10 Heartwarming Anime Guaranteed to Bring a Smile to Your Face
Unwind and lighten up with these heartwarming and delightful anime series From the charming Barakamon to the enchanting My Neighbor Totoro, this list of 10 comfort anime is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and help you relax Dive into a world of joy and laughter!
Not all anime is filled with action and drama. Some are perfect for unwinding and bringing joy to your day. Here's a list of 10 comforting anime series that you'll never grow tired of watching.
While some anime offer thrilling battles, others gently capture your heart and leave a lasting impression. Many of the most well-known anime tend to be intense or tragic.
While Shonen fights and heart-breaking drama can be entertaining, anime fans often seek a relaxing break from it. That's why nothing beats the comfort of soothing, evergreen anime series and movies.
Calm and slow-paced anime has the power to lift your spirits. If you're in need of something stress-free and humorous, take a look at our top 10 picks below.
1. Barakamon
Crunchyroll
Barakamon is the epitome of a feel-good anime series, filled with valuable life lessons, comical scenes, and heartwarming friendships. The story follows Sei Handa, a passionate calligraphist who is sent to a remote island to reflect after a confrontation with a respected colleague. Initially struggling to adapt to rural life, Handa eventually discovers his own artistic style and finds meaning in his work, thanks to the eccentric locals and the spirited young Naru Kotoishi.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
2. Flying Witch
Crunchyroll
Makoto Kowata, a fifteen-year-old witch, is the central character of this delightful anime series. Embracing the witch’s tradition, she relocates from her parent’s home to live with her relatives in a quaint town known for its lush nature and deep connection to magic.
You can find Makoto, an ordinary high school girl with an eccentric desire to become a renowned witch, and her inspired cousin Chinatsu on Crunchyroll.
3. Natsume’s Book of Friends
Crunchyroll
This Shojo anime incorporates various religious traditions from Japan, such as ghosts, spirits, and yokai. The narrative centers around Takashi Natsume, who is unable to connect with humans due to his ability to see yokai. After a series of foster homes, he arrives at his late grandmother's home, a woman he never knew. With the help of a powerful yokai named Madara, Natsume discovers her Book of Friends, which contains the names of yokai, and sets out to release them all.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
4. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun
Crunchyroll
Telling the story of eccentric high school students, this anime series revolves around Chiyo Sakura, who mistakenly declares herself as a fan of her crush, Nozaki, instead of confessing her feelings to him. To her surprise, Nozaki gives her his autograph, only for her to later discover that he is a popular Shojo mangaka.
Watch "After a series of hilarious events, she ends up becoming his assistant and makes friends with her quirky schoolmates, such as the hot-headed Hori, the shy but shameless Mikoto, and a girl known as the Prince, Kashima."
Streaming on: Crunchyroll
5. Howl’s Moving Castle
Netflix
No matter how many times you watch it, this Studio Ghibli classic remains timeless. Set in a magical world, the film explores a variety of themes including humanity, self-identity, compassion, and belonging. Its most enduring message revolves around its portrayal of war and its devastating impact.
The main character, Sophie Hatter, is an ordinary young woman who is cursed by the Witch of the Waste after encountering Howl. The curse causes Sophie to age rapidly, leaving her resembling a 90-year-old woman. She embarks on a directionless journey away from her home, but her life takes a positive turn when she enters Howl's castle.
Where to watch: Netflix
6. Snow White with the Red Hair
The perfect anime for Shojo romance enthusiasts, Snow White with the Red Hair on Crunchyroll offers breathtaking scenery, endearing characters, and a well-paced storyline. Shirayuki runs a quaint herbal shop and frequently draws unwanted attention due to her distinct red hair.
Watch on Crunchyroll for access to the full story.
7. My Neighbor Totoro
Netflix
My Neighbor Totoro, a timeless Studio Ghibli classic, tells the story of two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father to be near their hospitalized mother. As they adjust to rural life, the girls encounter supernatural beings.
One day, Mei discovers a small, bunny-like creature in the garden. She follows it into the forest and comes across "Totoro" - a massive, mysterious forest spirit who quickly becomes her friend. When Satsuki also meets Totoro, the sisters find that their lives are suddenly filled with extraordinary woodland creatures and magical outdoor adventures.
Where to watch: Netflix
8. The Morose Mononokean
Crunchyroll
In Japanese folktales, Yokai are often portrayed as scary, but in Yokai-centered anime they are depicted as adorable and comforting. Hanae Ashiya encounters a fluffy Yokai just before starting high school. However, the Yokai latches onto him and makes him sick, to the extent that Hanae spends several days in the nurse’s office.
You can find it to watch on Crunchyroll.
9. Whisper of the Heart
Netflix
Whisper of the Heart is a captivating Studio Ghibli film that tells the story of two teenagers. Shizuku, who is more interested in reading fiction and writing poetry than in her studies, becomes curious about a boy named Seiji who always checks out the same books as her. One day, she follows a strange cat onto a train and stumbles upon an intriguing antique store. There, she meets Seiji and they become friends. Seiji's passion for making violins inspires Shizuku to pursue her own dreams.
Where to watch: Netflix
10. Hinamatsuri
Crunchyroll
Hinamatsuri is a touching story of a yakuza who finds himself taking care of a young girl with extraordinary powers. Yoshifumi Nitta's life takes a drastic turn when he encounters a girl emerging from a capsule with incredible abilities. Just when he thinks things couldn't get any more complicated, she struggles to control her powers and is at risk of causing a destructive explosion if they remain unchecked.
You can find the peculiar duo's weird life on Crunchyroll after Nitta ends up taking care of Hina and discovers that she is a great asset to his yakuza company.
How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023
Crunchyroll stands as the top destination for streaming anime worldwide, featuring popular titles such as One Piece, Attack on Titan, and Jujutsu Kaisen. With the assistance of ExpressVPN, individuals can now unlock access to the platform’s complete library from anywhere outside the US.
To access Crunchyroll's full selection while abroad, simply sign up for ExpressVPN. With ultra-fast servers and secure, private connections worldwide, it's that simple.
Connect to any location in the US with Express VPN, which offers a choice of 24 different spots from New Jersey to Santa Monica. Explore Crunchyroll online and begin streaming all your favorite animes, and maybe discover some new ones as well.
Accessing Crunchyroll's US library offers a significant advantage. For example, users in Hong Kong have access to fewer than 100 titles, whereas the US library boasts nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. Additionally, you have the option to stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan, or you can opt for a subscription, which also includes a 14-day free trial for those who are undecided.
You can check out a few of our other lists below and our other anime coverage here:
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I'm always on the lookout for heartwarming and delightful anime series that can bring a smile to my face and help me relax. The list of 10 comforting anime mentioned in the article caught my attention, and I'm excited to explore these hidden gems.
I'm particularly drawn to Barakamon, which seems like the epitome of a feel-good anime series. The story of a passionate calligraphist sent to a remote island to reflect on his life resonates with me, as I often seek solace and inspiration in nature. The idea of discovering one's own artistic style and finding meaning in work through the interactions with eccentric locals and spirited characters sounds both heartwarming and inspiring.
