Anime That Explore Hobbies and Passions Beyond Main Plots

Anime isn’t just about action and romance anymore. It now frequently explores the details of specific hobbies and passions, offering surprisingly in-depth looks at how things work and the hard work it takes to get good at something. Whether it’s a classic Japanese art or a modern pastime, these shows celebrate the dedication and enjoyment found in pursuing a skill. This collection features thirty anime series where a particular hobby or passion is central to the story.

‘Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!’ (2020)

Okay, so ‘Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!’ is a really fun and surprisingly insightful look into the world of animation. It centers around three high school girls who decide to start an animation club, and it’s not just about the fun of making cartoons. We see Midori, who’s the big ideas person, and her friends who handle all the nitty-gritty details – everything from the actual drawing to figuring out how to pay for it. What I really loved is how the show shows you how much work goes into every single frame, from storyboards to sound effects, but does it in a really creative and visually exciting way. Honestly, it feels like a love letter to anyone who’s ever dreamed of bringing their imagination to life through animation.

‘Blue Period’ (2021)

‘Blue Period’ follows Yatora Yaguchi, a well-liked student who unexpectedly falls in love with oil painting. Despite having no prior experience, he sets his sights on getting into the highly respected Tokyo University of the Arts. The story thoroughly examines the skills involved in painting, like understanding color, arranging elements, and drawing the human body. It also honestly portrays the emotional challenges and insecurities that artists often face.

‘March Comes in Like a Lion’ (2016–2018)

‘March Comes in Like a Lion’ follows Rei Kiriyama, a highly skilled teenage shogi player who struggles with the intense pressure of competition. The series explores not only the strategy and mental strength needed to succeed at professional shogi, but also Rei’s journey to find purpose and connection with others. During matches, the show uses powerful visuals to represent the emotional impact of each decision.

‘Chihayafuru’ (2011–2020)

‘Chihayafuru’ is a show that dives into the exciting world of karuta, a fast-paced Japanese card game rooted in classic poetry. The story follows Chihaya Ayase and her team as they strive to become the best karuta players in the world. The series highlights the incredible speed, sharp hearing, and strong memory skills needed to excel at the game, turning a little-known tradition into a thrilling and technically complex competition.

‘Sound! Euphonium’ (2015–2024)

‘Sound! Euphonium’ is about the Kitauji High School Concert Band and their journey to make it to national competitions. The story mainly follows Kumiko Oumae, who plays the euphonium, and explores the challenges and rewards of playing in a band. It shows the hard work, the ups and downs of teamwork, and the band’s dedication to creating beautiful music together. We also see how the students grow personally while learning about instruments and music itself.

‘Bakuman’ (2010–2013)

Bakuman. offers a realistic glimpse into the world of professional manga creation, following two ambitious students, Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi, as they strive to have their work published in Weekly Shonen Jump. The series details all aspects of the process, from selecting art supplies to navigating the complicated editorial process, and realistically depicts the demanding competition and grueling work schedule manga artists face to meet weekly deadlines.

‘Laid-Back Camp’ (2018–2024)

‘Yuru Camp’ is an anime that showcases the peacefulness and careful planning involved in winter camping in Japan. The story follows Rin Shima, who initially enjoys camping alone when fewer people are around, but gradually starts sharing her passion with friends. The show offers helpful advice on everything from picking the right equipment and putting up tents, to cooking outdoors. Ultimately, it highlights the beauty of nature and the simple joy of spending time outside.

‘Barakamon’ (2014)

‘Barakamon’ tells the story of Seishuu Handa, a skilled calligrapher who is exiled to a small, rural island after a fit of anger. There, he tries to find his creative spark and a new approach to his art, free from the pressures of city life. The series beautifully showcases the art of Japanese calligraphy, paying attention to details like brushstrokes and ink flow. Through his relationships with the island’s residents, Handa learns to infuse his work with more feeling and personality.

‘The Great Passage’ (2016)

‘The Great Passage’ tells the story of creating a comprehensive new dictionary. Mitsuya Majime, a skilled but socially awkward linguist, dedicates himself to finding the most accurate and insightful definitions for countless words. The series beautifully illustrates the detailed work and years of dedication involved in lexicography, celebrating the power and ever-changing nature of language.

‘Smile Down the Runway’ (2020)

As a total film and series buff, I recently checked out ‘Smile Down the Runway,’ and it really drew me in. It’s a fantastic look at the worlds of fashion design and modeling. The story centers on Ikuto, a young guy with big design dreams even though his family is struggling financially, and Chiyuki, who wants to be a runway model despite being told she’s too short. What I loved was how much it showed the work – the actual process of making clothes, the intense pressure of fashion shows, and everything that goes into being a model. It’s a really inspiring story about how passion and determination can help you break down barriers, even in such a competitive industry.

