Top 16 Best Family-themed Anime

Heidi, Girl of the Alps is a TV anime series based on the novel Heidi's Years of Wandering and Learning by Johanna Spyri (1880). Directed by Isao Takahata, it features contributions from various other anime filmmakers.

The story follows an orphan named Heidi, who is raised by her aunt Dete after her parents' death. When Dete finds a new job in the city, she sends Heidi to live in a cabin with her grandfather in the Alps. Heidi’s grandfather is considered a recluse and is thought to be gruff and antisocial. However, no one anticipates that the kind-hearted girl’s warmth would help her grandfather rediscover the joys of life, mending his relationship with the villagers. Three years later, Dete returns and takes Heidi to Frankfurt, where she meets Clara, a wealthy girl with a disability. Heidi is brought in as a companion for Clara.

Although Heidi was expected to live comfortably in the grand German mansion, she longs for the beautiful flower-filled fields, the vast valley, and the tranquil sunsets on the mountain. She misses her grandfather, the goats, Peter, and Peter's grandmother, and her intense homesickness causes her to fall ill. Clara’s father suggests returning Heidi to Dorfli, as her sleepwalking condition worsens and could become life-threatening. Thus, Heidi’s journey ends there, and she realizes that true happiness lies in being surrounded by loved ones in the peaceful mountains with green meadows and sunsets coloring the mountain peaks.

IMDb Rating: 7.5

My Neighbors the Yamadas (Gia đình nhà Yamada) is a 1999 Japanese animated comedy-drama film written and directed by Isao Takahata, animated by Studio Ghibli, and distributed by Shochiku. The film, a blend of humor and drama about everyday life, is presented in a stylized comic-book format, a stark departure from the traditional anime style seen in other Ghibli productions.

The Yamada family is a typical middle-class household in Japan, living in the suburbs of Tokyo and navigating through amusing everyday adventures. Instead of a continuous plot, the movie presents a series of short vignettes capturing the unique moments of each character's life. From the story of the young daughter being forgotten at a shopping mall to the father confronting unruly car racers, these humorous episodes are both entertaining and meaningful, leaving viewers with a sense of enjoyment and relaxation.

My Neighbors the Yamadas explores a wide range of themes related to family life and relationships, evoking numerous emotions. The film won the Excellence Award for Animated Feature at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 1999.

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Watch the film here: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/70035035

The story centers around 12-year-old Okko, who embarks on a new life in the countryside after the tragic loss of her parents in an accident. She moves in with her grandmother, who runs a traditional inn named "Haru no yu." There, Okko meets quirky ghost friends, including the mischievous Uribo, friendly Miyo, and the adorable Suzuki.

Okko must not only adjust to her new environment but also face the challenges of eventually taking over her grandmother's inn. While the TV series focuses on Okko's new life at Haru no yu, the film version, directed by Kitaro Kosaka, delves deeper into Okko's family background, her parents, and untold details about the people around her.

Beyond offering a heartfelt tale about family, friendship, and loss, Okko’s Inn also conveys valuable life lessons about grief, sharing, and relentless perseverance through the character of young Okko.

Okko’s Inn is based on the children's book series of the same name and the animated series adaptation aired on TV. The film was selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2018, where it won two awards: Special Animated Feature Award and Audience Award.

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Mirai: Em gái đến từ tương lai is an animated film directed and written by Hosoda Mamoru, produced by Studio Chizu, and released in 2018.

Kun, a young boy who has always been the center of his family's attention, suddenly finds himself overshadowed by the birth of his little sister, Mirai. It’s easy to understand the jealousy and frustration of a 3 or 4-year-old child. The film takes us on an emotional journey through time, blending the past, present, and future, ultimately focusing on the present moment and cherishing the time spent with family, which holds the most beautiful things in life.

The story is told through Kun's perspective, with his everyday experiences of playing, meals with family, and moments spent with his parents. The imaginative world of children is full of magic, joy, and innocence. The most heartwarming, joyful, and pure aspects of childhood are conveyed in a concise yet profound way. However, the story isn’t just about Kun; it also includes tales he hears about his ancestors, grandparents, and parents.

IMDb Rating: 7.0

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/81004268

Summer Wars is a romantic sci-fi anime directed by Hosoda Mamoru and released in 2009.

