Parents' Guide to

Kotaro Lives Alone

By Ty'Kira Smalls, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Sweet but somber anime follows a neglected 4-year-old.

TV Netflix Anime 2022
Kotaro Lives Alone TV show: Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Kotaro Lives Alone TV show: Image 1
  • Kotaro Lives Alone TV show: Image 2
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age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

Linn M.
Linn M. Parent of 8, 12, 13 and 16-year-old
August 3, 2022
age 8+

Read this DONT listen to common sense.

First up ages: 8-11+ of course, but if your kid can handle shows like Spy X Family then easily they can watch this kids show, Story: around this time there are a ton of kidnappings and a kid lives alone. No spoilers here. Rating: great writing love it and I cried. Story of my experience: one of my sons was very grumpy (age 8) until he watched this masterpiece. He participated more in our family (maybe cus he felt bad for the kid) and didn’t argue except after the first episode he wanted to watch more. IDEA: say if you don’t whine you can watch 2 episodes tommorow but then no more. GENIUS.
2 people found this helpful.
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What's the Story?

KOTARO LIVES ALONE, even though he's only 4 years old. There are no parents to be seen, and he claims he's a feudal lord based on a character from his favorite cartoon. When he moves into a new apartment building, Kotaro (Rie Kugimiya) takes to his manga artist neighbor, Shin Karino (Toshiki Masuda). Other adults in the building, including escort Mizuki (Saori Hayami) and rejected father Isamu (Jun'ichi Suwabe), eventually join in to support Kotaro and answer his questions. But one question no one seems to be able to answer is: Why is Kotaro alone?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (3 ):

It's a unique premise, and Kotaro, an independent 4-year-old living on his own, is such a unique character. Kotaro Lives Alone is heartwarming and funny one moment, and then extremely sad and bittersweet the next. Kotaro is written so headstrong that it's surprising and heartbreaking when he has moments of vulnerability (which is actually him simply acting like a 4-year-old should). This is a heartwarming, sometimes melancholic watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about coping with feelings of loneliness or sadness, like the characters in Kotaro Lives Alone experience. Have you ever dealt with issues like these? How does confiding in someone help? Who can you talk to when you need a sympathetic ear?

  • How do characters demonstrate compassion, empathy, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

TV Details

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