Descriptions
Whether it's in movies, web series, or anime, high schools are one of the most popular settings for media geared towards young viewers. With a mix of fresh perspectives on adolescent life and twists of fantasy, drama, love, and action, High school anime series never fail to entice young viewers.
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Without a doubt, some high school anime goes beyond the typical high school tropes. Whether one needs inspiration, heartbreak, or a good laugh, these high school anime series bring everything to the plate. They are some of the best of the genre with exceptional character arcs, dialogue, and intelligent storylines.
Toradora!
One of the best romance anime with tsundere characters, Toradora revolves around two neighbors and high school students, Taiga Aisaka and Ryuji Takasu. Inspired by a light novel of the same name, it is a heartfelt romantic comedy story between two polar-opposite high school teens. The series is full of entertainment with friendships, personal issues, drama, wisdom, witty dialogues, and memorable soundtracks.
The story starts with a mutual deal between Aisaka and Takasu as they crush on each other's best friends. They attempt to create romantic situations to help set each other up with their crushes. However, they eventually fall for each other instead. Unlike other romantic anime, Toradora wisely concentrates on all aspects of high school romance while avoiding cliches. It is exciting and unpredictable.
Komi Can’t Communicate
Featuring a unique narrative and engaging characters, the anime Komi Can't Communicate is applauded for its plot around social anxiety. It revolves around Shoko Komi, a shy high school student hailed as a goddess by her peers due to her beauty. They are unaware of Komi's social anxiety and think she stays silent because she is too good to talk to anyone.
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The story starts when a chain of events forces Komi to interact with the male protagonist, Hitohito Tadano. He eventually discovers Komi's communication problems and her goal to make 100 friends. The first season follows the two as they navigate high school, with Tadano attempting to assist Komi in managing her anxiety and achieving her goal. The series takes a lighter approach to social anxiety issues in high school students while still emphasizing it.
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! is one of the most creative anime about making anime, highlighting the challenges faced by aspiring animators. It follows three high school girls who play the roles of director, animator, and producer as they work together to make anime films. The series is chock-full of motivation, touching moments of camaraderie, triumph over adversity, and innovative ideas.
The protagonist Midori Asakusa, and her two best friends, all have unique talents that they put together to achieve their goal. The old-school aesthetic reminds fans of the '90s anime era. The brainstorming of ideas, opposition from parents and peers, hectic schedules, and rollercoaster of emotions - all make up the realistic plot of the series. It goes into great depth and logic about the process and struggle of making anime.
Kuroko’s Basketball
High-intensity martial arts action, fierce competition, high-school scenarios, and quality sports laced with fantasy, Kuroko's Basketball has it all. It also ranks among the best sports & fitness anime of all time. While the show may not be a realistic representation of basketball, each scenario on the court is bound to elicit a rush of adrenaline.
The show also has dozens of swoon-worthy characters, and from the main protagonist, Tetsuya Kuroko, to his former teammates in the Generation of Miracles, each has their own complexities to add to the plot. The determined characters, teenage humor, and unique powers that everyone likes in shounen anime are all reasons why viewers enjoy it. The intense game scenes make hearts race and keep the viewers glued to the screen.
Tokyo Revengers
Tokyo Revengers follow a bunch of teenager delinquent gangs and a hapless 26-year old, Takemichi. The plot begins in a simple middle-school setting where the protagonist gets bullied. The story follows through his character development until he and the other characters grow up and create a full-fledged delinquent gang.
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After learning that his middle school crush died in a vehicle accident, Takemichi gets an opportunity to defy fate. He is mysteriously gifted time travel abilities to 12 years ago. The series chronicles his efforts to forecast and influence the events in the past leading up to the accident and save his middle school love interest. The series is also known for its notable opening soundtrack and incredible music effects.
The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.
The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K. is gold for anime fans who love parodies. It revolves around a god-like high school student, Kusuo Saiki, who was born with all psychic powers, such as telepathy, psychokinesis, teleportation, invisibility, etc. The show is divided into short episodes, but it swiftly builds up punchlines and keeps them going at full speed.
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As a psychic, Kusuo communicates his reactions to the audience, explaining and providing a perspective that he finds so troublesome about his powers. Despite the lack of a compelling plot, the show maintains audience interest. The layered jokes continue to fly at a breakneck speed as Saiki tries to live a normal life, which he consistently fails to accomplish. With the high-school setting and sci-fi twist, Saiki K. is one of the most popular sketch comedies out right now.
A Place Further Than The Universe
A place Further Than The Universe is a feel-good girl power story about four girls who scam their way into an Antarctic expedition. It delves deeply into friendship and connection, striking a good mix between plot and slice of life. The finest aspect is that the storyline is not too made-up or unbelievable. It depicts real-life scenarios and only uses realistic depictions to keep the audience interested.
The primary characters each have their reasons for traveling and dreams. The series showcases grief realistically, winning the hearts of fans who appreciate content based on real life. The series has a lovely energy and emotional intensity. While the animation and background could use improvement, it remains one of Netflix's most inventive anime involving high-school students.
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War is one of the funniest high school anime with a rom-com flavor. The story revolves around the two heads of the student council of Shuchiin Academy, President Miyuki Shirogane and Vice President Kaguya Shinomiya. Shirogane and Kaguya are both devoted to one another but are also incredibly proud tsundere to admit their feelings.
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War has a straightforward plot but is rich in character development. Even the secondary characters are among the best-written in anime. The show's music and art style make it feel one-of-a-kind. The comedy is well-timed, and the emotional passages are intense, depicting human behavior realistically.
Jujutsu Kaisen
In the realm of Jujutsu Kaisen, cursed spirits prey on unwary mortals, and portions of the famed and feared demon, Ryomen Sukuna, have been lost and scattered. The show's highlights include breathtaking fighting scenes, emotional depth, supernatural elements, power scaling, audiovisuals, plot progression, and well-written characters.
Yuji Itadori, a good-hearted teenager, joins his school's Occult Club for fun, but soon discovers that its members are true sorcerers. He finds out about a cursed talisman in the form of the demon Sukuna's finger. Yuji eats the finger and becomes Sukuna's host to defend his buddies. With outstanding characters paired with a unique story, fans even call Jujutsu Kaisen better than Demon Slayer.
Haikyuu!!
The characters in Haikyuu!! have immense emotional significance and are intriguing. It chronicles the ups and downs in the life of Hinata Shoyo, a volleyball player who hopes to be the next "Little Giant." It depicts a story of hope and dreams, yet it stands apart from other sports anime because of its realistic depiction.
With Hinata's success in volleyball despite his short stature, Haikyuu!! delivers the message that nothing is impossible with hard work and determination. It portrays volleyball as more than just a game. Each character is emotionally charged and generates emotions in the viewer. It's an anime that teaches and forces the audience to reflect upon their lives.
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