There are a lot of anime out there and in this golden age of TV streaming, the choices have never been greater. So how do you cut through the noise and find the “Best of” for any chosen topic? Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest and unforgettable shows through the years.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, our attention this time turns to comedy. From hilarious school-like endeavors to raunchy child-like shenanigans, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite.
Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll add them!
Great Teacher Onizuka
Need something that’ll have you laughing hysterically. Great Teacher Onizuka’s a great show to check out then. This anime offers great comedy and small amounts of lighthearted themes to keep you entertained. It follows Eikichi, a new high school teacher who wants to score a date with a good-looking woman. Despite his obscene ideals, Eikichi obtains something more wholesome in the end.
This anime is great for those who have fond high school experiences. The antics our characters get into can feel a tad absurd, but most of the comical situations involve them picking fights with drunks or performing sketchy pranks. You’ll adore seeing Eikichi form tight bonds with his students and join them in their rambunctious activities.
At the same time, fans will enjoy seeing Eikichi fail to impress the show’s female cast. If you’re looking for a funny slice-of-life anime that’ll help you rekindle your glory school experiences, check this one out.
Golden Boy
Golden Boy is one of the funniest anime you’ll ever see. This anime contains absurd animation, hilarious characters, and surprisingly motivational situations that’ll catch you off-guard. In Golden Boy, we follow Kintarou, he’s a part-time worker who enjoys visiting different towns in search of employment opportunities.
Despite being a goofball, Kintarou values education and hopes to spread his love for it in intriguing ways. Despite having a cheer-worthy goal, Kintarou’s obsession with women gets in the way of his wholesome goal many times. If you’ve watched cartoons like Johnny Bravo, then you know what to expect from Kinatarou’s flirtatious attempts.
At the same time, Golden Boy can get deeply motivating when it wants to be. These moments are few and far between, though. However, when you’re hit with one of these scenes, you’ll develop a newfound respect for Kintarou’s well-being. If you’re looking for an over-the-top zany series with well-executed jokes and gags, check out Golden Boy.
Bocchi The Rock
Bocchi the Rock is a popular anime from the Fall 2022 anime season. Although it took a while for Bocchi and her friends to attain the appeal they have currently, many agree that they’ve earned their spot in many fans’ hearts. This anime examines the journey of Hitori Gotou, a girl who dreams of becoming an excellent musician.
One day, she receives an opportunity to join a girl named Nijika’s band called Kessoku Band. What stands in Hitori’s way is her extreme social anxiety. After performing decently at Starry Club and earning the nickname “Bocchi,” Hitori vows to overcome her social anxiety and help make Kessoku Band the best music group ever.
Bocchi The Rock handles social anxiousness extremely well. While it depicts the illness in comical ways, it does so in a respectable and enjoyable fashion. Many people will relate to Bocchi’s shyness and insecurities. However, they’ll cheer for her to overcome these mental hurdles that life throws at her. If you’re looking for a music and comedic-themed anime with well-written characters, check out Bocchi The Rock.
You can read our thoughts on Bocchi The Rock in our full-season review here!
Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto
This is a hilarious slice-of-life series and one that’ll remind folks of their teenage years. In it, we examine a boy named Sakamoto’s daily life in high school. Many females frolic toward him, resulting in many of his male classmates hating him. Furthermore, Sakamoto’s displayed as this picture-perfect human being who can excel at everything in his life.
Even when Sakamoto gets into trouble, many show him much love and appreciation. It’s an absurd show that doesn’t take itself seriously in the slightest. Although many people may not relate to Sakamoto, many viewers can appreciate what he brings to the show. If you’re looking to have a good time, give this show you’re undivided attention. You’re guaranteed to laugh nonstop.
Gintama
Gintama is as parodic and serious as many western adult shows. It never ceases to make people laugh hysterically at its cast and the goofy situations they get roped into. This anime features all types of comedy from well-timed one-liners to rich slapstick. However, comedy isn’t all that Gintama offers its viewers.
Underneath wacky jokes and situational humor, lies a tale rich in character progression and story depth. Although this is a rare occurrence in the show, Gintama transitions into its darker content well. Viewers won’t feel weirded odd by the show’s subtle tone shifts and will enjoy the deeper narrative that lies within Gintama’s amusing shell.
