Anime has become an easy companion for some people in the time of the pandemic. Lasting for only 20-minutes an episode, anime shows are easy to binge and step away from (when you can). Anime is a colorful and magical world, the fact that it’s animated doesn’t make it “kiddy” or any less enjoyable.
There is something for everyone. There are thousands of different anime to discover, with some very niche ones as well. It isn’t unusual to sometimes come across an anime with a very… shall we say “unique” plot, character, or even title.
One of the very first things you should know before watching anime is that you must be brave. Sometimes titles may seem peculiar, but this doesn’t make the viewing experience any less amazing. It could also be important to note that perhaps the titles sound weird to us as an English translation, which can’t always be as nuanced as its Japanese counterpart.
Here are 10 anime shows with “funky” sounding titles BUT are well worth the watch.
Toilet- Bound Hanako-kun (Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun)
No, this is not at all similar or related to the 2006 classic film Flushed Away.
Hanako-san is a Japanese school urban legend. It is believed that Hanako-san is a soul that haunts school bathrooms. In Kamome Academy, they believe that if you summon Hanako-san, she will grant you a wish. Many people have tried and failed to summon the bathroom ghost.
It takes Nene Yashiro, a girl looking for love, to successfully summon the ghost. She discovers that Hanako-san is actually a boy! Suddenly entangled in the world of the supernatural, Nene Yashiro assists Hanako-kun in his responsibility of keeping the fragile balance between the human and supernatural worlds.
My Little Monster (Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun)
Spoiler alert: contrary to its title, this anime does not contain actual monsters.
What happens when you force the recluse over achiever to drop off schoolwork to the violent guy who ditches school? Well, you get two very different ways of exploring the development of their own emotions towards one another, of course!
Watch both Shizuku Mizutani and Haru Yoshida as they learn to navigate emotions they don’t easily understand, make new friends, and get through high school.
Steins; Gate
The Future Gadget Lab has three members, mad scientist Rintarou Okabe, his childhood friend Mayuri Shiina, and super hacker Hashida “Daru” Itaru. But after inventing a way to communicate with the past, their numbers slowly increase as they send emails that affect the present and change the future.
Rintarou is burdened with being the only one able to notice the changes in the timelines, remembering the way things were before they changed. Just a gentle warning that this anime goes hard with its time travel theories and scientific discussions.
It also has a very specific sequence of viewing the episodes, urging you to jump across seasons rather than watching linearly. This only adds to the viewing experience of the anime, immersing you into the mind-bending world of Steins;Gate. El Psy Kongroo ;).
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai)
Starting this out by saying that it’s not a zombie movie, nor does it contain any literal cannibalism.
Indifferent Bookworm, Haruki Shiga, finds a book entitled “Living with Dying” only to discover that it is the private journal of popular and bubbly classmate, Sakura Yamauchi. No one outside of Sakura’s family knows about her pancreatic disease and dwindling mortality… except, now, for Haruki.
Yes, you’ll need tissues.
My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected (a.k.a My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU – Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru)
For when you’re feeling nihilistic after watching I Want to Eat Your Pancreas.
Hachiman Hikigaya believes that there is no such thing as genuine joyful youth. After slandering social relationships in an essay for school, his teacher decides to punish him by forcing him to join the school’s Volunteer Service Club.
The Volunteer Service Club provides extra support to students who are trying to attain their goals. Aside from Hachiman, the club only has one other member, Yukino Yukinoshita. Together they try their best to give the support other people need, will Hachiman’s cynical world view hinder the clubs work or will it actually come in handy?
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid (Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon)
Another day, another dollar. Before Kobayashi can begin her daily commute to work, she is stunned to see a dragon waiting for her outside her home. The dragon, Tooru, has the power to transform into a young girl wearing a maid uniform.
Tooru has nowhere else to go. Kobayashi slowly begins to remember her drunken encounter with the dragon the night before, promising Tooru that she can stay with her. In exchange for lodging at her home, Tooru offers to be Kobayashi’s personal servant.
Despite having immense abilities, Tooru prefers some unorthodox methods which result in more trouble than help to Kobayashi. The presence of Tooru herself further complicates things as other mythical creatures begin to get attracted to the apartment.
Is the Order a Rabbit? BLOOM (Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? BLOOM)
Yes, the “BLOOM” is indeed there in both the English and Japanese title translations for this anime.
For Kokoa Hoto and her fellow café waitresses, working at a café has its fun. Alongside the daily shenanigans, middle schooler Chino Kafuu must start thinking about her future. She must decide which high school to attend, while the café waitresses venture into daily adventures in fun, both in and out of work.
Join the ensemble cast for a lighthearted and easy watch full of friendship and smiles.
The Pet Girl of Sakurasou (Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo)
Sorata Kanda does not feel like he fits in after moving into his school’s notorious Sakura Hall which houses the eccentric students of Suimei High School. Sorata feels out of place, surrounded by characters that program, playwright, animate, and party hard.
Sorata’s view of the dorm changes when new student Mashiro Shiina transfers to their school, also inhabiting Sakura Hall. Mashiro, an aspiring mangaka, quickly begins to shadow Sorata. Encouraged by each other’s presence, the two begin to bring out the best in each other and in those around them.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken)
Satoru Mikami, single since birth, has lived his 37 years content with monotony. This monotony is broken the day he is violently attacked on the street. As he lay dying, Satoru hears a voice whose words he can’t decipher.
Satoru finds himself waking up in a new realm, and just like the title says, reincarnated as slime. Watch as he lives his new slimey life, getting into paranormal antics and discovering the mystical and magical powers his body now possesses.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senapi (Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai)
Not only a peculiar title, but also quite a long one for an anime. This is a classic example of an anime whose title may shock or confuse you, but whose story will have you falling in love with the characters and wanting more.
Puberty Syndrome is a rare and complicated disease that affects teenagers. Manifesting differently for everyone, its supernatural and sporadic nature have caused people to think it a mere myth. Sakuta Azusagawa knows it’s real, he’s experienced it personally.
Sakuta comes across Mai Sakurajima, a famous ex-actress, and his schoolmate, walking around a library wearing a bunny girl costume. No one else seems to notice her or what she is wearing. Sakuta approaches her and realizes that she is living with Puberty Syndrome.
After this strange encounter, Sakuta tries to find a way to help Mai. He later comes to realize that Puberty Syndrome is rampant in his school, leading him to lend a helping hand to all other students affected by it. Each case reflects deeper emotional and mental issues that the character is struggling with.
Okay, maybe none of these seem at all appealing to you. Maybe these anime titles seem too “weird”, or the story just isn’t something you’re interested in.
But just know that there are hundreds of “gateway” anime out there, find that one and you’re hooked for life.
Don’t be afraid to jump in, the water’s fine (if not slightly, oddly titled). Don’t let a title get in the way of discovering your next favorite anime. Have fun and enjoy!
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