Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Season 1 – Kotaro Lives Alone

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Kotaro Lives Alone Mar 2022 Comedy Drama Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
A lonely little boy moves into a ramshackle apartment building all on his own and makes friends with the manga artist who lives next door.

Critics Reviews

View More
LaNeysha Campbell But Why Tho? A Geek Community 04/15/2023
Kotaro Lives Alone is an unexpected gem that tells a deeply heartfelt story that will leave emotions wrecked in the best of ways. The storytelling, writing, and unique characters are superb and make this series worth the watch. Go to Full Review
Ty'Kira Smalls Common Sense Media 07/20/2022
4/5
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. Go to Full Review
DarkSkyLady DarkSkyLady Reviews 05/29/2022
Kotaro Lives Alone has comedy, drama, and a lot of heartachingly beautiful moments. Go to Full Review
Rafael Motamayor Slashfilm 03/31/2022
Equal parts heartwarming, laugh-out-loud funny, a rather nuanced exploration of child abuse, and one of the biggest surprises of the season. Go to Full Review
Daniel Hart Ready Steady Cut 03/13/2022
3/5
This Netflix anime series is not a strong must-watch, but if you are looking for a heartfelt story, then Kotaro will undoubtedly provide you with plenty of heartwarming chapters. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Due F Nov 11 Kotaro Lives Alone beautifully blends humor and heartbreak through the story of a brave little boy living independently. With polished animation, thoughtful character growth, and deeply human moments, the series explores themes of strength, loneliness, and the longing for acceptance. Beneath its simple premise lies a tender reflection on how children often bear the silent weight of being “strong enough” to be loved. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com) See more Manu G Oct 2 This was the one of that show I want never end every episode had entertained me and seeing kotaro point of view was also an another different experience See more Tim L Jul 30 One of the best anime on netflix. Every episode is funny and yet tugs at your heart. See more Alexa K @aksss512 May 15 OMG this hooked me in immediately and was so cute. It makes you feel all the feelings. Seriously, watch it. See more Sahil A Apr 12 A true definition of a "hidden gem". Go, watch it & thank me later. See more Monali S 02/10/2025 "Kotaro Lives Alone" is an innovative slice-of-life series that skillfully combines dark comedy with poignant drama, creating a narrative rich in both humor and heartache. Centered on a precocious four-year-old who lives independently, the series delves into themes of isolation, resilience, and the transformative impact of unexpected relationships. I was particularly moved by the emotional depth the show offers, its raw honesty and vulnerability invite viewers to reflect on the complexities of modern life. The seamless blend of lighthearted moments with profound emotional insights not only challenges traditional family dynamics but also resonates on a deeply personal level, making it a standout in its genre. See more Read all reviews
Kotaro Lives Alone — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 1 A strange little boy named Kotaro moves into Shimizu Apartment; he doesn't seem to have any parents or family around. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 2 Karino figures out why Kotaro talks the way he does: he's copying Tonosaman, his favorite cartoon character from a show that's about to end. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 3 When he sees someone handing out free balloons, Kotaro tries to collect as many as he can, and there's a reason why he wants so many. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 4 Kotaro's friend, Kakeru, has a maid who takes care of everything for him, so Kotaro decides to show Kakeru how to do things for himself. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 5 For some reason, Kotaro is very particular about his tissues; he wants expensive, soft ones because they're "sweet;" later, Karino figures out why. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 6 A man named Aota moves into the building for a month; when he asks Kotaro to be his friend, Karino gets suspicious and a little jealous. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 7 A girl named Kana starts coming over to Kotaro's house to play every day after kindergarten, but she never seems to have fun. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 8 Karino brings Kotaro and all his friends to the movies; Kotaro wants to see the new Tonosaman film, but the other kids want to see something else. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 9 Whenever Kotaro goes to see the neighborhood dentist, Dr. Ohba always takes the time to talk to him and ask him lots of questions. Details Episode 10 Aired Mar 10, 2022 Episode 10 One day, a woman Kotaro doesn't recognize comes to pick him up from kindergarten; she says she's Karino's ex-girlfriend. Details
Aggretsuko 96% 83% Aggretsuko Watchlist TRAILER for Aggretsuko The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House 93% 94% The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House Watchlist TRAILER for The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House Vampire in the Garden 86% 71% Vampire in the Garden Watchlist Thermae Romae Novae 100% 92% Thermae Romae Novae Watchlist The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened % 81% The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened Watchlist TRAILER for The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Season Info

Director
Tomoe Makino
Screenwriter
Hiroshi Sato
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Anime
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date
Mar 10, 2022