Featured Articles

Top 25 Best Kids Anime For "Kids" of All Ages!

Let's take a quick jog around memory lane and remember those anime you used to watch and enjoy as kids. Feel the nostalgia and see if your favorites made the list and discover more that other children enjoyed.

by lmearriola
Dec 27, 2015 11:25 PM | 518,058 views

Do You Watch Kids Anime?


Barakamon NaruMany children's have a special place in our hearts. Whether it's because we want to watch them ourselves or watch them with our own kids/younger relatives, here's a list of the most popular children's anime on MAL! No fanservice here-these are G-rated!

Based on the MAL Kids Anime page in order of the amount of members as of 12/28/2015. Continuations and Specials have been excluded.


25. Panda Kopanda (Panda! Go Panda! )

MAL Rated 6.97, Ranked #3338 | Premiered Dec 17, 1972 | Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha


25 best kids anime Panda Kopanda

Perfect for panda lovers (and everything cute), the short film Panda Kopanda is about an unusual family formed when a papa and baby panda join a girl who is left alone. Those who think this art style looks familiar will not be surprised to learn that this cute and cuddly kids anime was designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself!



24.Naisho no Tsubomi (Tsubomi’s Secrets)

MAL Rated 6.73, Ranked #4219 | Released Apr 25, 2008 | Produced by Arms


25 best kids anime Naisho no Tsubomi

An anime that tackles adolescent girl problems? No wonder this is a hit. It tackles problems that girls face as they grow up, from their first period to their first crush. If you have a daughter or younger relative who has a lot of questions about growing up, this is the perfect kids anime show to watch with them! (Or, of course, if you like anime that handle real-life problems).



23. Omae Umasou da na (You Are Umasou)

MAL Rated 8.13, Ranked #378 | Premiered Oct 16, 2010


25 best kids anime Omae Umasou da na

Kids love dinosaurs, and it's no wonder that both the Japanese Omae Umasou da na and the Western Land Before Time found great success. In this kids anime, a herbivore raises a Tyrannosaurus and as a result, he grows up scared of other dinosaurs. Viewers experience adorable animation and scenes as the Tyrannosaurus and the baby Ankylosaurus he finds bond as family. If you like reptiles or are vegetarian, this would be a good kids anime for you!


22. Cello Hiki no Gauche (Gauche the Cellist)

MAL Rated 7.11, Ranked #2888 | Premiered Jan 23, 1982 | Produced by Studio Ghibli


25 best kids anime Cello Hiki no Gauche

This anime film is based on a short story about a musician. Gauche is diligent in his cello practices but isn't exactly a great cellist. For 4 of the nights that he is practicing, he is visited by 4 different animals, each asking him to play different classical songs on his cello. This kids anime, also directed by MAL favorite Isao Takahata, is perfect for budding musicians, or simply those who need the extra motivation to work hard at reaching their goals.

You can check out the original short story in the translated short story collection.


21. Furusato Saisei: Nihon no Mukashibanashi (Folktales from Japan)

MAL Rated 7.06, Ranked #3022 | Aired Spring 2012 | Produced by Tomason


25 best kids anime Furusato Saisei: Nihon no Mukashibanashi
Stories originating from Japan are bound to be interesting! That's why this series is popular as it tells stories both familiar and not familiar among the viewers. This kids anime is a great way to learn about Japanese culture, and also great if you like fairy tales about kindhearted animals and strange ghosts!


20. B-Densetsu! Battle Bedaman (Bedaman)

MAL Rated 6.38, Ranked #5316 | Aired Winter 2004


25 best kids anime B-Densetsu Battle Bedaman

B'Daman is the official sport of the world B'DaWorld. Yamato's dream is to play it. Then one day, he is suddenly chosen to yield the Cobalt Blade, the most powerdul B'Daman ever. Let the adventures begin!

Like Yugioh, Beyblade, and Pokemon, this show was made to market a children's game, but that doesn't make it any less exciting!


19. Ginga Tetsudou no Yoru (Night on the Galactic Railroad)

MAL Rated 7.45, Ranked #1642 | Premiered Jul 13, 1985


25 best kids anime Ginga Tetsudou no Yoru

A movie that will take you on a journey through space and time. Accidentally ending up crossing the Milky Way, Giovanni experiences many adventures on various constellations. This kids anime film was based on a Japanese fantasy novel in 1927. Whether it be the novel or anime, this children's piece definitely stands the test of time!


18. Tanoshii Muumin Ikka (Delightful Moomin Family)

MAL Rated 7.92, Ranked #638 | Aired Spring 1990


25 best kids anime Tanoshii Muumin Ikka

Moomin Trolls, who look like hippopotamuses, lead the anime. The story follows these gentle creatures' adventures - some magical, some rather ordinary. The Moomin concept was original designed by a Finnish children's storybook artist, but the kids anime does the Finnish original justice!


