Best Slice-of-Life Anime You Can Finish in a Day

If you’re in the mood for calm, character-driven stories you can wrap up between breakfast and bedtime, this list rounds up short, satisfying slice-of-life anime—mostly single-season series and a few films—with runtimes that comfortably fit in one day. Expect everyday settings, gentle humor, low-stakes stakes, and grounded themes, plus clear details like episode counts, runtimes, studios, creators, and quick premises so you can pick the perfect one for your schedule.

‘Barakamon’ (2014)

This series runs 12 episodes at roughly 23 minutes each, centered on a professional calligrapher who relocates to a remote island to reset his career. It’s animated by Kinema Citrus and adapted from Satsuki Yoshino’s manga. The story tracks village life, art practice, and community bonds, with a focus on day-to-day interactions. Total watch time lands around four and a half hours.

‘Usagi Drop’ (2011)

At 11 episodes of about 23 minutes each, this adaptation of Yumi Unita’s manga follows a single man who becomes guardian to a quiet six-year-old. Produced by Production I.G, it focuses on parenting routines, work-life balance, and domestic milestones. The narrative stays grounded in family logistics and school-life details. The full season finishes in roughly four hours and fifteen minutes.

‘Laid-Back Camp’ (2018)

Season one contains 12 episodes at about 23 minutes each and spotlights after-school camping trips, gear basics, and simple campsite cooking. C-Station handles animation, adapting Afro’s manga. The show mixes solo and group outings, with practical notes on sites, travel, and setup. Finish time is about four and a half hours.

‘Flying Witch’ (2016)

This 12-episode series, animated by J.C.STAFF from Chihiro Ishizuka’s manga, places a trainee witch in rural Japan for everyday chores with a light magical twist. Episodes run about 23 minutes and fold small supernatural elements into gardening, shopping, and local festivals. Background details emphasize countryside living and seasonal routines. Expect a total of roughly four and a half hours.

‘A Place Further than the Universe’ (2018)

Spanning 13 episodes at roughly 23 minutes each, this original series by Madhouse follows a student team joining an Antarctic expedition. The plot tracks preparation, logistics, and crew life, focusing on daily tasks during training and travel. Scripts emphasize teamwork, planning, and personal goals within realistic school-life frameworks. Completing the season takes around five hours.

‘My Roommate Is a Cat’ (2019)

This adaptation of Minatsuki and As Futatsuya’s manga runs 12 episodes at about 23 minutes each. It alternates perspectives between a reclusive novelist and a stray cat, covering feeding schedules, vet visits, and home routines. Zero-G produced the series with recurring segments that highlight everyday caretaking. Total viewing time is approximately four and a half hours.

‘Horimiya’ (2021)

Consisting of 13 episodes at around 23 minutes each, this CloverWorks adaptation of HERO and Daisuke Hagiwara’s manga focuses on school life, part-time jobs, and family responsibilities. It catalogs class events, club activities, and communication dynamics among friends. Episodes regularly map out daily timelines and milestones in relationships. The season wraps in about five hours.

‘Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day’ (2011)

This 11-episode original from A-1 Pictures centers on a group of childhood friends reuniting to address unfinished business. Each episode runs roughly 23 minutes and moves through everyday high-school settings, home visits, and community spots. The show tracks practical steps the group takes to reconnect, including meetings and shared tasks. The full run is about four hours and fifteen minutes.

‘Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san’ (2018)

The season includes 12 short episodes, each roughly 11–12 minutes, dramatizing real retail bookstore workflows like ordering, shelving, and customer service. It’s adapted by DLE from the autobiographical manga by Honda. Segments highlight industry jargon, publisher reps, and event preparation. You can finish the entire series in about two and a half hours.

‘Whisper of the Heart’ (1995)

This feature film from Studio Ghibli runs about 111 minutes, directed by Yoshifumi Kondō and scripted by Hayao Miyazaki, adapting Aoi Hiiragi’s manga. The story follows a middle-schooler exploring songwriting, reading habits, and future planning. Real-world settings include libraries, workshops, and neighborhood commutes. It completes in under two hours.

‘Only Yesterday’ (1991)

A Studio Ghibli film directed by Isao Takahata, this runs around 118 minutes and adapts Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone’s manga. The narrative alternates between adult work routines and remembered grade-school experiences. Agricultural fieldwork, travel schedules, and family arrangements are depicted with documentary-like detail. The film’s length fits neatly into an evening slot.

‘Ocean Waves’ (1993)

Produced by Studio Ghibli for television and directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, this film runs about 72 minutes. The plot focuses on high-school classmates, part-time jobs, and a class trip, keeping attention on everyday interactions. Locations include classrooms, local eateries, and travel hubs. Its concise runtime makes it an easy single-sitting watch.

‘Kotaro Lives Alone’ (2022)

This season has 10 episodes at roughly 26 minutes each and adapts Mami Tsumura’s manga. The setup follows a young boy living independently with neighbors who monitor daily needs like groceries, school, and safety. The show details apartment living, errands, and community support systems. The full run completes in about four and a half hours.

‘Sweetness & Lightning’ (2016)

Running 12 episodes at about 23 minutes each, this TMS Entertainment adaptation of Gido Amagakure’s manga focuses on home cooking. Each episode features recipes, ingredient lists, and step-by-step meal prep woven into family routines. School schedules, shopping trips, and kitchen tasks structure the story. Expect a total watch time around four and a half hours.

‘Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless’ (2016)

This 12-episode series from Silver Link adapts Nozomi Uda’s manga and revolves around daily school-life patterns. Episodes track class changes, study sessions, and casual hangouts, often emphasizing simple time-management and habits. Character interactions revolve around routine errands and clubs. The full season finishes in roughly four and a half hours.

Share your go-to one-day slice-of-life picks in the comments so everyone can build their next cozy watchlist.