In the last few years, popular anime have started to make chibi-version adaptations that often cover fun adventures that cannot fit into the main series. When we talk about chibi-version anime here, we are not including every chibi publication in existence, only those that are a spin-off/adaptation of another series. Here are our picks for the best chibi anime spin-offs!
5. Mini Toji (Katana Maidens: Mini Maidens)
Complete with a prequel that attempts to explain need-to-know relationships that make this series easier to understand, Mini Toji is a chibi-version anime series based on the Katana Maidens series which takes a lot of everyday experiences (like eating lunch) and deals with them in a dramatic fashion that only our katana maidens can deliver. The episodes for this series are only a few minutes long and have a short, silly storyline. If you like Katana Maidens, or just love chibi, give Mini Toji a watch!
4. Suzumiya Haruhi-chan no Yuuutsu (The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya)
Coming in fourth is The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya. Based on The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, this anime contains the same recurring characters who run about on mini adventures. This anime earns a spot on our list for its short episodes being easy to follow, having abstract stories like its predecessor, and soliciting laughter from the intro clip forward. We hope you try The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya!
3. Naruto SD: Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden (NARUTO Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals)
From the characters in Naruto, this tale centers around Rock Lee, who must prove himself and train harder than everyone else because he cannot use ninjutsu. In this story, kawaii chibi characters from the much-loved Naruto series have adventures too silly for most of the main storyline to ever show. One plus to this series is that these episodes last more than 20 minutes, which is much longer than other chibi renditions. Laughs, nostalgia, and another tour of some of your favorite -jutsus await the watcher of Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals. Look for it on Crunchyroll!
2. Shingeki! Kyojin Chuugakkou (Attack on Titan: Junior High)
Attack on Titan is the survival story of a country that has giant monsters called titans, whose preferred food source is humans. Attach on Titan: Junior High is the delightful chibi adaptation that involves the same characters from AOT. This anime earns the top spot for its creative adjustments to the story. In AOT: Junior High, titans do not eat their victims, but instead, they steal their lunches! As many chibi do, this anime is a fun representation of an already popular show, and for its entertainment value and creative alternative to what titans eat, spot number two in the best chibi-version of an anime goes to AOT: Junior High!
1. Isekai Quartet
Coming up in first place is Isekai Quartet. This show features characters from the popular shows Overlord, KonoSuba, Saga of Tanya the Evil, and Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World. Characters from these shows are transported to another world (living up to the "isekai” part of the title) and go to school of all things! Isekai Quartet is the comical re-imagination of these shows' main characters, going through their school lives, and without the use of violence. For offering so many different anime references, shaking up these characters by putting them in a classroom setting, and for making the characters involved so gosh-darned cute, Isakai Quartet earns spot number one in our list!
Final Thoughts
Chibi anime are so, so adorable, and the more recent trend of basing a chibi series on anime with a non-chibi animation style has been great for viewers. It gives us the chance to enjoy some of our favorite characters in a new environment and in a different style! Which chibi-adaptation makes your watch list? Should we have included another show here? Tell us in the comments!
Recommended Post
Top 10 Best Chibi Characters in Anime [Updated]
Recommended Post