If you’ve never seen any, you could think that all anime is adult-themed Japanese cartoons with big-eyed characters and brilliant colors. Although some anime is inappropriate for children, a lot of it is actually rather good for them.
What Anime Should You Watch With Your Kids? It might be difficult to find family-friendly anime, especially if you’re not familiar with the genre and are merely seeking for episodes to watch with the little ones in the house during the busy holiday season.
We’ve got you covered, though, with a list of the top 25 anime that you should consider watching with your kids, along with some other noteworthy titles. Most of these shows are lighthearted and entertaining while also imparting valuable lessons that you and your kids may use in everyday life.
1. “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure”
When I need to unwind, I’ve been watching Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure for a while now. Not that anything is relaxing about it, but at first glance, it seems like many muscular men are talking over their psychic conflicts as loudly as they can, which takes forever. In JJBA’s timeline, what seems like hours is less than a minute. However, JJBA is so much more than that; it’s an epic journey that spans a century and destroys the conventions of how to tell a traditional adventure story. Drawing freely from Indiana Jones, Versace, classic rock, and any other passing interest of mangaka Hirohiko Araki to create an explosive hodgepodge of fast-paced absurdity, a language you’ll pick up quickly and soon find cozier than Sailor Moon. There’s a good reason why JJBA has stood the test of time as one of the most seminal works of anime culture.
2. Evangelion from Neon Genesis Evangelion
Most people nowadays have heard about Neon Genesis Evangelion because of the show’s ubiquitous merchandising and media references. Even for a show like Evangelion which is so well-known in the world of animation, the way it is talked about is always changing. Despite its early promise as a critical examination of the mecha genre popularised by Gundam and Macross, the franchise eventually devolved into a melodrama-as-merchandise-style cesspool of meaningless filler.
The show’s cultural impact, which can be observed in everything from Persona 3 to Gurren Lagann, is undeniable and has become a phenomenon that goes far beyond the show’s content. Akin to George Lucas’s loss of influence over Star Wars, creator Hideaki Anno has predicted the end of anime as we know it, claiming that the industry in Japan is “moving by inertia.”
3. Demon Slayer
Anime enthusiasts in the United States like watching Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, but it is practically impossible to avoid in Japan. Even though it has been years since the manga ended, it is still a best-seller, and the movie adaptation smashed Spirited Away’s record for the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. This, was during the height of a pandemic, when no vaccines were available.
How can you account for Demon Slayer’s popularity? The story of Tanjiro Kamado, a young demon slayer, and his journey to save his demon-transformed sister Nezuko may not be the most creative action series to come out of Weekly Shonen Jump, but it hits all the most likeable conventions of the genre with amazing elegance. Studio Ufotable’s animation is out of this world, and the Taisho era backdrop is perfectly recreated, making the characters easy to connect with right away. The first season is currently streaming on Netflix; if you complete and want more, the movie can be rented from most digital retailers, and the second season is available on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
4. Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura, another kid-friendly masterpiece, revitalised the magical girls’ genre and anime as a whole. This series features intriguing and oftentimes humorous storylines. The show’s very welcoming of LGBTQ+ actors is a plus, too.
The premise is standard fare for a show of this type. Sakura Kinomoto, a carefree young woman, stumbles into magical power and sets off on a quest with the help of a friendly lion-like beast. Sakura’s mission is to collect all 53 of Clow Reed’s magical cards, which contain different elements of power that will help her and those she cares about.
5. Naruto
The battle scenes in this shonen are excellent. This anime has a lot going for it, from its expansive magic system to its intricate, beautifully rendered hand-to-hand combat. The series’ overuse of flashbacks and monologues is off-putting, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming an iconic piece of pop culture in its own right.
Every adolescent should watch Naruto because it shows them that even decent people may become bad and relationships can end. Masashi Kishimoto introduces us to a clan of ninja that risk life and limb to protect their people, only to tear them apart prematurely. As important as Naruto’s search for Sasuke and his efforts to bring him back to the leaf village are to the tale, so too are the relationships Naruto has formed there.
One of the emotional pillars of this metaseries about unconditional friendship, retribution, and the forgiveness that is the only route to peace is the solidarity the Hidden Leaf Village demonstrates in the face of violence and terror. This anime serves as a prologue to Naruto: Shippuden, in which a web of spies, conspiracies, and (secretly) interconnected narrative threads is revealed. Make sure you don’t waste any space with unnecessary words.
6. Dragon Ball Z is the best fighting anime (Z, GT, Super)
Numerous jokes, parodies, and anime memes have been based on the Dragon Ball series, which follows Son Goku and his pals through their many adventures. The genre of combat anime as we know it today wouldn’t exist without Dragon Ball.
From its inception, Dragon Ball was meant to be a humorous spin on the classic tale of the Eastward Journey. By the time Dragon Ball Z was released, the franchise had become the prototypical example of its genre.
It’s funny to make fun of the entire episodes devoted to Goku and his enemies building up their ultimate attacks. Perhaps that’s too much for some viewers, which is why Dragon Ball Kai, the official condensed version, is available on Funimation.
