It doesn’t matter who you are, you like to laugh. However, comedy is highly subjective. What is funny to some may not be funny to others. This can make comedy anime somewhat hit or miss. Furthermore, those that haven’t enjoyed comedy anime in the past likely want something more than just random jokes. They want plot, and that can sometimes be absent. If you are looking to get into comedy anime, these series can be great entry points.
Best Comedy Anime for Beginners
Gintama
Ask for comedy anime recommendations,and this will show up every time. Of course, there is a reason for that. While Gintama has accumulated quite a few seasons at this point, you will be glad for that amount of content once you get into it. What really elevates Gintama is that it encompass many different types of comedy, but it doesn’t forsake an actual plot. In fact, there are times where Gintama can be seem like an actual action anime, but really the internet only likes to showcase the jokes.
The Devil is a Part-Timer
If you don’t want a huge commitment to a series, but want something to make you chuckle, The Devil is a Part-Timer is a natural choice. It is like the isekai genre in reverse. A super powerful villain is taken to our world and ends up working at McDonald’s to pay the bills while plotting world domination. The comedy comes from how all these fantasy characters adjust to our very boring world.
D-Frag
There are tons of comedies about school clubs goofing off, and this won’t be the last on this list. However, while D-Frag is primarily hi-jinks, its jokes really knock things out of the park. If you are a big fan of anime already, these jokes will have even more impact.
Love, Chunibyou, and Other Delusions
As a romantic comedy, you can expect as many heart squeezes as you can laughs. The comedy in Chunibyou really comes from how weird and weeb-ish many of the characters are. While that can be a little cringe-y, unlike other shows, they manage to avoid this by making the jokes truly the impactful part.
The Pet Girl of Sakura Hall
As a slice of life/school life series, there isn’t a set plot, but it noticeably moves forward as you follow the characters that need to decide on their futures. Of course, while they are doing that, they get into some weird shenanigans. The comedy in this series primarily comes from more normal situations, but they still have that tinge of anime strange to them.
Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club knows what it is and makes meta jokes about itself frequently. This is the type of show where you can watch it a dozen times and find a new little tidbits. However, while this show was made to be a romantic comedy with more emphasis on the comedy, you will find quite a few dramatic moments as well. It is a great choice for people that don’t want just non-stop jokes.
Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun
There are a few romantic comedies on this list, but this is not that. Instead, this is kind of making fun of that. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun is essentially a parody of the shoujo genre, and like any good parody, it is hilarious.
Great Teacher Onizuka
Although the animation of this older anime can put many off, this is a classic comedy series. Onizuka is a thug and pervert, but this thuggish pervert is the only person capable of reaching a class full of problem children that like to bully teachers. He helps them with their problems in brutish and unique ways.
Baka and Test
Like Onizuka above, Baka and Test is about a class full of idiots trying to rise to the elite seat in their academy. Of course, it is a long and difficult climb with few fantasy quirks added into the system. However, while they follow that plot, the comedy often comes from the array of unique and silly characters doing random things outside of the main story.
Hinamatsuri
This is one of the more recent anime releases, but it made a big impression. Hinamatsuri isn’t as dramatic as its synopsis makes it sound. Instead, it is kind of laid-back show. The comedy comes from the facial expressions and the abnormal circumstances that they make seem completely normal.
Why no Nichijou, NichiBros, Cromartie, or School Rumble?
All four are classic comedy anime series, and of course very funny. However, I tried to avoid strictly random comedy series because generally people want something with a plot, even if it is kind of a weak one. However, they are still good recommendations for anyone interested in comedy.
