A guide to understanding the wonderful world of the Slice-Of-Life Anime genre. Apart of the Guide To Anime Project created by Nopy and I.
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Introduction: Purpose Of This Guide
The purpose for me writing this is two-fold. One, to the explain and describe what the slice-of-life genre is while providing examples and easy to understand traits that make it what is. Two, encourage participation in the Guide To Anime project me and Nopy pieced together. This guide contains no obscure material and only information/examples of things in English or available to everyone. This guide was made for an English audience or just about anyone looking to get started in this genre or wishing to know more. This list was put together by shows I personally viewed and my own experiences; it contains no hearsay. By no means this perfect, flawless, or meticulously organized. At best, this a quick and moderately detailed look at the subject at hand. If you think you can do a better job, show off what you know, or otherwise, head to the link above to see how you can participate.
Defining The Slice-Of-Life
The term Slice-of-life first was coined during the Realism art movement in 1850′s used to describe mundane events of daily life. For Anime, the term now is used to define a genre with the same goal in mind: Depicting the everyday (or not so everday) lives of the people, places, and events that are always present. Hence the term, Slice-of-life. It is an examination of vignettes and occurrences. that attribute to living and at least some of the aspects in life that are under-minded.
Elements Of Slice-Of-Life
There are few key elements that distinguish the slice-of-life genre from all others. The following are a few key examples, but not always hard and fast rules for series or even limited to.
-Little to No plot/storyline: This is probably one of the most important and hard to understand elements of the genre. While most series do adhere to the basic storytelling method, slice-of-life series are less constrained to keeping to the technique. So it usually means no lengthy exposition, dire conflict, big problem to solve, or even a clear-cut ending. Just like how the genre got its name, the stories are “slices” of the characters life’s and further more, often relateable or realistic issues we all can and might experience. However, often times the plot is visible, but just focusing on the experiences or whatever is the subject.
Often times you will not see a nice and structured storytelling method such as this and more linear than anything else.
-Character Driven: Most series if not all series are character driven or the characters are the main focus. Examples would be: Aria, Hanasaku Iroha, Tamayura, and Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou as well as others that primarily focus on the dreams and aspirations of the cast and their journey to achieve them. Sometimes, most are very relaxing and philosophical (A nod to Aria, Sketchbook S ~Fullcolors~, and Bartender), while others might contain some drama (Hanasaku Iroha, Clannad, Air,) and others are cute and light; bordering near the comedy genre or share the same pallet (Working, Bincho-tan, and K-ON!, Hidamari Sketch). Whatever the sub-genre or general story, the characters are the most seasoned and important element to express the Verisimilitude (likeliness) of things we often think about, experience, or can learn. Again, these tales are “slices” of the characters life’s
-School Life as a subject and Sub-genre: The two most disorienting, yet simple to explain details. Series such as: Hidamari Sketch, A-Channel, and K-ON!, are all considered slice-of-life titles for the school life element they contain, but not all school life elements are equivalent to making a series a slice-of-life. For example: Usagi Drop is a slice-of-life series that focuses more on parenthood and family to appeal to a wider audience, despite the Josei demographic. At best, the school life element is a considered a sub-genre, usually one that is mostly like to latch onto the slice-of-life name, but not completely always. Another example is Clannad: it can be considered a slice-of-life (due to the features mentioned above and more), but it can be considered a smaller sub-genre it comes to the Drama and Romance elements. Vice versa for Binchou-tan, that can be called a comedy, but really a sub-genre when it comes down to the slice-of-life element. For a beginner to Anime this might be overwhelming, but becomes clearer after watching series like the aforementioned titles and more.
-Passage Of Time/Seasons: Minuet as it maybe this trait is significant. While it does help move the story along and introduce some episode variety, the passage of both time and seasons are basic element of life itself, thus helping to create a more believable and genuine depiction of the mundane. At least 95% of all slice-of-life series show this feature or emphasis it by some fashion (Example: A-channel, Hidamari Sketch, Tamayura, Ichigo Mashimaro)
Why Should I Watch This Genre? Why Should I Care?
Life is not all about big explosions, shoot outs, feeling up hot women (or finding affable and sexy men for ladies), or impressive theatrics. Rarely do those things happen in daily life, but they are nice and interesting to watch. Yet, it is also enjoyable to step away from these things every once and awhile to relax, contemplate, and focus on things contrary to a basic life. As a fellow devotee of the genre, I can fully said with the utmost confidences that the slice-of-life genre rivals all others and can achieve the same goal of being entertaining, but in different ways. Of course, the genre is not for everyone, but anyone that calls themselves a fan of Anime or an self-proclaimed “Otaku” can not claim that title without at least stumbling upon one the of the many series I have listed.
Top 10 Slice-Of-Life Title Recommendations
If you are looking to getting started in the slice-of-life arena, these following titles are must watch gems. I highly recommend each of these and highly recommend you at least begin with these before seeking out others that might give you a bad experience. These titles are in no particular order.
Aria
1. Aria The Animation: This is probably the #1 show that no fan should go without watching and maybe the first I would recommend to newbies: Aria! Among seasoned veterans and fanatics, Aria is one of the most well-received titles of its kind. Directed by the famous Junichi Satou (mostly known for his work with genre, as well as other non slices of life), Aria is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. It might be somewhat dated, but truly the best testament yet to the genre.
