Comedy in anime can be as varied as the medium itself, often blending absurdism, parody, and satire to create unforgettable and hilariously chaotic moments. From completely off-the-wall gags to subtle cultural jabs, these anime series bring the laughs while challenging your expectations. If you’re into unpredictable, meme-worthy content, these comedy anime will keep you entertained. Here’s a deeper dive into the wackiest and most enjoyable comedy anime out there!
9. Pop Team Epic – 26 Episodes
Pop Team Epic is a gag anime like no other, where the humor doesn’t come from witty dialogue but from outright absurdity. Popuko and Pipimi, the two main characters, parody everything from Pokemon to pop culture references, breaking the fourth wall and making fun of the audience itself. Each episode consists of short, nonsensical skits, and every one of them operates under an “anything goes” rule. The show’s meme-heavy humor and penchant for trolling its audience make it a love-it-or-hate-it kind of series.
What sets Pop Team Epic apart is that each episode runs twice, but the second half features slightly altered dialogue and voice actors—turning each episode into a surreal, twisted version of the original. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re a fan of random, chaotic humor, this show will feel like a never-ending meme generator.
8. Excel Saga – 26 Episodes
An iconic gag anime from the late ‘90s, Excel Saga is a parody goldmine. The plot, centered around Excel trying to secure city-wide domination for her group ACROSS, is largely a vehicle for the show’s genre-bending episodes. Every installment parodies a different type of storytelling, from action to romance to sci-fi, keeping viewers on their toes.
What makes Excel Saga a classic is its cultural references and sharp commentary on anime itself. To appreciate its full comedic genius, you’ll need to have a solid knowledge of anime tropes and the industry as a whole. It’s fast-paced, chaotic, and requires the audience to keep up with the endless gags, but those who do are rewarded with some of the best satire the anime world has to offer.
7. Osomatsu-San – 75 Episodes, 3 Movies
A modern reboot of the 1960s and ‘80s family comedy Osomatsu-kun, Osomatsu-San takes the once-young sextuplets and turns them into a group of adults who are perpetually avoiding responsibility. It’s part slice-of-life, part absurdist comedy, where the Matsuno brothers often find themselves in the most ridiculous situations imaginable.
Osomatsu-San shines in its parody episodes, where it humorously imitates famous anime like Attack on Titan and Mobile Suit Gundam. With its chaotic storytelling and unpredictable tone shifts—from heartfelt moments of loneliness to over-the-top gags—Osomatsu-San manages to mock the anime genre while still offering sharp character-driven comedy. Love it or hate it, this series remains one of the best modern examples of parody and absurdism.
6. Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto – 13 Episodes
Sakamoto is the coolest student at his high school, and no matter what challenge or obstacle is thrown his way, he always emerges victorious in the most stylish and over-the-top manner. Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto takes the perfect-student trope and cranks it up to eleven, turning what could have been a standard slice-of-life anime into a hilarious series where Sakamoto’s genius solutions defy logic.
The show manages to stay fresh despite its episodic format, constantly upping the ante with more elaborate gags as Sakamoto avoids embarrassment, foils bullies, and outsmarts teachers. While some viewers may find its formula repetitive, the quirky sense of humor and outlandish scenarios make this show a standout comedy gem.
5. Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo – 76 Episodes
There’s no anime quite as absurd and nonsensical as Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo. The protagonist, Bobobo, fights evil forces using the power of his nose hairs. If that sounds strange, it only gets wackier from there. Bobobo, alongside his equally bizarre companions, engages in over-the-top shonen battles while delivering non-stop gags that break every anime convention imaginable.
This series mocks the shonen genre, turning tropes like power-ups and serious battles into moments of pure nonsense. The humor relies heavily on randomness and illogical plots, so if you’re the kind of viewer who loves anime that plays by no rules, Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo is the show for you.
4. Asobi Asobase – 15 Episodes
What appears to be a simple slice-of-life anime set in a school quickly devolves into a surreal and hilarious series about three eccentric girls. Asobi Asobase takes everyday situations and turns them into absurd, over-the-top skits. The series follows the antics of Olivia, Hanako, and Kasumi, members of the self-proclaimed Pastimers Club, who engage in random and often ridiculous activities that spiral out of control.
Asobi Asobase stands out for its ability to blend deadpan humor with wild reactions, often leading to moments of pure insanity. The show’s unpredictable nature makes it a refreshing addition to the school comedy genre, but its humor might not land for everyone.
3. Space Dandy – 26 Episodes
From the creator of Cowboy Bebop, Shinichiro Watanabe, comes Space Dandy, a sci-fi comedy that follows the misadventures of Dandy, a spacefaring alien hunter. While the premise might sound familiar, Space Dandy sets itself apart by using every episode as an opportunity to explore different genres, art styles, and ideas. One week, Dandy is in a musical, and the next, he’s caught in a multiverse.
What makes Space Dandy brilliant is its ambition to break storytelling conventions. It’s not a typical space opera; it’s a love letter to the limitless possibilities of animation. Every planet Dandy visits brings a new world of weird, making this a series for viewers who appreciate experimental, conceptual humor.
2. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. – 56 Episodes
Saiki Kusuo just wants a quiet life, but his overwhelming psychic powers and the quirks of his eccentric classmates keep that from happening. Unlike most shonen anime, where characters with powers fight evil, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. focuses on the hilarious problems that arise from Saiki’s attempt to remain anonymous and out of the spotlight.
What makes Saiki K. so entertaining is the fast-paced dialogue, the parade of colorful supporting characters, and Saiki’s deadpan reactions to increasingly chaotic situations. The humor is sharp, though the frenetic pacing might overwhelm some viewers. Still, for those who can keep up, it’s a laugh-out-loud comedy.
1. Cromartie High School – 26 Episodes
One of the most offbeat parodies in anime, Cromartie High School takes the concept of delinquent school comedies and turns it on its head. The art style is deliberately simple, and much of the humor comes from the characters’ absurd interactions, like having Freddie Mercury and a robot as part of the student body.
Cromartie’s humor ranges from dry and subtle to outright bizarre, and it excels in making the mundane seem ridiculous. With Takashi Kamiyama as the unflappable protagonist, the anime thrives on deadpan delivery and the sheer oddity of its scenarios.