Recommendations for Children's Anime

[Emerald Ghost]

Me and my brother watched Spirited Away, and loved it. Can anyone recommend some more that are, say, PG or G? No nudity or cussing preferably.

[Inkthinker]

Anything else in the Ghibli library would probably be ideal.

Beyond that, there's certainly no lack of titles, but few of them are as excellent as the workds of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki in particular.

Check out Porco Rosso, Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Castle In the Sky, and (if you want something perfect for smaller children or if you're not bothered by it's almost complete lack of violent content) My Neighbor Totoro.

All of which are easily available on DVD now, distributed (but NOT edited or in any way affected beyond the English dub track) by Disney.

[Scubbily]

I see you watch Avatar: The Last Air Bender....that's a good one for kids, but a lot of people grew up watching Dragonball Z and the other DB series. I would recommend DB/Z/GT, IF you watch anime on TV, otherwise, if you buy the DVD you will be suprised(there's occasional nudity, and a whole ton of cursing). Watch it on TV, or you can watch Miguzi on Cartoon Network(though I don't like how they got rid of Toonami, or changed the format). At night, on Cartoon Network(CN) you can watch Adult Swim, they have OnePiece, which is a suprisingly funny anime, which would be suitable for younger audiences. But, there are many other animes(PG-G) which are good, but I was part of the generation brought up on DBZ.

[Emerald Ghost]

Anything else in the Ghibli library would probably be ideal.

Who is Ghibli?

Beyond that, there's certainly no lack of titles, but few of them are as excellent as the workds of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki in particular.

Ah, Miyazaki is the Spirited Away guy, I know him.

Check out Porco Rosso, Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Castle In the Sky, and (if you want something perfect for smaller children or if you're not bothered by it's almost complete lack of violent content) My Neighbor Totoro.

As chance would have it, I rented Castle in the Sky today. Will see if it is as good! But someone told me there's nudity in Totoro, so I waited to get it.

All of which are easily available on DVD now, distributed (but NOT edited or in any way affected beyond the English dub track) by Disney.

Hey, nothing wrong with a little Disney-fication for the kiddies. Depends on your taste. :D

[Emerald Ghost]

I see you watch Avatar: The Last Air Bender....that's a good one for kids, but a lot of people grew up watching Dragonball Z and the other DB series. I would recommend DB/Z/GT, IF you watch anime on TV, otherwise, if you buy the DVD you will be suprised(there's occasional nudity, and a whole ton of cursing). Watch it on TV, or you can watch Miguzi on Cartoon Network(though I don't like how they got rid of Toonami, or changed the format). At night, on Cartoon Network(CN) you can watch Adult Swim, they have OnePiece, which is a suprisingly funny anime, which would be suitable for younger audiences. But, there are many other animes(PG-G) which are good, but I was part of the generation brought up on DBZ.

Hmm, DB I would have to get as DVD, so I might skip that one. And yes Avatar is a great show!!! I can't wait for season 2. (Just wish they'd release the first season already, one disc doesn't count! When is D2 coming out, next year? I'll be on social security before I watch it... :D )

I read some of One Piece, that is a cute story.

[Jabuka]

Does Digimon count as anime? if so thats a good choice season 5 is coming out soon just dont buy season 4 it had some parts that might be counted as nudity but you have to buy digimon at the internet sometimes though.

[Inkthinker]

Who is Ghibli?

Studio Ghibli, the production house that Miyazaki built. They're so awesome the Japanese have built monuments, I shit you not.



Ah, Miyazaki is the Spirited Away guy, I know him..

Yep, that and many more. He's one of the most admired and respected animators and directors ever.



As chance would have it, I rented Castle in the Sky today. Will see if it is as good! But someone told me there's nudity in Totoro, so I waited to get it.


If there's nudity in Totoro, then I forgot about it, but it'd have to be pretty innocent nudity. It's a wonderful story, in my opinion... Miyazaki has a talent for capturing a sort of pure fantasy and imagination that is somewhat unique to children... he makes me wish I was young again, able to dream in ways I thought I'd forgotten about.


