Transferring to a new school is no easy task, especially if you are like Hitori Bocchi and have severe social anxiety that makes it difficult to talk to new people. With only the one friend from elementary school, Kai Yawara, there seems to be little hope for her as she starts high school. The anime follows Hitori Bocchi as she attempts to befriend and talk to all of her new classmates so that her best and only friend, Kai, will speak to her again.

Slice of Life anime set in school is not a new premise, but putting making friends as the central plot makes for an exciting twist as everyone can relate to the nerves of striking up a new conversation. The vast cast of characters and heartwarming feeling Hitoribocchi brings is similar to that of Akebi’s School Uniform. All the cast bring something different, like the delinquent Nako Sunao making for an interesting first friend for Hitori Bocchi.

The countryside can be a peaceful place to escape, and the quiet town of Asahigaoka represents this with its one school that caters to all age groups because the town is so small. Non Non Biyori brings the countryside to life with its colourful characters, ranging from the first-grader Miyauchi Renge to the ninth-grader Koshigaya Suguru, with everything livening up with the arrival of Hotari Ichijou, a fifth-grader from Tokyo.

Similar to Akebi’s Sailor Uniform, Non Non Biyori will melt away anyone’s stress with the laid-back and cheerful atmosphere it creates. A Slice of Life that helps you forget about the tension in your own life, with the soundtrack and art to put anyone’s mind to rest. The moe adds to the charm of Non Non Biyori, making it a stellar example of cute girls doing cute things, a staple of the anime industry.

High school is meant to be the prime time of a youth's life, but not for Koguma, who is a reserved second year with no friends or family, no clubs, and not a goal in sight. However, after picking up a discounted used motorbike, a Honda Super Cub, to try and brighten up her prospects. Koguma embarks on life-changing adventures with her new hobby, giving her the chance to form friendships like never before and experience life in an entirely new way. The colour palette is used exceptionally in this anime to demonstrate the mood change after Koguma gets her Super Cub, going from a dreary world of browns and greys to bursting to life with the vibrant bikes and scenery as her life is changed around.

Super Cub is a soothing anime bringing the Slice of Life ease through the unique hobby of motorcycling. Watching as Koguma develops friendships with Reiko and Eniwa Shii is heartwarming, similar to how Akebi makes friends in her school through the uniqueness of her sailor uniform Koguma makes hers through the uniqueness of her Super Cub hobby. This anime is sure to put anyone’s mind at ease.

Shouko Komi is the stand-out beauty of her class as she begins high school, but no one knows that she struggles to talk to anyone. Komi-san suffers from severe social anxiety and can’t make any friends, making it her goal throughout the anime to make one hundred friends, beginning with her classroom neighbour Hitohito Tadano. However, the stoic perception of Komi is shattered in an instant in the anime as Tadano finds out her secret of not being able to talk to strangers.

Similar to Akebi’s Sailor Uniform, Komi Can’t Communicate relies on the wide cast of characters and their interactions with the titular Komi to create a comedic atmosphere. The animation plays a key part in this aspect, with the picturesque Komi-san being drawn with stoic elegance, only to turn into a cartoonish cat-girl when approached by someone. Quick transition comedy is played up well throughout the anime and makes the body language gags land with a comedic punch.

Embracing the comedic side of things in Slice of Life anime, Asobi Asobase is about three girls on their high school journey. Our story follows the dim-witted Honda Hanako, the new transfer student Olivia who seems like she’s from another country, and Kasumi, who is horrible at English but really into BL. The three engage in classroom antics at school with a hilariously rowdy game with a strange friendship blossoming between the trio. Finally, they decided to form the “Pastime Club” to give them a free space to carry on their antics without hindrance as they develop their workshop of fun.

Friendships come in all forms, with Akebi’s Sailor Uniform and Asobi Asobase showing that it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the same interests or hobbies, having fun together is what matters. Adding comedy to the mundanity of school life brings a lot of joy to the everyday scene, and Asobi Asobase plays into this really well from the start, instead of starting slow like most Slice of Life anime. The art of Asobi Asobase portrays the angelic innocence of high school life, effectively disguising the comedic obscenity that the three girls go through in the series.

Laid-Back Camp is precisely what it sounds like, an anime about camping as a form of relaxation. Rin Shima enjoys solitary camping at the base of Mount Fuji, often taking her tent out alone to camp underneath the stars. However, her usual alone time is interrupted by the lost Nadeshiko Kagamihara, and after spending some time together, the two contemplate future camping trips together. Through the Outdoor Activities Club, new friendships are made, trips are organised, and the whole anime is sprinkled with realistic camping dos and don’ts to give Yuru Camp a feel of authenticity.

The loveable cast of characters helps Yuru Camp to shine as it showcases the hobby of outdoor camping, giving off relaxed vibes throughout but adding a dash of comedy through the relationships between the girls. Much like Akebi’s Sailor Uniform, Yuru Camp shows off the building of friendships through new hobbies, whether you’re an experienced camper like Rin or a complete newbie like Nadeshiko. The art and music perfectly round off Yuru Camp as a feel-good and comfy anime and is definitely worth the watch if you are missing the cosy vibes of Akebi’s Sailor Uniform.