Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste

Do you agree that school anime is one of the best genres out there? Or maybe you have never thought about it too hard. Either way, an anime list article for school can be useful for getting some ideas on the best ones. Perhaps it’s time to search for your own favorites from the past years. So get ready to not only learn but also take with you your favorites.

- Advertisement -

School settings have long provided the backdrop for many fan favorite anime series. Whether following students navigating classes, clubs, friendships and romance, or telling supernatural and outrageous stories rooted in academic life, anime set in schools resonate widely. This list highlights some of the most beloved, critically acclaimed, and impactful best school anime series through the years.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste

Japanese animation, also known as anime, explores a myriad of genres, and one particularly relatable theme is the school setting. This backdrop serves as a common ground that connects stories to the universal experiences of adolescence.

Whether it’s the chaotic hilarity of comedies or the depth of psychological dramas, anime often uses classrooms, clubs, and the journey through youth as storytelling foundations.

The slice of life, romantic comedy, and coming of age genres, in particular, lean on these elements, highlighting why animated depictions of growing up manage to strike a chord with audiences.

In the following list, we delve into a range of best school anime that have left a lasting impact, shaping and defining their respective genres over the past few decades. Here are some of the most influential school anime series ever created!

The Best Anime Series Set in School That You Should Definitely Watch

51. Koe no Katachi: A Silent Voice

Koe no Katachi A Silent VoiceBest School Anime

Bullied deaf girl Shouko Nishimiya transfers away after cruel elementary school classmate Shouya relentlessly torments her alongside peers. Years later, guilt-ridden Shouya suffers social isolation himself, triggering him to seek redemption by reconnecting with Shouko against daunting odds posed by disability, trauma, unresolved anger, regret and self-loathing on the path toward healing.

50. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica might have done better if it weren’t so complex. Despite trying something new, the story fell a bit short. But, the characters Kaname and Miki kept things interesting. The main theme is about hope and friendship, with awesome visuals and a great soundtrack.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Best School Anime

Critics actually liked it, which is rare. The simple plot will likely connect with many. It’s all about the fallout from lies and illusions, putting characters in tough spots. The idea of Miki and Kaname becoming magical girls adds a cool twist.

Here’s the catch: a magical girl warns them against it. Now they have to decide: take the offer or trust the warning? The unfolding events make you really think about the story’s twists and turns.

49. Yamada-Kun And The Seven Witches

“Yamada-Kun and the Seven Witches” is a fun and romantic anime about Ryuu Yamada, a mischievous high schooler. One day, he accidentally switches bodies with Urara Shiraishi by kissing her. They discover that seven students in their school have special powers, like swapping bodies, activated by things like kissing or touching.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 1

The story follows Yamada and Shiraishi as they navigate these powers, forming a club to help others with similar abilities. The anime blends romance, humor, and supernatural elements as characters face the challenges of their newfound powers. Witness how relationships, especially between Yamada and Shiraishi, develop as they uncover the mysteries of the seven witches.

48. Daily Lives Of High School Boys

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 2

Short comedic vignettes offer slice-of-life glimpses into ubiquitous humorous interactions and mishaps of three students in all-boys Sanada North High School, supplemented by unique episode intros from the high school girls’ perspective on their silly male counterparts.

47. School Rumble

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 3

“School Rumble” is a funny love story about a high school girl, Tenma Tsukamoto, and her crush, Oji Karasuma. They try to tell each other how they feel, but it’s not easy with all the crazy classmates around. The show is full of funny moments, misunderstandings, and teenage romance surprises. It’s all about the humor, weird characters, and the unpredictable twists of high school love.

46. High School DxD

“High School DxD” is about Issei Hyoudou, a guy who dies on his first date but comes back to life as a devil, serving a demon princess named Rias Gremory. He joins a club at Kuoh Academy, dealing with supernatural battles.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 4

The show blends comedy, action, and romance, focusing on Issei’s devilish journey and his relationships with various female characters, including demons and angels. Expect powerful battles, Issei discovering his new powers, and navigating friendships and loyalties in the supernatural realm.

