Happiest Anime Ranked

The shows below lean on warmth, humor and small moments that lift your mood. They avoid heavy drama and focus on friends, families and daily life. If you want a break after a long day, these anime offer calm, cozy stories that feel like a cup of tea.

We count down from #20 to #1, mixing classic picks with newer favorites. Each title brings a slightly different flavor of happy vibes, from quiet countryside scenes to energetic school antics. Skim for what fits your taste or try them all over time.

#20. Working!!

Set in a family restaurant, this series thrives on workplace comedy. Takanashi, Inami and Poplar bounce off each other with timing that keeps scenes light. The gags land without meanness, which makes the energy easy to relax into after a busy day.

The charm is the steady routine. You watch shift changes, table mix-ups and small wins that feel earnest. Relationships grow in tiny steps, letting the cast feel like co‑workers you know, not exaggerated cartoons. It is low-stress comfort food.

Even running jokes stay playful. The show never pushes conflict too hard, so the mood remains upbeat. That balance lets Working!! be a happy pick for people who enjoy gentle laughs and slice-of-life rhythm.

#19. Hitori Bocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu

Hitori Bocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu anime

Bocchi’s goal is simple and brave. She wants to make friends despite crushing shyness. The comedy is kind to her and the class meets her halfway. It is sweet to see progress that feels small but real.

Each new friend brings a different tone, from quiet support to lively pep. The jokes never punch down, which keeps the atmosphere warm. You root for Bocchi to try again, even when she freezes up. That steady encouragement feels genuinely uplifting.

Visual humor does a lot of work here. Reaction faces and awkward pauses invite empathetic laughs rather than secondhand embarrassment. The result is a show that treats social anxiety with care, while staying fun.

By the end, the class feels like a patchwork of gentle bonds. The takeaway is simple: repeated tiny steps can build real connection. It is a hopeful message that never turns preachy, just human.

#18. Lucky Star

Lucky Star is all about casual chatter and otaku jokes. Konata and friends talk food, school and games in a way that feels like hanging out. The humor is soft and observational, which keeps stress low.

The show’s rhythm is unhurried. Sketches drift from topic to topic, leaving space for calm smiles more than big laughs. That steady tone turns it into a background comfort watch that you can revisit anytime.

The character balance is key. Konata’s chaos meets Kagami’s tsukkomi, Tsukasa’s softness and Miyuki’s poise for gentle contrast. No one steals the show for long, so the vibe stays cozy.

References pop up, but you do not need to catch them all. The core appeal is friends enjoying ordinary talk together. That simple mood keeps the series light and happy.

It is the kind of anime where a snack discussion can carry a whole scene. Those small slices of life feel familiar and make the world seem a little softer.

#17. Azumanga Daioh

Azumanga Daioh set the tone for many later school comedies with its deadpan timing and oddball cast. From Chiyo’s earnest effort to Osaka’s dreamy thoughts, the humor stays gentle and warm.

The series flows like a yearbook of small days. Sports fests, class trips and breaks arrive with nostalgic ease. You do not watch for plot twists. You watch for the feeling of time spent well with friends, which is quietly happy.

Moments land without noise or edge. Even the loudest scenes taper into calm beats. That balance lets the show live on as a dependable comfort watch that still feels fresh.

#16. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun

Chiyo discovers her crush is a shoujo manga artist and ends up as his assistant. The setup sparks meta jokes about tropes, poses and dramatic framing. It is fast and silly while staying friendly.

The ensemble is stacked. Mikoshiba’s bluster, Kashima’s princely vibe and Seo’s chaos collide for memorable bits. Scenes skip along with quick cuts that keep the tone bright.

What makes it happy is the lack of mean stakes. Rejections are softened and misunderstandings bend toward comedy. You are left smiling rather than tense, which is the point of a feel-good watch.

It also doubles as a doorway into how manga gets made. Watching the crew help with drafts and references adds creative energy that feels lively and fun.

#15. Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless

Tanaka wants to conserve energy. Ohta helps him do it. Their dynamic turns laziness into soothing humor, not a punchline. The pace is slow in a way that feels restful.

Colors are soft, music is gentle and jokes land with a whisper. Little gestures from friends keep the mood friendly. It is easy to exhale and let the day go while you watch.

By leaning into quiet, the show celebrates the value of doing less. That framing makes it a perfect pick for a calm evening and a good mood.

