Over the years, the art of anime has become increasingly popular among multiple age groups. However, lots of today's popular anime series are set in middle school and high school environments. Anime watchers tend to be more drawn to these series, as the episodes often portray similar life experiences that the viewers can connect with.
Unfortunately, as the viewers age, they may feel less of a connection to those high school-themed series. Nonetheless, for the viewers who go on to attend college and are seeking further anime to connect with, there are a variety of college-themed series for them to check out. Here are some of the very best of them.
10 Nodame Cantabile
Nodame Cantabile presents a romance-filled college experience between two contrasting student musicians. Shinichi Chiaki, a censorious perfectionist from an eminent family, is a first-class musician with a dream to play for the aristocracy of Europe. Unfortunately, his angst to fly has kept his dream from coming true.
While studying his fourth year at the most notable music university Japan has to offer, Shinichi's world suddenly collides when he meets Megumi Noda, better known as Nodame, a happy-go-lucky, talented musician. Despite being polar opposites, Shinichi and Megumi manage to come together and advance in creating a deep, worthwhile relationship throughout the series.
9 Ai Yori Aoshi
From childhood friends to being engaged, Ai Yori Aoshi outlines the love story of Kaoru Hanabishi and his once-soon-to-be wife, Aoi Sakuraba. Their long-time connection notwithstanding, their plans to get married are called off after Kaoru experiences problems within his family, thus leading him to leave home and attend a university to chase his dreams.
Despite the troubles in Kaoru's life and the marriage being canceled, Aoi's dreams of marrying Kaoru remain intact. Now, it's up to them to rekindle their relationship and create a life together without the help of their families.
8 Run With The Wind
Run With The Wind focuses on a group of university-level track members who all possess the dream of someday entering the Hakone Ekiden Marathon. Kakeru Kurahara, formerly a runner in high school, now attends a Japanese university, where he also participates in running track. When Kakeru realizes that many of the other track members have the same goal as him, he gathers them in a dorm room to join his team.
Despite the others' interest in running, it wasn't long before Kakeru realized he was the only runner with experience in the sport. Nonetheless, the team chooses to come together and work towards reaching their goal of entering the marathon.
7 Moyashimon
Moyashimon tells the story of a first-time student attending an agricultural university. Tadayasu Sawaki started university with one close friend, Kei Yuki, though he soon gains popularity once his classmates realize he has a gift. The gift in question provides Tadayasu with the ability to see microbes enlarged and up close, while his classmates can only see the tiny microbes under a microscope.
Although this ability may seem impossible to the others, fortunately, one of the professors at the university, Professor Keizo Itsuki, is already familiar with this gift. It seems as though Professor Itsuki had heard of this gift from Tadayasu's grandfather earlier on. Now, it's Tadayasu's turn to dive deeper and see what he is capable of. It's not the most action-packed anime, but it's a gripping ride nonetheless.
6 Number24
Natsusa Yuzuki is a student at Doshisha University who carries a deep love for playing rugby. When he enrolled in the university, he had set a goal to become the star player on the rugby team. Though, due to an unfortunate accident, those dreams have been suppressed, as he can no longer play.
Still wanting to be involved in his favorite sport, Natsusa settles on becoming the manager for the Doshisha University rugby team. Between Natsusa's rugby expertise and the team's determination, these university students power through the rugby league in hopes of winning.
5 Grand Blue
After moving into his uncle's scuba diving shop on the Izu Peninsula, Iori Kitahara enrolls at Izu University in the hopes of having the college experience he's always dreamed of having. With an interest in learning to dive, he joins the university's diving club, only to find out that it's not what he'd expected. It turns out that the diving club members prefer to pass the time at parties.
In order to fit in, Iori quickly adapts to the party scene, leading him to awaken hungover in the center of the university campus. After being scolded by his cousin for such behavior, he then learns that the members of the diving club actually want him to scuba dive with them. Consequently, Iori must find a way to learn how to dive while keeping up with the club's parties.
4 Science Fell In Love, So I Tried To Prove It
Science Fell In Love, So I Tried To Prove It is the story of two science students, Ayame Himuro and Shinya Yukimura, studying at Saitama University. On any normal day, the scientists would analyze the world using data science, but that routine changed one day when Ayame disclosed that she may be in love with Shinya.
Ayame and Shinya concur that the best way to approach these feelings is through science. So, alongside their fellow science graduates, they decide to conduct several experiments to discover if Ayame's feelings are real.
3 Golden Time
After an appalling accident ensues in Banri Tada's life, leaving him to undergo retrograde amnesia, he has no choice but to start his life over. He decides to enroll in a Tokyo law school program, where he meets a new friend, Mitsuo Yanagisawa. Together, Banri and Mitsuo navigate college life, making friends and joining clubs along the way.
While in the midst of getting accustomed to college and his new life, Banri catches a glimpse of Koko Kaga, an old friend of Mitsuo's. He later confesses his love for Koko, but it's not long before memories of an old friend and love interest, Linda, begin coming back to him. Now, Banri must decide whether he wants to stay with Koko or leave in hopes of having Linda come back into his life.
2 Maison Ikkoku
Yuusaku Godai is living in a boarding house known as Maison Ikkoku in a town called Clock Hill while he attends college. For the most part, Yuusaku enjoys living there; the only downside is his loud, rowdy roommates. After constantly hearing them party next door, he gets fed up and contemplates moving somewhere more peaceful.
Although, once he meets the new manager of Maison Ikkoku housing, Kyoko Otanashi, his plans suddenly change. Kyoko is a recent widow after losing her husband just six months prior. She doesn't believe that she will find love again, but with the help of Yuusaku and his dorm mates, it just might be possible.
1 Honey & Clover
Honey & Clover takes its viewers on a journey through the lives of five college students who are trying to keep up with school, work, and their personal lives all at once. Hagumi, Ayumi, Takumi, Sinobu, and Yuta are all studying art at a Tokyo college while contemplating what they want to do after graduation.
Although neither of them has a clue what they're interested in doing post-college, they work together at the moment to navigate through life and the possibility of finding love. This series offers viewers a look into lives that they can possibly connect with while enjoying the humor of these five friends in this unique anime world.