Anime- referring to hand-drawn or computer animation with a certain Japanese style- is an entertainment form that originated in Japan as far back as before the dawn of the twentieth century.
As the decades went by, the medium only grew in popularity and began adapting its own style that became instantly recognizable. The beautiful nature of the animation was not the medium’s only defining feature, though, as the most well-known animes were also recognized for their ability to tell gripping stories with endearing characters and interesting narratives.
Some were complex and some were simple, but the best of the best anime can flawlessly engage viewers no matter what kind of story they choose to tell due to the excellent quality of the animation, vocal performances, and storytelling.
It didn’t take long for anime to become a global phenomenon and for various anime shows and movies to become staples in popular culture- such as the Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli, which has produced some of the best known and most beautifully made anime films in the world.
With this popularity came a rise in anime merchandise of all kinds, including clothing options for your little ones based on a variety of anime characters. Today, we are going to be looking at some of the cutest options when it comes to anime-themed outfits for babies! Let’s get started.
Naruto is a Japanese manga comic book series that was adapted into an anime series in 2002. It ran until 2007 and was followed by a sequel series- Naruto: Shippuden- which ran from 2007 to 2017. Naruto is the story of a young ninja with a dream of becoming the leader of his village.
The manga is the fourth best-selling manga series worldwide- with an incredible 250 million copies currently circulating across 47 regions and countries, whilst the anime show itself ranked as the third most-watched show (as in a general televised show, not just animation or anime specifically) in the United States in 2020!
Needless to say, Naruto is an anime that has spawned a huge amount of fans worldwide, and so it is no surprise that there is plenty of merchandise- including baby clothes- for the series. Here are just a few particularly adorable Naruto-themed outfits that are sure to bring out your baby’s inner ninja!
There are various choices of anime characters to choose from with these particular baby romper suits, including Naruto himself and the Akatsuki (a criminal organization in the series if you feel like dressing your little one in a slightly more villainous fashion!).
The romper suits are perfect for warmer weather and are available for babies aged from newborn up to 24 months. As well as being practical baby outfits, these would also be great little costumes for special occasions or for cosplay events.
Another set of the same style of baby onesies as above, this set also includes some outfits based on Naruto characters, including an adorable onesie of the nine-tailed fox Kurama and the popular character Sasuke Uchiha, who was initially a protagonist in the series.
One of the key plot points of the Naruto manga and anime is Naruto’s desire to eventually become the leader of his village. The leader is known as the “Hokage”, which is what this cute baby outfit is referring to.
You get a choice in style for this Naruto-themed outfit, with the option of a sleepsuit/ footsie pajama set with long sleeves or a baby grow bodysuit with press-stud fastenings. Whichever you choose, your little Hokage is sure to be comfortable and adorable in this outfit.
Dragon Ball Z
Another anime that made waves in the United States during its run from 1989 to 1996, Dragon Ball Z is an anime series that was created following the success of its manga series, which the show was a sequel to.
The Japanese show was dubbed in tons of languages and shown in at least 81 countries around the world, cementing its place as one of the most well-known anime series of all time. The show follows a character named Goku- who was a child in the manga series but is all grown up in the anime- as he defends the Earth from various intergalactic threats.
With iconic characters such as Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, and- of course- Goku-, the series has lots of different merchandise, so let’s have a look at some of the Dragon Ball Z themed baby clothes that are available for fans!
This pack of two romper suits is based on two specific outfits from different anime shows. One of the packs of two outfits is Dragon Ball Z themed, with one suit replicating the outfit of protagonist Goku- with his iconic orange all-in-one suit with a black sash tied around the waist- and villain turned antihero Vegeta- who wears a blue, white and yellow space suit style of outfit.
These are super cute options for Dragon Ball Z fans, but they are also practical thanks to the snap button closures at the left shoulder and the bottom of the suits to allow for quick and easy access should any diaper changing emergencies pop up.
Great for both dress-up and cosplay purposes and as everyday outfits, these Goku and Vegeta onesies are sure to be a hit for anime fans.
It would be uncouth to discuss the Dragon Ball series without at least a passing mention of those titular Dragon Balls themselves! The Dragon Balls are powerful artifacts when they come together, summoning the Eternal Dragon.
This particular baby one-piece outfit has a beautiful and adorable piece of artwork on it, showing a tiny Elder Dragon emerging from one of the orange, crystalline Dragon Balls in the same way that a baby dragon would normally hatch out of an egg.
