Best Family Life Anime

Summary

• Slice-of-life anime offers simple plots about daily life, school, or families that provide relaxation.
• Family-focused anime explore intimate dynamics, innocence, and growth amidst drama with happy endings.
• Wholesome family anime feature heartwarming relationships and deep emotions.

Not all anime are just about flashy fight scenes or over-the-top visuals. While these things gain a lot of attention online, the slower anime about daily life also deserve some appreciation. Slice of life is great because they’re much more grounded and rooted in relatable circumstances. Whether it’s about school, the workplace, or even a single household, these anime help people relax and decompress through their simple plots and stories.

Anime about families are especially known for being wholesome and fun since they often explore the complex dynamics between siblings, parents, and the surrounding world. They are deep dives into an intimate ecosystem, portraying innocent moments in everyday life. As in real life, some drama or conflict is inevitable, but in these anime, they are usually quick to pass and almost always have a happy ending.

9

Sweetness & Lightning

A Father-Daughter Food Journey

Child-rearing is a staple in family anime, and in this one, Kohei Inuzuka is a single dad raising his daughter Tsumugi after his wife died. While he does his best to take care of her, his busy job as a teacher leaves him little time to provide Tsumugi with quality meals, which is exacerbated by the fact that he can’t really cook either. The best he can do is frozen meals and lunches from the convenience stores. This changes when Kotori Iida offers to cook for them at her family’s restaurant.

Anime focused on food are almost always good because the food itself looks so great. Add some wholesome family content and it’s certain to be a success. Sweetness & Lightning is a simple story about a dad and his daughter, but it’s incredibly heartwarming, highlighting the importance of family unity and togetherness, especially when it comes to food. The episodes can feel a bit repetitive, but that can be overlooked as the characters are lovable and entertaining.

8

Kyousou Giga

The Story Of An Estranged Family

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.69
• Episodes: 10
• Aired: 2013
• Genres/Themes: Action, Fantasy
• Studio: Toei Animation

Kyousou Giga is a bit different compared to the other anime on the list, depicting the life of a supernatural family. The monk Myoue was able to bring his drawings to life, and he and his family lived in the mountains, but they fled into the magical Looking Glass City when the general populace took issue with his powers. They lived happily in the unchanging city for a time, but one day, Myoue and his wife were forced to abandon their home, leaving their children behind.

This anime tells the bright, colorful story of a family slowly healing after being broken for a long time, focusing on how the children have grown without their parents and the impact of a newfound sister. It’s a rather heavy topic told through comedy and abstract images. Through its fantastical elements and allusions to Japanese folktales, it tells an incredibly human story that is both wholesome and heartwarming.

7

Tadaima, Okaeri

A Domestic Omegaverse BL

Boys’ love has gotten much more attention in the past few years, and Tadaima, Okaeri is the result of its growing presence. This anime is about Masaki Fujiyoshi and his family. While he tries to enjoy his domestic life with his husband and son, Hiromu and Hikari, society’s discrimination against secondary genders prevents them from living a peaceful life. Nevertheless, they try their best to raise Hikari, and with the help of their friends, they are able to live happily.

Tadaima, Okaeri‘s popularity is mostly due to Hikari’s cuteness as a character. Babies in anime are usually well-loved, and Hikari is no different. He’s the highlight of every episode and the key figure in the story. This anime also features a great depiction of an adult relationship and real-world problems. The Omegaverse aspect of the show might put people off, but it’s pretty easy to ignore if needed.

6

The Eccentric Family

The Dramatic Life Of A Tanuki

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.82
• Episodes: 13
• Aired: 2013
• Genres/Themes: Award-winning, Drama, Supernatural, Anthropomorphic, Mythology
• Studio: P.A. Works

Some of Japan’s most famous folktales involve magical creatures, and many of them end up in anime. Eccentric Family is about the Shimogamo family, a family of tanuki living among humans. Using their ability to transform, they’re able to blend in easily with society. However, there’s a threat that constantly looms over their head. A group of humans called the Friday Fellows hunt tanuki every year to use in hotpots, so while they leave peacefully, the Shimogamos must stay vigilant.

