Even now, parents of younger anime fans may be unfamiliar with what anime is. To them, it may appear no more unusual than the cartoons on Cartoon Network. When people see someone getting their fingernails were taken out or a woman unexpectedly bursting forth from all her clothing, they may think it’s juvenile, if not inappropriate. At its very best, it still is not a comedy anime to watch with parents.
However, although you can explain animation until you become blue in the face, it is far more effective to show people that, despite its nature as animation, it already has deep stories to tell. I limited my list to shows that are not ecchi and are not highly excessively violent.
I’ve also removed plots that would lead readers to believe you’re a psychopath or a deviant. Most importantly, I chose shows with solid hooks at the start. You have only one or two episodes to entice someone to watch an anime.
Comedy Anime to Watch with Parents
Most anime in the Kodomo, Shounen and Shoujo genres are now family-friendly. Nonetheless, Shounen anime is typically distinguished by twisted jokes and overly romanticized beliefs that may not appeal to everyone, whereas Shoujo anime might contain significantly emotionally weighty or somber themes. So, if you want to introduce your family to anime, here’s a list of seven family-friendly and normal-life good anime that everyone in your family will like.
1. Haikyuu
- Director: Susumu Mitsunaka and Masaku Sato.
- Writer: Taku Kishimoto
- Cast: Hiroshi Kamiya, Kazunari Tanaka, Takuya Eguchi, Ayumu Murase, Daisuke Namikawa, Yuki Kaji, Kaito Ishikawa, Yuichi Nakamura, Takahiro Sakurai, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Sizumu.
- IMDB: 8.7/10
- Platform: Disney Plus Hotstar.
- Genre: Comedy, Coming Of Age, and Sports Anime.
Shoyo Hinata, a junior high school student, becomes enamored with volleyball after seeing Karasuno High School compete in Nationals on TV. Hinata, who is diminutive in stature, is motivated by Karasuno’s little but talented wing spiker, dubbed “The Little Giant” by pundits. Hinata is athletic and possesses an impressive vertical jump despite her inexperience. He enters his school’s volleyball club, only to discover that he is the only member, requiring him to dedicate the next two years to convincing other pupils to assist him in practice.
Along the way, Hinata and Kageyama encourage each other to reach their full potential. Hinata forms relationships with his first genuine team, kicking off Karasuno’s road of atonement to reclaim their legacy and make it to the Nationals.
Hinata and Kageyama desire to be international volleyball players and make a pact with each other after high school that they will never play on the same court again. They have an incredible bond and dedicate their lives to one another and volleyball.
Haikyuu Anime Sequels
Haikyuu Anime has four seasons. Because the manga finished in Chapter 402, The fifth season of the Haikyuu Anime is keenly anticipated by enthusiasts, with more than 150 chapters remaining. The fourth season of the Haikyuu Anime concluded with the adaptation of Chapter 249 from the manga.
Fans Review
Haikyuu, like Hinata’s hair, is brightly colored comedy anime to watch with parents during the fight. Simple yet distinctive character designs that are very passionate. Fantastic acting brings this dynamic cast to real life and makes otherwise absurd shounen banter credible.
Good music, but nothing spectacular. A short but intense jumper works with his squad to attain the pinnacle of high school volleyball. Though there is no drama like daily life outside of volleyball in Haikyuu, the struggle and progress inside the sport are fantastic. It’s a must-try for sports fans. If you like sports anime, Haikyuu is a must-watch, and I recommend it to everyone who isn’t interested in volleyball.
2. Silver Spoon
- Director: Tomohiko Ito and Kotomi Deai.
- Writer: Taku Kishimoto
- Cast: Marie Miyake, Toru Sakurai, Ryouhei Kimura, Yasunori Masutani, Masayuki Shoji, Kengo Takanashi, Shiori Izawa, Nobuyuki Kobushi, Ayahi Takagaki, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kenji Utsumi, Atsuko Yuya, Tomohiro Nishimura, Yukitoshi Kikuchi.
- IMDB: 8/10
- Platform: Netflix
- Genre: Anime, Comedy, Drama, and Animation.
The main character Yuugo Hachiken, a mild-mannered kid, travels away from his suburban family after failing the admissions test for the high school he was supposed to attend. He enrolls at the rural Ooezo Farm High School in the wilderness.
At the novel’s beginning, his relationship with his family is poor, which impacts his choice of attending a school far from home. Throughout the series, he is concerned about his future career. Despite some initial difficulties, he gradually adjusts to his new surroundings. He develops into a sensitive and caring individual as he attempts to grasp the complex world of agriculture and see how it affects the lives of his new companions.
Silver Spoon Sequels
This comedy anime to watch with parents has two seasons, each with 11 episodes. The success of a series is determined by the first few seasons. A string is only renewed if it has the potential to become popular in the future. Anime production is expensive, and if the studio cannot recoup its investment, it will abandon the project. Season 2 concluded in 2014, and the series can only be restarted if the anime acquires popularity.
