When discussing introverted characters, there are many in anime that we admire. These characters often have a more outgoing counterpart to balance their introversion. Their quiet demeanor and ability to observe and listen make them both distinct and relatable.
The main focus of communication in these anime is the sunshine character who takes in the introverted character, resulting in a highly entertaining dynamic between two opposites. Below are some examples of anime with captivating plots featuring introverted characters.
10. Natsume’s Book of Friends
Takashi Natsume, the protagonist of the story, lost his parents at a young age. His ability to see youkai, or supernatural creatures, caused him to be ostracized since childhood. As an orphan, he constantly moved from one place to another. Due to the persistent rejection and ignorance from others, Natsume eventually withdrew and isolated himself from society.
Natsume inherits his grandmother Reiko Natsume’s powerful Book of Friends, which contains the names of all the youkai she had vanquished. This grants him the ability to summon these spirits at will. However, Natsume is not interested in wielding such power and instead chooses to safeguard the book. As he continues on his journey, he is accompanied by a feline spirit named Madara who has struck a deal to protect Natsume in exchange for the book upon his passing.
9 Komi Can’t Communicate
Despite not speaking, Komi-san is renowned for her beauty and holds a certain air of mystery in school. When Hitihito Tadano joins the class, he intends to avoid any drama and ends up being seated beside Komi-san.
After discovering that Komi san’s silence is due to a communication disorder, he makes it his mission to assist her in achieving her goal of making one hundred friends at school. And so, their journey begins.
8th Period: Classroom of the Elite
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji enrolls in a school that is structured into four divisions, with each class consisting of four students. The students have complete freedom to pursue their desires, creating an almost dream-like atmosphere. However, unbeknownst to them, their behaviors are being closely monitored.
Ayanokoji enjoys maintaining a certain distance from others and carefully observes his surroundings. While his fellow classmates indulged in their own pursuits, he instead focused on analyzing the reasoning behind their actions. As a member of the D class, where the lowest-performing students were placed, he faced a daunting challenge of improving his standing. Will he be able to overcome this obstacle and advance in his class?
Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku
It can be quite challenging to be an otaku, especially when you have a job and face judgment from others. However, having fellow otaku colleagues can make things easier. Narumi was determined to keep her secret of being an otaku and fujoshi from her new coworkers. Unfortunately, her cover was exposed when she unexpectedly ran into her childhood friend Hirotaka at her workplace.
As a lover of games, Hirotaka frequently keeps to himself and does not often engage in conversation. However, he unintentionally reveals Narumi’s secret to her colleagues by casually mentioning a meet-up. To their surprise, they discover that they both share a passion for otaku culture. From there, their secret relationship and otaku lifestyle slowly unravels.
Horimiya
You may be familiar with the saying “opposites attract,”and Horimiya perfectly embodies this idea. In the story, the lively and optimistic Hori crosses paths with the moody and reserved Miyamura in their classroom. As their relationship grows, they discover new aspects of each other, leading to a beautiful transformation.
Despite Miyamura’s decision to isolate himself from the rest of the class, he and Hori both harbor their own personal secrets. Rather than sharing these hidden aspects of themselves, they choose to keep them as a private affair. Thus, the story of Hori and Miyamura centers around their individual secrets and how they navigate through life while keeping them hidden.
My Love Story with Yamada Kun at Lv999
Despite finding love in an online game, Akane was ultimately betrayed by her partner who left her for another player. However, at least she had the game to keep her company and distract her from her broken heart. Although her ex-boyfriend may not have been the best, the game itself was still enjoyable.
As the game launched an event, Akane made the decision to attend despite her broken heart. However, things did not go as planned. Her ex-boyfriend was there with his new girlfriend and, to make matters worse, she stumbled in front of the large crowd. Yet, to her surprise, a young and somber boy came to her rescue. She soon discovered that he was a renowned professional gamer named Yamada. Could it be that she had found love once again in the virtual world of her game?
My Dress-Up Darling
Gojo’s extreme passion for creating traditional Japanese Hina dolls consumed him to the point that he was out of touch with the typical activities of his peers. However, as the saying goes, introverts often find themselves drawn to more outgoing individuals, and Gojo was no exception. He found a kindred spirit in Marin, a vivacious and well-liked classmate.
Gojo stumbled upon Marin’s secret love for cosplaying, which sparked the beginning of their journey together. He took on the role of creating her costumes and assisting with her makeup, accompanying her every step of the way. As they spent more time together, their friendship blossomed into something unexpected.
3. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
Shiga finds great joy in immersing himself in books, often losing track of time. He isolates himself from the outside world and lacks friends, causing his classmates to view him with suspicion. However, his life takes a turn when he unexpectedly meets Sakura.
He discovers her hidden struggle with a pancreatic illness, which greatly shortens her lifespan. As she nears the end of her days, he accompanies Sakura and witnesses her final moments. Along the way, she helps him break free from his despondent state and he undergoes a transformation.
2. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
Hachiman Hikigaya, a high school student with unconventional beliefs, is the central focus of this anime. He maintains a routine of aloofness and solitude, setting him apart from his classmates. However, his routine is disrupted when he is coerced into joining the Volunteer Service Club. Here, he crosses paths with Yukino Yukinoshita, known as the “ice queen,”and together they embark on a journey to help their fellow students with their problems.
Despite going against his own interests and approaching situations with pure logic, this anime manages to create a relatable experience for its viewers. The main character, an introverted high schooler, is proven to have the right opinions. This anime is highly recommended for those seeking a break from the typical overpowered character taking the lead role.
A Silent Voice
According to a quote from an unknown source, “A silent voice is not just a love story between a boy and a girl, but rather a journey towards self-love.”The story centers around Shouya Ishida, a student who bullies the new deaf student, Shouko Nishimiya, in their class. His behavior is eventually exposed and he faces consequences for his actions. As Shouko transfers out of the school, Shouya becomes a victim of bullying himself. Filled with remorse and shame, he isolates himself from others.
After reconnecting with Shouko, he invites her to become his friend. The rest of the story delves into the developing emotions between the two and depicts his gradual acceptance of the world around him. This anime continues to be cherished by all who have experienced it, truly a masterpiece.
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