45. Toradora!

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 5

High schoolers Ryūji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka may initially clash when her love note goes to his best friend, and his crush likes her bff. But upon discovering their mutual love interests are dating each other, sparks fly between this mismatched duo instead. Their friendship groups soon intertwine through crazy schemes aimed at getting closer to their respective crushes that ultimately reveal fated ties binding sharp-tongued runt Taiga and gentle giant Ryūji together.

44. Date A Live

“Date A Live” is a Japanese light novel series turned anime about Shido Itsuka, who has to stop destructive Spirits causing chaos. His mission? Make them fall in love with him to seal their powers.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 6

The story unfolds as Shido goes on dates with different Spirits, uncovering their unique personalities and powers. Amid romantic and action-filled moments, the series delves into sci-fi, comedy, and harem genres. It explores love, trust, and the fallout of power, all while Shido deals with the complexities of relationships with these powerful beings.

43. My Hero Academia

In a society where 80% manifest superpowers or “quirks”, kindhearted Izuku Midoriya is one of the rare minority born powerless, crushing his adolescent dream of becoming a hero and leaving him bullied.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 7

A fateful encounter with the greatest hero, All Might, alters his destiny. After inheriting All Might’s abilities, Midoriya enrolls in the prestigious UA High School to master his powers alongside unique aspiring heroes.

42. Hyouka

Premiering in 2012, Hyouka is a novel yet nostalgic take on school mysteries. Lazily brilliant protagonist Hōtarō Oreki prefers to conserve energy and curiosity until he gets swept up in solving small scale puzzles linked to a hidden past event at Kamiyama High School.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 8

Paired with the vivacious Eru Chitanda whose catchphrase “I’m curious!” activates Hōtarō’s deductive skills each arc, Hyouka explores interpersonal dynamics and the subtle excitement of the mundane.

As the duo along with friends Satoshi and Mayaka sniff out long forgotten school secrets via creative animation visualizations, Hyouka taps into universally relatable coming-of-age grapplings over future paths, evolving relationships, and retaining wonder amidst routine.

41. Maid-Sama

Debuting in 2010, the shojo rom-com Maid Sama won over audiences with its charmingly peculiar pairing of the “Demon President” of the Student Council, Misaki Ayuzawa, and the effortlessly cool heartthrob, Takumi Usui. Against the backdrop of the recently co-ed Seika High School, the story weaves a tale of courtship while addressing issues of gender discrimination, elevating the usual genre clichés.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 9

Misaki, working hard to conceal her part-time job as a maid waitress due to embarrassment over the adorable uniform, eventually has her secret exposed by the popular Usui. Fortunately, this discovery brings the two closer through shared understanding and playful banter. Beyond the comedic situations, Maid Sama imparts a larger lesson about embracing every aspect of oneself.

40. Beastars 2nd Season

Following the unprecedented global success of original series Beastars in 2019, Studio Orange returned in 2022 with a second season continuing anthropomorphic high school drama at Cherryton Academy. Set in a society straining from tension between herbivore and carnivore citizens, Beastars utilizes its cast of adolescent animals to craft thoughtful commentary on identity politics, youth radicalization and the influence of inherited bias.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 10

While the lush 3D CGI animation mesmerizes andLegoshi the gentle grey wolf makes for a compelling protagonist, the broader world-building provides the draw. By season 2, dynamics feel more nuanced amidst escalating turf wars outside school grounds. Yet despite growing darker in tone, Beastars retains empathy as characters try coming to terms with their true natures.

39. Clannad

This fantasy romance drama following high schoolers Tomoya and Nagisa through family tragedies, mental health struggles, childbirth, and the test of time itself represents possibly the most emotionally gut-wrenching school anime ever conceived.