The film follows Kenji Koiso, a brilliant but shy math student. One summer, Natsuki, a senior student, invites him to her hometown to celebrate her great-grandmother Sakae's 90th birthday. Kenji soon discovers he must pretend to be Natsuki’s boyfriend at the celebration. That evening, Kenji solves a cryptic message sent to his phone, inadvertently triggering the Love Machine virus, which wreaks havoc in the virtual world of Oz. The chaos in Oz affects people worldwide, even threatening their lives. Kenji, Natsuki, and her family are drawn into a battle against the virus to stop its dangerous plan and protect the world. These unexpected experiences lead to the most unforgettable summer of Kenji’s life.

Summer Wars blends tradition and modernity, reality and fantasy, humor and emotion, with both intense battle scenes and tender romantic moments. The film delivers messages about family bonds, solidarity, trust, and a warning about the dangers of the virtual world, which is becoming an essential part of our lives.

IMDb Rating: 7.4

Wolf Children is a 2012 Japanese animated fantasy film, directed and co-written by Hosoda Mamoru.

The story begins with Hana, a 19-year-old college student, falling in love with a lone werewolf named Ookami. Their love blossoms with the birth of two children, Yuki and Ame. Their life is blissful until Ookami unexpectedly passes away. Hana is forced to overcome the pain of losing her husband and raise their two young children. Things become more complicated when she has to care for two werewolf children. Through her incredible motherly love, Hana nurtures Yuki and Ame into strong and healthy individuals. Furthermore, Hana becomes a wise and guiding mother, helping her children choose the paths they wish to follow in life.

Wolf Children delicately portrays the sacred bond of motherhood, akin to a soft and melodic tune, or a painting filled with warm tones, offering the viewer moments of tranquility.

IMDb Rating: 8.1

The Yuzuki Family's Four Sons is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Shizuki Fujisawa. A 12-episode anime TV series adaptation, produced by Shuka, aired from October to December 2023.

The Yuzuki family consists of four sons, whose parents passed away two years ago. Hayato, the eldest, is hardworking and the family's pillar. Mikoto, the second son, calm and composed, holds a special affection for his younger brother Minato, whom he adores and finds endearing. Minato, the third son, lively and caring towards his brothers, is somewhat clumsy. Gakuto, the youngest son, is a first-grader with a thirst for knowledge and maturity, often called the "wise one." The series portrays their daily lives as they navigate family, school, and community dynamics.

IMDb Rating: 7.4

Watch the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QKsPMA8mYc

The anime series School Babysitters consists of 12 episodes, adapted from the manga of the same name by Hari Tokeino. It was produced by Brain's Base and aired from January 7 to March 25, 2018.

The story centers around two brothers, Ryûichi Kashima and Kotaro. After losing both parents in a tragic plane crash, Ryûichi becomes the guardian of his younger brother Kotaro. Ryûichi is kind-hearted and friendly, while Kotaro is shy and too young to fully grasp the harsh reality of their situation.

The president of the prestigious Morinomiya Academy offers to take the boys in, providing them with a new home and free tuition, under the condition that Ryûichi helps out at the school's daycare center while also attending regular classes. As a result, Ryûichi must now not only care for his brother but also look after the other adorable children at the daycare.

IMDb Rating: 7.7

Watch the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vBvvYzTNGw

The anime Chie - The Little Pepper is based on the manga by Haruki Etsumi, produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha and Toho, and directed by Takahata Isao.

The main character is a small, adorable girl named Chie. Despite her young age, she faces the struggles of life by running a grilled meat shop. Her mother left the family, unable to cope with her husband, but Chie proves to be resilient and resourceful, effectively managing the household. Her thoughts are both mature and endearing, showcasing her innocence. Eventually, happiness starts to return when Chie's mother comes back, and her father begins to change.

The story realistically portrays the bustling, lively life of a shopping district, showing various perspectives, both good and bad, while emphasizing the moral values and human connection within society.

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Only Yesterday is a 1991 animated film directed by Isao Takahata, based on the manga of the same name by Okamoto Hotaru and Tone Yuko.

The story takes place in 1982. The main character, Taeko, is a 27-year-old woman who was born and raised in Tokyo. She is an ordinary office worker, living alone and feeling indifferent about her job. Taeko's life is dull and uneventful until she takes a leave of absence to visit the countryside and help her brother-in-law harvest safflower (a plant used for dyeing fabric). During the trip, she is flooded with childhood memories from her last year of elementary school. These recollections, along with the events in the rural village, bring about a profound change in Taeko's once mundane life.

The film Only Yesterday became a box office success, topping the charts in Japan in 1991.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/80092922

Spirited Away is a Japanese animated fantasy film directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki, released in 2001, that explores themes of coming-of-age and the supernatural.

