Anime is becoming increasingly popular in children’s entertainment. While it is intended for fun, many parents are concerned about its potential drawbacks. It is a fact that some shows are really worth watching, but some contain potentially damaging content. That’s why parents show concern. In this blog, we will thoroughly explore the role and impact of anime for kids. Moreover, you’ll learn the best practices to ensure you enjoy the magic of anime together while understanding what’s safe for your child. So, just keep reading!
Why is anime so popular?
Obviously, anime is a medium with a unique culture and has evolved into a global popular culture. The most representative one is Japanese anime. The development of Japan’s anime culture industry is a gradual process. From the birth of Japanese anime to its introduction to the overseas market, global audiences have experienced the charm of many classic anime series and characters with exquisite production. Let’s discuss some of the crucial factors that kids and adults of all ages love about anime so much.
- Simple to find on streaming services
You can find anime on multiple applications such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, YouTube, Crunchyroll, and even. So, fans just need to access a device, and they can easily watch anime.
- Unique and colourful art style
The creative and eye-catching look anime possesses is also an attribute that anime lovers get thrilled about. The attention to detail in backgrounds, the bright tones used, paired with big eyes given to characters, make anime easy to enjoy.
- Thoughtful and imaginative storytelling
Anime draws from numerous story themes, including comical, emotional, and adventurous. Different shows feature friendship, courage, and authentic feelings in ways that fans of all ages can appreciate.
- Authentic characters and relatable themes
Themes of popular anime like friendship, perseverance, love, loss, and identity are universal and resonate with people of all ages. Those unique characters often go through real-life struggles, emotions, and personal growth, which many audiences can relate to. Therefore, those emotional depths and realism help anime stand out from many other forms of animated entertainment.
Parenting in the age of anime: Know the good, so skip the weird.
Is anime bad for kids?
The question of whether anime is bad for kids has sparked much debate among parents, educators, and fans alike. While anime is a form of entertainment, not all content is created with children, leading to both valid concerns.
Some anime includes violence, suggestive content, and adult themes that may not be suitable for younger viewers. Unlike Western cartoons that are often targeted specifically at children, anime spans a broad range of genres and age ratings. Parents need to stay informed about what their children are watching and pick the right ones.
Luckily, most well-known anime shows promote positive values such as teamwork, empathy, resilience, and the importance of friendship. Shows like Pokémon, My Neighbor Totoro, or Doraemon are beloved by children and widely considered safe, as well as educational.
Does anime have inappropriate content?
Certain anime include inappropriate content, such as the use of foul language, violence, and sexual content. But it depends on the genre and the target audience.
Anime aimed at adult audiences may contain more intense violence and mature themes. You will find emotionally charged romantic interactions, light violence, or deep emotional conflicts in teen-oriented anime.
Kid-friendly genre focuses on animation that is upbeat and story-driven for young audiences.
You’ll often come across tags such as the following:
- G or PG – Safe for Kids
- PG-13 – Safe for Teens
- R or TV-MA – Not Safe for Children
So, it is advised that guardians review the rating and read the reviews before allowing their children to watch a new anime series. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll typically provide age restrictions, along with parental guidance notes. Therefore, reviewing these details can help determine which show is suitable for your children.
What is the most non-kid-friendly anime?
Some animated series are really famous among adults; however, they are not child-friendly. Their storylines often focus on serious and sometimes disturbing topics. Below are a few examples of non-kid-friendly anime:
- Attack on Titan – This anime features excessive violence, blood, and frightening scenes. While older teens and adults adore it, it’s too grim for kids.
- Death Note – Deals with death, moral decisions, and crime. A psychological thriller that’s not meant for a younger audience.
- Tokyo Ghoul is infamous for its violence, blood, and dark themes. Most certainly not for children.
- Elfen Lied – It is associated with intense violence and nudity. Despite what seems to be a cute art style, the themes are heavily mature.
