The main plot of any show always forces the cast into a very specific situation in order to create a conflict they must solve; but sometimes, fans just want to see their favorite characters in a more natural environment, more sat back and relaxed. Anime series outside of the "slice of life genre" can often be rather intense, filled with stressful or heartbreaking situations and dilemmas.
Sometimes, it's nice to take a break from the flurry of conflict and just enjoy some fun banter among the beloved characters; which is exactly why chibi spin-offs exist. Chibi spin-off shows often give the audience a more relaxed environment to see their favorite characters; allowing fans some time to blow off some steam before heading back into the main series once again. Here are some popular anime series that have their very own chibi-spin offs.
8 Koro Sensei Quest (Assassination Classroom Spin-Off)
- Debut Year: 2016
- Episodes: 12
- Status: Completed
As if the world of Assassination Classroom wasn't already crazy enough, the chibi miniseries, Koro Sensei Quest, is even more fantastical. While the original anime series is set in a world not post-apocalyptic, but one with the end of humanity impending toward them, Koro Sensei Quest is set in an alternate RPG-like universe where the students of Kunugigaoka Junior High are heroes in training.
The initial premise still remains, and the students are still tasked with the mission to assassinate their teacher one day. However, in the RPG world in Koro Sensei Quest, the students must overcome pesky bugs in the training system to defeat Demon King Koro-sensei who also serves as the class' final boss.
7 Gundam SEED Character Theater (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Spin-Off)
- Debut Year: 2007
- Episodes: 4
- Status: Completed
Gundam SEED Character Theater is a chibi spin-off of the 2002 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series and is a collection of small comedy shorts that feature the beloved cast. Much like other chibi spin-offs, Gundam SEED Character Theater focuses on the series' characters in their off time; allowing fans to see more of their favorite characters in a more natural environment with no tension, and letting their true personalities shine.
Not only do the main cast get their time in the spotlight in Gundam SEED Character Theater, but even the mobile suits get adorable chibi versions of themselves in the miniseries! Who would have the heart to pass up seeing a lovable puppy-like version of LaGOWE in action?
6 Sword Art Offline (Sword Art Online Spin-Off)
- Debut Year: 2012
- Episodes: 9
- Status: Completed
Sword Art Offline is a clever play on the title of its parent series, Sword Art Online, and is a chibi miniseries that played out like an aftershow or self-aware news report of each episode's events. Sword Art Offline isn't like other chibi spin-offs where the show would merely replace the series' theme with a "slice of life" one and follow them in their everyday adventures.
Instead, each episode would play out like a news broadcast with the main characters as hosts (such as Kirito acting as a commentator and Asuna as the news anchor); featuring trivia, headlines, a playback corner of the previous episode, and even a life counseling/problem-solving segment.
5 Chibi Party (Fullmetal Alchemist Spin-Off)
- Debut Year: 2006
- Episodes: 1
- Status: Completed
Being the classic that it is, the Fullmetal Alchemist series also had its very own chibi OVA called Chibi Party. This short took place after the Conqueror Of Shamballa film and was a single installation. The short featured all the characters (good and bad), celebrating after the events of the movie and enjoying their own little after-party.
The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood later followed suit and had its own chibi spin-off as well, called 4-Koma Theater. There were a total of sixteen episodes, aired from 2009 to 2010, and served as more comedic retellings of the mainline story, lightening up the darker mood the parent show often had.
4 Chibi Theater: Fly, Cadets, Fly! (Attack On Titan Spin-Off)
- Debut Year: 2013
- Episodes: 9
- Status: Completed
The Attack On Titan Chibi Theater series is described as gag shorts that shift the dark theme of the original series and change it into a more lighthearted comedy. Following Eren and friends, the series still loosely follows the canon world and plot in Attack On Titan but more heavily focuses on the more mundane or silly adventures the cast gets themselves into.
Often time, the chibi spin-off will recreate certain memorable scenes from the original series, but in a way that doesn't take itself too seriously. In the world of Chibi Theater, even getting devoured by a terrifying Titan is a humorous situation!
3 Straw Hat Theater (One Piece Spin-Off)
- Debut Year: 2006
- Episodes: 5
- Status: Completed
The One Piece chibi spin-off, Straw Hat Theater, was actually based on the mini manga specials that were published as simple three-page omake (loosely meaning "extra") comic strips, which were originally divided into thirteen different chapters.
The mini manga series was birthed after One Piece creator, Eiichiro Oda, was given three pieces of paper and was told to, "draw anything," by his editor. The Straw Hat Theater series is essentially the animated version of the mini manga specials and often parodied other genres, letting Luffy and friends explore vastly different themes and have tons of fun along the way!
2 Chibi Revengers (Tokyo Revengers Spin-Off)
- Debut Year: 2021
- Episodes: 24
- Status: Ongoing
Considering how incredibly stressful and dark Takemichi's quest is in Tokyo Revengers, it is nice to see the colorful cast take it easy once in a while in Chibi Revengers. This miniseries is based on the action/science-fiction thriller, Tokyo Revengers.
Protagonist, Takemichi is always finding himself in dangerous situations in the original show; and while the chibi series still loosely follows the canon plot line, it also focuses on the characters and their off time. Chibi or not, Mikey and Draken still always manage to find an excuse to give someone they don't like a beating!
1 Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals (Naruto Spin-Off)
- Debut Year: 2012
- Episodes: 51
- Status: Completed
Many new anime fans may already be familiar with Boruto and the original Naruto series, but they may not know about Rock Lee's very own chibi spin-off show! Rock Lee was a supporting character in the original Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden series and was so well-loved by fans due to his upbeat and optimistic attitude as well as his signature bushy eyebrows, that the creators decided to give him a spotlight of his own.
The canon storyline of Naruto is often intense with lots of bad blood between the opposing characters. However, in Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals, all the tension is rid, making for great laughs and a fun time with old friends instead.