Moyashimon

I recently marathoned the anime series, Moyashimon, in anticipation for its, sequel, Moyashimon Returns, which started airing in Japan on the 5th.  The first Moyashimon is an 11 episode series based on the manga by Masayuki Ishikawa.  The story is about a first year college student at the Tokyo University of Agriculture who has been able to see and communicate with microbes since he was a child.  The microbes are presented in an almost absurdly cute fashion, something only Japan is remotely capable of.  And they are adorable!

The series follows the protagonist, Sawaki Tadayasu, as he makes his way through freshmen year with friends and colleagues, and encounters bizarre situations involving fermentation, alcohol, microbes, and more.  The series can be classified as comedy, but there is some edutainment within, as there are scenes and other segments where the viewer learns about how microbes interact with the world and us.  Below is a special short included with the DVDs that explains the microbes living in our intenstines.  Unfortunately, I could only find it with Spanish subtitles.  :(

This isn't necessarily a kid's show either.  There are themes which are slightly adult (including the emphasis on alcohol and characters getting drunk and what not).  There's also a live action drama version, for those that prefer live action.  And it's freely and legally available on YouTube thanks to FUNimation.

Overall, I find it hilarious that the Japanese could take such a mundane scientific subject and turn it into an artform and profitable franchise.  If the science doesn't get to you, the cute representations of the microbes and their antics surely will!