Best Comedy Anime

Humor is an underrated component of storytelling in anime, often overshadowed by action-packed fight scenes and colorful romances. Still, almost every anime has at least a few comic moments, even when the show revolves around a serious subject.

Comedy anime are wide-ranging in terms of style and story. Some are satires of overused anime clichés, while others blend wittiness with action-adventure. No two comedic anime are exactly alike; each show brings something unique. It only takes a few episodes to fall in love with the best comedy anime.

Updated November 10, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2024 season is roughly a month done by this point, and it has produced more than its fair share of jokes. While probably not the lineup’s dominant genre, comedy has a strong presence in the season, be it through shows that prioritize humor or ones that sprinkle in the occasional gag to break up their action set pieces or drama.

Best Fall 2024 Comedy Anime

Fall 2024 is well underway, and the season has been fun so far. Most genres have strong representatives, be it isekai (Re:ZERO), sports (Blue Lock), battle shonen (Bleach), romance (Blue Box), horror (Uzumaki), and even history (Orb: On the Movements of the Earth). Comedy is no exception, with plenty of series incorporating laughs, even if they might not be the main focus. While there is still plenty of laughs to be had, the season’s best comedy anime have risen to the top.

Dandadan

Dandadan has hit the ground running, setting itself as a top candidate to be Fall 2024’s best comedy, supernatural, shonen, and (maybe) romance. The show even has great (and very well-animated) action. Yes, that is way too much hype to throw on one show, but the anime has simply left that positive of an impression.

Most importantly for this discussion, Dandadan is downright hilarious, delivering both fantastic slapstick and witty character-driven banter. Momo and Ken have charming and well-defined personalities that complement each other beautifully, and their first encounters with the extraordinary produce quite a few huge chuckles.

Ranma ½

OK, it might seem like cheating to describe one of the most beloved comedy properties of all time as “new,” but the Fall 2024 Ranma ½ adaptation represents a fresh start for Rumiko Takahashi’s iconic series. For a lot of people, this show is their first exposure to Ranma, Akane, and the rest of this wacky household, so a positive first impression is important. Fortunately, MAPPA know what it is doing.

Putting aside the (unsurprisingly) modern and gorgeous animation, Ranma ½ feels like an ’80s and ’90s comedy, which is not a criticism. Sure, some scenarios can come across as cliche, but they likely originated in Takahashi’s manga or its classic anime adaptation. More importantly, Ranma ½ pulls off these tropes better than most other series that tried to follow in its footsteps.

Let This Grieving Soul Retire

Compared to Dandadan and Ranma ½, Let This Grieving Soul Retire is more of an acquired taste, and if its main running gag fails to land with a viewer, this series can be a repetitive drag. Conversely, if the humor hits, then this is among the funniest anime of not only Fall 2024 but also the entire year. Kind of a reverse of The Eminence in the Shadow, Let This Grieving Soul Retire follows Krai Andrey, the appointed leader of arguably the strongest party in this fantasy universe. Regarded as the ultimate manipulator and just an overall powerhouse, he is put on a high pedestal as the ultimate hunter who everyone should strive to emulate.

In truth, Krai is a weakling who just wants to retire and be left alone. Nearly every move he makes is born out of self-preservation and is typically made possible through items, although everyone else seems to completely misread his actions, intentions, and personality. Let This Grieving Soul Retire is about a guy who accidentally fakes it so well, that he is now in a position that goes so beyond his abilities that he can no longer dispel the myth that surrounds his name.

Other Funny Fall 2024 Anime

The current season has plenty of shows that want to make people laugh, even if they are perhaps not as consistent as some of their contemporaries. The following honorable mentions are worth checking out as well:

• Acro Trip (Crunchyroll)
• A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! (Crunchyroll)
• Shangri-La Frontier 2 (Crunchyroll)
• Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister (Crunchyroll)
• You are Ms. Servant (Crunchyroll)
• Loner Life in Another World (HIDIVE)
• How I Attended an All-Guy’s Mixer (HIDIVE)

Now, on to the best comedy anime ever.

36 KamiKatsu: Working For God In A Godless World

MyAnimeList: 6.72

Like every season of the last few years, Spring 2023 had its share of isekai tales. While perhaps not the theme’s “best” offering, KamiKatsu is certainly among the most unhinged and hilarious isekai of all time. The son of a cult leader, Yukito is sacrificed by his father and, in his dying moment, wishes to awaken in a world that does not believe in gods. Surprisingly, Yukito gets his wish, and he finds himself in a society with no religion, deities, or fear of death. Long story short, the protagonist ends up summoning a god (Mitama), and they set out to revitalize the latter’s power by acquiring followers.

