Short anime’s that’ll make you appreciate life more?
Going through a rough career transition and I’m in a new city by myself I’d like to be motivated and not depressed all the time I’d appreciate any recs. Thank you
Hi Mysticmagicsm, it seems like you might be looking for new anime to watch!
The users of this subreddit came up with [a chart of anime recommendations for newcomers and veterans](https://i.redd.it/0w1v880jtq661.png) and [an awesome longer flowchart](https://i.redd.it/vdzlkodz19c71.png). Maybe you can find something there that you'll like \^.\^
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Goeppertia_Insignis2026-01-13 23:45
Barakamon
kxwonxx2026-01-13 23:46
Barakamon
AdmiralMcNugget2026-01-13 23:50
Legend of Black Heaven
Oldie but a goodie
nexxlevelgames2026-01-13 23:53
tapokis orginal sin
robertm942026-01-14 00:52
bro said he doesnt want to be depressed all the time and you name the show that made me fully dissociate and need to stare at a wall to process what id watched after 2 episodes
nexxlevelgames2026-01-14 01:02
hey hey guess thats ur opinion.
The good thing about that show is that if wasnt all doom and gloom and shows hope
ForgottenCaveRaider2026-01-14 09:28
Aside from having the emptiest sleep of my life after binge watching this into the morning, it'll put a different perspective on how shitty life could be.
SnooWoofers1862026-01-14 14:13
Also the show help you to appreciate life
Independent_Law_16572026-01-14 04:45
Yeah idk about this one chief
valhellna2026-01-13 23:54
Odd Taxi.
Fulminatus3142026-01-13 23:58
what an amazing anime. Agree on this one
IntrospectiveMT2026-01-14 02:09
This feels like the perfect rec for the question.
mamimumemo22026-01-13 23:58
city the animation (not just saying that because you moved to the city! it's very funny and also uplifting.)
SnooWoofers1862026-01-14 14:13
Nichijou is a must
ThinRule11932026-01-14 00:03
Honestly hot take but Sword art online did this for me even tho it’s longer
BoredOjiisan2026-01-14 03:21
I watched this at a low point in my life and it honestly helped.
TanClark2026-01-14 03:35
Same, had just lost my dad and was over working 14-hour night shifts…SOA and One Piece brought me out of the darkness
Dolores_mia2026-01-14 00:04
Detroit metal city
You'll laugh so hard that you won't have the time to stay depressed :)
OkAssignment61632026-01-14 03:57
Look! Tokyo Tower is cumming!
soihu2026-01-14 00:04
Negative Positive Angler is about beating social isolation and self-loathing as a young adult
PenguinWithNoMustach2026-01-14 03:52
+1, I really wish more people gave this show a try
no_one6172026-01-14 00:05
your lie in april
PlayOnPlayer2026-01-14 00:09
Maybe a bit too long with all the Sequels, but check out Aria the Animation!
A Place Further Than The Universe also rules!
Also if you read manga at all, I cannot recommend Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou enough. It’s a balm for the soul.
Aniki_Simpson2026-01-14 00:11
Can never go wrong with Cowboy Bebop for that.
fleurbluegirl102026-01-14 00:14
Fruits Basket
Bungo Stray Dogs
2001djhz2026-01-14 00:29
Time of Eve (Eve no Jikan): a total of 6 episodes.
SouekiSennoSTM2026-01-14 00:29
- Hanasaku Iroha
SoulRunGod2026-01-14 00:29
Steins Gate
JamesSomdet2026-01-14 00:33
Angel Beats
il8872026-01-14 02:44
Seconded - after watching it, whatever problems you have in life don't look that much of problems anymore.
JamesSomdet2026-01-14 00:34
Orange
Sudden_Ad_33082026-01-14 00:34
Skip and Loafer. Really heartwarming story about a high school girl from a rural village moving to the big city.
vinipong2026-01-14 00:39
I think Tatami Galaxy may be a good choice
tamalewolf2026-01-14 00:51
Fooly Cooly.
