Mirza Aaqib Beg
Over the last few decades, anime has become a popular source of entertainment for people from all walks of life. One of the main reasons it has managed to garner the attention of a varied demographic is the fact that it has a variety of genres that specifically target people of diverse ages, genders, and tastes. Naturally, a massive chunk of its fans are kids who love to watch their favorite characters recount memorable stories. Quite often, these tales end up shaping their outlook toward life, so recognizing the impact that stories can have on them, we have compiled a list of kids’ anime on Netflix that children would love.
14. Dino Girl Gauko (2019-2020)
Created by Akira Shigino, ‘Dino Girl Gauko’ centers on Naoko, an average middle school girl. However, she is average among not just humans but also animals, robots, and comets who study in her school. While her friends help her navigate parents, bullies, bad grades, and more, they must also ensure she doesn’t lose her calm. Why? Because when she gets angry or loses control of her emotions, she turns into Gauko, a fire-breathing dinosaur. This is not good for those around her but as for our young viewers, ‘Dino Girl Gauko’ is refreshing and entertaining. It can be streamed here.
13. Yu-Gi-Oh! (2005)
‘Yu-Gi-Oh!,’ aka ‘Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters’ is based on the manga series by Kazuki Takahashi. It centers on high school boy Yugi Muto, who is pulled into the world of a fantasy card game called Duel Monsters after accessing an ancient Egyptian artifact and gaining the alter-ego of a pharaoh. The adventures/tournaments as Yugi battles his opponents are what we see in the show. An engrossing series that is undoubtedly among the best for kids, ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ is directed by Kunihisa Sugishima. It can be streamed here.
12. Sonic X (2003 – 2004)
Sonic the Hedgehog belongs to a group of anthropomorphic animals fighting against enemy Doctor Eggman, who accidentally gets transported to Earth from their world. Interestingly, Sonic is saved by a boy named Chris Thorndyke, who ends up becoming an essential part of his life. Chris not only protects Sonic when he is vulnerable but goes on to help him reunite with his friends. While doing so, they also struggle against Eggman and try to stop him from getting his hands on the powerful Chaos Emeralds. At every turn, Sonic faces new challenges that force him to adapt and overcome his weakness, ultimately transforming him into a far more capable enemy of Doctor Eggman. You can watch all the episodes here.
11. Rilakkuma and Kaoru (2019)
‘Rilakkuma and Kaoru’ follows Rilakkuma, a soft toy bear who, out of the blue, shows up at the apartment of a young woman named Kaoru and starts living with her. It spends most of its time lazing around, and although it has a zipper on its back, Kaoru is totally in the dark about the secrets it contains. Interestingly, it has made friends with the pet bird Kiiroitori and the white bear cub Korilakkuma. The show revolves around the mundane life of Kaoru as she learns to live with Rilakkuma and slowly gets used to its strange antics. Feel free to watch the show here.
10. Stand By Me Doraemon (2014)
Nobita Nobi is an ordinary young boy who is average at everything and has no desire to pursue any career seriously. His timid and fearful approach to life has far-reaching consequences, and it not only makes him a failure in life but also affects his progeny. Because of this strong correlation, his great-great-grandchild, Sewashi, decides to take matters into his own hands and arrives in the 20th century to meet Nobita. He has a blue robot cat named Doraemon with him, and he gives him the responsibility to help Nobita find happiness in life so that he can eventually become a successful man. This task soon seems so outlandish to Doraemon that he tries to return to the 22nd century, but Sewashi intervenes, forcing the cat robot to fulfill his mission. Now, Doraemon has no option but to help Nobita achieve success, but will he be able to do so? The anime is accessible for streaming here.
9. Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (2021)
Yui “Cherry” Sakura is an introverted teenager who expresses himself better through online posts and the Japanese poetry he frequently writes. As his family prepares for a significant change, he decides to work part-time at a welfare facility during the summer. On the other hand, an influencer named Yuki “Smile” Hoshino struggles with her insecurities and tries to use different ways to deal with them. The duo end up working at the same place and are brought closer by their collective effort to help an old man find his old vinyl record he lost. ‘Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop’ revolves around the eccentric duo as they learn life-changing lessons. You can watch the anime here.
8. Little Witch Academia (2017)
After meeting the renowned witch Shiny Chariot at a young age, Atsuko “Akko” Kagari has always dreamt of becoming a witch like her. However, her non-magical background poses a big hurdle in her ambitious path as she hopes to one day achieve the seemingly impossible. She manages to get into the well-known Luna Nova Magical Academy with sheer preservation and determination. But her success is hardly guaranteed as she opens an uncertain chapter in her life. After her arrival, she soon befriends Lotte Yansson and Sucy Manbavar, who offer her much-needed emotional support as she sets her eyes on her ambitious goals. However, it soon becomes evident that Atsuko’s journey will not be easy as she has many challenges and enemies waiting in her perilous path. Will she be able to overcome them? The anime is accessible for streaming here.
