A roundup of anime popular with upper elementary school kids, including buzzworthy titles

Chiikawa

[Official] Chiikawa Episode 1: “Firm Pudding / Pancakes”

Within Fuji TV’s morning program Mezamashi TV, the heartwarming anime Chiikawa, which began in April 2022, has been delighting viewers.

Brought to life by Haruka Aoki’s voice, Chiikawa shares everyday adventures with Hachiware, played by Makoto Tanaka, and Usagi, played by Ari Ozawa.

Each self-contained episode is soothing yet instantly draws you into the absurdities of real life.

The music by Shugo Tokumaru is wonderful too, making it feel like any morning can start on a positive note! Directed by series director Takenori Mihara, Chiikawa is a work recommended for a wide range of audiences, from young children to adults.

Minion Series

Minions: The Rise of Gru Japanese-dubbed trailer – Nationwide release on Friday, July 15

The Minions series produced by Illumination Entertainment continues to be loved by children around the world.

The 2015 film Minions depicts the origins of the Minions and won support from a wide range of audiences, from kids to adults.

Cheerful and mischievous, they’re always getting into trouble, yet they ultimately win fans’ hearts by resolving things with plenty of humor.

If you’re new to the series, we recommend starting with Minions, which follows the Minions on a journey to find a new boss.

Watching them unite and enjoy tackling challenges toward their goal is appealing to every generation—especially perfect for children who value friendship!

Jujutsu Kaisen

TV anime “Jujutsu Kaisen” PV Teaser 1

Jujutsu Kaisen is an anime that’s hugely popular even among upper elementary school students.

With its compelling characters and emotionally stirring story, it captivates many children.

Since its broadcast began in October 2020, it quickly gained popularity, and the 2021 theatrical release became a major topic among kids as well.

In 2023, the long-awaited second season aired, continuing to draw strong support.

From its grand world depicting battles between sorcerers, to its powerful opening theme and heartrending ending theme, it’s packed with elements that will leave viewers hooked!

Medalist

TV anime “Medalist” Season 2 Production Announcement Video | TV anime now airing and streaming to great acclaim!

This work, which unfolds the story of a former skater young man and a girl who pours her youth into figure skating, delicately depicts both the joy and the hardship of pursuing dreams.

The expressions on the ice and the dynamism of the jumps are carefully recreated on screen, delivering plenty of impact as a sports anime.

The way the protagonist’s efforts move the hearts of those around them will convey to elementary schoolers the importance of dreams and taking on challenges.

You can feel the passion for challenge in the scenes of striving toward winning a medal.

Beyond passion for the sport, the relationships with the adults around them add depth, making it a fiery, heart-stirring work that lets you slowly absorb the meaning of growing up.

Laid-Back Camp

TV Anime “Laid-Back Camp SEASON 3” Opening Video | On Air 04.04

Laid-Back Camp is a story that portrays the friendship and growth of high school students through camping.

Its charm lies especially in the realistic depictions of camping that even beginners can relate to, and the fun way it teaches tips about gear and cooking.

Centered on the main characters Nadeshiko Kagamihara and Rin Shima, watching the group spend leisurely time in nature is soothing in itself.

The gentle everyday scenes and the direction that showcases beautiful landscapes are part of what makes it so popular.

The camp meals and campfire scenes are so appealing that you’ll want to try them yourself, and they can even spark children’s interest in the outdoors.

Talking with friends about your favorite scenes and characters is sure to be a blast, and the series radiates a relaxed, warm atmosphere.

Dandadan

TV anime “Dandadan” Season 2 opening video | Aina The End “Revolutionary Journey”

A work that’s popular among elementary school kids who are into yokai and the supernatural is Dandadan.

Momo Ayase, born into a family of spirit mediums, teams up with occult fanatic Ken Takakura to take on strange phenomena like aliens and yokai.

While it has rom-com elements, the snappy dialogue and plentiful homages make it a lot of fun, and you’ll find yourself laughing non-stop.

It’s an anime that kids can enjoy, but it does include some crude language and expressions.

Please be careful not to imitate them or say them to your friends.

Tokyo Revengers

TV anime 'Tokyo Revengers' Tenjiku Arc - 1st PV

The anime Tokyo Revengers sparked a massive boom after it began airing in 2021.

The first season’s theme song, Cry Baby by Official HIGE DANDism, was also a huge hit! The story follows the protagonist, Takemichi Hanagaki, as he struggles to save his former girlfriend, Hinata Tachibana.

Centered around the Tokyo Manji Gang, it blends the intense conflicts of delinquent youths with sci-fi elements and time-leap abilities, creating a unique world that drew a lot of attention.

It’s also famous for its many memorable lines!