This is a cute and unique option for Dragon Ball Z fans who also want to support artists who create and sell their fan art designs on Redbubble! The one-piece baby grow is available with either short or long sleeves as well as in a variety of colors including white, pink, blue, red, and black.
If you are a connoisseur of only the finest quality Internet memes, then you are likely aware of the “It’s Over 9000!” meme that came from Dragon Ball Z.
The meme originated from the English dub of Dragon Ball Z and the character Vegeta, whose English dub actor greatly exaggerated the way that he said the line, “My power…it’s over 9,000!” in an attempt to get his voice to match the highly energetic animation that went with it.
With this babygrow, you get to emphasize your little one’s cuteness whilst also referencing your favorite meme. What’s not to like?
Dragon Ball Z protagonist Goku is known for his trademark spiky hair. In fact, he was one of the originators of the look that would go on to become associated with the brooding anime boy.
The spikes of his hair have a similar look to that of the well-known sports brand Adidas, and that is where this baby onesie takes its idea from. The onesie has an Adidas style logo that is replaced with Goku’s signature locks and his name written underneath in place of the Adidas name.
As well as being a great pick for Dragon Ball Z fans, the onesie also has lots of nifty features including reinforced three-snap button closure, double-needle ribbed binding on the neck, sleeves, shoulders, and leg openings, and a variety of sizes and colors to choose from.
Demon Slayer
One of the more recent anime on this list, Demon Slayer is based on the manga Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba which was released in 2016. The anime started in 2019 and yet has quickly escalated to become one of the most popular anime shows of all time.
The show focuses on a teenager called Tanjiro Kamado who decides to become a demon slayer when his family falls victim to demons, with his parents killed and his sister is turned into one.
There are a few baby outfits related to this series, even if it may be a little dark in nature in comparison to some of the other anime shows we have talked about! These outfits are suitably cute for your little ones and don’t include any actual demons, though, which is a bonus.
This particular set of anime romper suits features four outfits based on Demon Slayer characters, including Tanjiro and his sister Nezuko (who has become one of the show’s most popular characters).
The detailing on each suit is brilliant, such as Nezuko’s which includes a little graphic of a piece of bamboo on the front, reflecting the bamboo muzzle that she has to wear at all times in the show and the manga to make sure that she doesn’t give in to her demon-like urges.
Thankfully, the bamboo mouthpiece is not mandatory with this outfit, but super fans of the show could consider making a binky for your baby with the same design as Nezuko’s muzzle for the ultimate cosplay opportunity. It is also the closest you will get to having a mini demon baby in your life!!
This is a simple baby onesie design that has the main characters of the show- as well as the title logo- on the front of the babygrow.
The simplicity of this design allows for parents to indulge their love of the anime series with their baby clothes, whilst not being too on the nose about it if they don’t want to be.
This babygrow comes with a choice of long or short sleeves as well as a range of colors to pick from, lapped shoulder seams, and is made from ethically sourced materials
Studio Ghibli
One of the most revered animation studios in the world is the Japanese Studio Ghibli- easily standing side by side alongside western animation giants such as Disney- who have created a wide range of respected anime movies.
The studio has also produced various television projects and commercials since its inception back in 1985. We’re going to be taking a look at some baby clothes that are based on one particularly influential film from Studio Ghibli.
My Neighbor Totoro
The 1988 film about a giant, cheerful, rabbit-like forest spirit- called Totoro- is one of Studio Ghibli’s most known and loved to this day.
Totoro is the mascot of Studio Ghibli, but his design lends itself to plush toys and all sorts of other kid-friendly merchandise, including clothes! Here are some super cute options when it comes to My Neighbor Totoro themed baby clothes.
These cute and eco-friendly dungarees for babies are inspired by Totoro- alongside his friends from the film who look like mini versions of him-, made with organic cotton and covered in images of the woodland spirits.
The handmade nature of these dungarees only adds to the charm and makes them all the more adorable. They also come in a wide variety of sizes, from newborn babies of 0 to 3 months up to toddlers of 2 to 3 years.
Sticking with the same Etsy seller, they also offer these adorable baby leggings with the same Totoro pattern. These might be a little easier than the dungarees for younger babies, as you can pull them down immediately if you face a potty emergency.
The leggings are also aimed at younger children and are available in sizes 0 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, 6 to 12 months, 12 to 18 months, and 18 to 24 months.
