The influence of a child's family determines the path he or she leads through life. Anime series often explore such family dynamics—loving, toxic, or nonexistent—and how these familial connections affect characters. In the West, cultures are more individualistic, but the majority of anime shows take place in Japan.
Eastern cultures like that of Japan are more family-oriented. Maintaining a family legacy is of great importance, even in anime series. For this reason, characters train to succeed their parents and take over family-owned businesses to keep their family legacies alive.
WARNING: The following article contains spoilers.
10 Masahiro Becomes An Onmyoji & Inherits His Grandfather's Shikigami (Shonen Onmyoji)
After his grandfather retires from his spiritual duties, Masahiro steps up to fill the void his grandfather left. However, his grandfather is the legendary Abe no Seimei, considered the greatest onmyoji. Masahiro struggles to uphold his grandfather's reputation in general, but he loses his sixth sense and can longer see spirits.
His luck turns around when he befriends a little creature he names "Mokkun." In reality, Mokkun is one of Abe no Seimei's twelve shikigami in a form that Masahiro can see. Together, they work to prove that Masahiro can inherit his grandfather's position.
9 The Master Takes Over Western Restaurant Nekoya From His Grandparents (Restaurant To Another World)
The protagonist of Restaurant to Another World is a man simply called "Master." His parents died when he was young, so his grandparents raised him. He grows up familiar with Western Restaurant Nekoya, a strange restaurant the acts as a bridge between Japan and another world.
Long ago, his grandparents purchased the restaurant, and Master trains to become a chef in order to take over from his grandparents. The series covers his time operating the restaurant and the strange characters who eat there.
8 Kiriya Ubayashiki Leads The Demon Slayer Corps After His Father Dies (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba)
Kiriya starts as a character with little importance. He and his four sisters assist their father, Master Ubayashiki, with his responsibilities. As the only son, his parents raised him as a girl until it came time for him to assume leadership of the Demon Slayer Corps.
The time for him to succeed his father comes much sooner than he wishes, when his parents and two of his sisters sacrifice themselves to stop the antagonist Muzan. Despite being a child, Kiriya commands the corps well, proving him a proper successor to his father.
7 Kaoru Runs The Dojo Her Father Started (Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X)
Kaoru is a female character that defies expectations. The Meiji Era of Japan was a patriarchal time, yet Kaoru practices swordsmanship and runs her father's dojo after his death.
The Boshin War ended the era of the samurai, so she has few students. However, she teaches a style of kenjutsu (sword fighting style) designed to protect the user rather than harm an opponent. It is at her dojo that she meets male protagonist Himura Kenshin, a wandering former samurai that sparks the beginning of the story.
6 Brock Becomes The Pewter City Gym Leader After His Father Leaves (Pokémon)
Brock is the first gym leader Ash encounters in Pokémon on his journey across Kanto. He becomes the gym leader after his father mysteriously disappears. He fulfills his duties well, even defeating Ash and Pikachu because of his bond with his Pokémon and his Rock/Ground type advantage.
Ash later manages to defeat Brock because Brock's father reappears and offers advice. His father covers the gym to allow Brock to travel alongside Ash, and Brock later goes to school to become a Pokémon doctor.
5 Shimada Takes Over His Family's Grocery Store (Haikyuu!!)
Most Haikyuu!! fans associate Shimada with Yamaguchi since he serves as the teenager's mentor. The Karasuno alumnus has more to his character than teaching Yamaguchi the "float serve." Similar to how Ukai becomes the volleyball coach after his grandfather, Shimada assumes ownership of his family's grocery store Shimada Mart.
The store is important to the progress of the Karasuno boys volleyball team because Shimada uses the store to donate money to the team.
4 Tsuna Serves As The Tenth Boss Of The Vongola Famiglia (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!)
While not a "business" in the traditional sense, Tsunayoshi Sawada becomes the boss of the Vongola Famiglia at the end of the Katekyo Hitman Reborn! manga. Tsuna originally wanted nothing to do with his mafia heritage (for obvious reasons), but as the series progresses, he learns to appreciate the organization.
A major reason he decides to command the family is that he wants to carry on the vision of his descendant Giotto, the Vongola Primo or first boss. Giotto established Vongola for the benefit of others, and Tsuna wants to steer Vongola back in that direction. As Tsuna adds members to his own famiglia, he realizes that the best way to protect the people he cares for is to become the boss.
3 Ino Owns & Operates Yamanaka Flowers (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)
The Leaf Village of Naruto has many memorable landmarks for fans, but Yamanaka Flowers is one of the most recognizable. The shop is synonymous with Ino as a character. Throughout the series, characters like Sakura meet with Ino, arranging flowers at her family's store.
Seeing her run the store in Boruto solidifies how far Ino has come as a character and how much she has grown. For those who have been fans since Naruto and company were still twelve, it is especially rewarding to see Ino preparing her son Inojin to take over after her.
2 Ichigo Runs His Family's Clinic (Bleach)
Many Bleach fans probably forgot that Isshin Kurosaki had a job, considering he prefers goofing off over working. Isshin ran a small clinic inside the Kurosaki household. Ichigo's sisters Yuzu and Karin often assisted their father with his work, while Ichigo usually attended to more pressing matters.
So, it was a surprise to some that Ichigo took over Kurosaki Clinic from his father. Ichigo's primary duties throughout the series were related to the Soul Society and his work as a shinigami, but it seems that he settled down from the hero life as an adult.
1 Soma Acquires Restaurant Yukihira From His Father (Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma)
Soma was destined to become the owner of the Yukihira diner. He decides so himself at the very beginning of the series when his father decides to close the restaurant. The story of Food Wars emerges from Soma's desire to save his dad's restaurant. From the moment his father Joichiro leaves to travel, Restaurant Yukihira falls into Soma's hands.
His schooling at Totsuki helps him refine his craft and teaches him how to work in a restaurant. When he officially takes over at the end of the series, Soma is more than capable of operating the diner in his father's stead.