The 25 Best High School Anime to Watch (Ranked)

What are the best high school anime to watch?

Anime is filled with series that follow the daily lives of characters in high school, but some have had a bigger impact than others.

If you’re a fan of anime high school hijinks and you’re after another great show to watch, you’ve come to the right place.

Today we’re rounding up the greatest high school anime shows that you need to watch right now.

The 25 Best High School Anime to Watch Ranked

Our ranked lists are created by researching and rounding up information from the biggest anime sites across the web.

We’ve considered the popularity and impact of each show to ensure that each one is worth watching.

If you’re ready to relive your school days, here’s our list of the 25 best high school anime series to watch:

25. The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K

Kusuo Saiki is one of the strongest anime characters, and even he has trouble dealing with high school life!

While he seemingly has limitless psychic powers, Saiki spends his time surviving school, talking to ghosts, and helping cats find dates.

He definitely isn’t the type to go around fighting crime or trying to make the world a better place.

If you haven’t already guessed, the Disastrous Life of Saiki K is a comedy anime that is completely ridiculous and over-the-top.

This high school anime is chaotic and crazy, but fans can’t get enough.

24. Horimiya

Horimiya is high school anime meets romance, and it is one of the best in terms of fleshing out characters.

However, it not only focuses on the relationship between the main characters but also those of the supporting cast.

This anime is all about showing how opposites can attract, but in a new and inventive way that doesn’t feel like an overused trope.

A chance encounter between popular girl Hori and quiet introvert Miyamura is all it takes to kick off this whirlwind high school romance.

From there, the story that plays out is incredibly heartfelt, keeping viewers engaged until the very end.

23. Magical Sempai

Magical Sempai is an extremely cute anime, and each episode is short but filled with magical shenanigans.

Each 12-minute episode revolves around an unnamed sempai who starts her own magic club at school.

Unfortunately for her, she ends up recruiting a helper who suffers from terrible stage fright, which results in many of her tricks ending badly.

Despite some setbacks, the titular magical sempai does end up learning new tricks, including mind reading!

22. Komi Can’t Communicate

One of the most popular anime series on Netflix, and the story revolves around Komi, a high school girl suffering from extreme social anxiety.

However, her classmates aren’t aware of her anxieties, and only Hitohito Tadano realizes that she struggles to communicate.

This leads to him promising to help her make at least 100 friends, which kicks off their slow-burn romance.

Not only is their dynamic incredibly well-written, but it’s fun to watch the pair together as they navigate through high school.

Although Komi Can’t Communicate season 3 hasn’t been announced, the chief director has stated he would love to continue the series.

21. ReLIFE

ReLIFE answers the question, “What would you do differently if you could do it over again?” only in terms of re-living your high school years.

This anime revolves around Arata Kaizaki, an adult who is frustrated after searching for a job.

However, when a mysterious man offers him a pill to become 10 years younger as part of an experiment, he jumps at the chance to start over.

While re-living high school, Arata learns some important life lessons and discovers that a few of his classmates might be harboring some secrets of their own.

Overall, it’s a really fascinating anime that provides a unique twist on the standard high school setting.

20. Oresuki: Are You The Only One Who Loves Me?

Like many high school anime series, Oresuki is both hilarious and engaging, especially for fans of love triangles.

After the main character, Joro, is asked by two girls to speak privately, he gets his hopes up that they will confess their love to him.

Unfortunately, both of the girls are into his best friend, Oga, and he ends up simply hoping to date whoever his friend rejects.

Things end up taking a turn when a quiet library girl, Sumeriko, ends up confessing to Joro, but then Oga ends up being interested in her!

It may not result in one of the best anime couples, but Oresuki is definitely worth a watch if you love comedy.

19. Angel Beats 

Angel Beats may be set in a high school, but it certainly is unlike any that can be found in real life.

This series follows Yuzuru Otonashi, who wakes up in an unfamiliar school just as one of the best white-haired anime girls, Kanade, is being shot at.

He soon learns that instead of being at your average high school, he is trapped in a purgatory for students who have died with unresolved issues.

This starts a fascinating story about finding peace or rebelling against the hand fate dealt you, and every character has a unique story to tell.

18. Kakegurui

Set in a prestigious school for only the wealthiest students, Kakegurui seems like an average school during the day but changes completely at night.

Instead of staying late to study math, the students at this school learn all about gambling and manipulation.

From high-stakes poker to blackjack and roulette, these students learn all about taking risks and playing the odds.

