15 Funniest Running Gags In Anime

A running joke can really make a good TV show great, giving you something to anticipate each week as the joke gets funnier and more elaborate. Anime, in particular, loves bringing back old gags, building them up over many episodes and even multiple seasons. The most memorable ones are usually simple, perfectly timed ideas that become iconic quotes for fans. Here’s a look at fifteen of these recurring jokes that became essential parts of their shows, including where they originated and who animated them.

Shinpachi’s Glasses Keep the Crew Grounded

The anime ‘Gintama’ frequently jokes about the character Shinpachi being defined by his glasses. Characters often call him ‘the guy with glasses,’ and entire episodes revolve around his eyewear – they might even talk or go missing! This running gag allows the show to playfully comment on typical sidekick characters while ensuring Shinpachi remains relevant, even during crazy situations. It also provides a quick source of humor when the story needs a boost.

Zoro Cannot Navigate To Save His Life

As a longtime watcher, one thing about ‘One Piece’ always cracks me up: Zoro’s absolutely awful sense of direction. It’s a running gag – the guy constantly gets lost! He’ll wander off the ship, take a wrong turn out of a simple room, or get completely turned around on a straight path while everyone else is trying to, you know, do things. It’s become so reliable that the Straw Hats practically expect him to disappear at the worst possible moment and have to adjust their plans accordingly. But honestly, it’s more than just a joke; it’s a clever way the animators split up the crew and throw them into smaller fights without needing a ton of explanation. It keeps things moving and is consistently funny.

Kakashi Is Always Late With Ridiculous Excuses

In the anime ‘Naruto’, Kakashi is famously always late, and Studio Pierrot leans into this as a core part of his personality. He consistently arrives to missions with unbelievable excuses, from helping people to blaming minor accidents. These stories maintain an air of mystery around him and provide brief, fun moments for the rest of Team 7 before more serious storylines begin. Eventually, this running gag leads viewers to expect a new, outlandish excuse whenever the team is supposed to meet up.

Krillin’s Repeated Brush With Death

Throughout the ‘Dragon Ball’ series, Toei Animation frequently puts Krillin in life-threatening situations, only to revive him. This has become a running joke. The pattern creates tension, provides a reason for characters to get stronger or search for ways to bring people back to life, and gives the heroes a chance to come together and raise the stakes after a defeat. Fans even keep track of how many times it happens, which keeps the gag going even when the story is less action-packed.

JoJo Poses And Dramatic Standoffs

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ is known for its dramatic poses, which David Production uses as a signature visual. Characters strike exaggerated stances, often during battles, while their names and powers are announced. This repeated technique not only helps viewers understand how fights will unfold and when to anticipate surprises, but also creates an instantly recognizable style for the show’s branding and marketing.

Mio’s Secret Notebook Meltdowns

The anime ‘Nichijou’ frequently uses Mio’s fear of her personal drawings being discovered as a running joke. What starts as a small accident or reveal quickly turns into chaotic chases, made-up stories, and exaggerated reactions that temporarily disrupt the show’s calm, everyday feel. This joke serves as a consistent source of humor, helps explain why characters act the way they do, and cleverly ties together seemingly unrelated moments in the series.

Daily Explosion Quota

In the anime ‘KonoSuba’, Megumin’s dedication to Explosion magic becomes a recurring and predictable event. The group frequently goes out of their way to allow her to cast it, and she always collapses afterward, needing help to get around. This habit consistently uses up their supplies and makes their missions more difficult, and the need to find a safe place for her to practice has become a running gag.

Ed’s Height Jokes Never End

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ frequently uses Edward Elric’s over-the-top reactions to teasing as a running gag. Even casual jokes can set him off into comical outbursts, providing a moment of levity before the show returns to its more serious topics. This also highlights how easily his enemies can provoke him, impacting both discussions and fights.

Natsu’s Motion Sickness On Any Vehicle

The anime ‘Fairy Tail’ uses a running gag to create consistent humor: Natsu gets motion sickness whenever he travels. This immediately creates challenges for the team on missions that involve travel. They have to work around his weakness to ensure he’s fit for battle, and opponents sometimes take advantage of it. This simple joke adds tension to travel sequences without affecting the characters’ overall strength.

Saiki’s Coffee Jelly Obsession

The anime ‘The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.’ cleverly uses coffee jelly as a recurring reward for its powerful main character. This treat pops up throughout the series – during simple tasks, in tense moments, and even as the punchline to jokes. It’s a relatable weakness that makes Saiki more human and explains why he puts up with ordinary annoyances. Plus, it helps the show lighten the mood after intense scenes involving his psychic abilities.

Battle Of Wits Verdicts

The anime ‘Kaguya-sama: Love Is War’ is structured with short, self-contained episodes, almost like little competitions. Each segment follows a pattern: someone hatches a plan, a misunderstanding happens, and then a winner is jokingly declared before the situation resets. This consistent format allows running gags, like Chika’s meddling or Kaguya’s misinterpretations, to build momentum. Viewers quickly get used to seeing the scoreboard at the end of each round.

Clothes-Bursting Food Reactions

‘Food Wars!’ is known for its dramatic and exaggerated reactions when characters taste food – often called ‘foodgasms’ – which happen repeatedly during competitions and tests. The show uses colorful and imaginative descriptions of flavors, and for comedic effect, these descriptions frequently cause characters’ clothes to fall off. This style allows the series to teach viewers about cooking in an engaging way while keeping the story moving quickly. It also establishes a pattern where every new dish is presented with a big, visually impressive reveal.

Ranma’s Instant Transformations

As a huge ‘Ranma ½’ fan, one of the things I always loved was how the show used hot and cold water to instantly switch Ranma’s gender – and always at the most inconvenient time! Seriously, a normal scene, a fight, even a family discussion could go totally off the rails with just a splash of water, changing how everyone interacted. It was a brilliant way to create instant comedy and misunderstandings that would drive entire storylines. Plus, it let the writers shake up familiar social situations without needing to introduce new characters, which was really clever.

Asta’s Loud Training Mantra

The anime ‘Black Clover’ frequently features Asta loudly declaring his intentions and working incredibly hard. Studio Pierrot uses this as a consistent element, with other characters often acknowledging how much noise he makes. This repetition emphasizes the importance of hard work in a world where most people are born with magical abilities. It also helps viewers understand when exciting things are about to happen during battles and missions.

Reigen’s Discount Exorcism Tricks

‘Mob Psycho 100’ has a running gag where Reigen pretends to perform exorcisms using simple, everyday objects and techniques – like throwing salt, giving massages, and making up sales pitches on the spot. This emphasizes the difference between Reigen’s cleverness and Mob’s incredible abilities. It also neatly introduces self-contained stories that fit into the show’s overall plot.

Tell us which running gag always makes you laugh and share your picks in the comments.

2025-11-06 20:48