Silver Spoon is a slow anime that appeals to a specific audience. It is challenging to distinguish it from more fast-paced shows. The genre as a whole is suffering. Hopefully, it will be picked up by the studio in the future.
Fans Review
Silver Spoon manga was favorably welcomed throughout Japan. By 2020, the comic had sold 17 million copies, an incredible success for a slice-of-life manga. One reason could have been adapting the “life in a village” cliche into a captivating story, especially given that most manga readers live in cities.
It struck a chord with young readers. There is also a patriotic drive behind the anime because it promotes the Japanese farming business.
3. Flying Witch
- Director: Katsushi Sakurabi
- Writer: Deku Akao
- Cast: Makoto, Stephanie Wittels, Chinatsu, Juliet Simmons, Kei, Adam Gibbs, Nana, Joanne Bonasso, Keiji, John Swasey, Akane, Christina Kelly, Anzu, Kira Vincent Davis, Inukai, Chelsea Mccurdy, Nao.
- IMDB: 7.2/10
- Platform: Crunchyroll
- Genre: Comedy
When a witch reached 15, they would have to become autonomous and depart their household to study witchcraft. Makoto Kowata is a trainee witch who departs her parents’ Yokohama home in search of training and knowledge. They proceed to Aomori with her pet Chito, a black cat familiar, to a region beloved due to its richness of natural resources and connection with magic. They start their new life alongside Makoto’s second cousins, Kei Kuramoto and Chinatsu, Makoto’s younger sister.
While Makoto pretends to be an ordinary adolescent, her quirky and eccentric relationship with sorcery distinguishes her from others her age. Makoto’s peaceful daily existence is interwoven with the oddities of witchcraft, which she explores with her friends and family, from her interaction with an animated dog fortune teller to the strange magic training she takes from their older sister Akane.
Flying Witch Sequels
Although the anime’s first season has been out for five years, there is still a strong desire for its sequel. When it first aired, the show garnered a tremendous response and raved praise from everyone. It also has a high MyAnimeList rating of 7.52 and is ranked #731 in popularity on the same platform.
The series has a large fan base that is eagerly awaiting the sequel. When it debuted, the production studio needed more original material for its first season. However, they now have the necessary content to create Flying Witch Season 2.
Fans Review
Yes, now that the apparent joke has been removed, this animation shows a lot of potential and heart, centered on (for the first time) a whole family with witches participating. This series is already promising a lot of exploration and familial humor, similar to the heart and charm of Silver Spoon & Love, Chuunibyo, and Other Delusions.
That is what distinguishes this anime. This anime character aims to put a whole family in the foreground when the family structure in Japan varies drastically, which is great considering what every other high school animation out there is trying to do.
4. Re: Life
- Director: Satoru Kosaka
- Writer: Michiko Yokote and Kazuho Hyodo.
- Cast: Kensho Ono, Josh Grelle, Ryouhei Kimura, Ai Kayano, Blake Shepard, Yuma Uchida, Alexis Tipton.
- IMDB: 8/10
- Platform: Funimation
- Genre: Romantic Drama and Slice of life.
The plot centers around Arata Kaizaki, a 27-year-old NEET that has been idle (while simultaneously lying regarding having a job) for several years, working only part-time at a convenience store. One day, a mystery man named Ry Yoake approaches him and offers him a job.
Kaizaki must first become a test subject for ReLife, a science experiment that will give him the appearance of 10 years younger and send him back to a high school student. The investigation is intended to allow the individual to relive their youth while correcting any problems in their life.
Important Message From ReLIFE
That makes ReLife so intriguing — Arata is one of the project’s two subjects. Chizuru Hishiro, the other participant, is a socially awkward individual who cannot fully benefit from the Relief Project. Despite her academic prowess, Chizuru is hopeless in grasping evident emotions.
She has difficulty pretending to be someone else or “reliving” her life because she is essentially the same person who is jobless. ReLife isn’t about clichés or experiencing life to the fullest; instead, it addresses various real issues, including workplace harassment.
Fans Review
This is an excellent film—a very unusual plot with wonderful people. With good character development, everything moves along quickly. All of the settings and scenarios were authentic and natural. I can think of the only flaw in this series as a bad animation. If you are highly fussy about art and believe you cannot sit through the show, read the manga! Furthermore, the manga contains some extra fillers that the anime does not include. There are also some interesting story twists.
Re LIFE Sequels
This is the second season of ReLife. If you’re going to watch this, you should watch the entire season 1 (unless you’ve finished the manga and want to watch the finale).
