Slice of Life

I don't watch too much anime these days, but I do read a lot of slice of life manga. I really like the genre because of how realistic it is. I find myself connecting more to the story and overall just gives me a better and sweeter impression of a character's life.

 

Meh.

Just meh.

Maybe I'm a little biased, but out of all the Slice-of-Life anime I've seen (which is probably one random episode of three different series), I haven't seen anything to draw me in. Either it's very middle-school in its nature or features purposeless (and often age-creepy) fanservice. I don't like either of those things. I just don't.

I can deal with a little bit of slice of life though, but usually it's in-between the concept of the epic quest. Like in Avatar TLA, that one episode near the very end that takes place at that private beach Zuko's family owns? Like half of the episode is "Look at me surfing with waterbending! Look at me make an awesome sandcastle with earthbending!" And the other half is non-world-saving discussion. Resolving personal dramas, reflections on the past, all that. And it's okay, I liked that episode just fine. But if it wasn't for the context of the epic quest around it? Bleh.

 

If the characters are likable and the situation interesting, I may watch. I'm getting into Love Live! myself, if only because if its related cell phone game--it helps the songs are really good.

 

The beautiful thing about SoF is how many directions the series can go, there's just so much freedom and it's amazing. Most of my favorite series contain SoF elements and the 'pure' SoF I've watched were generally very enjoyable. I especially love the relaxation it gives off. Watching someone just go through their everyday life has something extremely calming and warm to me for some reason. Of course there's also some wacky series that are 'SoF' like Nichijou >_>

 

I think Slice of Life genre are pretty alright. Even though it's not like your ordinary anime (with some actions here and there), some part of it can be soothing and relaxing that it's enjoyable to watch, which is perfect if you want to watch something that has casual and laid back-feel in it.

 

This is likely my least favourite genre, since most of the anime I've seen of this genre have bored me (Like Lucky Star, K-On) though I am a fan of Love Live and I found Angel Beats nice.