‘Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life’ (2019)

‘Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life’ follows a high school koto club – a group playing a traditional Japanese string instrument. The students come from different walks of life, but they all share a dream: to perform well enough to compete nationally. The anime dives into the details of playing the koto, like tuning and proper technique, and shows how teamwork is essential to creating beautiful music. Ultimately, it’s a story about how music can connect people and give them a sense of community.

‘Welcome to the Ballroom’ (2017)

‘Welcome to the Ballroom’ tells the story of Tatara Fujita, a timid student who unexpectedly finds himself drawn into the exciting world of competitive ballroom dancing. He dedicates himself to intense training, learning dances like the waltz and tango. The series highlights the strength, poise, and deep connection dancers need with their partners, and vividly portrays both the glamour and the hard work of competitive ballroom dancing.

‘Silver Spoon’ (2013–2014)

‘Silver Spoon’ is set at an agricultural high school in Hokkaido, where a student named Yuugo Hachiken goes to get away from the stress of traditional academics. Completely new to farming, he has to quickly learn everything about raising animals, growing crops, and how food is produced. The anime looks at the ethical issues surrounding the meat industry and the hard work involved in running a farm. It also shows the dedication of people who work in agriculture and how everything in the food system is connected.

‘Super Cub’ (2021)

‘Super Cub’ follows Koguma, a girl who feels alone until she buys a Honda Super Cub motorcycle. The show realistically portrays what it’s like to own and care for a scooter – from fixing it up to preparing it for winter. The motorcycle isn’t just a vehicle for Koguma; it’s a friend that helps her explore new places and meet people. The series has a calm and peaceful feel, highlighting the happiness found in riding and the enjoyment of the hobby itself.

‘Amanchu!’ (2016–2018)

‘Amanchu!’ is a story about two girls, Futaba and Hikari, who discover the world of scuba diving. Set in a seaside town, the series shows them learning how to dive safely – everything from using the equipment to getting certified. Along the way, it beautifully captures the incredible underwater life around the Izu Peninsula and the peaceful feeling of being underwater. The series also demonstrates how sharing a hobby can create strong bonds and help people face their fears.

‘Encouragement of Climb’ (2013–2022)

‘Encouragement of Climb’ follows Aoi and Hinata, two friends who start hiking to watch the sunrise from mountaintops. The show begins with short episodes and later expands to full-length ones, offering detailed information about hiking equipment, fitness training, and safety. It showcases real places in Japan and feels like a visual guide for anyone interested in climbing, following the characters as they work their way up from small hills to more difficult climbs, including Mount Fuji.

‘Dagashi Kashi’ (2016–2018)

‘Dagashi Kashi’ is a funny series that focuses on traditional Japanese snacks called dagashi. The main character, Kokonotsu, is urged to run his family’s candy store, and a quirky girl named Hotaru tries to show him how great these snacks are. Every episode highlights actual candies, sharing their history and how people enjoy them. It’s a nostalgic and informative look at the world of affordable, local Japanese sweets.

‘Insomniacs After School’ (2023)

‘Insomniacs After School’ tells the story of two students who connect because they both have trouble sleeping. They decide to bring their school’s astronomy club back to life. The show dives into the world of astrophotography, explaining how to use cameras and telescopes to photograph the night sky. The characters venture to quiet, secluded spots to get the clearest views of the stars. It’s a visually calming series that also highlights the careful work and dedication needed to capture beautiful photos of space.

‘Those Snow White Notes’ (2021)

‘Those Snow White Notes’ tells the story of Setsu Sawamura, a young musician who plays the Tsugaru Jamisen, a traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument. After his grandfather passes away, Setsu moves to Tokyo hoping to develop his own individual style. The series delves into the history of the shamisen, contrasting improvisation with established techniques, and showcases the deeply moving and powerful nature of this unique musical tradition.

‘Arte’ (2020)

As a total cinema lover, I recently discovered ‘Arte,’ and I’m completely captivated. It’s set in 16th-century Florence and tells the story of a young woman determined to become an artist. What’s so compelling is that it really shows you what life was like back then – women weren’t allowed into the artist guilds, so she had to fight tooth and nail to be taken seriously. The series isn’t just about the finished paintings, though. It meticulously details the painstaking work that went into creating art during the Renaissance – everything from grinding the pigments to preparing the canvases and learning how to paint frescoes. It’s a beautiful and inspiring look at the dedication it took to follow your artistic dreams when society was stacked against you.