KamiKatsu‘s premise might not scream “comedy,” but it is all in the execution. The writing has an irreverent and dark sense of humor that pays no mind to common decency. Naturally, this style of comedy is an acquired taste, but KamiKatsu goes for broke and deserves praise for embracing its ridiculousness. Studio Palette also incorporates many visual gags that presumably reflect the anime’s limited budget.

35 The Devil Is A Part-Timer!

MyAnimeList: 7.74 (Season 1)

One of the best zany premises ever conjured up, The Devil is a Part-Timer! is the story of Satan, who after getting stuck in the mortal realm, must take up a job at a local fast-food restaurant.

As expected, the resulting madness yields hilarious outcomes for Satan and his hungry customers. The anime originally ended a 13-episode run in 2013, but sequels started to air in 2022. The first season is consistently hilarious as it forces extraordinary characters to adapt to the most mundane of situations. Unfortunately, the sequels really struggle to replicate the original’s magic. Not only do they have underwhelming storytelling and animation, but they are also not that funny.

34 Hozuki’s Coolheadedness

MyAnimeList: 7.77 (Season 1)

Hell does not run itself. That’s Hozuki’s Coolheadedness‘ entire premise, as the anime turns the afterlife into a workplace comedy. Although second in the totem pole, the eponymous demon effectively keeps hell ticking, a job that is not only very important but also rather difficult. Calm, collected, and armed with a massive club, Hozuki takes himself very seriously, and he expects the same from his subordinates. If they do not meet his expectations, the demon will not hesitate to set them straight, and their education will be painful.

Although not packed with laugh-out-loud moments, Hozuki’s Coolheadedness combines a likable roster of characters with a fresh setting to craft an easy-to-watch series. Along with producing its share of laughs, the anime provides an accessible and charming look into Japanese mythology.

33 Shimoneta: A Boring World Where The Concept Of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist

MyAnimeList: 7.23

After the dystopian government outlaws lewd content and language, society seems to move away from immoral behaviors. That is, until a mysterious foul-mouthed terrorist begins disturbing pornographic material around the city.

In this wacky take on the high school sex comedy genre, Shimoneta balances the social commentary with laughs for a hilariously good time in what could be one of the most memorable comedy anime in recent memory. This show is perfect for anime fans who love a good dirty joke.

32 One-Punch Man

MyAnimeList: 8.50 (Season 1)

The perfect blend of awesome superhero action and gut-busting comedy series, One-Punch Man is one of the coolest anime shows ever. Saitama is the titular hero of the show, an unlikely hero with the ability to destroy any opponent with a single punch.

The comedic moments round out the show’s intense fighting sequences nicely, especially when supervillains and superheroes gawk at the improbable power of the unsuspecting Saitama. A clever parody of superhero culture and over-the-top action anime, One-Punch Man continues to be ranked among the best anime series of all time.

31 From Today, It’s My Turn!!

MyAnimeList: 8.05

An obscure OVA series from the ’90s, From Today, It’s My Turn!! is a pain to find in this day and age, but the anime is good enough to warrant the effort. Takashi and Shinji are two high schoolers who want to get a fresh start, so they decide to revamp their looks and embrace the delinquent lifestyle. Unsurprisingly, they initially butt heads over their similar goals, especially since Shinji’s straight-laced and stoic demeanor clashes with Takashi’s Looney Tunes-style energy. However, after they realize they cannot seem to escape each other, they reluctantly become allies.

From Today, It’s My Turn!! is an absolute blast. Even if laughs are not always its primary drive, each (long) episode is stuffed with humor, and most of the jokes land. The final episode is particularly hilarious since it introduces the two wannabe tough guys to the Yakuza, a clash of legitimacy that most delinquent anime try to avoid.

30 Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto

MyAnimeList: 7.55

The “perfect” character trope can be tedious at times, as they often start to border on annoying after a certain point. But that’s not the case with Sakamoto: he literally is perfect.

The show follows the titular character, the coolest kid in school who is liked by everyone, and for good reason: everything he does, no matter how mundane, is awesome. The characters are a lot of fun, as are the subplots. While short, this funny anime is very rewatchable.

29 YuruYuri

MyAnimeList: 7.57 (Season 1)

As its name suggests, YuruYuri is almost exclusively about yuri love, although that does not mean romance is in the air. Doga Kobo’s anime revolves around a Middle School Amusement Club, which is just an excuse for a few friends to spend some time together. Akari, Kyoko, Yui, and Chinatsu serve as the show’s heart, but they are accompanied and occasionally eclipsed by a slew of fantastic secondary characters.