2. Kamichu!: Yurie Hitotsubashi is a God! However, being a God in the 1980s era of Japan is not exactly the easiest thing and more over, she does know the first thing about being one. Well, she is going to learn the old-fashioned way. Experience! A collaborative animation with Brain Base, Aniplex, and Production Reed births Kamichu! Certainly, if you in the mood for some light-hearted fun and fuzzy, fluffy clout – then this title is the ticket. An instant win for a newbie looking for another fine series to add to their slice-of-life library and memories.
3. Binchou-tan: A title that is considered to the sister spiritual to Aria and its sequels?! It might be over exaggeration, but Binchou-tan does have some medal to its name. Best known for its Super Deformed and Kawaii-esque features, Binchou-tan is amongst the worlds tiniest wonders in every sense of the word. Again, it is a dated title for quality, but the quality will hardly matter much if you are watching for the right reason.
Cast Of The Series "Air"
4. Project Key (Air, Clannad, Kanon): While all the titles are more drama designed, they are still considered apart of the slice-of-life family just as they are anything else. I would like to separate these each and talk about them as the separate stand-alone series that they are, but honestly I would recommend watching them all. My favorite of Key’s Project’s would be Air, while a majority of other fans might go toward Clannad or Kanon, but start with whatever you find interesting. Also, keep some tissues handy…you will need them. Trust me.
Hidamari Sketch
5. Hidamari Sketch: Nice introduction to the animation style of the studio SHAFT and great all-around series with currently three completed seasons and a fourth upcoming
6. Azumanga Daioh: A mix of comedy, school life, and slice-of-life elements.
7. Binbo Shimai Monogatari: Somewhat dated series that is mix of drama and slice-of-life, but charming all the same.
Genshiken
8. Genshiken: The comedy/slice-of-life bible for the Otaku. No fan should pass this series up or its sequel either.
9. Haibane Renmei: Interesting mix of drama, fantasy, and slice-of-life elements that deal with more ethereal concepts underneath the subtext.
10. A-channel: Senien directed show that is a pure slice-of-life, school life based show with some sprinkling of comedy here and there.
Honorable Mentions
1. Bartender
3. Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World
5. Minami-ke
6. Tamayura
Top 5 Manga Series
1. Aqua (Prequel to Aria) and Aria (completed – highly recommend)
2.Hoozuki-san Chi no Aneki (completed – somewhat more comically)
3. Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (completed – highly recommend)
4. Highschool Girls: (completed – considered more comedy/ecchi, but does have slice-of-life elements. Also has an Anime Version)
5. Azumanga Daioh: (completed – highly recommended)
Conclusion
The Slice-of-life genre is definitely an acquired taste, but far from being enjoyed by anyone. If you have strong desire to watch some try something new and not particularly seeking a high octane thrill ride, this genre will satisfy and maybe surprise you ways you never imagined. If you are in the fun-loving, relaxed, or even somewhat disturbed mood I can not conceive of a better a solution to help add or lightening you up more respectively.
Very nice guide. I’m a fan of Slice of Life anime genre.
I haven’t watch Aria and Kamichu! yet, guess i’ll put it in my anime to watch list
Thanks for the recommendation.
I don’t think I could have described the genre any better. Personally, I would’ve moved Minami-ke into the top 10, I loved that anime.
Lol project key ;D I had a hard time picking between Clannad or Kanon in Key’s Big Three though I find no problem in NOT choosing Air at all, lol.
Cromartie Highschool more or less a male counterpart to Azumanga. But a school with a gorilla, robots, and Freddie Mercury, one could only WISH that was a slice of life.
yay, Genshiken was mentioned!
Im a big slice of life fan, I like to see anticlimatic anime from time to time.
Aria was a nice (scifi) sol, the city of Neo Venecia was so enchanting.
As I watched the first season I felt the urge to become an Undine ^^
Kamichu was also a great show, just lovely.
I didn’t really know Kanon and Clannad were also considered as slice of life animes, since they had heavy drama parts.
Thx for the recommendations of Bartender and Binchou-tan I havent heard about them until now.
I know it may had been categorized as such on MAL and other sites, but I find it hard to see stuff like HanaIro, Clannad, Air, Binbou Shimai Monogatari as Slice-of-life. I know that series like these had pure SoL episodes, but does it make the series SoL as a whole? These are dramas, and having episodes like these in drama series is almost a given.
Personally, I’d rather have Slice-of-life be considered a primary genre than a sub-genre like it is now. Anime that are called “slice-of-life” should have it’s SoL elements as a primary selling point to prevent abuse of the term, which is also a widely-debated topic.
Same goes for Ichigo Mashimaro and Working. They should be considered comedy and not so much a mix of both.
I did not use MAL for the listing; that is actually from Jun’s own notes in an article he wrote on the series. While it may have been more drama based, the technique of realism (magical realism) provided the basis for the slice-of-life attribute – not any particular episode or feeling. Since Jun noted it as such, I will not disagree with his take on it. He also noted as it a serious drama, but also not completely that. I wouldn’t have added without being sure of it. Plus, I believe I summed up what he said in the introduction slightly on realism.
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Hmm. Does Honey and Clover (Hachimitsu to Kurouba) count? Or Hourou Musuko (Wandering Son)? Time of Eve should definitely count as a slice-of-life. *trying to think of others and failing* I tend to think of Natsume Yuujinchou and Mushishi this way too, but they also include fantasy elements. I fully approve of Usagi Drop’s inclusion. And oh, Aria.
I think slice-of-life are often thought of as plotless, but I think the truth is that each episode is self-contained, and then the longer character arc is often only apparent in hindsight — predicting what comes next like looking through the wrong end of a telescope, partly because the change is so slow. I really wish I knew how to write interestingly this way…