7. Beyblade X (2023- )
‘Beyblade X’ is the fourth generation of the franchise, after ‘Beyblade,’ ‘Beyblade: Metal Saga,’ and ‘Beyblade Burst,’ and directed by Katsuhito Akiyama and Moto Terada. The series follows amateur Blader Robin Kazami, who, after being ditched by his teammates due to a defeat, teams up with former champion Jaxon Cross and popular influencer Multi Nana-iro, forming Team Persona. Together, they head to Tower X, where the best bladers gather to prove their mettle and be the best of the best, including the current champion, Khrome Ryugu. Fun and enjoyable without any nasty stuff, but with a healthy sense of competition, ‘Beyblade X’ is custom-made for kids. It can be streamed here.
6. kimi ni todoke -From Me to You (2009 – 2024)
Sawako Kuronuma is a 15-year-old girl who has been shunned by people her age and has been unable to make any friends merely because she resembles the character from the popular horror film- The Ring. She has been mistreated and discriminated against for so long that she no longer has any hopes left of making friends. Suddenly, a popular boy named Kazehaya shows interest in her, and as they become friends, Sawako suddenly starts getting to know other people through him. As he turns her life around, the duo slowly forms a romantic bond with each other that ties their future in uncertain ways. The series focuses primarily on Sawako’s internal turmoil and her growth after Kazehaya’s arrival into her life. Feel free to watch the anime here.
5. Den-noh Coil (2007)
‘Den-noh Coil’ is an exciting science-fiction anime that takes viewers to the near future when augmented reality becomes a regular part of daily life. The show follows Yuuko Okonogi, who moves to Daikoku City with her family despite rumors that several people have been disappearing mysteriously in the region in recent months. Interestingly, her grandmother hosts an unofficial detective agency run by children near Yuuko’s age who primarily investigate corruption in the virtual world. Slowly, Yuuko gets involved in them and finds herself slowly entangled in complicated criminal investigations that could pose a severe danger. The anime is accessible for streaming here.
4. God Troubles Me (2019)
In the 21st century, the rapid development of people in society destabilizes all equilibrium, following which gods and demons are unable to hold the balance of the world. In order to fix the order of the world, the gods send a group of monsters and gods in the hope of finding the key to salvation. Meanwhile, in the human world, Su Moting, who holds the personality of a demon child, finds herself going through a radical change as her parents ask her to become independent and leave the house. That’s when she meets the charming god Tianjin and the demon cat Dukui, which marks the beginning of a new chapter in her life. You can watch the anime here.
3. Pokémon: Indigo League (1997–2023)
The first season of the Pokémon series, ‘Pokémon: Indigo League’ follows the adventures of 10-year-old aspiring Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum and his first Pokémon Pikachu as they set off to battle elite Pokémon gym leaders. Each win will earn him a badge, contributing to his chances of qualifying for the Pokémon League, a tournament where the best Pokémon trainers battle each other. Misty and Brock soon join Ash on his journey and become best friends as the series progresses. Takeshi Shudo was the head writer, and Kunihiko Yuyama was the chief director of the series produced by the studio Oriental Light and Magic. You can watch ‘Pokémon: Indigo League’ here.
2. The Imaginary (2023)
Directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, ‘The Imaginary’ is based on the 2014 children’s novel by A.F. Harrold. It follows Rudger, a figment of the imagination of a young girl named Amanda. As happy as both are in the latter’s imaginary world, Rudger soon discovers that he will cease to exist as human forgetfulness will take over Amanda. This realization eventually leads him to the Town of Imaginaries, where imaginary folk who have been forgotten live. Can Rudger be with Amanda forever? Or is there any solution to his imminent extinction in the Town of Imaginaries? A must-watch drama for children, ‘The Imaginary’ is a visually stunning drama that seamlessly blends the story with how it is told. You can watch the film here.
1. Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2017)
Studio Ponoc’s ‘Mary and the Witch’s Flower’ is directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. The film centers on young Mary Smith, who gains witch-like powers for a night after encountering magical flowers at her aunt’s house. Eventually, she flies on a broom to the Endor College for witches. While she explores the new surroundings there, Headmistress Madam Mumblechook and Chemistry teacher Doctor Dee work out how to get hold of the flowers so that they can give shape to their shady motives. It is up to Mary to stop them as soon as possible. With stunning visuals, a beautiful story, and great characters, ‘Mary and the Witch’s Flower’ has the ability to transport you to its colorful world, one you will have to try hard to come out of if that’s what you even want. You can experience the magic right here.
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