‘Do It Yourself!!’ (2022)

‘Do It Yourself!!’ is an anime about a high school DIY club where the girls build furniture and other cool things from the ground up. What’s unique is that they use classic tools like saws and hammers – a refreshing change in a world full of technology. The show really captures the joy of making something with your own hands, and the fun of learning as you go. The gentle, inviting art style perfectly matches the heartwarming feeling of creating things by hand.

‘Asteroid in Love’ (2020)

‘Asteroid in Love’ centers around Mira Kinohata, who joins her school’s Earth Sciences club hoping to one day discover an asteroid, a promise she made as a child. The club brings together students fascinated by both space and rocks, and they spend their time learning about stars, constellations, and different types of minerals. The series realistically shows what it takes to be a scientist – being curious, paying close attention to detail, and carefully studying the world around you.

‘Tsurune’ (2018–2023)

‘Tsurune’ is a series about kyudo, traditional Japanese archery. The main character, Minato Narumiya, struggles with performance anxiety but finds his way back to the sport thanks to the unique sound of a bowstring – called a tsurune. The show highlights the calming, mindful side of archery, focusing on technique and mental discipline. It portrays kyudo not just as a competition, but as a journey toward inner peace and self-improvement.

‘My Dress-Up Darling’ (2022)

‘My Dress-Up Darling’ centers around Wakana Gojo, a high school student passionate about crafting traditional Japanese Hina dolls. His world turns upside down when he meets Marin Kitagawa, who enlists his sewing talents to help her create cosplay costumes. The show offers a detailed look at how these costumes are made, from sewing and wig styling to specialized makeup. It beautifully explores how two different artistic interests – dollmaking and cosplay – come together, and how respect grows through shared skill and dedication.

‘How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?’ (2019)

“How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?” is a funny and informative show about weightlifting and gym life. It follows Hibiki Sakura as she starts working out to get in shape, learning how to exercise correctly from a trainer. Each episode breaks down the science behind building muscle and offers step-by-step guides to exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. The show also highlights how important diet and regular workouts are for anyone wanting to get fit.

‘Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater’ (2020)

‘Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater’ centers around Hina Tsurugi, a student unexpectedly drawn into her school’s fishing club. Though she’s reluctant at first, she quickly picks up the skills needed for fishing – from learning different techniques and preparing bait, to cleaning and cooking what she catches. The series is a helpful, hands-on look at coastal fishing in Japan, showcasing the types of fish you can find and capturing the peacefulness and satisfaction that come with a good catch.

‘Bamboo Blade’ (2007–2008)

‘Bamboo Blade’ tells the story of a high school kendo coach tasked with building a winning female team after a wager. The show explores the world of kendo – a Japanese martial art with roots in swordsmanship – covering everything from its history and equipment to the rules of the game. It showcases the dedication and quick reflexes needed to compete, and examines why each team member chose to practice kendo. The series blends humor with a detailed look at the sport’s techniques and strategy.

‘Let’s Make a Mug Too’ (2021)

“Let’s Make a Mug Too” takes place in Tajimi, a city well-known for its beautiful pottery. When Himeno Toyokawa learns about her mother’s love of ceramics, she joins her school’s pottery club to try it herself. The show explains everything from the different kinds of clay to how to use a potter’s wheel, and even the science behind glazing and firing. It’s a celebration of the satisfying feeling of working with clay and the rich history of ceramic art.

‘Slow Loop’ (2022)

As a total film buff, I recently discovered ‘Slow Loop,’ and it’s really special. It’s about two step-sisters, Hiyori and Koharu, who unexpectedly connect through fly fishing. Hiyori’s dad taught her everything about it, and she lovingly passes that knowledge onto Koharu – things like how to cast properly and pick the right lures. But it’s more than just fishing; the series beautifully shows the importance of respecting the environment and even how to prepare the fish you catch. Honestly, it uses the peaceful, repetitive motions of fly fishing as a way to explore deeper feelings about loss, adjusting to new family dynamics, and just appreciating the beauty of being outdoors. It’s a really thoughtful and calming watch.

‘Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju’ (2016–2017)

‘Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju’ is a sweeping drama about rakugo, a traditional Japanese storytelling art. The story spans generations of performers who strive to preserve this art form as Japan changes throughout the 20th century. It offers a detailed look at the skills involved in rakugo, like using props such as fans and cloths to create imagery. Ultimately, the series is a moving exploration of how a deep passion for performing can shape a person’s life.

Tell us about any anime that center around hobbies you enjoy, and how those shows sparked or deepened your interest in those activities. Share in the comments below!

2026-01-21 01:19