It introduces you to the fascinating world of the best high school anime series, where you’ll find a wide selection of programs that masterfully depict the struggles, perils, and adventures of kids coping with the ups and downs of adolescence.
High school is the backdrop for some of the most memorable and relatable stories in the anime world, and this guide is your gateway to the best of the best.
Fun, heartfelt, and often poignant, high school anime series have an enduring appeal for fans of all ages.
Whether you’re drawn to romantic comedies, action-packed dramas, or supernatural mysteries, a high school anime will pique your interest.
You’ll find stories filled with friendships, first loves, self-discovery, and life lessons, all set against the backdrop of school life.
In this article, we’ll journey through the best high school anime series that have left a lasting impact on viewers.
1. K-ON!
K-ON! centers around the heartwarming and musical adventures of the light music club at Sakuragaoka High School.
The story follows Yui Hirasawa, a carefree and clumsy girl who stumbles upon the club’s room during her first year.
Intrigued by the idea of joining, she picks up the guitar and, despite having no prior experience, becomes the club’s lead guitarist.
As Yui joins her fellow club members—Mio Akiyama, Ritsu Tainaka, Tsumugi Kotobuki, and Azusa Nakano—they form the band Ho-kago Tea Time.
Together, they experience the highs and lows of high school life, from practicing for their school’s cultural festival to bonding over tea and sweets.
The series beautifully captures the essence of friendship, perseverance, and the joy of making music with friends. K-ON! is one of the best high school Anime series.
2. Toradora!
Toradora! tells the story of Ryuuji Takasu, a high school student with an intimidating face that contrasts with his gentle personality, and Taiga Aisaka, a petite but fiercely independent girl with a fiery temper. Toradora is one of the best high school anime series.
Fate brings them together when they discover each other’s crushes: Ryuuji likes Taiga’s best friend, Minori Kushieda, while Taiga is infatuated with Ryuuji’s best friend, Yuusaku Kitamura.
In an unlikely alliance, Ryuuji and Taiga agree to help each other win the hearts of their respective crushes.
Their journey unfolds as they navigate the complexities of high school life, friendship, and love. Along the way, they encounter misunderstandings, rivalries, and a rollercoaster of emotions.
As Ryuuji and Taiga spend more time together, their initial arrangement becomes a deep and genuine connection.
The series masterfully explores the themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the unpredictability of romance.
3. Nichijou
Nichijou, meaning My Ordinary Life, is anything but ordinary. This anime follows the absurd, surreal, and hilarious daily experiences of three high school girls, Mio Naganohara, Yuuko Aioi, and Mai Minakami, and the addition of a peculiar robot girl, Nano Shinonome.
The show is a comedy rollercoaster, with over-the-top gags and exaggerated reactions in mundane situations.
Yuuko’s misadventures at school, Mio’s struggles with her imagination, and Mai’s penchant for absurd pranks create a chaotic and unpredictable atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Nano, who wants to live an everyday life, grapples with her eccentric inventor, Professor Hakase, and a talking cat named Sakamoto. Nichijou is one of the best high school anime series.
Nichijou is known for its surreal humor, including scenes like Yuuko wrestling a deer or Mai battling a goat, all set against a backdrop of the most ordinary and unremarkable school life.
The absurdity of the situations makes this anime truly unique and side-splittingly funny.
4. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya revolves around Kyon, a high school student who meets the enigmatic and eccentric Haruhi Suzumiya. This anime is one of the best high school anime series.
Haruhi is bored with the mundane world and seeks out the extraordinary, believing in the existence of aliens, time travellers, and espers.
She forms the SOS Brigade, recruiting Kyon and other students with unique abilities to investigate the supernatural.
The catch? Haruhi is unknowingly a god-like being with the power to shape reality, and her moods can inadvertently reshape the world.
Kyon must keep her entertained and prevent her from inadvertently destroying or altering the world as they know it.
5. Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket follows the life of Tohru Honda, a kind and resilient high school girl who, after losing her mother, lives in a tent in the woods.
She stumbles upon the Soma family, who take her in after learning about her situation.
Tohru soon discovers a secret: some members of the Soma family are cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by the opposite sex.
As Tohru becomes friends with the Soma family members and learns more about their curses, she becomes determined to break the cycle of the zodiac curse and heal the family’s emotional wounds.
Along the way, she encounters love, friendship, and the complexities of family bonds. The series delves into acceptance, forgiveness, and the power of unconditional love.
Tohru’s compassion and optimism gradually impact the lives of the Soma family, leading to profound personal growth and emotional healing. Fruits Basket is one of the best high school anime series.
6. A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice, also known as Koe no Katachi, tells the poignant story of Shoya Ishida, a high school student who once bullied a deaf classmate named Shoko Nishimiya.
Shoya’s actions lead to Shoko transferring schools and enduring a difficult childhood.
Years later, burdened by guilt and remorse, Shoya decides to seek redemption and make amends with Shoko.
The film explores themes of bullying, forgiveness, and communication.
As Shoya and Shoko reconnect, they navigate the complexities of their past actions and the challenges of expressing themselves. A Silent Voice is one of the best high school anime series.
