Lists

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime

Some of these might surprise you, but yes, moms enjoy them too.

Bonding over your favorite art with someone you love is one of the most wholesome feelings ever. If that someone is your mom, the wholesomeness grows exponentially.

When it comes to anime recommendations, here’s what’s really important. Besides being your mom, she is also a unique human being. This means she has her own tastes and preferences in art. A wonderful thing to do would be to ask her what kind of shows, movies, or books she enjoys, and pick a title accordingly.

In any case, don’t think of “an anime for a 50-year-old woman”. Just suggest a good anime. Here are some for your consideration:

Death Note

 - image 1

Not what you expected? And yet this series has already proved to be a perfect gateway anime for many parents. It’s an exciting psychological thriller with a clear premise, it’s only 37 episodes, it has just the right amount of “magic” for someone who’s not usually into fantasy. Also, moms just adore Ryuk for some reason. But then again, don’t we all.

Attack on Titan

 - image 2

Another series you might think is too gruesome for your mama’s liking — and be surprised when she proves you wrong. The premise and world-building are strange and intriguing, the plot is insane, the titans are epic.

Violet Evergarden

 - image 3

Beautifully written and animated emotional rollercoaster of an anime that’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Many moms have already given this series their stamp of approval.

Tokyo Godfathers

 - image 4

A wholesome urban tragicomedy about three homeless people babysitting on Christmas Eve. No magic except for Christmas miracles and Satoshi Kon’s direction.

Perfect Blue

 - image 5

Another Satoshi Kon’s movie, but this one is much more intense and dark. A perfect choice if you want to help your mom debunk the stereotype that anime is cartoons for kids. Because she is about to experience one of the most intricate, Lynchian plots and imagery — in cinema, not just anime.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

 - image 6

A complete story with unique ideas and brilliantly written dialogues. Not too dark (once your brain manages to erase Nina’s image from your memory), but far from a sweet fairy tale.

Your Name

 - image 7

Speaking of sweet, any work by Makoto Shinkai is a good option if your mom is into light-hearted, bittersweet drama. Your Name is full of beautifully drawn backgrounds that change as the story takes magical turns.

Monster

 - image 8

A great drama for the moms who like true crime and handsome doctors. That is, a lot of them.

Cowboy Bebop

 - image 9

This is a good gateway anime for adults because each of the early episodes contains a complete story. If your mom was in her twenties in the 90's, this series will probably pass her vibe check. There are also a lot of western references.

Anything by Hayao Miyazaki

 - image 10

Spirited Away, Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki are all so universal, wholesome, and brilliant that they are both the safest and probably the best option for beginners.

Some of these might surprise you, but yes, moms enjoy them too.

Bonding over your favorite art with someone you love is one of the most wholesome feelings ever. If that someone is your mom, the wholesomeness grows exponentially.

When it comes to anime recommendations, here’s what’s really important. Besides being your mom, she is also a unique human being. This means she has her own tastes and preferences in art. A wonderful thing to do would be to ask her what kind of shows, movies, or books she enjoys, and pick a title accordingly.

In any case, don’t think of “an anime for a 50-year-old woman”. Just suggest a good anime. Here are some for your consideration:

Death Note

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 1

Not what you expected? And yet this series has already proved to be a perfect gateway anime for many parents. It’s an exciting psychological thriller with a clear premise, it’s only 37 episodes, it has just the right amount of “magic” for someone who’s not usually into fantasy. Also, moms just adore Ryuk for some reason. But then again, don’t we all.

Attack on Titan

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 2

Another series you might think is too gruesome for your mama’s liking — and be surprised when she proves you wrong. The premise and world-building are strange and intriguing, the plot is insane, the titans are epic.

Violet Evergarden

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 3

Beautifully written and animated emotional rollercoaster of an anime that’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Many moms have already given this series their stamp of approval.

Tokyo Godfathers

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 4

A wholesome urban tragicomedy about three homeless people babysitting on Christmas Eve. No magic except for Christmas miracles and Satoshi Kon’s direction.

Perfect Blue

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 5

Another Satoshi Kon’s movie, but this one is much more intense and dark. A perfect choice if you want to help your mom debunk the stereotype that anime is cartoons for kids. Because she is about to experience one of the most intricate, Lynchian plots and imagery — in cinema, not just anime.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 6

A complete story with unique ideas and brilliantly written dialogues. Not too dark (once your brain manages to erase Nina’s image from your memory), but far from a sweet fairy tale.

Your Name

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 7

Speaking of sweet, any work by Makoto Shinkai is a good option if your mom is into light-hearted, bittersweet drama. Your Name is full of beautifully drawn backgrounds that change as the story takes magical turns.

Monster

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 8

A great drama for the moms who like true crime and handsome doctors. That is, a lot of them.

Cowboy Bebop

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 9

This is a good gateway anime for adults because each of the early episodes contains a complete story. If your mom was in her twenties in the 90's, this series will probably pass her vibe check. There are also a lot of western references.

Anything by Hayao Miyazaki

Top 10 Titles to Get Your Mom Into Anime - image 10

Spirited Away, Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki are all so universal, wholesome, and brilliant that they are both the safest and probably the best option for beginners.