A lot of anime is written for and about teens and children. They are often the stars of the show, and typically have little contact with their parents throughout their stories. Yet, when parents are shown, they are not always the nicest. Many anime parents drive some protagonists to rebel against them and break free.
However, there are a handful of anime where the protagonists' love and respect for their parents are evident from the beginning. The parents may not be present in the show much, but their children love them all the same. Whether the characters' parents protect them, or vice versa, these anime children would do anything for their parents' sake.
10 Ash Ketchum Wants To Make His Mom Proud (Pokémon)
Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old who sets off on a journey to catch and train as many Pokémon as he can to become the best trainer. His mother, Delia, stays behind in their hometown. Though he travels far and wide, Ash always hopes his actions make his mom proud.
He even makes the effort to call her when he can. While they do meet up a few times in the series, they are often apart. Despite this, Ash always makes the effort to show his mom he is capable of becoming a true Pokémon Master.
9 Izuku Midoriya Honor's His Mother's Design (My Hero Academia)
Izuku Midoriya is My Hero Academia's protagonist. Unlike most people in the story, Izuku was born without a Quirk. Despite this, he hopes to become a Pro Hero, much to his mother's dismay. Though Inko Midoriya was worried that her son's dreams would be crushed, she is surprised to learn that he manifests a Quirk as a teenager. Izuku then attends U.A. High School to learn what it takes to be a hero.
To show her support, Inko made Izuku's hero costume herself. Though he could have requested a professional costume through the school, Izuku originally chose to honor his mother's hand-made outfit. Later, his costume receives numerous iterations, but the general design that Inko created remains the basis of each new suit.
8 Haruhi Fujioka Takes Care Of Ranka (Ouran High School Host Club)
Ouran High School Host Club follows Haruhi Fujioka and her participation in the Ouran Host Club. Although she was forced to join the club to pay for a vase she broke, Haruhi is surprised to find friends and romance. Though she is a girl, Haruhi becomes an indelible member of the all boys Host Club.
Unlike the other members of the club, Haruhi got into Ouran on a scholarship. She lives with her single dad, Ranka, who works hard to make ends meet. As such, Haruhi does most of the cleaning and cooking. Ranka feels guilty about how much Haruhi does, but she thinks of it as taking care of her dad. Haruhi loves her father with all her heart and does everything she can to make his life easier.
7 Ryuuji Takasu Cooks and Cleans for Yasuko (Toradora!)
Toradora! is the popular anime about Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka. While they do not get along originally, they agree to help each other acquire significant others. Along the way, though, they begin to realize that they feel more for each other than they previously thought.
A large part of Ryuuji's life is his single mother, Yasuko. Since she works nights, Ryuuji takes it upon himself to do all the cooking and cleaning. He also ensures that Yasuko gets restful sleep, and wakes up on time. Ryuuji would do anything for his mom, no matter what.
6 Takeo Gouda Takes His Mom To The Hospital (My Love Story!!)
Takeo Gouda falls for Rinko Yamato while saving her from a groper on a train in My Love Story!!. Rinko falls for him too, and they begin an adorable romance full of pastries and adorable hijinks. Takeo's parents are particularly taken with the pairing, as their son had previously been unlucky in love.
When Takeo's mom announces that she is pregnant again, he checks up on his mom every chance he gets. Despite this, Takeo arrives home one day to see his mother writhing in pain. He immediately calls a taxi and stays by her side as long as he can. He even carries her to the delivery room. Takeo's dedication to his mother is a touching reminder of how much he loves her.
5 Tanjiro Seeks To Avenge His Family (Demon Slayer)
Demon Slayer is about Tanjiro Kamado and his journey to becoming a Demon Slayer to avenge the death of his family. The only person to survive the attack was his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into a demon. Tanjiro hopes to kill the demon who murdered his family, as well as to find a cure for Nezuko.
Tanjiro was very close to his parents. He learned a lot from his father about sword forms and still reveres him as a kind and gentle man. When he passed, Tanjiro took up his mantle, helping his mother lead the family. Though they are both gone now, the memory of his parents spurs Tanjiro toward his goals as a Demon Slayer.
4 Satoru Fujinuma Traveled Back A Decade To Save His Mom (Erased)
Erased features Satoru Fujinuma as an underachieving adult who happens to have the ability to go back in time. However, his biggest jump yet occurs when his mom is killed by a mysterious man with secret ties to the Fujinuma family. Satoru is sent back to his time as a fifth-grader to try to right the wrongs perpetrated by the murderer.
As he lives out his days as an eleven-year-old, Satoru is reminded of his mother's caring nature. Sachiko Fujinuma always communicated with her son and worked with him to solve his problems. Though he always loved his mom, Satoru realizes how integral Sachiko was in his life, and works even harder to solve the mystery of her death.
3 Chihiro Ogino Works To Save Her Parents (Spirited Away)
Spirited Away is a Studio Ghibli movie about a young girl and her family who move to a new city. As they are trying to find their new house, they happen upon an abandoned amusement park. However, the park is not as empty as they thought. Chihiro's parents find a food stall and begin eating, only to be turned into pigs.
Chihiro is then taken in to work for a bathhouse. She is put through many trials to get the opportunity to see her parents again. Although the bathhouse owner Yubaba is a trickster, Chihiro manages to spot her parents and returns to the human world. Chihiro's determination shows how much she loves her parents.
2 Edward and Alphonse Elric Commit The Ultimate Taboo (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Edward and Alphonse Elric are the main characters in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Though they are young, the two are hired into the military. However, the brothers' true goal is something with far darker undertones.
When they were small, their mom, Trisha, became ill and died. Struck by their grief, Edward and Alphonse attempt to bring her back to life using alchemy. The transmutation goes wrong, taking Edward's arm and leg plus Alphonse's entire body. Though they knew the risks, Edward and Alphonse prove that they would do anything to get their mother back.
1 Tohru Carries Her Mom With Her (Fruits Basket)
Fruits Basket portrays Tohru Honda's life after her mother's death. When her grandfather can no longer care for her, Tohru is found living in a tent by the Sohma family. They agree to take her in, but accidentally reveal their family secret. Tohru takes it in stride and the Sohmas begin to wonder if she is the answer to their problems.
Even while living in a tent, Tohru had a photo of her mom among her few possessions. The picture goes with her everywhere, even in baths. Tohru also carries her mother's teachings with her throughout her time with the Sohmas. Although her mother has passed, Tohru keeps her memory alive.