The slice-of-life category is a popular genre with various stories ranging from school settings to work settings with a character or group of characters growing or adapting through a certain part of their life as they face the daily challenges or obstacles of life.
However, it is odd to see a shonen anime that is a slice-of-life anime as well, but they do exist. Some examples are Hyouka, Silver Spoon, and Ancient Magus Bride. Many shonen anime do not fall under the slice-of-life category but closely walk the borderline but fall short for various reasons. However, there are shonen anime that can still easily be adapted to fit no matter how far they may fall from the tree.
10 Blue Exorcist Is The New Kid On The Block
Just when Rin didn’t think his life could get more troublesome, he learns that he is a son of Satan and, with no real knowledge of how the exorcist world works, begins to attend the exorcist cram school, True Cross Academy. That already is a recipe for a slice-of-life that starts with the new kid learning to adapt to his new surroundings.
The story’s focus could be on the hard work Rin puts into his studies while trying to earn his brother’s approval. Also, being who he is, making friends would be a challenge, but the deepening of bonds can be shown as he helps others work through their problems while learning that Rin is not a bad guy.
9 Dragon Ball Z Shows The Troubles Of Gohan Trying To Be A Normal Student
Surprisingly Dragon Ball has already given hints of how it could be turned into a slice-of-life. One story route could be through Goku living the domestic life of a radish farmer and learning how to not use his powers for everything.
However, a better route would be to show Gohan’s full transition through high school and becoming a scholar while also trying not to use his powers. The story could show the classes he takes, the preparation for upcoming hard tests, the school clubs or activities he participates in, and any friendship bonds that are made along the way.
8 Rurouni Kenshin Could Find Redemption Through Teaching
If the infamous swordsman Kenshin did not have to worry about his past coming back to constantly kill him, and if someone claiming to be him did not damage the reputation of Kaoru’s kendo school, a slice-of-life story would be plausible.
The focus could be the daily life of the kendo school and maybe have Kenshin serve as an additional instructor with students coming to their instructors for advice on life problems as well as training problems. Kenshin could use his teaching as a way to redemption and maybe prevent others from taking the path he took.
7 Fairy Tail Might Show How Lucy Uses Her Spirits For Household Activities
The world of Fairy Tail is so large that there are many mages that a slice-of-life story could be formed around. However, it would most likely be a better idea to focus on the guild that shares the same name as the series. The Fairy Tail guild has a good selection of characters to pick from. Such as Lucy who is an aspiring writer and a celestial mage.
Lucy’s story could focus on her daily life, the writing of her book, and maybe showing the use of her spirits for everyday house activities. The series could also focus on the day-to-day workings of running the guild and the different members who contribute to helping more at the guild than adventuring and taking jobs.
6 The Vampire Dies In No Time Minus Ronaldo
It may seem like a long stretch to turn the comedic, sometimes raunchy, shonen into a slice-of-life, but it is still doable, especially if the story were to rewind to a time before Ronaldo ever entered the scene.
Draluc is over 200 years old, which leaves a lot to work with. The story could start with showing how Draluc got his castle in Transylvania and the meeting of the adorable John. The focus could switch to the daily lives of Draluc and John living together of figuring out how to do certain household chores without Draluc turning to dust.
5 The Devil is a Part-Timer! Showcases The Struggle Of A Work-Life Balance
If Sadao had fully decided not to return to Ente Isla in The Devil Is a Part-Timer! and lived out the rest of his time on Earth among the humans without worrying about enemies, this series could smoothly turn into a slice-of-life. The story could show more focus on his journey up the corporate ladder of McRonald’s and the work involved with running a franchise.
It could also show more issues that come with living on one’s own, the issues of bills and chores. There also would be more time to see existing relationships, especially with love interests, become deeper and closer.
4 Assassination Classroom Show Strong Teacher-Student Bonds
The class of 3-E in Assassination Classroom gets more than they bargained for with their new teacher Koro-sensai, who turns out to be a tentacled alien with crazy powers. If the main goal for the class wasn’t to become well-trained assassins to kill their teacher, it could easily become a slice-of-life.
The series is driven by the character growth of every single student in Class 3-E. The teacher-student bonds are strong due to Koro-sensai encouraging his students at every turn. He teaches them real-life lessons of overcoming personal life issues as well as issues made by the tyrannical school system.
3 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime! Displays The Struggles Of Running A Kingdom
In That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime!, the isekaied Satouro, now known as Rimuru Tempest, is a slime that, through various events, comes to rule over a kingdom of his making that he names Tempest. There are different ways it could be adapted to a slice-of-life, such as focusing on the daily inner workings and duties that Rimuru must perform to keep the kingdom in order.
Another possible route could be to focus on the daily lives of some of the people who live in Tempest and the struggles they overcome with the help of Rimuru.
2 Log Horizon Is About That City Life
After the latest Elder Tale game update, millions of players found they could not log out and were made to learn to adapt to their new surroundings. The city of Akiba, once full of empty, rundown buildings, became a city bustling with life due to the efforts of Shiroe and friends. A slice-of-life would be doable if the focus were switched to only Akiba and the people living within.
Maybe focus on the people of the land, their journey to Akiba, and learning how to work with these new adventurers. One daily trial could be having to work against the adventurers’ discrimination. Festivals that already occur work well as challenges for the merchants but also as places of character bonding.
1 My Hero Academia Is Already Close To Being A Slice-Of-Life
The quirkless Midoriya in My Hero Academia grows up admiring heroes and their quirks. Through a twist of fate, he becomes the protege of the number one hero, All Might, and inherits his powers. Not long after, Midoriya is accepted into UA High. Midoriya and his 1-A classmates grow deep bonds that see their shares of ups and downs.
If there was hardly any fighting to worry about, the series could be adapted to focus more on the school life scene and careers that their quirks could be used for other than hero work. Also, there have already been school competitions, school trips, and a school festival that already play into the slice-of-life genre.
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