The Eccentric Family is an atypical family life anime that doesn’t include the usual homemaking or domestic activities, but it still works as a story about a family, specifically one that’s going through hard times. Despite its fantastical nature, it’s an emotional story that takes its time to build up each moment. It has many subtleties that can make it confusing to watch, but it doesn’t take long for viewers to understand what’s happening.

5

The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons

A Look Into The Lives Of Four Brothers

One thing anime does well is highlighting atypical families. As the title implies, this anime is about the lives of the four Yuzuki brothers after their parents’ passing. Hayato is the eldest, working as a teacher to support their family. The next are Mikoto and Minato, who are a year apart and have opposite personalities. Finally, the youngest is Gakuto, a first-grader who is studious and mature for his age.

The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons is the epitome of daily life anime and makes for a great example of what this genre is all about. Each episode is an exploration of a given character or relationship, expanding on who they are and how they got there. While the show does discuss some serious themes and topics, it makes sure to balance them with some light comedy and embellished character dynamics.

4

Buddy Daddies

Two Assassins Become Fathers

Although it includes more action than normal, Buddy Daddies is a fantastic family life anime full of funny, heartwarming moments. Professional assassins Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa have a mission to take out a dangerous mafia boss, but things get complicated when a little girl walks onto the scene. With no other choice, the two take her in, and they slowly become a real family.

As with most anime involving children, Miri is the driving force of the show. The innocence and energy of a young child are captured perfectly in the way she walks, talks, and behaves. It’s her spontaneity that keeps the story entertaining. Her moments with Kazuki and Rei are especially endearing. Watching the three of them become a real family is certainly the best part of the anime.

3

Bunny Drop

A Single Dad’s First Steps

Single fathers are surprisingly popular protagonists in anime. Bunny Drop is a sweet show about a man suddenly becoming a father. At his grandfather’s funeral, Daikichi finds his family members arguing over a little girl who happens to be his grandpa’s illegitimate daughter. Upset at their behavior, he volunteers to become the girl’s guardian and take care of her. Rin is only six years old, and Daikichi has no experience raising a child.

Bunny Drop is a great slice-of-life story that highlights the experience of a single father. It’s full of sweet and tender moments that will satisfy anyone looking for something wholesome to watch. The most endearing part of the show is seeing Daikichi and Rin build a relationship where they can rely on one another, especially Rin, who rightfully has trust issues. It’s an uplifting story about growth and connection.

2

SPY x FAMILY

A Story Of Family Secrets

SPY x FAMILY is a unique story that’s built on a fascinating premise. Loid Forger is a famous spy whose next job is investigating the politician Donovan Desmond, but in order to do that, he needs a way into Eden Academy. To that effort, he adopts a young girl named Anya and marries a clerk named Yor Briar. Little does he know that both of them have their secrets. As they go about their days as a family, they’re all simultaneously trying not to be found out.

This anime has garnered a huge following since its debut, and for good reason. The comedy is great, the characters are fun, and the plot is interesting. Admittedly, the domestic parts tend to take a backseat, but they’re always wholesome. Of course, Anya is the best part, using her powers to get what she wants but also to help her parents.

1

Clannad After Story

A Heartwrenching Slice Of Life

Clannad was originally a visual novel, but it was adapted into an anime due to its massive popularity. Afterstory is the sequel that focuses on Tomoya and Nagisa after they graduate high school, resolving many loose ends left over from the original story. The two begin living together and start their lives as adults, eventually going on to have a child. Unfortunately, Nagisa succumbs to her illness, and Tomoya is left to care for their daughter alone.

Generally, watching Clannad is needed to understand Afterstory, but only the latter is included in this list as it focuses more on family life. However, when watched together, they become one of the most emotional experiences seen in anime, making it one of the most memorable as well. Although the story is bittersweet, it’s a classic that everyone should watch, especially when it comes to shows relating to love and family.