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10 More Non-Action Anime of The 2010s Even Beginners Will Love
The anime industry changed significantly during the 2010s as access to streaming services popularized the medium even more across the globe. However, the industry was still heavily dominated by battle action shows, and it wasn’t always easy to find good non-action anime. While action anime can often be thrilling, sometimes fans might want to take a breather and watch something different, like a tear-jerking story or an intriguing mystery.
It’s not only applicable to anime fans, but even beginners who are venturing into the world of anime might want to start out with a series where characters don’t scream attack names in every episode. A while back, Comic Book shared a list of the 10 best non-action anime suitable for anime enthusiasts and beginners. However, the anime world offers a plethora of incredible series and films, and a list of 10 isn’t nearly enough to cover all of them. So, here’s another list of ten equally amazing anime that you will immediately fall in love with.
10) Erased
In just 12 episodes, this time-travel suspense series keeps you on the edge of your seat as the protagonist is taken back 18 years into the past to stop his mother’s death from happening. While he would often be sent back in time after a tragedy occurred, the 18-year time leap left him in shambles. However, as he gets closer to the truth, he realizes that in order to save his mother, he must track down the mastermind killer. The series
9) Big Fish & Begonia
Even if the breathtaking animation of this film doesn’t capture your interest, the story is intriguing enough to keep your eyes glued to the screen. The story follows a young girl named Chun who lives in a mystical realm beneath the human world. After transforming into a red dolphin, she ventures into the human realm for her coming-of-age ritual and gets caught in a fishing net. When a young boy loses his life to save her, Chun decides she must do everything in her power to restore his soul, regardless of the price she has to pay.
8) A Silent Voice
Naoko Yamada’s acclaimed film, A Silent Voice, touches on some sensitive themes while focusing on redemption and forgiveness. The story follows Shoya Ishida, who bullied Shoko Nishimiya, a hearing-impaired girl, in elementary school, which forced her to transfer out. Now in high school, Shoya lives with the guilt of his past actions and does everything he can to make up to her. The film follows the duo’s journey as their emotional burden creates moments of vulnerability while they focus on healing.
7) Kids on the Slope
This underrated MAPPA gem never received the recognition it deserved, but it’s easily one of the best series from the studio. The series blends romance, music, and coming-of-age themes that strike a chord in every viewer’s heart. The story centers around Kaoru Nishimi, who keeps transferring schools due to his father’s job, which is why he is unable to make friends. However, his fateful encounters with Sentaro Kawabuchi, a delinquent drummer, and Ritsuko Mukae turn his life around as he reignites his passion for music.
6) Given
This boy’s love anime is intensely emotional yet also heartwarming as it follows the protagonist’s journey of overcoming the trauma of losing a loved one. Despite carrying an expensive guitar around, Mafuyu Sato has no idea how to play it, but he is awestruck to hear the sound Ritsuka Uenoyama produces. As Mafuyu gets closer to him and learns more about music, his tragic past comes to light.
5)Carole & Tuesday
This visually striking anime is one of Shinichirō Watanabe’s most underappreciated works, even almost seven years after its premiere. The story is set 50 years after humanity moved to Mars, where AI has dominated every field, including the music industry. Two girls, with completely differnt background but a shared passion for music, begin creating songs together, aspiring to make it big in the industry.
4) Fruits Basket (2019)
This heartwarming anime explores themes of love, loss, trauma, abuse, and healing, often delving deeply into emotional moments that resonate deeply with viewers. The story follows Tohru Honda, who ends up living and sharing the same roof as Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure Sohma since she had nowhere else to go. She soon learns the secret curse of the Sohma family and meets more members who share the same curse.
3) Your Lie in April
This tragic music anime explores the themes of loss and love through the protagonist’s dark and colorless world until he meets Kaori Miyazono, a free-spirited and talented violinist. Unable to play the piano again because of his past trauma, Kousei confronts his fears and steps back into the world of music again, thanks to Kaori’s relentless pursuit. The two eventually get closer, and Kousei begins to heal emotionally, unaware that the girl is hiding a tragic secret.
2) In This Corner of the World
This award-winning film is unbelievably heartbreaking, as it shows the horrors of war, especially after the bombing of Hiroshima. It’s a story of survival, perseverance, hope, and love amidst all odds. The story centers around Suzu Urano, a kindhearted girl who grew up on the outskirts of Hiroshima and loves to draw. As she comes of age, she gets married and tries her best to integrate into her husband’s household, unaware that the impending war will turn her upside down.
1) Run with the Wind
This forgotten hidden gem, based on Shion Miura’s novel, adapts the story in just 23 episodes, following a group of youngsters and their passion for running. The series is realistic in many ways, focusing on motivation and hard work instead of flashy elements or over-the-top animation, making it all the more relatable. Kakeru Kurahara is a former ace runner who is now a first-year sociology student at a university. After a fateful encounter with Haiji Kiyose, a fellow student from the same university, his passion for running is reignited as he begins a new chapter of his life.
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