The heart-stirring anime we watched as kids are unforgettable treasures even for adults, aren’t they? Many of you are probably looking for shows you can enjoy together with your children.
So here, we’ll introduce not only the stories of anime that are currently popular among kids, but also their charming and distinctive characters.
These wonderful works are full of laughs and touching moments.
We’ll be showcasing titles that are perfect for relaxing family time, so please read to the end!
- An anime popular among upper elementary school students! A show that will get conversations with friends buzzing just by watching it.
- Anime songs popular among elementary school students. Theme songs and insert songs from trending anime.
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- Recommended anime theme songs for children: timeless anime song classics you should listen to at least once.
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- Sing and dance along to popular songs! Recommended hits from kids’ TV shows.
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- [Collection of Epic Songs] A compilation of cool anime songs chosen by anime fans
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You can see at a glance which anime are popular with kids! A collection of works that elementary schoolers are crazy about (1–10)
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is a slightly spooky yet tender and heartwarming school fantasy that begins with the twist that Hanako, one of the school’s Seven Mysteries—the spirit said to haunt the girls’ bathroom—is actually a boy.
Nene, the girl who meets Hanako, ends up confronting the various apparitions lurking in the school alongside him.
The story blends the thrills of ghost tales with the characters’ delicate emotions, packing kindness and humor amid the scares.
Its unique worldview and stylish use of color are also appealing, drawing readers into a picture book-like atmosphere that makes it especially recommended for children.
It’s a slightly mysterious, memorable work that portrays friendship, secrets, and emotional growth.
Dr.STONE
Dr.
STONE ran in Weekly Shonen Jump for five years starting in 2017.
The series drew buzz again with its 2022 comeback one-shot and gained even more popularity with its TV anime adaptation.
Centered on science yet packed with sci-fi and survival elements, it tells the story of rebuilding civilization from zero after a sudden calamity strikes humanity.
It also includes the signature battle elements of shonen manga, delivering exhilarating developments while showcasing the fun and greatness of science.
With an unpredictable plot from start to finish, it’s an anime I highly recommend to elementary school students who want to experience a deeply engaging story.
Sumikkogurashi
Sumikkogurashi is a set of characters from San-X that was introduced in 2012.
Did you know its subtitle is “This is where we feel most at home”? The idea was reportedly born from the creator’s doodles during their school days, and that doodle-like looseness and charm have earned it a strong reputation—related merchandise is hugely popular.
In 2019, to celebrate its 7th anniversary, it was adapted into an animated film.
It became a big hit not only with children but also with adults, who said things like “surprisingly deep,” “made me cry,” and “I only went along with my kid, but I was moved and became a fan.” It’s no wonder: despite their cute appearances, the Sumikkogurashi characters are built around concepts with a bittersweet touch—being negative, quirky, or a bit odd—which resonates strongly with adults.
It’s a work I hope parents and children will watch together.
The Apothecary Diaries
The popular anime series The Apothecary Diaries is a story that shines with its mystery-solving appeal.
Maomao, the protagonist who lived as an apothecary in the red-light district, is kidnapped and sold, ending up working in the imperial harem.
There, she meets various people—chief among them the eunuch Jinshi, who manages the harem—and solves incidents that occur within the palace.
It’s fun to learn about medicinal knowledge while using Maomao’s deductions to figure out who the culprit is.
Another highlight is the romance between the quirky Maomao and Jinshi, the epitome of beauty!
Dandadan
A work that’s popular among elementary school kids who are into yokai and the supernatural is Dandadan.
Momo Ayase, born into a family of spirit mediums, teams up with occult fanatic Ken Takakura to take on strange phenomena like aliens and yokai.
While it has rom-com elements, the snappy dialogue and plentiful homages make it a lot of fun, and you’ll find yourself laughing non-stop.
It’s an anime that kids can enjoy, but it does include some crude language and expressions.
Please be careful not to imitate them or say them to your friends.
Witch Watch
A slapstick comedy depicting the whimsical cohabitation of a young witch, Nico Wakatuki, and Morihito, a boy with ogre blood who protects her.
With a unique premise where magic and psychic powers blend into everyday life and snappy, well-timed gags, it charms kids with laughter while warming their hearts.
The chaotic scenes where Nico’s magic runs amok and the contrast with Morihito’s cool-headed responses are especially engaging.
Magic, friendship, battles, and more are well balanced, making each episode unpredictably fun.
A lively, heart-lifting story where the ordinary and the extraordinary intertwine.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is an anime based on a manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump.
The line and pose for “Domain Expansion” by the popular character Gojo-sensei became such a hot topic that people of all ages copied it.
It’s a dark fantasy battle series that depicts sorcerers fighting to exorcise curses born from negative emotions using jujutsu.
The story follows Yuji Itadori, who possesses extraordinary physical abilities and is discovered to have resistance to special grade curses, drawing him into the world of jujutsu.
The theatrical film adaptation was also a massive hit, earning over 23 billion yen worldwide.