It is okay to move at your own pace. The laughter still finds you.

Across episodes, the characters accept each other as they are. That steady acceptance is the core of its happy feel and it never tries to be louder than it needs to be. The effect is comforting.

#14. Polar Bear Cafe

Talking animals gather at a cafe for low-key jokes and gentle puns. Panda, Penguin and Shirokuma host bits that are as dry as they are cute. The humor is calm and whimsical rather than zany.

The slice-of-life setup lets characters drift in and out with soft charm. Situations stay small, which keeps the tension near zero. It is a great show to play while you unwind and smile.

The kindness level is high. Even misunderstandings resolve with a wink. If you want a cheerful pace and animal friends, this is an easy, happy pick.

#13. Sweetness & Lightning

A single dad learns to cook for his daughter with help from a kind student. Every episode centers on home-cooked meals and family time. The emotions are steady, not heavy, which keeps the tone warm.

Cooking scenes focus on basics. Chopping, simmering and tasting become little victories. Watching Tsumugi enjoy dinner turns daily routine into a source of joy.

The show respects small struggles. Budget meals, learning steps and scheduling are treated with care. That attention makes the happy moments feel earned, not forced and the vibe stays cozy.

Sharing a meal can be the shortest path to feeling at home.

#12. Tamako Market

Tamako’s family runs a mochi shop in a lively shopping street. A talkative bird named Dera swoops in and stirs up lighthearted chaos. The show hums with neighborhood energy that feels welcome.

The market cast is a delight. Shopkeepers, classmates and neighbors blend into a supportive crowd. Seasonal events and small crushes play out with colors that feel bright yet soft.

The humor is silly without edge. Even the boldest bits circle back to community warmth. If you like everyday festival vibes and a friendly bird, this one is pure cheer.

The mochi focus adds texture. Food is tied to memory and family, which makes each episode feel like a small celebration.

In this street, joy is a shared tradition.

#11. Flying Witch

A young witch moves to the countryside to practice magic in peace. The spells are small and the pace is slow. That quiet rhythm makes each episode feel restorative.

#10. Skip and Loafer

Mitsumi arrives from the countryside and tackles city high school with bright focus. Shima balances her with relaxed charm. Their scenes mix humor with tender moments that feel honest.

The writing respects awkward starts and slow growth. Friends support each other with kindness even when they miss a beat. That steady warmth keeps the mood uplifting without sugarcoating.

#9. Kiki’s Delivery Service

Kiki leaves home to start her delivery service in a seaside town. The film glows with kindness, letting work, friendship and self-doubt resolve in gentle ways. It is hopeful without being loud, which feels timeless.

Flights over rooftops and quiet streets balance wonder with calm. Jiji’s quips add easy humor while Kiki finds her pace again. The happiness comes from steady effort and community.

The town never feels hostile. People offer help and space to grow, which keeps tension low. That makes it a perfect pick for a cheerful movie night and a light heart.

#8. Spy x Family

A spy, an assassin and a telepath form a family for a mission. The setup sounds wild, but scenes land with warm humor. Anya’s reactions keep the tone bright and playful.

Action never overwhelms the heart. School events, home dinners and small promises bring soft payoffs. Even missions bend toward family bonding, which feels happy and fun.

The show treats care as a skill you practice. Little gestures pile up into real trust. That core is why it leaves you smiling after each episode, no matter the plot.

#7. Non Non Biyori

Life in the countryside moves at a gentle pace. Renge, Hotaru, Natsumi and Komari turn small days into soft laughs and lingering calm. Scenes breathe, which makes the mood soothing.

Nature takes center stage. Dirt roads, fields and clear skies give every episode a restful glow. The humor is mild, so you can unwind without mental noise and just enjoy.

Friendship is the whole story. Games, school and seasonal traditions build quiet joy. It is a steady pick when you want to lower your heart rate and feel content.

Happiness can be a walk to nowhere with good company.

#6. Barakamon

A calligrapher retreats to an island and meets a lively kid named Naru. Their bond turns frustration into play. Island life provides small trials that resolve with laughter.

#5. My Neighbor Totoro

Sisters move to a new home and meet forest spirits. Totoro and the Catbus add wonder to days full of chores and play. The film’s kindness is so steady that it feels safe to sink into.