Comedy in anime isn’t just about slapstick gags or over-the-top reactions—it’s an art form that blends absurdity, satire, cultural nods, and heartfelt moments to deliver laughs that stick with you. From parodying shonen tropes to exploring everyday chaos with a twist, the best comedy series transcend humor to become cultural touchstones.
This list curates the all-time greats based on fan votes, critical acclaim, and enduring popularity as of 2025. We’ve prioritized series that master timing, character dynamics, and clever writing, often mixing in other genres like action or romance for extra flavor. Each entry includes the show’s backstory, plot overview, episode details, and what makes its comedy shine. Spoiler-free where possible, but dive in at your own risk!
10. The Devil is a Part-Timer!
Episode Count: 37 (2 seasons, plus OVAs)
Original Run: April 2013 – September 2022
Episode Length: 24 minutes
Created by Satoshi Wagahara as a light novel series in 2011, The Devil is a Part-Timer! was adapted into anime by White Fox, flipping the isekai genre on its head with a “reverse isekai” twist. The story follows Demon Lord Satan (aka Sadao Maou), who flees his fantasy world after a defeat and ends up in modern Tokyo with no magic. To survive, he takes a part-time job at MgRonald’s (a McDonald’s parody), climbing the corporate ladder while dealing with heroes from his past world who track him down. Episodes mix workplace comedy with supernatural skirmishes, like budget demon schemes or fast-food rivalries.
The humor shines through situational irony—watching a once-mighty overlord fret over rent or customer service is endlessly funny. It’s raunchy at times but balances with character growth, making it a hilarious commentary on capitalism and adulting. Fans love how it subverts expectations, turning epic battles into petty office politics.
9. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
Episode Count: 75 (4 seasons, plus movie)
Original Run: January 2019 – December 2022
Episode Length: 23 minutes
Aka Akasaka’s manga debuted in 2015, inspiring A-1 Pictures’ adaptation that turns high school romance into a strategic battlefield. At elite Shuchiin Academy, student council president Miyuki Shirogane and vice president Kaguya Shinomiya are geniuses in love with each other but too proud to confess first. Each episode is a “war” of elaborate schemes to force the other to admit feelings, like rigged festivals or mind games over lunchboxes.
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The comedy excels in exaggerated mind-reading sequences and tsundere antics, parodying rom-com tropes with sharp wit. It’s visually inventive, with dramatic narration and pop culture references amplifying the absurdity. Beyond laughs, it explores vulnerability, making it a smart, relatable pick for fans of psychological humor.
8. Spy x Family
Episode Count: 50 (3 seasons, ongoing)
Original Run: April 2022 – present
Episode Length: 24 minutes
Tatsuya Endo’s manga from 2019 exploded in popularity, leading to Wit Studio and CloverWorks’ anime. In a Cold War-inspired world, spy Twilight (Loid Forger) must create a fake family for a mission: marry telepathic daughter Anya and mind-reading wife Yor (an assassin). Unaware of each other’s secrets, they navigate school, espionage, and domestic life.
Humor arises from Anya’s chaotic innocence (like failing exams despite mind-reading) and the family’s mismatched skills clashing in mundane scenarios. It’s wholesome yet action-packed, with slapstick, wordplay, and heartwarming bonds. The series’ charm lies in blending spy thriller parody with family comedy, appealing to all ages.
7. Daily Lives of High School Boys
Episode Count: 12 (1 season, plus specials)
Original Run: January 2012 – March 2012
Episode Length: 24 minutes
Yasunobu Yamauchi’s 4-koma manga (2009) got a short but iconic adaptation by Sunrise. Set in an all-boys school, it follows Tadakuni, Hidenori, and Yoshitake’s random escapades—no plot, just vignettes like debating skirt lengths or imaginary role-plays gone wrong. Side stories feature their female counterparts for contrast.
The comedy is slice-of-life gold: relatable teen nonsense amplified to absurdity, with deadpan delivery and breaking the fourth wall. It’s low-stakes but hilarious, capturing youthful idiocy without romance or drama. Perfect for quick binges, its brevity makes every gag hit harder.
