Whether she's into drama, laughs, or a bit of action, these anime are perfect picks for a weekend binge with your mum.
Mother’s Day is only a few days away and if you’re planning to celebrate with your moms by staying indoors and marathoning different shows throughout the day, there are some really fun, exciting, and family-friendly anime that you can add to your list! Here are ten of the best anime shows to watch with mom.
Spy x Family
A favourite among anime fans, Spy x Family is light-hearted, easy to understand, and family-friendly. Despite how hilarious it is, it still manages to share some heart-warming family values with its audience.
Spy x Family follows master spy Loid Forger as he creates a fake family for a secret mission, unknowingly marrying assassin Yor and adopting telepathic child Anya. Although they are a “fake family”, everything about them is anything but fake.
Both parents, Loid and Yor, are doting and protective of Anya, and Anya uses her telepathy to keep their family together, which, because of her child-like mind, sometimes leads to absurd but hilarious situations that ultimately bring them closer. The slow-burn romance between Loid and his “fake” wife Yor is also endearing, making you root for them and Anya time and time again.
Dungeon Meshi
Foodie families will certainly love Dungeon Meshi, even if some members like your mom, aren’t into high-fantasy worlds and roleplaying games.
Dungeon Meshi centres on Laios, an adventurer who embarks on a perilous journey with the remaining members of his party to rescue his sister, who was swallowed by a dragon in a dangerous dungeon. Along the way, they meet Senshi, a quirky dwarf who wields a massive iron pan that serves as both weapon and cooking receptacle. As the group encounters various monsters, Senshi introduces them to the surprising culinary potential of dungeon creatures, turning their dangerous quest into a culinary adventure.
Aside from being extremely hilarious, each episode is cosy and entertaining, and the food Senshi makes looks so mouthwatering. Dungeon Meshi plays with the creativity in the minds of its audience so that they can believe that they too could be inspired to make a dish based on whatever they might have at the moment. The anime also shows how friendship can survive even at the most perilous situations.
From Bureaucrat To Villainess: Dad's Been Reincarnated!
One of the newer entries of the bunch, From Bureaucrat To Villainess: Dad's Been Reincarnated! may not be centred around moms, but it’s definitely a great family-friendly isekai.
It’s a fantasy comedy about a mild-mannered government worker who dies from overwork and is reincarnated into a fantasy world as the villainous noble daughter of a dating sim.
Now stuck in a young aristocrat’s body, he must navigate tea parties, magic lessons, and social intrigue while trying to avoid the villainess’s doomed fate. Meanwhile, he doesn’t realise that his daughter and wife are playing the game and attempting to help him.
What’s so good about this anime is that it’s not just funny, but it also flips the generational script in the most entertaining way. Watching a 52-year-old dad try to survive noble school drama, navigate magic lessons, and dodge doom flags while stuck in the body of a sassy aristocratic teen is peak role-reversal comedy.
Parents will get a kick out of how the “dad” brings workplace logic and middle-aged cynicism to an over-the-top fantasy world, while kids will love watching him squirm through the kind of stuff they usually breeze through in anime. It’s a rare show where both sides of the family coin can laugh at each other and themselves.
Haikyuu!!
You don’t have to care about volleyball to fall for Haikyuu!! and neither does your mum. It’s a warm, funny series about a bunch of high school boys chasing their dreams and learning to trust each other on and off the court. The matches are exciting, but it’s the team spirit and emotional payoff that make it perfect for a good watch with your mum, especially if you both love a good underdog story.
The story centres on Shoyo Hinata, a short but driven student who dreams of becoming a volleyball ace. After joining Karasuno High’s team, he forms a tense but powerful partnership with Tobio Kageyama, a brilliant but hot-headed setter. Together, they and their teammates work to rebuild their school’s once-famous team, facing off against stronger rivals and learning what it really means to be part of something bigger than yourself.
The matches are exciting and easy to follow, but what really makes Haikyuu!! shine is its emotional honesty. The series doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or heavy conflict. Instead, it’s about putting in the effort, bouncing back from failure, and lifting each other up. That kind of warmth is something any parent can appreciate.
The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today
Some anime feel tailor-made for a quiet evening with mum, and The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today fits that perfectly. It’s a thoughtful pick for a relaxed night in.
The story follows Saku, a tired office worker whose chaotic life is quietly managed by her towering, domestic god of a cat, Yukichi. He cooks, cleans, shops for bargains, and keeps her from completely falling apart, all without saying a word.
Rather than going for big laughs, the series offers a calm and steady rhythm, with dry, understated humour. The way Yukichi looks after Saku without ever saying a word—worrying when she comes home late, making sure her meals are balanced—echoes the kind of quiet care that parents often give.
