![[Age 4] Fun for grown-ups too! A roundup of anime for four-year-olds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/_eojMxf-Wn4/maxresdefault.webp)
By the time they turn four, children start noticing deeper aspects of characters and stories, allowing them to fully enjoy picture books, animated shows, and other narratives.
Why not pick some anime you’d like four-year-olds to watch?
Here, we’ve gathered titles that kids can watch safely and comfortably.
You’re sure to discover shows they haven’t seen yet or haven’t really explored.
These are all series that adults can enjoy too, so watch together and share the world of anime with your children.
- [Age 3] A roundup of anime for 3-year-olds that adults can enjoy too
- [Age 5] A roundup of anime for 5-year-olds that will draw them into the story
- [Age 2] A Special Feature on Anime to Enjoy with Your Child!
- [For 4-year-olds] Popular and classic songs to sing at recitals and seasonal events
- Choral songs that captivate 4-year-olds! A collection of heartfelt song ideas for junior kindergarten recitals
- Anime recommendations for 1-year-olds: Let’s use them as support for childcare
- Sing and dance along to popular songs! Recommended hits from kids’ TV shows.
- [For 3-year-olds] Songs to sing at nursery schools and kindergartens! Popular and recommended songs
- I want to sing it at the senior class recital! A choral piece that 5-year-olds can sing with all their heart
- [Childcare] Fun Songs for 2-Year-Olds to Sing! Recommended Song Collection
- [Preschool] Recommended choral pieces for 3-year-olds
- Nursery rhymes to sing to your baby! Recommended songs enjoyable from 0 months
[Age 4] Fun for adults too! Anime picks for 4-year-olds (1–10)
Curious George
George was born as a character in the American picture book Curious George.
In Japan, he’s beloved as the “Hitomane Kozaru” (Imitative Little Monkey) series, and an animated series began in 2008.
The many escapades sparked by George’s pure curiosity and adventurous spirit make not only children but even adults feel excited and on edge.
Although George is a little monkey and doesn’t speak, the story unfolds as he communicates with those around him through expressive emotions and gestures.
He sometimes fails or gets scolded, but children will surely relate to and be captivated by actions that stem from George’s pure interests.
Nintama Rantarō
Nintama Rantarō is one of the long-running anime series that has been airing since 1993 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022.
It features a cast of distinctive characters who are ninja-in-training, and its stories of learning ninjutsu and deepening friendships likely resonate with aspects of children’s school life and everyday experiences.
Packed with humor, it’s enjoyable even for very young children who may not fully follow the plot.
The opening theme, “Yuuki 100%,” has remained unchanged since the show first aired and is familiar to many parents as well.
It’s an anime that parents and children can enjoy together.
Crayon Shin-chan
Crayon Shin-chan is an animated series that has been airing since 1992, based on Yoshito Usui’s gag manga Crayon Shin-chan.
The protagonist is a five-year-old boy named Shinnosuke Nohara, affectionately known as Shin-chan.
The stories generally follow Shin-chan causing some kind of commotion that drags the people around him into the chaos.
It portrays everyday life with both laughs and tears from a perspective that’s easy for children to understand.
There are also Crayon Shin-chan movies, which are known for being moving even for adults.
Doraemon
Doraemon is not only an anime but also known for releasing a movie every year.
The story follows Doraemon, a cat-shaped robot who came from the future, as he uses various secret gadgets to help Nobita, a boy who struggles with both studying and sports.
Gadgets like the Anywhere Door, Small Light, and Time Machine make you think, “I wish these really existed,” and you can’t wait to see what new gadget will appear next.
The Doraemon movies are also reputed to be tearjerkers even for adults.
They’re perfect for parents and children to enjoy together.
Sumikko Gurashi
Sumikkogurashi is also popular among children.
Many kids probably own products featuring the characters, right? Not only items with the characters printed on them, but plush toys and games are also extremely popular.
What’s more, Sumikkogurashi has been adapted into a TV anime and movies.
Unique characters appear, such as Shirokuma, who is shy, and Penguin?, who lacks confidence.
One of Sumikkogurashi’s charms is the slightly negative, withdrawn feeling hidden within its cuteness.
That appeal is also conveyed in the TV anime and films.
It’s a series that children will love, and adults can enjoy as well.
Pretty Cure series
Precure, which airs every Sunday morning.
Many children look forward to seeing ordinary girls transform into Precure in cute outfits and fight.
With so many series, some parents may have watched it themselves when they were kids.
While the story used to center on girls, it now features character settings and storylines that reflect the times, such as boys transforming into Precure as well.
The Precure characters lead ordinary daily lives.
It seems part of the appeal is that children can relate to how the characters think and show consideration for others, prompted by battles or events with friends.
It’s a show that seems to teach lessons like friendship and cooperation through anime.
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro, a Studio Ghibli film released in 1988.
It tells the story of sisters Satsuki and Mei, who meet “Totoro” after moving to a new home and have mysterious experiences.
Although the story mainly progresses through Mei, she’s just four years old.
In addition to Totoro, charming characters like the Catbus and soot sprites also appear.
A four-year-old child will surely be able to experience the wonders from the same perspective as Mei.
Please take this opportunity to watch it.