It is a staple of high school anime: the school club.

A big theme of anime is always striving to be better, and these characters embody that.

School clubs feature in a lot of anime: comedy, slice-of-life, sports, and even mystery.

Edward Elric, Naruto, and Light Yagami.

After losing his place on the basketball team, Tomoya leads a dissatisfied life until he meets Nagisa.

With Tomoya’s help, Nagisa’s dreams of running a thriving drama club are realized.

The girls of Love Live, though, are running an idol research club for a good cause.

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From Naruto to One piece, here are the anime shows with the most iconic soundtracks!

For Haruka Nanase, that hobby is swimming.

His rival Rin is the same, wishing to be a competitive swimmer.

A split image showing scenes from Clannad, Violet Evergarden and A Silent Voice

The two boys' relationship suffers due to their urge to outdo the other.

Free drew praise for itsgorgeous animationand even more gorgeous character designs.

The show set the bar for athletic rivalries while showcasing sport as self-improvement.

Split image of characters from Clannad, Haruhi and K-On.

The show focuses on a high school basketball team aiming to be national champions.

Deciding she looks the part, the host club lets her repay the debt by working with them.

From action to comedy to romance, these are the very best anime series from the 2000s.

Koro Sensei, Sung Jin Woo and Mob are shown.

This leads to the many lighthearted encounters that form the basis of thisromantic comedy.

Ouran High School Host Club is easy to rewatch and has endearing characters.

Despite its shoujo appeal, this is a show that all kinds of anime fans can enjoy.

Nagisa offering Tomoya lunch in Clannad.

The cast of K-On certainly did, forming a club to that end.

Purportedly a light music club, the group is actually focused on rock’n’roll.

K-On is an excellent anime that pays close attention to detail.

The main characters of Love Live School Idol Project looking shocked.

The instruments featured are accurate anime renderings of real-life guitars and drums, and the animation is superb.

The comedy antics kept the show from being exclusively for music fans: K-On is an anime for everyone.

These sports anime will keep you entertained and amazed, even if you aren’t the sporty key in.

Your Name, Cowboy Bepop and Studio Ghibli movies.

3Hyouka

Hyouka tells the story of a literature club trying to solve mysteries of its own past.

The protagonist, Houtaro, joins the club because he thinks he’ll get to do nothing.

Fortunately for him, the club president has other ideas.

The cast of the anime Free look out over a school rooftop.

Even the reluctant Houtaro is eventually forced to admit that all their adventures together were for the better.

One of the cutest anime of all time, School Babysitters has its tear-jerking moments as well.

To pay for their food and lodging, Kashima takes charge of the school’s babysitting club.

Akashi Seijuro staring down his opponent in Kuroko’s Basketball.

1The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya

Haruhi is an anime that’s simultaneously about everything and nothing.

This anime was a cultural phenomenon in the 2000s, especially in Asia.

The anime was even aired out of order: chronology doesn’t matter, but the feeling does.

Tamaki looks smug in front of the rest of the cast of Ouran High School Host Club.

KyoAni is known for its hugely popular anime, but which are the best of the best?

The cast of K-On prepare to take a picture together.

Haikyu image showing Hinata getting ready to spike the ball.

Eru Chitanda with a shocked expression on her face in Hyouka.

Kotaro being held by his brother in School Babysitters.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya image showing Haruhi Suzumiya.