If you need some time to relax and chill out, why not have a look at anime? You can enjoy watching it with your family. Japanese anime programs are becoming mainstream now; they’re just as popular in the U.S., Europe, and Asia! Adults could also be interested in this pop ure from Japan, which is full of fun content.
We have compiled a list of the best anime you can watch with your kids and share some quality time together. These are generally suitable for all age groups, so even if they’re too young or old to understand what’s happening on screen, it will still be worth watching!
Flying Witch
The protagonist of the family anime, Makoto Kowata, is a witch apprentice on her journey to become independent from her parents in order to study witchcraft. After moving out and leaving her family behind, she moves to Aomori with two cousins, where they begin living an adventure-filled life as witches.
Like any other teenager, Makoto is attending high school, but her whimsical involvement with witchcraft sets her apart from others. From an encounter with a dog fortune teller to the magic training she receives from her sister Akane, Makoto’s peaceful everyday life involves some witchcraft peculiarities shared among friends and family.
Pom Poko
Tokyo is expanding, which means that the city needs to sacrifice a lot for this expansion to happen. One of those sacrifices includes a decrease in nature and wildlife; as these things decline, animal communities are also affected by urbanization, such as Tanuki (magical shapeshifting mammals). They struggle against Tokyo’s growing presence so they can protect their forest home.
With the destruction of their homes becoming imminent, Elder Oroku takes it upon himself to unite all the Tanuki under one banner to save what little they have left. With a united front and some shapeshifting powers up his sleeve, he is confident that humans will be sufficiently scared off by them.
Cardcaptor Sakura
Sakura Kinomoto is a ten-year-old fourth-grader who’s curious about everything. One day, she stumbles upon a magical book containing cards and accidentally releases them all over town! Sakura must now rely on her friends to help retrieve each card before they cause trouble.
Sakura learns to balance her new secret duty with the everyday troubles of a young girl involving love, family, and school. Alongside Tomoyo Daidouji and Kero-chan’s guidance, Sakura takes flight on magical adventures as she becomes “the Cardcaptor.”
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Spirited Away
Spirited Away is a Japanese animated fantasy film from Studio Ghibli that has been ranked as one of the most acclaimed animes for decades. This kid-friendly movie centers around 10-year-old Chihiro and her quest to save her family from being trapped in an alternate world filled with spirits, mystical creatures, and magic spells. The story was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who is known for creating other highly praised films such as My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997) and Ponyo on the Cliff By the Sea (2008).
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Pretty Cure
Nagisa Misumi and Honoka Yukishiro, the protagonists of Pretty Cure, are as different as two people can be. Nagisa loves food but strongly dislikes homework, while Honoka enjoys studying science with her friends at school, who refer to her affectionately as “The Queen Of Knowledge.” Their lives are so different, but one night, during a mysterious star shower, they suddenly become connected unexpectedly!
Nagisa and Honoka meet Mipple and Mepple, residents of the Garden of Light. The Garden of Light has been conquered by the evil forces of the Dark Zone, who now have their sights set on Earth: The Garden of Rainbows. With powers from the Garden of Light, Nagisa becomes a magical girl Cure Black & Honoka becomes a magical girl Cure White! Now they must locate Prism Stones, which are the only power strong enough to defeat the dark zone and repair the damage done in the Garden of Light! Will these magical girls be able to protect the world from darkness?
Sailor Moon
Though the unedited version of this classic anime series can be quite humorous at times, its popularity is due largely to Cartoon Network’s Toonami schedule. Usagi Tsukino always scores low on her tests and finds herself as an average student with a klutz-like personality. However, she soon discovers that this humdrum life is turned upside down when she saves a cat from danger named Luna, who later reveals that their meeting was not by accident: it was meant to happen in order for Usagi to become Sailor Moon—a planetary guardian with the power to protect the Earth.
Sailor Moon must use her new powers to save the city from evil energy-stealing monsters sent by Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom. But getting used to her powers and fighting villains are not all she has on her plate: She must find other teenage girls called Sailor soldiers, like Sailor Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Princess Serenity’s Legendary Silver Crystal, in order to save Earth from destruction! Sailor Moon is a creative mix of magic, comedy, and relatable family situations.
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Crayon Shin-chan
Crayon Shin-Chan is a Japanese kids’ anime that follows the humorous misadventures of an impish and immature elementary school boy named Shinnosuke Nohara. Given his bratty behavior, Crayon Shinchan has entertained audiences for over two decades with his witty humor.
Despite his age, kindergartener Shinnosuke “Shin-chan” Nohara has done it all in terms of mischievous activities. The five-year-old is a troublemaker who often forgets about friends during hide and seeks, performs gags, including the most notorious elephant one can imagine, and flirts with college girls, among other questionable things.
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Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s witch-in-training journey is unexpectedly sweet and heartwarming. There isn’t too much of a story to overwhelm the viewers, but it still manages to keep adults glued in front of their screens thanks to a unique absence of hero vs. villain material you get from most media today. Kiki must spend her year living on her own away from home when she flies out into the open world atop her broomstick with Jiji (her black cat) by hand as part of a tradition for young witches.
Kiki wants to stay in Koriko but struggles. After meeting Osono, Kiki makes deliveries for the bakery and starts her own courier service by broomstick. She comes to understand responsibility as she brings exciting new experiences with her while trying to find a place among the townsfolk.
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Pokémon
Pokémon is an iconic Japanese anime about a young boy named Ash Ketchum and his journey to become the greatest Pokemon Master. The show has spurred countless video games over its 20-year run, making it one of Japan’s most beloved children’s franchises ever created. With so many fans around the world, that includes adults as well as kids.
