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Anime

Anime Lists

10 Most Absurd Anime That Still Work Somehow

BY

REMUS BADESCU

PUBLISHED 5 DAYS AGO

These titles should never work, yet somehow, against all odds, they find a way to be surprisingly
entertaining and genuinely worthwhile.

Absurd Anime Featured Image

Given the creativity of the medium, it shouldn’t be surprising that absurd anime are released once in a
while, pushing the envelope in terms of what types of stories can be told. Whether they take a familiar
context and use it to subvert expectations, or tell a completely new story with an unlikely premise, there
are plenty of ways to create ridiculous situations.

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Nonsensical shows aren’t guaranteed to work – in fact, more often than not, basing a story on a premise
that shouldn’t work can be disastrous if not handled correctly. Sometimes, though, everything clicks into
place and creates something truly special that encapsulates fans.

10

Akiba Maid War

Akiba Maid War key visual

The worlds of organized crime and maid cafés might seem completely parallel, never meant to interact,
yet Akiba Maid War proves that this fusion works far better than it has any right to. Directed by Sauichi
Masui, the same creative mind who directed Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, the show
takes place in an alternative version of Akihabara where maids have to literally fight each other to ensure
the success and stability of their cafés. Just as the maids balance customer service with armed warfare,
this show perfectly balances comedic scenes with serious and emotional ones to deliver an unforgettable
experience.
9

Ya Boy Kongming!

Ya Boy Kongming!

Reincarnation tales are far from uncommon in anime, given the ever-popular isekai trend. Still, there is
no story quite like Ya Boy Kongming!, which takes a well-known Chinese strategist from the Three
Kingdoms period, Zhuge Kongming, and transports him into the modern world. This is where he meets
Eiko Tsukimi, an aspiring singer, and, inspired by her performance and the wonders of contemporary
music, he sets his mind on helping her achieve stardom, becoming her manager in the process. While a
“fish out of water” comedy isn’t a new concept, especially in anime, this title hooked viewers with its
premise, and captivated them with its execution.

Assassination Classroom

Assassination Classroom

A former elite assassin has been turned into an octopus-like monster, whose special skills include the
ability to reach Mach 20 speed, as well as being impervious to any weapon. As he claims to have
destroyed the Moon, and is now planning to do the same to Earth, the only ones who can stop him are a
class of delinquents taught by Koro-sensei himself. Nothing about Assassination Classroom’s premise
seems to make sense at first, which is why it lends itself so easily to absurd comedy. However, behind the
comedic surface lies a complex show full of not only engrossing action scenes, but also serious,
emotional moments, and well-written characters.

Ben-To

Ben-To anime key visual

While everyone can appreciate a good discount, few would go as far as to fight over one, yet that’s
exactly what Ben-To is all about. Once bento boxes go on their nightly half-off sale, the supermarket
turns into a battlefield, where a genuine war breaks out between bargain hunters looking for a cheap
dinner. Admittedly, the show suffers from an over-abundance of fan service, as was the case for many
titles at the time, but viewers who can overlook that are sure to find a series whose absurd premise is
matched only by its over-the-top action scenes, with fighting sequences straight out of the best martial
arts anime.

Sarazanmai
Sarazanmai key visual.

As Kappa zombies born out of people’s deepest desires begin threatening the world, the Kappa prince
Keppi, having lost most of his power, has no choice but to rely on others to fight back. He enlists three
boys, takes their Shirikodama, and turns them into Kappa – telling them that victory requires them to
connect with one another. Sarazanmai might sound and even look nonsensical at first, as one should
expect from the director behind Penguindrum, but the strangeness is mostly surface level, merely using
metaphors to tell a story about the importance of connections and secrets, in a similar vein to titles like
Kiznaiver.

Gundam Build Fighters

Gundam Build Fighters

Gundam may be one of the biggest and highest-grossing anime franchises ever, but one thing that every
show generally has in common is that they all feature intricate, serious stories, with military conflicts
that involve the use of powerful mobile suits. Gundam Build Fighters diverges from that formula
significantly, as it chooses to revolve around the Gunpla themselves instead. The show follows Sei Iori, an
expert Gunpla builder, and Reiji, a proficient Gunpla fighter, as they participate in tournaments together.
In spite of the decidedly less serious tone, it still manages to impress viewers with dynamic action
sequences and a suitably intense soundtrack.

Cells at Work!

Cells at Work!

As implied by its title, Cells at Work! Sought to visualize the daily working life of cells in the human body.
The show mostly follows a red cell who, having just finished training, is now dutifully transporting oxygen
all around the body and learning about various other cells in the process. From white cells taking out
harmful bacteria, to platelets working on construction projects, everyone must work together towards
ensuring the well-being of their host body. Taking a strange, creative idea and applying a delightfully
comedic twist to it, Cells at Work! Achieved the impossible – it makes edutainment live up to its name.

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby

Uma Musume Pretty Derby

Even those who are otherwise not interested in fitness can appreciate sports anime, as they typically
follow competitive characters aiming for great heights. After all, it is easy to connect with and be inspired
by relatable and grounded protagonists who are relentlessly pursuing their passions. Uma Musume:
Pretty Derby seems to completely ignore that idea, instead revolving around horses who are incarnated
as horse girls, training at a special academy to become top racers. Yet, while the prospect of humanoid
horse girls might seem unappealing, beyond that lies a surprisingly solid sports show, with unexpectedly
captivating characters, whose evolution and rivalries make for an enjoyable experience.

Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle

Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle

Given just how common the trope of the villain kidnapping a defenseless princess is, viewers might think
they know exactly what fate awaits Aurora Suya Rhys Kaymin, when she is taken hostage by the Demon
Lord Tasogare. However, this princess defies all expectations. Rather than impatiently waiting to be
rescued by a hero, terrified by the castle’s monsters, her only concern is making herself as comfortable
as possible, constantly seeking new methods to improve her sleep, even if takes her down bizarre, bite-
sized adventures tormenting her captor. Taking a common situation and turning it into something
completely different, Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle proves itself to be a surprisingly wholesome
comedic experience.

Zombieland Saga

Zombieland Saga Image

With the Love Live! Franchise boosting the popularity of the idol anime genre, a parody such as
Zombieland Saga was bound to be released at some point, but no one could have predicted just how
successful it would become. The story is based on the idea of reviving girls from different eras to create a
zombie idol group, with the purpose of economically revitalizing a Japanese prefecture. While definitely
original, it’s easy to imagine how such a premise would lend itself to absurd comedic scenes. However,
MAPPA managed to produce something that goes far beyond slapstick comedy, perfectly blending
lighthearted moments with well-written, emotional backstories, intriguing characters, and meaningful
music.

These series are all surprising in different ways, whether they combine worlds that should never interact,
or take a familiar idea and turn it on its head, telling a completely unexpected story instead. Regardless,
what they all have in common is that they figured out the best way to make the most of their ridiculous
situations, telling stories that manage to stay relatable and enjoyable even in the wildest of contexts.
Though their uniquely creative premise means that a similar experience may never be replicated, that
only makes the best absurd anime shows that much better.
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About The Author

Remus Badescu

(49 Articles Published)

Remus Badescu is a writer for ScreenRant’s anime section. He discovered his passion for the medium as
a child, watching shows like Death Note on late-night TV, and has been enthralled with it ever since. In
order to deepen his understanding of the industry, he obtained a degree in Communication & Media
from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, where he also found his passion for writing and analyzing
pieces of media.