The Top 20 Heartwarming Anime About Childcare To Watch
Yorozuya
Tops & Rankings
Childcare is a common theme across the anime medium. Many shows deal with such topics and display examples of taking care of children or little siblings.
One recent example is Spy x Family, a super popular anime by WIT Studio and Cloverworks that won the hearts of many anime enthusiasts.
The majority of productions falling into this topic are slice of life or have some comedy and romance. So let’s see what are the best childcare anime to watch now.
Table of Contents
20. My Teacher, Mr. T
My Teacher, Mr. T is an anime based on a manga of the same name, which adapts autobiographical short stories posted on Twitter by the user known as Mr. T, a kindergarten teacher.
Something definitely never seen before and that deserves more attention as it can be considered a form of the avant-garde if you think about it.
The author has 14 years of experience as a childcare worker and has written plenty of books.
19. Gakuen Babysitter
Gakuen Babysitter was adapted in 12 episodes from a shojo manga released in 2018.
After their parents die in a plane crash, Ryuichi and his younger brother Kotaro are taken into custody by the principal of an elite academy.
Ryuichi becomes a babysitter in the new school daycare center. The story follows the daily adventures of the protagonist as he looks after his little pupils and Kotaro in his daily life.
This is a slice of life with two protagonists who develop their lives in parallel, with two different points of view.
18. Listen to me, Girls. I am your Father!
Listen to me, Girls. I am your Father! is aslice-of-life genre anime that features 12 episodes, and for this reason, you can easily binge watch it.
The main character Segawa Yuta is an orphan who was raised by his sister Yuri until he was 17. Then, not to interfere with the latter’s life at the time of his marriage, he went to live alone.
One day, Yuri asks her brother to take care of her three daughters while she and her husband are traveling. The protagonist hoping it will be a short affair agrees.
But it won’t be, because the plane where the couple was embarked will end up being lost.
This is a slice of life that contrary to expectations stands out from others and contains a lot of moe content that will melt your heart.
17. Daa! Daa! Daa!
Daa! Daa! Daa! is an anime from the 2000s that enjoyed considerable success during its time, although it’s quite forgotten nowadays. The series spans 78 episodes, adapted from the manga of the same name.
This charming, humorous, and light-hearted tale weaves together elements of comedy and Sci-Fi, offering a refreshing departure from the conventional anime fare.
Upon her parents’ departure to America for a NASA project, Miyu Kozuki finds herself in the care of Mr. Saionji, a family friend.
Unexpectedly, he too soon leaves for India, leaving Miyu with his son Kanata, who happens to be the same age as her.
But don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a romantic anime. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when an extraterrestrial child, accompanied by his space cat, arrives on the scene.
Now, the two youngsters must assume the responsibility of looking after their otherworldly guests.
16. Kotaro Lives Alone
Kotaro Lives Alone is a 2022 anime adaptation of a seinen manga, featuring 10 episodes to date.
Despite its comic and lighthearted appearance, the series delves into serious and psychological themes, addressing issues such as loneliness, poverty, friendship, and trust with remarkable lightness.
Consider adding this anime to your watchlist if you’re seeking a series that can both entertain and provoke thoughtful reflection.
Shin Karino is a solitary and struggling manga artist residing in an apartment complex where housing children is strictly forbidden.
Unexpectedly one day Kotaro Sato, a 5-year-old boy appears at his doorstep.
The beginning proves challenging, but soon both Shin and his neighbors develop an affection for the little Kotaro.
15. Poco’s Udon World
Poco’s Udon World, released in 2016, is a cute anime with cheerful vibes and some sad moments to balance all.
Set in Kagawa, a city known as the prefecture of Udon, the story sfeatures 30-year-old Souta Tawara, who returns to Kagawa to inherit the family’s Udon restaurant after the death of his father.
Upon his arrival there, he will find Poco, a cute baby tanuki. The story is all about the daily events of the two housemates as they soon form a family-like relationship.
The story is touching and doesn’t abandon the comic atmosphere, as you’ll witness the relationship between thw two main characters get deeper and deeper.
14. Beelzebub
Beelzebub is a quite successful shonen manga serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump that received a 60-episode adaptation between 2011 and 2012.
