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 spark lively conversations with friends just by watching (41–50)

Cells at Work!

[Official] Cells at Work! Special Anime Video (Full-size ver.) — A wildly popular personified-cells manga that has surpassed 1 million copies

Cells at Work!

Cells at Work! is a unique anime that blends education and entertainment, which began airing in 2018.

Through adventures that effectively depict the flow of blood, it teaches the mechanisms of the human body in a way that’s easy for upper elementary school students to understand.

Another highlight is its star-studded voice cast, including Kana Hanazawa as a red blood cell and Tomoaki Maeno as a white blood cell.

The music is fantastic, too! In particular, “Mission! Ken-Ko-Dai-Ichi” is recommended for kids who love to get moving.

It’s a perfect pick for classroom use or family viewing at home!

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Popular anime among upper elementary school students! Titles that will get conversations with friends going just by watching them (51–60)

Shangri-La Frontier

TV Anime 'Shangri-La Frontier' 2nd Cour Entry PV | Airing every Sunday from 5:00 PM

Shangri-La Frontier

Shangri-La Frontier is a fresh new anime set in a VR game world.

It began airing on October 1, 2023, and has drawn major attention from elementary school students.

What stands out most is the adventure of the protagonist, Sunraku, within the VR game “Shangri-La Frontier.” His passionate love for games shines through his challenges, gripping the hearts of kids who can’t look away.

In particular, the second cour’s opening theme, “Danger Danger,” and the ending theme, “Gajumaru ~Heaven in the Rain~,” build excitement in perfect harmony with the unfolding story.

Children who watch the anime will feel as if they’ve stepped right into a VR game themselves!

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Kaiju No. 8

“Demonstrate Overwhelming ‘Ability’” / From Kaiju No. 8 Episode 13 (Season 2, Episode 1) “Kaiju Weapon” #shorts

Kaiju No. 8

Kaiju No.

8 is a recommended series for upper-elementary students who love battle anime.

The protagonist, Kafka Hibino, once aimed to join the Defense Force to keep a promise to his childhood friend, but after repeatedly failing the exams, he gave up.

However, meeting Reno Ichikawa inspires him to try again.

The battles with kaiju are intense, and the strong Defense Force members are simply cool.

Watching Kafka overcome the hurdles of age and ability to grow is genuinely moving.

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Hell’s Paradise

TV anime 'Hell's Paradise' Non-Credit Opening | 'W●RK' millennium parade × Ringo Sheena

Hell’s Paradise

The violent world-building gets my blood pumping! The anime Hell’s Paradise, based on the manga by Yuji Kaku, follows the strongest ninja, Gabimaru, who heads to a monster-infested island with the executioner Sagiri of the Yamada Asaemon clan to retrieve the Elixir of Immortality.

It’s a Japanese-style dark fantasy with gripping battle scenes and stylish action that’s just plain cool.

There are many characters, each with their own background, and you can’t help but get absorbed in their stories.

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Curious George

George learns about pitch 🐵 Curious George

Curious George

The animated series “Curious George” is based on the picture book series “Curious George.” The protagonist, George, is a little monkey, so he doesn’t speak.

But through his gestures and expressive face, you can tell what he wants to do and what he’s thinking.

In these charming stories, George dives into all kinds of adventures and mishaps—and solves them—making the show hugely popular with children! The lack of dialogue sparks the imagination and draws viewers into George’s world.

If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to give it a try.

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Ranking of Kings

TV anime 'Ranking of Kings' First Main PV

Ranking of Kings

Ranking of Kings is a fantasy adventure story that captivates elementary school children.

It began airing in October 2021, and the growth of the protagonist Bojji and his companions has continued to enchant many viewers.

In 2023, the sequel Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage also aired, adding further depth to its world.

The opening theme, BOY by King Gnu, and the ending theme by yama lend the story a moving touch.

The voice acting is excellent as well, with Minami Hinata’s portrayal of Bojji especially conveying his pure heart.

Enjoyed alongside the original manga—which has over 2.2 million copies in print—both children and adults are sure to be drawn into its charm.

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Uma Musume: Pretty Derby

Anime 'Uma Musume: Pretty Derby – ROAD TO THE TOP' Episode 1: "The Beginning of a Dream"

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby

The popular series Uma Musume: Pretty Derby sparked a horse racing boom in Japan.

Its story—passionate, cute, and tear-jerking—follows anthropomorphized versions of real racehorses as charming girls, captivating many anime fans.

Season 1 aired in spring 2018, with sequels broadcast intermittently afterward.

Among fans, one analysis of why it resonated across a wide age range, including elementary schoolers, despite its somewhat adult theme of “horse racing,” is that the Uma Musume’s intense showdowns are, at their core, just “races.” Being fast at running is simply cool, after all.

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