James GordanThe anime should be intense and exciting. This keeps you curious about what happens after a commercial break, an episode or even the whole series.
That said, there are all kinds of genres in anime – and some of them are more suited to relaxation than excitement.
Watching a few episodes of a soothing anime can help you sink into your mattress and get a good night’s sleep. And it may be as good as a cup of valerian root tea or a shot of melatonin inhaler. It probably will.
And here’s our list of really relaxing anime to watch while you fall asleep.
20th Dagashi Kashi
Some people cannot fall asleep when they laugh, but for others, a small laughter-induced release of endorphins can make them feel good and send them to sleep.
Dagashi Kashi can laugh quickly without being excessive.
Although protagonist Hotaru is as messy as a cartoon girl can be, the vintage appeal of the traditional Japanese restaurant where most of the series is set is decidedly comforting.
19. encourage the ascension
You wouldn’t think that a show that encourages physical activity, such as mountain climbing, would be a good show just before bedtime.
But you haven’t seen Climbing Encouragement yet.
This unique slice of life follows a group of female mountaineers who visit various mountains in Japan.
In other words, pretty girls do pretty things at great heights.
18. sleeping with Hinako
What could be better than a show just to help you fall asleep right before bed?
You could say that “Sleeping with Hinako” tries to do exactly that…. ….
After all, the show is basically a video of a viewpoint about sleeping with a sexy girl in comfortable clothes.
I doubt very much that studying with Hinako and bathing with her also encouraged these activities.
But if you can handle some fanservice, Hinako can put you at ease as you fall asleep.
17. Pillow Boys
If you don’t like cartoon girls, consider Pillow Boys for your nightly cartoon needs.
Like Sleeping with Hinako, Pillow Boys lets you share your bed with an anime character. In this case, each episode brings you a new man who whispers bits of information in your ear.
If you want something to fill the void while you settle in for the night, this is a great option that doesn’t require too much attention from you.
16. servant x service
Most people do not find the memory of work “relaxing.”
But this comedy about a group of civil servants might be an exception.
Anyone who works in a bureaucratic job knows how useless and thankless it can be – just like these characters.
They make you feel understood and remind you of the less pleasant moments of office life.
But don’t start playing an anime character at work after you’ve seen it. You might get fired!
Fifteen. Tell me I love you.
Although I’m a masculine man with a beard and not a single hair on my head, I never get tired of the romantic anime Shozo Ai – and Say I Love You is one of my favorites.
He follows the romance between the shy Mei Tachibana and the extroverted Yamato Kurosawa, a popular boy in his school’s modeling class who falls in love with her after she pushes him down a flight of stairs.
Of course there is a lot of drama. And some episodes will keep you alert.
But for the most part, the soothing music and good vibes of Yamato and Mei are gentle and soothing. Perfect for sleeping.
14. roduku: a world in bloom
One of the best ways to relax and fall asleep is to watch something visually engaging – even better when paired with a comforting story.
Iroduku follows Hitomi Tsukihiro, the youngest member of a long line of witches. After a series of unfortunate events in her family, she loses all interest in magic and life – and with it, her ability to see colors.
To make her see the beauty of life, her magical grandmother sends Hitomi back in time so they can go to school together.
This well thought out life show is of the highest quality. P.A. Works did a fantastic job with this animation and the colorful magical effects are a highlight.
13 The camp is set up again
Another relaxing part of the “nice girls doing nice things” genre is the Laid-Back Camp.
As the title suggests, the atmosphere of this show is cool and relaxed.
It follows high school girls Rin, Nadeshiko and their friends as they go camping at some of Japan’s most famous campsites.
Their activities, like making marshmallows by the fire, are usually fun and soothing – and seeing these girls wrapped in their winter clothes makes me want to crawl under a blanket to stay warm.
12. Not Biori.
Have you ever felt the peace and quiet of a rural town? These long-standing human settlements, with only a handful of inhabitants, are often so quiet that some city dwellers consider them “too quiet to sleep”!
This is just one of the small problems faced by Hotaru, a fifth grader traveling from Tokyo to Asahigaoka, a small traditional Japanese village where time seems to flow at different speeds.
It is so small that all classes share one classroom – and one teacher.
Non Biyori thrives in this quiet atmosphere where nothing ever happens because it brings out the colorful characters even more.
11. Kobayashi’s dragon daughter.
Another comedy that is sure to relax you is Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, which follows Kobayashi’s misadventures after the dragon moves in with her.
The dragon girl, of course.
Kobayashi’s life as an administrative assistant/programmer is terribly relatable if you are the trustworthy type. She is strict with herself and responsible for her own guilt, which is in stark contrast to her carefree dragon servant Tohru.
Throughout the series, you get to know other dragons new to the human world and understand the challenges they face in adapting.
Dragon Girl by Ms. Kobayashi has a lot of absurd humor, but at its core it is a touching story about friendship and family.
One that should warm you up and send you to bed with a smile on your face.
Ten. Father! An angel flew to me….
One of the newest releases on this list is Wataten! a heartwarming series that explores the relationship between university student Miyako Hoshino, her frankly adorable elementary school sister, and her equally adorable friends.
The series consists of nonstop jokes and pretty girls in suits – and it gets better with each episode.
