Beyond Laughter: The Best Comedy Anime of All Time, Ranked (August 2025)

In the vast, sprawling landscape of anime, comedy is a genre that stands on its own. It’s a genre that can be a side dish to a grand fantasy adventure or a main course of its own, but its sole purpose is to make you laugh. While the classics will always hold a special place in our hearts, the world of comedy anime is constantly evolving, with new and innovative shows that are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. From absurdist humor to slice-of-life wit, the best comedy anime series are a testament to the power of a well-timed punchline, a ridiculous character, or a chaotic situation that feels all too real. With a new wave of hits and ongoing classics, August 2025 is a great time to be a fan of the genre. This list, a careful consideration of critical reception, fan love, and cultural impact, ranks the best comedy anime of all time. So, get ready to laugh, because the funniest shows in the world are waiting for you.

The Definitive Ranking: From Classic to Contemporary

The following list is a ranking of the most impactful and hilarious comedy anime series of all time, taking into account their unique humor, their creative storytelling, and their lasting legacy. This is a look at the absolute peak of the genre, a ranking of the shows that have made us laugh the hardest.

1. Gintama

For more than a decade, Gintama has reigned as the undisputed king of comedy anime. It is a show that is not just a parody of a single genre but is instead a masterpiece of parody itself. The series is set in a fictionalized Edo period that has been invaded by aliens known as Amanto. The show follows Gintoki Sakata, a slacker samurai who will do anything for money. What makes Gintama so brilliant is its ability to blend its outrageous, nonsensical humor with deeply emotional and surprisingly compelling story arcs. One minute, you’re laughing at a scene about a character trying to get a job as a host; the next, you’re on the edge of your seat watching a high-stakes samurai battle. It’s a show that is a love letter to the entire world of anime and manga, with a dizzying number of pop culture references that feel both fresh and timeless. It is a masterpiece of the genre, a show that is as brilliant as it is hilarious, and it is a series that every anime fan should watch at least once in their life.

2. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

In a world of superheroes and magic, what happens when the most powerful being in the world just wants to live a normal life? That’s the premise of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., a show that is a masterclass in deadpan humor and fast-paced, rapid-fire jokes. The series follows Saiki Kusuo, a powerful psychic who can read minds, teleport, and do just about anything with his mind. However, his greatest desire is to live a normal life, a goal that is constantly thwarted by his friends, family, and the absurd situations he finds himself in. The show’s genius lies in its ability to take a simple premise and turn it into a relentless, hilarious stream of consciousness. Every episode is a short, digestible burst of humor that is a perfect fit for a modern audience with a short attention span. It’s a show that is so unique, so brilliantly executed, and so endlessly rewatchable that it’s easy to see why it has become a staple of the genre.

3. Grand Blue Dreaming

Grand Blue Dreaming is not a show about scuba diving. It is a show about a group of college students who, for some reason, are constantly getting drunk, naked, and into a number of truly ridiculous situations. The series follows Iori Kitahara, a young man who moves to the seaside to start his college life, only to be immediately swept up in the chaos of his cousin’s diving club. What follows is a series of hilarious, over-the-top adventures that are a perfect mix of slice-of-life comedy and an outrageous, crude sense of humor. The show’s art style, with its expressive character designs and its beautifully rendered backgrounds, is a perfect contrast to the ridiculous situations that the characters find themselves in. It’s a show that is as funny as it is beautiful, and it’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need a high-stakes plot to make a show that is endlessly entertaining. It is a true hidden gem, a show that is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good laugh and a good story about friendship.

4. KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!

The “isekai” genre has become a staple of modern anime, but no show has subverted its tropes quite like KonoSuba. The series follows Kazuma Satou, a socially awkward shut-in who dies in a ridiculous accident and is reincarnated in a fantasy world with a goddess named Aqua. But instead of being a powerful hero, he is saddled with a number of useless party members, including a useless goddess, a masochistic knight, and a pyromaniac wizard. The show is a brilliant parody of the “isekai” genre, as it takes all of the genre’s tropes and turns them on their head. It is a show that is as funny as it is smart, and it is a perfect example of a show that is not just a parody of a single genre but is instead a love letter to the entire world of fantasy and adventure. It’s a show that is a must-watch for anyone who is a fan of the “isekai” genre, as it will make you laugh, cry, and think about the genre in a whole new way.

5. Daily Lives of High School Boys

While many anime series are focused on high-stakes battles and grand adventures, Daily Lives of High School Boys is a show that is about the simple, mundane, and often hilarious moments of everyday life. The series is a slice-of-life comedy that follows the adventures of a group of high school boys who, for some reason, are constantly getting into a number of truly ridiculous situations. The show’s humor is a mix of witty dialogue, a perfect sense of timing, and a number of truly relatable moments. It’s a show that is as funny as it is charming, and it’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need a high-stakes plot to make a show that is endlessly entertaining. It is a true classic of the genre, a show that is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good laugh and a good story about friendship and the absurdity of everyday life.

While this list is a great starting point, the world of comedy anime is vast and there are a number of other great shows that are worth your time. From the satirical genius of One-Punch Man to the new, absurd humor of the 2025 release City the Animation, there is no shortage of great comedy anime to watch. The genre is in a golden age, and there has never been a better time to be a fan. So, get ready to laugh, because the funniest shows in the world are waiting for you.