The 17 Best Anime About Childcare

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 very 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 or romance tropes.

This listicle aims to show you the best anime about childcare in our opinion. The shows are ranked according to how well they fit with this theme, and this ranking is subject to future changes.

17. My Teacher, Mr. T

My Teacher, Mr. T is an anime based on a manga of the same name, which adapts autobiographical stories. They are 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.

The author has 14 years of experience as a childcare worker and has written plenty of books.

16. 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.

A slice of life with two protagonists who develop their lives in parallel, with two different points of view.

15. Listen to me, Girls. I am your Father!

Another slice-of-life genre anime, with harem and sometimes ecchi elements. Listen to me, Girls. I am your Father! features 12 episodes, and for this reason, you can watch it in one night.

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.

A slice of life that contrary to expectations stands out from others and contains a lot of moe content.

14. Poco’s Udon World

Poco’s Udon World, released in 2016, is a cute anime with cheerful vibes and some sad moments.

Set in Kagawa, a city known as the prefecture of udon, it features 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.

13. Beelzebub

A shonen manga serialized by 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.

An excellent series that combines good fighting 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.

12. Somali and the Forest Spirit

Somali and the Forest Spirit was adapted into 12 episodes in 2020 from an original seinen manga.

In a world ruled by spirits, goblins, and many other types of creatures, the human race is persecuted and pushed to the brink of extinction.

One day, an encounter occurs between a golem and a human girl. This anime tells the story of the two and their journey with an ever-growing bond between father and daughter.

This show makes engagement its selling point since it’s quite easy to see the world though the lenses of the main cast.

11. Aishiteruze Baby

Aishiteruze Baby combines the typical 2000s animation style and character design into just 26 episodes.

Katakura Kippei is the playboy of his high school, who loves to spend his days flirting with girls.

Her habits change when following the death of her husband, one of her aunts decides to disappear and abandon Yuzuyu, her 5-year-old daughter. Kippei decides to look after her, with surprising results.

An anime with distinct themes and mechanics typical of anime adapted from shojo manga. Note of credit goes to Kippei, who has a remarkable character development during the series.

10. Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri is a 2018 anime merging yakuza with childcare, what a strange combination indeed. Yoshifumi Nitta, a yakuza member, discovers a strange capsule containing a blue-haired young girl called Hina.

She is able to 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 is able to entertain its audience quite well with a wide range of character reactions, relationships, and proper gags.

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 another recent anime, as it was released in Spring 2020 with 12 episodes. Once again, this anime is an adaptation of a shonen manga.

Kakushi Gotou is an established mangaka famous for dealing with erotic themes. He is quite ashamed of his job because he would like to hide this fact from his daughter Hime.

The efforts of the father won’t be so easy as many fans and people will ask him to sign autographs.

Another comic slice of life with a strange relationship between father and daughter as its pivotal theme.

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.

A different slice of life that deals with different themes, such as fatherly love, grieving, and recovering from trauma.

6. Spy x Family

What is undoubtedly the anime of the moment and still being released at the time of writing this list.

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.

A very enjoyable slice-of-life anime that deviates greatly from the genre and it’s worth watching just because it’s the buzz of the moment and the quality is high.

5. Bunny Drop

Usagi Drop was adapted in 2011 from the homonym slice-of-life comedy josei manga.

Returning home for his grandfather’s funeral, 30-year-old Daikichi discovers that the old man has had a daughter from a recent affair with a much younger woman.

The rest of the family has already decided they want nothing to do with the quiet little Rin.

In a burst of pride, Daikichi decides to take care of her, later discovering that raising a child is anything but simple.

A very interesting slice of life, it chronicles the relationship between the two from the very beginning, from mere strangers to sharing a believable and tender relationship.

4. Clannad After Story

Clannad is undoubtedly one of the best-known dramatic and saddest anime. 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 that is what you want, then start it without thinking too much about it.

3. Maquia

The story 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.

A very touching and introspective movie, that is not as eerie as other Kon’s movies.

1. Wolf Children Rain and Snow

A popular fantasy movie with slice of life elements released in 2012 featuring the touch of master Mamoru Hosoda.

The story follows the life of Hana, a 19-year-old student who falls in love with Wolf Man.

The two marry and the protagonist gives birth to two wolf children: eldest Yuki and youngest Ame. The family leads a peaceful and reserved life in a country setting to hide the children’s less-than-human nature.

The pacing is very slow and calm, but it won’t disappoint you towards the second half, where you will see why this is considered a sad movie.