Anime Suggestions

- My personal favorite as an adult* is Inuyasha.

Its a complex storyline in epic quest / journey to adulthood / fighting monsters / love / family by blood & chosen family. Set in 2 time eras (modern day Japan & feudal Japan). Central characters are

- A modern girl (heroine in "sweet learns to be tough" style, but maintains her morality and sense of self). Side story of her awesome Mom/grandpa/brother. She has her adventures in Feudal Japan, then returns home to her family & school
- A half human half dog spirit boy (translated as demon, but its not an accurate translation, more similar to Celtic Sidhe / Faerie who can be good or evil or both) with major anger issues surrounding betrayal of a parent, loss of a parent, and a broken heart ...who learns how to be a decent man (over a looooong period of time),
- A powerful old woman/priest who guides them/is a bit of a surrogate mom, and the kid sister of Inuyashas love lost
- A lecherous young priest trying to get married before he dies young -terminal case of magic-,
- A ninja girl who has lost her family & is looking for her brother, and is in love with the lecherous priest, but won't have a thing to do with him until he shapes up & pulls his head out
- Her giant flying cat (useful that)
- A kitsune (shape changing fix spirit) orphan they rescue
- A maybe evil/maybe not ... full dog spirit half brother, his retainers, and a rescued human 5yo he protects

They fight a bazillion monsters, rescue people, fight archevil spirits, solve mysteries, time travel, examine social issues (japanese ones), fall in love, and grow up. PG13 Violent. PG Sex/romance (implied rather than shown, except for chaste kisses, wandering eyes, slaps for inappropriate touching or peeking). I watch the Japanese language versions... The English grates... So I cant say a rating for language. I'd gues a borderline PG/PG13.

* Ive actually been watching this with my son since he was a toddler. Disney gave him nightmares, but all the demons & monsters in Inuyasha empowered him. He's now 10.

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- Childhood favorite (I still break out as an adukt, ESP when sick) is Totoro.

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- Ranma 1/2 is hilarious. Lost of boob humor, though. (Storyline revolves around a boy in a martial arts family who turns into a girl whenever he gets wet, and then back into a boy when he gets wet again). Lots of Japanese cliches. Lots of slapstick.

For children, anything by Hayao Miyazake. Disney purchased Studio Ghibli so you know it's rated G.

Ranma 1/2 is adorable and fun for kids. Kenshin for slightly older kids as there are monster and sword fighting but not gory. But I would start my kids on Ranma because there's a comedic element to it.

I would recommend anything by Hayao Miyazaki. The beauty of his work is that while it is for children, it is beautifully made, visually rich, and will hold the attention of the adults in the room as well. For younger children, Tonari no Totoro is brilliant, as is Ponyo and Kiki's Delivery Service. Naausica of the Valley of the Winds, Howl's Moving Castle, and Spirited Away appeal more to the 8+ crowd. Some of the monsters in these last few might be frightening to very young children, though.

Howl's Moving Castle is the favorite at my house.