- Devilman Crybaby – This anime contains mature subjects, including violence, sexual content, and horror. It is intended for mature audiences only.
- Berserk – One of the most psychologically and visually intense anime out there. It’s a blend of war, blood, adult scenes, and emotional trauma.
- Hellsing Ultimate – A vampire-based anime containing violence, gore, and dark themes, children should not watch.
All of these shows are well-made and have amazing fan bases; however, they are centred on grown audiences. Yes, children may find these anime too confusing or scary for their age.
What are the bad effects of anime on kids?
While anime itself can be fun and entertaining to watch, there are some shows that do not suit a younger audience. Certain themes and content can alter a child’s behaviour, thoughts, and feelings. Here are some negative effects that can occur.
Exposure to violence or mature themes
Certain anime contain fighting, blood, and dark storylines, such as The Final Destination. Too much exposure to this can increase aggression or even fear in children. In extreme cases, it can lead to anxiety or nightmares, especially at a young age.
Excessive screen time
Anime shows are exceptionally engaging. Young children may spend a long time watching such episodes, which in turn cuts into the time they have allocated for sleep, physical activities, or even studying.
Repeating bad words or actions
Some anime shows have normalised the use of cursing and inappropriate language. Children may imitate such actions word for word without critically thinking whether such actions or statements are incorrect.
Mixing up the concepts of right and wrong
Younger audiences are likely to get confused about the concept of rules and their enforcement. It happens, especially after some characters in shows disregard certain rules, but are still celebrated as good guys.
Not all anime is harmful, but some shows aren’t suitable for children. This demonstrates the importance of parental control when it comes to checking what is age-appropriate and guiding their children on what to watch.
Kid-friendly anime: Benefits of watching anime for kids
Kid-friendly anime has a variety of positive impacts on children. Below are some key pros:
Teaches important values
Many anime shows highlight kindness, teamwork, courage, and friendship. These lessons are helpful for children in understanding how to treat others and overcome challenges.
Boosts creativity and imagination
The distinctive stories and colourful visuals in anime encourage imagination and inspire kids to think of new worlds to explore. This translates into creative play.
Introduces different cultures
Classic anime works often showcase aspects of culture and traditions, helping kids become more open-minded and learn about different cultures.
Role models encourage problem-solving skills
Those caring, brave, and noble characters that children can look up to for motivation. Challenges in anime and the solutions characters come up with teach kids critical thinking and how to approach problems.
Improves focus and attention
Children also learn to follow and understand the sequences and details in the unfolding of stories, which they strive to pay attention to and follow.
Promotes family bonding
Parents and children have the opportunity to enjoy shared moments discussing themes, characters, and what they learned or enjoyed while watching the anime together. This enhances bonding.
Supports emotional growth
Children learn how to express and understand their emotions, such as friendship, sadness, or bravery, from many of the shows.
10 Best anime for kids and families to watch together
If chosen carefully and watched together, anime can be a delightful and healthy addition to a child’s entertainment routine.
Here’s a list of family-friendly anime that kids would love. Each of these shows caters to different age groups, while having aspects that children and parents would appreciate.
Pokémon
- Age rating: 6+
- Themes: Friendship, adventure, and teamwork
The story follows Ash, along with his friends, as they catch and train creatures called Pokémon. This show teaches children the importance of working together, overcoming challenges, and building perseverance, all while being exciting!
My Neighbour Totoro
- Age rating: 6+
- Themes: Family, nature, and imagination
The beautiful anime film depicts two sisters discovering magical creatures in the countryside, which is just heartwarming! It serves as a gentle introduction to exploring various concepts and is ideal for both young children and adults. Besides, the calm and warm story promotes curiosity and a love for nature.
Doraemon
- Age rating: 5+
- Themes: Friendship, humour, and problem-solving
This one revolves around a robot cat from the future helping a boy named Nobita with fun gadgets. The show teaches creativity and inspires thoughts about the future, while keeping kids entertained through its funny and silly scenarios.
