The Boss Baby: Family Business blends humor, heart, and high-stakes missionscentered on sibling bonds and defying societal norms.
These underrated anime mirror its themes of unconventional family dynamics, underdog resilience, and subversive storytelling, offering fresh takes on teamwork, identity, and challenging expectations.
1. Ranking of Kings (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A deaf prince teams up with a shadow creature to prove his worth in a kingdom obsessed with strength rankings.
Similarities: Underdog protagonist challenging societal expectations, heartfelt sibling dynamics, and themes of hidden potential.
Stats: 23 episodes | MAL: 8.5 | Studio: Wit Studio (Attack on Titan)
Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Awards nominee (Best Fantasy, 2022).
2. Somali and the Forest Spirit (2020)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A golem becomes a guardian to a human girl in a world where humans are hunted.
Similarities: Found family bonds and protecting loved ones against prejudice, blending whimsy with emotional depth.
Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 7.9 | Studio: Satelight
Style: Studio Ghibli-esque animation and poignant storytelling.
3. Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan (2018)
Streaming: Netflix
Plot: A rookie pilot bonds with a dragon-like creature in a military unit, blending absurd humor with existential themes.
Similarities: Quirky partnerships and balancing humor with heartfelt growth, akin to the Templeton siblings’ teamwork.
Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 7.0 | Studio: Bones (My Hero Academia)
4. Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A rejected hero allies with dragons and non-humans to carve his path in a fantasy world.
Similarities: Underdog protagonist defying divine authority, fostering interspecies camaraderie.
Stats: 37 episodes | MAL: 7.7 | Studio: C2C, J.C.Staff
5. Deca-Dence (2020)
Streaming: Funimation
Plot: A tank mechanic and a rebellious fighter uncover a virtual reality conspiracy in a dystopian future.
Similarities: Underdog duos challenging systemic control, blending action with meta-commentary on power structures.
Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 7.6 | Studio: Nut
Twist: Mid-series genre shift disrupts expectations.
6. The Ancient Magus’ Bride (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A girl sold into slavery forms a bond with a mystical sorcerer in a world of fae and dragons.
Similarities: Unconventional family dynamics and healing through empathy, mirroring the Templetons’ growth.
Stats: 24 episodes | MAL: 8.0 | Studio: Wit Studio
7. Wolf’s Rain (2003)
Streaming: Hulu
Plot: Wolves seek paradise in a post-apocalyptic world, disguising themselves as humans.
Similarities: Loyalty-driven pack mentality and defying societal labels to pursue utopia.
Stats: 26 episodes | MAL: 7.8 | Studio: Bones
Legacy: Cult classic with philosophical depth and haunting soundtrack.
8. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Streaming: Amazon Prime
Plot: A warrior protects a prince harboring a water spirit from royal assassins.
Similarities: Protector-mentor bonds and defying authoritarian expectations.
Stats: 26 episodes | MAL: 8.2 | Studio: Production I.G
9. Children of the Whales (2017)
Streaming: Netflix
Plot: Islanders on a sand sea discover dark truths while bonding with mystical creatures.
Similarities: Curiosity-driven rebellion and societal critique through youthful idealism.
Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 7.3 | Studio: J.C.Staff
Style: Surreal watercolor aesthetics and existential themes.
10. A Lull in the Sea (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Sea-dwelling teens adapt to life on land, navigating prejudice and forbidden romances.
Similarities: Cultural coexistence and youthful defiance of tradition.
Stats: 26 episodes | MAL: 8.0 | Studio: P.A. Works
11. Arte (2020)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A Renaissance noblewoman defies gender norms to become an artist, finding allies in unexpected places.
Similarities: Underdog story challenging societal roles, blending determination with humor.
Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 7.3 | Studio: Seven Arcs
12. Natsume’s Book of Friends (2008)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A boy sees spirits and seeks to free them from contracts, forming bonds along the way.
Similarities: Bridging human and spirit worlds through empathy, akin to uniting family across divides.
Stats: 74 episodes | MAL: 8.3 | Studio: Brain’s Base
13. The Girl from the Other Side (2022 Film)
Streaming: HiDive
Plot: A cursed guardian protects a human girl in a world divided between light and dark.
Similarities: Sacrificial love and guardian-child dynamics, blending melancholy with hope.
Stats: Film | MAL: 7.5 | Studio: WIT Studio
14. Cells at Work! (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Personified body cells combat germs in a humorous, educational allegory.
Similarities: Subversive take on mundane systems, akin to baby espionage’s quirky premise.
Stats: 21 episodes | MAL: 7.3 | Studio: David Production
15. Poco’s Udon World (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A man discovers a shape-shifting raccoon child in his family’s udon shop, becoming an unexpected guardian.
Similarities: Whimsical family dynamics and healing through responsibility.
Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 7.7 | Studio: Liden Films
Why These Anime Work for The Boss Baby: Family Business Fans
These series resonate with the film’s core themes: unconventional families, underdog tenacity, and subverting societal norms. Whether through heartfelt guardian bonds (Somali) or quirky teamwork (Dragon Pilot), they celebrate protagonists who redefine heroism through empathy and resilience.
For fans who love the Templeton siblings’ mix of humor and heart, these hidden gems prove that family and courage come in many forms-even if it involves dragons, spirits, or raccoon children.
