3 Underrated Childhood Animes
Childhood animes: Magical DoReMi, Monster Rancher and Crayon Shin-Chan.
In the many layers of our memories, few threads are as vibrant and enduring as the animes of our childhood. For many of us, these beloved cartoons were more than just entertainment - they were windows into worlds of wonder, adventure, and imagination. There are a lot obvious classics. To name a few:
Dragonball (1986)
Pokémon (1997)
Digimon (1999)
Sailor Moon (1992)
Beyblade (2001)
Yu-Gi-Oh! (2000)
Naruto (2002)
Inuyasha (2000)
One Piece (1999)
Detective Conan (1996)
Kickers (1986)
And the list goes on and on. Wow, I just realize, I watched a lot of TV, haha. xD And these are not even all of the animes I loved.
Looking Beyond the Most Popular Ones
From the cute realms of Pokémon, to the epic battles of Dragon Ball, to the cosmos of Sailor Moon and the digital frontier of Digimon - beloved cartoons like these ones transported us to fantastical worlds where anything was possible, and where heroes and heroines triumphed with courage, friendship, and determination.
To this day though, I keep three animes dear to my heart, which are not the top ones to think about in the first place, when remembering those cherished childhood animes. These are Magical DoReMi (1999), Monster Rancher (1999) and Crayon Shin-Chan (1992). So today, let’s take a closer look at those three. :)
Magical DoReMi - Enchanting Adventures
Magical (or Ojamajo) DoReMi to me has always been something similar to the cartoon series Powerpuff Girls (which I loved, too). It is a cute magical girl anime that follows the adventures of three ordinary girls who discover a hidden magical world. The series centers around Doremi (Harukaze Doremi), Emilie (Fujiwara Hazuki) and Sophie (Senō Aiko) - with time, more girls join the group - as they become witch apprentices and learn the true meaning of friendship, courage, and compassion. The series strikes a very good balance between lighthearted humor and genuine emotional depth, making it very appealing to watch. Its combination of magical escapades, heartfelt themes and memorable characters makes "Magical DoReMi" a unique and beloved addition to the world of anime.
Monster Rancher - Another World of Monsters
When thinking about animes, where colorful, strong monsters become your best friend, nothing beats Pokémon and Digimon. Monster Rancher goes in the exact same direction, but wasn’t able to be as successful. In my opinion, that’s a great pity, because I liked the adventure story behind the young boy (named Genki) who was transported to a world filled with monsters. Alongside his companions - a mysterious girl named Holly, a lovable monster named Mocchi, and other allies like Golem and Tiger - Genki embarks on a quest to save the monster world from dark forces. The series explores themes of friendship, courage, and determination as the characters face challenges and engage in thrilling battles. I really liked its concept of bringing monsters to life from magical discs. I found "Monster Rancher" very captivating with its diverse cast of creatures and the anime’s imaginative world.
Crayon Shin-Chan - Quirky, Sassy, Humorous
To this day, Crayon Shin-Chan is one of my absolute favorite animes ever. I just love that rascal Shin-Chan, haha. I even use pictures of him as screensavers. ^^ In the anime series the five-year-old Shinnosuke Nohara, better known as Shin-Chan, drives his fellow humans crazy. With his cheeky grin, boundless energy and talent for getting into trouble, Shin-Chan is a lovable character unlike any other amongst anime figures. From his hilarious pranks to his heartfelt moments of innocence, Shin-Chan embodies childhood in all its chaotic and unpredictable glory. It’s pure comedy, I swear. Beyond that, this anime is known for its satirical commentary and social critique. Through its sharp wit, “Crayon Shin-Chan“ tackles a wide range of social issues and cultural norms with a healthy dose of humor. I think, the anime series’ willingness to push boundaries and tackle taboo topics with unique humor, cleverness and charm really sets it apart from other animes, making it nothing but iconic.
Let’s Stay Young at Heart
I think, childhood animes like the ones mentioned above hold a special place in our hearts, because they remind us of the magic and wonder of youth and the boundless possibilities of our imagination. Whether we were captivated by the adventures of magical girls, fascinated by the courage of mighty warriors, or enchanted by the loyalty of lovable creatures - animes shaped our childhoods and by this, they even may have had an impact on the adults we have become. Who knows. :) To me, there’s nothing embarrassing about still happily remembering the animes of former times. So let’s take a moment to honor the joy, nostalgia, and enduring legacy of these beloved childhood treasures. :)
After all, yes, we do get older and age wears away at our bodies, but the spirit of childhood animes will always keep us young at heart and that is something really beautiful.