Kara Dennison
December 25, 2020 
Goodbye 2020, and good riddance. While a lot of things we’re ready to see the back of aren’t tied to a calendar, there’s a sort of catharsis in kissing off this year. We’re in the mood for something light and sweet to bring us some optimism ’til then. And these anime are just the ticket!
Here are a few anime that are happy, optimistic, and just all-around feel-good. Kick back for a marathon to see out these last few days of the year!
Mob Psycho 100
If there’s anyone in anime who knows what it’s like to push past hard times, it’s Mob. This sweet kid packs a punch when it comes to psychic power. And as he spends Mob Psycho 100 trying to protect the people he cares about, he spouts some surprisingly insightful thoughts on our lives and purpose. As we say goodbye to 2020, we’d do well to think a little more like Mob as the new year approaches. No matter what happens to us, we can at the very least decide who we are and how we treat others. It’s not easy… but Mob’s had kind of a rough time, too.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Goodbye 2020, hello dragon maids! Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is weirdly heartwarming, considering it’s a show about a dragon girl who moves in with an office lady and keeps bringing more creatures with her. But despite the full house-ness and the… er, tail-cooking… this is a sweet show that’s won people’s hearts. Kobayashi and Tohru are a lovable and loving pair, whose relationship began when the former pulled a sword out of the latter’s back on a drunk night. A second season is on the way for the two and their many friends, and we’re always happy to see more of these two being absolutely adorable together.
The Helpful Fox Senko-san
Speaking of adorably otherworldly housekeepers, The Helpful Fox Senko-san is like a fluffy blanket wrapped around your anxiety. It’s easy to bid 2020 goodbye when you have an opportunity to Touch Fluffy Tail. Weary office worker Nakano gets the godly treatment when Senko-san arrives to make his dinner, clean his apartment, and generally pamper him. There’s something of a story to it, but mostly it’s just vicarious comfort as both Nakano and his neighbor have someone caring about them after a rough day. (That would be super nice to have this year, wouldn’t it…?) The opening and ending themes are also just adorable.
Teasing Master Takagi-san
Teasing is a subjective experience. If you don’t know the person well enough, it’s rude. But if it’s a close friend — or someone you have a major crush on — it can be welcome and even kind of cute. Teasing Master Takagi-san is named for the student who’s made this latter sort of teasing an art. Classmate Nishikata vows he’s going to get back at her, but she’s the master of her craft. She catches him on the back foot time and time again. As we say goodbye to 2020 and look for something lighter, it’s a reminder of an easier (and much more fun) time. And, too, the joy of in-person conversation. Even if some people are absolute teasing masters, as the title suggests.
BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense
As ready as we are to say goodbye to 2020, we’ve had a lot of fun socializing more in video games — and hopefully that’s something that keeps up. Like BOFURI protagonist Maple, a lot of us just want a chill time gaming with friends. Maple, however, has taken that desire to an extreme. She’s buffed up her character’s defense so much, other players call her the Living Fortress. This nigh-invincible status makes her a headache for the game’s admins, but allows her to have fun at her own pace. Once in a while, that’s definitely the kind of gaming vibe we could use.
How will you be ushering out 2020? Any happy anime you’d recommend for people as the year ends?
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