Some people like to relax their minds by binge-watching their favorite anime shows, and the industry has noticed this, too. There is also an entire genre Iyashikei, that means healing, that refers to anime which have a soothing effect on viewers. These anime make up for what they lack in conflict with a focus on relationships, atmosphere, and making the most mundane things in life. This genre of series has become more and more popular in the past few decades. Here is a list of the coziest anime that will put you in a good mood.
1. Flying Witch
Flying Witch is a slice-of-life anime released in 2016, produced by J.C.Staff. Makoto is a young witch from Yokohama. She moves to Aomori, as part of her training and lives with her relatives. The place may seem peaceful, but soon, she learns it is filled with magical entities, from ghosts to cursed witches. She also starts introducing her friends and family to the magical world. The series showcases a real-life setting that is adapted into animation.
2. Bananya
Bananya is a slice-of-life anime series released in 2016. It revolves around mascot characters from Q-Lia, a stationery company. Bananya is a cat who lives inside a banana. The narrator claims to be researching these banana cats while sharing their world with the viewers. He has many friends, like Baby Bananya and Bananyako, and the narrator ends every episode with a focus on these characters. It is a sweet and short series that emphasizes cuteness.
3. Working!!
Working!!, also known as Wagnaria!!, is a romance anime released in 2005, directed by Yoshimasa Hiraike. Popura Taneshima is working at a family restaurant. She gets tasked to find more help, causing her to meet Souta Takanashi, mistaking her for a lost child. Souta quickly adapts to his new work environment and learns his co-workers all have quirks. The series captures the feeling of being at an admittedly chaotic restaurant. The series is known for having a very colorful cast that usually plays off well with each other.
4. Natsume’s Book Of Friends
Takashi Natsume is an orphan boy who has the power to fight and sense yokai. One day, he comes across a notebook from his grandmother, with the power to summon the spirits she had defeated. He wants to return the names in the Book of Friends while encountering Madara, a soul, who pledges to protect him from vengeful spirits, who are seeking revenge. It is filled with heartwarming moments.
5. Barakamon
Seishuu Handa is a calligraphy prodigy who gets in a fight with a critical curator who sends him to Gotou Islands for honing his skills and a period of contemplation. The people on the island are too friendly for his taste and often are trying to find a way to get involved in his life. One of them is Naru Kotoishi, an energetic elementary school girl who regularly visits him looking to play. The series is about finding yourself, even in unlikely circumstances or places.
6. Magical Emi
Mai Kazuki is a magical girl who is born into a family consisting entirely of magicians, and her grandmother leads Magic Carat, a magic troupe. Mai wants to become a magician but doesn't have the talent for it. This changes when she enters the mirror fairy Topo, which takes the form of one of her toys, helping her become Magical Emi, her older alter-ego. The series avoids the drama buildups and threatening villains.
7. Silver Spoon
Yugo Hachiken doesn’t know what to do with his life, but he plans on enrolling in an agricultural school that has less focus on science and math. Even though he is disadvantaged at school, he learns that agriculture and farming might just be his calling in life. This anime allows viewers the chance to look at life in the country, away from urban life. The series doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of life on the farm.
8. Fruit Basket
Tohru Honda since her mother's death has been living in a tent. Soon, she moves in with the Soham family. While staying with them, she learns they have a family curse that transforms them into Chinese zodiac animals. She helps them break their curse. The series focuses on the healing power of friendship and love. Even though the series has dark themes, with many characters enduring tragic circumstances and backstories, even the worst characters aren’t considered irredeemable.
9. A Place Further Than The Universe
Mari Tamaki is a young girl who feels like she isn’t doing anything with her life because she is scared to try anything new. Things however change when she meets Shirase Kobuchizawa, a girl whose mother had gone missing in Antarctica. She joins with her to go on an expedition to find her, along with two other girls and they go to the frozen continent. The anime is dramatic regarding the mystery behind Shirase’s mother. The series is a coming-of-age story that deals with themes of perseverance and friendship.
10. Sweetness & Lightning
Kohei Inuzuka, is a single father taking care of Tsumugi, his daughter after losing his wife. He works as a teacher and feeds her using pre-packaged bento boxes. He meets a girl, not realizing she is Kotori, his student who was eating alone. This inspires him to start learning how to cook and to provide better meals to his daughter. This story is often seen as comforting to the viewers. As food is the central part of the story, it is filled with artistically pleasing dishes that viewers will love to make.