Clannad Best School Anime

Its visual novel origins translate masterfully into equally hilarious and devastating animated form. Named the #1 saddest anime in multiple polls, its first season lays emotional groundwork for After Story’s escalating drama spanning teenage years through early parenthood.

38. Ao Haru Ride: Blue Spring Ride

This anime tugging your heartstrings is “Ao Haru Ride”. Futaba and Kou were just crashing at middle school but then life took its turns for them making drifts apart._: And then boom! To high school. Kou is an entirely different person, however, she carries some heavy emotional burden. There are so many ups and downs in this show, as they try to explore their inner feelings, unraveling what’s in the past, and pursuing their dreams.

Ao Haru Ride Blue Spring Ride Best School Anime

It is also involving their friends who are there handling their issues also. They are just real enough; you really feel empathizing with them. Facing fears, bleeding hearts, and growing up. This is a fantastic story about taking another chance on love that entails romance, dramatics, and slice-of-life. Totally worth the watch, seriously!

37. Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)

Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)

The brash, unorthodox methods newly hired 22-year old teacher Eikichi Onizuka brings to Holy Forest Academy transform a class of troubled, jaded teens through lessons on the real world. Onizuka appeals through his rebellious spirit and willingness to challenge rigid school authority – while promoting personal responsibility. Its insightful social commentary emerges through Onizuka’s budding mentor relationships with misfit students seeking belonging.

36. The Tatami Galaxy

The Japanese series Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei falls into the mystery thriller genre with a psychological touch. It has an adaptation and a side story, originating from a novel published in 2004.

The Tatami Galaxy Best School Anime

The anime won a grand prize in 2010 at the Japan Media Arts Festival. Despite its 17+ rating, it’s not as highly ranked, possibly because school-themed anime usually target a younger audience. It’s important to note that some scenes faced criticism for being graphic and explicit.

35. God Of High-School

For supernatural martial arts action hinging on school competition, God of High School aligned genres seamlessly for summer 2020 audiences. When Taekwondo specialist Jin Mori gets invited to participate in an elite nationwide tournament between Korean high schoolers to determine the eponymous God of High School, unexpected stakes get revealed.

God Of High-School Best School Anime

As students showcase incredible combat abilities intertwined with mythological backgrounds, larger existential threats in the adults’ shady world emerge.

Yet despite unfolding conspiracies, Mori grounds everything in playful shonen spirit and loyalty to new friends pulling their powers together. With electric visual sequences, God of High School blends secret histories with present school bonds.

34. The Irregular at Magic School

Set at the National Magic University First Affiliate High School in futuristic Japan, The Irregular at Magic High School distinguished itself in 2014 among magic school programming by constructing an original science influenced system called Casting Magic.\

The Irregular at Magic School

The anime follows Tatsuya Shiba, an underachieving recruit enrolled alongside honor student sibling Miyuki whose latent magical technical skills soon reveal a brilliant gift for strategic inventions, earning notoriety as an “Irregular”.

As Tatsuya navigates bitter rivalries, discrimination and even terrorist threats while trying to support Miyuki’s career, The Irregular at Magic High School combined touching character drama with layers of ethical dilemmas and political intrigue surrounding technological impact.

33. Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions

2012’s tender comedy Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions focuses on the relationship between Yuta Togashi, a reformed “chunibyo” sufferer who once embraced delusional fantasies to seem interesting in middle school, and Rikka Takanashi, the eccentric new girl in his class who remains immersed in magical daydreams.

Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions Best School Anime

As these two outcasts drawn together navigate bullies, misunderstandings from friends and their own insecurities over first love, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions playfully explores the universally awkward quest towards maturity and meaning. By embracing imagination beyond expected norms, this series showcases how even misfits struggling with world views eventually find their sense of belonging.

32. Kiss Him, Not Me!

Premiering in 2016, Kiss Him, Not Me pushes harem reverse harem tropes in hilarious new directions. The series follows Kae Serinuma, a high school fujoshi (a term for female fans obsessed with anime/manga featuring romanticized gay male relationships) whose favorite anime character gets killed off in a new issue, resulting in rapid weight loss from the girl’s subsequent depression shutting herself in at home.

