Hamtaro

5th-grader Hiroko Haruna owns a hamster, and his name is Hamtarou. After moving into a new town, Hamtarou finds that he's in the company of lots of different hamsters, making up a group of hamster friends that go on crazy adventures through the city. Before they save Hiroko and other humans from nasty predicaments, however, they have to learn how to save themselves.

If you like this, try

One Stormy Night 73%

1 eps · 2005

You get another gentle animal friendship at its center, though this one leans quieter and more bittersweet.

Berserk 71%

25 eps · 1997

This swaps hamster cheerfulness for grim swordplay, so expect almost nothing familiar except a determined lead pushing forward against the odds.

PaRappa The Rapper 68%

30 eps · 2001

A rapping dog and his odd anthropomorphic pals bring the same goofy, episodic small-adventures energy you loved.

Polar Bear's Café 68%

50 eps · 2012

Anthropomorphic animals go about everyday life with the same warm, low-stakes charm, just slowed down into cozy café chatter.