The Ultimate List of College Life Anime Students

Author: Kōsuke Fujishima
Published by: Kodansha
Volumes: 48 (List of volumes)
Original run: September 1988 – April 2014

Listen up, anime lovers! We’ve got a classic for you older than the average grandpa. But hold your horses, don’t just jump into the 1993 OVA – trust us, you’ll thank us later.

Start with the 2005 TV series for a proper introduction to this timeless gem.

Ah My Goddess is a fan-favorite fantasy romance comedy that’ll have you laughing and swooning. Meet Keiichi Morisato, an engineering student at the Nekomi Institute of Technology.

He’s not your typical anime male lead, with his helpful and kind nature making him a breath of fresh air. But beware, his generosity often attracts those looking to take advantage of him.

Just like in college, Keiichi joins organizations and clubs, in his case, the NIT Motor Club, where two classmates try to exploit his good nature.

But hey, it’s all part of the experience, right?

And let’s not forget the iconic character design of Belldandy, the divine woman who captures Keiichi’s heart.

Author: TAGRO
Genres: Seinen manga, School story, Comedy

We’ve got an anime that’s not for the faint of heart. Get ready for off-the-wall adult humor and a college setting that’ll remind you of your wildest university days.

HenSemi follows a seemingly normal guy who finds himself surrounded by a bunch of quirky characters.

And when we say quirky, we mean it. These folks are extra weird, like the personification of a college student’s id, if you know what we mean.

This anime is fearless in diving into deeper romantic interests, like how college students become more comfortable talking about intimate and sensitive topics.

It’s a hilarious ride, but beware, its style of seinen comedy may only be for some.

Author: Shimoku Kio
Volumes: 21 (List of volumes)
Magazine: Monthly Afternoon
Genres: Seinen manga, School story, Comedy

Are you ready to see yourselves on the big screen? Look no further because Genshiken is the anime for you!

Set in Shiiou University, this anime follows the journey of college freshman Kanji Sasahara as he joins the Genshiken club.

Imagine a place where all the otakus gather to share their love for anime, manga, doujinshi, and conventions.

That’s exactly what the Genshiken club is all about! At first, Kanji is hesitant about joining and embracing his otaku identity, but with the help of his new friends, he learns to embrace who he is and what he loves.

Not every day you find an anime that celebrates loving anime, manga, and nerd culture, but Genshiken does just that.

This anime is perfect for older fans who want to see themselves represented on screen.

Attention all romance and comedy fans! Get ready for the ride of your life with ItaKiss (also known as “Itazura na Kiss”). This series starts in high school, but the fun begins when the main couple enters college.

Meet Kotoko Aihara, who loses her home (that just got built) to an earthquake and has to live with her crush, Naoki Irie. Awkward, right? But Kotoko sees this as an opportunity to win over Naoki’s heart.

This is a beautiful story of two people helping each other reach their goals in life.

Naoki, who never had a clear career path due to his intelligence and success in everything, finds his calling with the help of Kotoko.

Attention all college-goers and anime fans! Get ready to relive the magic of campus life with Love Hina.

Imagine leaving home and living in a dorm on campus, experiencing the thrill of independence and adventure.

But for Keitaro Urashima, that dream is momentarily put on hold as he didn’t get into Tokyo University.

Like any determined college student, Keitaro decides to move to Tokyo anyway and study for the entrance exam.

Little did he know, upon arriving in the city, he would become a dorm manager for an all-girls dorm and find himself in an almost harem situation.

Love Hina captures the essence of college life, from living in a dorm and meeting new people to falling in love.

Get ready for a journey back in 2002 with the classic anime Ai Yori Aoshi. This series has it all – harem, a slice of life, drama, and comedy, making it an insightful look into college and family life.

But this isn’t just any harem anime; it’s a more serious and thought-provoking look at the challenges faced by Kaoru Hanabishi, a student at Meiritsu University who’s part of the photography club.

Kaoru left his hometown for the city due to the unfair and unbearable treatment he and his mother faced from their family.

Enter Aoi Sakuraba, who is a mystery to Kaoru at first, but soon he realizes she’s his fiancée. Many of us can relate to family problems, and college can provide a much-needed escape.

Attention all adventure seekers and college-goers! Grand Blue is a wild and wacky world waiting to be discovered.

Imagine going to college in a coastal town surrounded by a diving culture.

Freshman Iori Kitahara is living the dream as he moves to the sunny shores of the Izu Peninsula to pursue his college education.

And the cherry on top? He gets to live above his uncle’s scuba diving shop!

But wait, there’s more! As Iori settles into the town, he meets the members of the Diving Club.

And let’s just say, they have a unique approach to diving – by spending most of their time drinking and partying. Can Iori balance being a wild and crazy college student and learning to dive?

Grand Blue is the perfect blend of adventure, comedy, and college life.

Just because you’re in the prime of your life, with endless possibilities ahead, doesn’t mean life won’t throw unexpected responsibilities your way.

Meet 18-year-old Yuuta Segawa, who’s excited to start university life at the School of Literature at Tama University and become a Street Observation Research Society member.

But just as he starts his journey, disaster strikes.

His sister and her husband are on a plane that goes missing, and they are presumed dead, leaving behind three daughters.