Kiss Him, Not Me!

When lonely Kae returns seeking comfort in the real mens’ world, she is shocked to find a group of cute boys from school competing for her attention now – which leads to chaotic misunderstandings between both parties around romance, sexuality and otaku interests. Beyond the cheeky love polygons sits thoughtful insight on judging self-expression.

31. Sakamoto desu ga? : (Haven’t You Heard?)

For short form absurdist comedy, Sakamoto desu ga served up witty satire across 13 episodes in 2016. The series follows enigmatic Sakamoto, the “coolest” guy at school who always stays chill whilst solving problems in exaggeratedly suave style.

Sakamoto desu ga (Haven't You Heard)

Though entirely plotless, this original gag anime subverts expectations with clever writing bringing cathartic comeuppances for bullies, insights into groupthink, and a dash of whimsy reminding not to take high school politics too seriously.

Rife with escalating ridiculous scenarios for Sakamoto to seize control of with silly finesse, Sakamoto desu ga makes a brief yet hilarious case for embracing the odd students that make scholastic experiences special.

30. Jujutsu Kaisen

Launching in fall 2020, supernatural action anime Jujutsu Kaisen took the anime world by storm, signaling studio MAPPA had yet another potential heir to mainstream smash Attack on Titan on their hands.

Jujutsu Kaisen Best School Anime

Set in a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, protagonist Yuji Itadori joins a secret Tokyo college organization training Jujustu sorcerers to dispatch demonic threats after accidentally ingestsing a powerful relic.

With stunning animation sequences and inventive battles between quirky mentors and their trainees, Jujutsu Kaisen leans more heavily into dark comedy, delivering a fresh modern franchise steeped in everything from ancient occultism to zany generational dynamics.

29. Tanaka-kun is Always Listless

Premiering in 2016, Iyashi comedy Tanaka-kun is Always Listless triumphs in empathy and wit while portrating high school life for the withdrawn. Protagonist Tanaka prefers to conserve energy by drifting into sweet blissful naps everywhere possible over dealing with people or responsibilities.

Tanaka-kun is Always Listless Best School Anime

Yet his caring best friend Ohta does everything possible to involve and support Tanaka’s sleepy existence by piggybacking him around school while making sure nobody mocks his listless nature.

Though seemingly plotless, the show’s meditative pace allows the simple joy and gentle humor of the everyday to shine. Sometimes supporting friends means respecting differences without forcing change upon their peaceful perspectives.

28. Nisekoi

Premiering in 2014, Shaft studio’s adaptation of treadable rom-com tropes in Nisekoi surprised viewers by adding genuine heart beneath its wackiness. When high schoolers and animated opposites Raku Ichijo and Chitoge Kirisaki get forced into a fake relationship by their feuding gangster families seeking peace, these reluctant soulmates slowly recognize truths binding them together beyond circumstance.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 11

With creative visual gags breaking up the misunderstandings delaying our leads’ path to love, Nisekoi taps into the push and pull intimacy all entails through vivid animation and hilarious supporting characters also vying for attention. What could have played solely as parody offers up endearing ensemble comedy instead.

27. Code Geass

Sunrise Studio’s original mecha action thriller franchise Code Geass revolutionized the anime scene in 2006 by introducing fiercely beloved antihero Lelouch Lamperouge, who gains the power to compel obedience to his commands.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 12

After becoming embroiled in violent resistance efforts seeking independence for Japan conquered by the Holy Britannian Empire, Lelouch masks his identity for combat missions even as he continues attending Ashford Academy. There he navigates friendships and school life while secretly spearheading attacks during an alternate dystopian timeline.

Exploring political conflicts from micro to macro layers alongside philosophical questions of means justifying ends, Code Geass delivered incisive high stakes conflicts through student centered characterization and slick set pieces across two eventful seasons.