Miyako’s character development is enjoyable to watch, and the description of her wonderful relationship with her younger sister is truly touching.
9. baracamon
It is said that adolescence is one of the most emotionally turbulent years, but being a young adult can also be challenging.
After an outburst of aggressive criticism that challenges his emotional stability, calligrapher Seishu Handa, 23, is sent by his father to the peaceful islands of Goto to find his inner balance.
Despite this relatively intense beginning, most of the series are actually quite relaxing, thanks to Seishu’s calm and controlled personality (when he’s not slapping critics in the face).
His interactions with the energetic and curious 7-year-old Naru are touching, as is getting to know the island’s many inhabitants.
8. the sound of the air
When I first saw Sounds of the Sky, I was fascinated by the beautiful setting and magical atmosphere of the city of Ceiza, based on the real world of Cuenca in Spain.
The incredible landmarks of this mountain town, such as the bridge and the monastery of St. Paul, are beautifully recreated in the anime.
If you want a great anime wallpaper, just google a few pictures from this series!
And this beautiful setting is the perfect backdrop for the moving story of 1121st Platoon and its main character Kanata Sorami, who joins the army as a Bugbear.
If you like pretty girls doing pretty things in military uniforms, don’t miss this show.
7. usagi blob
Parents around the world will be quick to tell you that there is nothing relaxing about having a baby.
Seeing someone raise a child is something else.
Usagi Drop follows 30-year-old Daikichi, who adopted the illegitimate Rin to avoid being disowned by the other members of her extended family.
This unique series tells the story of parenthood in a somewhat realistic but uplifting way. Stay away from the manga if you don’t want this picture to be shattered by the abrupt ending.
6) Hyukah
If you’re not afraid of big muscles and philosophical speeches in your relaxation anime, Hyouka is a real delight.
It follows the members of the Classical Literary Club after the protagonist Hotaru Oreki joins them to increase their membership and save them from closure.
When you watch Hyouka – or any other Kyoto Animation movie – you fall asleep as if you had a soft pillow in a clean bed in front of you.
His characters are drawn and animated to look like the most comfortable people in the world.
Hyouka moves to the next stage with its legendary, lazy protagonist setting the pace of the series – a very leisurely pace. The other three protagonists have a stockpile of energy.
But one look at Hotaru’s lazy, dreamy face will have you yawning in no time.
5. natsume’s friends book
One of the most popular series in recent years is Natsume’s Book of Friends, which follows a 16-year-old orphaned teenager who can talk to spirits called “yokai.”
Takashi Natsume inherited the book from his grandmother.
And then, after realizing that Yokai has “bound” them by name, he takes it upon himself to find these spirits and free them from this contract.
Over the course of several seasons, you will slowly see Takashi blossom and learn about life by visiting these Yokai. There are certainly dramatic and exciting moments, but for the most part it is a fairly slow and atmospheric series.
4. aria.
Sometimes it’s better to go back to the classics.
The animated series “Aria” was launched in 2005 on Aria Animation and quickly gained a large audience thanks to its attractive setting, beautiful panoramas and adorable characters.
Other releases such as “Aria Natural” and “Aria Origins” only reinforced this recognition.
The series is set on a distant future version of Mars, which has been transformed into a blue planet called Aqua. More specifically, it is set in Neo-Venice, a futuristic version of Earth’s Venice.
If falling in love with the angelic gondoliers of the future isn’t relaxing, I don’t know what is.
3. The flying witch
We all wished we could wake up and find a welcome letter from Hogwarts on our nightstand.
But what do real magic users want?
Flying Witch’s explores this situation through protagonist Makoto, a young freshman witch who goes to live with her parents in the countryside – where she meets new people and explores a new reality.
You slowly fall in love with Makoto and her new friends as you watch her try to combine witchcraft with normal school life.
2) Tanaka-kun is always faceless.
I am a fan of school cartoons that take me back to a simpler time.
This fantastic series revolves around Tanaka, a sleepy high school girl who can’t resist making her morning joke throughout the day.
I often fell asleep during my high school years – probably because I watched cartoons every day in the wee hours. Tanaka reminds me of that, and it also makes me terribly sleepy.
Because Tanaka is still asleep, the story focuses on the people around him. That includes friends, enemies, and even romantic interests.
It’s like someone switched the standard SoL plot with lorazepam. And it’s perfect for a late night of anime before bed.
1. musisi
Some series are so slow, so soothing, that it’s hard not to fall asleep after a few episodes – even if you love the series!
It happens to most of us with Musisi.
Not only is the main character of Ginko calm and controlled, but the atmosphere of the series is sober and relaxing. It’s like staying inside on a rainy day.
Ginko’s interactions with the mushi, small spiritual beings made of vital energy, can get intense, but somehow they never disrupt the harmony of the show.
Each episode of Musishi is like a story in itself. Most of them even have lessons about our place in the ecosystems and relationships of the world.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look at before I go to bed?
21 Netflix shows to fall asleep to – hurry up
What is an underrated anime?
15 most underrated animated films of the last 20 years | ScreenRant
Which anime should I watch?
20 cult Japanese anime series to watch when you’re bored …
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James Gordan
Simon Leonard