However, gambling can easily get out of hand, and the main character is willing to go all or nothing in hopes of a major payout.

17. We Never Learn: BOKUBEN

Similar to Quintessential Quintuplets, which we cover below, We Never Learn is all about friendship and a hilarious harem.

This anime revolves around a smart boy, Nariyuki Yuiga, who’s privately tutoring three girls, but soon gets more than he bargained for.

It’s a heartwarming story overall, but it doesn’t lack plenty of laughs that help keep it light.

There are plenty of twists and turns throughout that make it a fantastic high school series that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

16. My Hero Academia

All anime fans have heard of My Hero Academia, which follows the stories of high school students training to be superheroes.

Every student at the school has a unique quirk, which they must learn how to control and use to help save the day.

Not only is this series filled with memorable characters, but it also boasts some incredible storylines.

If you’re a fan of the superhero genre, this is the perfect high school anime to binge-watch.

15. Yamada-kun And The Seven Witches

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches is a classic harem anime based around seven magical girls.

Everything kicks off when Ryu Yamada knocks into one of his classmates only to realize that they have switched bodies when they come to.

Ryu quickly discovers that his school is home to seven witches, which casts him into the world of mind-reading, invisibility, and much more.

This anime has a little something for everyone to enjoy, from heart-felt moments to pure comedy.

It also has some of the best blonde-haired anime girls, which makes it even more enjoyable!

14. After The Rain

After the Rai is thankfully not as problematic as it seemed at first glance, but it did stir up some controversy when it debuted.

This anime centers around high schooler Akira, who ends up falling for her middle-aged boss after an injury sidelined her from running track.

Fortunately, the story doesn’t go anywhere uncouth and instead becomes a touching tale about building self-confidence and healing.

Most teenagers have had crushes on someone older than them, and this anime plays into that perfectly without crossing any lines.

Overall, After the Rain proves to be a sweet and sometimes funny series that is definitely worth watching.

13. Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai

This psychological anime focuses on adolescence syndrome, and it begins when high schooler Sakuta sees his sempai in a bunny girl outfit.

However, as he watches her roaming around the library, it appears as if no one else can see her, which opens up a lot of strange questions.

What exactly is adolescence syndrome? Well, you’ll have to discover that for yourself as Sakuta tries to solve the mystery himself.

This anime mixes supernatural elements with a bit of comedy and a touch of romance to create a compelling story that you have to see for yourself.

12. Another

What do you get when you mix romantic anime with horror? Another.

This gruesome horror anime revolves around Koichi Sakakibara, who transfers to a new school and finds everyone acting strangely.

However, before he can really get his bearings, people start dying around him in horrific ways.

It ends up falling on Koichi to solve the mystery of the cursed classroom or fall victim to it himself.

No spoilers for this one because it really is something you have to experience for yourself!

11. Nichijou

Nichijou boasts one of the best short-haired anime girls, Yuuko, and it is completely wild from start to finish.

Every episode keeps you on your toes, and all of the characters are much more than they appear.

The story revolves around Yukko, Mio, and Mai, who get into so many crazy situations it’s easy to get whiplash while watching each episode.

Oh, and there is also a talking cat, just in case you need more incentive to check this anime out.

There is a lot to unwrap in Nichijou, but it never stops being a hilariously good time from start to finish.

10. Haikyuu!

This high school sports anime follows aspiring player Hinata Shoyo who dreams of becoming the best in Japan.

However, when he starts his high school career, he discovers that his rival, Tobio Kageyama, is going to be his teammate.

The pair then have to learn to put their differences aside and work together to take on some of the best volleyball teams in the country.

Haikyuu! is incredibly engaging, even for those who aren’t fans of the sport, and the development of Hinata and Tobio’s relationship is the cherry on top.

9. Azumanga Daioh!

Azumanga Daioh has everything you would expect from a classic high school anime series.

It follows six main characters who all annoy each other while getting up to hijinks and sometimes running for their lives.

What’s more, their teachers are just as crazy as them, if not more so, and things are always getting out of hand at school.

Still, there are some heart-warming moments, especially as you get to watch all of the girls grow up together and graduate.

8. Ouran High School Host Club

This classic series follows Haruhi Suzumiya, one of the best brunette anime girls, who joins the host club to make up for breaking a valuable vase.

However, Haruhi must pretend to be a boy while serving the host club, kicking off a hilarious reverse harem.

Surprisingly, she earns tons of fans and quickly forms an interesting bond with the other members of the club.

