Summary
2023 was a great year for anime, but not every genre received the same amount of love. Naturally, action shows dominated most seasons, and they were accompanied by a slew of isekai and romance stories. Comedy, sci-fi, sports, and thriller anime were less common, but they were not extremely rare either. However, the same cannot be said for2023 slice of life anime.
Despite being arguably one of the industry’s cornerstones, slice of life has fallen by the wayside in recent years, and 2023 was emptier than most of its predecessors. Even though some dramas (Skip and Loafer) share elements with the genre, they are not traditional representatives. The pickings might have been slim, but thebest slice of life anime of 2023were still great.
Polarizing as the theme can be, isekai can help fill the void during seasons that lack typical slice of life anime. Technically,these series are slow liferather than slice of life, but they are similar enough in tone and pacing to be worth recommending to fans of the latter.
Farming Life in Another Worldstarts like so many isekai anime: an overworked guy dies and is reincarnated in a magical world with a unique power. As he is allowed to decide his gift for himself, the protagonist opts to focus on tools that would allow him to live a quiet life as a farmer. Dropped into the middle of a forest with little to his name, Hiraku sets out to establish a settlement, one that eventually becomes home to plenty of (female) characters who have nowhere else to go.
Putting aside some conflict courtesy of the farm’s efforts to coexist with its neighbors,Farming Life in Another Worldis an easy-going story about a community that simply wants to lead a peaceful and fruitful existence.
One of themost wholesome romance anime,Tonikawa: Over The Moon For Youis food for the soul. Season 1 established Tsukasa and Nasa’s supportive relationship as they steadily adapted to their marriage. While not boasting too much forward momentum, the story had room to grow. Season 2 largely offers more of the same, focusing on the duo’s everyday lives along with shining a light on a few of the secondary characters.
As a romance,Tonikawa’s sequel is quite one note, even if Tsukasa and Nasa are still adorable together. Consequently, season 2 works better as a slice of life about an inexperienced married couple who are still getting to know each other. Very little of note happens in the story, but the cour is packed with cute little moments that quietly strengthen the protagonists' bond. While not a particularly exciting watch, it is precious.
AGoHands productionabout a human-sized cat,The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Todayis surprisingly “normal,” for lack of a better word. As she always brings home-cooked meals to work, Saku has earned a reputation for being something of a chef; however, the truth is that all these dishes are cooked by her pet, Yukichi.
A stray rescued by Saku, Yukichi was so shocked by the horrible state of his new owner’s apartment, he digivolved and decided to take charge. Nowadays, they have a peculiar dynamic built on respect, trust, and frustration, and they are both trying hard to make life easier for each other. Unusual protagonist aside,The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Todayis otherwise a straightforward slice of life comedy about two roommates who have a strong friendship. The show is pretty funny too.
After quitting a job due to an abusive boss, Momose enters his new workplace carrying scars from his previous ordeal. Thankfully, any fears that the same thing might happen again are quickly squashed when he meets his new boss, the amiable and clumsy Shirosaki. Along with a few other workmates, Momose starts a new chapter in his life that allows him to regain his shattered confidence while building friendships that last.
My New Boss is Goofyis aniyashikei animethat is literally about healing. The story emphasizes Momose’s trauma, showcasing that it is not something that can instantly be overcome without support. However, the series is still largely free of tension, and even the humor is fairly subdued. Except for a cat that seems like it belongs in another anime, this Fall 2023 show is generally great.
The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sonshad the misfortune of debuting in an incredibly packed season, and a grounded family story just could not stand out in a crowd that included heavyweights likeFrieren,Jujutsu Kaisen, andThe Apothecary Diaries. Still, the show is not only very good but arguably2023’s best pure slice of life anime, in the sense that it is not also balancing comedy and/or romance.
After his parents' deaths, Hayato accepts the responsibility of looking after his four younger brothers, all of whom are in different age groups. Understandably, this task proves to be a lot for a new teacher who is also grieving the loss of his parents. Still, the siblings have each other’s backs, and they are also supported by a few neighbors.
The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sonstransforms a difficult situation into a heartwarming and endearing story that leans into coming-of-age territory. The four brothers are all clearly defined, and their relationships are believable. While generally lighthearted, the anime is not devoid of nuance either, and it tackles themes like identity and gender norms with maturity.
Hormiyacovers a spectrum of genres, and it excels in all of them. The 2021 season is primarily heralded for its romance, and that reputation is well-earned; however,The Missing Piecesis somewhat of a different beast, despite complementing its predecessor perfectly. Covering stories from the manga that were left out of the original show, the 2023 season is very episodic, with the chapters spanning a wide breadth of characters and circumstances. Even though relationships are regularly highlighted, romance takes a backseat to banter, and this decision pays off.
Horimiya’s first seasongarnered criticism for shifting focus to secondary characters who had not been developed enough to carry episodes on their own.The Missing Piecesresolves this issue by pushing these students to the forefront, fleshing them out in the process. As a standalone experience, this season is funny, charming, and constantly entertaining; as a companion piece to an existing show,The Missing Piecesis nothing short of brilliant.
