Anime is an all-encompassing term. Outside of Japan, it sometimes refers to animation produced in Japan. In Japanese, it simply describes anything animated. However, it has become synonymous with a specific and popular animation taste in Japan. For this list, anime is not explained through aesthetics, but rather through where the animation is produced (i. e. Japan). While many associate anime with television screens, there are many anime videos that are a must-watch for those interested in more frequently animated films. While the history of Japanese animation dates back to the early 20th century (and arguably longer with precursors like Kage-e and Emakimono), the modern anime generation began with television shows in the 1960s. Since then, Anime has gained popularity in Japan and abroad. Recently, animated films have become a popular medium, and the most productive animated films are found in all genres, adding coming-of-age, fantasy, and romance. Getting into anime can seem intimidating, but the best anime videos are for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
While the highest-grossing animated film (and highest-grossing Japanese film of all time), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, does not appear on this list, the next 3 highest-grossing Japanese films do.
Studios like Studio Ghibli, Madhouse, Toei Animation, and CoMix Wave Films have produced many of the films on this list and have carved out a niche for themselves in animated films. This rating takes into account ancient importance, influence and artistic approach. However, it prioritizes the overall quality and viewing experience of the film.
A Whisker Away is a fantasy romance about a woman who changes her body with a cat and the child she is obsessed with. Directed by Junichi Sato and Tomotaka Shibayama, the film’s theatrical release was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the film was sold to Netflix. .
The film has been well-received and has lately had a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Nick Allen wrote in his review for RogerEbert. com: “A wholesome fantasy built with serene settings and cute animals is most fun when it gets a little crazy, and thankfully, A Whisker Away has some left-wing concepts to make the story more magical. It continues and streams on Netflix.
Based on Hinako Sugiura’s manga of the same name, Miss Hokusai follows a person who hopes to escape the shadow of her famous father to create her own art. The film is set in the early 19th century, in the Edo era, and reveres the art and artists of that era.
Directed by Keiichi Hara, the film is exclusive not only as an animated biopic, but also as a focus on female art. It’s not for everyone, though, and its slightly disjointed and episodic narrative design will put some off. The film is visually beautiful, especially in its depictions of Edo City and classical art styles. Unfortunately, lately it is not available for streaming in the United States.
Many millennial enthusiasts will be nostalgic for the animated films of the 90s based on the television screens of their youth. Many of those movies are more nostalgic than clever, such as Pokémon: The First Movie, or clever movies that require clever wisdom from the series they’re based on. forward, such as Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan. Sailor Moon R: The Movie, however, is a smart movie and one that can be enjoyed without becoming too familiar with the TV screen it’s based on.
Sailor Moon R: The Movie is the first Sailor Moon film and led directly to two standalone sequels, Sailor Moon S: The Movie (1994) and Sailor Moon SuperS: The Movie (1995). The film follows the Sailor Guardians as they battle an alien who has an afterlife with Tuxedo Mask, when he arrives on earth in hopes of being with him. The film was dubbed and updated in 2017. It is also commonly associated with a short film, Make Up!Sea Guardians. Sailor Moon R is rarely the best movie, but it will do more than just ease the nostalgia of fans of a certain age. The film is available to rent on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Google Play.
Eiichi Yamamoto’s Belladonna of Sadness comes with a pretty important cause warning. The movie is not easy to watch and is also not suitable for children. It is the last entry in the Animerama trilogy, after One Thousand and One Nights (1969) and Cleopatra (1970), and it is undoubtedly the one of the three.
The film follows a peasant girl who makes a Faustian pact with Satan to get revenge on a local lord for sexual assault. The film explores eroticism, religion, violence, misogyny, and feudal oppression through striking psychedelic imagery. Although some have called it outdated and exploitative, it is still a beautiful piece of anime history that is worth watching. It is available for rent on YouTube and Google Play.
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, The Girl Who Jumped Through Time is a sweet coming-of-age anime about a woman who discovers she has the strength to go through time. However, this gift has accidental consequences.
The film features one of the most engaging approaches to the nature of time travel. While it’s not the most eye-catching anime, it does have some wonderful visual sequences and the characters and fast speed of the story more than make up for it. Lately it has been streaming on Crunchy Roll.
Directed by Taichi Ishidate, Violet Evergarden: The Movie is in the Violet Evergarden series of soft novels through Kana Akatsuki. Technically, this follows the Violet Evergarden series, which ran for one season in 2018, but works well as a standalone film.
