HEARTWARMING AND REALISTIC COMING OF AGE ANIME

Anime are often known for their coming-of-age stories. Many of them entwine supernatural or magical elements to tell their tales, but there are still a lot of these shows that are more strongly based in realism. Some of the best coming-of-age anime are so good because of how relatable they are.

These particular stories show young people dealing with universal human experiences to help their audiences feel more connected or to remind older viewers of their youth. These shows are also known for having great character development. Anime lovers who watch these shows are in for realistic, fantastic stories about growing up.

A Silent Voice Emphasizes Forgiveness

2 Hours, 10 Minutes, Kyoto Animation, 2016

A Silent Voice is a heartbreaking movie about forgiveness. Shoya Ishida and Shoko Nishimura met as children when Shoya would mercilessly tease Shoko for her deafness. The two reunite as teenagers where Shoko forgives Shoya and the two form a relationship.

Their relationship shows the difference people can make throughout their lives. Although Shoya was cruel as a child, he has grown up to realize the pain he caused Shoko. As Shoko comes to terms with the reality of her condition, she ends up relying on Shoya to help her see that life is still worth living. This haunting movie has a lot of tragic scenes that depict the cruelty and kindness humans are capable.

My Dress-Up Darling Accurately Portrays Teenage Experiences

1 Season, 12 Episodes, CloverWorks, 2022

Everything We Know About My Dress-Up Darling, Season Two

My Dress-Up Darling was one of the best romance anime of 2022, and it's now gearing up for a second season. Here's everything to know about it.

My Dress-Up Darling follows an introverted young man named Wakana Gojo and a bubbly girl named Marin Kitagawa. Though they come from vastly different backgrounds and interests, Gojo and Marin form an unlikely bond that brings Gojo out of his shell and helps Marin find peace.

This story is a realistic look at blossoming love and teenage hormones. Marin and Gojo have plenty of awkward interactions – like any teenage romance. Though the situations are often played for laughs, uncomfortable situations happen to real teenagers all the time. The events may not be as bombastic as Marin and Gojo’s experiences, but My Dress-Up Darling still speaks to the process of trying new things and falling in love for the first time.

Tsuredure Children Reveals the Awkwardness in First Relationships

1 Season, 12 Episodes, Studio Gokumi, 2017

Tsuredure Children is an anthology series that follows numerous teen couples as they navigate crushes, first loves, first kisses, love triangles, and everything else in between. The simplistic art style enhances the very real emotions of its young cast.

This anime is relatable and hilarious in the way it portrays teenage relationships. While the show is certainly a hyperbolic depiction of teen romance, it never fails to feel acutely familiar to viewers who are experiencing or have experienced the on-screen scenarios. Fans who love adorable romantic comedies are certain to love Tsuredure Children.

Toradora! Features Enemies-to-Lovers

1 Season, 25 episodes, J.C. Staff, 2008

Toradora! follows two teens who have crushes on each other’s best friends. Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka band together to help the other ask their crush out, but they end up falling for each other instead. The friendship they form at the beginning of the story lays the foundation for their relationship later on, perfectly encapsulating many real-life romantic connections.

Taiga and Ryuuji begin as quasi-enemies but come closer together the more they hang out. Their love is based not only on shared experiences but a deeper understanding of each other as they learn more about one another through their wingman crusade. Their eventual declarations of love – though enhanced for storytelling – feel true to their age and show just how powerful young love can be.

Tsuki ga Kirei is An Adorable Look at First Love

1 Season, 13 Episodes, feel., 2017

10 Healthiest Romance Anime of All Time, Ranked

The healthiest anime romances involve both parties not only caring for one another but respecting each other.

Kotarou Azumi and Aki Mizuno are two passionate young teens who develop crushes on each other in their last year of middle school. Their romance is hesitant and awkward, but once they are together, their love doesn’t back down.

Tsuki ga Kirei is a realistic coming-of-age anime about first love and never backing down from one’s dreams. It also shows a marriage of Japanese tradition meeting the modern world in a way that doesn’t pit one against the other. Kotarou and Aki have their struggles along the way, but they never let their hurdles tarnish their feelings for one another.

Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions Gives Viewers Permission to Enjoy

2 Seasons, 26 Episodes, 2012, Kyoto Animation

Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions is a romance anime that highlights students’ cringey middle school behavior. Although Yuta Togashi and his other friends swear to never reveal the embarrassing things they did in middle school, Rikka Takanashi embraces her childhood and leans into her belief that she has a cursed eye.

Viewers everywhere can admit to doing things they aren’t proud of when they were younger. But Rikka proves that it's okay to keep childhood around for as long as possible. Although many people try to get Rikka to change, Yuuta eventually comes around to her way of thinking and the teens bond over their passion for Live-Action Role-Playing and the occult. This anime is a mostly lighthearted show that reminds people to let themselves enjoy the things they like without worrying about what others think.

Horimiya is True to Real High School Relationships

1 Season, 13 Episodes, CloverWorks, 2021

Horimiya is one of the most realistic anime romances. Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura admit their feelings early in the show and the ensuing romance portrays many realities of young romance. Both Hori and Miyamura face insecurities in their relationship, but they also show just how much they care for each other as much as they can.

A lot of romance anime use love confessions as the climax of their story, but Horimiya opts for the relationship to be the star. Hori and Miyamura’s intense romantic feelings give audiences a touching romance that reminds them of their first loves.

Komi Can’t Communicate Proves There Are Always People Willing to Help

2 Seasons, 24 Episodes, OLM, 2021

Komi Can’t Communicate is an adorable anime about a girl striving to meet her ultimate high school goal. Along the way, she meets tons of new friends who are all more than willing to help her with her crippling social anxiety. This anime becomes more relevant with each passing year as more and more teens feel socially isolated and awkward.

Fortunately, Komi Can't Communicate is a beacon of hope that demonstrates that there are always people around who are willing to help. The art style of this anime is simplistic but cute and the characters are lovable caricatures of common anime tropes. Anime fans who have ever felt uneasy in social situations will love this coming-of-age tale.

Whisper of the Heart Highlights Passion Above All

1 Hour, 51 Minutes, Studio Ghibli, 1995

Fans of Ghibli's Whisper of the Heart Will Fall in Love With Spring 2023's Skip and Loafer

With a similar tone, setting and message, Skip and Loafer is shaping up to be a modern-day rendition of Studio Ghibli's Whisper of the Heart.

Whisper of the Heart is an inspiring anime from Studio Ghibli. Shizuku Tsukishima and Seiji Amasawa are two teens who meet by chance and challenge each other to follow their dreams. Through their interactions, the teens fall in love, prompting them to plunge deeper into their passions so that they don’t let the other down.

This anime does have some fantastical elements in the form of a detailed dream that Shizuku has, but the overall plot is based on the reality of middle schoolers trying to find their place in life. Romance, friendships, crushes, and homework all play a part in this beautiful, realistic tale.

Silver Spoon Shows the Realities of Farm Life

Silver Spoon is an anime unlike any other. The story follows a burnt-out teenager who attends an agricultural high school for a change of pace. Although Yuugo Hachiken has no background in farming or livestock, he does his best to follow his classmates’ and instructors’ leads.

This anime focuses on parental relationships, the desire to do something meaningful, and the realities of farm life. Since the manga the show was based on was created by Hiromu Arakawa (the author of Fullmetal Alchemist), Silver Spoon shows real situations that farmers face every day. Arakawa grew up on a dairy farm and imbued a lot of her own experiences into the story. By the end, Hachiken learns to stand up for what he wants and finds pride in his accomplishments without having to rely on his parents’ approval.