The 10 Best High School Anime You Need to Watch Now
High school anime is like a time machine—it brings back the emotions, chaos, and wonder of being a teenager. From unforgettable friendships to emotional rollercoasters, the school setting is the perfect backdrop for all kinds of stories.
What makes it even better? The blend of realism with fantasy, humor, and heartfelt moments. Whether you’re reliving your school days or just discovering the charm of the genre, here’s a countdown of the 10 best high school anime you absolutely need to watch—starting from number 10 all the way to number 1. Let’s go!
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10. A Silent Voice
| Original title | Koe no Katachi |
| Genres | Drama |
| Release Date | 2016 |
Let’s kick off this list with a movie that hits deep. A Silent Voice is the story of Shoya, a boy who once bullied a deaf girl, Shoko, and now seeks redemption years later when they meet again in high school.
It’s a powerful look at guilt, forgiveness, and the long road to healing. The emotions are raw, the animation is stunning, and the message? Absolutely unforgettable. Even though it’s a movie, not a series, it perfectly captures the essence of high school anime with its emotional intensity and deep character arcs.
If you want something that stays with you long after it ends, this is a must-watch.
Related:
10 Heartfelt Anime Like A Silent Voice You Don’t Want to Miss
9. Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)
| Genres | Comedy |
| Release Date | 1999 |
Ever wondered what would happen if a former gangster became a high school teacher? That’s Great Teacher Onizuka in a nutshell—and it’s wild, hilarious, and surprisingly heartwarming.
Eikichi Onizuka doesn’t follow the rules, but he cares deeply for his students. Each episode feels like a life lesson disguised in chaos. From dealing with bullying to helping students overcome personal trauma, Onizuka proves that unconventional methods sometimes make the biggest difference.
It’s edgy, funny, and packed with heart. A true classic.
8. Horimiya
| Genres | Romance |
| Release Date | 2021 |
Tired of cliché romance anime? You’ll love Horimiya. It’s the story of two high schoolers—Hori and Miyamura—who seem like total opposites but connect on a deeper level once they get to know each other outside of school.
What sets Horimiya apart is its honesty. The characters feel real, the emotions are genuine, and the love story is refreshingly sweet. It’s not just about the romance—it’s about vulnerability, trust, and self-acceptance.
This one feels like a warm hug. Simple, relatable, and deeply satisfying.
7. Ouran High School Host Club
| Original title | Ouran Koukou Host Club |
| Genres | Comedy, Romance |
| Release Date | 2006 |
Now for something fun and completely over-the-top: Ouran High School Host Club. When Haruhi, a scholarship student, accidentally breaks a vase at her elite high school, she ends up joining a host club full of charming (and eccentric) boys to pay off her debt.
It’s full of comedy, romance, and social satire. The show pokes fun at rich-kid culture while also exploring deeper topics like identity and class. Haruhi’s gender-bending role and the characters’ chemistry make this a standout in the genre.
It’s a laugh-out-loud experience with surprising depth.
6. ReLIFE
| Genres | Drama, Romance |
| Release Date | 2016 |
What if you could get a second chance at high school? In ReLIFE, a 27-year-old man named Arata gets that chance through an experimental program that transforms him back into a teenager for one year.
While it seems like a fresh start, Arata soon realizes that high school is just as hard the second time around. This anime explores adult struggles, social pressure, and emotional healing—all wrapped in a high school setting.
It’s thought-provoking and full of moments that’ll make you pause and reflect.
5. Toradora!
| Genres | Drama, Romance |
| Release Date | 2008 |
Toradora! is the perfect blend of comedy, awkward teen romance, and heartfelt emotion. It follows Ryuuji, a kind but scary-looking guy, and Taiga, a tiny girl with a fierce attitude. They form an unlikely friendship as they help each other with their respective crushes.
But feelings get messy. The characters are complex and the emotional payoff is massive. Toradora! doesn’t just give you butterflies—it punches you in the gut with how real it gets.
It’s a must-watch for fans of character-driven romance.
4. Clannad
| Genres | Drama, Romance |
| Release Date | 2007 |
Get ready to cry. Clannad isn’t just a love story—it’s a journey through life, friendship, family, and everything in between. The story follows Tomoya, a high school delinquent with a troubled past, who meets Nagisa, a sickly girl with a dream.
What starts as a simple high school drama evolves into something much deeper, especially in its second season, Clannad: After Story. It explores growing up, loss, and what it means to move forward.
If you’re looking for an anime that feels, this is it.
3. Assassination Classroom
| Original title | Ansatsu Kyoushitsu |
| Genres | Action, Comedy |
| Release Date | 2015 |
A yellow tentacle alien threatening to destroy the Earth? Check. A group of misfit students trained to kill him? Also check. Assassination Classroom sounds insane, but it’s one of the most emotional and inspiring high school anime you’ll ever watch.
Koro-sensei, the alien teacher, becomes a mentor like no other. He helps his students grow, believe in themselves, and overcome their personal struggles—even as they try to kill him.
It’s funny, wild, and full of lessons that stick with you. A masterpiece of heart and humor.
2. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
| Original title | Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai |
| Genres | Comedy, Romance |
| Release Date | 2019 |
Love is supposed to be simple… but not in Kaguya-sama: Love is War. Here, it’s a full-blown strategic battle between two genius high schoolers, Kaguya and Shirogane, who are madly in love—but refuse to confess first.
Instead, they launch mind games and emotional traps, trying to make the other one break. The result? Comedy gold and surprisingly deep romantic tension.
The sharp writing, iconic characters, and hilarious inner monologues make this a top-tier romantic comedy. It’s smart, stylish, and endlessly entertaining.
1. My Hero Academia
| Original title | Boku no Hero Academia |
| Genres | Action |
| Release Date | 2016 |
And here it is—the number 1 high school anime you need to watch: My Hero Academia.
Set in a world where having superpowers (quirks) is the norm, this anime follows Izuku Midoriya, a powerless boy who dreams of becoming a hero. When he’s chosen to inherit the power of the greatest hero alive, he gets a chance to attend U.A. High School—where future heroes are trained.
But this isn’t just about flashy fights. It’s about friendship, courage, facing fears, and growing stronger every day. U.A. feels like a real high school—with all the drama, pressure, and hope that comes with it.
Whether you’re new to anime or a seasoned fan, this show has something for everyone. That’s why it tops our list.
Conclusion
High school anime captures something we all relate to—whether it’s the excitement of youth, the pain of growing up, or the beauty of friendship and love. Each anime on this list offers a unique take on that experience, and whether you’re laughing, crying, or gasping at the screen—you’re feeling something real.
So what are you waiting for? Pick one from the list and dive into a world where the classroom is just the beginning of the adventure.