It’s a comforting watch, not just for the novelty of a domestic cat doing laundry, but for its quiet reminder that love often shows up in everyday routines.
Sakamoto Days
Families that love a good laugh and enjoy a lot of action would definitely love Sakamoto Days. The series is about Taro Sakamoto, a retired world-class assassin who now runs a quiet convenience store with his wife and daughter. Despite his peaceful life, Sakamoto’s past comes back to haunt him, pulling him back into the world of assassination.
What makes this series unique is how it combines thrilling action with moments of warmth and a ton humour, showing how even a deadly assassin can have a soft side—especially when it comes to protecting his family.
The characters are lovable, especially the way Sakamoto, who’s gained a bit of weight, still manages to stay sharp when it counts. The action is exciting but the family moments are what really make it feel warm and relatable for everyone. It’s a perfect blend of laughs, thrills, and touching moments that both moms and kids can enjoy together.
Zenshu
One of last winter’s most underrated gems, Zenshu is an anime that blends stunning visuals with deep emotional themes, making it a perfect watch for those who appreciate both beauty and substance.
The series follows Hirose Natsuko, who is transported into her favourite film, A Tale of Perishing. There, she joins Luke Braveheart and the Nine Soldiers in a desperate fight to protect the Last Town from the Voids and an impending apocalypse. Natsuko, armed with an animation peg bar, can bring her drawings to life, adding a unique twist to their battle. But as she navigates this new world, she’s forced to confront harsh realities that challenge the idealised world she once adored.
While its themes of despair, sacrifice, and personal growth may be heavy, Zenshu is a story that’s perfect for older children (10 and up), especially when watched alongside a mum who can guide through its deeper messages. The breathtaking art, combined with emotionally charged music, elevates the characters' journeys as they confront their flaws and fight for hope.
The series offers poignant lessons on perseverance and the importance of self-reflection, making it not only an adventure but a reflection on life itself. As we mentioned in our review, Zenshu is “an unforgettable story that stays with you, lingering like the last page of a book you’re not ready to close.” It’s the kind of show that feels even more meaningful when shared.
My Neighbor Totoro (and most Studio Ghibli films)
Studio Ghibli films are some of the least intimidating anime around, and My Neighbor Totoro is probably the most laid-back of the bunch.
My Neighbor Totoro is a gentle, whimsical story about two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their hospitalised mother. As they explore their new surroundings, they encounter magical creatures, including the friendly forest spirit Totoro, who helps them navigate the joys and worries of childhood.
Its story is deeply comforting, with a touch of nostalgia, and it's visually captivating, drawing you in with its gentle warmth and emotional depth. The themes are universal, making it a film that clicks with everyone, no matter their age.
Plus, Studio Ghibli films are free from heavy violence or dark undertones, offering a soft, welcoming experience that’s easy to enjoy, while still packing a punch with thoughtful storytelling. The characters’ charm and the soothing animation create a vibe that's perfect for winding down with the family, especially when your mom’s not into anime but is still up for a quick, enjoyable movie with the kids.
Laid Back Camp
Not every anime needs drama or action to be memorable—Laid-Back Camp proves that a calm setting, good food, and some fresh air can go a long way.
The story follows high schooler Rin, who enjoys the quiet of solo camping, and Nadeshiko, whose curiosity pulls her into the world of campfires and mountain views. Together with a few friends, they discover the simple pleasure of cooking outdoors, setting up tents, and watching the seasons change.
It’s a gentle, feel-good series that feels like a warm hug, and watching it with mum makes perfect sense. The quiet bonding, appreciation for nature, and loving attention to meals and comfort all echo the kind of slow, thoughtful moments that mums often create.
Perfect for winding down, sharing a few smiles, and maybe even planning a future trip together—it’s an easy, wholesome pick that turns even a chilly night into something cosy.
Buddy Daddies
We don’t know why some of the most family-friendly anime are centred around spies and assassins and yet here we are, adding Buddy Daddies to the list because it definitely deserves a spot.
Buddy Daddies follows Kazuki and Rei, two skilled assassins who unexpectedly end up looking after Miri, a young girl whose father they’ve just killed. Despite their chaotic and dangerous lives, they decide to raise her together, navigating parenthood in their own unconventional way. The series explores their troubled pasts, their new responsibilities, and how their bond with Miri gradually transforms them.
Apart from the comedy and some action, this show surprisingly has a lot of emotional moments. At first, Kazuki and Rei seem like the last people who should be caring for a child, but watching their relationship with Miri grow is unexpectedly moving.
While the action keeps things thrilling, it’s the quieter, tender moments that truly elevate Buddy Daddies. It’s an anime that will make you laugh and leave you with a lump in your throat.