7. Haikyu!!
Another sure choice is sports anime, as fans of all ages can relate to the feeling of victory in a championship game.
The story and gameplay of Haikyu are presented in a more subdued and realistic fashion, making them accessible to a wider audience and ensuring that everyone, no matter their age, will enjoy them.
Also, it has a really human backstory.
As a result, it’s not like you’re just hanging out with your grandpa and watching the game on a Monday.
8. Baki
An exciting display of hyper-masculine tales, Baki tells the classic tale of a son preparing to become a better boxer than his father. Tense battles between the most muscular men imaginable fill this high-action shonen. The number of photos of muscled men flexing and tensing could fill an entire episode if Netflix put them all together in a short film. These characters epitomise the meathead tool mentality that propels the series through their bulky physiques, hyper-tough voices, and knowing smirks and sneers. Although Baki agrees with common notions of power, he questions their bearing on compassion and independence.
9. Cowboy Bebop
Semantics settle any argument over whether or not Cowboy Bebop, Shinichir? Watanabe’s science-fiction masterwork, is the apex of animation. Simply said, yes. Unique in the seinen genre, it combines elements of cyberpunk mystery set in space with those of the Wild West, martial arts action, and noir cool. The book’s existential and traumatic themes are accessible to anybody. Its motley crew of bounty hunters are multifaceted and imperfect but dripping with cool. It portrays a future that is both racially and linguistically inclusive and disturbingly near-future.
The English dub, which has some of the best American voice actors working today, manages to hold its own against the subtitrated Japanese original. Its 26-episode run was nearly flawless, and even episodes that may have been filler in another series are compact, tense, and serve the show’s thesis without detracting from its overall plot. It’s simple enough for new viewers to pick up and rewarding enough for seasoned fans to keep coming back for more. The wonderful, jazz-heavy score and soundtrack by Yoko Kanno can be enjoyed independently.
The opening titles are perfectly done. It’s not a rehashed story but rather an entirely new creation. Amazingly, this is Watanabe’s debut series in charge of, and it feels like the culmination of a long and fruitful career. It’s a masterpiece that belongs among the best shows ever made for television, let alone anime. An opponent is anxiously anticipated. In other words, we aren’t getting our hopes up.
10. Hunter x Hunter
A plethora of shonen (and even American TV shows) feature a group of young protagonists who use their supernatural powers and deductive thinking to solve problems. Hunter x Hunter stands out among works of this genre due to its depth of character and dedication to plot. There are tonnes of little side stories in this anime that don’t amount to much, but they show that the characters in this universe existed before you even started watching.
Hunter x Hunter follows protagonist Gon Freecss on his training path to Hunter’s status. Despite being the stereotypical savior figure of a shonen protagonist, it’s nice that he keeps his obnoxious, droning chants to himself. His unwavering optimism and commitment to helping others propel the show’s narrative. His unlikely friendship with a young child from a family of assassins gives the show its uplifting undercurrent. You cannot help but become emotionally invested in these two youngsters because of their intriguing relationship.
Togashi highlights the characters’ youth and inexperience by having them face older. More seasoned antagonists, and by introducing influential guides who aid in their development. He puts a lot of thought into making each character’s skills fit their personality, but ultimately, they all have the same source of power: determination. You will never be the same after seeing the incredible acts you will see in this anime.
Although Togashi has been sick for a while, he insists that the manga will continue. We look forward to the seventh season of the remastered animation.
11. Howl’s Moving Castle
Even though it’s aimed at a younger audience. I’ve seen Howl’s Moving Castle more than once because it’s such a fantastic steampunk fairy tale. The spectacular locations, extraordinary technology, and fantastical creatures in this series never fail to astound viewers.
Sophie, a young woman in the story, is magically transformed into an elderly one. She tries to return to normal by joining the wizard Howl and his oddball friends in his travelling palace. But she soon finds herself living with them.
12. Snow White with the Red Hair
Despite its fairy-tale veneer, Disney’s Snow White is a really grim film. The wicked witch has no redeeming qualities and attempts to kill the princess for no good reason. Meanwhile, Snow White must make her way through a dangerous wood to reach the dwarfs’ home.
Red-Haired Snow White is much paler than her dark-haired counterpart. Also, no dwarves are living there. In this family-friendly anime, Shirayuki, a herbalist with striking red hair, plays the role of Snow White. She flees her household when she learns she will have to serve as a concubine for Prince Raji. There is a poisoned apple, however it plays a relatively minor role in the plot. Further, this Snow White has greater depth than the original.
13. K-On!
Even if your parents or grandparents frown upon your watching this in your thirties. You and your younger brother or nephew will have a great time.
The trademark formula of attractive females doing lovely things. Highly likeable and relatable characters, and a banger soundtrack, are all there.
Not to mention, nothing too racy ever happens here. This is not common in an anime set in a high school.
The show never deals with anything too heavy or adult for its target demographic of young viewers. I think it’s a great option for the little ones!
Hope you all liked our list of the 13 best kid-friendly anime to watch together. Share your suggestions and advice in our comment section below. Happy Watching!