The plot follows the adventures of the delinquent Oga, who is tasked with watching over the Devil King’s son and the future successor to the throne, Beelzebub, after accidentally meeting him.
As the fate of humanity hangs by a thread, Oga chooses to raise the child together with the demon maid Hilda until he is old enough to destroy humanity.
This is a quite great series that combines good fighting moments with a dose of comedy that is always on point.
The anime adaptation isn’t at the same level as the manga but it can be considered as a demo before you read it or even more if you happen to like it.
Set in a world dominated by spirits, goblins, and various other creatures, the human race is persecuted and on the verge of extinction. However, one fateful encounter brings together a golem and a human girl.
The anime follows their journey, showcasing the deepening bond between a father figure and his adopted daughter.
This show makes engagement its selling point since it’s quite easy to see the world though the lenses of the main cast.
It’s also a simply stunning anime if you like great fantasy/dark fantasy setting and world buildings.
12. Aishiteruze Baby
Aishiteruze Baby combines the typical 2000s animation style and character design with comedy and childcare into just 26 episodes.
Katakura Kippei is the playboy of his high school, who loves to spend his days flirting with girls.
His habits change when following the death of her husband, one of his aunts decides to disappear and abandon Yuzuyu, her 5-year-old daughter. Kippei decides to look after her, with surprising results that will deeply change him as a person.
A note of credit goes to Kippei, who has remarkable character development during the series.
11. Hinamatsuri
Hinamatsuri is a 2018 anime merging yakuza with childcare in a strange combination of genres. Yoshifumi Nitta, a yakuza member, discovers a strange capsule, containing a blue-haired young girl called Hina.
She can use a wide range of supernatural powers that are beneficial to the yakuza’s business. Yoshifumi will make use of such an opportunity and many adventures will await this strange duo.
Hinamatsuri can entertain its audience quite well with a wide range of character reactions, relationships and proper gags.
It’s a comedy gem mixed with a somewhat criminal setting that you should watch to enjoy a light show.
10. Barakamon
Barakamon is a slice-of-life in which a young city boy must come to terms with his new life on a rural island as a punishment for his egocentric behavior while learning the art of calligraphy.
The premise might mislead and not seem particularly brilliant, but a cast of outstanding characters and two children that Handa must take care of immediately surrounds the protagonist, making the story super interesting.
Experiencing life through Handa‘s eyes and watching him grapple with his growth is consistently inspiring.
Barakamon is a story of personal growth, improvement, and hard work to achieve one’s goals.
Handa is also an extremely well-written character, and you will surely become attached to him as you watch him change.
And his evolution will also be huge in romantic terms, as we will see him start as a character with no interest in love.
But as he evolves and slowly discovers his emotions, he will also discover the beauty and importance of having an important person near him.
9. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is an anime consisting of 11 episodes, where the story is set in Tokyo after a Richter scale 8.0 earthquake devastates the city.
The main characters are Mirai and Yuki, who go to a robot exhibition in Odaiba, without their parents, as they are busy with work. Suddenly, an earthquake occurs. From here, their journey home will begin, moving towards a destroyed Tokyo.
If you are looking for a realistic anime that can make you convey the terror, fear, and despondency of experiencing such a disaster on your skin, then give it a chance.
Making it even more engaging and empathetic is the relationship between the two siblings, with the older one having to look after the younger one to keep him safe.
8. Kakushigoto
Kakushigoto is a recent anime, as it was released in Spring 2020 with 12 episodes adapted from a shonen manga.
Kakushi Gotou is an established mangaka famous for dealing with erotic themes. He is quite ashamed of his job, so he would like to hide it from his little daughter Hime.
But this won’t be so easy as many fans and people will ask him to sign autographs all the time, making all complicated.
This is a comic slice of life with a strange relationship between father and daughter as its pivotal theme, full of comedy and light moments.
It also has some surprisingly great animations, and that’s not so common in a comedy anime.
7. Sweetness and Lightning
The story of Sweetness and Lightning tells of the daily life of Kouhei Inuzuka, a mathematics professor who, widowed, must take care of his small daughter Tsumugi alone.
The prof is a mess but then, with a lot of goodwill and the help of one of his students, Kotori Iida, he manages to improve little by little.
