Kid-Friendly Japanese Anime
Growing up, many of us fell in love with the magic of animation, from Saturday morning cartoons to discovering anime’s unique storytelling. As a child, Heidi was one such anime that held me in thrall, and it was so good that my parents and teenage siblings enjoyed it with me. Today, sharing that magic with our children is easier than ever, but finding something wholesome can be tricky. That’s why this small list highlights beautiful, age-appropriate kid-friendly anime adventures that the whole family can enjoy.
Why should kids watch anime
Anime isn’t just colourful fun, it often carries life lessons wrapped in laughter and fantasy. Kids learn about friendship, bravery, empathy, and perseverance while discovering cultures beyond their own. Unlike most Western cartoons, Japanese anime often treats young viewers with respect, trusting them to handle meaningful stories about courage, loss, and hope.
Western animation sometimes hides “adult context” that is hard for children to understand or, sadly, is actually inappropriate for them. I, myself, have watched animation meant for children that made me cringe when a sentence popped up that was not child-friendly.
There are a lot of anime children should not watch, but there are also many that are kid-friendly. Your little ones deserve to build a love for animation just as you did when you were a child. But let’s be honest, we want to preserve their innocence and keep them from fan service and themes that are not appropriate for innocent eyes. That is why we bring you two anime series and two movies that will bring stars to your little human’s eyes and teleport them into realms of wonder.
Doraemon (Movie and series)
A classic story that follows a blue robotic cat named Doraemon, who travels back in time from the 22nd century to help a clumsy, unlucky boy named Nobita Nobi. Sent by Nobita’s future descendant, Doraemon’s mission is to improve Nobita’s life and prevent the family’s future misfortunes.
Armed with a four-dimensional pocket full of futuristic gadgets, from the “Anywhere Door” to the “Time Machine”, Doraemon aids Nobita in navigating everyday challenges. The stories often explore the consequences of misusing technology, offering valuable life lessons wrapped in humour and heart.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (Movie)
According to the novel the anime is based on, Kiki was born on January 2nd, 1947. She lives with her parents and her pet cat, familiar (and best friend) Jiji until the night she decides to leave. As it is traditional for 13-year-old witches to leave home for a year on the night of a full moon to hone their craft through training, she leaves her home in Karikiya to train as a witch.
She travels by broomstick to the port city of Koriko, where she helps the very pregnant owner of a bakery, Osono, in exchange for accommodation. She opens a “Witch Delivery Business”, delivering goods by broomstick. Her first delivery is a disaster, but her pet cat/familiar Jiji helps her. Her adventures are quite entertaining.
Kiki is a friendly and sweet girl but can be stubborn and proud at times. In the beginning of her life in Koriko, people see her as a show-off, but she makes good friends who see her for the great person she is. Kiki was voiced by Lisa Michelson, who also voiced Satsuki Kusakabe in My Neighbor Totoro. Cosy, uplifting, and magical, especially for creative dreamers.
Digimon Adventure (Movie and series)
Back in 1992, magic happened all over the world. Kids and adults alike were glued to television sets as the DigiDestined and their Digimon partners battled against evil to save the Digital World, as well as Earth. It was different from Pokémon because here, the Digimon could speak to their partners.
It was an awesome 54-episode series, followed by a second season called Digimon Adventure 02, which introduced new Digimon and characters. Then came other Digimon series and movies, some great and some disappointing, depending on the Digimon fanatik’s point of view. But at its heart, it’s all about good versus evil through the eyes of children.
My Neighbor Totoro (Movie)
Two sisters move to the countryside with their father and meet magical forest spirits, including the gentle Totoro. This Studio Ghibli classic celebrates wonder, kindness, and the importance of family. It also deals with deep emotion, their mother is sick, and Totoro and his forest friends become a way for the children to cope with being separated from her. Its slower pace and soothing visuals make it ideal for quiet evenings with young children, fostering both imagination and calm.
Conclusion
There are many more great anime that are kid-friendly, and we urge you to explore what anime resonates with your unique blend of parenting. Anime is a great vehicle to spend time with your children. Watching anime together can become a treasured family ritual, a chance to laugh, cry, and grow closer.
Each story offers something special, reminding both children and adults that imagination is timeless. We leave you with videos that may aid you in your journey. We hope you find something that will touch your child’s heart, and maybe resonate with your inner child as well.
Disclaimer: The following videos showcase anime that are suggestions, it is up to you to choose which ones you would allow your children to see as there are mild violence in some of the suggestions.
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