Top Kids Anime Recommendations

Tonari no Totoro

Also known as My Neighbor Totoro.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
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 , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Kids , Gods , Primarily Female Cast

Gake no Ue no Ponyo

Also known as Ponyo.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

A young boy named Sosuke rescues a goldfish named Ponyo, and they embark on a fantastic journey of friendship and discovery before Ponyo's father, a powerful sorcerer, forces her to return to her home in the sea. But Ponyo's desire to be human upsets the delicate balance of nature and triggers a gigantic storm. Only Ponyo's mother, a beautiful sea goddess, can restore nature's balance and make Ponyo's dreams come true.



Tags: Environmental , Primarily Child Cast , Rural , Magic , Coastal , Anthropomorphism , Natural Disaster , Urban Fantasy , Ships , Female Protagonist , Family Life , Kids , Male Protagonist , Gods , Swimming , Mermaid , Chibi

Pocket Monsters

Also known as Pokémon.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

A young boy named Satoshi embarks on a journey to become a "Pokémon Master" with his first Pokémon, Pikachu. Joining him on his travels are Takeshi, a girl-obsessed Rock Pokemon Trainer, and Kasumi, a tomboyish Water Pokémon Trainer who may have a crush on him. Satoshi and Co. end up traveling through various regions, including Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto, and then enter the Pokémon League competitions there. Along the way, they run into many confrontations with Musashi, Kojirou, and Nyarth, a trio of Pokémon thieves who are apart of an evil organization called "Team Rocket". But everytime Team Rocket try to do their evil deeds, they fail thanks to Satoshi and his Pokémon.



Tags: Travel , Animals , Primarily Child Cast , Kids , Episodic , Male Protagonist , Proxy Battle , Slapstick , Female Protagonist , Rural , Environmental , Urban Fantasy , Tsundere , Super Robot , Dragons , Tanned Skin , Crossdressing , Guns , Slavery , Photography

Omoide no Marnie

Also known as When Marnie Was There.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological

Suffering from frequent asthma attacks, young Anna Sasaki is quiet, unsociable, and isolated from her peers, causing her foster parent endless worry. Upon recommendation by the doctor, Anna is sent to the countryside, in hope the cleaner air and more relaxing lifestyle will improve her health and help clear her mind. Engaging in her passion for sketching, Anna spends her summer days living with her aunt and uncle in a small town near the sea.

One day while wandering outside, Anna discovers an abandoned mansion known as the Marsh House. However, she soon finds that the residence isn't as vacant as it appears to be, running into a mysterious girl named Marnie. Marnie's bubbly demeanor slowly begins to draw Anna out of her shell as she returns night after night to meet with her new friend. But it seems there is more to the strange girl than meets the eye—as her time in the town nears its end, Anna begins to discover the truth behind the walls of the Marsh House.

Omoide no Marnie tells the touching story of a young girl's journey through self-discovery and friendship, and the summer that she will remember for the rest of her life.



Tags: Female Protagonist , Rural , Ghost , Outdoor , Tragedy , Time Manipulation , Drawing , Disability , Estranged Family , Amnesia , Classic Literature , Bullying , Ojou-sama , Kids , Coastal

Digimon Adventure

Also known as Digimon: Digital Monsters.

Studio: Toei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Fantasy , Sci-Fi

Seven kids are transported to the Digital World, a strange place where digital creatures called "Digimon" reside. A group of Digimon soon befriend them and keep the kids out of harm's way. The children then discover they are the Chosen Children, which protect the Digital World from evil Digimon like Devimon and Vamdemon.

