[Age 5] A roundup of anime for 5-year-olds that will draw them into the story
Just as anime has many adult fans, there are plenty of works with complex, profound stories and themes.
Once children turn five, they can start to appreciate the depth of anime as well.
It can be a good idea to choose titles with a different flavor from what they’ve watched so far.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of anime suitable for five-year-olds.
Not only will kids enjoy watching them, but they might also discover new favorite characters and scenes.
Teachers and guardians, please consider watching together with the children and sharing your thoughts afterward.
- [Age 4] Fun for grown-ups too! A roundup of anime for four-year-olds
- [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!
- Recommended anime theme songs for children: timeless anime song classics you should listen to at least once.
- Anime recommendations for 1-year-olds: Let’s use them as support for childcare
- 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
- Choral songs that captivate 4-year-olds! A collection of heartfelt song ideas for junior kindergarten recitals
- [For 3-year-olds] Songs to sing at nursery schools and kindergartens! Popular and recommended songs
- Sing and dance along to popular songs! Recommended hits from kids’ TV shows.
- [Preschool] Recommended choral pieces for 3-year-olds
- [Childcare] Songs we want 6-year-old kindergarten seniors to sing! Perfect songs for recitals and graduation ceremonies.
[Age 5] A compilation of engaging anime for 5-year-olds (1–10)
Spirited Away
Here is an introduction to Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
The protagonist, Chihiro, finds that her parents have been turned into pigs.
Even when she’s alone in an unfamiliar place, she does her best to take action.
As she struggles in a life where the things she once took for granted are no longer there, you can see her growing—like climbing the steps to adulthood—expressing proper thanks to those who help her, and more.
The film also carries a message about valuing nature, which can lead to discussions with children about our current living environment.
Through the story, you can also learn the importance of work.
Toy Story
Disney’s animated film Toy Story portrays the interactions between toys and humans.
Its fresh approach lies in telling the entire story from the toys’ perspective, and even long after its 1996 release, it continues to capture people’s hearts.
By age five, children’s imaginations have blossomed, making it easier for them to empathize with the toys and enjoy the film from their point of view.
The movie also thoughtfully explores themes of friendship and trust, offering a chance to reflect on relationships with friends.
It’s a film that adults can enjoy alongside children.
Butt Detective
Butt Detective is a popular anime series based on children’s books.
It follows the brilliant detective Butt Detective—whose face looks like a butt—as he teams up with his assistant Brown to solve tough cases.
A classic gag is that when they’re in danger, Butt Detective lets out a fart so smelly that people around him faint, which always gets laughs.
Kids love keywords like “butt” and “fart.” There’s also a game in the anime where you look for butt-shaped marks, with the answers revealed at the end, letting kids feel like detectives too.
[Age 5] A collection of engaging anime for 5-year-olds (11–20)
Frozen
Disney’s 2014 film Frozen tells a captivating story about Elsa, princess of the Kingdom of Arendelle, and her bond with her younger sister, Anna.
Elsa possesses the power to freeze anything she touches, and after once putting Anna in danger with that power, she distances herself.
Unaware of the past because her memories were erased, Anna earnestly tries to reach out to Elsa.
Beyond its moving story, the theme song “Let It Go,” sung in Japanese by Takako Matsu, became a huge hit among children.
A sequel has also been released, so be sure to watch it along with the original.
Sesame Street
An animated long-running TV program that has been broadcast in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide since it first aired in the United States in 1969.
Just watching beloved characters like Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster is fun and gets you excited.
Each character has relatable traits—clumsy but positive, reserved yet good at drawing or singing—making the stories enjoyable for both young children and adults.
The catchy theme song is also great fun and makes it an excellent gateway into learning English!
One Piece
At around age five—especially for boys—it’s a time when many start to yearn for “adventure,” isn’t it? That’s why I recommend One Piece.
The story follows a boy named Luffy, who dreams of becoming the Pirate King and forms the pirate crew known as the Straw Hat Pirates.
He sails with reliable crewmates like Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper.
Since many of the characters, including the protagonist, are pirates, some parents may worry about showing it to their children.
However, One Piece is a masterpiece that could be called a bible for life.
It’s packed with lessons and values essential for living as a human being, so I encourage you to watch it with your child at least once.
Chibi Godzilla Strikes Back
Starring Chibi Godzilla, this work depicts him not as a monster of destruction but spending a laid-back everyday life with his friends.
Its appeal lies in an easy-to-understand storyline for elementary schoolers and brisk, well-timed gags.
The humorous interactions with the surrounding kaiju mirror situations children experience in daily life, offering plenty of moments that are both funny and relatable.
Each episode runs about three minutes, so it stays engaging without dragging, and it’s a perfect gateway for those encountering the hugely popular Godzilla character for the first time.
Brimming with charm, it’s a work that can spark conversation when watched together by parents and children.