66Kix_fix2026-01-14 00:54
A place further than the universe
TheOddball72026-01-14 01:26
HEAVY on this. Such a good anime!
QuantumAshes422026-01-14 00:54
Ruri Rocks
Rain88x2026-01-14 00:57
Erased.
I wish I could go back and change my past. RIP dad.
Sleeperwaking2026-01-14 00:57
With You and the Rain
zool7142026-01-14 01:03
A Place Further Than The Universe
capuccina-12026-01-14 01:04
Hope you feel better soon.
When I was at risk of redundancy I just started watching Mashle and I loved it.
It has a few seasons now, but defo recommend!
stansugawara2026-01-14 01:09
Kotaro lives alone
ExpensiveJoe2026-01-14 01:19
Funny ecchi recommendations:
1. Ishuzoku Reviewers - bunch of frends in a fantasy world came up with the idea of tripadvisor for hookers, so they go around, test them and write reviews. Peak dirty comedy
2. Shimoneta - joking about penises is illegal now, so main character decides that this world is too boring and becomes an ero-terrorist, spreading porn and dirty talk.
3. Mahou Shoujo Ni Akogarete - starts off as a typical masho show, until the main character gets BDSM as her Magical Girl power and is sent to fight the same magical girls that she's obsessed with. MC is extremely well written, jokes are on point, a fair heap of wholesome/endearing moments, all wrapped up in an almost H amounts of ecchi. Also - yuri 100%.
All 3 are great, all 3 are "came for tits, stayed for the plot". And not as juvenile as Prison School, DxD or smth like Grand Blue.
Best way to not get into depression - is to laugh, feel kindness and enjoying cuteness. Horny also helps a ton.
Speaking as a guy with chronical untreatable depression who are still trying to process 2 most depressing shows I decided to binge this week. So yeah, enjoy!
DashLeJoker2026-01-14 01:37
Death Parade, its depressing though but with a ray of light
Specialist_Set19212026-01-14 01:42
Hear me out.
You should give Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad a try. It is my personal comfy anime.
It has 24 episodes and they are a bit older but they are still great.
Beck, a band, and one of its guitarist that learns guitar to get out of his hole.
Every time I watch it, it gives me motivation to do better than I currently am. It shows me maybe I am not doing enough and that nothing comes from doing nothing.
Sadly, I don't think any streaming service has the episodes up, so you would need to access it unofficially. Google says amazon prime has them but i am not sure since i don't have prime.
Weirdosreddit2026-01-14 14:19
BECK FAN
Aviri2026-01-14 02:00
Apocalypse Hotel.
bobvella2026-01-14 02:07
the heck is a short anime? length has been pretty inflexible.
i kind of want to go with the vampire dies in no time
but a personal favorite i don't know is popular enough is keep your hands off eizouken
One-Knowledge-70722026-01-14 02:07
I get that feeling a lot, was experiencing something very similar a year ago. I was super lonely being in a new city and slice of life x comedy helped me with my initial adjustment. Yuru Camp helped me a lot and it made me appreciate the little moments in life (especially giving me motivation to cook). Some short anime that aren't overly serious, but also gives me bursts of motivation:
* **Bocchi the Rock / Rock is a Lady's Modesty / Girls Band Cry** \- all three are music and band anime, but seeing everyone hype to their dream is always beautiful
* **Insomniacs After School** \- from not really enjoying anything and struggling from insomnia (I was going through the same thing during my move) to delving into your passion and building relationships
* **Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!** \- a bit of a unique recommendation, but I like how it shows how things happen in life, some you can expect and protect yourself from while some you can't; also explores intricacies of relationships, there's often no right or wrong just timing
* **Lycoris Recoil** \- exploring the idea of moving on from your past and embracing the what if
* **A Place Further Than the Universe** \- coming of age story which crosses making the impossible possible and trying to be something more
* **Blue Period** \- pursuit of passion; ..am I fit for this?
Just a few that come to mind! Hope there's something of interest and wishing you the best of luck!
MartialBob2026-01-14 02:07
The Great Passage
It's a story about the writing of a dictionary. It's more interesting than you'd think.
