Source: Wit Studio
Found family is a trope that can easily warm the heart of any anime fan out there.
Sometimes anime can prove that blood is not thicker than water. A certain character may rise to the occasion to become a beacon of hope to their peers, and bring a group together to form an unbreakable bond. They create memories together, experience joy and sadness, and live fulfilling and happy lives in their own little bubble filled with love and care.
That being said, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in stories with a found family dynamic, here are a few titles that definitely fit the bill!
Kotaro Lives Alone
Number of episodes: 10
Shin Karino wakes up one day to a nondescript knock at his door, and encounters the surprise of his life when his new neighbour turns out to be a 5-year old boy named Kotaro Sota! Kotaro, as the title suggests, lives alone in his apartment, and although he’s definitely too young to be facing the world independently, he exhibits an aura that shows his determination and maturity to become self-sufficient.
But that doesn’t mean Kotaro has to navigate his peculiar life alone. Alongside Shin, fellow neighbours within their apartment complex band together to lend support and companionship to Kotaro, becoming a family that he can lean on during a very difficult period.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
Number of seasons: 2
Number of episodes: 27
Office worker and programmer Kobayashi finds herself in a pickle when one day before leaving for work, she is greeted by a large dragon waiting for her outside her door. With the shock of her life furthered when the dragon turns into a humanoid girl! Introducing herself to Kobayashi as Tohru, the dragon maid offers her services and companionship as thanks for Kobayashi unwittingly saving her life the night before.
Living together is both nice and albeit a little terrifying for Kobayashi, thanks to Tohru’s sometimes unorthodox methods. Nevertheless, Tohru’s presence in Kobayashi’s life becomes a beacon for other mythical beings to come together in Kobayashi’s home, bonding together to become a family.
Buddy Daddies
Number of Episodes: 12
What happens when two assassins end up adopting a little girl? You get Buddy Daddies! This Anime centres around the unlikely family Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa, who are professional assassins living under one roof, create with a little girl named Miri, who they take in after a mission gone awry. Although these two know nothing about caring for a child, they slowly warm up to the idea of keeping Miri, who now sees them as her “papas.”
Spy x Family
Number of Seasons: 2
Number of Episodes: 27
A found family list isn’t complete without Spy x Family! In this anime, a spy, an assassin, and an esper find themselves in a strange, but extremely heartwarming family dynamic, with lots of fun shenanigans to boot.
The story follows Loid Forger, codenamed Twilight, being tasked to “build a family” for a mission that can dictate the future of two rival countries. Little does he know, the daughter he ends up adopting, Anya, is a telepath, and the woman who agrees to be his wife, Yor, is a skilled assassin! With lots of dilemmas, both fun and serious, to stay on top of, the trio must now learn to become the perfect family for the sake of world peace.
An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How To Love Your Elf Bride
Number of episodes: 13
The reclusive sorcerer Zagan falls in love with an elf slave named Nephelia, who he purchases at an auction, spending the entirety of his fortune in the process. Initially resigned to her fate of either entrapment or death, Nephelia begins to grow out of her shell as Zagan proves to her that she is free and will no longer be chained to a master.
As they spend their days together, Zagan and Nephelia start to build a little family alongside friends and former enemies, even adopting a dragon as their own daughter, and together they pursue a peaceful and happy life together.