17. Wagamama☆Fairy Mirumo de Pon! (Mirmo Zibang!)

MAL Rated 7.51, Ranked #1466 | Aired Spring 2002 | Produced by Studio Hibari


25 best kids anime Wagamama☆Fairy Mirumo de Pon!

Kaede first meets Mirumo when she follows the instructions of a mug. He is supposed to be a love fairy that will help Kaede, but it turns out he prefers to laze around and eat chocolate instead!

This children's manga was so popular that a 172 episode anime was adapted from it! A whopping seven video games have also been created for this series about the humans and their playful fairy companions.


16. Astro Boy

MAL Rated 7.00, Ranked #3214 | Aired Spring 2003Produced by Tezuka Productions


25 best kids anime Astro Boy

For the few who don't know, Astro Boy is an android initially created simply to replace its maker's son. But due to a few superhuman modifications, he ends up taking on the role of superhero. This anime is a shoe-in for this list, as Osamu Tezuka's brainchild led the first wave of anime popularity overseas! You'll like it if you're interested in historically influential anime, superheroes, and kids shows that involve robots and sci-fi!


15. Deltora Quest

MAL Rated 7.13, Ranked #2763 | Aired Winter 2007 | Produced by Oriental Light and Magic


25 best kids anime Deltora Quest

After being destroyed by The Shadow Land, The Belt of Deltora has broken down into 7 components and scattered throughout the lands. Lief's mission, along with Barda and Jasmine, is to retrieve the 7 gems to beat The Shadow Lord. This anime is yet another show on this list that draws from a non-Japanese source; Deltora Quest actually began as a series of Australian children's novels! Those who like fantasy novels or puzzles like those from Artemis Fowl.


14. Chocolate Underground

MAL Rated 6.31, Ranked #5517 | Released Jun 12, 2008 | Produced by Production I.G


25 best kids anime Chocolate Underground

Chocolate is banned?! Yes, in this world that I consider dystopia, chocolate has been banned. This forces two boys to hunt for chocolate and to eventually start a chocolate underground distribution.

This time, this kids anime is based off a British children's novel named Bootleg. It goes without saying that chocolate lovers will love this show!


13. Kaidan Restaurant (Thriller Restaurant)

MAL Rated 7.41, Ranked #1826 | Aired Fall 2009 | Produced by Toei Animation


25 best kids anime Kaidan Restaurant

Spooky. Kaidan Restaurant's episodes always have three components short stories: Appetizer, Main Dish, and Dessert. As the name suggests, they serve up horror and thriller stories; but don't worry, it's still a kids anime, so the horror is very light-hearted!


12. Doubutsu no Mori (Animal Crossing)

MAL Rated 7.17, Ranked #2648 | Premiered Dec 16, 2006 | Produced by Oriental Light and Magic


25 best kids anime Doubutsu no Mori

Animal Crossing is a popular Nintendo game franchise worldwide! It's no wonder that they went on to produce a successful kids anime movie.
Ai, a normal young girl, moves into an animal village with, yes, animals. She goes on a quest to plant pine trees when a message in a bottle reveals that a miracle would occur in Winter if pine trees were to be planted in specific areas. Join friends familiar and new in this lighthearted anime adventure!


11. Doraemon

MAL Rated 7.78, Ranked #835 | Aired Winter 1979 | Produced by Shin-Ei Animation


25 best kids anime Doraemon

In this classic, a robot cat goes back to the past to help a boy so that his descendants can lead a better life because Nobita, the ancestor, is generally bad at everything. Doraemon is also one of the longest running anime, spanning 1789 episodes of misadventures involving silly inventions such as a propeller attached to your head that lets you fly, and a door that takes you anywhere!


10. Chi’s Sweet Home: Atarashii Ouchi (Chi’s New Address)

MAL Rated 7.93, Ranked #611 | Aired Spring 2009 | Produced by Madhouse


25 best kids anime Chi's Sweet Home

Another anime about cats! Well, this time, it's not a robot one. Even if you're not interested in most children's anime, you should give this anime about a regular family and their newly adopted pet a try. The adorable Chi never fails to make viewers smile, and will brighten even the worst of days. The seemingly normal adventures of this cat are fun to watch, even for adults.


9. Pita Ten (Clinging Angel)

MAL Rated 7.12, Ranked #2828 | Aired Spring 2002 | Produced by Madhouse


25 best kids anime Pita-Ten

This anime not only shows a lighthearted take on angels and demons, but it also tackles deeper emotions and character development. Pita-Ten's creator Koge-Donbo is famous for her cute art style and adorable character designs, so if moe and kawaii are your style, this kids anime is perfect for you!


8. Brave Story

MAL Rated 7.6, Ranked #1231 | Premiered Jul 8, 2006 | Produced by Gonzo


25 best kids anime Brave Story

This kids anime film was adapted from a great popular fantasy novel by Miyuki Miyabe. Although the main character is young, it actually covers a lot of heavy topics, such as abandonment and tragedy. Brave Story is the "brave story" of a fifth-grader who tries to re-shape his destiny. Guys, if a fifth-grader can bring himself to wander into a land with monsters just to be happy, so can you.


