Best CGDCT Anime

Anime has more than its fair share of quirky subgenres, but few have proven to be as ever-present as cute girls doing cute things. As the descriptor implies, these stories follow young girls as they lead their (usually) carefree lives while hanging out with their friends or (occasionally) exploring a hobby. While many CGDCT anime are hilarious, they are primarily slow-moving slice of life series with humor rather than full-blown comedies. Nothing of real significance happens in these shows, and that is a feature and not a bug.

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Even though CGDCT sounds niche, quite a few of its anime are mainstream, even if not everyone knows the overall subgenre. To help open a path to this popular but still somewhat obscure slice of life subcategory, let's highlight some of the best cute girls doing cute things anime. These shows have been picked as gateway recommendations.

5 YuruYuri

A Gag CGDCT Anime That Gets More Risqué As It Goes Along

While extremely common, there are a few "parody" cute girls doing cute things anime that, basically, replace "cute" with "absurd" or "violent". Asobi Asobase is probably the subgenre's funniest subversion, but the humor is so aggressive that the show cannot be recommended as a representative. The same can be said for Summer 2024's My Deer Friend Nokotan. Conversely, Gabriel Dropout works well as a CGDCT anime and a parody of the subgenre.

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Although not as blatant of a parody as the above anime, YuruYuri skates the line between a traditional CGDCT series and a playful mockery of the concept. Four girls decide to start the Amusement Club at their school, which is mostly used as an excuse to do nothing but hang out after class. Forgettable but charming fluff, the first season starts as a cozy and unassuming watch about a few innocent friendships, all in preparation for two sequels that really push the "yuri" part of the title. While nothing too graphic happens, the anime gradually transforms into a Girls Love CGDCT, which is neat.

4 Non Non Biyori

Cute Girls Doing Very Little Except Living Their Best Lives

The best iyashikei anime of all time, Non Non Biyori is a very specific masterpiece. The anime's glacial pacing, long stretches of scenery, and tranquil nothingness might not be to everyone's taste, but if somebody is searching for this type of escape from reality, they will not find anything better than this three-season series.

Loosely, the story revolves around four girls who live in a remote Japanese village where they go to a one-class school that caters to all age groups. Non Non Biyori emphasizes the importance of community in raising children and creating a beautiful and welcoming environment; consequently, a lot of villagers get time to shine alongside the main characters.

3 K-On!

A Classic With Lovable Characters Who Occasionally Play Music

While Bocchi the Rock! Has too much going on to qualify as a traditional option, K-On! Fits the CGDCT like a glove. "Girls try out a hobby" is a popular framework for the subgenre, and they tend to feature characters who are passionate but not necessarily obsessed with the activity. More often than not, the "hobby" is not important and mostly exists as an excuse to bring the characters together. Decent songs aside, K-On! Is a slice of life anime that happens to center around girls who are part of a band.

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Funny and relatively grounded, this classic series holds up as a lighthearted comedy with five personable main characters who are instantly delightful and quickly establish endearing relationships. While not completely devoid of forward momentum, particularly during the second season, K-On! Is very much about living in the moment, regardless of how mundane it might be.

2 Lucky Star

Setting The Standard For Modern CGDCT Anime

Except for maybe Azumanga Daioh, Lucky Star is arguably the most influential CGDCT anime of all time, and its formula has been recycled endlessly over the last two decades. Since so many other anime have replicated its archetypes, comedy routines, and general tone, the show can feel a touch ordinary nowadays; however, Lucky Star was unique and fresh in 2007. More importantly, the show is still a worthwhile watch all these years later, exclusively thanks to the strength of its girls: Konata, Kagami, Tsukasa, and Miyuki.

The resident otaku, Konata is Lucky Star's poster girl, a position fully earned through her sharp dialogue, consistent humor, and tendency to bring out the best in the other characters (especially Kagami). As great as Konata is, she does not carry the episodes on her own, and all the other girls have well-defined personalities that promote different types of humor. Lucky Star moves at an almost static pace that stretches some segments to their breaking point, creating a mesmerizing rhythm.

1 Laid-Back Camp

Cute Girls Go Camping And Create Something Unforgettable

Unsurprisingly, the best CGDCT anime is also one of the greatest slice of life shows of all time. Laid-Back Camp offers three seasons of picturesque Japanese scenery as a group of girls travel all across the country in pursuit of their love for camping. They get to see stunning sights, cook mouthwatering food on a small stove, ride mopeds, and – most importantly – hang out with their friends or enjoy the solitude.

Except for some life lessons and helpful camping tips, Laid-Back Camp covers exclusively inconsequential events in the grand scheme of things, all the while showcasing how a simple two-day trip to the countryside can create memories that will last forever. The girls are all fantastic and play off each other perfectly, be it the mature Rin, the corgi-like Nadeshiko, or the hilarious Chiaki.

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