Short episode anime are in a totally different playing field from your normal shows. Interestingly enough, a lot of short anime are more geared towards adults in their humor and writing. Short-form anime series usually centers around unique concepts that can be bundled into episodes between three to eighteen minutes. Some may even run for under three minutes and be geared towards young children.
While you may not hear as much about them, short-episode anime are often enjoyable and watching a whole season can feel like a full-on cinematic experience or the joys experienced from any long-running anime series. There are a surprising amount of short-form anime series out there and it can sometimes be difficult to figure out which are worth the effort, which is exactly why this narrows down some of the very best selections.
Updated on June 4th, 2021, by Daniel Kurland: Every year there are dozens of new anime series to check out as well as extensions to series that have been already running for years. All of this content and long-running anime series can sometimes seem exhausting and it’s in these scenarios where short-form anime series are the perfect salve.
15 A Heavy Joy & Passion For Manga Is Alive And Well In Mangirl!
There are some absolutely fantastic anime series that focus on the creation of manga and anime that can also function as a progressive deconstruction of form. Mangirl! looks at a group of girls who set out to create the most popular manga of all time, but they have zero experience in the department.
Each episode of Mangirl! Is only three minutes long, but in that time it delightfully explores both the stresses and triumphs of creating art. The characters are also an absolute delight and it’s hard to not get sucked in by their infectious energy.
14 Ketsuekigata-kun! Educates As Much As It Entertains
There’s a popular breed of anime that strives to educate their audience as much as they entertain them. This sort of informational approach works especially well for short-form series since they can tackle plenty of diverse topics in a concise amount of time. Ketsuekigata-kun!, otherwise known as A Simple Thinking About Blood Type, features anthropomorphized versions of different blood types.
This absurdist take on blood types is highly silly, but it’s also actually informative and it’s shocking how much Ketsuekigata-kun! can fit in only two-minute episodes. With four seasons and nearly 50 episodes, Ketsuekigata-kun! has grown into a genuine hit.
13 Teekyu Is An Absurdist Burst Of Joy
There is no shortage of anime series that highlight many different sports and the competitive spirit that surrounds them all. Teekyu is technically about a group of high-energy girls that play tennis, but the sport and any semblance of plotting feel like an afterthought in this surreal series.
Teekyu’s episodes are only two minutes long and it uses this time to flow with a stream of consciousness approach to its chaos where anything is possible. Teekyu is absolutely hilarious and there’s a lot of it to consume with 74 episodes available across seven seasons.
12 Yamishibai Is A Cornucopia Of Bite-Sized Horror Stories
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories has become a bit of an institution in Japan and it’s almost like a short-form version of The Twilight Zone. Each episode of Yamishibai breaks down a different classic Japanese ghost story or supernatural folklore, which provides a collection of horror stories that audiences may not recognize.
Yamishibai has eight seasons and admittedly its strongest installments are in its earliest seasons. However, Yamishibai is still a welcoming presence to have around that keeps the tradition of storytelling alive, even if it’s flawed.
11 Miss Monochrome: The Animation Is The Perfect Fish Out Of Water Story
Short-form anime benefit from the ability to flourish with a very simple premise that’s not enough to sustain a full-length anime series. Miss Monochrome: The Animation is a great example of this and the four-minute series centers around an aspiring idol who holds a heavy disdain to all colors and desires a world of literal black and whites.
A lot of the joy in Miss Monochrome stems from the public’s complete confusion over the title character’s perplexing attitude. She’s such a strange individual, but also deeply endearing.
10 I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying Is Slice Of Life Bliss
This is a comedy anime that tells the daily life struggles of a married couple. Hajime is an otaku that works from home and is addicted to all things anime. Kaoru is a salary worker that doesn’t know the first thing about her husband’s obsession. The story follows the twos life together as they indulge each other’s hobbies.
This anime is perfect for adults who find comedy in marriage, and who may be a couple with different interests themselves. It taps into a very real dynamic and may reflect a mirror to the audience that’s uncomfortably authentic to some.
9 The Disastrous Life of Saiki K Is A Delightful Spin On Psychic Powers
When looking for a bit more action, then Saiki K is the way to go. The manga revolves around the gifted character Saiki who wants to keep his powers a secret. He has many psychic abilities, including teleportation, and is forced into situations where he must use his powers to keep his peaceful life.