5. Snow White With Red Hair
- Director: Masahiro Ando
- Writer: Deko Akao
- Cast: Josh Grelle, Brina Palencia, Ian Sinclair, Jamie Marchi, Austin Tindle, Yusuke Handa, Saori Hayami, Jun Fukuyama, Ryota Osaka, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Kaori Nazuka, Yuko Kaida, Yuichiro Umehara.
- IMDB: 7.7/10
- Platform: Crunchyroll
- Genre: Shojo Manga, Fantasy, and Romance.
Shirayuki is a typical herbalist in Tanbarun, with one notable exception: her stunning red hair, which draws a lot of attention. Shirayuki was encouraged to be cautious about displaying her hair in new environments, wrapping it up with a red ribbon.
She evolved into a strong, independent young woman. When Prince Raj notices her hair, he forces her to become his concubine. She defied his demands, cutting her hair and leaving it behind. She realized he only desired her for her distinctive hair color and fled to the nearby kingdom of Clarines. On her trip there, she meets but instead befriends Prince Zen Wistaria and his two assistants, Mitsuhide and Yuki.
When Zen is sickened by an apple intended for Shirayuki that Raj has given her, she eventually obtains the remedy and decides to follow the trio to Clarines. Shirayuki then passes a test for a post as a royal court herbalist trainee in the palace. Shirayuki became a court herbalist in Clarines and befriended Ryu, the youngest herbalist. Prince Raj recognizes his feelings for Shirayuki and begins to work hard to become the ideal monarch for her.
Snow White With Red Hair Sequels
This anime has two seasons. Although no official information has appeared recently, since Season 2 did not properly conclude Zen and Shirayuki’s love story, fans should expect the third season to complete their unfinished love tale.
If all goes as planned, it might happen as early as 2022 or 2023. We projected that we would not have heard anything about the show by 2020, although the Coronavirus epidemic may have caused some delays.
Fans Review
Although it doesn’t stand out in the animation as a delightful and vivid fantasy that fully captures the romance component, it is a no-brainer for fans of that genre.
6. Kiteretsu
- Director: Hiro Katsuoka and Keiji Hayakawa.
- Writer: Shunichi Yukimuro, Takashi Yakamada, Toshiyuki Aoshima, Satoshi Namiki, Tadaaki Yamazaki.
- Cast: Kitretsu Wiki, Eiichi Kite, Korosuke, Miyoko Nonohana, Koji Tongari, Michiko Kite.
- IMDB: 7.2/10
- Platform: Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and Paramount plus.
- Genre: Scientific Anime.
The plot revolves around a scientific innovator child prodigy named Eiichi Kite, a descendant of a legendary scientist named D. Kiteretsu, who has created a partner character named Korosuke. Buta Gorilla (Kumada Kaoru), a typical neighborhood bully,
and his comrade Tongari, who frequently torments Korosuke and Kiteretsu, are among his friends (though they are in grade school). It also depicts Kiteretsu’s many time travel experiences with his buddies and Korosuke in the time capsule he developed.
The reason behind the ending of the anime
Eiichi’s mother tossed out the Encyclopedias in the manga, worrying he wasn’t learning enough. They recovered one page demonstrating how to create a gadget that can smell what you’re looking for. Kiteretsu is not successful and therefore decides to stop making things.
7. Ninja Hattori
- Director: Fumio Ikena, Hiroshi Sasagawa.
- Writer: Fujiko A Fujio
- Cast: Kanzo Hattori, Kemuzou Kemumaki, Shinzo Hattori, Tsubame.
- IMDB: 7.2/10
- Platform: Nick HD Plus
Kenichi Mitsuba, 10, is a typical boy who attends high school and suffers with his studies. Because he is stubborn and lazy, he constantly frustrates his parents and instructors. Much to Hattori’s chagrin, he enjoys finding an easy way out of any situation.
Meanwhile, a young ninja called Kanzo Hattori becomes Kenichi’s best buddy. Hattori, his brother Shinzo, and his ninja dog Shishimaru join the Mitsuba household. Hattori assists Kenichi with his troubles and keeps a close check on him because he is a good friend. Yumeko appears as Kenichi’s love interest.
Kumari, a Koga Ninja, with his ninja cat, Kagechiyo, are the significant adversaries. Kemari is continuously causing problems for Kenichi and Hattori, developing various devices to attack Hattori but constantly failing. Kenichi requesting vengeance from Hattori is a reoccurring storyline in several episodes. Despite Hattori being a good buddy, Kenichi occasionally disputes with him owing to misconceptions caused by Kemumaki. Ripple, Togejirou, and Tsubame sometimes assist him.
Fans Review
You are mistaken if you believe this animation is rich in ninja legends, customs, cultures, and activities. Ninja Hattori focuses on Kenichi’s troubles rather than providing you with valuable ninja stuff.
Do you remember Doraemon? Then there’s no reason to watch this. The plot is the same; swap out gadgets with ninja methods. Doraemon does, on occasion, depict the lifestyle of the future world.
