Sometimes you’re in the mood for a short, complete story.
For those days when you just crave something short, we’ve prepared this list of the best anime series you can finish in a day, all under 13 episodes:
1. Haibane Renmei (2002)
Our protagonist, Rakka, is born from a cocoon in a small town inhabited by creatures called Haibane, who have wings and halos. The town is surrounded by a wall that almost none of the residents are allowed to approach. Don’t worry though, this anime is nothing like Attack on Titan. It’s not exactly a feel-good slice of life either: this series is a slow burn that explores spiritual ideas and mature themes such as mortality, loneliness, and depression.
2. Anohana (2011)
This story follows Jinta and his childhood friends who reunite to help the spirit of their dead friend, Menma, make her final wish come true. The series is not as grim as it sounds; it’s a heart-wrenching, deeply moving emotional journey that is sure to bring a tear to your eye.
3. Erased (2016)
Another series that takes us to the past, Erased is about a struggling manga artist in his late 20s who gets transported to 1988 to prevent his mother’s murder. However, he gets more than he bargained for and ends up tangled in a much bigger mystery. This suspenseful time-travel thriller gets you hooked from the first episode.
4. Wonder Egg Priority (2021)
This one is a hidden gem, but it might not be for everyone. The story goes: after losing a friend to suicide, a 14-year-old girl Ai Ohto wins a Wonder Egg in an abandoned arcade. She cracks the egg, and finds herself on a mission to help various girls fight their inner demons. The series highlights the struggles of many contemporary young women who feel like they have to silently suffer alone.
5. Kotaro Lives Alone (2022)
The story is about a 4-year-old child who ends up living alone, surrounded by adults trying to help him. Kotaro Lives Alone may remind some viewers of the renowned Hirokazu Koreeda’s finest work, and it tackles the same issues: child abandonment, neglect, and the various other ways society fails children. The anime’s mood is surprisingly lighthearted and at times humorous, considering the difficult subject matter.
These anime don’t require massive time commitment, and you should be able to explore them in one go. All five of these miniseries are proof that you don’t need a hundred episodes to tell an engaging story that will stay with the audience.
Source: Reddit