I have come across the term Iyashikei quite a bit in my recent anime viewing and I realised I did not know what it meant. I then delved into the term and related anime and manga. I can honestly say that I am a big fan of Iyashikei. So what does Iyashikei mean?
Definition of Iyashikei
Iyashikei is a slice-of-life subgenre within anime and manga. This subgenre is intended to have a “healing” effect on the viewer and reader. Iyashikei tends to be episodic, with little to no conflict and a focus on the characters’ peaceful lives. These titles are frequently set in the tranquil countryside, but they can also take place in a variety of other settings, such as a home, workplace, or school. Mellow atmospheres, soothing soundtracks in the anime, and beautiful background art are all common features of this subgenre.
Examples:
Bunny Drop
Barakamo
Teasing Master Takagi-san
Laid-Back Camp
Tanaka-kun is Always Listless
Aharen-san wa Hakarenai
I love iyashikei! K-on! introduced me to the genre, and Yotsuba& made me fall in love.
I think it’s also worth mentioning that iyashikei can be pretty heavy too. Take Girls’ Last Tour for example.
This is one of my favorite genres! I love slow gentle slice-of-life anime. Healing is the perfect description for these anime. Like Natsume Yujincho, I’ve watched the series half a dozen times, but every time I see it, I just feel so good inside! We need more of these kinds of series.