Hey, nothing wrong with a little Disney-fication for the kiddies. Depends on your taste. :D

Well, Disney sometimes goes too far. And the films of Studio Ghibli are works of art in every sense of the term, to deface one with edits and attempted "improvements" would be as great a crime as attempting to "improve" the Sistine Chapel.

If there's any Ghibli film that one might want to watch first, it'd be Pom Poko, which is a delightful fable with a strong environmental theme, but does contain some elements which are amusing and unique to Japanese folklore, but which also might offend the more conservative amongst Western society (who are pretty easily upset anyhow).

Laputa: Castle In the Sky is awesome though, you'll see. I'd definitely recommend Porco Rosso, too, it's a great adventure.

[Pikachu]

Originally posted by Inkthinker
If there's nudity in Totoro, then I forgot about it, but it'd have to be pretty innocent nudity.

There is a scene where the two little girls take a bath with their dad. You don't see any anatomy bellow the collar bones, so theres no need to fret.

Many complaints have been about the girls ages and bathing with their dad. First off, that's a Freudian thing that Westerners have a problem with. In Japan, public bathing in the nude is universally accepted, and the cultural difference is worth noting, but not worth becoming prejudice against.

Totoro is the most warm hearted and playful of all of the Miyazaki films (with maybe Kiki's Delivery Service being the exception).

Isao Takahata's "Pompoko the Raccoon War" is really fun too. However, their is the "scrotum attack" which is infamous for exciting extreme conservatives. It is correct that the "tanuki" are mythological creatures of Japanese myth and not your standard a-typical raccoon. Being open minded is the first step to greater tollerance and accepting of other's cultures and values. Yet, the sheer value and messages of Ghibli Studios films far exceed any qausi offensive elements which less open minded people may complain about. Ghibli films are magic at the very least, and inspirational works of art for everyone to experience.

Pika!

[Emerald Ghost]

There is a scene where the two little girls take a bath with their dad. You don't see any anatomy bellow the collar bones, so theres no need to fret.

Many complaints have been about the girls ages and bathing with their dad. First off, that's a Freudian thing that Westerners have a problem with. In Japan, public bathing in the nude is universally accepted, and the cultural difference is worth noting, but not worth becoming prejudice against.

Totoro is the most warm hearted and playful of all of the Miyazaki films (with maybe Kiki's Delivery Service being the exception).

Isao Takahata's "Pompoko the Raccoon War" is really fun too. However, their is the "scrotum attack" which is infamous for exciting extreme conservatives. It is correct that the "tanuki" are mythological creatures of Japanese myth and not your standard a-typical raccoon. Being open minded is the first step to greater tollerance and accepting of other's cultures and values. Yet, the sheer value and messages of Ghibli Studios films far exceed any qausi offensive elements which less open minded people may complain about. Ghibli films are magic at the very least, and inspirational works of art for everyone to experience.

Pika!

Ah, okie then. A bathing scene is fine. I personally wouldn't bathe with children, but, hey, that's their culture, no bigee with me.

So long as there's no nudity. ;)

And dare I ask what a scrotum attack is?

[Sanagi]

My Neighbor Totoro is a capital-G Great Movie.

See also: http://nausicaa.net/miyazaki/films/

Pompoko is weird. Lots of funny ideas, but I didn't really like it that much.

Apparently Cartoon Network is going to show some Miyazaki films soon - I saw an ad for it but I don't remember a precise date.

[J'onn J'onzz]

Technically One Piece is an hour before Adult Swim. Don't get Princess Mononoke for him! Some of Miyazaki's films are child-friendly but not that one (at least that's what I've heard). The month of Miyazaki starts March 18 and will be on Toonami at 7:30 each week.

[LordEd1976]

My Neighbor Totoro is a capital-G Great Movie.

See also: http://nausicaa.net/miyazaki/films/

Pompoko is weird. Lots of funny ideas, but I didn't really like it that much.

Apparently Cartoon Network is going to show some Miyazaki films soon - I saw an ad for it but I don't remember a precise date.

Like J'onn J'onzz said, Miyazaki month starts March 18. They'll be showing Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Nausicca, and Castle in the Sky.

For kids, I'd recommend the Miyazaki films My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service. The latter has one of the last performances by Phil Hartman.

