Top 5 Anime with Relatable Adult Leads

For a long time, anime has been valued for its diverse characters and captivating narratives. While many anime series feature young protagonists, there are also plenty of series that feature relatable adult characters. Here we listed our top 5 anime with relatable adult leads. These mature characters are all 18 or older and are experiencing the wonders of adulthood. Scroll down and check them out!

Anime with Adult Protagonists

All the anime we list below feature grown-up characters who encounter relatable life challenges, making them excellent role models for adults dealing with life complexities. Let’s explore the 5 anime series with adult leads whose struggles and growth deeply impact viewers.

#1 Barakamon

Barakamon (Image: Crunchyroll)

Barakamon is a slice of life and comedy anime about Seishuu Handa, a talented calligrapher in his mid-twenties who is struggling to find his artistic identity. Handa moves to an island in order to attempt to find solitude where he can work in peace. However thanks to Naru Kotoishi and many other villagers, every day ends up being flooded with funny adventures. It is through these interruptions that Handa ends up discovering what his calligraphy and his life have been missing until this point.

Barakamon will make you laugh together with the characters as they do silly things, get anxious as they struggle through life difficulties, and then feel relieved when those problems are resolved.

#2 Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (Image: Crunchyroll)

Wotakoi is a perfect blend of an adult storyline, comedy, and otaku culture presented in a slice-of-life anime. The story revolves around the romantic relationships and daily lives of four young office professionals, Hirotaka, Narumi, Hanako, and Tarou who are also secretly being otaku. Unfortunately, ‘Otaku’ is sometimes used as a derogatory term in Japan. However, Wotakoi fearlessly embraces and celebrates the culture wholeheartedly. If you are bored of high-school setting series, this show is for you.

Wotakoi shows most of the struggles that every otaku has to live with. This anime series is uplifting and heartwarming, but it sometimes leaves a certain sense of sadness. That is why the relationships between the characters in this anime feel real. You will adore the characters and enjoy things with them. Especially if you like games, manga, and anime.

#3 Poco’s Udon World

Poco’s Udon World (Image: Crunchyroll)

This anime is a heartwarming story showcasing a 30-year-old web designer Souta Tawara who takes a leave from his job in Tokyo to return to his hometown. His father recently passed away and his udon restaurant is now closed. Ridden with guilt over disappointing his father, Souta is beginning to doubt the choices he’s made in life thus far.

Featuring twists and turns, viewers will be following Souta’s bittersweet journey to move on from the past. Poco’s Udon World portrays how sometimes life doesn’t go as you plan it. The moral of the story from this anime is to never take your family or friends for granted, because you will one day regret it.

#4 Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu (Image: Crunchyroll)

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a captivating anime that dives into the world of rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of storytelling. The story focuses on the lives of Yakumo Yuurakutei and Yotarou, both are rakugo performers.

The anime brilliantly portrays the art of rakugo and the struggles faced by its performers. It explores themes of love, friendship, rivalry, and the complexities of human relationships. Through the whole two seasons, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu reveals the deep connections between the characters and the impact of their past choices on their present lives.

• Also read: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Goes on 3-Week Break: When Does Shibuya Arc Start?

#5 Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan

Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan (Image: Crunchyroll)

Have you felt tired at some point in your life doing the same thing repeatedly? The desire to quit but being unable to due to societal pressures? If you can relate to this situation, Uramichi Oniisan might be the perfect anime for you.

The series follows the life of Uramichi, a 31-year-old former gymnast turned children’s TV program host in the entertainment industry. Despite his cheerful facade, Uramichi battles with inner struggles, including depression, as he continues to perform a job he despises. The story is really original and it gives so many things to think about as it greatly balances its themes with dark humor and sarcasm.

These 5 anime with adult leads stand out for their portrayal of relatable protagonists, each embarking on a personal journey that reflects the struggles, aspirations, and complexities of adulthood. Have you watched them?

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