One of the things that I have learned about the cosmos of anime is that there is something for everyone. You can pick an anime with over 1000 episodes (yes, I am talking about One Piece), or you can keep it short with a 12-episode anime that you can binge overnight.
Mecha, Isekai, Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, High School, you name it, they have it. The homegrown Japanese animation industry is not limited to geographical boundaries anymore. In fact, anime became mainstream back in the 90s owing to the popularity of Dragon Ball, Gundam, and so on, with Naruto maintaining widespread popularity.
In today’s age, anime is one of the most popular forms of visual entertainment, with most of the popular anime available to stream on major platforms such as Netflix, Hotstar, and Hulu. Even if anime is not your cup of tea, if you have an active social media presence, you are most definitely aware of the popular ones.
Anime to Watch with Family
With the discourse around anime being at an all-time high, so much so that anime movies are not only being released in theatres worldwide, but they are also doing some serious numbers and attracting a vast audience that is not limited to regular anime watchers; it is thus no surprise that anime attracts viewers from all walks of life.
However, if you are the only person in your family who watches anime and have a tough time explaining to them why you are so invested in watching a “cartoon,” then this list would definitely come in handy.
Here’s a list of wholesome, entertaining, and family-friendly anime that you can watch with your family!
Also read: Best Anime For ’12-Year-Olds’ To Watch
Barakamon
The young and talented Seishu Handa, who was born and brought up in the capital city of Tokyo, is a budding calligrapher who exhibits a lot of promise and potential. He is aware of his abilities, perhaps a bit too much, which paves the way for his narcissistic nature.
One day, the proud and talented Seishu Handa receives some unkind words on his calligraphy from a calligraphy veteran, which is not well taken by the protagonist, who loses his temper and defends his work pretty extremely, only to be faced with life-altering consequences.
Because of his actions, Seishu’s father sends him far away from the plush city life to the small island named Goto Island, off the western coast of Kyushu. His father hopes that this excursion will give him some clarity and also give him the space to reflect on his actions and attitude.
Much to his surprise, Seishu finds a town filled with vibrant people who have no comprehension of boundaries and are constantly a part of Seishu’s life, be it with or without his accord.
The title of the anime, called Barakamon, translates to ‘the energetic or cheerful child’ in the English language and is used in the local, provincial dialect of Goto Island. It refers to the excitable kid, Naru Kotoishi, who becomes an important part of Seishu’s life during his exile on Goto Island.
Through his journey, which reminds me of Schitt’s Creek, the once self-absorbed Seishu ends up learning way more about life than he could have ever imagined.
- Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
- Duration: 12 episodes
- Score on MAL: 8.38
- Where to watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll, Apple TV
Also read: Barakamon Anime Watch Order: Movies & TV Series
Spirited Away
Chihiro Ogino is a ten-year-old child who is, like any other kid, stubborn and innocent. Chihiro, along with her parents, are on their way to their new place of residence. During the travel to their new home, the family of three discover something that alters reality for them.
Chihiro’s father discovers a tunnel route that appears to be a shortcut and decides to take a detour. The tunnel, however, leads them to what seems to be an abandoned theme park. Chihiro’s parents decide to explore the park even though Chihiro is not on board with the idea and feels a bit scared of the place.
As it turns out, the abandoned place is not just a theme park but an entry to a magical realm. Chihiro must excel in this realm in order to go back to her human world along with her parents, who need to be changed back into their human form.
Chihiro is fortunately not alone in this new and strange place. She is discovered by a friend, more like a guardian angel, Haku, who guides her through this realm ruled by Yubaba. On her journey, she befriends several characters who are touched by her innocence and honesty.
What follows is an excursion that will fuel your imagination with its storytelling, visuals, metaphoric elements, and so much more.
Spirited Away, which was released in 2001, is not only critically acclaimed but was the highest-grossing movie in Japan up until 2020 when Demon Slayer- The Movie: Mugen Train surpassed the $305 million success of Spirited Away.
The movie also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003. At the heart of it, the film is a fantastical, wholesome, and warm reminder of the tales told to us by our grandparents.
The characters are lovable, the visuals are a treat, and the story is an unforgettable one. This one is a perfect watch for kids and adults alike.
- Genre: Mystery, Adventure, Fantasy
- Studio: Studio Ghibli
- Duration: 2 hours 4 minutes
- Score on MAL: 8.78
- Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video
Also read: 18 Anime Movies Like Spirited Away Worth Watching
Natsume’s Book of Friends
Natsume Takahashi inherited the golden ability to see and communicate with ghosts from his maternal grandmother, Natsume Reiko. This ability, which might be desirable for some, is the result of his lonely and secluded childhood, as no one wanted to befriend the ‘strange’ kid.
Natsume doesn’t have anyone who would look out for him. Hence he is sent from one paternal relative to another to look after him. He has been an outcast most of his life and has now shut himself off from his current foster family as well as his peers.
One day, Natsume breaks free a spirit that presents itself in the form of a cat, Madara. The spirit realizes that Natsume Takahashi is Reiko’s grandson, who also happens to be in possession of the Book of Friends created by Reiko.