Cardcaptor Sakura
- Age rating: 7+
- Themes: Magic, friendship, courage
A young Sakura captures magical cards. The story focuses on bravery, while also showcasing kindness and exercising responsibility, and provides lessons about growing up and making wise decisions.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
- Age rating: 7+
- Themes: Kindness, confidence, independence
Learning to live alone, Kiki is a young witch. The movie’s central focus is on the importance of believing in yourself and helping others, especially children who lack self-confidence.
Yo-Kai Watch
- Age rating: 6+
- Themes: Humour, mystery, friendship
An unfamiliar boy meets spirits that aid him in solving daily problems. The show is comical and teaches how to work in a team as well as appreciate other people’s points of view.
Hamtaro
- Age rating: 4+
- Themes: Caring, adventure, friendship
Hamtaro revolves around a group of adorable hamsters and their adventures. Simple, yet sweet and appropriate for younger kids while promoting kindness and collaboration.
Spirited Away
- Age rating: 9+
- Themes: Personal growth, identity, greed and consumerism, love
Chihiro, a girl who ends up in a magical world, tries to find her way out in this famous movie. It teaches children to be brave while remaining kind during challenges, showcasing the strength of friendship.
Nintama Rantarou
- Age rating: 6+
- Themes: Humour, friendship, learning
A light-hearted show is about problem-solving and self-discovery, focusing on the adventures of ninja characters. Moreover, it captures the spirit of childhood by celebrating friendship and hard work.
Ponyo
- Age rating: All ages
- Themes: Friendship, family, nature
A fish magically transforms into a girl, and thus begins the tale of Ponyo. It beautifully portrays love and friendship while teaching respect for nature, making it a delightful watch for families.
These anime series and films are gentle, imaginative, and full of positive life lessons, perfect for children to enjoy solo or with family. They are great for helping kids learn something fun while spending valuable time with them, watching the shows together with their parents, and instilling many valuable lessons.
How to protect your child from inappropriate anime?
Every parent has concerns about the safety of their children when it comes to inappropriate content, especially with certain anime shows that feature themes that are not suitable for children. For the parents, here are some tips to help you protect your kids.
- Co-watch with your child: Watching anime through your child’s eyes and understanding the psychology of anime will help you comprehend what they see, and provide you with the opportunity to explain any confusing or questionable aspects of the anime.
- Use parental controls: Most smart devices and streaming platforms allow parents to set bounds or family-friendly options that enable them to block inappropriate content for specific age groups. Additionally, consider using tools like FlashGet Kids Parental Control, which helps manage and control the screen time your children spend daily, and monitor what social media and streaming sites/apps they access online.
- Check ratings and reviews before watching: Your kids’ favorite anime and mental health have a deep connection. Ensure that you have reviewed the ratings and reviews of the shows before letting your kid dive into watching a new anime. Specific ratings, such as TV-Y7 or PG, signify content that may be suitable for children, whereas ratings of TV-14 and above may imply the presence of mature subject matter.
- Choose trusted streaming platforms: Opt for trusted streaming services that have well-integrated age ratings and parental control features. Such platforms like Netflix Kids, YouTube Kids, Crunchyroll, etc. curate anime lists selectively, making it easy to find child-friendly programs specifically designed for kids.
- Set screen time limits: Yes, exposing children to an anime or computer screen for extended durations is not healthy. Therefore, you should strike a balance between watching anime and other activities by setting clear guidelines on when and how long children can engage with animated content.
With these key elements, you can navigate the world of anime with your child while avoiding exposure to questionable material.
Conclusion
To be honest, anime as a whole isn’t purely positive or negative. There are two sides, like anything else. Some could offer a valuable lesson, but they may also contain inappropriate themes for young viewers. Also, being a parent requires a fair amount of attention. By allowing your child to experience everything while monitoring what goes into their minds, you can turn anime into an entertaining and educational experience for children, enhancing their development.
