Just chill— The Most Relaxing Anime from Spring & Summer 2022
October is upon us and Christmas seems to be just weeks away! Hundreds of anime have been released this year. Some are spectacular, others are good, while certain shows are… less than satisfactory.
Previously, I collated a list on the top 10 anime worth watching this season. Well, it was actually top 11 (My Hero Academia 6 and Mob Psycho 100 3 tied for first place) plus a few other recommendations but that’s not the main point. However, in this article we will stroll down memory lane to the first-half of 2022.
Spring and Summer 2022 was certainly not boring for casual and serious anime fans alike. We have the return of beloved sequels including Overlord IV , Made in Abyss: Retsujitsu no Ougonkyou and Date A Live IV. There were other also highly anticipated new releases including Spy x Family and Fuuto Tantei.
In this review, we will briefly explore some of the most laid-back anime Spring and Summer 2022 has to offer. There are 3 main criteria for the shows listed below:
- Must be overall relaxing, cheery, and fun
- Are non-sequels
- Show has ended as of October 2022 (sorry Uncle From Another World)
Without further ado, the first anime on the list is…..
Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie | Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san | 可愛いだけじゃない式守さん
Summary
Yun Izumi, a boy with terrible luck, enters his second senior year with his girlfriend Micchon Shikimori. Unlike her affectionate and accident-prone boyfriend, Shikimori is not just cute, but also athletic and cool. Together they fall deeper in love while Shikimori protects Izumi from any bad luck coming his way.
Why I Enjoy This
While most rom-coms are usually about the male and female leads falling in love whilst going through numerous misunderstandings, the couple in this show are already together and maintain a harmonious relationship throughout the series. There is no unfortunate misunderstandings, no needless arguments, and no stubborn third-parties, its just a wholesome, feel-good ride. In addition, all the characters are well-meaning, quirky and supportive of one another.
You can watch the trailer here.
Aharen Is Indecipherable | Aharen-san wa Hakarenai | 阿波連さんははかれない
Summary
All Matsuboshi Raidou wants in high school is to make friends, and who else is better than his tiny and cute classmate Reina Aharen. While Aharen shares the same goal with Raidou, she is awkward, soft-spoken, and unable to gauge personal space. Raidou too suffers from a poker-face and over-imagination. Watch as the two of them overcome the hurdles of making new friends and get to know each other better.
Why I Enjoy This
Raidou’s over-imaginative thoughts always brings forth a chuckle. In addition, Reina’s abilities always catches Raidou by surprise (she obliterates him at checkers and is a yo-yo champion). While both of them are socially awkward, their interactions are never cringy but makes them both endearing instead.
You can watch the trailer here.
Ya Boy Kongming! | Paripi Koumei | パリピ孔明
Summary
Zhuge Liang a.k.a. Kongming, the greatest war tactician from the Three Kingdom Periods of third-century China, reincarnates to modern-day Tokyo after drawing his final breath. He then meets Eiko Tsukimi, an aspiring singer who wishes to perform live at the largest music festival in the world. Armed with his younger body, memories, and military tactics, Kongming decides become Eiko’s manager and conquer the music industry with Eiko’s music and his stratagems.
Why I Enjoy This
This show manages to make the most unlikely combination — military strategy and music, work together flawlessly. The characters are also engaging and develop continuously throughout the show. Watching the stoic Kongming interact with Tokyo’s lively music scene and nightclubs is also amusing. As this show is about music, the songs never disappoint and are all memorable and moving.
I personally rate this as one of the best shows in 2022.
You can watch the trailer here.
Love After World Domination | Koi wa Sekai Seifuku no Ato de | 恋は世界征服のあとで
Summary
Fudou Aikawa and Desumi Magahara are a new couple who fell in love at first sight. Unfortunately, there is a catch. Fudou a.k.a. ‘Red Gelato’ is the leader of ‘Gelato 5’ a group of heroes protecting Japan. Desumi a.k.a. ‘Reaper Princess’ is the member of ‘Gekko’ an evil secret (?) society gunning for world domination. Can both Fudou and Desumi keep their relationship a secret from their organisations and the world?
