Best One Season Drama Anime Part 1

Hey Anime Fans! Are you in the mood for a compelling drama anime but prefer a series with a definitive ending after just one season? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve curated a list of the top 10 one-season drama anime that are all completed, so you can dive in without waiting for a second season. Let’s begin with number 10!

10. Buddy Daddies

Details: Buddy Daddies masterfully blends high-octane action with a heartwarming family theme, creating a uniquely entertaining anime. The interactions between the two professional hitmen and the innocent young girl they unexpectedly care for are both humorous and deeply touching, showcasing significant character growth. While the premise might feel familiar to some, Buddy Daddies executes it with charm and emotional resonance.

Summary: Two professional contract killers, Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa, find their lives turned upside down when they become the unexpected guardians of four-year-old Miri Unasaka on Christmas Eve. Miri was in Tokyo searching for her father but inadvertently stumbled into the hitmen’s operation. After a series of events, Kazuki and Rei find themselves responsible for Miri. Unsure how to raise a child, they initially try to find her mother. However, upon learning her situation, they decide to care for Miri themselves, leading to a chaotic yet heartwarming new life as they both become affectionate figures Miri calls “Papa.”

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 12
• Genres: Childcare, Drama, Comedy
• Sub/Dub: Both Available

09. Kotaro Lives Alone

Details: Kotaro Lives Alone is a poignant anime that explores themes of loneliness, resilience, and the unexpected bonds of community. The interactions between the titular young boy and his quirky neighbors are both heartwarming and thought-provoking, shedding light on various social issues with a delicate touch. The storyline is impactful and offers a fresh perspective on slice-of-life drama.

Summary: Kotaro, a young boy living alone despite his age, moves next door to Shin Karino, a struggling manga artist. Kotaro seems surprisingly self-sufficient and mature beyond his years. His presence begins to change the lives of his neighbors, who come to realize the hardships he faces and his surprising reluctance to accept help. He’s a child with a maturity that belies his age, leaving a lasting impression on those around him.

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 10
• Genres: Comedy, Shounen, Slice-of-Life, Drama
• Sub/Dub: Both Available

08. Hyouka

Details: Hyouka is a captivating anime filled with subtle mysteries and intriguing plot twists. Often cited as an underrated gem deserving more recognition, its 22 episodes offer a compelling journey into the nuances of human curiosity and the allure of the unknown. The anime beautifully blends mystery with slice-of-life elements, drawing viewers into its atmospheric world.

Summary: Houtarou Oreki, a high school student who prides himself on his energy conservation, reluctantly joins the Classics Club at his sister’s urging. Soon after, he discovers the club’s surprisingly deep-rooted history. Along with fellow club members Eru Chitanda, Satoshi Fukube, and Mayaka Ibara, they find themselves investigating a 45-year-old mystery surrounding the club. While unraveling this historical puzzle, they also encounter and solve various smaller, everyday mysteries that pique their intellectual curiosity.

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 22
• Genres: Mystery, School, Slice-of-Life
• Sub/Dub: Both Available

07. Plastic Memories

Details: Plastic Memories is an emotional rollercoaster that seamlessly blends moments of joy with profound sadness. This anime delves into themes of love, loss, and the ephemeral nature of life through the relationship between humans and androids known as Giftia. Their journey is both heartwarming and ultimately heartbreaking, leaving a lasting emotional impact on viewers.

Summary: Set in a near future where human-like androids called Giftia are widespread, the story follows Tsukasa Mizugaki, a new employee at SA Corp., the company that produces Giftia. These advanced androids possess emotions and human-like qualities but have a limited service life. Once their lifespan is nearing its end, they must be retrieved to prevent potential harm. Tsukasa is partnered with Isla, a Giftia, in the Terminal Service tasked with retrieving these androids. The anime explores the evolving relationship between Tsukasa and Isla against the backdrop of their limited time together.

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 13
• Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi
• Sub/Dub: Sub Only Available

06. Angel Beats!

Details: Angel Beats! offers a unique blend of action, comedy, and drama with a supernatural twist. The anime excels in its exploration of the characters’ backstories, which are often deeply touching and tragic. Combined with top-notch animation and a perfectly suited soundtrack, Angel Beats! delivers a powerful emotional experience.

Summary: After dying, Otonashi awakens in an unfamiliar afterlife school with no memories except his name. He meets Yuri, who leads the Shinda Sekai Sensen (Afterlife Battle Front), a group fighting against a mysterious girl known as Tenshi (Angel). Unable to believe Yuri’s claims that Tenshi is evil, Otonashi tries to understand her, but their initial encounter leads him to join Yuri’s fight. As they battle Tenshi, Otonashi finds himself drawn to her and, while trying to recover his memories, gradually uncovers the secrets of the afterlife and the true reasons behind everyone’s presence there.

