If you’re new to the whole anime series world, then picking out one of the funniest animes to start with might be a very good bet. Watching something that’s funny and entertaining will help you distill the styles and the genres to dig deeper into! Anime comedies can be full of jokes and wacky situations, and due to the wide range of subgenres, there's something for every sense of humor. We’re here to lend you a helping hand in choosing your next funny anime to watch!
Anime is famous for its quirky and over-the-top humor, but some shows are the cream of the crop. These funny anime movies and series are not just amusing; they're laugh-out-loud hilarious! Pair that with the specific anime style, and you’re in for a half-an-hour-long journey that’ll make you forget the world outside your screen.
We picked the top funny anime series on this list according to their comedic appeal as well as their overall quality while you, dear readers, ranked them to your liking. If you like an anime that makes you laugh so hard your sides hurt, check out these funny anime shows and upvote your favorites! Most of them (maybe not all) are also kid-friendly anime stories.
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The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.
2016 | 144 episodes + 8 special episodes
Saiki Kusuo is a student with strong psychic powers who hates attracting attention. Yet, he is surrounded by colorful characters who always find a way to remove him from his ordinary life. Yes, I know what you're thinking. It's a cliche plot with high school students having funny adventures in their daily lives, but trust me when I say this, it's unique and original.
Gintama
2006 | 367 episodes + 8 special episodes
Set in a fictional feudal Tokyo taken over by aliens, the story follows Gintoki Sakata and his friends Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura, who take on various odd jobs and missions. Gintoki is an alcoholic freelancer whose job is to solve people's problems so he can earn enough money to pay the rent. Much of the show is based on Japanese culture and history, which made dubbing the show in English near-impossible until around 2016, when people were familiar enough with the show's jokes and references that a dub could work out.
This one sure is funny, I watch the one time when the lost into other anime world (in Sket Dance episode) to Sket Dance Kaimei School. They asked hep to fix their machine so they can return to Gintama anime. While they wait, they play as the Sket Dan members Gintoki as Fujisaki and the others
Grand Blue
2018 | 12 episodes
At the beginning of his first year at Izu University, Iori Kitahara moves into a small apartment next to the seaside, where his uncle has a diving shop. However, he is quickly shocked as he meets the local diving club, a group of men who spend more time drinking, partying, and stripping naked than actually diving!
A Short History Of Anime
Notice the short in the title? Well, that is because anime, in fact, has such a long history and has played such an important part in pop culture that to tell it all, we’d need a giraffe’s neck-long scroll. What we have here is a very abbreviated version of anime history, just to get our bearings on this incredible animation style:
Early 1900s
Japanese animation begins with short films inspired by Western cartoons.
1950s
Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom) by Osamu Tezuka became the first popular anime series, sparking the industry's growth.
1960s
Color TV leads to more vibrant anime like Speed Racer (Mach GoGoGo) and Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Taitei). Interestingly enough, some believe that Disney’s Lion King is incredibly similar to Kimba, but you’ll be the judge here!
1970s
The "Super Robot" era begins with series like Mazinger Z, and the space opera genre takes off with Space Battleship Yamato.
1980s
The "Real Robot" genre emerges with Mobile Suit Gundam, and Studio Ghibli creates classics like My Neighbor Totoro and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Naturally, the latter two took pop culture by complete and utter storm!
1990s
Anime gains international popularity with hits like Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. And if it were up to us, we’d also include Candy Candy as one of the defining anime series of the decade!
2000s
The digital age leads to more diverse genres and worldwide streaming platforms, with titles like Naruto (only the most popular anime series ever) and Spirited Away (only the most popular foreign animated movie of all time!) gaining global acclaim.
2010s
Attack on Titan, One Punch Man, and My Hero Academia become international sensations, solidifying anime's global presence. At the same time, anime series spans through masses of genres and subgenres, creating further appeal for even broader masses.
2020s
Anime continues to flourish, with new technologies enhancing animation quality and a growing global fanbase.
Long live anime! No, but really, with a history of over 100 years, it is clear to us that anime series is and will always be relevant, enjoyable, and entertaining!
One Punch Man
2015 | 24 episodes + 12 special episodes
In a nutshell, One Punch Man tells the story of Saitama, a superhero who can defeat anyone with just one punch. But, of course, he soon gets bored by the lack of challenges and sets out to find a worthy opponent. You know, just to add a little spice to the dull life of a superhero. The first season enjoyed massive success and was praised for its unorthodox hero, fantastic animation, and kooky sense of humor.
Asobi Asobase
2018 | 12 episodes + 3 special episodes
Asobi Asobase is another great comedy anime that revolves around a group of teenagers, Olivia, Kasumi, and Hanako, who form an unofficial "Pastime Club" in their school. It's not easy to make people laugh when you only have a few minutes to do so, but this gag-anime managed to accomplish this feat with flying colors!
Assassination Classroom
2015 | 47 episodes + special episode
The story here is quite an unusual one. It follows the daily life of a powerful octopus-like alien working as a junior high teacher. The creature's students are tasked to assassinate him, as asked by their government, thus trying to prevent the planet's obliteration. And who's gonna teach them how to use weapons and strategy to kill him? The professor himself! This popular anime series can sound like it oversteps the "weirdness line", but trust me here: there's no way to stop binge-watching Assassination Classroom.
Why Is Anime So Entertaining?
Many of you had this question, and although it isn’t an easy one to answer, here’s our take as to why the funniest anime series are so entertaining:
- Anime offers a wide range of diverse genres - from action to romance and from horror to fantasy - ensuring that everyone is able to find an anime they like;
- Every anime, be it a funny anime series or romance, relies heavily on complex anime characters. Complexity, in turn, engages the viewers and makes the male and female heroes more relatable;
- One other key aspect of anime is engaging storytelling. Basically, you’re always on the edge of your seat, even if it’s the funniest anime ever with the goofiest plot imaginable!
- Watching anime series, you’re often given a chance for cultural exploration with a glimpse into Japanese traditions and way of life;
- That said, anime series always maintain a global appeal by incorporating universal themes, quotable dialogues, and relatable emotions!
To summarize it a bit, anime is so entertaining because it’s, in a nutshell, always relatable, engaging, and full of adventures. Of course, it might not look like so in the beginning, but the longer you watch, the harder you fall into the sweet abyss of the anime world!
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
2019 | 37 episodes
Miyuki and Kaguya seem to be the perfect match: Kaguya is the daughter of a wealthy conglomerate family, and Miyuki is the school's top student. Although they like each other, they are too proud to confess their love, coming up with schemes to make the other confess first. You better catch up on this comedy anime because the third season will be out in April 2022!
Prison School
2015 | 12 episodes + 1 special episode
Prison School's premise – a group of boys get put in prison for peeping on girls – sounds pretty gross, right? But don't let that fool you. Prison School is actually one of the funniest anime shows you can watch. It has an unforgettable cast of characters and each episode delivers a new level of ridiculousness, making this one of the best comedy anime ever!
One Piece
1999 | Ongoing (1075+ episodes)
Based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is one long watch as, since its release in 1999, it has aired over 1000 episodes. Now that's impressive! The series follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy whose body gains rubber-like qualities after he unintentionally eats a Devil Fruit. His main quest is to find the ultimate pirate treasure, known as One Piece, to become the next pirate king. Of course, Luffy isn't alone on his adventures and is followed by the Straw Hat Pirates. And although One Piece has been running for 22 years as of today, the series still holds its position as one of the most-watched animes worldwide. Longevity to be envious of!
Which Anime Is The Funniest?
Okay, well, the answer depends on your personal sense of humor and taste in jokes, but based on your votes and our extensive browsing through various lists on the internet, the top five funniest anime of all time are these:
1. The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.
2.Gintama
3.One Punch Man
4.Grand Blue
5.Prison School
As we said - this rating is a bit subjective, and if you disagree with this ranking, be sure to vote for the best funny anime of your choice!
Konosuba: God's Blessing On This Wonderful World!
2016 | 32 episodes + 2 special episodes
It was a happy day for Kazuma - right up to the moment he died. Kazuma Sato, a shut-in hikikomori, meets Aqua, a goddess that guides the youth whose lives got cut short. Aqua offers him a choice: to go to heaven or get sent to another world to defeat the Demon King. Of course, Kazuma's gamer instincts kick in, and he chooses to start a new life in a real-life RPG!
Daily Lives Of High School Boys
2012 | 12 episodes + 6 special episodes
Daily Lives of High School Boys provides a new comedic perspective on high school boys doing… well, daily things. You may think that there isn't much to work with here, but the show manages to make seemingly mundane situations hilarious through its unique storytelling and great characters.
Beelzebub
2011 | 60 episodes + 1 special episode
The idea of a high school delinquent being paired with a baby that turns out to be Satan's son is so ridiculous that it had to be an anime. The fact that it actually happens makes it even funnier. Beelzebub's premise and humor are so absurd that it transcends age and is enjoyable both for kids and adults. There's something about the absurdity of fighting gangs of delinquents with the spit-up from a demon baby that just never gets old.
This ones a personal favorite. Its also not all jokes. Its good plot wise, too. (At least as far as i could watch)
Great Teacher Onizuka
1999 | 43 episodes
Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old ex-gangster, is unemployed and desperate to find a job. Miraculously, his charisma gets the attention of a private school's director, who appoints him as the teacher of a problematic class. With his unconventional manners, he becomes a role model for his hopeless students and guides them towards a society that had previously abandoned them. Onizuka's personality really made the show and can be considered one of the most memorable and funniest anime characters!
Noragami
2014 | 25 episodes + 4 special episodes
Noragami follows the story of Yato, a forgotten minor god seeking to gain enough money to build his own temple. His life changes when he teams up with a human girl he saved. Along with Yato's Regalia, Yukine, the trio goes through many adventures struggling with their friendship, identity, and pasts. Get ready to jump into an alternate reality occupied by demons, deities, and gods!
The Devil Is A Part-Timer!
2013 | 13 episodes
Satan and hero Emilia are forced to flee through a portal that drops them off in modern-day Japan. With their magic slowly depleting in an unfamiliar world, they're forced to assume the life of ordinary human beings in order to survive. Although Emilia still harbors negative feelings towards Satan for his past acts of evil, they become unlikely allies in order to survive. The series received positive reviews, with critics praising its humor and characterization. After nine years, fans are getting a second season, coming out in July!
My Ordinary Life
2011 | 26 episodes + 1 special episode
You'd be hard-pressed to find an anime more perfect for memes than My Ordinary Life. The series follows a group of eccentric friends living in Tokyo and experiencing all kinds of weird adventures. Despite the title, there's really nothing ordinary about this series!
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun
2014 | 12 episodes
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun focuses on high school student Chiyo Sakura, who develops a crush on her classmate Umetaro Nozaki after confessing her love for him. She later discovers that he is actually a famous shoujo manga artist! She decides to become his assistant to support his manga career, help him meet deadlines, and possibly get closer to him. Critics listed it as one of the best anime of 2014.
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Where is the description for this one lol Though I've seen it and I had fun; nice watch
Aho Girl
2017 | 12 episodes
Aho Girl is the ultimate dumb comedy, following the life and wacky adventures of high schooler Yoshiko Hanabatake and her long-suffering friend Akuru Akutsu. If you're looking for a fun anime with lots of slapstick comedy and physical gags, then Aho Girl might just be your new favorite show!
Shin Chan
1992 | Ongoing (1100+ episodes)
Shin Chan features the misadventures of Shin Chan Nohara, a 5-year-old kid and the worst nightmare of every parent! It's been around since 1992 and has become one of the most popular and controversial anime. Shin can be vulgar, abrasive, and downright annoying at times. But he's intelligent, witty, and clever as well. While some people may find Shin Chan offensive, many others consider him hilarious. If you're looking for an anime that will make you laugh out loud, then this is definitely the one!
Maid Sama!
Kaichou is very brave yet hilarious. Hinata did his best too with the three idiots. I would like to be fifteen again and enjoy it again
The Way Of The Househusband
Ghost Stories
2000 | 20 episodes
The series is based on the lives of five schoolchildren who exorcise the spirits that haunt their hometown as a consequence of industrialization. The English dub deviates significantly from the original script. While preserving the basic plot structure and storyline, the new script revolves around pop-culture references, politically incorrect gags, and fourth-wall jokes about the original show's low animation quality and anime cliches. All this contributed to transforming this horror anime into a black comedy.
Ouran High School Host Club
Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto
Fairy Tail
No Game No Life
Bungo Stray Dogs
Some parts will cure your depression, others will give you depression.
Life Lessons With Uramichi Oniisan
Welcome To Demon School!
Komi Can't Communicate
Hunter X Hunter
Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon?
Inuyasha
K-On!
More of a kids anime. I didnt get more than a giggle from its humor but my little siblings loved it!
Naruto
This is NOT a comedic anime, though it does have a generous sprinkle of it.
Attack On Titan: Junior High
Haikyu!!
Toradora!
Shimoneta: A Boring World Where The Concept Of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist
OMG i l o v e d Shimoneta! But the humor (as point of the anime) was way way innapropriate. The opening and closing are also major bops.
Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic
Bleach
Space Dandy
Soul Eater
Soul eater is brilliant. So many fun references to horror flicks and a crazy but engaging premise. Plus all the main characters have their own particular brand of crazy but always go out of their way to help a friend (or even enemy) in need.
Kuroko's Basketball
Naruto Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals
Mr. Osomatsu
Is This A Zombie?
Fruits Basket
Dragon Ball
Angel Beats!
Chi's Sweet Home
Himouto! Umaru-Chan
D-Fragments
Sket Dance
School Rumble
Azumanga Daioh
Gugure! Kokkuri-San
Baka And Test
Rosario + Vampire
Lucky Star
Slayers
Nyaruko: Crawling With Love!
Pokémon
Dr. Slump
Kamisama Kiss
Amagi Brilliant Park
Seitokai Yakuindomo
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
Doraemon
Magi: The Kingdom Of Magic
Wait wasn't this one already listed here before? Yeah, #42... Huh, 42 🙃 huhu
Love Stage!!
Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt
The Familiar Of Zero F
Sgt. Frog
Engaged To The Unidentified
Cells At Work! Code Black
Wait a sec, isn’t this supposed to be a darker spinoff of Cells at Work?
Survival Game Club
Arakawa Under The Bridge
Nisekoi - False Love
My Bride Is A Mermaid
I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying
Full Metal Panic Fumoffu
Working!!
Kakushigoto
Golden Boy
Cromartie High School
Free!
Reborn!
Good Luck Girl!
Stigma Of The Wind
Mm!
Excel Saga
Love this anime! Almost every episode is a parody of various genres.
Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-Chan
Mischief Of The Gods
Yakitate!! Japan
I love this anime, I wish there was a way to make the bready puns work as an English dub to make it more accessible to people who can't deal with subtitles.
Pandora Hearts
Yu Yu Hakusho
Aggretsuko
My good friend loves it a lot. I didn't take to it as much, personaly. Mostly kept on watching because of the heavy metal bits lol
Hajime No Ippo
Another friend of mine recommanded it several times, saying the humour was great, but I can't watch this "sport" for the life of me
Black Butler
Hozuki's Coolheadedness
A great series my kids love the Chinese and Japanese culture and this series didn't disappoint my kiddos at all , Hozuki point of view make sense to me, i love the pinkie swear though
Chobits
Kokoro Connect
Baccano!
Minami-Ke
Why stop at 110 features lol. Now I understand why you didn't complete all descriptions 😅
Negima!
The Wallflower
B Gata H Kei
This just seems like a list of "popular anime" rather than "funniest anime"... also, WATAMOTE. Y'all should watch it.
Ever considered Hoshi No Kaabii / Kirby: Right Back At Ya? Despite being dubbed by 4Kids, the English dub is hilarious. If you need proof, just listen to Dedede’s voice!
This just seems like a list of "popular anime" rather than "funniest anime"... also, WATAMOTE. Y'all should watch it.
Ever considered Hoshi No Kaabii / Kirby: Right Back At Ya? Despite being dubbed by 4Kids, the English dub is hilarious. If you need proof, just listen to Dedede’s voice!