[Spastic Minnow]

It's an exagereation to say everything from Ghibli is appropriate for all children. Mononoke and Nausicaa deal with warfare, characters are killed and gravely injured. depending on the sensibility of the child they could be a little mature leaning, but don't worry too much, nothing to scar a kid for life.

Pom Poko is long and deals with some complex issues but mostly in a fun way. BTW, the dub de-emphasiizes the Racoon testicles. They refer to them as "belly pouches" or something. Once again characters are killed, the ending isn't very happy, but ends on a hopeful note.

Even Porco Rosso is geared in large part to adults. themes deals with fascism and adult romance. Not to say it isn't recommended for kids but they won't get everything. There's much fun cartoony stuff as well. Just expect to be stuck when the kid asks why Porco is a pig.

Grave of the Fireflies was produced through Ghibli, but is definitely not for kids. It's about children suffering in post-war Japan. Beautiful in it's way but you shouldn't be thinking of showing that to kids until about 14, and then to be watched with adults.

Whisper of the Heart may be a bit boring for the younger of children, it's a coming of age story/ first love romance but it does have some fantasy elements. It's very sweet.
In fact the fantasy element was spun off into a highly rercommended semi-sequel The Cat Returns which is firmly in safe territory for children and stands on it's own as a story apart from Whisper.

My Neighbors The Yamadas is harmless watching for kids but the humor is pretty japanese. It's a series of short tales taken from a popular daily newspaper comic. The animation is also very simple, reminiscent of the style the comic strip is drawn in.

I guess Only Yesterday is the only Ghibli film not mentioned here yet. It was shown (subtitled only) on TCM in January but there aren't currently plans to release it. It's mature in a way that would bore kids and makes adults think wistfully of the past and the choices made in life, IF you can relate to the japanese culture they are dealing with. Understandably a hard to market cartoon for the U.S.

I second recommendations for Kiki and Totorro.

Oh, and don't forget Howls Moving Castle, That's being released on DVD this month as well.


...apart from Ghibli, Steamboy is easy to find in video stores now as well. It has about the action level of Nausicaa. Blood is shed, soldiers are killed.

[Emerald Ghost]

Quick question, how is Kiki's Delivery Service? It looks kind of silly.

[Spastic Minnow]

Quick question, how is Kiki's Delivery Service? It looks kind of silly.
It one of Miyazaki's sweeter stories. Young witch has to be independent, find her way in a big city, make friends, prove her worth as a witch to the people in the city and to herself. No bad guys at all but there is some decent action and alot of great animation. I guess it could seem mundane and silly but the very fine characterization of Kiki is what propels the story.

[Emerald Ghost]

It one of Miyazaki's sweeter stories. Young witch has to be independent, find her way in a big city, make friends, prove her worth as a witch to the people in the city and to herself. No bad guys at all but there is some decent action and alot of great animation. I guess it could seem mundane and silly but the very fine characterization of Kiki is what propels the story.

Thanks. And thanks to all for the titles to pick up. I'll be expanding my anime library very well.

I also rented Record of Lodoss War. Rated 14 and up? Makes me wonder what's in it. It's for me, not my brother, so it's okay. :D

[Sanagi]

Quick question, how is Kiki's Delivery Service? It looks kind of silly.
It's not one of my favorites, but it's still good. I think similar ideas are done in more interesting ways in Whisper of the Heart and Spirited Away.

[Emerald Ghost]

According to this, you guys are wrong about Mononoke being okay for kids? Wierd.

http://www.abcb.com/mononoke/mon_apga.htm

Says it's way too bloody and they rate it M for mature.

[Sanagi]

According to this, you guys are wrong about Mononoke being okay for kids? Wierd.
Er, I think everyone who mentioned it said that it's not...

[Emerald Ghost]

Er, I think everyone who mentioned it said that it's not...

Oops, got my movies crossed. My bad.

[Rabid Trekkie]

Thanks. And thanks to all for the titles to pick up. I'll be expanding my anime library very well.

I also rented Record of Lodoss War. Rated 14 and up? Makes me wonder what's in it. It's for me, not my brother, so it's okay. :D

Not sure how old your little brother is but if he watched the Lord of the Rings then Lodoss War will be fine. I saw it a year or two ago, great show.