This anime also includes some entertaining fight scenes and drama. The fights are well-animated and have enough variety to warrant your engagement with the work. If you need a show that’ll help you relieve yourself from a stressful day, give this one a shot. Although it has many seasons and episodes, you won’t regret spending your time watching it.
Ghost Stories (English Dub)
It’s safe to say Ghost Stories kickstarted the idea of abridged series on YouTube. Despite its English Dub is an official product, the anime’s English Dub cast decided to place their own spin on the franchise. It wasn’t a breakout hit for Japan, so they thought, why not turn it into something people would enjoy and make memes about years after its release?
What started off as a decent ghost-hunting series became known as one of the most infamous English Dubs of all time. That said, the English Dub of Ghost Stories is a horror comedy filled with immature jokes, puns, and humor that wouldn’t be viewed as highly in today’s society. This anime went all out in being offensively cruel to garner laughs from its audience.
Many folks won’t adore the jokes riddled in this show. However, if you have a weak funny bone and can tolerate vulgar comedy, give this version of the show a shot. You won’t regret it one bit.
Crayon Shin-Chan
Crayon Shin-can is an anime you shouldn’t take seriously. It contains hilarious dialogue, characters, and scenery that will make you chuckle. It’s an anime that’s not suitable for children, though. This is because of its child protagonist Shin-chan’s weird and crude habits. He’s a boy who loves pulling pranks and flirting with women far older than himself.
For instance, Shin-chan has no issue showing his rear-end to people who annoy him. He also doesn’t mind swearing or attending locations that aren’t meant for children like bars. Although he’s a troubled child, adults tend to pay him no mind or find his antics adorable. This is the same effect he’ll have on many people who tune into the show itself.
If you’re looking for a show that’ll tickle your funny bone nonstop, Crayon Shin-chan’s the way to go.
Grand Blue Dreaming
Grand Blue is an amusing thrill ride that will bring out people’s adoration for their youth. In it, we explore Iori’s struggles in balancing his festive college life with his ordinary adult one. The anime places Iori in many entertaining scenarios with his friends. From scuba-diving to alcohol consumption, this series will appeal to many party-goers.
This anime delivers immaculate visuals. You’ll be mesmerized by its bright oceans and the rigid structures of the show’s multiple buildings. The character designs blend in well with the show’s environments and atmosphere. You’ll get a chuckle out of the character’s witty facial expressions and responses.
Check out Grand Blue if you’re in need of a show that will bring you back to your college or youthful years.
Nichijou: My Ordinary Life
Everyone experiences something dramatic, dumb, or eventful at some point in life. Throughout Nichijou – My Ordinary Life, five female characters engage in pranks and mischief. The plot of this series isn’t very original, and it doesn’t offer any twists that will pique your interest. It’s an anime that’ll make you laugh and help you feel relaxed.
However, it’s not always comforting. Our characters will get into absurd situations that will make you question their authenticity. From wrestling deers to undergoing severe mental breakdowns over the artwork, this show pulls all the stops to make you chuckle at its cast. The anime offers a grand episodic experience. If you’re ever feeling stressed, put on an episode of this show. It’s sure to make your day a whole lot better.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
What would you do if you had formidable powers? This is a question The Disastrous Life of Saiki K asks its audience. This anime’s not a complex show. It’s simply a lighthearted comedy series to entertain its audience. Whether through well-timed jokes or amusing character interactions, you’re bound to laugh while watching this one.
In it, we follow Saiki. He’s a gifted boy with incredible supernatural powers. From telepathy to x-ray vision, there’s no end to what this strange boy can do. Although people view him highly for his gift, Saiki doesn’t share the same opinion. He feels his powers are a curse and bring nothing but trouble. In time, Saiki will meet numerous people who’ll change his views about his opinions.
This show features a wide range of humor from slapstick to deadpan facial expressions. Most of its gags derive from Saiki’s abilities, as these will get him roped into problematic situations. There’s slight action in this show, but fans should anticipate pure comedy from this one. If you’re looking for an entertaining supernatural comedy with great jokes, check this one out.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best comedy anime throughout the years!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!