6. Grand Blue Dreaming
Episode Count: 24 (2 seasons, ongoing)
Original Run: July 2018 – present
Episode Length: 24 minutes
Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioka’s manga (2014) inspired Zero-G’s anime, focusing on college life with a diving club twist. Iori Kitahara moves to his uncle’s coastal shop for uni, but joins the booze-fueled Peek-a-Boo Diving Club, leading to wild parties, failed dives, and friendship mishaps.
Humor thrives on raunchy college tropes—hangovers, nudity gags, and peer pressure—balanced with stunning ocean visuals. It’s unapologetically crude but heartfelt, satirizing youth culture while celebrating bonds. The over-the-top reactions and timing make it a riot.
5. Nichijou: My Ordinary Life
Episode Count: 26 (1 season)
Original Run: April 2011 – September 2011
Episode Length: 23 minutes
Keiichi Arawi’s manga (2006) led to Kyoto Animation’s surreal masterpiece. It chronicles “ordinary” lives of high school girls Mio, Yuuko, and Mai, intersecting with genius kid Hakase, her robot Nano, and talking cat Sakamoto. Episodes escalate from school chats to bizarre events like principal-deer wrestling.
The comedy is absurd and visual: non-sequiturs, exaggerated animations, and timing that builds to chaos. It’s a “nothing happens” show done brilliantly, blending cute designs with wild energy. Iconic for its OP and influence on modern comedy.
4. KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!
Episode Count: 46 (3 seasons, movies, OVAs)
Original Run: January 2016 – present
Episode Length: 23 minutes
Natsume Akatsuki’s light novels (2013) spawned Studio Deen’s isekai parody. Shut-in Kazuma dies embarrassingly and reincarnates in a fantasy world with useless goddess Aqua, explosive mage Megumin, and masochistic knight Darkness. Their “adventures” are mostly failures, like debt or monster mishaps.
Humor mocks RPG tropes: incompetent heroes, snarky banter, and explosive fails. It’s crude, self-aware, and character-driven, with Aqua’s whining stealing scenes. A must for isekai fans seeking laughs over power fantasies.
3. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
Episode Count: 120 (2 seasons, specials, reboot)
Original Run: July 2016 – December 2018
Episode Count (Reboot): 24
Episode Length: 5-23 minutes (varies)
Shuuichi Asou’s manga (2012) got J.C. Staff’s adaptation. Psychic teen Kusuo Saiki has god-like powers but wants a normal life. His abilities cause chaos with eccentric classmates, like mind-reading spoilers or accidental world alterations.
Comedy comes from Saiki’s deadpan narration amid absurdity—powers backfiring hilariously. It’s episodic, with rapid-fire gags and parodies. The short format keeps it snappy, making it endlessly rewatchable.
2. One Punch Man
Episode Count: 36 (3 seasons, OVAs)
Original Run: October 2015 – present
Episode Length: 24 minutes
ONE’s webcomic (2009), remade by Yusuke Murata, inspired J.C. Staff/Madhouse’s anime. Bored hero Saitama defeats any foe in one punch after intense training. He joins the Hero Association, facing monsters with underlings like cyborg Genos.
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It satirizes shonen: overpowered fights end comically quick, with focus on side characters’ struggles. Visual gags, timing, and Saitama’s apathy deliver laughs amid epic action. A genre deconstruction that’s both funny and thrilling.
1. Gintama
Episode Count: 367 (multiple seasons, movies)
Original Run: April 2006 – October 2018
Episode Length: 24 minutes
Hideaki Sorachi’s manga (2003) birthed Sunrise’s epic parody. In alien-occupied Edo Japan, samurai Gintoki runs an odd-jobs business with Shinpachi and Kagura. Arcs mix standalone gags with serious plots, spoofing everything from shonen to pop culture.
Comedy is versatile: meta humor, absurd scenarios, and character quirks. It balances laughs with drama, making emotional payoffs hit harder. Beloved for its scope and wit, it’s the ultimate comedy benchmark.
These series prove comedy anime can be profound, silly, or satirical—often all at once. Whether you’re into parodies or pure chaos, there’s something here to binge. What’s your top pick, or did we miss one? Drop your thoughts!