Tressuave2026-01-14 02:14
Kids on the Slope.
Got me through hard times
JaJuPhi2026-01-14 02:43
Blue Period since it looks like you're trying something new.
Fissionprime2026-01-14 02:47
Haibane Renmei
scientist992026-01-14 03:06
Frieren. Although it's not finished it's about the journey and not the destination. It's incredible and honesty made me happier, which is weird to say for me.
luckycharm_Yun2026-01-14 03:21
Look Back
TanClark2026-01-14 03:33
Space Dandy
OkAssignment61632026-01-14 04:02
Black Rock Shooter
indigohandlebar2026-01-14 04:19
Ping Pong the Animation. The rare kind of art that's so good it makes you want to be a better person. 10 episodes I think
Industrial_Fish2026-01-14 11:42
Good taste. Its my goat anime. 11 episodes of pure quality.
SubmissiveDinosaur2026-01-14 04:20
Nega Posi Angler
templeofbones2026-01-14 04:38
Samurai Champloo. It's only 24 episodes and it has amazing animation, the best anime soundtrack ever, and well written characters. It's adventure/action and it has a very satisfying ending.
yesoye2026-01-14 05:06
Barakamon
Moshimoshi-Megumin2026-01-14 05:19
A Place Further Than The Universe
Summer Pockets
thecurseofthegrudge2026-01-14 05:26
A place further than the universe.
No_Contribution_24612026-01-14 05:28
sonny boy has done that recently for me but in the wow this is so bleak i hate this i'm glad my life can be better
Minute_Pepper_80762026-01-14 05:45
Overtake
DiaSolky2026-01-14 06:07
Iyashikei genre anime usually do this very well. Some have multiple seasons so I wouldn't say short but they great thing is since it's slow paced, you can enjoy 1 season and appreciate life more right away. Non Non Biyori is about life in the country side. Aria is about life in a fictional New Venice. Flying Witch is a short one if you are leaning heavy on short.
Furioustnt512026-01-14 06:41
Unironicly, jobless reincarnation goes over this topic quite abit and the second season has a great ending that definitely made me wanna do more with my life
Furioustnt512026-01-14 06:43
It is an isekei and a magical fantasy world so if thats what you want
sdpppppppp2026-01-14 07:30
honestly think frieren is a rlly good anime that teaches you to appreciate the people around you and treasure the short time you have with them, definitely changed my outlook on life (i’m not quite sure what u consider as short but it has 20+ episodes which i personally consider short)
Redguy2462026-01-14 08:18
Zom 100 might be quite relatable to your situation rn and its abt clearing your bucket list during a zombie apocalypse
Twigling2026-01-14 10:14
Haibane Renmei.
Starkiller532026-01-14 10:27
Ping pong the animation
iwantpeanutbutt2026-01-14 11:08
Blue Period!!! Available on netflix
IttyBittyToeBean2026-01-14 12:01
The ice guy and his cool female colleague
Uma-apreciator2026-01-14 12:35
Uma Musume Cinderella Gray
Uma Musume Road to the Top
PhantomSimmons2026-01-14 13:02
Frieren as other mentionned, slice of life moment that will help you reflect on how to enjoy simple moments. 28 episodes and S2 is coming by the end of the week
dhruvchopra-2026-01-14 13:48
Violet evergarden
MarmDevOfficial2026-01-14 14:04
A Place Further than the universe
TheS3KT2026-01-14 17:42
Saikano. So depressing you'll appreciate your life more.
Only_Berry_97632026-01-14 21:36
Tamon's B side.
It's currently airing idol related anime which is really changing my opinion of idols in general.
The idol gave the fan a lot of joy through their performances and added color to their otherwise listless life. And the fan gets an opportunity to support their idol when they need a push in life.
Commentaires
The users of this subreddit came up with [a chart of anime recommendations for newcomers and veterans](https://i.redd.it/0w1v880jtq661.png) and [an awesome longer flowchart](https://i.redd.it/vdzlkodz19c71.png). Maybe you can find something there that you'll like \^.\^
[](#bot-chan "Urban s-s-s-senpai made me do it!")
