The slice-of-life genre wouldn’t be a thing in the modern era if not for the consistent efforts of Kyoto Animation. Established in 1985, the studio is known for its visually stunning shows that are rich in sublime soundtrack and art direction. In fact, all anime by Kyoto Animation are stellar examples of the anime culture.

As one of the leading animation studios in Japan, KyoAni has made its name among the fans for its slice-of-life and romance genre anime. And, in today’s article, we’ll take a look at some of the best anime by Kyoto Animation. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

10. Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!

The title pretty much sums up the whole story of this comedy and romance genre anime. Childish fantasies referred to as “chunibyo” in the anime, staged up in one’s mind from a very young age often lead to some of the most embarrassing moments of a person’s life.

Yuta Togashi, a victim of this so-called disorder, tries to discard his embarrassing past grandiose delusions. Before he could get rid of it, Yuta meets a girl named Rikka Takanashi, who exhibits her own signs of chunibyo syndrome. As their relationship progresses, Yuta’s dream of a chunibyo-free life quickly crumbles away.

9. Full Metal Panic!

Based on a light novel series, this mecha anime by Kyoto Animation follows the 17-year-old Sousuke Sagara, a member of an anti-terrorist private military organization. For his new assignment, he’s tasked with protecting a spirited Japanese High school girl while studying alongside her.

With a ton of military experience and very few social skills, Sousuke finds it difficult to get along in school life. Despite being seen as a military maniac by his classmates, Sousuke gives it all to complete the task at hand no matter what he has to deal with.

8. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid follows the life of Kobayashi, a regular office-going woman who lives an ordinary life. One fateful morning, she finds a dragon, named Tohru, outside her apartment who magically transforms into an adorable human girl. Out of sympathy, she offers the outcast dragon her place to stay at.

To repay Kobayashi’s kindness, Tohru becomes her live-in maid, and she slowly learns her way around the human world. Things take an unexpected turn when other creatures from Tohru’s world end up following her, creating more chaos in Kobayashi’s already-shaken life.

7. Hyouka

Hyouka is certainly one of the best mystery anime by Kyoto Animation. The series revolves around an adroit high school freshman, Hotaro Oreki who is forced to join the Classic Literature Club by an inquisitive and persistent girl, Eru Chitanda.

Driven by Chitanda’s insatiable curiosity, a perennially bored and energy-saving Oreki uses the natural talent he’s been avoiding and solves the trivial yet intriguing mysteries that permeate his daily life. The anime is true to the source material and is a mix of drama and slice-of-life elements.

6. Free!

Free! is a 2013-based sports anime series focused on the life of Haruka Nanase who desires to swim in the water one day. Before graduating from elementary school, he participated in a swimming tournament along with his fellow swimming club members. However, after achieving victory, each of the boys went their separate ways.

Time passed, and in the middle of their uneventful high school lives, Rin appears and challenges Haruka to a match, showing Haruka his overwhelming power. Not wanting it to end like this, Haruka, gathers together former friends once again to create the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club to defeat Rin.

5. K-On!

If you’re a Bocchi The Rock! fan, then this musical anime series is for you. The story follows four high school girls who join the light music club of the all-girls private Sakuragaoka High School to try to save it from being disbanded. A young and carefree, Yui Hirasawa is one among them who strives hard to become a guitarist.

At first, she has no experience playing musical instruments or reading sheet music, but she eventually becomes an excellent guitar player. From then on, Yui, along with bassist Mio Akiyama, drummer Ritsu Tainaka, and keyboardist Tsumugi Kotobuki spend their school days practicing, performing, and hanging out together.

4. Violet Evergarden

When it comes to stunning imagery and soundtracks put together in the form of anime by Kyoto Animation, Violet Evergarden is the epitome of it. Set in an alternate futuristic world, the story follows a young girl who is raised to be a merciless human killing machine. But as fate would have it, she found her way to a hospital after losing one of her limbs in the war.

While she recovers from her wounds, she’s moved by the notion of an “Auto Memory Doll” and decides to become one. Transcribing people’s feelings and thoughts into letters, she begins a new adventure that will reshape the lives of many and hopefully lead to self-discovery.

3. Nichijou

Critically acclaimed for its heart and surreal comedy, Nichijou takes the viewers through the lives of six different personas and their day-to-day adventures. Set in the town of Tokisadame, outlandish events regularly occur throughout the series that affect the main cast and the people around them.

Walking to school, being bitten by a talking crow, spending time with friends, and watching the principal suplex a deer: they are all in a day’s work in the extraordinary everyday lives of those in Nichijou. So, don’t hesitate to dive into one of the “finest comedy anime of all time”.

2. A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice is one of the most emotional and beautiful anime films ever made by Kyoto Animation. The hand-drawn backgrounds, realistic storyboard, and expressive character designs combined with its exquisite imagery make this movie a visual masterpiece.

The film is about the developing relationship between two high school students, Shouka Nishimiya and Shoya Ishida. As a child, Shoya bullied Shouka for being deaf which resulted in his expulsion. Several years later, they both meet again, and this time Shoya tries to make it up to her by forgetting all the past mistakes he did.

1. Clannad: After Story

Clannad is a stellar example of some of the best the visual novel genre has to offer. This romantic slice-of-life anime follows Tomoya Okazaki, a delinquent who wants to drop out of his school. One day, he comes across Nagisa Furukawa who changes her life completely.

Not wanting any trouble, Tomoya tries to ignore her but soon finds out about Nagisa’s dream of reviving her school’s drama club. Tomoya decides to help her and slowly, he gets pulled more and more into the lives of all the girls from the drama club.

Which one of the following anime by Kyoto Animation is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other anime like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.

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