Top College Anime Recommendations

Tokyo Ghoul

Also known as Tokyo Ghoul.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

The suspense horror/dark fantasy story is set in Tokyo, which is haunted by mysterious "ghouls" who are devouring humans. People are gripped by the fear of these ghouls whose identities are masked in mystery. An ordinary college student named Kaneki encounters Rize, a girl who is an avid reader like him, at the café he frequents. Little does he realize that his fate will change overnight.



Tags: Gore , Urban Fantasy , Tragedy , Survival , Torture , Male Protagonist , Body Horror , Anti-Hero , Seinen , Coming of Age , Urban , Police , Cannibalism , Detective , Crime , Henshin , Primarily Adult Cast , Mythology , Heterosexual , College

Tokyo Ghoul √A

Also known as Tokyo Ghoul √A.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

The second season of Tokyo Ghoul.

The ghouls of Anteiku invaded the Aogiri's site in order to rescue Ken Kaneki who is being tortured. Due to provocation, he unleashed greater power enough to defeat Yamori. To become stronger, he decided to join Aogiri and left Anteiku. Ghoul investigators also making their moves by collecting information about the eye-patched ghoul - Ken Kaneki.



Tags: Anti-Hero , Body Horror , Super Power , Gore , Military , Detective , Police , Urban Fantasy , Seinen , Male Protagonist , Urban , Primarily Adult Cast , Heterosexual , College , Mythology

Kanojo, Okarishimasu

Also known as Rent-a-Girlfriend.

Studio: TMS Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Romance

Kinoshita Kazuya is a 20-year-old failure of a college student. He managed to kiss his girlfriend once, but was dumped after a month. "Ugh... Damn it. I never want to go through that again."

Completely spiteful, Kazuya uses a certain method to date a girl. He goes to their meeting place and suddenly hears, "You're Kazuya-kun, right?" A beautiful girl brushing her long, black hair behind her ear was there, smiling at him. Her name was Mizuhara Chizuru. Something real is born after just a single rental! A reckless rom-com filled with love and excitement is about to begin!



Tags: Love Triangle , Male Protagonist , Female Harem , Heterosexual , Unrequited Love , Slapstick , Masturbation , Shounen , Primarily Adult Cast , Primarily Female Cast , Fake Relationship , Tsundere , Work , Surreal Comedy , College , Acting , Female Protagonist , Urban , Anti-Hero , Feet

Ore dake Level Up na Ken

Also known as Solo Leveling.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

They say whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but that’s not the case for the world’s weakest hunter Sung Jinwoo. After being brutally slaughtered by monsters in a high-ranking dungeon, Jinwoo came back with the System, a program only he could see, that’s leveling him up in every way. Now, he’s inspired to discover the secrets behind his powers and the dungeon that spawned them.





Tags: Dungeon , Male Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Super Power , Magic , Necromancy , Cultivation , War , Anti-Hero , Gore , Tragedy , Shounen , Survival , Swordplay , Alternate Universe , Angels , Time Manipulation , Post-Apocalyptic , Heterosexual , Travel , Bullying , Dragons , Ninja , College , Isekai

Golden Time

Also known as Golden Time.

Studio: J.C. Staff
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance

Due to a tragic accident, Banri Tada is struck with amnesia, dissolving the memories of his hometown and past. However, after befriending Mitsuo Yanagisawa, he decides to move on and begin a new life at law school in Tokyo. But just as he is beginning to adjust to his college life, the beautiful Kouko Kaga dramatically barges into Banri's life, and their chance meeting marks the beginning of an unforgettable year.

After having a glimpse of college life, Banri learns that he is in a new place and a new world—a place where he can be reborn, to have new friends, fall in love, makes mistakes and grow. And as he begins to discover who he was, the path he has chosen leads him towards a blindingly bright life that he will never want to forget.

Tags: Amnesia , Memory Manipulation , Male Protagonist , College , Love Triangle , Coming of Age , Tragedy , Ghost , Heterosexual , Primarily Adult Cast , Female Protagonist , Yandere , Dissociative Identities , Philosophy , School Club , Cult

Steins;Gate 0

Studio: White Fox
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Thriller

The eccentric, self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintarou Okabe has become a shell of his former self. Depressed and traumatized after failing to rescue his friend, he has decided to forsake his mad scientist alter ego and live as an ordinary college student. Surrounded by friends who know little of his time travel experiences, Okabe spends his days trying to forget the horrors of his adventures alone.