Despite being the only trainer in Pallet Town who wasn’t able to get a Pokemon, 10-year old Ash Ketchum was determined not just to dream of becoming a “Pokemon Master” but also do it. Unfortunately for him, though, all three starting pokemon were claimed by other trainers, and Pikachu remained as an option–an electric-type that is rebellious towards its master.
Anpanman
The popular anime series Anpanman has been one of the most-watched kids’ favorites in Japan since it started airing in 1979 and is still a running anime series today. It is not too much to say that there is no child who doesn’t know about this family-friendly show, which may not be known by foreign people.
A star of life falls down the chimney at a bakery in the middle of an enchanted forest. The dough inside turns into Anpanman – a superhero made out of bread with red bean jam filling! Together, he and his friends defeated Baikinman to save children from malnutrition.
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By the Grace of the Gods
A young boy named Ryouma Takebayashi lives deep in the forest. He keeps various types of slime as pets, and despite his age, he has a sturdy physique with good compatibility for magic. This is all because, having endured much hardship in his previous life, three gods graced him with a second chance to pursue one goal: savor the wonders of life!
After spending three years in peaceful solitude, Ryouma is finally able to meet new people and experience the world from a different perspective. One day, after helping some soldiers tend to their wounded friend on his way home, they persuaded him to join them on a visit to a nearby town’s ducal family. As a result, he begins an adventure that takes him out into the unknown.
Captain Tsubasa
This sports anime series was very popular for inspiring soccer players around the world. It has a simple plot to follow and easy words to understand, so it is enjoyable even if you don’t fully comprehend what’s going on.
Soccer dominates the thoughts and dreams of an elementary school student. Despite playing soccer mainly just for recreation with his friends, Tsubasa Oozora developed a kind of obsession with the game in his early years. Due to Nankatsu’s excellent elementary school soccer teams, Tsubasa moves with his mother to Nankatsu city in order to pursue his dream to the fullest extent possible. Although he used to be the best in his old town, Nankatsu now faces a lot more competition.
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My Neighbor Totoro
The most popular Studio Ghibli anime film of all time is the 1988 classic, My Neighbor Totoro. The movie has been entertaining kids and adults worldwide since its release in 1988.
In the 1950s, Tatsuo Kusakabe moved his two daughters to the countryside, so they could be closer to their mother, who was hospitalized due to an illness. As Mei and Satsuki grow familiar with rural life, Mei spots a small bunny-like creature in her yard one day. After chasing it into the forest, she encounters “Totoro”, a mystical forest spirit who soon becomes friends with both girls.
Silver Spoon
Silver Spoon, a slice of life anime that aired in 2013, is enjoyed by many despite its interesting storyline and a great soundtrack. The main character, Yuugo Hachiken, struggles at an agriural school due to his lack of knowledge regarding topics like farming or animals, but it’s okay because the show has comedic moments which anyone can enjoy regardless of age.
Little Witch Academia
The anime series follows young witch Akko, who attends Luna Nova Academy, a school for witches packed with action and excitement. While there are battles between fantasy creatures with no carnage or intense aggression to frighten children younger than 8 years old, the show’s story might be too diffi for them to understand, which is why it has been rated as suitable only for viewers at least eight years of age or older.
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Sweetness And Lightning
For anime lovers who enjoy cooking, Sweetness and Lightning is the perfect show. The majority of the program focuses on widower dad Kohei’s attempts to cook meals for his daughter Tsumugi. On top of that, fans can actually follow along with these recipes in their own kitchen! While not very powerful action-wise, Sweetness and Lightning captures all sorts of challenges between family members as well as learning experiences both have together throughout life.
Doraemon
A blue robotic cat appears from a young boy’s desk drawer and introduces himself as Doraemon. He tells the boy that his future descendants live in poverty because of all the mistakes he made, so they sent him to serve as a guide and mentor to Nobita Nobi. What Doraemon comes to learn is that Nobita is lazy with little self-control or motivation – someone who can not be changed easily.
He carries a four-dimensional pocket with him, in which he keeps a number of machines and gadgets from the future. These usually result in even more trouble for Nobita. Does Doraemon have a chance to change Nobita?
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Ponyo
Ponyo, also known as Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, is a Studio Ghibli anime movie released in 2008 that has been praised for its fantasy movie elements and innovative story.
It starts with Ponyo sneaking away from home and floating off on the back of a jellyfish. When she gets stuck inside a glass jar, she drifts to the shore, where Sousuke frees her. She licks Sousuke’s cut finger and cures him. It is later revealed that Ponyo is the daughter of a sorcerer, and she turns into a human.
Chi’s Sweet Home
Chi’s Sweet Home is an exciting and heartwarming anime that can make viewers into avid cat-lovers. It was created by Kanata Konami, a person known for another animal lover’s work as well, FukuFuku: Kitten Tales. The series follows the adventures of cute kitten Chi around town with neighbors, friends, and owners who are often trying to keep her out of trouble, but she always gets into it anyway, making this show great if you want plenty of laughs or just looking for something sweet.
Howl’s Moving Castle
This dream-like anime classic depicts a wise old wizard in a fantastical walking castle and an 18-year-old hat maker transformed by an evil witch. Other colorful characters include one with a turnip for a head and another who deals with fire demons. The complex character development might be too complex for kids to understand, but they will still enjoy it.
Tamako Market
The slice-of-life anime Tamako Market is a gentle show about a teenage girl balancing life and work while working at her parents’ shop making mochi. It’s not laden with mechas or magical girls, but it makes its audience feel as though they can bond over the characters that most resemble them in real life.
So there you have it, anime fans. The best kids’ anime for your viewing pleasure. We might have missed a few here and there, so if your favorite childhood anime isn’t on this list, don’t be sad! Tell us about it in the comments below, and maybe we can add it to our list. And remember-enjoy yourself while watching these excellent anime!
