Anime like Madogiwa no Totto-chan

What is Madogiwa no Totto-chan about?

Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
Status: Finished

This engaging series of childhood recollections tells about an ideal school in Tokyo during World War II that combined learning with fun, freedom, and love. This unusual school had old railroad cars for classrooms, and it was run by an extraordinary man-its founder and headmaster, Sosaku Kobayashi--who was a firm believer in freedom of expression and activity.

In real life, the Totto-chan of the book has become one of Japan's most popular television personalities--Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. She attributes her success in life to this wonderful school and its headmaster.

The charm of this account has won the hearts of millions of people of all ages and made this book a runaway bestseller in Japan, with sales hitting the 4.5 million mark in its first year.

Tags: Autobiographical , Disability , Kids , Tragedy , Rural , War , School , Nudity

Where to watch?

No streaming links available

Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni

Also known as In This Corner of the World.

Studio: MAPPA , Genco , Animatsu Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

The story follows a young lady named Suzu Urano, who in 1944 moves to the small town of Kure in Hiroshima to live with her husband's family. Suzu's life is thrown into chaos when her town is bombed during World War II. Her perseverance and courage underpin this heart-warming and inspirational tale of the everyday challenges faced by the Japanese in the midst of a violent, war-torn country. This beautiful yet poignant tale shows that even in the face of adversity and loss, people can come together and rebuild their lives.

Tags: Historical , War , Family Life , Female Protagonist , Tragedy , Seinen , Rehabilitation , Drawing , Disability , Heterosexual , Arranged Marriage , Iyashikei

Where to watch?

Tubi TV

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Hotaru no Haka

Also known as Grave of the Fireflies.

Studio: Studio Ghibli , Sentai Filmworks
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

In the aftermath of a World War II bombing, two orphaned children struggle to survive in the Japanese countryside. To Seita and his four-year-old sister, the helplessness and indifference of their countrymen is even more painful than the enemy raids. Through desperation, hunger and grief, these children's lives are as heartbreakingly fragile as their spirit and love is inspiring.

Tags: Tragedy , Orphan , Survival , War , Family Life , Historical , Primarily Child Cast , Homeless , Rural , Military , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Autobiographical , Educational

Where to watch?

Netflix

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Junkers Come Here

Studio: Bandai Visual , Kadokawa Shoten , Bandai Entertainment , Triangle Staff
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Slice of Life

This heartwarming and unexpectedly mature story concerns a young girl named Hiromi Nozawa and her dog, Junkers (pronounced Yoon-kers). Hiromi walks us through her childhood troubles of love, schooling, and family bonds. Her companion Junkers accompanies her on this adventure. However, Junkers is no ordinary dog - he can talk and grant 3 wishes.

Tags: Family Life , Coming of Age , Female Protagonist , Animals

Where to watch?

Hulu

Tubi TV

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Tonari no Totoro

Also known as My Neighbor Totoro.

Studio: Studio Ghibli , Studio Fantasia , Walt Disney Studios , GKIDS
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro who can be seen only through the eyes of a child. Totoro introduces them to extraordinary characters, including a cat that doubles as a bus, takes them on a journey through the wonders of nature.

Tags: Family Life , Primarily Child Cast , Rural , Youkai , Wilderness , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Kids , Gods , Primarily Female Cast , Iyashikei , Environmental , Horticulture

Where to watch?

Netflix

Max

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Momoko, Kaeru no Uta ga Kikoeru yo

Also known as My Sister Momoko.

Studio: Magic Bus
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

Momoko, who attends a special school, is both mentally and physically disabled. Every morning she becomes peevish because she can't go to the ordinary school with her twin brother Riki. Her family soothes Momoko by singing her favourite song "The Song of Frogs".

Tags: Disability , Male Protagonist , Primarily Child Cast , Female Protagonist , Twins , School , Kuudere , Bullying , Family Life , Athletics , Kids , Tragedy , Educational

Where to watch?

No streaming links available

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Look Back

Also known as LOOK BACK.

Studio: Studio Durian , Avex Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

Ayumu Fujino is a fourth grader who draws a manga strip for the school newspaper. Her art makes her the star of the class, but one day she's told that Kyomoto, a student who refuses to come to school, would also like to submit a manga for the paper...

Tags: Drawing , Female Protagonist , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Primarily Female Cast , Meta , Work , Autobiographical , Philosophy , Hikikomori , Rotoscoping , Rehabilitation , School , Otaku Culture , Rural , Yuri

Where to watch?

Amazon Prime Video

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cocoon: Aru Natsu no Shoujo-tachi Yori

Studio: Sasayuri , NHK
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

San and Mayu are two schoolgirls living in Okinawa during the closing months of the Pacific War. Together with their classmates, the two friends are drafted into the war effort as nurses for wounded soldiers. When ordered to die for their country, the remaining members of the group escape only to face the harsh environment of a tropical paradise that has become a hellish battlefield.

Tags: War , Tragedy , Female Protagonist , Survival , Military , Historical , Josei , Primarily Female Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Suicide , Rural , Coastal , Crossdressing , Gore , LGBTQ+ Themes , Medicine , Twins

Where to watch?

No streaming links available

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Chocchan Monogatari

Studio: Triangle Staff
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

This feature length film is based on autobiography of Cho "Chocchan" Kuroyanagi, who is better known as the mother of an actress Tetsuko Kuroyanagi.

The story starts in pre-World War 2 Japan when Chocchan marries violinist despite the objection of both of their families. They live in poverty, have three children and are happy together. Any misfortune they face with a smile. But new obstacle for their happiness comes when the war breaks out and Chocchan's husband must leave for the front...

Tags: Historical , Family Life , Autobiographical , Tragedy , Female Protagonist , War

Where to watch?

No streaming links available

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Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki

Also known as Wolf Children.

Studio: MADHOUSE , VAP , Dentsu , Yomiuri TV , Funimation , Kadokawa Shoten , Toho , Studio Chizu
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Romance , Slice of Life

The theme of the film is the love between parents and children. The story covers 13 years and begins with a 19-year-old college student named Hana who encounters and falls in "fairy tale-like" love with a "wolf man." After marrying the wolf man, Hana gives birth and raises two wolf children—an older sister named Yuki who was born on a snowy day, and a younger brother named Ame who was born on a rainy day. The four quietly lived in a corner of a city to conceal the existence of the "wolf children," but when the wolf man suddenly dies, Hana decides to move to a rural town far removed from the city.

Tags: Parenthood , Family Life , Werewolf , Coming of Age , Shapeshifting , Female Protagonist , Rural , Environmental , Kemonomimi , Animals , Mythology , Tragedy , Snowscape , Urban , Agriculture , Urban Fantasy , School , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist

Where to watch?

Crunchyroll

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Aru Nihon no Ekaki Shounen

Also known as A Japanese Boy Who Draws.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

An experimental animation and documentary about the life of a boy who wants to become a manga artist.

Tags: Drawing , Autobiographical , Meta , Coming of Age , Work , Otaku Culture , Mixed Media , Rotoscoping

Where to watch?