26. Another

If you love scary stuff and don’t mind a mix of horror and high-school anime, Another is the perfect pick for an exciting weekend. Even though people joke about it online, the actual show is seriously creepy.

Another Best School Anime

Set in 1998, the story follows Koichi Sakakibara, who joins the infamous class 3-3. As he tries to figure out Mei Misaki, a weird girl everyone ignores, Koichi discovers the class has dark secrets and wonders if they’re cursed.

But figuring things out is no walk in the park. Packed with scary stuff, Koichi and his pals might not make it through the spine-chilling challenges they face.

25. Horimiya

Horimiya Best School Anime

Peer pressure motivates academically focused introvert Kyouko Hori and aloof, pierced loner Izumi Miyamura to hide sides of their personalities from classmates. Mutual curiosity bridges their divide, blossoming into affection through bonding over video games and accepting circumstances bringing new perspective to someone on the surface seemingly quite different.

24. Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo

2012 school anime Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo embeds its central life lessons on connecting your passions with people amidst a dormitory housing problem students at Suimei High School.

Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo Best School Anime

When artistic Mashiro Shiina moves into the Sakurasou complex famed for strangeness, she turns fellow resident Sorata’s world upside down as he gets tasked with supporting her unconventional brilliance.

As Sorata deals with feelings of inferiority, considers moving out to escape the “weirdos”, and eventually recognizes each dorm mate’s emotional struggles with imposter syndrome just like his, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo unpacks empathy and believing in your talents against inner critics.

The bonds these misfits slowly build together through wacky episodes make the ultimate case for found family.

23. Gin no Saji (Silver Spoon)

Based on a semi-autobiographical manga by Fullmetal Alchemist author Arakawa Hiromu detailing her own childhood growing up on a dairy farm, Gin no Saji premiered in 2013 to praise for its unique agricultural high school setting.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 13

Protagonist Yugo Hachiken enrolled at Ooenzaka Agricultural High School to escape competitive academic pressure, only to discover maintaining farm critters and participating in cheesemaking/harvest contests introduces different struggles.

Yet through hands on exposure to these working class lifepaths coupled with supportive fellow classmates, Yugo gains insight into his biases, path forward, and passion’s intersections with practicality in this quietly profound coming of age story. Beyond offering fascinating niche slice of life, Gin no Saji unpacks the merits of following different roads to fulfillment.

22. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun

Premiering in 2014, Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun stands out in the school comedy roster for its metafictional approach satirizing shojo tropes. Artistic high school student Chiyo Sakura confesses feelings to aloof classmate Nozaki, never expecting the humorous aftermath. Nozaki is secretly a popular shojo manga artist who mistakes Chiyo for a passionate fan.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 14

As he keeps drawing her into assisting his creative process while misreading cues, a cheeky critique of romance fiction develops alongside outrageous misunderstandings preventing the leads’ connection.

Yet the parody is pulled off affectionately rather than mean-spiritedly. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun succeeds through balance in tone, stellar comedic timing, and leveraging tropes to tackle social commentary.

21. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu: Assassination Classroom

When a mysterious, smiling, squid-like creature destroys most of the moon and threatens to obliterate Earth in a year, the world’s leaders strike an unusual deal. They task junior high Class 3E with assassinating this superpowered being who will teach them regular subjects to prep them for their mission.

Ansatsu Kyoushitsu Assassination Classroom Best School Anime

The students name him “Koro Sensei” as tight-knit friendships, academic improvement and creative assassination plans against their kind teacher unfold.

20. Non Non Biyori Nonstop

Released in 2021, Non Non Biyori Nonstop is the third installment in the beloved rural comedy franchise about schoolgirls living in the countryside. Silver Link’s latest adventure transports viewers back to the lush greenery and languid pace of Asahigaoka, the tiny rural village home part-time student Hotaru Ichijo chose to move to for a change of scenery.