While working as a receptionist at a college technology forum, Okabe meets the short, spunky Maho Hiyajo, who later turns out to be the interpreter at the forum's presentation, conducted by Professor Alexis Leskinen. In front of a stunned crowd, Alexis and Maho unveil Amadeus—a revolutionary AI capable of storing a person's memories and creating a perfect simulation of that person complete with their personality and quirks. Meeting with Maho and Alexis after the presentation, Okabe learns that the two were Kurisu's colleagues in university, and that they have simulated her in Amadeus. Hired by Alexis to research the simulation's behavior, Okabe is given the chance to interact with the shadow of a long-lost dear friend. Dangerously tangled in the past, Okabe must face the harsh reality and carefully maneuver around the disastrous consequences that come with disturbing the natural flow of time.

Tags: Alternate Universe , War , Time Manipulation , Artificial Intelligence , Tragedy , Dystopian , Post-Apocalyptic , Dissociative Identities , Urban , Time Skip , Age Regression , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Amnesia , Denpa , Kuudere , Memory Manipulation , Military , Fugitive , College , Chuunibyou , Otaku Culture , Shrine Maiden , Gore , Primarily Adult Cast , Disability

Grand Blue

Also known as Grand Blue Dreaming.

Studio: Zero-G
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life , Sports

A new life begins for Kitahara Iori as he begins his college career near the ocean in Izu city, full of excitement for his new life. He will be moving into his Uncle's diving store "Grand Blue." There he finds the beautiful ocean, beautiful women, and men that love diving and alcohol. Will Iori be able to live his dream college life?

Tags: School Club , Slapstick , Coastal , College , Primarily Adult Cast , Seinen , Nudity , Male Protagonist , Scuba Diving , Surreal Comedy , Ensemble Cast , Episodic , Outdoor , Tsundere , Otaku Culture , Crossdressing , Educational , Yandere , Cosplay , Bar , Idol , Tennis

NANA

Also known as NANA.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Music , Romance , Slice of Life

Two twenty-somethings seemingly share nothing in common apart from their first name, but a chance meeting on a train bound for Tokyo sets Nana Komatsu and Nana Oosaki on a collision course with destiny. Nana Komatsu, a love-at-first-sight dreamer, aims to find enduring happiness in the big city. Nana Oosaki, neo punk rock vocalist, pursues her burning ambitions of musical stardom and worldwide fame. As their fates increasingly intertwine, they each chase their dreams — until the harsh realities of life in big city Tokyo threaten to tear everything apart.



Tags: Female Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Band , Coming of Age , Tragedy , Love Triangle , Shoujo , Rock Music , Netorare , Heterosexual , Fashion , Ensemble Cast , College , Kuudere , Age Gap , Nudity , Gyaru , Mahjong , Yuri , Noir

Josee to Tora to Sakanatachi

Also known as Josee, the Tiger and the Fish.

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

The story centers on the relationship between Tsuneo and Josee. Tsuneo is a university student, and Josee is a young girl who has rarely gone out of the house by herself due to her being unable to walk. The two meet when Tsuneo finds Josee's grandmother taking her out for a morning walk.



Tags: Disability , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Tsundere , Heterosexual , Coming of Age , Primarily Adult Cast , Rehabilitation , Tragedy , Drawing , Scuba Diving , Coastal , Josei , College , Love Triangle , Unrequited Love , Mermaid , CGI , Time Skip

Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru

Also known as My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Romance

Akane Kinoshita, a female college student, faces the absolute worst situation when she ends up breaking up with her boyfriend after he has an affair with a woman he met playing an online game. While relieving her stress by rampaging through the open hunting grounds of an online game, Akane spills everything about her heartbreak to “Yamada”, a player she met by chance who happens to be in the same guild. “I don't care,” is his curt reply. But when Akane gets a makeover and joins an offline event to get back at her ex-boyfriend, she hears those dreadful words again. And that was Akane's fateful encounter with “Yamada”─！



Tags: Kuudere , Video Games , Female Protagonist , Heterosexual , Shoujo , Otaku Culture , Primarily Adult Cast , College , Love Triangle , Age Gap , E-Sports , Unrequited Love , Konbini , CGI

Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei

Also known as The Tatami Galaxy.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Mystery , Psychological , Romance

When a college dropout stops for a late night bite at a mysterious ramen stand, he crosses paths with a self-proclaimed deity of matrimony. This bizarre meeting sends the young man hurtling through a horrifying flashback to his not-so-glorious college days when the influence of a cruel new friend turned him from a hopeless romantic into a mischievous “black cupid.”