YuruYuri plays out like a conventional slice of life comedy, albeit one filled with characters who all seem to have crushes on their schoolmates. On the surface, this might sound repetitive, but the show does a great job of differentiating the girls’ relationships, infatuations, and personalities.

28 Silver Spoon

MyAnimeList: 8.09 (Season 1)

Following years of pressure to live up to his family’s expectations, the exhausted Yugo Hachiken decides to enroll at an agricultural school. As a city kid with no experience working on a farm nor much interest in the field, he is entirely ill-prepared for the challenge and quickly finds himself struggling to complete even the most basic of tasks. Fortunately, he is surrounded by generally helpful teachers and classmates.

Silver Spoon‘s premise might be unusual, but the anime takes a fairly grounded approach to its characters and situations. Rather than an idiot who cannot do anything right, Hachiken is simply out of his depth, and the laughs come from watching him earnestly try to adapt to his new circumstances. The rest of the characters are awesome too. While often hilarious, Silver Spoon gets very real at times, and the show handles these dramatic moments well.

27 Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!

MyAnimeList: 8.31

While Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian was Summer 2024’s most popular romcom, Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! was considerably funnier. Through sheer bad timing, Kazuhiko bears witness to a classmate’s ultimate romantic surrender, observing as Anna accepts her status as the childhood friend who never gets her guy. As their eyes connect, Kazuhiko is unwillingly dragged into Anna’s sorrow, starting an amusing dynamic that pokes fun at romcom tropes while still being grounded in reality.

Although heartbreaking at times, Anna’s plight is mostly played for giggles, mainly thanks to her forceful personality. Kazuhiko is quite a good comedic foil as well, offering just enough resistance to Anna’s comments to not come across as an empty vessel. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! has a few more characters who are also great in their own right, and they bring very different energies.

26 The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You

MyAnimeList: 7.81

Comfortably among the funniest anime of 2023, The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You is an outlandish parody of harem tropes while simultaneously also being one of the most wholesome additions to that genre in a long time. Battle-worn after years of rejections, Rentarou prays that his fortune will change in high school, and his pleas are directly answered by a god. Due to an error in the system, Rentarou has 100 soulmates waiting for him, and he needs to add them all to his harem to ensure they have positive futures. So begins the ultimate harem where every girl is the best girl, love conquers all, and meta jokes await.

100 Girlfriends starts silly and quickly ramps up the mayhem with each new girl introduced, all of whom lean into specific archetypes without being consumed by them. Focusing heavily on slapstick and the occasional dose of cringe, this anime is a laugh riot with plenty of room to grow. Hopefully, a sequel is announced sooner rather than later as the adaptation has only scratched the surface of the manga’s chaotic brilliance.

25 Hinamatsuri

MyAnimeList: 8.13

Hinamatsuri tells the timeless tale of a Yakuza member who suddenly finds himself as the guardian of a powerful esper from another dimension. Whether he likes it or not, Nitta’s life is turned upside down thanks to the arrival of Hina, a girl who ran away from her realm where she was used as a weapon. While the two do not always get along, Nitt and Hina eventually develop an adorable and wholesome father-daughter dynamic.

Packed to the brim with great characters, Hinamatsuri takes viewers on an incredible roller-coaster ride. The show can go from a painfully hilarious skit fueled by Hina’s stoic demeanor or Hitomi’s odd maturity to a surprisingly emotional storyline that deals with homelessness.

24 Ghost Stories (English Dub)

MyAnimeList: 7.74

Ghost Stories is an anomaly in the world of anime series. The original Japanese show follows a group of kids trying to protect their town from a group of malicious ghosts. The English dub, however, changes things juristically. The team in charge of the dub had very few rules and used that to their advantage, completely changing the dialogue and story to their liking and making it a knee-slapping comedy instead of a serious ghost-hunting show.

The dubbed dialogue is downright hilarious, featuring dark humor, pop culture references, and brilliant inside jokes. By no means a typical comedy anime series, Ghost Stories is a wicked fun ride for anyone looking for a “different” kind of animated humor.

23 Urusei Yatsura (2022) Or Original

MyAnimeList: 7.43 (Season 1)

Rumiko Takahashi’s Urusei Yatsura is an all-time classic manga that received a great anime in the early ’80s. While that series is difficult to track down and watch in this day and age, the 2022 adaptation is readily available on HIDIVE, and it is just as good as its ancestor. Aliens invade Earth, and the planet’s safety comes down to a contest between Lum, the daughter of the invaders’ leader, and Ataru, a guy who has a one-track mind. Long story short, Earth is spared as Lum falls in love with Ataru, leading to them becoming engaged despite the human’s objections.

