10 Best Anime to Watch If You Like Nichijou

Over the years, Nichijou has gained a large fan base as a beloved slice-of-life comedy anime. Its distinctive blend of moe animation, surreal comedy, and supernatural themes effectively depicts the remarkable escapades that can be found in everyday routines.

The show centers on the daily escapades of three young friends from childhood: Nano, a robot, her 8-year-old inventor, Professor, and a talking cat named Sakamoto. Additional characters featured in the series are the principal and teachers of the girls’ high school, along with Nano’s fellow classmates.

For fans who have appreciated Nichijou’s excellent combination of purity and quirkiness, here are 10 anime suggestions that should be added to their list of shows to watch.

Please note that this article reflects the writer’s personal opinion and is not listed in any particular order.

Top 10 anime for fans of Nichijou

1. Lucky Star

Konata Izumi, a high school girl who is eccentric and sarcastic, is the protagonist of Lucky Star. She prefers discussing video games, manga, and anime over studying for exams, making her story heartwarming.

“Featuring an energetic ensemble and abundant pop culture allusions and otaku comedy, Lucky Star effectively depicts the lively experience of high school in a humorous manner reminiscent of Nichijou.”

Fans of Nichijou are bound to appreciate the quirky humor of Lucky Star and the parallels between the personalities of the characters, as both shows delve into the amusing trials and tribulations of high school.

Anime: Azumanga Daioh

The focus of this traditional comedy is on the daily escapades of six students and their instructors at a high school in Tokyo. Similar to Nichijou, Azumanga Daioh relies on unexpected and nonsensical jokes, featuring a cast of charming characters and hysterical moments that drive the storyline.

There is never a dull moment in the everyday lives of Japanese high school girls, with wild imaginations and unexpected mishaps always keeping things interesting.

Due to its similar laid-back tone and numerous overlapping themes of camaraderie and high school experiences, Azumanga Daioh is an ideal selection for those seeking additional zany tales in the realm of anime.

Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri is a comedy that follows the peculiar tale of a young girl with inexplicable psychic abilities, who appears out of the blue and drastically alters the life of an unsuspecting member of the yakuza. With a blend of humor and elements of the supernatural, the show offers plenty of laughs.

Similar to Nichijou, a significant source of humor in the show comes from the unconventional father-daughter relationship between the two main characters. Their dry exchanges, along with the antics of other peculiar individuals, lead to a series of comical moments throughout the series.

Despite both shows incorporating exaggerated jokes about the supernatural, Hinamatsuri should absolutely be added to your list of must-watch shows.

4. Daily Lives of High School Boys

Daily Lives of High School Boys (Image via Sunrise)

The title of the show, Daily Lives of High School Boys, accurately reflects its focus on the spontaneous discussions and comical escapades of three close friends during their teenage years. This incredibly amusing series employs extreme exaggeration to add humor to mundane situations.

Just like Nichijou, audiences can look forward to silly skits, boundless enthusiasm, and parodies of common anime themes, making it an ideal choice for fans seeking to be entertained by the exaggerated and comical portrayal of students’ daily lives and antics in the world of anime.

5. Pop Team Epic

Pop Team Epic (Image via Kamikaze Douga, Space Neko Company)

This incredibly bizarre show takes inspiration from anime, manga, and pop culture to create episodes that are filled with parodies. There appears to be no logic behind the humor, giving Pop Team Epic a similar feel to the absurd, comedic skits of Nichijou but taken to a whole new level.

If your main reason for enjoying Nichijou was its lively visual comedy and unapologetic jokes, Pop Team Epic will provide a similar experience with potentially even more irreverence.

Squid Girl

The plot of Squid Girl revolves around a squid-like character named Squid Girl, who is convinced that she is a sea invader on a mission to conquer humanity. However, her efforts ultimately prove unsuccessful, and she ends up working part-time at a restaurant by the beach.

Similar to Nichijou, the show embraces comedy through Squid Girl’s quirky actions and her attempts to comprehend human customs, resulting in absurd situations. Additionally, both series are recognized for their distinct visual styles that amplify their outrageous humor.

7. Sleepy Princess In The Demon Castle

Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle (Image via Doga Kobo)

Syalis is a pampered princess in Sleepy Princess In The Demon Castle who is kidnapped and taken to a castle belonging to a demon. Despite her predicament, her main priority remains getting a good night’s rest. She goes to great extremes to ensure she has the most comfortable sleeping conditions, rather than attempting to flee.

The segment in which she experiments with various mattresses is reminiscent of the bizarre episodic humor found in Nichijou, which swiftly switches between different gags and jokes.

Just like Nichijou manages to combine adorableness and absurd humor in its portrayal of characters, this series also draws big laughs with its plot of a pampered princess interacting with demons in a comical manner.

8. Sketching Dance

Skate Dance (Image via Tatsunoko Production)

The main focus of Sket Dance is the “Help Club,”also known as the Living Assistance Club or Sket Brigade, which operates within a high school. The club is responsible for taking on small tasks for fellow students, and the series maintains its zany humor through the wild and unusual adventures of its lively and eccentric trio.

Just like in Nichijou, where unpredictable events unfold when the main girls gather in school or outside of it, the Sket Brigade never fails to find themselves in comical mishaps whenever they are called upon for help, regardless of how ridiculous the problem may be.

The endearing cast of characters in both shows are known for their natural-feeling conversations, which contribute to the overall appeal and charm of the series. This often results in many heartwarming and enjoyable moments shared between the characters.

The Incredible Story of Saiki K.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (Image via J.C.Staff, Egg Firm)

Despite his outwardly calm demeanor, Saiki Kusuo is far from a typical teenager, having been born with an array of extraordinary psychic powers. The series focuses on the bizarre predicaments he finds himself in because of his abilities, despite his desire for a mundane existence.

Similar to Nichijou, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. also utilizes a zany premise to throw the protagonist into ludicrous situations for comedic effect.

The show also has a similar talent for using visual humor, as seen in Nichijou, with its characters making exaggerated facial expressions and reactions. If you find Saiki’s iconic green glasses reminiscent of Nano’s, then you’ll definitely enjoy this series!

10. Gintama

In Gintama, the setting is an alternate version of Edo-period Japan that has been taken over by extraterrestrial beings. The story centers around the eccentric silver-haired samurai, Gintoki Sakata, and his adventures with his equally unusual companions.

Similarly to Nichijou, Gintama utilizes absurd scenarios as the basis for its comedy, but also incorporates science fiction and samurai action elements. It follows the same format of spontaneous, physical comedy where the characters are frequently placed in outlandish predicaments.

Gintama is known for its humorous reactions and clever parody jokes that often break the fourth wall, making it a must-watch for those seeking over-the-top comedy similar to that of Nichijou.

Conclusion

Although no other anime can replicate Nichijou’s unique mix of naivety and quirkiness, there are several shows that come very close, including Lucky Star, Azumanga Daioh, Hinamatsuri, and others. These series also feature a soothing blend of slice-of-life narratives and surreal comedy.

Additionally, for those seeking even more outrageous content, shows such as Pop Team Epic, Squid Girl, Sleepy Princess In The Demon Castle, Sket Dance, and The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. are guaranteed to provide the same comedic essence and keep you laughing nonstop.

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