10 best anime to watch with family

If you want some anime recommendations you can watch with your family, then this guide might just be what you were looking for. Anime has always been considered children's entertainment or a niche interest for enthusiasts. But today, it spans a variety of genres, themes, and emotional depths that make it suitable for viewers of all ages.

Moreover, family time should always be enjoyable, and watching anime with everyone can open doors to meaningful conversations, shared laughter, and even impart important values.

Here are 10 anime that are perfect for family viewing that range from one-sitting movies to an action-packed motivational series.

List of 8 anime to enjoy with family

1. Naruto (720 episodes total – including Naruto and Naruto Shippuden)

Naruto Shippuden characters (Image Source: Studio Pierrot)

Naruto follows the story of Naruto Uzamaki, who is a young ninja with big dreams. His aim in life is to be the Hokage, but Naruto has a dark secret. He is the host of the Nine-Tailed Fox, a powerful demon spirit that once threatened his village. Throughout the series, he learns to become powerful, make friends, and learning the true meaning of courage and sacrifice.

This anime is a good choice for those with teens and pre-teens who can appreciate layered storytelling, complex characters, and long-form emotional arcs.

2. Spy x Family (37 episodes as of Season 2)

Anya, Loid, and Yor as seen in Spy x Family (Image credit: Wit Studio)

Anya, a child who has the power to read everyone's thoughts, gets adopted by a spy named Twilight. He was assigned to put together a fake family to complete a high-stakes mission. Because of this mission, he sets out to marry Yor, who is secretly an assassin.

None of them knows each other’s secrets, yet somehow, they become a genuine family. This is a great choice for families of all kinds. The story is warm, funny, and filled with unexpected moments that will make its viewers laugh.

3. My Hero Academia (138 episodes as of Season 6)

Midoriya and All Might (Image Credits: Bones Inc.)

In a world where most of the population has some type of power, the main character, Midoriya, is born with none. Yet this does not stop him from dreaming of becoming the best hero in their world, just like his idol All Might.

One day, his idol is moved by his act of courage and offers him a chance to live out his dream. He inherits the power and gets an opportunity to attend the best school that helps children become Pro Heroes. If viewers enjoy Marvel or DC, My Hero Academia is an ideal recommendation.

4. One Punch Man (24 episodes over 2 seasons)

Saitama as seen in anime (Image credit: J.C. Staff)

This anime is perfect for those who want to enjoy a guy defeating his enemies with just one punch. Saitama, the main protagonist, is an overpowered hero who can defeat everyone with just one punch.

But having such powers does not mean he is popular. He lives a normal life and is extremely bored with it because nothing excites him anymore. One Punch Man is a must-watch for those who enjoy a satirical twist on superhero tropes.

5. Ghibli Movies (Various films, average 90–120 minutes each)

A shot of all the Ghibli movies (Image credit: Studio Ghibli)

From My Neighbor Totoro to Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, any movie from Studio Ghibli is family-friendly, and each movie has a calm vibe to it. Ghibli films span from toddler-friendly (Ponyo) to more mature fantasy epics (Nausicaä). Every Ghibli movie teaches something about nature, kindness, courage, or the bittersweet pain of growing up.

6. Haikyuu!! (85 episodes across 4 seasons)

A still from Haikyuu (Image credits: Production I.G.)

Haikyuu follows the story of Hinata, a short middle school boy who wants to play volleyball and become one of the best players. He joins Karasuno High’s team, where he learns to be part of a team and overcome his weakness, and experience the thrill of taking part in competitions.

The anime also highlights rival teams, and each match feels as intense as watching a live game. Haikyuu is great for sports-loving families or those with kids in school teams, or even those who just want to watch something motivational.

7. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (28 episodes and ongoing)

Frieren as seen in the anime (Image credit: Studio Madhouse)

Frieren is about Frieren, an elf who has outlived her heroic party after they’ve completed their great quest. She did not care about the concept of time or try to understand human emotions, but after feeling like she missed out on something, she took on an apprentice and began to understand humanity, emotion, and what it means to live for others. Frieren should be on the watchlist of those who prefer watching philosophical storytelling.

8. Odd Taxi (13 episodes)

Key visual from Odd Taxi (Image credit: OLM)

Odd Taxi centers around Odokawa, a socially awkward taxi driver who gets entangled in a web of disappearances, mob deals, and a city-wide conspiracy. Even though the characters are anthropomorphic animals, Odd Taxi is a deeply human story, and at the end of the anime, it reveals a huge twist. This series is ideal for those who enjoy a good mystery, thrillers, and psychological drama.

9. Your Name (Movie – 106 minutes)

A still from the movie Your Name (Image credit: CoMix Wave Films)

Two teenagers, Taki and Mitsuha, mysteriously begin switching bodies across time and space. But then one day this stops, and Taki races to find her before her memory fades from his mind.

This movie starts as comedic confusion, evolves into a romantic, emotional race against fate. It is a perfect choice for a movie night with teens or young adults. The primary theme of Your Name teaches the meaning of destiny, connection, and loss.

10. A Sign of Affection (12 episodes, Season 1)

A still from A Sign of Affection (Image credit: Ajia-do Animation Works)

Yuki is a deaf university student whose world begins to open up when she meets Itsuomi, a well-traveled and emotionally open classmate. Through sign language, emotional expression, and growing affection, they slowly bridge the gap between their worlds.

This anime teaches that the power of communication sometimes goes beyond just words. A Sign of Affection is ideal for quiet family evenings and those who enjoy wholesome series with gentle romance.

Final Thoughts

Anime has offered a range of stories that prove against the prejudice that it is only for kids. It has grown into a rich, varied medium that speaks to all generations. Whether your family is into slice of life shows or enjoys a good action drama, there’s an anime out there that will bring you together.

So, instead of endlessly flipping through various OTT options during your next family night, pick one of these titles, gather everyone on the couch, and press play. And who knows, maybe you will end up finding the next favorite title of all time.

Edited by Nimisha

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