5 Cozy Feel-Good Anime to Binge Watch

Sometimes watching anime can feel like an emotional investment. There’s drama, politics, horror, intense action, etc. and while anime is generally known for having intense story-telling and leaving viewers yearning for more – sometimes you just want to sit back and relax with a feel-good anime where nothing bad happens. Below are five cozy anime series that you can easily binge and feel nothing but joy, with occasional cuteness overloads, while doing so. These slice of life’s are the best shows to wind down with. 

Flying Witch 

Flying Witch is my personal top favorite from this list. I love all things witchy, whimsical, and cute. This show brings all that to the table and more! A bit reminiscent of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, the plot centers around a young witch named Makoto Kowata that just turned 15 and must venture off on her own to figure out her powers and study the craft.

Accompanied by a black cat named Chito and some loving friends and family, Makoto makes her way through high school trying to live as normally as a teenage girl witch can. This incredibly cute show follows Makoto as she discovers the magic both around and within her. 

I never had a bad time watching this one and it’s always my first recommendation to others when they ask for short or relaxing anime. Everything about the characters, the story, and the animation itself is heartwarming and just a joy to experience. 

Makoto retrieving the unsettling mandrake (ep.1).

Sweetness and Lightning

Sweetness and Lightning is a very wholesome and cozy anime focusing on a father-daughter relationship. As Kohei Inuzuka takes care of his daughter Tsmugi single-handedly, he is very busy with fatherhood and his teaching job which often leads to relying on pre-cooked meals. Food becomes a fun theme in this series as one of Kohei’s students, Kitori Iida offers to host dinners for the duo at her family’s restaurant while teaching Kohei how to cook delicious meals for his adorable little girl.

This anime was so pure and had me laughing quite a few times. Even my mom watched it with me and thoroughly enjoyed it despite never watching anime before.

When I first got into anime I opted for titles like Tokyo Ghoul and Attack on Titan, so this type of wholesome slice-of-life content was great to watch. But if you’re more into action and drama and don’t know where to start, check out this list of beginner anime. 

Kohei and Tsumugi posing cutely (ep.5).

Laid-Back Camp 

Now, Laid-Back Camp is the only anime in this list that has more than one season but I think it’s definitely binge worthy. After Nadeshiko Kagamihara seeks shelter at Rin Shima’s campsite, the two teenage girls enjoy their time together in a cozy and serene area of nature. Soon after, they begin to plan future camping trips together and a bond over nature is formed.

True to its name, Laid-Back Camp is genuinely just a chill show about camping and the beauty of spending time in nature – both alone and with friends. The landscape of this anime is beautifully drawn, the characters are adorable, and the atmospheric sounds make you feel like you’re actually camping alongside the group.

There’s even camping tips distributed through the show, as well as a mapping site project that allows you see the real-life scenery of sites from the show! This anime has a lot to offer outside of the show itself. 

There are 2 released seasons, a movie, and in 2024 season 3 will be released. Although I haven’t tried it out yet, there’s also a mobile game available to play! 

Rin overlooking the city from the peak of Mt. Takabotchi.

Usagi Drop

Like Sweetness and Lightning, Usagi Drop also follows the trope of a single father raising a daughter. Only in this plot, the father is Daikichi Kawachi, who takes in his grandfather’s illegitimate 6-year-old child, Rin Kaga. Despite not having previous experience, Daikichi learns the ropes of being a single father and raises Rin in a loving and nurturing home. Both characters learn life lessons along the way, aiding the theme of family being what you make it. 

The untraditional family values is something I personally resonate with, so this show hit a soft spot for me. Aside from being downright adorable, Usagi Drop is a feel-good anime that will move you in ways you don’t expect.

Daikichi making a pinky promise with Rin to pick her up from school (ep.2).

Barakamon

I watched Barakamon per a recommendation of a good friend, and it was not at all what I was expecting. It’s not necessarily all about coziness with this one, but the character development is very wholesome. I consider it more of a feel-good comedy anime. The plot of this anime is not at all calm, but the story is so entertaining that I can’t help but consider this one for the list.

After narcissistic calligrapher Seishuu Handa gets exiled to the Goto Islands, he begins a journey of self discovery and creative uniqueness. Goto Islands may not be peaceful, but its’ tight-knit community teaches Seishuu way more about himself and life in general than he expected to learn. 

Incredibly humorous and a great way to learn some life lessons, Barakamon is definitely worth the binge. 

Naru coining the term “mandom” to mean growing up because she can read (ep.3).

Where to Binge-Watch

All anime listed are available for streaming on Crunchyroll.