Shoya learns sign language to communicate with Shoko, and in doing so, he begins to understand the beauty of genuine human connection.
A Silent Voice is a moving and reflective story that portrays the struggles of its characters with sensitivity and depth.
7. Classroom of the Elite
Classroom of the Elite is set in a prestigious high school, where students are divided into classes based on their academic performance.
The story follows Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, a seemingly indifferent and low-profile student in Class D.
However, it’s revealed that this school has a hidden system where students are awarded points for their achievements, and Class D is full of students with untapped potential. Classroom for Elites is one of the best anime high school anime series.
Kiyotaka, along with his classmates Suzune Horikita and Kikyou Kushida, embarks on a journey to outsmart the system, climb the ranks, and uncover the mysteries of their school.
The series explores themes of competition, social hierarchy, and the lengths to which students will go to succeed in this high-stakes environment.
8. Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)
Great Teacher Onizuka follows the unconventional journey of Eikichi Onizuka, a former gang member and biker who becomes a high school teacher at Holy Forest Academy.
Initially, he takes the job to get closer to attractive female students, but he soon discovers his genuine passion for teaching and mentoring students.
Onizuka’s unorthodox methods and street-smart wisdom help him connect with his troubled students, who often deal with bullying, family problems, and academic struggles.
He takes it upon himself to instill confidence, values, and life lessons in his students while facing various challenges and opposition from his colleagues and the school’s strict administration. This anime is one of the best high school anime series.
The series is a heartwarming and comedic exploration of Onizuka’s transformation from a delinquent to an inspirational educator.
It touches on themes of redemption, youth, and the power of understanding and empathy in changing lives.
9. Hyouka
Hyouka revolves around the life of Oreki Houtarou, a self-proclaimed energy-saving high school student who prefers to live a quiet and uneventful life.
However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he joins the school’s Classics Club at the urging of his older sister.
In the club, he meets the curious and enthusiastic Eru Chitanda, who constantly seeks to solve mysteries, and his friends Satoshi Fukube and Mayaka Ibara.
Although Oreki initially resists getting involved, he is drawn into a series of small mysteries and puzzles at school and in the club’s history.
10. Kokoro Connect
Kokoro Connect centers around a group of high school friends who suddenly find themselves caught in a mysterious phenomenon.
Taichi Yaegashi, Iori Nagase, Himeko Inaba, Yoshifumi Aoki, and Yui Kiriyama discover they can swap bodies without warning.
This bizarre occurrence is orchestrated by a mischievous entity known as Heartseed. Kokoro Connect is one of the best high school anime series.
As the friends grapple with this strange situation, they must confront the challenges of occupying each other’s bodies and confront their insecurities and secrets.
Heartseed forces them to face their innermost feelings and confront unresolved issues from their pasts.
Kokoro Connect is a thought-provoking series that delves into themes of identity, empathy, and the complexities of human relationships.
It explores how individuals adapt to sudden changes in their lives and how the bonds of friendship are tested and strengthened through adversity.
11. Horimiya
Horimiya follows the lives of Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, two high school students who have hidden sides to their personalities.
Hori is a popular and outgoing girl at school, while Miyamura is a quiet and unassuming student.
However, they both have secret lives outside of school that nobody knows about. They discover each other’s hidden personas when their paths cross outside school.
Hori discovers that Miyamura has piercings and tattoos, while Miyamura learns that Hori is a caring older sister.
A deep connection forms between them as they bond over their shared secrets.
The series explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and love as Hori and Miyamura’s relationship develops.
It also delves into the lives of their friends and classmates, each with their unique personalities and struggles.
Horimiya is a heartwarming and relatable portrayal of high school life, emphasizing that people are more complex than they may appear on the surface. Horimiya is one of the best high school anime series.
12. Komi Can’t Communicate
Komi Can’t Communicate centers around Shoko Komi, a high school girl with extreme social anxiety to the point where she’s virtually unable to communicate with her classmates.
Despite her beauty, she struggles to make friends and fulfill her dream of having 100 friends in high school.
One day, she encounters Hitohito Tadano, an ordinary boy who is exceptionally good at reading people’s emotions.
Tadano decides to help Komi achieve her goal and become more socially adept.
Together, they embark on a journey to find friends and overcome Komi’s communication challenges. Komi is one of the best high school anime series.
The series combines comedy, slice-of-life, and heartwarming moments as Komi gradually emerges from her shell and interacts with various quirky classmates, each with unique personalities and struggles.
It emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and the beauty of forming genuine connections with others.
13. Angel Beats!
Angel Beats unfolds in the afterlife, where a group of deceased teenagers finds themselves in a mysterious and liminal world.
The story revolves around Otonashi, an amnesiac who awakens in this realm and encounters a rebellious girl named Yuri Nakamura.
Yuri leads a group known as the SSS (Shinda Sekai Sensen or Afterlife Battlefront), which opposes an enigmatic girl they call Angel.
Their afterlife seems like a high school, but it’s a place where the deceased confront unresolved issues and grudges from their past lives.
