If you need a break from all the action-packed shonen anime or just want to watch a relaxing series to soothe yourself, it’s time to give iyashikei anime a try. So, here are the 10 best iyashikei anime that promise to be effective healing balms for your soul.
In case you’re wondering what iyashikei even is, this genre of anime refers to slice-of-life shows with a healing quality.
While the definition isn’t strict, anime in the genre have a relaxing and calming vibe, with the atmosphere generally taking precedence over the story. Some also have a bit of a melancholic feel to help give a more meditative experience.
Mushishi
Starting things off is Mushishi, the anime adaptation of the hit manga that was serialized in Monthly Afternoon, the same magazine as hits like Land of the Lustrous and Vinland Saga.
Spanning two seasons, two TV specials, and an anime film, Mushishi follows Ginko, a traveling mushi master who aids people who are facing problems with supernatural beings called mushi.
This is an episodic series where each episode sees Ginko solving a new problem. At the core of each story though is the theme of man coexisting with nature.
While the series has some darker aspects, Mushishi as a whole is a great example of an iyashikei anime thanks to its relaxed pace and natural themes.
Laid-Back Camp
For something lighter, Laid-Back Camp is a must-watch. With three seasons and a movie, this anime promises to deliver a comfy marathon for anime fans who want to take it slow.
This series follows a group of girls who get into camping. As with many shows in the genre, Laid-Back Camp isn’t entirely focused on its story. Instead, it aims to show the beauty of nature and camping.
It also helps that the show’s characters are a loveable bunch, with each having their own personalities and reasons to be drawn to the world of camping.
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Natsume’s Book of Friends
Natsume’s Book of Friends is another anime with multiple seasons that should delight viewers looking for something with lots of episodes to marathon.
Its story follows Takashi Natsume, a boy who lives a lonely existence as he’s the only one he knows who sees yokai or spirits.
Soon, he meets Madara, a yokai in the form of a cat. They become partners, with Madara serving as Natsume’s bodyguard. In exchange, Natsume sets out to free the various yokai that his grandmother defeated.
This anime is reminiscent of Mushishi, though it leans more into its mystery elements. Still, it is no doubt a great watch for fans looking for a healing show.
Girls’ Last Tour
The Girls’ Last Tour anime follows Chito and Yuri as they travel through a post-apocalyptic landscape atop their military vehicle. Each episode shows the two on their journey, with hints about the past being shown throughout.
At first glance, this seems like a bleak anime that does not seem to have any healing effect whatsoever. That is not the case as this series is surprisingly chill and wholesome.
Sure, there is an undercurrent of melancholy here as Chito and Yuri are seemingly one of the few remaining humans in the world, but in their travels, they come across relics of the old world that give the anime a life-affirming element.
Aria the Animation
No iyashikei anime list is complete without Aria the Animation, an anime that aired back in 2005. This series is set in the peaceful city of Neo Venezia in the 24th century.
The city is located on the planet Aqua, formerly Mars. It is also designed to look like the city of Venice from centuries ago.
As with the original Venice, the city features gondoliers who work as tour guides. The show’s protagonist Akari is one of them, though she’s still a novice.
Aria the Animation isn’t a story-driven series. Instead, its appeal lies in its tranquil atmosphere that’s punctuated by Akari’s experiences as she learns valuable life lessons as she goes about her job.
The Helpful Fox Senko-san
Many iyashikei anime are set in fantasy worlds, but The Helpful Fox Senko-san is set in the real world, with its story being relatable to many adults.
This anime follows Kuroto, a salaryman who is perpetually stressed by his job. Soon, he meets Senko-san, an 800-year-old fox deity who arrives to help him before his stress takes him over in the form of darkness.
As the anime progresses, Senko-san tries her best to ease Kuroto’s stress. This is easier said than done considering how difficult Kuroto’s job is.
Even though this show is one of the more lighthearted anime on this list, its premise of a stressed-out office worker should hit close to home to many viewers. Thus, it can make for a satisfying watch.
Bartender: Glass of God
Another relatable healing anime is Bartender: Glass of God. This remake of the original Bartender anime premiered just recently, and it already features a lot of healing moments.
While there’s a big focus on drinks, most episodes center around characters who are going through tough times. By happenstance, they come across the protagonist Ryu Sasakura’s bar, and his drinks are the perfect balm to soothe their aches.
Even if you don’t drink, there’s a lot to love in this anime as, in many episodes, the drinks take a backseat as each character’s story and troubles take the center of attention.
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Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House
There’s nothing as healing as a well-cooked meal, and that’s exactly what the Kiyo in Kyoto anime is about, though it’s not just a straight-up cooking series.
Instead, this anime follows Kiyo, an aspiring maiko (apprentice geisha) who enters a maiko house alongside her friend Sumire.
While Sumire is a natural at being a maiko, Kiyo struggles. Even though Kiyo isn’t fit to be a maiko, she is employed by the house as their makanai or live-in cook.
There, she is able to show her skills as she cooks up scrumptious meals to help support the maiko living in the house.
Aside from how wholesome the anime is, the fact that Kiyo did not achieve her initial dream but found a new one instead is quite inspiring, adding an even stronger healing element.
As a bonus, the original manga not only inspired an anime but also a Netflix live-action adaptation helmed by renowned Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
Today's Menu for the Emiya Family
The anime in the Fate series are filled with action, but Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family is an exception.
As its title implies, this series follows Shirou Emiya as he cooks all sorts of meals for Saber, Rin, and his other companions.
Sure, it’s a spin-off with questionable canonicity, but it’s still very much a must-watch for Fate fans who want to watch the series’ characters finally get some slice-of-life relaxation.
Even for those who aren’t deep into Fate, the anime’s cute art style and delicious meals make it worth a series marathon.
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou
This final entry on the list is more of a bonus as Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou only got two short OVA episodes. If you can manage to track them though, these OVAs are well worth a watch, and they serve as a great intro to the manga.
Yokohama is another Monthly Afternoon manga that’s set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, though its world is a peaceful one.
Its story follows the android Alpha Hatsuseno who runs a café in an out-of-the-way area. Even though she rarely gets customers, she continues to work at the café while waiting for her owner to return.
Even if you can’t track down the anime OVAs, the Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou manga is published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. If you’re willing to try an iyashikei manga, this one is definitely what you should read.
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