Even though character growth is not completely absent, Urusei Yatsura is a sitcom that mostly sticks to the status quo. Most episodes revolve around Ataru’s promiscuous nature and Lum’s tendency to electrocute her darling, although they are supported by a great roster of secondary characters. With great animation, timeless slapstick, and generally likable characters (except for maybe Ataru), Urusei Yatsura lives up to its source material’s legacy.

22 The Eminence In Shadow

MyAnimeList: 8.30

The Eminence in Shadow stars Cid, the ultimate edge lord who gets to live out his chuunibyou fantasy when he reincarnates in a world with magic. As this is an isekai, Cid is fairly overpowered, and his faux-deep ramblings about being the shadow that governs society are taken at face value by pretty much everyone he meets. In the meantime, the protagonist tries to play the part of a background character, a role that allows him to show off his acting skills.

A self-aware parody of isekai and overpowered protagonist, The Eminence in Shadow takes its world fairly seriously, which only serves to emphasize Cid’s juvenile antics and nonsensical claims. Even though the secondary characters are not hilarious, they work brilliantly as foils to the protagonist while also getting a few moments to shine.

21 Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun

MyAnimeList: 7.83

Chiyo Sakura is head over heels for her schoolmate, the likable but dense Nozaki. One day, she finally gets the courage to ask out her crush; unfortunately, Nozaki misconstrues Sakura’s affection as admiration for his shojo manga. Before she knows it, the girl has earned a job as a mangaka’s assistant, which naturally leads to many more misunderstandings.

Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun is a charming romantic comedy that leans heavily into the latter side of things. Nozaki and Sakura are not only endearing characters in isolation, but they also bounce off each other beautifully. The leads do not have the carry the show on their backs either, as Doga Kobo’s anime has a plethora of great secondary characters.

20 Daily Lives Of High School Boys

MyAnimeList: 8.23

If someone’s imagination is free enough, even the mundane can be hilarious. Daily Lives of High School Boys is a gag comedy about a trio of perfectly ordinary boys doing perfectly ordinary things that just happen to often devolve into cringe territory.

Divided into skits, Sunrise’s anime is expertly paced to ensure nearly none of the jokes overstay their welcome. More importantly, the series knows when to revisit a storyline or situation to produce a couple more laughs.

19 Spy X Family

MyAnimeList: 8.58 (Season 1, Part 1)

Spy x Family was among 2022’s shining beacons, airing two fun cours during Spring and Fall. The anime has already confirmed that a sequel is on the horizon, so the Forgers’ time in the sun is far from done. Set in a world defined by a fragile peace between two powerful states, Twilight is a superspy tasked with infiltrating an academy to get close to a politician. To accomplish this task, he becomes Loid Forger and adopts Anya, a charming girl who can secretly read minds. Loid also marries Yor, a quiet woman who moonlights as an assassin.

Spy x Family has exceptional characters who all inject a unique brand of comedy into the story. Anya tends to steal the spotlight due to her weird mix of innocence and insightfulness; while she can read the minds of adults, she does not always understand what she hears. Loid works well as Anya’s straight man, while Yor is a surprisingly great source for slapstick humor.

While not reaching the same heights as its predecessors, season 2 is also consistently charming and funny.

18 FLCL

MyAnimeList: 8.03 (Season 1)

One of the most absurd comedy anime ever made, FLCL is a hilariously offbeat anime that fans can watch over and over again. The original series is a mere six episodes, but the animators and writers pack a lot into these fast-paced vignettes. Equal parts anime parody and surreal madness, FLCL is sort of a loose cannon, barely following a coherent plot, yet still acting as a cohesive comedy sitcom that ranks among the best anime series ever.

The story involves a young boy and his misadventures in his small town after a chaotic alien girl arrives and robots begin popping out of his head. The jokes are so quick that viewers may need to watch it a second time just to catch every kernel of comedy gold. The visuals are amazing too.

17 Ouran High School Host Club

MyAnimeList: 8.16

A parody of other popular anime, Ouran High School Host Club is a silly high school comedy series at heart. The central character, Haruhi Fujioka, ends up in debt to a posh club of boys who “host” female clients.

While that sounds suspicious, the show is actually laid back and funny in more than one way. Plot twists are this show’s bread and butter, and it does them better than most other anime series.