14 Anime That Made the Straight Guy the Comic Relief for Once

In anime comedies, the ‘straight man’ – often called the tsukkomi – is the character who reacts to the craziness happening around them. They’re usually the sensible one, meant to highlight how ridiculous everything is. But sometimes, shows turn this around and make their reactions the funniest part! These characters often end up stressed, yelling a lot, and feeling completely worn out from being the only normal person in a chaotic world. Here’s a list of 16 anime where the straight man actually steals the show with their comedic reactions.

‘Gintama’ (2006–2018)

Shinpachi Shimura is the voice of reason in the Odd Jobs trio, frequently yelling at Gintoki and Kagura for their bizarre behavior. He’s so well-known for his glasses that others joke they’re the real him, with the rest of him just hanging on! In a chaotic, alien-filled version of Edo, Shinpachi constantly tries to bring order and logic to the situation. His over-the-top reactions to the show’s silly, self-aware humor are a key part of what makes it funny.

‘The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.’ (2016–2019)

Kusuo Saiki is incredibly psychic, but all he wants is a normal, peaceful life. Unfortunately, he’s stuck with the most eccentric classmates you could imagine. Instead of outwardly reacting to the chaos around him, Saiki silently and sarcastically comments on everything in his mind. He’ll go to ridiculous lengths to avoid being noticed, even using his amazing powers to skip awkward conversations or solve small problems. It’s his stoic frustration with his friends’ antics that makes him such a funny and relatable character.

‘D-Frag!’ (2014)

Kenji Kazama tries to act like a rebellious troublemaker, but he’s unexpectedly pulled into a game club run by a group of quirky girls. Throughout the series, he’s constantly yelling in reaction to their strange attacks and even stranger ideas. Despite wanting to appear tough, he mostly ends up as the funny, panicked target of their playful schemes. His over-the-top reactions are what make the show so fast-paced and humorous.

‘Arakawa Under the Bridge’ (2010)

Kou Ichinomiya, nicknamed Rec, is a brilliant and successful young businessman who hates owing anyone. When a homeless girl named Nino saves his life, he finds himself needing to repay her by living with her and a group of eccentric people under a bridge. Kou constantly tries to use logic with his new neighbors, who all believe they are something else – like mythical creatures or stars – which is incredibly frustrating for him. The series is funniest when Kou slowly starts to accept the craziness of his new life and begins to lose his grip on reality.

‘Daily Lives of High School Boys’ (2012)

Tadakuni is the most grounded of a group of high school friends, often finding himself caught up in the strange games and endless debates started by his classmates, Hidenori and Yoshitake. Despite trying to stop the silliness, he’s usually either ignored, teased, or ends up joining in. The show cleverly uses Tadakuni’s normal perspective to make the everyday boredom of being a teenager even funnier and more absurd.

‘Seitokai Yakuindomo’ (2010–2014)

Takatoshi Tsuda is just a normal student unexpectedly put in charge at a school that used to be for girls only. He’s stuck working with a student council made up of girls who constantly make suggestive jokes. Tsuda spends his time quickly spotting and correcting these inappropriate comments with a dry, unimpressed attitude, and it’s become a running gag. The comedy of the show comes from how fast he can catch every double meaning.

‘Hinamatsuri’ (2018)

Yoshifumi Nitta is a yakuza member who likes being single and collecting valuable vases. His life gets turned upside down when Hina, a girl with telekinetic powers, unexpectedly shows up and he’s forced to take care of her. The contrast between Nitta’s tough exterior and the everyday tasks of parenting and housework is a source of comedy. He frequently finds himself in awkward or dangerous situations because Hina doesn’t understand basic things.

‘Cromartie High School’ (2003–2004)

Takashi Kamiyama is a very polite and serious student who intentionally attends a school known for its troublemakers, hoping to make a statement. He remains unfazed by his unusual classmates – including one who looks like Freddie Mercury, a student with a gorilla-like presence, and a robot that everyone pretends isn’t a robot. In fact, Kamiyama’s calm acceptance of this bizarre situation might make him the strangest one of all, completely turning the typical ‘new kid’ experience on its head.

‘Prison School’ (2015)

Kiyoshi Fujino is one of five boys who unexpectedly end up at an all-girls boarding school, and quickly finds himself in trouble for spying. Unlike his friends, who lean into exaggerated and often extreme behaviors, Kiyoshi is the one desperately trying to find a way out of their increasingly chaotic situation. His over-the-top reactions to the harsh punishments and the bizarre rules of the school’s secret student council create both suspense and laughs. Kiyoshi’s panicked inner thoughts transform what could be frightening scenarios into hilarious comedy.

‘Grand Blue Dreaming’ (2018)

Okay, so I just finished watching this hilarious anime, and it’s about a guy named Iori who moves to a new town for college hoping for a normal, wholesome experience. That lasted about five seconds! He ends up stumbling into this diving club that’s… well, let’s just say they’re a bunch of crazy upperclassmen who love to drink and aren’t shy about anything. Iori initially tries to be the sensible one, reacting to all their wild antics, but the real fun begins when he gives in to the pressure. It’s a running joke how quickly he goes from being a regular guy to being just as mischievous and manipulative as everyone else – honestly, watching his descent is the best part!

‘Detroit Metal City’ (2008)

Soichi Negishi is a kind person with a secret double life. He longs to write catchy Swedish pop music and enjoy fashion, but he’s also the surprisingly talented frontman for the incredibly harsh death metal band, Detroit Metal City. The humor comes from his constant battle between wanting to be a good guy and the wild, destructive behavior of his stage persona, Krauser II. He struggles to keep these two sides of himself separate, leading to hilariously awkward situations even when he’s not performing.

‘Tanaka-kun is Always Listless’ (2016)

I just love Ohta! He’s Tanaka’s best friend, and honestly, Tanaka barely moves – he’s that lazy. Ohta basically carries Tanaka everywhere, like he’s a backpack! It’s amazing how patient he is, always worrying over Tanaka and helping him out. It really highlights just how little energy Tanaka has, and it’s both funny and really sweet to see Ohta so dedicated to helping his friend, even when Tanaka doesn’t seem to put in any effort at all.

‘The Devil Is a Part-Timer!’ (2013–2023)

Sadao Maou, once the powerful Demon Lord Satan, finds himself in modern Tokyo and working at a fast-food restaurant to make ends meet. He treats even flipping burgers with the same dedication he once gave to conquering kingdoms, becoming the calm and practical one among his chaotic companions. Maou often has to guide his overly dramatic followers and even the hero Emilia, as they struggle to adjust to everyday life, capitalism, and Japanese laws. The humor comes from his serious commitment to being a perfect employee while keeping his past as a demon lord a secret.

‘Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun’ (2014)

Chiyo Sakura is a high school student who tries to tell a classmate she likes him, but he thinks she’s a fan and asks her to help with his manga. Throughout the series, she’s constantly frustrated by the cluelessness and quirks of the manga artist, Nozaki, and his unusual friends. Her signature ribbon and blank expressions have become popular memes among anime fans. Because she’s the only one who recognizes how strange everything is, Sakura acts as a relatable stand-in for the audience.

2025-12-08 00:20