Children of the Whales

As a magic wielder, young archivist Chakuro knows his time is short, but everything changes when a girl from the outside appears on his island.

Children of the Whales (2017) is a Japanese animated fantasy series produced by Bandai Visual and J.C.STAFF and broadcast on TOKYO MX and KBS Kyoto. Based on a manga, it follows young archivist Chakuro, voiced by Natsuki Hanae, a magic wielder who knows his time is short. His quiet routine on an island in a world of sand is upended when a girl from the outside appears, pulling him toward secrets his community has kept hidden. Supporting voices include Hiroshi Kamiya as Shuan and Mikako Komatsu as Ginshu, along with Yuuichirou Umehara as Ōni and Nobunaga Shimazaki as Suō. The single season of twelve twenty-four-minute episodes is serialized, with each chapter deepening the mystery and the emotional pull of the central relationship. Its tone is melancholic and wistful, with a lyrical, dreamlike atmosphere and a quiet sense of mortality. The series rewards patient viewers who enjoy intrigue, romance, and worldbuilding centered on religion and power. Fans of Mushishi, Made in Abyss and Attack on Titan will find resonance in its blend of mythic fantasy, hidden truths, and fragile human bonds.

Critics and audiences broadly admire the series' mythology, atmosphere, and emotional weight, though its audience reception is mixed given limited votes.

• Mushishishared sand world fantasy, magic wielders, and hidden truth intrigue in an anime format
• Attack on Titanshared anime adaptation of a manga with a fantasy world, a shoujo-leaning romance, and mystery
• Made in Abyssshared dystopian-leaning fantasy world with a hidden truth behind a closed society and a magic-driven premise

Release Date

2017-10-08

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.0 / 10 (81)

What is Children of the Whales about?

A young archivist magic wielder on a sand-bound island learns his limited time is running out when an outsider girl arrives.

What is Children of the Whales like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Children of the Whales as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is Children of the Whales violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Children of the Whales as mild.

What did critics think of Children of the Whales?

Critics and audiences broadly admire the series' mythology, atmosphere, and emotional weight, though its audience reception is mixed given limited votes.

Which shows are like Children of the Whales?

Shows with a similar feel include Mushishi, Attack on Titan, and Made in Abyss.

How long is Children of the Whales?

Children of the Whales: 1 season, 12 episodes.

Is Children of the Whales still running?

No, Children of the Whales has ended.

Where can I watch Children of the Whales?

In United States, Children of the Whales streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.