Some days are just harder than others. As an introvert, we all need an escape and anime can definitely bring that safe haven to us. Anime isn’t “just for kids” and can, at times, be darker and delve into some deeper issues. But when you need something light-hearted to make you laugh, these are my go-to animes for whenever I’m depressed or need a smile!
The best animes are the ones that make you feel something. They remind you of what it’s like to be a kid before depression and anxiety took over you. Anime has truly helped me so much in overcoming my own depression and anxiety, and I know it can help you as well!
So, without further ado…
15. Laid-Back Camp
The ultimate chill anime about a group of girls who love camping, Laid-Back Camp is like a warm cup of tea on a cold day. With serene landscapes and relaxing moments, whether it’s setting up tents or simply enjoying nature’s peace, this anime gives you all the cozy vibes you need.
When life feels heavy, these girls’ embrace of quiet joys is just what you need to lift your mood. Plus, you’ll get a new love for the outdoors!
14. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
Saiki K. is the comedy you never knew you needed. Saiki, a high school student with psychic powers, just wants to live a normal life, but his crazy classmates and insane situations keep getting in the way.
This anime is non-stop humor with a protagonist who’s ridiculously OP but just wants peace and quiet. The sheer randomness of his life will have you laughing in no time, making it the perfect anime for when you just need to escape and enjoy something completely absurd.
13. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is one of those romantic comedies that will literally have you laughing out loud. It’s about two high school geniuses, Kaguya and Miyuki, who are in love with each other but are too stubborn to confess. Instead, they engage in hilarious mind games to try and get the other to admit their feelings first.
The back-and-forth between them is both adorable and ridiculous, and it’ll have you grinning from ear to ear. No heavy drama here, just pure comedic gold.
12. Lucky Star
If you’re ever in need of pure, silly fun, Lucky Star is where it’s at. This slice-of-life anime follows a group of high school girls just living their everyday lives. The jokes are quirky, the characters are hilarious, and it’s totally carefree.
From ridiculous moments about food to totally random discussions, it’ll definitely lift your spirits without asking for too much emotional investment. It’s the kind of anime that reminds you how simple and silly life can be when you don’t sweat the small stuff.
11. One Punch Man
Sometimes, when life feels tough, you just need a superhero who’s chill and absolutely overpowered. Enter One Punch Man, where Saitama, the hero, can defeat any villain with a single punch. Sounds ridiculous, right? And it is, in the best way!
Watching Saitama casually save the day while being bored out of his mind will make you laugh and give you that needed boost. It’s fun, light, and packed with epic fights, but it’s also a reminder that not everything in life has to be taken so seriously.
10. K-On!
This anime is like a big, warm hug. No drama, no life-or-death plots—just a bunch of high school girls forming a band and eating cake in the clubroom a lot. Yui, the clumsy guitarist, is so adorable that you can’t help but smile.
Every episode is basically a serotonin booster, and if you’re feeling down, it’s the kind of light-hearted chaos you need. Music, friendship, and fluffy vibes all the way. 10/10 comfort anime, no notes.
9. My Ordinary Life
My Ordinary Life might have “ordinary” in the title, but it’s anything but ordinary. It’s completely random, like laugh-so-hard-you-cry kind of random. One second there’s a girl wrestling a deer, the next, a principal is flying through the air. The deadpan humor mixed with insane situations just works.
The show follows the daily antics of three high school friends—Yūko Aioi, Mio Naganohara, and Mai Minakami—and their interactions with an eight-year-old genius inventor, her robot caretaker, and a talking cat.
If you’re ever crying on the floor and need a reason to laugh again, this anime will totally pull you up. Trust me, it’s a mood.
8. Barakamon
Ughhh, this one hit me right in the soul. It’s about a grumpy calligrapher who escapes city life and ends up on a quiet island with a bunch of chaotic locals—including the most adorable little girl, Naru, who basically steals the show.
Barakamon is one of those shows that just feels calming. It’s got plenty of funny moments, but it also hits you with some meaningful lessons about life and growth. It’s the kind of anime that makes you smile and think at the same time.