Reiko had captured hundreds of spirits in that book for her personal gain, and now that Takahashi has inherited it, he can do whatever he wants with it. Takahashi decides to keep the book in remembrance of his grandmother but wants to free the captured spirits.
The book, however, is a prized possession, and a lot of eyes are on it for reasons both good and bad.
Madara and Natsume Takahashi thus form a deal wherein Takahashi would be protected by Madara, and in return, Takahashi would give up the book to him when its time for him to pass it down.
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Duration: 6 season, 74 episodes + 1 OVA + 4 specials + 1 movie
- Score on MAL: 8.31
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Gakuen Babysitters
Ryuuichi Kashima is a teenager who has recently lost both his parents in a fatal plane crash. He is now the sole caretaker of his toddler brother Kotarou, who is too young to understand the situation.
At the funeral, a strict and cold woman, Youko Morinomiya, the chairman of a prestigious academy, approaches Ryuuichi and offers her a roof over their head and promises his admission to the academy.
She, however, has a deal in mind and wants Ryuuichi to look after the infants of the female teachers at the academy. He is thus appointed the babysitter of the school, and even though the academy has a babysitter’s club, it hardly has any members, leaving Ryuuichi to look after not only his brother but other kids too.
What follows is a wholesome and adorable interaction between Ryuuichi and the little kids he needs to take care of, which proves to be quite the challenge, but not one without amusement and pleasant moments.
- Genre: Slice of Life
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Duration: 12 episodes + 1 OVA
- Score on MAL: 7.90
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki is a thirteen-year-old witch in the making. She needs to leave home as part of an age-old tradition that requires young witches to leave home as early as thirteen years of age and hone their skills through training and apply them in the real world.
Kiki decides to leave home earlier than she had originally planned with her black cat named Jiji, who has the ability to talk. Although she seems underprepared to her mother, Kokiri, Kiki has made up her mind to leave that very night under a full moon sky.
Kiki sets out on her expedition, flying on her broomstick with her talking cat, Jiji, until she reaches the coastal town of Koriko.
With no familiar face around, except for her cat, she finally finds solace in a boarding offered to her by a kind woman Osono, in exchange for her delivery services for Osono’s small bakery. Kiki is to fulfill her part of the deal by flying upon the broomstick, a skill that, according to her mother, she has not yet mastered.
Nonetheless, she sets out on the adventure, falters on the way, and learns valuable lessons about life. The importance of maturity and responsibility, along with embracing the traditional way of life while adapting to modernity, is depicted wonderfully.
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure
- Studio: Studio Ghibli
- Duration: 1 hour 43 minutes
- Score on MAL: 8.22
- Where to watch: Netflix
Also, read Best Anime Films From Studio Ghibli That You Cannot Afford To Miss Watching!
Chibi Maruko-chan
This one is the perfect choice for kids of all ages as well as adults who are looking for a light-hearted and comforting anime. With an adorable main character, Momoko Sakura, nicknamed Chibi Maruko-chan, the anime makes up for a good nostalgic watch in between breaks.
Also read: 36 Must Watch Children’s Japanese Dramas: Discovering Japan’s Gems
Elementary school student Momoko, also known as Chibi Maruko-chan due to her small size and young age, is a cheerful and lovable little girl. She lives joyous life with her precious and hilarious family, which includes her sister, her parents, and her grandparents in a small town.
She also has quite a lot of friends in school that, includes her best friend, Tama-chan, her trio consisting of Hamaji-Bu Taro, Hanawa-kun, and Sekiguchi-kun, as well as her friends in the student council, Maruo-kun, and Migiwa-san.
Maruko-chan is an energetic and active kid who frequently creates problems, and in order to fix her mistakes, her friends come to her rescue. The anime focuses on the pleasures of everyday life and the happiness that comes with simplicity.
The creator and illustrator of the manga, pen named Momoko Sakura, who lent her name to the protagonist, was inspired by real-life incidents and people while writing and illustrating the series. She also based the series in her hometown, formerly known as Irie District, Shimizu, now Shizuoka City.
- Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
- Studio: Nippon Animation
- Duration: 142 episodes
- Score on MAL: 7.61
- Where to watch: YouTube
Mirai
This anime beautifully explains several aspects of the bond shared by siblings. Starting from sibling rivalry to what it means to look out for your sibling, this anime explores each of the themes.
The story is about a four-year-old boy Kun, who, up until now, received all the love and attention from his parents. Kun mostly spends his time with his dog, Yukko, and playing with his toy train sets.
One day Kun’s parents bring home his baby sister Mirai. Kun is now an older brother and is at first getting used to it, but he realizes that he won’t be the center of attention anymore. He tries different ways to get his mother and father’s attention, who are an executive and an architect by profession, respectively.
No amount of cribbing or nagging gets him what he wants, as Kun’s parents are occupied with the care of the newborn baby girl. One day, after one of his many failed tantrums, he marches off to the garden, where he meets a strange man claiming to be the ‘Prince’ of the house.