Tags: Coming of Age , Surreal Comedy , College , Time Loop , Philosophy , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Alternate Universe , Episodic , School Club , Time Manipulation , Achronological Order , Cult , Meta , Heterosexual , Satire , Ensemble Cast , Proxy Battle , LGBTQ+ Themes , Cowboys , Mythology , Cycling , Tennis , Gods

Mushoku Tensei II: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu Part 2

Also known as Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2.

Studio: Studio Bind
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Ecchi , Fantasy

The second cour of Mushoku Tensei II: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu.

Following the faceless god Hitogami's advice seems to have worked wonders for Rudeus Greyrat. After enrolling into the University of Magic as he was told, Rudeus reunites with his childhood friend Sylphiette, who put a valiant effort into curing his condition. The two grow ever closer together and decide to host a wedding party, inviting the friends they have made over the years to announce and formalize their relationship.

For all his recent blessings, however, Rudeus' troubles are far from over. The research he is helping Shizuka Nanahoshi conduct hits a bottleneck, sending her into a deep slump much like he experienced in his previous life. Furthermore, a letter from his father, Paul, brings complications to Rudeus' relationships, and Sylphiette still knows next to nothing about his real background. In the face of these issues, Rudeus will have to apply the lessons he has learned in this new world to navigate through the challenges that come with living a life to its fullest.



Tags: Reincarnation , Isekai , Tragedy , Magic , Coming of Age , Family Life , Male Protagonist , Marriage , Female Harem , Polyamorous , Dungeon , Elf , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Love Triangle , Desert , Hikikomori , Maids , Age Gap , Survival , College , Demons , Gods , Kemonomimi , Disability , Amnesia , Super Power , Language Barrier , Body Horror , Shounen , Delinquents , Gore , School , Pregnant

Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai!

Also known as Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!.

Studio: ENGI
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Ecchi , Romance , Slice of Life

Sakurai Shinichi’s one wish is for a little peace and quiet. But Uzaki Hana–his boisterous, well-endowed underclassman–has other plans. All she wants is to hang out and poke fun at him. With the help of her chipper charm and peppy persistence, this might just be the start of a beautiful relationship!



Tags: Slapstick , Large Breasts , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Heterosexual , Female Protagonist , Tomboy , College , Urban , Episodic , Seinen , Suicide , Video Games , Bullying , Meta

Shiguang Dailiren

Also known as Link Click.

Studio: Studio LAN
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Supernatural , Thriller

In a corner of a bustling city, there is a small shop called "Time Photo Studio" operating as usual. Although the entrance looks abandoned, it's actually run by two men with special abilities: Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang. In order to fulfil customers' requests, Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi work together and use their special abilities to enter photos. However, things don't go as planned...



Note: The final episode aired with a runtime of ~31 minutes.

Tags: Time Manipulation , Body Swapping , Super Power , Photography , Tragedy , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Crime , Episodic , Urban Fantasy , Memory Manipulation , Urban , Suicide , Family Life , Police , College , Office Lady , School , Basketball , Office

Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eien to Jidou Shuki Ningyou

Also known as Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll.

Studio: Kyoto Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Slice of Life

Violet Evergarden comes to a private women's academy to tutor Isabella in the ways of being a lady. Heir to the York family, Isabella feels trapped in this new and uncomfortable world. She still grieves for the only person to ever bring her happiness – now lost to her. Violet's lessons do give her a brief respite from the melancholy but with the absence of joy, how long does it take to truly heal?



Tags: Family Life , Female Protagonist , Writing , Work , Historical , Found Family , Orphan , Time Skip , Foreign , College , Ojou-sama , Primarily Adult Cast , Primarily Female Cast , Rehabilitation , Steampunk , Tragedy , Feet , War , Disability , Nun , Nudity , School , LGBTQ+ Themes

Kanojo, Okarishimasu 2nd Season

Also known as Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 2.

Studio: TMS Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Romance

The second season of Kanojo, Okarishimasu.