Tags: Isekai , Coming of Age , Virtual World , Primarily Child Cast , Ensemble Cast , Artificial Intelligence , Kaiju , Kids , Family Life , Angels , Animals , Time Skip , Male Protagonist , Cosmic Horror , Dinosaurs , Henshin , Anthropomorphism , Dragons , Demons , Primarily Animal Cast , Adoption

Pocket Monsters: Mewtwo no Gyakushuu

Also known as Pokémon: The First Movie.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Sci-Fi

A team of scientists use the DNA of a rare Pokemon, Mew, to create the world's strongest Pokemon, Mewtwo. Not wanting to be used as an experiment, Mewtwo uses its psychic powers in a violent rage to destroy the scientists who created it. Mewtwo then tries to learn how to focus his powers with the aid of Giovanni, the man who funded the scientists' operations, but discovers that it is being used again. So Mewtwo decides to find its own purpose in life, and carry out its revenge on humans by destroying life on earth by using a deadly storm. Ash Ketchum and a group of other Pokemon Trainers are summoned by Mewtwo to have a battle with it, but they soon discover that they're only being invited so Mewtwo can clone their Pokemon for it's own purposes. Ash then tries to find a way to stop Mewtwo's plot before it can be carried out.



Tags: Animals , Philosophy , Tragedy , Kids , Male Protagonist , Memory Manipulation , Primarily Child Cast , Delinquents , Anti-Hero , CGI , Tanned Skin

Inazuma Eleven

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Sports

The main character, Endou Mamoru, is a very talented goalkeeper and the grandson of one of the strongest goalkeepers in Japan, who died before he was born. Even though his skills are incredible his school lacks a real soccer club as the 6 other members don't appear very interested even in training. But as soon as a mysterious forward called Gouenji moves to Endou's town, the young goalkeeper sets out to find and recruit members for his soccer team.



Tags: Football , Super Power , Kids , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Male Protagonist , School Club , Primarily Child Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Aliens , School , Dissociative Identities , Drugs , Gods

Pocket Monsters: THE ORIGIN

Also known as Pokémon Origins.

Studio: Production I.G , Xebec , OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

One day, Red, a boy filled with dreams of going on a Pokémon journey, is called to Professor Okido's lab. There, he and his rival Green are given a Pokédex in order to collect data on all of the Pokémon in the region. As Red works his way to become champion with his Charmander, he meets many people on his journey, including Old Man Fuji, a man who runs the home for abandoned Pokémon, and Reina, a girl who works there. As danger in Red's journey begins to peak, he and his partner Pokémon experience a transformation like never before...



Tags: Kids , Animals , Travel , Proxy Battle , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Henshin , Dragons , Tokusatsu , Surfing , Fishing

Pocket Monsters XY

Also known as Pokémon the Series: XY.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

Satoshi and Pikachu have arrived in Lumiose City of the illustrious Kalos region to capture more Pokémon and continue their journey toward becoming the very best. Meanwhile, a genius inventor named Citron and his little sister Eureka wander the city when they run into Satoshi who quickly challenges them to a battle. However, they are soon caught up in a dangerous incident when Team Rocket, following Satoshi into Kalos, cause a Gaburias to rampage through the city.

Far away in the quiet Vaniville Town, a young girl named Serena slogs through daily Sihorn riding practice at the behest of her mother, a professional Sihorn racer. After practice, she sees the events unfolding in Miare City on television where she recognizes a boy from her childhood. Having left a significant impact on her life, the sight of him stirs in her a desire to meet him again; and so, Serena sets off to Miare City, determined to find the boy from her past.

Pokemon XY follows the group as they travel throughout Kalos in pursuit of their ambitions—Satoshi challenging Pokémon gyms, Citron learning from Satoshi, and Serena searching for what exactly her dream is. Along the way, they meet new friends, face new rivals, and continue to thwart Team Rocket's schemes, all the while discovering a little about the mysteries of mega evolution.



Tags: Primarily Child Cast , Slapstick , Kids , Animals , Outdoor , Yandere , Female Harem , Super Robot

Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation

Also known as Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

After participating in the Johto League, Ash decides to begin anew in yet another journey; this time by himself and Pikachu, in the land of Hoenn. Though he isn't alone for long, as 10-year-old May (whom dislikes Pokemon, but just wants to come along to see the world) travels with him after Pikachu destroys her bicycle. Ash also meets up with his old companion, Brock, and May's younger brother, Max. Together, they travel along in Hoenn, battling Gym Leaders, entering Contests, and other events on the way to the Hoenn League.