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 15

Alongside friends Natsumi Koshigaya, her level-headed older sister Komari, candy store manager Renge, and a cast of villagers, Nonstop’s familiar storylines of rural exploration, youthful camaraderie, and quaint traditions once again prove healing.

With beautiful watercolor art, inventive animation gags, and a gentle optimism, Non Non Biyori Nonstop brings levity and imagination to even mundane moments.

19. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

Premiering in 2019, Kaguya-sama: Love is War quickly dominated best comedy lists with its theatrical portrayal of Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya’s scheming battle of wits to get the other one to confess love first. Set within the hypercompetitive environment of Shuchiin Academy, this subversive shonen rom-com mines adolescent tension for maximum comedic effect.

Kaguya-sama Love Is War Best School Anime

From rapping contests to mind reading tests, everything transforms into elaborate psychological warfare between the prideful student council duo. Yet despite pride pushing our leads to outrageous lengths, this empathetic series affirms that overthinking love is part of the chaotic, momentous experience of being young. And that the reward is always in taking the leap and allowing real intimacy.

18. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun: My Little Monster

Adapted from the shojo manga, the 2012 school romantic comedy My Little Monster also upends tropes with its unlikely central pairing. Serious, aloof bookworm Shizuku prioritizes grades above all social connections until fate intervenes when she agrees to tutor impulsive, eccentric classmate Haru.

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun My Little Monster Best School Anime

After a series of comedic mishaps, the two opposites begin an unconventional courtship, helping one another find balance while learning that it’s vulnerability – not perfection – that nurtures relationships and belonging. Set amidst complicated adolescent friend politics and tangled emotions, My Little Monster mines the manic high and lows of first love in all its awkward glory.

17. Komi Can’t Communicate

Komi Can’t communicate is a Japanese comic strip as well as an animated film produced by Tomohito Oda. Komi is adored by many boys in her high school because of her beauty, but she struggles with social anxiety and finds it hard to talk to other people. She is inspired to make 100 friends with him, her classmate and the communication guide.

Komi Can't Communicate Best School Anime

Famous for blending humorous elements with heart-felt ones, the show explores topics of friendship and how things are communicated between people. It concentrates primarily on Komi but it also shows insights into other high school characters’ life as well. Essentially, it’s a lovely and heart-touching story about a girl overcoming social phobia in school with the help of her friends.

16. Kill La Kill

Grieving wanderer Ryuko Matoi followed clues leading to Honnouji Academy seeking her father’s killer. Its ruthless Student Council President Satsuki Kiryuin’s specialized uniform bestows superhuman power used to maintain order. After Ryuko dons a strange Kamui bridging bonds between human and clothing, it unlocks incredible combat abilities countering Satsuki amidst escalating stakes.

15. Kimi no Na wa

“Okay, so ‘Kimi no Na wa’ means ‘Your Name.’ Now, why is it called that? Well, it bagged some serious awards, like the LAFCA Animation Award for Best Animated Film of 2017. No joke, it’s ranked second on the charts.

And the story? Straight up, no beating around the bush. It’s about a girl, Mitsuha, living in the countryside, and a struggling city boy, Taki, who accidentally switch bodies. Sounds crazy, right? But it’s not just some random plot – it’s legit good.

Sure, you might see some things coming, but who cares? The animation is top-notch, like seriously mind-blowing. It’s one of the best animes out there. The soundtrack? Oh man, it’s the kind you blast on good speakers or in a home theater.

Character development? Yep, that’s there too. Not super detailed, but it’s enough. If you want something awesome, this is it. Trust me, give it a watch!

14. ReLIFE: Kanketsu-Hen

Arata Kaizaki’s life stalls after dropping out of high school. A mysterious corporation offers him an opportunity to restart his life to rectify past mistakes. He takes an experimental anti-aging pill reversing his appearance back to age 17 to redo high school and gain critical life skills and relationships. Through navigating friendships, exams, clubs and romance as students’ unknowing senior, Arata reinvents his future.