Ouran High School Host Club isn’t afraid to poke fun at the classic tropes of the shojo genre, and the results are hilarious.

7. Toradora!

Toradora! follows the story of the small but mighty Taiga Aisaka, who has earned a reputation for being brash.

While she starts a friendship with Ryuji for mutual benefit it quickly ends up turning into something much more.

However, despite each of them crushing on the other’s best friend, neither can stop feelings from developing after spending so much time together.

This is easily one of the best romance anime series, and it isn’t one you should pass up!

6. The Quintessential Quintuplets

This anime is absolutely hilarious, and like We Never Learn, it follows the male protagonist who is asked to tutor five girls.

Only these girls are five identical sisters with conflicting personalities, and things quickly escalate as Futaro tries to juggle them all.

Making things even more entertaining is that Futaro will eventually have to marry one of these sisters, though figuring out which one will keep viewers engaged until the end!

Things go from zero to one hundred real fast in this series, and if you haven’t yet seen it for yourself, you’re missing out on a gem!

5. Assassination Classroom

Assassination Classroom takes place in a seemingly normal school, but one character shatters that illusion.

Koro-sensei is a large yellow smiley-faced alien who wants two things: to destroy the world and teach.

However, the students in his class are on to him and take it upon themselves to attempt to assassinate him using specially designed weapons.

This high school anime is an absolute treat, and every episode takes viewers on a wild ride from start to finish.

4. Nisekoi

Like Romeo and Juliet, Raku and Chitoge are from two rival families. Only in this anime, they are crime families; one yakuza and one mafia.

After Chitoge moves from the United States to Japan for high school, she is set up to meet Raku.

While they pretend to be in love to end the conflict between their families, things quickly go sideways, especially when a girl claiming to be Raku’s fiancee shows up!

This is certainly an anime love story for the ages, but you’ll have to watch it yourself to find out if it has a happier ending than Shakespeare’s classic!

3. Great Teacher Onizuka

A classic anime from 1999, Great Teacher Onizuka revolves around the leader of a biker gang who wants to leave that life behind.

Instead, he aspires to become a teacher, but his intentions aren’t as noble as you might be led to believe.

Fortunately, Onizuka is able to undergo a surprising level of character development and help his students learn to embrace the realities of life fearlessly.

While not all of his methods may be legal or non-violent, he certainly leaves a lasting impact on his students!

2. A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice has one of the best long-haired anime girls, Shouko Nishimiya, as well as a touching story.

In this anime, we get to follow the story of Ishida, who bullies a deaf girl, Nishimiya, to the point that she ends up transferring schools.

Eventually, he gets in trouble for his behavior and is ostracized for what he’s done, becoming the victim of bullying himself.

After years pass, he tries to find closure by making amends with the girl he once bullied relentlessly.

Make sure to have the tissues handy while watching A Silent Voice, because it is definitely a rollercoaster of emotions.

1. Fruits Basket

After being orphaned due to a tragic event, Toru Honda is taken in by the Sohma family, who ends up being anything but normal.

The entire family turns out to be cursed, with each being capable of transforming into animals of the Chinese Zodiac.

Toru must try to balance a normal life at school with the curse of her adopted family and the family’s cruel patriarch, Akito.

Throughout the series, relationships bloom, making it a must-watch for anyone who loves high school anime with a healthy dash of romance.

Summary

High school is a classic anime setting, and there is no shortage of series you can watch that revolve around it.

However, these 25 shows are the best you can watch right now, and they are all well-written, boasting some of the most popular anime characters of all time.

If you haven’t yet checked out any of the anime series on this list, we totally recommend adding them to your watch list!

Here’s a quick recap of the 25 best high school anime to watch:

1. Fruits Basket
2. A Silent Voice
3. Great Teacher Onizuka
4. Nisekoi
5. Assassination Classroom
6. The Quintessential Quintuplets
7. Toradora!
8. Ouran High School Host Club
9. Azumanga Daioh
10. Haikyuu!
11. Nichijou
12. Another
13. Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai
14. After The Rain
15. Yamada-kun And The Seven Witches
16. My Hero Academia
17. We Never Learn: BOKUBEN
18. Kakegurui
19. Angel Beats
20. Oresuki: Are You The Only One Who Loves Me?
21. ReLIFE
22. Komi Can’t Communicate
23. Magical Sempai
24. Horimiya
25. The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K

What’s your favorite high school anime series to watch? Let us know in a comment!