Tags: Primarily Child Cast , Animals , Kids , Outdoor , Episodic , Rural , Urban Fantasy , Environmental , Male Protagonist , Slapstick , Female Protagonist , Proxy Battle , Dragons , CGI , Super Robot

Pocket Monsters: Kesshoutou no Teiou ENTEI

Also known as Pokémon 3: The Movie.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

Young Molly Hale is a 5-year old girl who has lost her father to the Unown, a strange group of Pokémon who can make a person's dreams real by using their Psychic energy. One day she accidently releases the Unown, and they begin to answer Molly's wishes; first by creating Entei, a legendary lion-like Pokémon who Molly then thinks is her father because he always pretended to be Entei when he played with her. Molly then feels lonely because she has no mother, so Entei decides to kidnap Ash's mother and forces her to become Molly's. Ash, Brock, and Misty must then try to save Ash's mom, Delia, and Molly; And in the process they must also try to find a way to stop the Unown from turning the town of Greenfield into a bizarre crystal wasteland.



Tags: Animals , Kids , Male Protagonist , Rural , Family Life , CGI , Dragons , Memory Manipulation , Primarily Child Cast

Level 1 dakedo Unique Skill de Saikyou desu

Also known as My Unique Skill Makes Me OP even at Level 1.

Studio: Maho Film
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

Satou Ryouta, a salaryman working for an exploitative company, suddenly finds himself inside an unfamiliar dungeon in a strange world where monsters drop all sorts of items as loot. With the help of a girl he happens to run into named Emily, he's able to check his own stats... and finds that all of them, both physical and magical, are at rank F (the weakest)! What's more, his level is stuck at 1 (the lowest)! Ryouta is on the verge of utter despair... but then he learns that he also has "Drop Skill: All S," the most powerful unique skill there is! Can Ryouta manage to survive in this bizarre world?! The strongest and weakest adventure of all is about to begin!



Tags: Female Harem , Dungeon , Isekai , Found Family , Kemonomimi , Male Protagonist , Guns , Magic , Reincarnation , Kids , Food

Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl

Also known as Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

After defeating Brandon and declining the offer to be a Frontier Brain, Ash sets off to travel through the far away land of Sinnoh. Once he gets there, he meets up with Hikari, a local trainer from the region, and they decide to travel together.

Tags: Primarily Child Cast , Kids , Male Protagonist , Environmental , Animals , Slapstick , Episodic , Rural , Outdoor , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Dragons , Super Robot , Proxy Battle

Digimon Adventure 02

Also known as Digimon: Digital Monsters 02.

Studio: Toei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Fantasy , Sci-Fi

A few years after the adventures of the Chosen Children in the Digital World, a new batch of Chosen Children are summoned to save the Digital World. An evil ruler known as the Digimon Kaiser, or Digimon Emperor, is forcing the Digital World's Digimon into enslavement. The new group of Chosen Children, with the help of their Digimon, then begin a journey to stop the evil Digimon Emperor.


Tags: Artificial Intelligence , Henshin , Male Protagonist , Primarily Animal Cast , Primarily Child Cast , Kaiju , Virtual World , Kids , Anthropomorphism , Alternate Universe , Cosmic Horror , Animals , Dragons , Gods , Dinosaurs

Pocket Monsters: Celebi Toki wo Koeta Deai

Also known as Pokémon 4Ever.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Fantasy

40 years ago, a Celebi was being attacked by a Pokémon Hunter. Luckily, a young boy named Sammy saved Celebi. Using its Time Traveling power, Celebi transported himself and Sammy 40 years into the future. There, Ash, Misty, and Brock assist Sammy to the healing lake in the forest so they can heal the wounded Celebi. Unfortunately an evil Team Rocket member, Viscious a.k.a. "The Iron Masked Marauder", tries to capture Celebi using his technology. As Ash and Co. try to get away from Viscious, they also run into Jessie, James, and Meowth, who also want to capture Celebi. Soon it becomes a race against time to get Celebi and Sammy back to the forest before Celebi is caught and is used to destroy the forest and themselves.