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 13
• Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen, Supernatural
• Sub/Dub: Both Available

05. Your Lie in April

Details: Your Lie in April holds a special place in many anime fans’ hearts. It’s a series that evokes strong emotions with every viewing, making you fall in love with its beauty while simultaneously bracing for its poignant narrative. The anime beautifully illustrates the transformative power of music and human connection.

Summary: Kousei Arima was a piano prodigy who dominated competitions as a child. However, following the death of his mother, he suffers a traumatic breakdown that leaves him unable to hear the sound of his own piano. Two years later, he lives a colorless life alongside his best friends, Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari. His world begins to change when he meets Kaori Miyazono, a free-spirited violinist. Through Kaori, Kousei starts to realize that music is about more than just perfect execution, and he begins to confront his past and rediscover his passion.

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 22
• Genres: Drama, Music, School, Romance
• Sub/Dub: Both Available

04. Banana Fish

Details: If you enjoy action anime with a gritty gangster setting, Banana Fish is a compelling choice. More than just action, this anime delves into the profound meaning of friendship. The character development is deep and often heart-wrenching, and the series seamlessly blends action, crime, and drama, exploring mature themes like trauma, power, and corruption, offering a truly emotional narrative.

Summary: Ash Lynx is a beautiful, cold, and ruthlessly efficient killer who survives as a gang leader in New York City. A dangerous secret that haunted his older brother in Vietnam suddenly falls into the hands of “Papa” Dino Golzine, a powerful gang leader who took Ash in as a child. At this critical juncture, Ash befriends Eiji Okumura, a young, innocent photographer from Japan. As their bond deepens, they find themselves caught in a dangerous web of conspiracies and gang warfare. The anime follows their intertwined fates and the true meaning of their connection.

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 24
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Shoujo
• Sub/Dub: Sub Only Available

03. Usagi Drop

Details: Usagi Drop is a heartwarming and realistic portrayal of unexpected parenthood and the growth of familial bonds. The animation style is simple yet charming, perfectly complementing the slice-of-life nature of the story. It’s a touching exploration of what it means to become a family.

Summary: Daikichi Kawachi, a carefree bachelor, returns home for his grandfather’s funeral and unexpectedly encounters a young girl named Rin in the garden. He soon learns that Rin is his grandfather’s illegitimate daughter with a woman who had been caring for him. When the question arises of who will take care of Rin, none of Daikichi’s relatives are willing. Feeling a sense of responsibility, Daikichi impulsively decides to take Rin in and raise her himself, despite having no experience with children. The anime follows their new life together, filled with everyday challenges and the gradual development of a unique familial bond.

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 11
• Genres: Drama, Slice-of-Life, Josei
• Sub/Dub: Sub Only Available

02. Horimiya

Details: If you’re looking for a refreshing and heartwarming romantic comedy with significant dramatic elements, Horimiya is an excellent choice. It focuses on the genuine and evolving relationships between its characters, offering a more realistic portrayal of high school romance. The supporting cast also adds considerable depth to the overall story.

Summary: Kyouko Hori is a popular and intelligent high school girl, while Izumi Miyamura appears to be a quiet and somewhat gloomy classmate. No one at school suspects that outside of their academic lives, they have completely different personas. Hori is often burdened with housework, leaving her little time for socializing, while Miyamura hides numerous tattoos and piercings, giving him the appearance of a gentle delinquent. Their paths cross after a chance encounter, leading them to discover each other’s hidden selves. As they become friends, their relationship blossoms into romance, and the anime follows their journey and the intertwining lives of their friends.

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 13
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, School, Shounen, Slice-of-Life
• Sub/Dub: Both Available

01. Death Note

Details: Death Note is a classic anime renowned for its gripping psychological thriller elements that keep viewers on the edge of their seats with its intense battle of wits. The anime also delves into thought-provoking moral dilemmas and philosophical questions, making it a truly captivating drama.

Summary: Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student, discovers a mysterious notebook called the “Death Note.” Upon reading its instructions, he learns that anyone whose name is written in the notebook will die. Initially skeptical, Light tests the notebook and soon realizes its power is real. Believing he can rid the world of criminals and create a better society, Light embarks on a mission as the vigilante “Kira.” However, his actions attract the attention of L, an eccentric and equally brilliant detective determined to uncover and stop Kira. The anime unfolds as an intense psychological battle between these two extraordinary minds.

• Season: 1
• Episodes: 37
• Genres: Drama, Mystery, Police, Psychological, Shounen, Supernatural, Thriller
• Sub/Dub: Dub Available

What are your thoughts on this list of single-season drama anime? Let us know in the comments below, and share your recommendations with fellow anime fans!