Most Chilled Anime (30 Days of Anime – Years 1 to 5) – Day 23
Several years back, I would have never even considered watching a slower more relaxed series. I needed high-octane action. Not sure what changed, but I have developed a newfound appreciation for more relaxed anime.
Most Chilled Anime (30 Days of Anime – Years 1 to 5) – Day 23
I think it might have been when I realised that while the plot is important, it’s actually the characters that make a story what it is. To that point, if you get the characters right, then I’ll happily sit there and watch them do just about anything. Cooking, larping, making friends, whatever. If I like the characters it doesn’t matter. Just give me more. So, here are the most chilled anime of the last five years of the Otaku Author.
Year 1 – BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense (Season One)
I simultaneously can’t wait for full-dive MMORPGs and am absolutely dreading their invention. Forget about trapping people inside. If they can become whoever they want to be and enjoy adventures played out at a different speed to reality, no one is coming out. BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense pretty much proves that point as Maple and Sally have the most amazingly relaxed adventures as they larp around NewWorld Online. This series is so relaxing and it came into my life at the perfect time. The global pandemic was just getting started and I needed something to help me relax.
Year 2 – I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level (Season One)
I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level personifies a chilled approach to life. Asuza died as an overworked officer working, literally dying at her desk. She was reincarnated to a fantasy world as an immortal witch. So, with time on her hands, she decided to take it easy, killing a handful of slime each day to pay for her food and stuff. It was the quiet life she had always hoped for. However, after three hundred years, she maxed out her levels and discovered that she was the most powerful person in this world. That power attracted many who sought her help or to beat her and prove their strength. Luckily, Asuza remained fairly calm about things and slowly built up a new family full of overpowered friends.
Year 3 – The Fruit of Evolution: Before I Knew It, My Life Had It Made (Season One)
Oh, look. It’s another VRMMORP/Isekai with a longer-than-necessary title! I wonder if that has anything to do with it… Anyhow, The Fruit of Evolution: Before I Knew It, My Life Had It Made follows an entire class that was Isekaied to a fantasy world. However, Seiichi was mistakenly dropped into the middle of a jungle where he had to fend for himself. His unique skills allowed him to survive and even acquire the fruit of evolution that made him evolve. This is obviously a parody of isekai anime and while it doesn’t take itself at all seriously, it is a lot of fun. Everything was easygoing and lighthearted. Plus, there were several characters that I really enjoyed hanging with. Good times all around!
Year 4 – Mysteria Friends (Season One)
So, Mysteria Friends has a shorter title and is a pure fantasy series. It also has shorter episodes that only last for ten minutes, and there are only ten episodes. Despite this, Mysteria Friends managed to paint a beautiful picture of this world and its two main characters Anne and Grea. There was very little in the way of a plot driving things forward as it focused purely on the experiences of Anne and Grea as they grew closer and closer. I loved this series and given the short length, I will definitely be watching it several more times. Perfect for when you need a pick-me-up.
Year 5 – ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess (Season One)
I was not expecting to enjoy ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess anywhere near as much as I did. After two episodes, I was worried that it would get repetitive and boring, even for a chilled show. However, it really didn’t. The wildly entertaining cast of characters managed to keep me glued to the screen. I particularly loved the Hell Lord and how remarkably reasonable he was. It might even be the best employer in all of anime. Anyhow, this series is as relaxed as they come and it’s hilarious and cute all at the same time. I was so glad to discover that a second season was announced shortly after it ended. This is mandatory viewing if you’ve not already seen it!
Final Thoughts!
Daily life seems to be getting faster and more hectic so it’s great that anime has a solution. I still don’t know if I’m quite ready for some of the Cute Girls Doing Cute Things shows, but that seems like a possibility in a couple of years, providing they are somewhat interesting. Regardless, I love that there are shows that I can watch and simply melt into my chair without having to think too hard or feel my heart racing. I’m not about to give up action-packed shows, but it’s nice to have a change of pace available when I need it.
Tomorrow’s entry into the 30 Days of Anime will be my Favourite Comedy Anime, which will reveal just how messed up my sense of humour is. I can only apologize in advance… Thanks for visiting.
Other Posts in the Series
30 Days of Anime (Years 1 to 5)
Nice post 🌅🌅
Many thanks
My most fave chilled series is still Campfire Cooking in Another World despite the RPG system as your power-up is still an awkward way to have a “modern technology” window appear in a medieval setting (which I cheekily reference the power-up magic in WHSD ch17).
Another honourable mention in an action-adventure setting is Dungeon People which was really, really overlooked last summer. I just like how managing a dungeon is vital to provide income to adventurers and the guilds they work for.
I’ve heard of both of those but not got around to watching them. I’ve definitely developed a taste for those sorts of shows so I’ll be sure to schedule them in when I have a chance.