Tags: Time Manipulation , Animals , Rural , Outdoor , Fairy , Kids , Environmental , CGI , Anti-Hero , Super Robot

Pocket Monsters XY&Z

Also known as Pokémon the Series: XYZ.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

The journey of Satoshi and his friends through the Kalos region continues! After Satoshi obtains his seventh gym badge, the group is moving toward the next town when Eureka discovers a mysterious Pokémon resting in her pochette. Soon given the name Puni-chan, it is one that even Satoshi and Serena's new Pokémon Zukan cannot identify. However, it quickly becomes apparent that Puni-chan is the target of a mysterious group clad in bright red suits known as Team Flare, aiming to capture the new Pokémon to further their agenda. But when Satoshi and the gang realize that the enigmatic organization has no intention of treating Puni-chan with any decency, they take a stand in opposition to Team Flare's plans, daring to fight back.

With Gojika's predictions looming above them, Satoshi aims for his final gym badge while Serena contests for her last Princess Key in order to be able to compete at the TriPokalon Master Class. But as Team Flare begins to move in search of the mysterious Z, the stories of Pokemon XY and Pokemon XY: Mega Evolution cross paths as Satoshi and his friends, along with Team Rocket, get caught up in a scheme that could put Kalos in great danger.



Tags: Animals , Primarily Child Cast , Male Protagonist , War , Magic , Kids , Female Protagonist , Super Robot , Slapstick , Love Triangle , Heterosexual , Henshin

Digimon Tamers

Studio: Toei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Sci-Fi

Takato Matsuda, Ruki Matsuno, and Lee Jenrya are children who have, by fate, received real Digimon, unlike the imaginary ones in the card game they play. Each of the children, or "Digimon Tamers", have their different views on how Digimon should be treated. But when other Digimon begin to appear around Japan, they must put aside their differences to fend off the digital intruders; even though Yamaki, who is the head of a secret organization called Hypnos is trying to eliminate all of the Digimon himself.



Tags: Primarily Child Cast , Artificial Intelligence , Virtual World , Tragedy , Denpa , Animals , Kids , Cosmic Horror , Male Protagonist , Kaiju , Henshin , Isekai , Card Battle , Dinosaurs , Kuudere , Anthropomorphism

Pocket Monsters Sun & Moon

Also known as Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy , Slice of Life

After his mom wins a free vacation trip, Satoshi and Pikachu are off on another adventure. This time in the tropical land of Alola. There they meet new friends, Pokémon and explore new islands.
We also get introduced to Z-Rings, a device used for Z-Moves. What kind of mysterious Pokémon and challenges will come their way, and why is Kapu-Kokeko so interested in our young trainer?!

Tags: Ensemble Cast , Kids , Coastal , Primarily Child Cast , Animals , Male Protagonist , Aliens , School , Slapstick , Episodic , Female Protagonist , Fishing , Dinosaurs , Super Robot

Mary to Majo no Hana

Also known as Mary and The Witch's Flower.

Studio: Studio Ponoc
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

Young Mary follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest and discovers an old broomstick and a strange flower, a rare plant that blossoms once every seven years. Together, the flower and the broomstick whisk Mary above the clouds, and far away to Endor College – a school of magic run by headmistress Madam Mumblechook and the brilliant Doctor Dee. But there are terrible things happening at the school, and when Mary tells a lie, she must risk her life to try and set things right.



Tags: Witch , Magic , Female Protagonist , Kids , Foreign , Coming of Age , Primarily Child Cast , Animals , Isekai , School

Pocket Monsters (2019)

Also known as Pokémon Journeys: The Series.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

Pokémon Trainer Satoshi has a new plan: see the world! But first, he and his partner Pikachu are headed to the opening of the Sakuragi Institute, a research facility dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of Pokémon in every region. Satoshi meets Gou, another boy with boundless curiosity about Pokémon, and both are overjoyed when Professor Sakuragi asks them to become official research fellows. With Satoshi as determined as ever to become a Pokémon Master, and Gou aiming to catch one of every Pokémon (including the Mythical Mew), our heroes are in for adventure and excitement as they explore the wide world of Pokémon!



Note: Episode 119, 121, 126 and 128 are recap episodes that did not air outside of Japan.

Tags: Animals , Episodic , Primarily Child Cast , Kids , Male Protagonist , Meta , Slapstick , Rural , Outdoor , Urban Fantasy , Travel , Delinquents , Environmental , Age Regression , Alternate Universe , Cyberpunk