Top 10 Supernatural/Slice of Life Anime/Film

When it comes to the supernatural in genre, there are many exiciting works that can be noted from the classic period as well as new anime. From the dark work that is “Kuroshitsuji” a.k.a “The Black Butler” and the newest complicated love story that is “Renai Bouken” a.k.a “Love Tyrant”, these stories have left teir marks with thier own dynamic plots and eccentric characters.

In one setion of the supernatural genre though, lies not high flying action or intricate plots, but anime series that takes on more drama and themes that hit close to the heart. This is the the slice of life section of the supernatural and the following listed are the shows you want to watch for the characters depth rather than the theme it falls under.

10. Tansu Warashi

This is a tale that begins with the mystery of a mother of an office lady sending her an old dresser that is too big for her apartment. Why was she was given the old dresser and what should she do with it? She does not know and instead decides to sleep on it. During the evening however, she hears strange sounds and when she went to investigate, she finds a child’s figure eating rice crackers at the table. Thus begins her life with six spirit children.

9. Agukaru

A three combo concept for the supernatural and slice of life that brings a mellow but interesting anime series involving the concepts of having the ability to see spirits, friendship with youkai, and agriculture. Set in the eastern Japanese prefecture of Ibaraki, Agukaru centers around Sanae Baraki, there is a farm and a young girl who can see spirits spends her days making the best of agriculture as with blessing of the earth, she is able to transform into Agriculture Angel Baraki

8. Colorful

If you had the chance to live again, would you take that chance? Well a young boy decided to do so as upon his death he kicked out of the cycle of reincarnation and was instead given a lottery by an angel and a chance to remember his sin. In result, he ends up in the body of a suicidal 14-year-old boy named Makoto and he discovers the different struggles that this boy went through as he tries to recall his own memories as well. This is a story of learning to accept one’s self and see beyond the colors that the world has to offer

7. Glasslip

It takes only meeting a certain person and it seems as if your life has completely changed. For aspiring glass artist Touko Fukuma, her life takes a shift upon meeting a young man named Kakeru Okikura. Add the to the fact that Touko holds the ability to hear see fragments of the future and her life is anything but normal, though she wishes it were. This is a story of a summer filled with hope love and heartache involving six people with a girl holding a special ability.

It is a good looking anime with a unique plot and well enough characters. While not entirely exciting, the is also one of the main points that makes a good slice-of-live, by making the viewer think about the characters as they each go through their own struggle.

6. Kamichu!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a god? Well, middle school girl Yuri Hitotsubashi has this questioned answered for her as she one day discovers for an unknown reason that she has become a goddess. Set in the 1980’s Yuri alongside with her friends finds herself becoming a goddess for the town due to their classmate Matsuri. Now alongside learning what it means to have godly abilities, she tried to work around attending school and even working up the courage to confess to her crush Kenji.

5. Air

Though this series may not as much supernatural themes as the other series listed it does have enough of a supernatural concept and slice of life elements to make the list for different god reasons. This is a story of a young man named Yukito Kunisaki and his journey in search of what is called the “Winged Maiden.” She, as told from the childhood stories told by Yukito’s mother, is a being who was bound to the sky centuries ago.

In his journey Yukito stumbles across a quaint town and inadvertently ends up being invited to stay upon meeting an unusual song named Misuzu. Putting his search on hold Yukito decides to stay and help out the people. But as slowly grows attached the town and the people who live in it, the question remains on whether he will ever find the Winged Maiden or is she closer than he thinks?

4. Gingitsune

Learn what it is like to be a shrine maiden as well as having the ability to see a fox spirit with the tale of Gingutsune. Coming from a family that has the power see gods’ agents though limited to one, Saeki Makoto is the one to hold the power and is the only one able to see Gintarou, the fox spirit that has been protecting the small Inari temple since the Edo era. Together the two use their abilities in order to help the townspeople even with how different they are.

A simple enough plot but the series itself takes a indepth look on what it means to have an ability such as Makoto’s and how it impacts her daily life. In a way this is a series that is similar to Natsume Yuujinchou in terms of theme but at the same time it is an original work that takes on its own unique concept.

3. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai.

It is never an easy thing to lose someone who is very close to you and what’s move trying to move on from the loss. This is a story that takes that concept by the series as the protagonist Jinta Yafomi spends his time at home as a recluse playing video games until he is dragged outside by his childhood friend Meiko “Menma” Monma. The problem is however, is that Meiko has passed away years ago, though it has yet to be explained.

When Jinta discovers that image of his deceased friend is in fact a ghost, he joins with his childhood friends to solve the mystery of why her spirit remains. In this quest the group that had drifted away after Meiko’s death soon finds themselves facing memories of the past. It is a bittersweet tale of loss , friendship and acceptance.

2. Mushishi

Take a dive into philosophical thinking with this anime as it tells the tale of mushi, the most basic forms of life in this world. There is no explanation on what exactly these forms are or what are they for. The most basic thing known about mushi is that it goes beyond the concept of “good” or “evil” and exists in countless forms with the ability to mimic things from the natural world such as plants and even rainbows.

Seeking to understand this mysterious form is a man named Ginko. He is what is called a Mushishi, a person who conducts research on Mushi. While it is known that mushi can be found anywhere, almost little to no people are aware of its existence. So chasing after whatever rumor may be related to his research, Ginko travels the world in order to find the answers to his questions for in turn it could also be the answer to life itself.

1. Natsume Yuujinchou

There have been many anime series that have taken on the downside of having the ability to see supernatural things, from comedic misadventures to tragic tales of being an outcast. This is a tale that has either of these concepts as the focus. In this anime, it tells the story of Takashi Natsume, a 15-year-old boy with the ability to see youkai. Ever since he was young he has had this ability, and not only does he go through the struggle of being chased by these largely dangerous beings but also on how they impact his regular life.

One day upon releasing a strong spirit named Madara trapped in the form of a cat statue, Natsume also discovers an heirloom left behind by his grandmother, who also had the ability to see spirits. It is a book containing the names of various youkai, which is one of the main reasons that they have been chasing him for as long as they have. With this book, he returns the names of different spirits and along the way learn of their stories and how they knew his grandmother.

This is a series that takes on a unique concept of a person who has the ability to see things others can’t and questioning where you fit in between the two different worlds of the humans and the youkai. With a serene art style and a well done character development, Natsume Yuujinchou takes number one on this list.