Why I Enjoy This
Fudou and Desumi are just plain sweet and are obviously deeply in love with one another. While they still show some insecurities and inexperience, they learn to accept one another the best they can. Their efforts to keep their relationship a secret which sometimes fail also eventually turn out well, and those in the know are supportive of their relationship. Seeing Desumi ‘fake’ beatdowns on Fudou whenever they are about to be discovered is never boring too.
You can watch the trailer here.
A Couple of Cuckoos | Kakkou no Iinazuke | カッコウの許嫁
Summary
Nagi Umino, a studious high-schooler, and Erika Amano, a popular social media star, were switched at birth. To bring both them and their families together, both Nagi’s and Erika’s parents decide for the two children to be engaged. Nagi now has to navigate a new life and sort out his relationship with Erika, the affections of his sister Sachi Umino, and his mutual crush with Hiro Segawa.
Why I Enjoy This
Misunderstandings aside, most of the characters are what truly make this show shine (especially my personal favourite ‘Papa’ Youhei Umino). While this show sometimes get messy, it is a fun mess.
That being said, this show is not without its gripes. Certain characters may seem annoying for no reason, which in turn makes me feel annoyed. This show also has not ended on truly conclusive note which is slightly frustrating.
You can watch the trailer here.
My Stepmom’s Daughter Is My Ex | Mamahaha no Tsurego ga Motokano datta | 継母の連れ子が元カノだった
Summary
Geeky Mizuto Irido and nerdy Yume Ayai were a couple connected by their love for literature who broke off due to their differences. However, they are now reunited under the same household as step-siblings as well as classmates. To decide who will be the older sibling, they decide upon a rule: whoever crosses the normal boundaries of sibling-hood loses, and the winner will be crowned the older sibling and make a request.
Why I Enjoy This
The main comedy of this show is not the antics, but rather how carefullt they tread the line between being lovers and siblings. While the previous rom-coms are 99% light and funny, this anime shows how and why they split off, which is both frustrating and normal. They also still strongly care for one another, which is funnily in contrary to their verbal spats. Unlike ‘A Couple of Cuckoos’, this show thankfully ends on a more conclusive note.
You can watch the trailer here.
The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting | Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari | 組長娘と世話係
Summary
‘The Demon of Sakuragi’ — Tooru Kirishima is now assigned the most difficult job of his lifetime- taking care of his boss daughter the seven-year-old Yaeka Sakuragi. Kirishima needs to learn how to communicate with the inexpressive Yaeka as well as keep the violence of his old life at bay.
Why I Enjoy This
Tooru and Yaeka’s relationship are undoubtedly the main gem of this show. Both of them truly show what it means to be one family and emotionally support each other. Tooru’s effort to make Yaeka happy and his bashfulness while being praised by her is endearing. This show is just one emotional heartwarming and tear-jerking ride.
I personally rate this as the most heartwarming show in 2022.
You can watch the trailer here.
Call of the Night | Yofukashi no Uta | よふかしのうた
Summary
Kou Yamori, a high schooler unable to understand love, decides to go against the norm and drop out from school. As he has insomnia, he starts roaming the night streets and runs into Nazuna Nanakusa, a cute vampire girl. Kou now has a new goal — he will fall in love with Nazuna and become a vampire.
Why I Enjoy This
The main attraction of this show is the depiction of urban night-views, which are always stunning. Kou is also not along on his self-identity quest, his interactions with other characters also help them resolve issues of their own. While some characters might be annoying or obnoxious, it is overall and enjoyable ride. The opening and ending songs are catchy, the ending is conclusive enough, and the night-scapes are amazing (I know I repeated myself).
You can watch the trailer here.
So there you have it. While the ones that stand out for me personally are Ya Boy Kongming! and The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting, the other shows listed are enjoyable in their own rights as well.
Feel free to share if you agree or have other recommendations. Happy watching!