This is another comedy series that fans of Shonen anime will enjoy, but it’s also something that isn’t afraid to push boundaries and deconstruct the medium in a way that’s deeply satisfying to seasoned anime fans. It’s insanely funny, but also smart and has heart.
8 Bananya’s Cuteness Is Impossible To Deny
This is one of the flagship anime of Crunchyroll, the famous simulcast streaming service. The concept is quite cute and combines bananas with cats to create Bananyas. These banana-cats are curious creatures that love going on adventures and in the second season even get there own planet.
This is a short feel-good series about cute critters perfect for adults and children.
7 Tonari No Seki-kun: The Master Of Killing Time Shows How Opposites Attract
This is another anime comedy series about two students in a classroom. Yokoi tries her best to pay attention in class, but the boy in the desk beside her throws a wrench into those plans. Seki spends his class time playing elaborate games and pulling objects like dominos seemingly out of nowhere constantly distracting Yokoi. T
hose that are looking for an all-ages anime comedy will be pleasantly pleased with The Master of Killing Time. This is especially true for those that yearn for elaborate distractions and the absurdist consequences that occur when everything falls apart.
6 Aggretsuko Is An Inspiration To Introverts Everywhere
Aggretsuko almost instantly became a hit when it first hit Netflix, but it’s gone on to celebrate several seasons and even a Christmas special that emphasizes the public’s love over Aggretsuko. The Sanrio character Retsuko is an office worker with a cruel boss named Director Ton.
Tired of being pushed around, she begins to find comfort in singing heavy metal and dreams of one day getting married and quitting her job. The show follows Retsuko as she tries to make it through everyday work and romance struggles.
5 Jingai-san No Yome Highlights The Power Of Love In The Craziest Way Possible
This is a wholesome, but strange romance anime with a ton of quirks. Tomari is surprised to find out that he has gotten married; he is even more surprised when he meets his fluffy monster wife, Kanenogi.
Despite this strange twist in his wife, he befriends several classmates that are also married to monster wives. Tomari must learn about his new wife, who seems to mostly enjoy eating concrete, yet he doesn’t let that get in the way from this sweet and unconventional love story.
4 Hetalia: Axis Powers Is The Best Way To Get A History Lesson
Hetalia is a famous anime that depicts several countries into personified forms. Every country is turned into an anime boy and represents a very loose representation of their country. The countries all sit around a table and argue about matters that get out of hand incredibly quickly.
For fans of more random comedy, this show should scratch that itch, but it’s also been able to evolve in impressive ways over the course of its many seasons.
3 Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san Is Excellent & Surreal Workplace Comedy
This is another anime that is geared more for an adult audience, especially those who work retail jobs. Honda is an earnest man who just happens to be a skeleton and works in a Japanese bookstore. He quickly begins to learn just how strange it can be to work with the general public.
Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san does an excellent job to combine mundane workplace scenarios with the extremely absurdist characters that fill its world. Those that should be feared or would be tyrants in other anime are lowly retail cogs here. This series has Honda fumbling his way through the print-based otaku world.
2 Chi’s Sweet Home Is An Overdose Of Comfort In A Short Span Of Time
Anime does a good job to cater towards many different animals, but Chi’s Sweet Home is mandatory viewing for any cat lovers or even those that are looking for something sweet that the entire family can enjoy together. This anime follows the adventure of Chi, a kitten who was separated from her litter and gets a new home with a kind family.
Chi is young and adventures but has much to learn about the world around her. It finds the right balance between sweet and sentimental, yet also feels like genuine. This story follows Chi has she begins to better understand the world around her.
1 Encouragement of The Climb
Romance can sometimes be an overbearing presence in anime, but there are definitely series that cultivate an atmosphere that can just thrive on friendship and positive energy. Some series are content to just bask in joy and teamwork, which is the case in Encouragement of the Climb. This anime centers around four young girls who are into mountain climbing.
Each episode follows them on their adventures and even throws in a little bit of light-hearted comedy that helps break up the action. Mountain climbing remains a fairly niche topic in anime, so Encouragement of the Climb makes for an appreciated change of pace. However, in the end it’s really about the bonds of friendship and teamwork, which makes it another ideal series that both young and old audiences can enjoy.
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