A hopeless college student, Kazuya Kinoshita, meets a graceful rental girlfriend, Chizuru Ichinose, and ends up introducing her as his girlfriend to his family and friends. Time goes on with Kazuya unable to tell the truth, as he's surrounded by devilish ex-girlfriend Mami Nanami, who keeps coming back to tempt him for some reason, hyper-aggressive provisional girlfriend Ruka Sarashina, who doesn't know how to take no for an answer, and super shy but diligent and hardworking younger rental girlfriend, Sumi Sakurasawa… beautiful girlfriends of all types! The pub, the beach, hot springs, Christmas, and New Year’s… Having gone through these challenging events, Kazuya's feelings for Chizuru keep growing stronger. But she reveals a shocking truth that threatens to shake their "relationship" to the very core!



Tags: Heterosexual , Female Harem , Love Triangle , Unrequited Love , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Fake Relationship , Kuudere , Tsundere , Female Protagonist , Surreal Comedy , Work , Primarily Female Cast , Slapstick , Masturbation , Urban , Shounen , College , Acting

NEW GAME!

Also known as NEW GAME!.

Studio: Doga Kobo
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

Fresh out of high school, 18-year-old Aoba Suzukaze is bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready for her first day of work at her dream job. She’s joining the character design team at Eagle Jump, the company that makes her favorite video games! But the real world of office culture can be a challenge for a total noob. From her awkward first day to her first game’s debut, she’s got a lot of skills to master. Luckily, her charming determination wins over even her quirkiest of coworkers, and before she knows it, Aoba has joined the party!



Tags: Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Work , Primarily Female Cast , Software Development , Video Games , Office Lady , Female Protagonist , Seinen , Ensemble Cast , Office , Primarily Adult Cast , Urban , Drawing , LGBTQ+ Themes , Episodic , Tomboy , Tanned Skin , Politics , Tsundere , College , Cosplay

Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumei shitemita.

Also known as Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It.

Studio: Zero-G
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Romance

Yukimura Shinya, and Himuro Ayame are two scientists that want to find out if love can be solved by a scientific theory. These two scientists also have feelings for each other and want to be able to solve their true feelings through similar theoretical facts. With this perfect opportunity, these scientists will attempt to solve the theory of the love they express for each other.

Note: All episodes premiered on Amazon on January 11, 2020 but aired weekly on TV.

Tags: Primarily Adult Cast , College , Heterosexual , Educational , School Club , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Episodic , Seinen , Otaku Culture , Video Games

Higashi no Eden

Also known as Eden of the East.

Studio: Production I.G
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Sci-Fi , Thriller

On November 22, 2010 ten missiles strike Japan. However, this unprecedented terrorist act, later to be known as "Careless Monday," does not result in any apparent victims, and is soon forgotten by almost everyone. Then, 3 months later... Saki Morimi is a young woman currently in the United States of America on her graduation trip. But just when she is in front of the White House, Washington DC, she gets into trouble, and only the unexpected intervention of one of her fellow countrymen saves her. However, this man, who introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, is a complete mystery. He appears to have lost his memory, is stark naked, except for the gun he holds in one hand, and the mobile phone he's holding in the other. A phone that is charged with 8,200,000,000 yen in digital cash.



Tags: Amnesia , Primarily Adult Cast , Urban , Terrorism , Death Game , Battle Royale , Male Protagonist , Artificial Intelligence , Conspiracy , Memory Manipulation , Love Triangle , Denpa , Software Development , Crime , Heterosexual , Hikikomori , College , Politics , Nudity , Police , Josei

Bokutachi no Remake

Also known as Remake Our Life!.

Studio: feel.
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

28-year old Hashiba Kyouya has hit a new low after losing his job at a shady game developer. He originally quit his steady office job to work in the creative industries that he admires, but it's proving to be a challenge even for a motivated go-getter like him. As he finds himself back at his parents house, between jobs, he can't help but wonder what would happen if he had a chance to redo his collegiate studies. Maybe things would turn out differently if he had gone to art school instead... and, shockingly enough, he might just get a chance to test that theory.



Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of ~51 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: College , Age Regression , Coming of Age , Time Skip , Time Manipulation , Video Games , Heterosexual , Love Triangle , Drawing , Otaku Culture , Male Protagonist , Female Harem , Work , Filmmaking , Software Development , Acting , Tragedy , Photography , School Club , Primarily Female Cast , Tsundere