You might also find our [Recommendation Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/recommendations) or [daily thread](/r/anime/search?q=flair%3Adaily&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=week) helpful.
The following may be of interest:
* [List of legal streams and downloads](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/legal_streams)
* [A useful website where you can enter an anime and see where it's legally streaming](https://www.livechart.me/search)
* [List of currently airing anime](https://www.livechart.me)
* [A useful wiki page with watch orders for many anime.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order)
* [A list of tracking sites so others can more easily recommend shows you haven't watched.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/related_sites#wiki_tracking_sites)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Oldie but a goodie
The good thing about that show is that if wasnt all doom and gloom and shows hope
You'll laugh so hard that you won't have the time to stay depressed :)
A Place Further Than The Universe also rules!
Also if you read manga at all, I cannot recommend Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou enough. It’s a balm for the soul.
Bungo Stray Dogs
I wish I could go back and change my past. RIP dad.
When I was at risk of redundancy I just started watching Mashle and I loved it.
It has a few seasons now, but defo recommend!
1. Ishuzoku Reviewers - bunch of frends in a fantasy world came up with the idea of tripadvisor for hookers, so they go around, test them and write reviews. Peak dirty comedy
2. Shimoneta - joking about penises is illegal now, so main character decides that this world is too boring and becomes an ero-terrorist, spreading porn and dirty talk.
3. Mahou Shoujo Ni Akogarete - starts off as a typical masho show, until the main character gets BDSM as her Magical Girl power and is sent to fight the same magical girls that she's obsessed with. MC is extremely well written, jokes are on point, a fair heap of wholesome/endearing moments, all wrapped up in an almost H amounts of ecchi. Also - yuri 100%.
All 3 are great, all 3 are "came for tits, stayed for the plot". And not as juvenile as Prison School, DxD or smth like Grand Blue.
Best way to not get into depression - is to laugh, feel kindness and enjoying cuteness. Horny also helps a ton.
Speaking as a guy with chronical untreatable depression who are still trying to process 2 most depressing shows I decided to binge this week. So yeah, enjoy!
You should give Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad a try. It is my personal comfy anime.
It has 24 episodes and they are a bit older but they are still great.
Beck, a band, and one of its guitarist that learns guitar to get out of his hole.
Every time I watch it, it gives me motivation to do better than I currently am. It shows me maybe I am not doing enough and that nothing comes from doing nothing.
Sadly, I don't think any streaming service has the episodes up, so you would need to access it unofficially. Google says amazon prime has them but i am not sure since i don't have prime.
i kind of want to go with the vampire dies in no time
but a personal favorite i don't know is popular enough is keep your hands off eizouken
* **Bocchi the Rock / Rock is a Lady's Modesty / Girls Band Cry** \- all three are music and band anime, but seeing everyone hype to their dream is always beautiful
* **Insomniacs After School** \- from not really enjoying anything and struggling from insomnia (I was going through the same thing during my move) to delving into your passion and building relationships
* **Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!** \- a bit of a unique recommendation, but I like how it shows how things happen in life, some you can expect and protect yourself from while some you can't; also explores intricacies of relationships, there's often no right or wrong just timing
* **Lycoris Recoil** \- exploring the idea of moving on from your past and embracing the what if
* **A Place Further Than the Universe** \- coming of age story which crosses making the impossible possible and trying to be something more
* **Blue Period** \- pursuit of passion; ..am I fit for this?
Just a few that come to mind! Hope there's something of interest and wishing you the best of luck!
It's a story about the writing of a dictionary. It's more interesting than you'd think.
Got me through hard times
Summer Pockets
Uma Musume Road to the Top
It's currently airing idol related anime which is really changing my opinion of idols in general.
The idol gave the fan a lot of joy through their performances and added color to their otherwise listless life. And the fan gets an opportunity to support their idol when they need a push in life.
Really motivating to watch❤️
isekai + fantasy + mecha