YuruYuri delights with its blend of slice-of-life comedy, quirky character dynamics, and light yuri undertones, following middle school girls in an “Amusement Club.”
The series thrives on absurd humor, heartwarming friendships, and subverting typical school anime tropes.
These underrated gems capture similar charm, offering fresh takes on comedy, camaraderie, and chaotic school life.
1. Asobi Asobase (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Three girls form a chaotic “Pastimers Club,” engaging in absurd challenges like competitive farting and exorcising ghosts.
Similarities: Over-the-top humor and surreal scenarios mirror YuruYuri’s ridiculous antics, with equally eccentric characters.
Details: 12 episodes · MAL 7.8 · Studio: Lerche.
2. Yuyushiki (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Girls in a data-processing club turn mundane tasks into absurdist debates, like pondering why rice crackers exist.
Similarities: Random humor and a trio of girls with contrasting personalities, akin to Yui, Kyōko, and Chinatsu.
Details: 12 episodes · MAL 7.0 · Studio: Kinema Citrus.
3. Wasteful Days of High School Girls (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Eccentric students embrace absurdity, from fake literary clubs to inventing useless “life philosophies.”
Similarities: Celebrates mundane chaos and quirky friendships, much like the Amusement Club’s shenanigans.
Details: 12 episodes · MAL 7.4 · Studio: Passione.
4. Sabage-bu! (Survival Game Club!) (2014)
Streaming: HiDIVE
Plot: Girls engage in hyper-dramatic airsoft battles, blending action with ridiculous theatrics.
Similarities: Over-the-top scenarios and deadpan humor, reflecting YuruYuri’s flair for dramatic irony.
Details: 12 episodes · MAL 7.2 · Studio: Lerche.
5. Love Lab (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Student council members research romance through hilariously misguided experiments, like practicing kisses on mannequins.
Similarities: Satirical take on school life and comedic misunderstandings, akin to Chinatsu’s delusional crushes.
Details: 13 episodes · MAL 7.3 · Studio: Doga Kobo.
6. Hinamatsuri (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A yakuza member adopts a telekinetic girl, balancing crime with paternal chaos.
Similarities: Mixes supernatural absurdity with heartfelt moments, mirroring YuruYuri’s tonal balance.
Details: 12 episodes · MAL 8.0 · Studio: Feel.
7. Tesagure! Bukatsu-mono (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Club members improvise skits with minimal animation, breaking the fourth wall.
Similarities: Meta-humor and playful parody of school club tropes.
Details: 12 episodes · MAL 6.8 · Studio: ILCA.
8. Gal & Dino (2020)
Streaming: Funimation
Plot: A party girl befriends a dinosaur, leading to surreal adventures like karaoke nights at convenience stores.
Similarities: Absurdist comedy and unpredictable character chemistry.
Details: 12 episodes · MAL 6.5 · Studio: Space Neko Company.
9. Joshiraku (2012)
Streaming: HiDIVE
Plot: Rakugo club girls dissect Japanese puns and societal quirks with rapid-fire wit.
Similarities: Wordplay-heavy humor and a focus on quirky female friendships.
Details: 13 episodes · MAL 7.4 · Studio: J.C.Staff.
10. Aiura (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Episodic shorts following girls navigating school life, from crab encounters to snack-time drama.
Similarities: Low-stakes comedy and charmingly trivial conflicts.
Details: 12 episodes (4 min. each) · MAL 6.5 · Studio: Liden Films.
11. Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A club with no purpose parodies anime tropes, like debating the merits of “moe” blobs.
Similarities: Self-aware humor and satire of slice-of-life conventions.
Details: 12 episodes · MAL 6.6 · Studio: Nexus.
12. Tonari no Seki-kun (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A boy’s classroom antics—like staging samurai battles with erasers—distract his seatmate.
Similarities: Observational humor and creative subversion of school routines.
Details: 21 episodes (7 min. each) · MAL 7.5 · Studio: Shin-Ei Animation.
13. Mangirl! (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Girls launch a manga magazine, facing chaos like deadlines and incompetent editors.
Similarities: Lighthearted workplace comedy with a focus on female camaraderie.
Details: 13 episodes (4 min. each) · MAL 5.9 · Studio: Earth Star Entertainment.
14. Fukigen na Mononokean (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A boy exorcises spirits with a grumpy yōkai master, blending supernatural drama with dry humor.
Similarities: Quirky character dynamics and low-key comedy amidst bizarre scenarios.
Details: 24 episodes · MAL 7.3 · Studio: Pierrot Plus.
15. Hitori Bocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A socially anxious girl vows to befriend her entire class, one awkward interaction at a time.
Similarities: Heartfelt humor and emphasis on friendship-building, akin to Chizuru’s arc.
Details: 12 episodes · MAL 7.5 · Studio: C2C.
Why These Anime Work for YuruYuri Fans
These series capture YuruYuri’s essence through absurd humor, endearing character bonds, and creative subversion of school-life tropes.
From Asobi Asobase’s chaotic energy to Hitori Bocchi’s heartfelt awkwardness, each offers a unique spin on friendship-driven comedy.
Their underrated status ensures fresh narratives and inventive laughs, perfect for fans craving more whimsical, character-centric storytelling.
Whether through surreal gags or quiet moments of growth, these picks deliver the same joy and camaraderie that make YuruYuri timeless.