7. My Roommate is a Cat
This one’s for all my introvert-anxiety besties. The main guy loses his parents and suddenly ends up living with a stray cat named Haru. What makes this anime super special is that you get to hear both the human’s and the cat’s perspective. In fact, it’s the simple moments they share that are so uplifting.
All in all, it’s sweet, quiet, and sometimes emotional, but in the best way. Perfect for rainy days and curling up with a blanket (and maybe your own cat 🐾).
6. Komi Can’t Communicate
Komi is the shy queen of our dreams. She literally can’t talk to anyone and yet somehow ends up becoming the school’s most admired girl. Watching her slowly open up and make friends is so wholesome that it hurts. Not to mention, while it tackles serious themes, it still maintains a funny and lighthearted tone with a major feel-good energy.
The art is beautiful, the humor is on point, and the whole thing just makes you root for her so hard.
5. InuYasha
InuYasha was the first real anime and manga series that I read. I quickly fell in love with the characters from feudal and modern Japan. It follows Kagome, a human girl, who is transported to feudal Japan, where she meets Inuyasha, a half-demon trapped by a sacred arrow. Together, they search for the shattered pieces of the Shikon no Tama, a jewel that grants wishes, while battling enemies and making new friends along the way.
This is a great anime series if you want something cute with a bit of the older Sailor Moon type of feel. It’s nostalgic, and the romance and laughter will keep you smiling for a while. Not to mention, it inspired so many great fanfictions!
4. Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir
I just discovered this anime last year when I was going through anime music videos. Depression had hit me hard, and I decided to give this anime a chance. By the first episode, I was hooked! And I do mean, soul-consuming, forget everything else hooked.
In this show, Marinette and Adrien, armed with magical Miraculous jewels, transform into Ladybug and Chat Noir to protect Paris from akumas sent by the villain Hawkmoth, all while keeping their identities a secret.
This anime is just super cute. The second season was just released, and I’m still hopelessly waiting for the next episode. The best(and most frustrating) part of the show is that Marinette is in love with Adrien, Adrien is in love with Ladybug, and Chat Noir loves Ladybug. They’re basically in love with each other, and it’s adorable and laugh-out-loud funny. Not to mention, it’ll make you throw your pillows at the tv screen.
3. Shugo Chara
Shugo Chara was one of the first anime I watched in high school. The story centers around Amu Hinamori, an elementary school girl with a “cool and spicy” exterior, who wishes for the courage to be her true self. The next morning, she discovers three colorful eggs that hatch into Guardian Characters: Ran, Miki, and Su.
Amu’s Guardian Characters help her discover her true self and fulfill her dreams. As she struggles with her “would-be” selves, Amu learns to “chara-nari” (character transform) or “character change” for special powers, both offensive and practical. Eventually, Amu is recruited as the “Joker” to search for X Eggs and X Characters, corrupted forms of people’s dreams, which the Guardians aim to purify.
Shugo Chara will give you all the feels and remind you of what it was like to be a child again—before depression took over, when you still knew what you wanted to do and who you wanted to be in life.
2. Himouto! Umaru Chan
I’m sure you’ve already seen the pictures for this one. Basically, Umaru Doma is considered the perfect person, but once she’s home, she turns into a lazy, selfish chibi character that just games and watches anime all day while eating snacks and drinking cola. Honestly, she sounds exactly like me!
So, if you ever feel like you’re overwhelmed with adult responsibilities, watching Umaru embrace her lazy side without any worries is sure to bring a smile to your face.
1. Ouran High School Host Club
I just HAD to include Ouran High on this list. When I first watched this, it captured my attention quickly. Basically, Haruhi Fujioka goes to Ouran High on scholarships while most everyone else is just a rich kid that goes. She goes into Music Room 3 and accidentally breaks a vase in front of the eccentric members she meets there, and they make her work it off as their errand boy. I say, boy, because, since she has a tomboyish figure and short hair, they mistake her as a male instead of a female at first.
Which ones were your favorite? What are the best anime series that you would recommend? You can read the full How Anime Helps Overcome Anxiety and Depression, or you might like Inspiring Fairy Tail Quotes Dealing with Mental Illness.
As always,
Keep Smiling!