This Prince takes Kun on an astonishing journey where Kun travels through time and learns about the people back home at different stages in their lives. He also learns the true meaning of caring for others and what it means to be a good brother.
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
- Studio: Studio Chizu
- Duration: 1 hour 38 minutes
- Score on MAL: 7.28
- Where to watch: Prime Video, Crunchyroll
Tamako Market
Tamako Kitashirakawa is an adorable teenager residing in the Shopping District of Usagiyama. Inside this shopping district lies a business community that is pretty close-knit and maintains healthy competition.
Tamako Kitashirakawa’s family is involved in the family business of mochi baking and owns a charming shop named Tama-ya. They, however, have one rival who happens to be Tamako’s friend, Mochizou Ooji’s father.
As fate would have it, Mochizou has a crush on Tamako but is nervous and shy about the whole situation due to the rivalry between the two mochi bakers.
On the other side of this is a bird, Dera Mochimazzi, who is apparently a royalty from far away seeking a worthy bride for his nation’s prince. Dera sees Tamako to be a perfect fit, hence the tiff between Mochizou and Dera.
The anime is a comforting slice of life that focuses on the daily life of Tamako and captures the innocence of the adorable characters. And only time will tell who will be able to woe the clumsy yet charming Tamako Kitashirakawa.
- Genre: Slice of Life
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Duration: 12 episodes
- Score on MAL: 7.40
- Where to watch: Prime Video
Tanaka-kun wa Itsume Kedaruge
Tanaka-kun is extraordinary in the sense that he would do anything to make his life as eventless and ordinary as possible. The one thing he can’t live without is peace, and he feels inconvenienced when anything gets in the way of his quiet life.
He is not necessarily selfish but just wants to be left alone. He comes off as lethargic and exhausted when awake and, well, dozes off at other times.
He cares for his friend Ohta and tries to be a good brother to Rino. Tanaka-kun sometimes acquires help from his dependable friend Ohta and his family to get things done as he avoids exerting energy and would only go out of his way to maintain his lazy lifestyle.
Tanaka’s inert nature, due to which he hardly ever expresses himself and only speaks to people if absolutely necessary, often comes off as apathetic or too mature. Both assumptions can be struck off as he means no harm to anyone and truly just needs to be left by himself, unbothered.
On the surface, he may look dull and lazy, but there is much more to him than people give him credit for. His inability to express himself holds him back, and thus, people fail to realize how affectionate and empathetic he can be.
Over the course of the anime, we see more about his personality, possibly trying to understand why he is the way he is and ways in which he can strike a balance between the calm he gravitates towards and the worldly activities he would have to face.
- Genre: Slice of Life
- Studio: SILVER LINK.
- Duration: 12 episodes
- Score on MAL: 7.83
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
Haikyuu!!
The story pans out with Shoyo Hinata being awestruck by the skills of the ‘Little Giant’ who plays for the volleyball team of Karasuno High. ‘The Little Giant’, although short-statured, is one of the best volleyball players in the prefecture and is highly skilled.
Hinata, standing five feet four inches tall, gets immensely inspired by him and, although lacking any prior experience in volleyball, is gifted with incredible athletic ability and a surprisingly high vertical jump.
Dedicated to becoming the best volleyball player, he decides to give it his all and starts by joining the volleyball club of his school, only to find himself as the only member.
By the end of junior high, Hinata is able to form a volleyball team, which required convincing his friends to join the club. They compete in a tournament only to face crushing defeat against a popular club that comprises a player nicknamed ‘The King of the Court,’ Tobio Kageyama.
Kageyama and Hinata thus instigate a rivalry that they promise will materialize in high school. Much to the surprise of both of them, they end up joining the same school and meeting each other in the volleyball club.
Also, read Haikyuu!! Watch Order – Episode Guide
Karasuno High volleyball club, which once flourished owing to the ‘The Little Giant’ has now lost its charm and has earned the bitter title of ‘The Wingless Crows’. The team soon realizes the potential of the dynamic duo that the two rivals create and encourages them to build trust and understanding, which takes a painful effort on their part.
Paired with the former ‘King of the Court’s’ masterful setting skills, Hinata’s setting skills powers through providing the audience with a spectacular view and the opponents a shocking blow.
With time the other teams catch up and build strategies to combat the killer duo, to which the Karasuno club must give a timely response. Thus begins the journey of this team to the top.
The anime, apart from capturing the rivalry between the teams, also focuses on beautiful friendships, age-old rivalries, admiration of players for one another no matter what team they are in, and a healthy yet cutthroat competition where each team fights for the top position.
Regardless of your knowledge about the sport, this anime is sure to capture your interest and will have you invested in the storyline as well as the sport in no time.
- Genre: Sports
- Studio: Production I.G.
- Duration: Four seasons, 85 episodes + 4 movies + 5 OVA
- Score on MAL: 8.36
- Where to watch: Netflix, Hotstar, Crunchyroll
Also, read Haikyuu!! Anime Review: Not Your Average Sports Anime