The film follows Violet, a soldier-turned-writer, as she struggles with life after a wonderful war. The film is one of the most beautiful takes on this list and has a delicately beautiful flavor that combines nostalgia and robotics of the 20th century. Famous Japanese game designer Hideo Kojima tweeted about the film in 2021: “I had never noticed Violet Evergarden, neither on TV nor in cinema, and only knew the name from an ad for the Array movie edition. I’m glad I saw it. I cried a little at the end. I write letters, but I don’t think I have written a letter in about 10 years. Lately it has been streaming on Netflix.
Wolf Children via Mamoru Hosoda follows a human mother who will have to raise her children after the death of their werewolf father. The film is rarely very complex, but it is incredibly charming. Although it’s too sentimental, it has enough center to keep the viewer engrossed.
The film won the Japanese Academy Award for Animation of the Year. While some prefer Hosoda’s previous film, Summer Wars, Wolf Children is better. Chris Michael wrote about the film for Gaudian: “It’s a fairy tale in a real-life setting, drawn photorealistically with moody lighting that rivals Monet or GTA5. ” »Lately it is broadcast on Crunchy Roll.
Pom Poko is possibly Studio Ghibli’s strangest film. While the English dub calls the characters “raccoons”, the film is about tanukis. Follow an army of tanuki as they rise up against an under-construction housing estate on the outskirts of Tokyo.
Directed by Isao Takahata, the film is about environmentalism, modernization and Japanese folklore, which features Tanuki prominently. Many jokes and themes would be understood by Japanese audiences, but they don’t really translate for audiences abroad. In traditional art, tanukis are often depicted with large magical testicles, so the film prominently features Tanuki “you know whats.” However, most Americans will not be familiar with this folklore. While it might not be for everyone, it is a profoundly creative film that is worth a watch. Pom Poko is currently streaming on Max.
Night is Short, Walk On Girl is one of the most artistic animated films on this list. One of several wonderful anime directed by Masaaki Yuasa (including Ride Your Wave and Inu-Oh), Night is Short, Walk On Girl is based on the 2006 novel of the same name. The film follows a woman on a night of drinking and a boy decides to confess his love to her.
The film won the Japanese Academy Award for Animation of the Year and is a spiritual sequel to the excellent anime based on Tomihiko Morimi’s novel, The Tatami Galaxy. Night is Short, Walk On Girl is a natural laugh and never takes itself too seriously. Lately it has been streaming on Max.
Metropolis follows a detective and his nephew in search of a scientist who has created a beautiful robot woman in a long-term technologically complex city. The film is based on Osamu Tezuka’s 1949 manga of the same name. Rintaro directed it and Katsuhiro Otomo, known for Akira, wrote the script.
The animation of this movie is impressive, especially since it was released the same year as Shrek. Roger Ebert said of the film, “If you’ve never noticed Japanese anime, start here. If you like them, Metropolis proves you right. Although it can be discovered online, it is unfortunately not available for streaming.
Directed by Makoto Shinkai, Weathering With You is a romance between a runaway and troubled student and an orphaned woman with the strength to manipulate the weather. The film is engaging and superbly animated, especially the rain and sun scenes.
While some were disappointed with Weathering With You, most of the detractors had to do with the fact that Shinkai was a continuation of the hugely popular Your Name and the very high expectations of the public. While arguably not as clever as Your Name, Weathering With You is still an excellent entry into the genre of romance and fantasy anime. The film was chosen as Japan’s entry into the Academy Award for Best International Film. However, he was not nominated. Weathering With You is currently airing on Max.
Directed by Isao Takahata, Only Yesterday follows Taeko as a child in 1960s Tokyo and a 27-year-old bachelor on a summer vacation to play a farmer in the countryside. The film goes back and forth between the two Taekos as it explores the position of women and culture in a converting Japan.
Although some moments will touch children, this film is much more aimed at young women. It’s a masterpiece that will appeal to today’s women in their 20s, just as it did in the 1990s. While the more recent 2016 dub features Daisy Ridley and Dev Patel, the Japanese edition is better, basically because the explanatory inner monologue sounds awkward in English. It currently has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and is currently streaming on Max.
2016 was a wonderful year for anime with great videos like A Silent Voice, Your Name, Doukyusei, and The Red Turtle. And In This Corner of the World is among the most productive. In This Corner of the World is a heartbreaking war drama. Sunao’s Katabuchi. La film is based on the Fumiyo Kōno manga of the same title and follows a young woman growing up in a small town outside of Hiroshima in the 1930s and 1940s. The film juxtaposes classic Japanese life with the horrors of war.
