Anime is known for its boundless creativity, featuring characters with extraordinary powers and fantastical worlds that captivate audiences. Among the many themes explored in anime, the portrayal of monsters often stands out, presenting them not as fearsome foes but as relatable beings striving for normalcy. In contrast to real-world perceptions of monsters and demons as menacing entities, many anime depict these creatures leading everyday lives, forming friendships, attending school, and enjoying fine dining just like humans. Here are the ten best anime showcasing these charming monsters.
10. A Centaur’s Life
Also known as A Centaur’s Worries, this comedic slice-of-life anime is adapted from Kei Murayama’s ongoing manga. Following the centaur Himeno Kimihara—affectionately called Hime—viewers are introduced to a world filled with various monsters, including demons, satyrs, and mermaids. The series, which aired for 12 episodes in 2017, explores Himeno’s daily life with her friends, highlighting their unique experiences in a society where monsters coexist with humans.
9. Yo-Kai Watch
Based on a popular video game series developed by Level 5, Yo-Kai Watch is a franchise featuring multiple anime adaptations from 2014 to 2023. In this series, the protagonist uses a Yo-Kai Watch to reveal mischievous spirit creatures known as Yo-Kai, who can cause inexplicable events in the human world. Some Yo-Kai are friendly troublemakers, while others can be more dangerous, requiring intervention from the human characters to restore order.
8. The Vampire Dies in No Time
This supernatural horror comedy, based on Itaru Bonnoki’s ongoing manga, aired from 2021 to 2023. The story follows a vampire hunter named Ronaldo, who discovers that the vampire lord Draluc he seeks to defeat is not the terrifying foe he expected. Instead, the two form an unlikely partnership and share a home, navigating their humorous adventures together while Draluc, despite his weakness, continuously revives after each encounter.
7. Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san
Adapted from the manga by Honda, this comedic series aired in 2018 for 12 episodes. It follows Honda, a skull-faced employee at a quirky bookstore where all the staff possess unusual appearances. Through its comedic lens, the anime captures the everyday challenges and absurdities of working in a bookstore, blending humor with a celebration of the love for manga and comics.
6. Restaurant to Another World
This cooking isekai anime is based on Junpei Inuzuka’s light novel series. Restaurant to Another World invites viewers into a unique eatery that opens its doors to creatures from a fantastical realm every Saturday. The restaurant, known as Western Cuisine Nekoya, serves a diverse clientele that includes humans, elves, and a variety of monsters, each with their culinary preferences. The series showcases the joy of sharing food across different worlds and cultures.
5. How to Keep a Mummy
In this light-hearted iyashikei anime, Sora Kashiwagi’s life takes a whimsical turn when he receives a tiny mummy named Mii-kun as a gift from his father. As the two become friends, Sora learns to navigate their unique bond alongside other fantastical creatures, including an oni child and a dragon. The series, which aired in 2018, highlights themes of friendship and acceptance in a humorous, gentle manner.
4. Interviews with Monster Girls
Set in a world where demi-humans are gradually accepted, this anime follows Tetsuo Takahashi, a biology teacher fascinated by his demi-human students. The series, based on Petos’ manga, explores Tetsuo’s interactions with a vampire, a dullahan, and a yuki onna, as he interviews them to learn more about their lives. It delves into the complexities of identity and acceptance while blending comedy with heartwarming moments.
3. Sgt. Frog
This comedic sci-fi series, originally known as Keroro Gunsou, follows a bumbling platoon of frog-like aliens from Planet Keron. Despite their mission to conquer Earth, their leader Keroro is more interested in hobbies like building Gundams and watching television. The series, which aired from 2004 to 2011, humorously portrays the misadventures of these extraterrestrial beings as they interact with a human family determined to keep them in check.
2. Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun
In this fantasy comedy, Iruma Suzuki is sold to a demon and must navigate life at Babyls School for Demons. Adapted from Osamu Nishi’s manga, the anime aired from 2019 to 2023, highlighting Iruma’s comedic struggles to keep his human identity a secret while making friends with his demon classmates. The series balances humor with moments of friendship and self-discovery.
1. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
This beloved slice-of-life anime follows Miss Kobayashi, an office worker who inadvertently invites a dragon named Tohru to live with her after a drunken encounter in the woods. Tohru becomes Kobayashi’s maid, leading to a series of humorous and heartwarming events as they both adjust to their unconventional household. Adapted from Coolkyousinnjya’s ongoing manga, the series beautifully illustrates the themes of coexistence and friendship between humans and dragons in a modern setting.
These ten anime showcase a delightful range of adorable monsters, each offering a unique perspective on friendship, acceptance, and the joys of life in fantastical worlds.
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