Totoro has a design that is just begging for babies to dress up like him thanks to his cute, cuddly, and somewhat chubby nature! There are plenty of onesies available for Totoro that we are going to be taking a look at, but this particular option gets bonus points for cuteness thanks to the optional baby cap that comes with it.
The cap has two little ears poking up too, making for an incredibly sweet cosplay opportunity for your little one. The onesie also features handy snap buttons and is made from 100 percent cotton to ensure maximum comfort for sensitive baby skin.
The official Studio Ghibli store has its own version of the Totoro onesie, which is painfully cute and also very warm for the colder months. This adorable onesie has a fur-lined hood with little ears as well as footsies to keep their tiny toes safe and warm.
The romper has a kimono-wrap style with white buttons from top to bottom, making taking your little one out of the suit for changing incredibly quickly and easily without having to pull anything up over their heads.
The white belly of the gray romper is a great replication of Totoro’s fur in the movie, as well as a soft and cuddly option that is sure to increase parent and baby snuggle time even more so! Great for dressing up, for use as pajamas, or even as an everyday outfit, this Totoro onesie is a fantastic option.
Another all-in-one Totoro-themed romper but with a slightly different style, this onesie comes in different colors to mix up the regular formula when it comes to Totoro baby clothes.
The onesie comes in dark blue, green, pink, and yellow as well as the standard gray if you want to get the Totoro look perfect. This style of suit would be better suited for warmer weather as it has short sleeves and legs.
So this one isn’t exactly a practical outfit, but it is adorable all the same and sure to attract some attention at a costume party. The Cat Bus is one of Totoro’s mythical creature friends who- as the name suggests- is a cat who is also a bus! The costume comes with a cap that has the smiling face of the Cat Bus on it, as well as some adorable shoes made to look like kitten feet.
The costume does have a particular size and so it would be best suited for little ones who can fit in between the following sizes: a height of between 50 cm and 70 cm, shoes of 11 cm, and a hat of between 46 cm and 50 cm. The suit is also made entirely of polyester.
The soot sprites are adorable creatures that appear in My Neighbor Totoro- as well as their other critically acclaimed film, Spirited Away. The sprites are creatures who- you guessed it- are formed from soot.
They live in fireplaces in decrepit, abandoned houses. Their adorable yet simple design is incredibly appealing, so it is no surprise that they have found themselves used on baby clothing. This babygrow has text that reads, “Small But Strong” with an image of a soot sprite lifting a piece of coal above its head as they do in the films.
There are a lot of playful pastel colors within the pattern design, which contrasts beautifully with the gray coal piece and the black soot sprite (who has very cute rosy cheeks and doe-like eyes). This handmade onesie is 100 percent cotton and has three snap leg closure, making for easy changing and a comfortable, envelope neckline.
Pokémon
Pokémon is a franchise that started as a video game, but it didn't take long for the global phenomenon to get its own anime series. The first games were released in Japan during 1995 and 1996 and the anime premiered in 1997.
Since then, Pokémon has become one of the biggest franchises on the planet. Let’s take a look at a couple of baby garments related to the series that were too cute not to mention.
If you know what Pokémon is, then it is highly likely that you also know what a Pikachu is! Pikachu is considered the mascot for Pokémon due to its adorable design and its role as the Pokémon of the main protagonist in the anime series.
Pikachu’s undeniable adorableness has led to a wide range of merchandise focused on Pikachu alone, and this includes baby clothes. This onesie- an all-in-one yellow outfit - is based on Pikachu’s design and features a hood with Pikachu’s face, including its giant red cheeks and long, pointed ears.
This onesie is not only very cute, but it is also cozy and warm thanks to the polyester fabric. The thickness of the fabric makes it a perfect choice for the colder months. It is also practical, despite pretty much being a Pikachu costume, with a zipper straight down the middle so that it can be taken off and put back on with ease.
This outfit is very similar to the Pikachu onesie, except that it is based on the design of a Pokémon called Snorlax. Pokémon is a giant, fat, cat-like Pokémon, who often gets in the way as it chooses to lie down in the most inconvenient places (not that different from a regular cat then).
All Snorlax tends to do is eat and sleep, so it could be the perfect choice for a baby who also does a lot of that (which is all of them!). Snorlax has a simple design that works amazingly well for a baby onesie thanks to the giant paws, non-plussed expression, turquoise and cream color scheme, and pointed cat ears.
