but the development of the main and supporting characters makes the viewing experience even more worthwhile.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War
There are plenty of anime series that have tried to give meaning to this thing called love. However, nothing seems to come close to the approach Kaguya-sama: Love is War has taken.
This romantic comedy revolves around two of Shuchi’in Academy’s top elite students in Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya. The former is a model student who relies on his brilliance to perch atop the school’s social hierarchy; while the latter is the eldest daughter of the renowned Shinomiya household who excels in almost everything that she does. While both already have feelings for each other at the onset of the story, their mutual belief that confessing first will tarnish their reputation eventually instigates a war of love. This is where the plot thickens as the two, with their pride and ego on the line, try to make the other confess by formulating odd-yet-hilarious tactics and mind games.
Not to mention that Shirogane and Shinomiya serve as the President and Vice President of the Student Council respectively, leading up to several ludicrous scenarios along with the other members of the student-governing body, who are as entertaining as they come.
The premise and the characters aren’t the only notable factors of the show, though. It also showcases a narration and directing style that elevates the comedic value of the story, to go along with its pleasing animation and voice acting.
Kimi ni Todoke
Now for those who are suckers for romance, this gem of an anime is arguably the best at making your heart skip a beat. From its narrative down to its animation, Kimi ni Todoke, also known as From Me To You in English translation, never fails to tug at the viewers’ heartstrings as it shows how love can sometimes attract opposites.
This series follows the ever-misunderstood Kuronuma Sawako — a teenage girl who often comes off as a creep due to her resemblance to Sadako, the antagonist of the famous horror film The Ring — and her bid to create bonds with others, which takes a turn for the better after meeting the charming Shouta Kazehaya. From there, their innocent friendship transitions into a puppy love before blossoming into a romance that can stand the test of time.
Besides its heartwarming story line between the lead characters, Kimi ni Todoke also divulges on tales of friendship and maturity through the help of its supporting cast, bringing in more color to what is already a vibrant story.
Haikyuu!!
Sporting events and activities all over the world came to a screeching halt in light of COVID-19 crisis. For sure, if you’re a fan of sports, you already miss the thrill of watching or even taking part in such competitions. Since we won’t be able to partake in real-life sports action any time soon, might as well quench this drought with the help of anime.
One series that can definitely remind you of the beauty and intensity of sports is Haikyuu!! Arguably the biggest sports anime at the moment, it is centered around Hinata Shoyo, a young, wide-eyed volleyball athlete who is nothing short of passionate despite his pint-sized stature. With a dream to make a name for himself in a sport where height is might, he enters Karasuno High School only to find out that he needs to team-up with his middle school tormentor in Tobio Kageyama.
Without a doubt, Haikyuu!! serves up a good underdog story right from the get-go. Make no mistake, though. The storyline doesn’t just focus on the growth of the lead characters alone but also of the supporting cast. Yes, even the opposing team that they will encounter along the way will receive some of the spotlight.
But aside from its emphasis on storytelling and character backgrounds, there’s also no shortage of brilliance in the production department. The animation, music and sound effects on this one are top-notch, making it feel like you’re watching a live volleyball game.
Slam Dunk
Speaking of sports anime, it is almost cruel not to mention the timeless classic that is Slam Dunk, an adaptation of Takehiko Inoue’s masterpiece of a manga which reportedly helped popularized Basketball in Japan back in the day.
The story follows the ascent of Shohoku High School’s basketball team in the amateur ranks following the arrival of Hanamichi Sakuragi, a red-haired, towering freshman who only joined the varsity squad to impress the girl he likes. Despite having no skill nor passion for the game at the beginning, he ends up loving everything that comes along picking up a basketball, and even emerging as the glue that kept his team together in their rise to success.
It runs for 101 episodes long, tackling themes of friendship, camaraderie, trust, resiliency and growth in a realistic manner. Whether you have already watched this in the past or just someone who is new to the sports genre, this legendary anime is always worth the shot.
Bakuman
There’s no question that this series is the most realistic one out of this list, but it doesn’t mean that it is the least interesting. Bakuman explores the rigorous path of becoming a manga artist as it focuses on two middle school students who aspire to make a name for themselves. It provides an honest depiction of the trials and tribulations one has to go through to achieve their dreams, fleshing out scenarios of resiliency, hope and failure.
This anime also strikes a perfect balance when it comes to the emphasis on its plot and character development, providing relationship growth among main and supporting casts while preventing a prolonged story line.
Romance is present on this one as well, if ever you’re wondering. And just like the rest of its themes, love was built at a slow pace, which also made it more realistic. Overall, this series is relatable and a good source of life lessons, regardless whether you’re an adult or a teenager.
One Piece
Based on one of the most successful and longest-running manga series of all time, One Piece is one vast ocean to explore with over 900 episodes under its belt. But with the lull in activities brought about by the quarantine period, there’s no better time than ever to embark on a new journey with the most celebrated pirate crew in all of anime.
This series follows Monkey D. Luffy, a young man who sets out to obtain the elusive One Piece and be the King of Pirates. It boasts off an action-packed narrative and a compelling set of characters mainly revolving around the Strawhat Pirates, a band of distinct individuals who compliment each other to the point that they treat one another as family.
The world of One Piece is a realm that fans are still exploring. Still, it has already offered numerous tales of great escapade, drawing strength from its intricate storytelling. It also brews a perfect blend of comedy and tragedy which leaves viewers stuck to their seats for the long haul. Not to mention that it does not shy away from delving on themes of justice and morality, setting the stage for top-tier fight scenes and pirate clashes scattered throughout the arcs.
The current situation in the real world can be stressful, but sometimes all we need is a little escape. Now with a good set of anime series on deck, binge-watching can be a great form of healing. Have fun and stay safe!