This is a different-than-usual slice of life that deals with different themes, such as fatherly love, grieving, and recovering from trauma.
All this while presenting cute moments and romantic interludes that balances all, creating a delicate mix.
6. Spy x Family
Spy x Family was undoubtedly one of the most popular anime of 2022 and for good reasons.
Twilight, one of the world’s top spies, has spent her life taking on undercover missions to make the world a better place.
One day he receives a particularly difficult assignment, and to succeed in his new mission he will have to form a temporary family and start a new life.
Joining him will be the beautiful and mysterious Yor, and Anya, a little girl with mysterious powers they will have to care for.
Spy x Family is a truly comprehensive and exquisite anime, weaving together elements of slice of life, comedy, romance, action, and even a backdrop filled with political intrigue and mystery.
And despite its seemingly light and cute atmosphere, the characters are much more complex and profound than they may seem.
It’s evident that its great popularity is well-deserved, right?
5. Bunny Drop
Usagi Drop, adapted in 2011 from a Josei manga, is an outstanding anime that we consider one of the best when it comes to depicting the theme of childcare.
When 30-year-old Daikichi returns home for his grandfather’s funeral, he discovers that the elderly man had a daughter from a recent affair with a much younger woman.
The rest of the family has already made up their minds to have no involvement with the quiet little Rin.
Driven by a surge of pride, Daikichi decides to take care of her, only to realize that raising a child is far from simple.
This captivating slice-of-life series beautifully chronicles the evolution of their relationship from complete strangers to developing a genuine and tender bond.
Bunny Drop is a heartwarming and wholesome anime that we highly recommend to fans of heart-touching and uplifting tales that are sure to bring a smile to your face.
This time we will examine Clannad After Story, the second season, and a direct sequel to the first season.
What we can say is that the main characters, now grown up and having finished high school, will have to deal with adult life and all the vicissitudes of it, such as starting a family.
This series is very emotional and that’s why we avoided writing too much about its plot.
But if you want to experience one of the best anime about depression, with a story that is a real punchi in the chest, then start it without thinking too much about it.
3. Maquia
The story of Maquia is set in a world where legendary people called Iolph don’t age when they reach adolescence, except for hair length and color.
Maquia is one of them and spends her days in complete peace filling the role of assistant to the village elder.
This peaceful routine is interrupted by the attack of the army of the Kingdom of Mezarte, eager to gain possession of the extraordinary abilities of these individuals.
A chance encounter during her escape will change her destiny.
Motherhood is the central theme of the movie. That of Maquia first and foremost, aware of her limitations and the difficulties given by her nature.
Unable to bond with anyone outside of her people, she can never have offspring, causing her great fear at the idea of being alone.
2. Tokyo Godfathers
Among his masterpieces that have earned him the name of one of the best directors in the field in history Satoshi Kon also packed Tokyo Godfathers, a movie released in 2003.
Three homeless men find on Christmas Eve a baby abandoned in the garbage.
After some discussion, they decide to return him directly to his mother, without going through the police.
With a few clues, the search begins, and the protagonists will end up confronting their pasts. This bizarre group will reflect on the lives they have now lost while still maintaining happiness in their hearts.
This is a very touching and introspective movie, that is not as eerie as other Kon’s movies. It’s also cool to note that this is one of the best anime with a winter setting, being set in christmas time.
1. Wolf Children
Wolf Children is an underrated masterpiece, released as an anime movie in 2012 and a collaborative effort of various animation studios, including Madhouse.
The story revolves around the life of Hana, a 19-year-old student who falls deeply in love with a charming wolf-man.
The two marry and have two children, Yuki and Ame, who are wolf-children themselves.
The narrative traces the life of this family as they strive to lead a tranquil and secluded existence to avoid complications.
Wolf Children tells a gentle and heartwarming tale of the pure and sincere love shared between Hana and her children.
It delivers an exceptionally well-crafted slice-of-life and coming-of-age story, complete with several surprising twists and moments that will deeply touch your emotions.
And let’s not forget the animation and character design, among the best on this list (if not the best).
Passionate about Japanese culture for years, serial devourer of manga, anime, and videogames that have now become part of my routine.
My favorite series? Goodnight Punpun and One Piece.