Much like Pikachu, this onesie also has a convenient front zipper for easy use and is made from comfortable and thick materials, making it a great choice for colder weather.
The three-dimensional design of the hood includes Snorlax’s three-lined face and its ears, which are sewn into the hood on both sides. This particular suit also has paws for the front and back, both of which are removable for convenience.
Going back to the iconic Pokémon that is Pikachu, this baby vest is simple yet adorable and is sure to be loved by little ones for the cute Pikachu face on the front.
The vest is entirely yellow, save for Pikachu’s facial features. The vest is also a highly practical choice of baby clothing, with envelope shoulders and three nickel-free poppers for easy and quick diaper access.
Ditto is a simple, pink blob Pokémon whose only power is the ability to turn itself into its fellow Pokémon. With its simple design comes a simple baby grow that can easily pass for a simple smiley face decoration!
The babygrow itself is pink and has Ditto’s blank face with its tiny upturned smirk on the front. Only true Pokémon fans will know what this outfit truly is, which is part of what makes this outfit particularly fun and charming.
The babygrow is available with both long and short sleeves, and you can also get it in a variety of different colors. For the true Ditto experience, opt for the pink!
This reference comes directly from the anime Pokémon show, based on a group of trouble-making Squirtle Pokémon whose leader eventually joins Ash (the child protagonist of the anime).
The Squirtle Squad became popular online- becoming a meme of sorts- so this babygrow would be perfect for parents who were fans of the Pokémon show, who love the cute water turtle Pokémon that is Squirtle, or for those who have seen the Squirtle Squad memes and get a laugh out of them!
Either way, it’s still an awesome option for your little one. It comes in multiple colors too but much like the Ditto babygrow, opt for blue if you want to stay true to the source material!!
Attack on Titan
Much like Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan is a more mature anime in terms of themes, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t get cute outfits for your baby to show off your love of the show without scaring your child!
Attack on Titan is an anime based on a manga comic book series that ran from 2009 to 2021. The show started in 2013 and is still running (though it is meant to finish sometime in 2022) and focuses on three friends- Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert. The franchise is set in a dystopian world where giant, humanoid creatures- called Titans- roam the land and feast on the last remaining humans.
We told you it was dark! Eren, Mikasa, and Armin become a part of the military program intended to take down the Titans in one last-ditch attempt to save the world from utter destruction. The huge popularity of the show has led to merchandise for all ages, so let’s have a look at some of the baby clothing that has been created for it. Despite the show’s dark material, everything we are looking at is very much family friendly!
Each military branch in the anime has a different logo so that they are able to differentiate themselves from one another and this particular babygrow has the symbol of a branch known as the Scouting Legion on it.
The Scouting Legion has the most direct contact with the Titans, and so they are the toughest, the bravest, and the best fighters that the country has to offer.
Dress up your brave little scout in this baby one-piece to show off your love for the Attack on Titan anime in a subtle fashion. This outfit is practical as well thanks to the lapped shoulder seams.
Similar to the other Attack on Titan baby grow, this also has the emblem of the Scouting Legion from the anime, but it also boasts the slogan for the military group, “The Hope of Humanity”.
This is another great way to show your love for the anime without making your baby wear an outfit featuring the terrifying (and certainly not age-appropriate!) Titans. It is also a great way to show off your little one/ your own personal hope for humanity!
Available in both short sleeves and long sleeves, this baby one-piece also comes in a wide variety of colors.
Sailor Moon
The “magical girl” sub-genre of anime is a relatively self-explanatory one! It tends to center on a group of girls- usually kids or teenagers still in school- who find that they have magical powers or mystical abilities that they then have to use to save the world. It is a basic premise that is incredibly popular, and one of the most popular magical girl anime shows of all time is Sailor Moon. As with most of the anime shows that we have talked about here, Sailor Moon was also adapted from a manga comic book.
The manga ran from 1991 to 1997 whilst the original anime series ran from 1992 to 1997 and was dubbed into languages all over the world. The protagonist of the franchise was a 14-year-old student called Usagi Tsukino, who gains the ability to transform into her magical girl persona thanks to her talking magical cat Luna.
When in magical form, Usagi becomes Sailor Moon and throughout the series she finds fellow girls who gain these abilities too, forming a group of heroes known as the Sailor Scouts. The scouts take on the names of planets, such as Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter.
