Friendship is the cornerstone of countless unforgettable stories, and anime has undoubtedly mastered the art of capturing these bonds.
From shonen adventures to the gentle warmth of slice-of-life connections, anime offers a diverse canvas of friendships that can resonate deeply with you. These stories will leave you laughing, crying, and cheering as characters overcome challenges together.
We are here to celebrate the extraordinary effect of ‘nakama no chikara‘ that can light up even the darkest of days. And for that, I have a list of curated anime, some popular, some underrated, that you can enjoy with your close buddies.
So, gather your closest friends, or simply enjoy a moment of solitude, and immerse yourself in the following anime. If you’re a loner – the characters you meet in these anime will turn out to be your best friends. Trust me bro..
Note: The following list is in no particular order! And all of them are available to stream on Crunchyroll. I have provided their links after the description.
1. Naruto
Naruto is a beloved anime which follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with a mischievous spirit and an indomitable will, who dreams of becoming the Hokage of his village.
Ostracized for harboring a powerful demon fox, Naruto faces life’s challenges with unwavering optimism. His journey is a testament to the strength of human connection.
I mean, friendship is a core theme in Naruto. No one can argue with that. If you look at it, the whole story is basically Naruto never giving up on Sasuke and facing every obstacle in his way to bring Uchiha prodigy back where he belongs.
What better anime to start off this list right?
As Naruto grows, so does his circle of friends, each contributing to his character development and inspiring him to protect those he cares about. Witness the power of friendship as Naruto’s unwavering belief in people transforms him into a true hero.
2. Fairy Tail
Once again, I am going with a popular anime. Fairy Tail follows Lucy Heartfilia, a celestial spirit mage who dreams of joining the famous Fairy Tail guild.
Her wish comes true when she meets Natsu Dragneel, a fire dragon slayer, and his talking cat companion, Happy. As they embark on countless quests with their loyal companions, including Gray, and Erza, their bonds deepen.
Friendship is at the front and center of Fairy Tail. The guild members treat each other like family, always ready to support and protect one another. For instance, it’s Natsu’s unwavering loyalty to his friends which often drives him to overcome impossible odds.
Trust me, this one can truly become a comfort anime for you once you get familiar with the characters. The guild members will start feeling like family as you keep watching.
3. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Anohana is one of the saddest anime out there, true. But it is also presents a very poignant tale on friendships that are formed during the childhood and how they can stand the test of time. So, do not be suprised that I am including this one here.
The plot follows a group of childhood friends who drift apart after the tragic death of their friend Menma. Years later, Jinta Yadomi, the former leader of their group, begins to see Menma’s ghost.
She appears to him because she has an unfulfilled wish, and Jinta must reunite the estranged friends to help her move on. Each character grapples with their guilt and grief over Menma’s death, and their journey to fulfill her wish brings them closer together again.
Anohana focuses on the emotional aspects of friendship and the pain of losing a loved one instead of teamwork and camaraderie as seen in the previous two.
And who knows, maybe by the time you are done with this, you might just want to get in touch with that one friend from your childhood who you drifted apart from.
4. Laid Back Camp
If a emotionally heavy hitting series like Anohana is not your cup of tea, then this one should be right up your alley. Laid-Back Camp is a heartwarming slice-of-life anime that has been one of the go to comfort anime for a lot of anime lovers!
The story centers around Rin Shima, a solo camper who enjoys the peace of camping alone, and Nadeshiko Kagamihara, a cheerful girl who discovers the joys of camping through Rin.
As they explore various campsites, they are joined by other friends, forming the Outdoor Activities Club. This also brings about a change in Rin. Her initial preference for solitude slowly changes as she bonds with Nadeshiko and the others.
The anime highlights the beauty of nature and the simple pleasure of spending time with friends. It is tranquil and peaceful, and is perfect for enjoying on a lazy afternoon, or during a rainy day with your friends. Just grab yourself a piping hot cuppa coffee and binge this one.
5. Orange
Surprised to see this anime here? You shouldn’t be. Orange is a definitely tale portraying the power of friendship and of second chances. Change my mind!
The story follows Naho Takamiya, a high school girl who receives letters from her future self. These letters urge her to prevent the regrets her future self experienced, especially regarding a new transfer student, Kakeru Naruse.
Orange is an anime which perfectly showcases how friendship and bonds with other people can help a struggling person. In this case – Kakeru Naruse.
Naho and her friends, Suwa, Takako, Hagita, and Azusa, demonstrate unwavering support and care for Kakeru, striving to make his days brighter and prevent the tragedy foreseen in the letters. Their collective efforts highlight how true friends can significantly affect someone’s mental and emotional well-being.
Suwa is the paragon of friendship. Trust me. You’ll know this when you watch it.
This anime highlights the significance of empathy, understanding, and support in nurturing meaningful friendships. It also makes to note that friends can come together to make a positive difference in each other’s lives. So, if you have been sleeping on this one – I urge you pick it up and binge those 13 episodes right now!
6. You and Me
You and Me (Kimi to Boku) is a slice-of-life anime that follows the everyday lives of four childhood friends—Shun, Kaname, and the twins Yuuta and Yuuki—who are later joined by a new student, Chizuru.
The series basically delves into their high school experiences, from mundane activities to more significant events. And through all of it, it subtly explores the complexities of growing up.
The core of You and Me is the enduring bond between the characters and camaraderie that is between the friends who have known each other since high school. One thing I particularly liked about this anime is the diverse personality it brings to the screen and the interesting dynamics it ends up creating.
Released in 2011, this anime often slips under the radar when it comes to slice of life suggestions However, it is definitely an anime you should be watching. It’s refreshingly warm and delightful to watch. So make sure you don’t miss this one out!
7. After School Dice Club
After School Dice Club is a charming anime centered around three high school girls—Miki Takekasa, Aya Takayashiki, and Midori Ono—who bond over their shared love for board games.
The story begins with the shy and reserved Miki discovering a board game shop, where she meets the cheerful Aya and the knowledgeable Midori. Together, they form the After School Dice Club.
Yup, this will feel like a more laid back version of Asobi Asobase, which is one of the best comedy anime out there!
The anime beautifully portrays how the girls’ relationships deepen as they play and learn together. The games they play often mirror their personal growth and the lessons they learn about trust, cooperation, and understanding. It does get a bit preachy sometimes.
This anime highlights the beauty of everyday moments spent with friends and the bonds that form through shared hobbies.
8. Tokyo Revengers
HEAR ME OUT! True, Tokyo Revengers is an anime that received flak from certain parts of the anime fandom. While you can take away your ratings from this anime, you can never take away friendship from it.
The story follows Takemichi Hanagaki, a 26-year-old who learns that his middle school ex-girlfriend, Hinata Tachibana, has been killed by a ruthless gang. After a near-death experience, Takemichi is sent back in time to his middle school days.
Determined to change the future and save Hinata, he infiltrates the Tokyo Manji Gang, aiming to alter the events that lead to her death.
The essence of Tokyo Revengers is not our dude trying to save the girl he loves. Instead, it is all about the bonds of friendship that is formed through throwing punches at your opponent. It is very otoko-esque. Heard of the movie Thallumaala?
Honestly, this anime portrays the resilience and determination that define strong friendships. Be sure to check this one out!!
What are some of your favorite anime that you’d binge with your friends? Let me know them in the comments below!