7. Crayon Shin-chan (Shin Chan)

MAL Rated 7.74, Ranked #929 | Aired Spring 1992 | Produced by Shin-Ei Animation


25 best kids anime Crayon Shin-Chan

Who remembers that time when our cute, but incredibly mischievous, Shin-chan wet the bed and then tried to blame his parents? This classic kids anime will surely never be forgotten. If you like toilet humor and silly antics, Shin-chan is great for people of all ages. It's no wonder this comic-strip turned anime classic is still popular in Japan!


6. Sonic X

MAL Rated 6.55, Ranked #4838 | Aired Spring 2003 | Produced by TMS Entertainment


25 best kids anime Sonic X

Everyone who is anyone has played a Sonic game before. There's something really satisfying about zooming around a map collecting coins.
Sonic the Hedgehog must have used super sonic speed to reach children's (and my) heart, because earning our admiration did not take a second at all. It's interesting seeing all of the beloved characters of the Sonic universe in an animation.


5. Tottoko Hamtarou (Hamtaro)

MAL Rated 7.05, Ranked #3076 | Aired Summer 2000 | Produced by TMS Entertainment


25 best kids anime Tottoko Hamtarou

Hamsters don't lead a boring life you know. The hamster Hamtaro goes on adventures everyday with his hamster friends known as the Ham-Hams. This kids anime is also already popular oversees, as an English dub aired on Cartoon Network starting in 2002.


4. Heisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko (Pompoko)

MAL Rated 7.44, Ranked #1715 | Premiered Jun 13, 1994 | Produced by Kyoto Animation, Studio Ghibli


25 best kids anime Heisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko

A kids anime tackling a real-life issue, this movie revolves around the tanuki trying desperately to defend their homes from the humans' destructive nature. Another film directed by Isao Takahata, this film reflects a lot of the values present in Takahata and Studio Ghibli's other films.


3. Yume-iro Pâtissière (Dream-Colored Pastry Chef)

MAL Rated 8.11, Ranked #405 | Aired Fall 2009 | Produced by Studio Pierrot, Studio Hibari


25 best kids anime Yume-iro Pâtissière
Colorful and appealing to children's eyes, Yume-iro is an anime about Ichigo Amano's struggles towards becoming a pâtissière with the help of 3 Sweets Princes and Sweets Spirits. But people who like cooking and sweets will also like this kids anime!


2. Digimon Adventure

MAL Rated 7.87, Ranked #710 | Aired Spring 1999 | Produced by Toei Animation


25 best kids anime Digimon Adventure

Though often compared to Pokemon, the Digimon franchise can truly stand on its own as evidenced by numerous fans, kids and adults alike, across the globe. It's probably not necessary to explain the plot or concept for this internationally well-known show!


1. Pokemon

MAL Rated 7.42, Ranked #1803 | Aired Spring 1997 | Produced by Oriental Light and Magic


25 best kids anime Pokemon
From 151 pokemon to 721, from chubby Pikachu to the slimmer 2015 version, this franchise is undoubtedly loved by generations of kids (and grown ups) to this day.

Related Articles

Top 15 Action Romance Anime

Top 15 Action Romance Anime

We all get in the mood for some fun, excitement and a good love story. And we all love to watch anime with our significant others...so that we can witness what our favorite characters are doing with their significant others. It's time to check out some top-notch action romance anime!
Top 20 Best Cool Anime of All Time

Top 20 Best Cool Anime of All Time

What makes an anime 'cool'? Though the answer is different for everyone, most would agree that a 'cool' anime is one that won't leave the viewer's thoughts, even long after the series or film has ended. With that in mind, and in no particular order, here are the 20 best cool anime.
Top 14 Anime That Will Make You Happy

Top 14 Anime That Will Make You Happy

Been watching too much Berserk? Need something to brighten your day? Give one of these shows a whirl! Every anime on this list is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, even if you've just watched Grave of the Fireflies.
Top 27 Best Hayao Miyazaki Anime Movies [Updated]

Top 27 Best Hayao Miyazaki Anime Movies [Updated]

Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most famous directors in the world, has produced many extraordinary works such as Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. Take a look at our countdown of Studio Ghibli films directed by Hayao Miyazaki based on MAL user ratings!
The 10 Most Gorgeous Anime Snow Scenes

The 10 Most Gorgeous Anime Snow Scenes

Winter snow is cold, calm, and sad... but it’s also breathtakingly beautiful! The most stunning anime snow scenes can chill you to the bone and warm your heart, all at the same time. Let's take a closer look at these animated winter wonderlands!

All Tags Trending Tags

It’s time to ditch the text file.
Keep track of your anime easily by creating your own list.
Sign Up Login