An afternoon filled with nothing but catching up on favorite anime might sound like the best day imaginable but, let's be realistic, sometimes there simply isn't time to relax and rewind the way we deserve. However, there are still some ideal anime series to bring a little joy into the busiest of days.
These short-episode anime, featuring segments usually less than 15 minutes -- all the way down to a minute or two in length -- are the perfect solution to whip out during coffee breaks and lunch hours, featuring a variety of oddities sure to make anyone crack a smile.
Aggretsuko: A Quick & Wild Anime With Anthropomorphic Characters
Speaking of coffee breaks and lunch hours, Netflix's Aggretsuko features anthropomorphic businesswoman Retsuko as she tries to negotiate her everyday life in the fast lane -- all through the power of heavy metal she has coursing through her red panda veins. Her director is sexist and inconsiderate, her coworkers annoying and vapid, but at least she has karaoke, where she can let her feelings fly.
Over the course of four seasons, Retsuko does come to an understanding with many of her former stressors and there is certainly a plot for audiences to engage with. That said, Aggretsuko is also easy to enjoy episodically with its wildly heavy rock music and commentary on modern millennial society. For anyone who can relate to Retsuko's struggles or just wants a simple and enjoyable show to wind down with, Aggretsuko is an ideal choice.
Aggretsuko is available to stream on Netflix.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Short Segments Full of Comedy
Life isn't easy for a teenaged psychic, and The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. demonstrates this in the most hilarious way possible. Though each episode is a full 24-minute length, they are broken into smaller segments that make it easy to watch this anime bit by bit. Saiki Kusuo is simply trying to make it through high school without anyone finding out he's a psychic.
Sure, gym class might be a struggle when your typical toss can knock someone unconscious, but for someone with telekinesis, teleportation, x-ray vision, telepathy and general disregard for people, Saiki is doing pretty well. However, between home, high school and the trouble he manages to tumble into outside of those, he'll be lucky to reach graduation without the whole world knowing his secret.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is available to stream on Funimation and Netflix.
This Boy Is a Professional Wizard: A Short But Affecting BL Tale
A somewhat softer story more focused on human relations than others on this list, This Boy Is a Professional Wizard is a contribution to the little-known This Boy Collection from director Yamamoto Soubi. With its distinct and luscious art style and LGBTQ+ positive message, this short anime is a definite comfort food. Watching the entire show takes less than 30 minutes, encircling the story of Kashima Chiharu and his encounter with possible love -- and how it clashes with his professional life.
Chiharu is a wizard captain within a government division known as Magical Crisis. His days are miserable and stressful until he encounters Toyohi Utsumi at a bar, and a romantic relationship begins to flourish between the two. However, Chiharu's work is never far behind and begins to push the couple apart, leaving it up in the air whether they will have the commitment to each other despite obstacles.
This Boy Is a Professional Wizard is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Senyuu: A Heartfelt Survival Story With Isekai Elements
Hero Number 45 is going to save the world. Alright, perhaps he's only maybe going to save the world, but there are 75 possible descendants from the great hero Creasion, and Alba Frühling has the Royal Knight Ross on his side. This increases his chances of defeating the Demon Lord -- or of getting killed by one of Ross's sadistic plots himself, so he's optimistic.
Senyuu is a delightful fantasy romp filled with classic isekai elements, taking them apart to create a funny, original and surprisingly heartfelt story that includes many murder attempts from a knight upon his liege. Everything about Senyuu ends up being unexpected, and each character has the chance to surprise and grow as the series progresses. Though each episode is only a few minutes long, the story definitely makes the most of it to make audiences laugh, gasp, groan and cheer as the protagonists manage another day of not dying.
Senyuu is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san
The aches and pains of retail are real in Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san, where the daily disasters of working for a bookstore are detailed with wit and weariness. Honda and his band of coworkers detail the inner workings of their store, from setting displays to preparing for new releases to the more extreme cases -- like a middle-aged man unknowingly dropping in to pick up highly inappropriate yaoi content for his teenage daughter.
There is nothing peaceful about this atmosphere, and the panic in the air only subsides in the brief moments before the employees realize they had something else that should've been done ten minutes ago. For anyone who has worked in this sort of retail space, Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san is sure to be full of relatable characters and moments, worth a chuckle or at least a sigh after a busy day's work.
Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