Yuuta, who was taken care of by his sister after their parents passed, now has the chance to give back and be a father figure to these three girls.

Balancing college and fatherhood won’t be easy, but Yuuta is determined to rise to the challenge.

Yuuta Segawa explores the complexities and emotional depths of college life.

Get ready to lace up your running shoes and join the race with Run With The Wind.

While many sports anime like Haikyu focus on junior high and high school athletics, Run With The Wind takes it to the next level with university-level running.

Meet Kakeru Kuraha, a former high school runner who’s now a college student.

After a series of unfortunate events, Kakeru ends up living in a dorm room filled with aspiring runners with their sights set on competing in the prestigious Hakone Ekiden relay marathon.

Little does he know, he’s one of the only experienced runners in the room.

Golden Time was the anime sensation of 2014 that had everyone talking, and it wasn’t just because of Banri’s meme-worthy spirit.

Banri Tada suffered a major setback when he lost some of his memories in a post-graduation accident, but that wasn’t going to stop him from starting fresh.

He enrolled in a private law school and was ready to take on the world, especially after he met Mitsuo Yanagisawa, his new BFF.

But things took a hilarious turn when Mitsuo was smacked in the face with a bouquet by a stunning woman. Mitsuo and the woman made a childhood promise to tie the knot, but Mitsuo had a different plan.

He thought he could escape by attending a private law school, but Kouko Kaga followed him to the same school.

So what does Banri’s spirit have to do with all this drama? Well, that’s for you to uncover in this quirky, entertaining anime.

Maison Ikkoku is a timeless classic that proves that age is just a number. Whether you’re looking for a romantic or college-based anime, this 96-episode series (plus a movie!) has it all.

Meet Yusaku Godai, a 19-year-old preparing for the college entrance exams and living in the chaotic boarding house, Maison Ikkoku.

With his solitude constantly interrupted by his noisy and mischievous roommates, Yusaku was ready to move out. But that all changed when he met Kyoko Otanashi, the new boarding house manager.

Yusaku falls head over heels in love with Kyoko despite her painful past as a widow. Can these two overcome their struggles to find love and happiness together?

Maison Ikkoku is a gem that will make you wish for even more episodes. It’s rare for an anime to follow its characters from their early 20s to adulthood with such depth and humanity.

Science Fell In Love is a fresh anime sensation that made its debut in the Winter of 2020, but it’s already on its way to becoming a timeless college classic.

The cast of characters is a mix of quirky personalities, starting with Himuro, the beautiful scientist who takes the lead in confessing her love, and Yukimura, the serious student who becomes the object of her affection.

With the help of their fun-loving group mates, Kanade, the newbie; Inukai, the RPG fanatic; and Ibarada, the level-headed elder statesman, embark on a series of wild experiments to uncover the truth about love.

Nodame Cantabile is music to the ears of fans of “Your Lie In April”! This anime about college-aged musicians perfectly combines drama, humor, and romance.

Meet Chiaki and Nodame, two musicians from completely different worlds. Chiaki, a former child prodigy, is a perfectionist who is overly critical of himself and others, while Nodame is a carefree spirit who refuses to play by anyone’s rules.

When these two opposites collide, they begin to change each other in unexpected ways, and a beautiful relationship blooms.

Nodame Cantabile is a journey of self-discovery, following artists as they strive to live up to their expectations and those of others.

Characters: Natsusa Yuzuki, Yasunari Tsuru, Ibuki Ueoka, MORE
Genre: Sports
Original network: Tokyo MX
Original run: January 8, 2020 – April 15, 2020
Studio: PRA
Written by: Rika Nakase

Number24 is the ultimate college sports anime that proves that nothing quite bonds a group of students like a shared love of the game.

Meet the ragtag crew of the Doshisha University rugby team, each with their own set of problems but united by their passion for rugby.

Natsusa Yuzuki, the former star player, may no longer be able to play due to an injury, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to step away from the game completely.

Instead, he becomes the team’s manager and leads the charge toward victory, bringing along a cast of fit, young, and hilariously entertaining characters.

So if you miss the excitement of college sports, Number24 is the anime for you.

When it comes to college life, Honey and Clover take the cake! This josei and slice-of-life series isn’t just a classic; it’s a must-watch for anyone looking for a heartwarming story about people at a crossroads.

Meet Yuuta Takemoto, a college sophomore who took up architecture because he loved building things as a kid.

But now, he’s unsure what career he wants after graduation and has trouble confessing his feelings to Hagumi.

His family history has shaped his life, including the loss of his father at a young age and a strained relationship with his stepfather.

Still, he knows deep down that his stepfather is a reliable husband and father.

The Tatami Galaxy takes us on a wild ride through the wonders of do-overs! Imagine if you could go back in time and change your past mistakes.

That’s exactly what our lonely college student, Watashi, is about to experience.

As he reflects on his college life, Watashi realizes it could have been much better.

Instead of spending time with his friend Ozu spreading negativity, he’s allowed to start over. And boy, does he take advantage of it!

As Watashi discovers the power of his choices, he learns that college life is all about making the most of it.

The Tatami Galaxy is a unique anime that breaks the mold with its unconventional style and storytelling.