Sailor Moon was an anime that was popular with both girls and boys all over the world and the iconic designs of the Sailor Scouts costumes- as well as the cute aesthetics of both the manga and the anime as a whole- led to various outfits and costumes being released for kids (and adults!) of all ages. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best baby clothes that are available based on the Sailor Moon anime.
The dresses that the Sailor Scouts transform into when they are in their magical form have become iconic looks that are instantly recognizable and well known in popular culture.
This baby dress is an adorable way to dress up your little one, even if you’re not familiar with the Sailor Moon series! There are four different colors of the bodysuit dress available in the following color palettes which correspond to different Sailor Scouts: Red and blue (Sailor Moon); orange and blue (Sailor Venus); Red and purple (Sailor Mars) and green and pink (Sailor Jupiter).
The dress bodysuit also has a good level of elasticity and is very breathable, making it perfect for the warmer months as both a costume and an outfit to play in! Start getting the kids into classic magical girl anime at a young age with this adorable dress bodysuit.
Another option that would be great to dress little ones in during the summer, this bodysuit has a unique and gorgeous Sailor Moon design. The design features an outline of Luna, Usagi’s magical talking cat who grants Usagi her powers. Within the outline is the silhouette of Usagi in her Sailor Moon form.
The bodysuit is black, which contrasts beautifully with the purple and blue colors that make up the design in the middle. As well as being a must-have for Sailor Moon fans, this bodysuit also allows for easy diaper access thanks to the bottom snap design.
Sailor Moon is an anime that already has a cute art style, but the design of the graphic on this baby onesie takes the cuteness to another level. The design shows a chibi version of Usagi in her Sailor Moon form sitting on a sparkling moon (chibi being a Japanese slang word for “short” that has become synonymous with a style of small, chunky, and adorable character designs in art).
The onesie is super cute and available in multiple sizes, ranging from 0 to 3 months all the way up to 24 months.
If you were a kid who grew up watching Sailor Moon and dreaming of one day becoming a Sailor Scout, then this could be the perfect choice of baby bodysuit for your little one!
The bright pink bodysuit has the iconic red bow from the Sailor Moon franchise in the middle with the text “Sailor Scout in Training” written around it. It is simple but adorable and a great way to bring your love of the Sailor Moon anime into your baby’s attire.
The onesie is also very practical, featuring flat-lock stitched seams, double-needle ribbed binding on the legs, sleeves, shoulders, and lap shoulders, side seam construction, and three-snap button closure for simple and easy access.
Luna and Artemis are advisors to the Sailor Scouts in the anime- with Luna being Sailor Moon’s advisor and Artemis being Sailor Venus’s advisor- but they are also super cute kitty cats with adorable designs!
This baby onesie has two options- Artemis the white cat with blue eyes (on the black onesie) and Luna the black cat (on the white onesie). You can also choose between a baby bodysuit or a t-shirt. The Etsy seller also offers custom listings, so if you would like a different color or style, all you have to do is get in touch with them!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are novelty baby clothes safe?
You can be sure that any baby clothes you purchase will have been subjected to various health and safety tests, but some of the more decorative clothes have their own risks, such as those with small decorations that can be pulled off like pom poms or bows.
If you do opt for the fancier style of novelty outfit, always keep a watchful eye on your little one to make sure that nothing gets ripped off and swallowed or that they don’t do themselves an injury by getting tangled in their outfit.
Are novelty baby clothes comfortable?
Most baby clothing is designed with comfort in mind to keep babies happy and healthy but some of the more complex outfits might not be as comforting for a little one, even if it is made from the softest materials imaginable!
This will differ from baby to baby so make sure that you gauge your child’s reactions to certain outfits and act appropriately.
Can I get a novelty outfit that will fit my baby perfectly?
There is usually an informative section on sizing if you are buying an outfit for your baby online but if you are in a physical store, double-check with the staff to ensure that you get a size that will keep your baby comfortable.
Too small can be restricting whilst too big could cause accidents if a child gets caught in loose clothing. Never be afraid to ask the seller if you are unsure!
When thinking about clothing, there is so much to consider, such as sizing, the materials used, the quality of the products, and also how ethical they are. There is also the topic of fast fashion and its effects on the environment.
This is why I decided to set up our site Torly Kid, to provide parents and carers with the ultimate guide to everything related to children’s clothing and fashion. From the best outfits for crawling toddlers, to the prettiest dresses for tweens, we’ve got you covered.