And yeah, there's a ton of blood in Princess Mononoke but you should probably watch it for yourself.

Oh, and while some company rated it R, I think Cowboy Bebop The Movie (I haven't seen the series and I was able to follow the movie) is about PG-13 at most. Sort of like Die Hard when they show it on network television, lot of action and a tiny bit of blood, but no cussing and no nudity.

That's about all I got, my viewing of anime has been limited so accept to second all the other Miyazaki films (though you might want to watch Naussica first to see if it's all right, no where near as bloody as Princess but has some images younger kids might find disturbing) as well as Steamboy I got nothing else to say.

You might try Gundam though, I've heard its really good.

[Kirayoshi]

If you're looking for a good anime series, try "Nadia, Secret of Blue Water". A charming and, in later chapters, exciting series set in 19th century Europe, about a young orphaned girl named Nadia who is befriended by a boy genius, and together they attempt to solve the mystery of her origins, while staying one step ahead of a trio of comical criminals. Oh, and Captain Nemo is a supporting player in this. Yeah, that Captain Nemo. High adventure and fun, and some decent old-school animation too.

Kiki's Delivery Service was cute, a little tamer than some of Miyazaki's other movies. The english dub version also has the distinction of featuring Phil Hartman in one of his last film roles before his untimely death, as Kiki's cat Gigi. Great moment where he's romancing another cat, saying, "I think we got off on the wrong paw before--"

[Kirayoshi]

Check out Porco Rosso, Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Castle In the Sky, and (if you want something perfect for smaller children or if you're not bothered by it's almost complete lack of violent content) My Neighbor Totoro.

All of which are easily available on DVD now, distributed (but NOT edited or in any way affected beyond the English dub track) by Disney.Did Disney release Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro? If they did, I hope they maintained the same respect that they did for the others. I remember seeing an early dub of CoC, and while I enjoyed it, it felt somehow chopped up a little.

Hmm, I wonder who they'd get to do the voices for that one.

[Alex L]

I liked Angelic Layer. Excellent kids' series IMHO.

[Drew Van T.]

Tsk, kids these days. When I was a chibi, I watched anime because it had nudity and cussing, lol.

For God's sake, don't watch the dub of One Piece. Of all the anime that was butchered to be shown to the Saturday Morning crowd, this is the absolute pits.

[Inkthinker]

Did Disney release Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro? If they did, I hope they maintained the same respect that they did for the others. I remember seeing an early dub of CoC, and while I enjoyed it, it felt somehow chopped up a little.

Hmm, I wonder who they'd get to do the voices for that one.


I'm not sure, actually... I think there's a recent DVD version out there, but I don't know that it's Disney-released, 'cause I don't think it's a Ghibli film... it was Miyazaki's first theatrical, and I think it predates the foundation of Ghibli Studios. I believe it would fall under the purview of whomever has the current Lupin III license.

[Dexxell]

I watched Howl's Moving Castle a few days ago and really dug it. I highly recommend it!

[T51R]

I liked Angelic Layer. Excellent kids' series IMHO.

Yeah, I just finished it. It's pretty good for a show written for TV along the "battle-of-the-week" lines, but it's less violent than ZOIDS.

[Spastic Minnow]

I'm not sure, actually... I think there's a recent DVD version out there, but I don't know that it's Disney-released, 'cause I don't think it's a Ghibli film... it was Miyazaki's first theatrical, and I think it predates the foundation of Ghibli Studios. I believe it would fall under the purview of whomever has the current Lupin III license.

Manga Entertainment has Cagliostro. It's a very good production with a no-frills DVD release. The dub voice acting has its faults but you forget that as you get involved in the great story.

[Pinball]

Tsk, kids these days. When I was a chibi, I watched anime because it had nudity and cussing, lol.

Heh. I watched Heavy Metal when it came out in the 80's, it's safe to say i was ready for anime. :cool:

I'll add A Dog of Flanders. It's a weepy, but not as traumatic as Fireflies.

[Accacia]

rurouni kenshin, sailor moon, hamtaro, one peice, inuyasha :p