The film follows the story of Ogino Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl who is bored with life. While moving to a new house, she accidentally stumbles into the world of spirits, based on Japanese Shinto beliefs. After her parents are turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba, Chihiro is forced to work at Yubaba’s bathhouse in order to find a way to rescue her parents and herself and return to the human world.

Spirited Away became the highest-grossing animated film in Japanese cinema history, earning over $347 million worldwide. The film is often regarded as one of the greatest animated films ever made. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards, making it the first hand-drawn, non-English language animated film to win this prestigious honor.

IMDb Rating: 8.6
Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/60023642

Chibi Maruko-chan is a TV anime adapted from the manga of the same name by the female author Sakura Momoko. The anime was produced by Nippon Animation and has been airing on Fuji TV since January 8, 1995. It has reached a total of 1418 episodes and is still ongoing.

The story centers around the simple and daily life of a young girl named Maruko and her family living in the suburbs of Japan during the 1970s. Set in the city of Shimizu, which is now part of Shizuoka, this location also serves as the hometown of the manga's author. Chibi Maruko-chan resonates with viewers through its authentic portrayal of each character’s expressions and personalities. In Vietnam, the series was broadcast on VTV3 in 2007.

IMDb Rating: 8.1
Watch the show: https://pops.vn/series/chibi-maruko-chan-co-be-maruko-5e7353b906b84b003dfa4415

Crayon Shin-chan is an anime adapted from the Japanese manga of the same name by author Usui Yoshito. It was produced by Shin-Ei Animation and has been airing in Japan since April 13, 1992.

The show follows the life of Shin, a young boy, as he embarks on daily adventures with his parents, younger sister, dog Snowy, friends, and other characters. The episodes unfold at a leisurely pace, depicting Shin's simple world—from his home, to school, the supermarket, and the park. The show captures these events in a detailed yet unexaggerated way.

IMDb Rating: 8.4
Watch the show: https://fptplay.vn/xem-video/shin-cau-be-but-chi-63edef863005e93c8c761fdf

Grave of the Fireflies is a war drama animated film written and directed by Isao Takahata, produced by Studio Ghibli. The film is based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical short story of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka.

Set in Kobe, Japan, during June 1945, the film tells the heart-wrenching story of two orphaned siblings, struggling to survive in rural Japan. The bond between the two, their fight for survival, and the enduring sibling love until the very end of the film brings tears to the eyes of many viewers.

Highly praised worldwide, Grave of the Fireflies has been ranked as one of the best war films of all time. In Japan, the film is often interpreted as a moral tale about dignity rather than an anti-war story.

IMDb Rating: 8.5

The Boy and the Heron is a Japanese animated drama film written and directed by Miyazaki Hayao, produced by Studio Ghibli, and inspired by the 1937 novel of the same name. The film premiered in Japan on July 14, 2023, and in Vietnam on December 15, 2023.

The story takes place during World War II, with a boy named Masato who loses his mother in the Tokyo bombing of 1944, amidst the Pacific War. His father remarries Natsuko, his late wife’s sister, and they move to Natsuko's rural home. In this new setting, Masato often encounters a strange gray heron haunting the family's land.

The film paints a vivid picture of nature, humanity, and imagination. Each scene presents its own unique hue, carrying a message, a parable, or a plot development. The Boy and the Heron tells its story with beautifully balanced lines and colors, mesmerizing the viewer with its continuous movement and captivating imagery.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

My Neighbor Totoro is a 1988 Japanese animated film produced by Ghibli, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. This film is considered one of the early major animated works by Miyazaki, full of joy and innocence, suitable for all ages.

The story follows the Kusakabe family as they move to the countryside. The house they are about to move into is rumored to be haunted by the locals. However, this doesn't stop the curiosity of the two Kusakabe sisters, Satsuki and Mei. During one of their adventures in the nearby forest, Mei, Satsuki’s 4-year-old younger sister, unexpectedly encounters a giant creature, the ruler of the forest where their family lives. Despite its enormous size, Mei is not scared at all and climbs on its big belly to play around. She names this mysterious creature Totoro.

When people think of My Neighbor Totoro, they immediately recall a colorful and emotional story about friendship, family, and the magic of childhood. With beautiful imagery and a meaningful message, this film has become one of the most beloved works of Studio Ghibli and a cultural symbol of Japan. Its perfect combination of stunning visuals, wonderful music, and deep messages has won the hearts of millions and made it one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of all time.

IMDb Rating: 8.1
Watch the movie: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/60032294