Best Anime About Single Parents

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In the realm of anime, stories that transcend fantasy and action have been painted for years, frequently delving into the genuine, understated, and potent challenges faced by ordinary life. Some of the most moving tales highlight single parents, who juggle multiple roles while striving to safeguard, nurture, and cherish their children in a world that seldom provides an easy path.

These tales don’t merely showcase parenthood; they delve deep into the realms of selflessness, the poignant pang of solitude, and the resolute fortitude needed to nurture a child single-handedly.

Here, we pay tribute to six anime that skillfully portray the emotions and challenges of being a parent alone.

6.
Somali and the Forest Spirit

A Golem With a Heart That Was Never Meant to Beat

A tale starting with a deadline carries a subtle, heartbreaking quality, and “Somali and the Forest Spirit” openly acknowledges this fact from the start.

In a desolate forest realm governed by spectral forces, I’m a golem – an emotionless sentinel meant to maintain the delicate equilibrium of nature. However, one day, I chanced upon a small human child named Somali, shackled and forsaken. Overruling my programming, I felt compelled to protect her instead. Thus, we embarked on a treacherous odyssey through a world where humans are pursued and reviled. Despite my mechanical heart knowing naught of human affection, I found myself assuming the role of her protector, her “father.

In 2020, this anime was broadcasted, produced jointly by Satelight and HORNETS, showcasing artwork that beautifully encapsulates the quirky sadness found in Yako Gureishi’s original manga. Despite the fact that the manga concluded unexpectedly in 2020 due to the author’s health problems, fans continue to eagerly anticipate a faithful adaptation of the remaining storylines.

5.
Kakushigoto

The Dad Who Drew Dirty Jokes But Hid a Heart of Gold

If you’re seeking a touching tale about a single parent, Kakushigoto might be just what you need. The title itself is a clever play on words: “kakushigoto” translates to both “secret” and “work.” In this story, Kakushi Gotou is a secretive single father who keeps his job as an ecchi manga artist hidden from his daughter.

But he’ll do anything to keep his young daughter Hime from ever finding out.

In every episode, I find myself immersed in a unique blend of witty humor and poignant melancholy. Laughing at Kakushi’s ingenious disguises – from feigning office jobs to concocting secret codewords for his team – is an amusing aspect, yet beneath it all, there’s this profound sense of a father tirelessly striving to shield his daughter’s innocence. The narrative masterfully weaves between the present and a future timeline where Hime, now a teenager, begins to unravel the hidden truths that Kakushi had meticulously kept concealed.

4.
Sweetness and Lightning

Bento Boxes and Grief-Filled Gaps

The moment when Tsumugi, with her eyes wide open, savoring her first home-cooked meal after her mother’s passing, stands out as a particularly moving scene in anime.

Sweetness & Lightning revolves around the heartwarming drama of healing through culinary adventures. After his wife’s demise, high school teacher Kōhei Inuzuka finds himself taking care of his young daughter Tsumugi. However, he struggles with cooking, a skill essential for nurturing their bond. To overcome this obstacle, he forms an unlikely alliance with one of his students, Kotori, whose family owns a restaurant, embarking on a journey of learning and bonding over delicious meals together.

Each episode showcases them creating genuine dishes from the start, no elements of magical realism or fantasy storylines, just a bereaved father trying to balance feeding his daughter’s physical needs with her emotional ones. This anime was released in 2016, produced by TMS Entertainment, and is adapted from the manga written by Gido Amagakure, which spanned twelve volumes.

3.
If It’s for My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord

The Adventurer Who Found a Reason to Settle Down

Instead of purely focusing on a typical isekai tale involving monster slaying and missions, this narrative delves into the unexpected role of a veteran explorer – becoming a parent.

When Dale stumbles upon a young demon girl named Latina lying unconscious in the woods, he does an uncommon thing for RPG heroes – he takes her in as his own. Instead of continuing a story filled with magic and battle, the narrative evolves into something more homely and heartwarming. Dale may be clumsy and overly cautious, but he shows immense bravery as he cares for Latina, becoming increasingly protective as she recovers from her ordeal and acclimates to human life.

The 2019 anime version of a series penned by CHIROLU was produced by Maho Film. Although the anime adapts just part of the original story found in the light novel, fans can continue reading the full tale through its English translation. Additionally, a manga adaptation offers additional details about everyday life.

2.
Beelzebub

The Delinquent Dad Who Didn’t Ask for the Job

Parenting can be quite challenging, especially when it comes to caring for a child who seems to sense your emotions so acutely that they might as well give you an electric shock whenever you’re not feeling intense enough.

Among the unusual single-parent anime series, Beelzebub stands out as particularly strange, which is quite a statement. The narrative revolves around Tatsumi Oga, a high school troublemaker with a penchant for violence, who unintentionally becomes responsible for Baby Beel, the son of the Demon Lord. His role? To nurture him until he’s powerful enough to annihilate mankind.

But Beel doesn’t want to wait that long. He wants cuddles. And milk. And destruction.

Originating from Studio Pierrot and broadcasted between 2011 and 2012, this animated series spanned over 60 episodes. It was adapted from a manga penned by Ryūhei Tamura, which boasted an impressive run of more than 240 chapters.

1.
Wolf Children

A Mother’s Love That Had to Be Part Wolf

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express that no other anime portrays the tranquil sorrow and exhilarating bliss of being a single parent as poignantly as “Wolf Children” does for me.

In 2012, the movie “Hanasaki Ki no Yome” directed by Mamoru Hosoda follows the tale of Hana, a university student who finds herself in a unique relationship with a man capable of turning into a wolf. Tragically, he passes away, leaving Hana to care for their two offspring, Yuki and Ame, who also possess the extraordinary ability to transform.

The narrative unfolds over ten years, tracing Hana’s journey to the countryside where she relocates to safeguard her children’s hidden truth. As they mature, Yuki yearns for a human lifestyle, while Ame feels an attraction to the untamed wilderness. Instead of attempting to dictate their paths, Hana provides them with the freedom and affection necessary for making their own decisions.

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2025-05-27 00:09