Yes, you probably saw this coming. Chances are, this series is what got you into Jaku-Chara in the first place. We will be happy if that is not the case and you are seeing this title (however unlikely) for the first time. Nicknamed Oregairu or SNAFU, our first recommendation follows the day-to-day life of high school student Hachiman Hikigaya, a social outcast who is egotistical, indifferent, and arrogant. He believes youthful feelings are a farce, and anyone who actively engages in it is lying to themselves.

After writing an apathetic essay regarding human relationships, his homeroom teacher forces him to join the Volunteer Service Club in hopes of fixing his attitude and perspective towards life. In it, we meet the popular and beautiful black-haired ice queen Yukino Yukinoshita who, albeit for different reasons from Hikigaya, is also a social outcast by choice. Will Hikigaya be able to overcome his semi-nihilistic tendencies and learn the value of connections along with his foul-mouthed companion?

Tomozaki and Hikigaya are cynical characters who overuse their inner monologues and have a rather dull view of life in the beginning. They are disastrous when it comes to social skills— or is what you would believe. Both possess a heart that cannot help but be of aid to those surrounding them, often making them the only ones who genuinely (truthfully?) understand what is behind every character’s facade. Adding to it the troubles of daily life, the complexity of interpersonal relationships, and growing romance make this anime a great pick to watch right after Jaku-Chara!

Keita Amano is your regular high school student with a passion for games and, you guessed it, gaming. On another one of his average days, he meets Karen Tendou, the cutest girl in school. While Amano wishes to disappear without a trace, Tendou discovers Amano's love for gaming and plots to get him to join the Game Club. However, far from being interested in it, Amano believes the club fails to meet his perspective towards games: to modestly enjoy them for what they are, regardless of the outcome. On top of that, he is going out of his way to avoid Tendou!

Faced with new emotions unable to comprehend, Tendou is feeling more interested in Amano than ever and will do everything in her power to get closer to him. A rollercoaster of opposite interests and misunderstandings begins!

Gamers! has a good grasp on the gaming community, often finding concepts and situations that will connect you with the characters. It maintains a balance of comedy, abuse of inner monologues, and intricate high school teenage drama akin to a snowball rolling downhill. If you feel more than attracted to this side of Jaku-Chara, Gamers! will certainly not disappoint!

After a good comedy, we need an anime that relies on drama instead. A drama that deeply entangles the characters and twists its story at every corner. And what is even better than a plain teenage drama? You guessed it, supernatural elements combined with mental games, the cherry on top! (well, maybe you did not speculate that far, but you are itching to know more, huh?)

Seishun Buta Yarou showcases Puberty Syndrome, known as a myth by most except those directly involved. Sakuta Azusagawa is part of the minority that knows about Puberty Syndrome and its consequences due to personal experience. He becomes aware of the rising cases surrounding his high school when third-year Mai Sakurajima, a well-known and beloved child actress, is found by Sakuta one day at a public library wearing a bunny girl costume. As no one seems to notice the getup, Sakuta confirms it may very well be another Puberty Syndrome case and approaches her to help.

Following Jaku-Chara, Seishun Buta Yarou pivots around the characters and their circumstances, regularly having Tomozaki and Sakuta at the center of every situation. Although Sakuta is at the service of the girls experiencing this phenomenon, just like Tomozaki, Sakuta cannot help but build walls around himself and keep everyone at arm’s length. Through the good experiences and sudden downfalls they face, we believe their stories separate as two entitled works, yet, constantly give off an evenly feeling.

Back with a more light-hearted Comedy premise, Netoge no Yome brings us the story of Hideki “Rusian” Nishimura, a hardcore gamer who is rejected after professing his love to a female avatar online. Enraged and betrayed after finding out it was a grown man in real life, he swears to never fall for another cute female player ever again!

Years later, with gaming at the center of his youth, he joins a guild with new fellow gamers, one of which is a cute black-haired female avatar named Ako. After she declares her everlasting love for “Rusian", Hideki makes up his mind that gender does not matter as long as the character is cute online. But what happens when they decide to have an offline meeting and Hideki finds out they are all cute girls and his very own schoolmates? More importantly, Ako believes she is the real wife of Hideki!

The gaming elements of Netoge no Yome are accurate approaches to multi-player online gaming systems and their fanbase. Like Jaku-Chara, Netoge no Yome has gaming elements in the storyline, romance settings, and schoolmates sharing similar hobbies. Tomozaki and Hideki are learning how to interact with their schoolmates and form proper relationships as well. One thing though, Netoge no Yome will surely make you laugh out loud!

Kodaka Hasegawa believes it is his moment when he transfers into a new school. Determined to make a good impression and friends, he dyes his hair blonde and changes his appearance. Betraying his expectations, it did not take him long to gain a delinquent reputation for his intimidating gaze among his new classmates, making him a social outcast right off the bat.

A month later, he finds black-haired classmate Yozora Mikazuki, another notorious loner for her beautiful looks but sharp-tongued (do we see the pattern yet?), speaking to an imaginary friend. Kodaka and Yozora decide to initiate the Neighbor’s Club and strategize how to gain friends together. But as more eccentric personalities join the club, while no one authentically understands the secret behind such a feat, Kodaka feels they are getting further away from their initial goal.

Kodaka and Tomozaki are both eccentric loners in one way or another. Although their personalities are opposites, they are playing a losing game with social skills and forming relationships. As awkward as they are, they are still characters who take the initiative to change and better their youth. Haganai has a greater focus on the Comedy and Ecchi, outranking any other picks in the latter field. If you are looking for a spicier recommendation, Haganai has you covered.

The final recommendation could be none other than Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai, following the story of Keima Katsuragi, a high schooler labeled the legendary “God of Conquest” by the online gaming community. He has the confidence that he can conquer any girl’s heart— that is, two-dimensional girls’ hearts in galge games (a Japanese term for games focusing on interactions with attractive girls). Known by his classmates as an unhealthy, obsessive otaku, he is a loner and has no significant real-life interactions to magnify.

One fateful day, Elucia “Elsie” de Lute Ima, an unreliable, naive demon from hell, approaches Katsuragi seeking his supreme knowledge on dating sims to complete her mission: retrieve the runaway spirits that scattered themselves throughout the human world. Arrogantly believing there is no one more fit for the role, Katsuragi accepts before realizing he must face what he hates most: conquering the hearts of three-dimensional girls!

Kami Nomi is the cherry on top of this list, combining the romantic-comedy settings, the drama from interpersonal relationships, and supernatural elements that add mystery and fun instances in one series. Tomozaki and Katsuragi are arrogant beings who pride themselves on their internet fame and acknowledgment while having zero experiences to brag about their real lives. Although Kami Nomi is far more vibrant and eventful, it still manages to handle all of its elements perfectly. We’re ending with a rightful bang!