Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search 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.
Watch on Netflix Stream Now

Where to Watch

Kotaro Lives Alone — Season 1

Critics Reviews

View More
LaNeysha Campbell But Why Tho? Apr 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 Jul 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 May 29, 2022
Kotaro Lives Alone has comedy, drama, and a lot of heartachingly beautiful moments. Go to Full Review Rafael Motamayor Slashfilm Mar 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 Mar 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
Lucas R @RT03751042 Jul 14, 2026 Uma verdadeira obra de arte das séries, um anime curto e simples que te conquista e te impacta ele tem uma história por trás bem triste por tudo que o jotaro passou, mas a simplicidade que ele trata isso é como ele enfrenta o trauma é linda e emocionando, eu indico para qualquer pessoa que queira algo para se emocionar e se impactar. See more Due F @RT14704568 Nov 11, 2025 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 @RT98312139 Oct 2, 2025 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 @RT19566567 Jul 30, 2025 One of the best anime on netflix. Every episode is funny and yet tugs at your heart. See more Alexa K @sss512 May 15, 2025 OMG this hooked me in immediately and was so cute. It makes you feel all the feelings. Seriously, watch it. See more Sahil A @RT99438860 Apr 12, 2025 A true definition of a "hidden gem". Go, watch it & thank me later. See more Read all reviews
Kotaro Lives Alone — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Tomoe Makino

Director

Rie Kugimiya

Kotaro Satо̄

Toshiki Masuda

Shin Karino

Saori Hayami

Mitsuki Akitomo

Junichi Suwabe

Isamu Tamaru

Yumiri Hanamori

Ayano Kobayashi

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

More Like This

View All
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity % 85% The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Watchlist Aggretsuko 96% 85% 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% 70% Vampire in the Garden Watchlist Thermae Romae Novae 100% 93% Thermae Romae Novae Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Kotaro Lives Alone — Season 1

Kotaro Lives Alone Kotaro Lives Alone Kotaro Lives Alone Kotaro Lives Alone View more photos

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
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings