A wonderful classic

An anime popular among upper elementary school students! A show that will get conversations with friends buzzing just by watching it.

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.
10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

Looking for anime that’s popular with elementary school kids—something you can enjoy together with your child? As they reach the upper grades, anime often becomes a common topic in conversations with friends.

Stories full of adventure, friendship, laughter, and tears can really move kids’ hearts.

With that in mind, this article is packed with anime that are popular among upper elementary students! It’s perfect for anyone looking for shows to watch with friends, and it’s also great for spending a relaxing weekend with the family.

Find a favorite and dive into the world of anime!

Popular anime among upper elementary school students! Shows that will get conversations with friends going just by watching (11–20)

SPY×FAMILY

“SPY × FAMILY” opening theme song animation video / “SPY × FAMILY” opening theme song animation

SPY×FAMILY

The appeal of SPY×FAMILY lies in its story, where action and humor intersect perfectly, and in its distinctive characters.

The struggles they face and the growth they undergo spark the imagination and elicit empathy from viewers.

It’s also noteworthy for its music—featuring top-tier artists like Official HIGE DANDism and Gen Hoshino—so enjoying the songs alongside the show is highly recommended.

With a plot that draws you in, it’s great for parents and children to enjoy together, which makes it easy to see why it’s recommended for family viewing.

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To Your Eternity

Perfume’s new song “Fumetsu no Anata” / Non-credit opening video for the anime To Your Eternity Season 3

To Your Eternity

An existence born as a mere “sphere,” belonging to no one and nothing, embarks on a grand journey of learning the meaning of life through repeated encounters and farewells.

The protagonist, who copies the forms of what it touches and grows through those experiences, travels a path where kindness and cruelty stand side by side, tightening the chest with every step.

The pain of losing someone precious, the feelings that are passed on, and the strength to move forward nonetheless are portrayed with great care, and the more you read, the more it will stir your heart.

It’s a masterpiece that leaves you in tears yet with a definite sense of hope.

It’s great for friends to watch together, and also for parents and children.

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My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia Season 6 Cour 2 Non-Credit Opening Video / OP Theme: “Bokurano” by Eve / HeroAca OP

My Hero Academia

The popular anime My Hero Academia, based on a manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump! In an era where having a “Quirk”—like manipulating fire or growing gigantic—is the norm, the protagonist, Izuku Midoriya, was born quirkless.

After a certain incident, he sets his sights on becoming a top hero.

While battling villains and pushing himself alongside his classmates, this fiery hero story is igniting the hearts of elementary school kids! HeroAca not only has a great story, but its theme songs are all fantastic tracks too.

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The Vampire Dies in No Time

TV anime “The Vampire Dies in No Time” Non-Credit OP

The Vampire Dies in No Time

A high-energy gag series starring Draluc, a vampire so weak he turns to sand instantly, and Ronald, a vampire hunter who’s serious to a fault.

It’s hilarious how pathetic Draluc is—he looks tough but dies in a split second—and the chaotic developments keep coming so fast even the straight man can’t keep up! Strange vampires and strong-willed oddballs appear one after another, delivering nonstop laughs every episode, yet it sneakily slips in moments of friendship and kindness that really hit home.

It’s the perfect pick-me-up on a tiring day.

The paradoxical premise of an immortal vampire who dies right away is brilliant, too.

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Undead Unluck

TV anime “Undead Unluck” Cour 2 Non-Credit Opening Movie / Opening Theme: Siyui “Love Call” | Undead Unluck | Non-Credit Opening Movie Part 2

Undead Unluck

An “immortal man” named Andy and a “girl who brings misfortune” named Fuko meet and take on the world’s unreasonable rules in this superpowered battle series.

The ability to inflict bad luck on anyone she touches explodes in unexpected ways during fights, which is exhilarating, and the idea-driven battles are just blazing hot.

While it starts off with a comedic tone, the deeper it goes, the stronger the bonds and resolve with their comrades become, drawing you in with gut-wrenching drama and a whirlwind of payoff from earlier foreshadowing.

Its momentum and emotional range are incredible, making it a must-watch anime that will pull in viewers of any age.

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Apocalypse Hotel

TV Anime “Apocalypse Hotel” Non-Credit Opening | aiko “skirt”

Apocalypse Hotel

This anime, based on a popular post-apocalyptic manga, follows the only hotel that remains “open for business today” in a quiet town after the world has collapsed.

In a place where no people should be, the sight of beings calmly carrying out their work is both poignant and beautiful, gently reminding us of the preciousness of everyday life.

Are the visitors survivors—or something else? Its atmosphere blends unease with warmth, and the more you read, the more it stirs your heart.

It’s a work that pierces not with flashiness but with lingering afterglow—a quietly addictive gem.

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An anime popular among upper-grade elementary schoolers! A series that will get conversations with friends going just by watching it (21–30)

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun

TV Anime “Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun 2” Part 2 Non-Credit Opening

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.

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