13. Charlotte

Premiering in 2015, Charlotte tackles adolescent anxt from a literal superpowered angle when protagonist Yuu Otosaka discovers enhanced abilities emerging across teenagers worldwide. When an unethical organization aims to track and exploit ability wielding youth, Yuu goes rogue, uniting others into a rebel group aiming to evade capture while hunting an elusive ability-nullifying substance.

With kinetic action, provocative social commentary, and emotional gut punches, Charlotte takes the idea of feeling lost, overwhelmed or outcast during your teen years to epic proportions. While the story spans times and places, the essence remains in the universally relatable quest to find purpose.

12. Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san

This school comedy revels in playful simplicity, chronicling the everyday classroom moments between middle schoolers Takagi and Nishikata. Karakai Jouzo no Takagi-san premiered in 2018, achieving widespread popularity for highlighting the endearing microtriumphs and tribulations of befriending your first crush.

As clever Takagi endlessly invents new ways to tease overreactive Nishikata, competitive clashes give way to an underlying sweet affection. Free of convoluted drama, Karakai Jouzo no Takagi-san finds profundity in the passing days of adolescence, where falling in love takes courage, communication mishaps abound, but empathy ultimately prevails above pride.

11. My Love Story!!

Oblivious to his intimidating presence scaring off girls, gentle giant Takeo Gouda believes he will never find love until he crosses paths with petite Rinko Yamato, who unexpectedly falls for Takeo’s kindness and heroism coming to her aid. Rinko helps Takeo stop undervaluing himself for never garnering male social status associated with romance in this reverse high school romance.

10. Fruit Basket

Derived from the same fantasy shoujo manga, this earlier version of Fruits Basket anime ventures into darker territories. In the span of just one season, the compassionate orphan Tohru Honda unravels profound clan mysteries by forming friendships with the cursed members of the Sohma family, who represent the zodiac.

9. The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.

Unearth a hidden gem in the realm of supernatural anime from 2016! While the artwork might not blow you away, the real standout is the gripping storyline. The characters linger in your thoughts, given ample screen time to pull off some truly memorable feats. What’s even better? None of them seem shoehorned into the narrative. This gem, based on a manga and crafted by J. C. Staff, is absolutely worth a watch.

And brace yourself for more excitement because there’s a sequel in the wings! Meet Kusuo Saiki, the protagonist with psychic powers. However, it’s far from a cakewalk for him. Keeping his abilities under wraps is a real headache, especially when he unwittingly attracts some less-than-friendly characters like Riki and Shun.

8. School Days

“School Days” is an anime about a high school guy named Makoto Itou. The plot focuses on his love life with two girls, Sekai Saionji and Kotonoha Katsura, creating a complicated love triangle due to Makoto being wishy-washy.

As the story unfolds, it gets intense, dealing with betrayal, obsession, and facing the results of actions. I won’t spoil it, but the anime ends with a jaw-dropping and violent climax that’s quite infamous. “School Days” stands out for putting a unique and controversial spin on the usual high school romance theme.

7. Kakegurui

Showcasing darker fixations associated with youth, the 2018 gambling thriller Kakegurui translates to Compulsive Gambler, fitting given the show’s descent into risky obsession. The series follows talented gambler Yumeko Jabami transferring to Hyakkaou Private Academy, where social strata are determined by skill at high stakes games.

By day an elite academic institution, by night the campus transforms into an illegal underground gambling den catering to the ultra-rich. With increasingly unhinged psychological battles fueled by greed, corruption, and competition, Kakegurui illustrates how power plays, addiction, jealousy and despair fester when youthful drive fixates without balance.

Pop art animation and hammy theatrics ensure a hyper-stylistic, bingeable ride as characters recklessly chase status. Yet for all its flash, the show insightfully analyzes pressures and vices students face.

6. Ouran High School Host Club

“Ouran High School Host Club” centers on Haruhi Fujioka, an intelligent girl attending Ouran Academy. Haruhi accidently breaks a vase belonging to the Host Club, a club of appealing guys that provide entertainment for girls and ends up being forced into joining the club in order to pay off her debt. The problem, however, is that every member in the club misinterprets her as a boy.