Each member of the SSS possesses unique abilities and battles against Angel, believing that by doing so, they can challenge the fate of oblivion that awaits them. Angel Beats is one of the best high school anime series.
As Otonashi becomes involved with the SSS, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
The series delves into themes of life, death, regrets, and the importance of moving on.
14. My Hero Academia
In a world where superpowers known as Quirks are every day, My Hero Academia centers on Izuku Midoriya, a Quirkless boy who dreams of becoming a hero like his idol, All Might.
His fate changes when he encounters All Might and inherits the legendary hero’s Quirk, One For All.
Midoriya enters the U.A. High School, a prestigious academy for aspiring heroes.
He undergoes rigorous training to become a Pro Hero alongside his classmates, including the fiery Katsuki Bakugo and the intelligent Ochaco Uraraka.
The series explores themes of heroism, friendship, and the responsibilities that come with power.
It introduces a diverse cast of characters with unique Quirks and challenges.
As the students confront villains and face life-threatening situations, they grow as individuals and heroes-in-training. My Hero Academia is one of the best high school anime series.
15. Assassination classroom
In Assassination Classroom, Earth faces an unprecedented threat when a powerful and seemingly indestructible creature known as Koro-sensei, with a yellow octopus-like appearance, announces his intention to destroy the planet within a year.
However, he offers humanity a strange proposition: he becomes a teacher at a prestigious Japanese high school, Class 3-E.
He instructs the students on the condition that they try to assassinate him. Assassination Classroom is one of the best high school anime series.
The Japanese government agrees, and the students, armed with various weapons and tactics, embark on a mission to eliminate their otherworldly teacher.
As they get to know Koro-sensei, they discover he’s an excellent educator who genuinely cares about their growth and well-being.
The series delves into themes of friendship, personal development, and the impact of a caring teacher.
16. A Place Further Than The Universe
A Place Further Than The Universe follows the story of Mari Tamaki, a high school girl who feels her life is mundane and unfulfilled.
Her world changes when she encounters Shirase Kobuchizawa, a girl determined to embark on an expedition to Antarctica to find her missing mother.
Inspired by Shirase’s passion and desire for adventure, Mari joins her on the journey.
Together, they recruit two more companions, Hinata Miyake and Yuzuki Shiraishi, and set off on a life-altering expedition to the icy continent.
Along the way, they face numerous challenges, confront their fears, and form deep bonds of friendship. This anime is one of the best high school anime series.
The series explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the pursuit of dreams.
It beautifully portrays each character’s growth and transformation as they venture into uncharted territory and push their limits.
17. Orange
Orange revolves around Naho Takamiya, a high school girl who receives a letter from her future self.
The letter details the events of the upcoming school year, including the arrival of a new transfer student named Kakeru Naruse.
Future Naho regrets being unable to save Kakeru from a tragic fate and implores herself to change the course of events.
With the knowledge from the letter, Naho and her friends, who also receive similar letters, attempt to alter the future and prevent Kakeru’s untimely death.
However, they face challenges and uncertainties as they navigate the complexities of teenage life and deal with their regrets and feelings. Orange is one of the best high school anime series.
The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the impact of small decisions on one’s life.
It portrays the characters’ struggles and growth as they grapple with the weight of their future knowledge and strive to make a positive difference in Kakeru’s life.
18. Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club centers around Haruhi Fujioka, a bright and hardworking scholarship student who accidentally stumbles into the luxurious world of the Ouran Academy’s Host Club.
The Host Club is a group of charming male students who entertain and cater to the desires of their female clientele.
Mistaken for a boy due to her short hair and modest attire, Haruhi is roped into becoming a host to repay a debt after accidentally breaking a valuable vase.
As the only commoner among the wealthy and eccentric host club members, Haruhi initially needs help to fit in.
However, her natural charm and genuine kindness quickly win over her fellow hosts and the club’s clients.
Each host member has a unique personality, from the princely Tamaki Suoh to the stoic Kyoya Ootori.
The series combines humor, romance, and moments of genuine emotion as Haruhi navigates the comical and heartwarming misadventures of the Host Club. Ouran is one of the best high school anime series.
19. Nisekoi
Nisekoi, also known as False Love, follows the life of Raku Ichijou, the heir to a yakuza family, and Chitoge Kirisaki, the daughter of a rival gang leader.
To prevent an all-out gang war, Raku and Chitoge are forced to pretend to be in a romantic relationship, complete with a fake love locket that only opens when their true love is found.
Despite their initial hostility, Raku and Chitoge gradually develop feelings for each other.
However, complications arise as Raku’s heart is divided among several girls, including his childhood friend Onodera and other girls who enter his life.
The series combines romantic comedy, harem, and slice-of-life elements as Raku navigates the challenges of balancing his obligations to his yakuza family with his growing feelings for the girls in his life.
Each character has their quirks and secrets, adding depth to the story.
Nisekoi is a lighthearted and comedic exploration of young love and the complexities of navigating relationships.
It combines humor, romance, and a touch of mystery as characters search for the key to Raku’s locket and uncover their own hidden emotions.