The story is centered on Haruhi’s narrative of being a host, where she interacts with people such as Tamaki Suoh, whose antics lead him to discover that Haruhi is really a woman. It has humorous, gentle approach and talks about friendship, selfhood, and love.

However, as is customary with any relationship, they have fun as they face different challenges. Essentially, this tale gives you a nice mix of humour, some drama, and not so much drama.

5. Mob Psycho 100

“Mob Psycho 100” is about Mob, a regular boy with powerful psychic abilities who keeps his emotions in check to avoid going berserk. He works with Reigen, a fake psychic, aiming to discover himself and make sense of his powers.

The story unfolds with Mob facing supernatural beings and other psychics, delving into themes like self-discovery and the dangers of unchecked power. The animation stands out for its cool style and exciting action scenes.

4. Sailor Moon

‘Sailor Moon’ entertained audiences with its mysterious school ambiance in 1992. Usagi Tsukino is a nice girl who is however often clumsy and naive. She becomes the mighty Sailor Moon and this is accompanied by other Sailor Guardians when the dark forces try to pose a threat. On these adventures, they sail through the sea engrossed in love, friendship and struggle between good and bad.

Sailor Moon Best School Anime

This classic anime in five series with dozens of movies continues to create a legacy for magical girl subgenre. The original creators of it, and still today are Toei Animation who combined the epic narrative with exciting narration. ‘Sailor Moon’ remains to be one of the best-animated masterpieces recently reinvented and a leading light.

3. Nichijou: My Ordinary Life

Everyday adventures come to life for three buddies at school: there’s Mio, the studious bookworm; Nano, the quirky inventor; and Hakase, the precocious seven-year-old scientist with a flair for vanity.

Nichijou My Ordinary Life Best School Anime

From typical mishaps like forgetting homework to comical scenes of running to school with toast in their mouths, and even innocent crushes leading to amusing misunderstandings, their routine becomes a colorful blend of surreal jokes, absurd humor, and slices of life.

Through clever imagination and wit, ordinary moments transform into whimsical situations that border on the magical.

2. Angel Beats!

Yuzuru Otonashi, who comes across as a bit lazy and rebellious, finds himself in a purgatory that looks like a high school, not remembering how he died. In this afterlife, he teams up with a group of rebels to take on Angel, a Student Council President with a touch of fascism, using weapons made from spirit energy.

Angel Beats! Best School Anime

As Yuzuru starts recalling his troubled past and understanding why he’s in this peculiar place, he aids fellow members dealing with their own trauma or regret in moving on.

1. From Me To You: Kimi Ni Todoke

Top 51 Best School Anime of All Time: A List For Every Taste 16

Friendly would-be cobbler Hirotaka Nishiyama hesitates to express his feelings to his school crush Narumi Momose after catching wind of her disinterest in unassuming guys. As she discreetly helps Hirotaka with his academic challenges, their connection deepens organically, revealing layers of growing confidence, a newfound love for shoemaking, and the beauty of patience.

Conclusion

School Related Anime is definitely one of the largest anime subgenres. You will use your own opinion to determine the “Best” School-related anime series, just as you will with many other top anime lists. Still, we hope this list helps you find your next favorite School Anime series!

Thank you for taking the time to read our ranking of the top 51 school anime! You might do things differently, and we understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. But, if there’s one thing we learned from this exercise, anime is all about the drama!

Dramatically speaking, high school is a nice setting: freshmen have no responsibilities, upperclassmen have lots of school work to do and everyone else has their own set of challenges to deal with. Oh yeah, they have their own problems. Drama fests can happen there all the time.

Also Read:

Don't Miss Out

We drop the news, not bombs. Get the daily email from themrpc.com today to stay on top of your work game, for free.

Latest stories

- Advertisement -

You might also like...