The film was a critical favorite in Japan, winning 3 Japanese Academy Awards. Katabunchi worked as Hayao Miyazaki’s assistant director on Kiki’s Delivery Service, and there’s some classic Ghibli visual technique in this film. This isn’t a bad thing, however, and even evokes a sense of nostalgia for 1990s coming-of-age anime enthusiasts. Brian Tallerico said of the film for RogerEbert. com: “Ultimately, In This Corner of the world is a stark reminder of what war does to those aerial elements of humanity that we want to survive: dreams, art, love, etc. Lately available to stream for free on Tubi, Peacock, and Amazon Prime.
Belle follows a straight-A student turned virtual pop star who will have to come to terms with the truth about a mysterious beast. Technically, she was fostered through Beauty and the Beast; However, it doesn’t feel like a Disney princess movie or an 18th century fairy tale. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it earned a 14-minute ovation.
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, the film was a monetary and critical success. It was nominated for two film awards from the Academy of Japan and won one. The film features the perfect music and, indeed, amazing visuals. Belle is available to stream on Max.
Mari Okada’s Maqui: When the Promised Flower Blooms follows a humanoid woman whose mystical race is attacked by humans who wish to use her blood as an elixir for life. In the midst of the chaos, he discovers a bathrough and makes the decision to raise it in human society.
The film was Okada’s directorial debut, and other anime directors praised his work, adding Makoto Shinkai, who tweeted, “It was a glorious film that awakened memories I had forgotten. Directed by Mari Okada, who has continued to show the novelty of the anime. As a rookie screenwriter, faced with such quality, I feel jealous and impatient. We also want to be motivated. The movie can be streamed for free on Tubi, Amazon Prime, and Pluto TV.
Mirai, another film directed by Mamoru Hosoda, follows a young boy who discovers a magical lawn that allows him to go back in time to learn about the future and future versions of his mother and sister. It’s a heartwarming film about family, belonging, and attitude that will delight kids, parents, and even other adults.
Mirai, the sixth anime and the first non-Ghibli anime to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also won the Japanese Animation Academy of the Year award. In a review for Variety, Peter Debruge wrote, “[It’s] the work of a true auteur (in what turns out to be his most private film to date) presented as innocent family entertainment. It is available to rent on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.
Directed by Mamoru Oshii, Angel’s Egg is a cult classic. It is very sparse in terms of dialogue, which are rarely everyone’s favorites. However, it is a charming film that allows the audience to draw their own conclusions. Viewers who object to biblical references and allegorical fantasy will find much to love in Angel’s Egg, even if it’s not for everyone.
The film is set in a land of primordial ruins and follows a young girl who protects a giant egg that she believes will give birth to an angel and a child who hopes to hatch it. The film is rarely shown in theaters. However, a 4K recovery has been announced on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. Unfortunately, it is not available for streaming.
Based on the novel of the same name, Paprika is the newest film by acclaimed animation filmmaker Satoshi Kon. Kon is known for iconic films such as Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, and Memories. While many of Kon’s films may have appeared on this list, Paprika is arguably his most artistically and visually stimulating film.
Paprika follows a dream detective on the trail of a criminal who steals a device capable of influencing the dreams of others. If this sounds a bit like Inception, many have said so. Both films share many plot elements and themes. Christopher Nolan, however, did not cite it as a reference. Currently, Paprika is available to sign up for on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.
Porco Rosso is a noir film about a former seaplane pilot condemned to live as a pig in the Adriatic Sea in the 1930s. Although it sounds strange, everything looks good. The film was directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Although subtitles are sometimes preferred, Porco Rosso is the rare animated film that deserves to be seen in English, especially the 2005 English shortened version, starring Michael Keaton, Cary Elwes, and Susan Egan. The black taste lends itself well to reduction, and Keaton’s paintings as Marco “Porco Rosso” Rossolini seem straight out of Casablanca.
The film is arguably the funniest ever made by Studio Ghibli. However, it also offers a harrowing look at post-traumatic stress disorder and the rise of fascism in Europe. The ending of the film is particularly heartbreaking and forceful. While several lines from the iconic film Han, “Better a pig than a fascist” have become a rallying cry in the 2023 Spanish elections. Porco Rosso is streaming lately on Max.
Suzume is a romantic adventure anime directed by Makoto Shinkai. The film follows a young woman who teams up with a handsome stranger to seal supernatural doors to creatures that cause earthquakes.
Like many Shinkai films, Suzume combines romantic and coming-of-age themes with the risk of natural disasters. The film was a critical and box office success and has become the fourth highest-grossing Japanese film in the world. The film won the Japan Academy Film Award and nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature. It has also been nominated for seven Annie Awards, tied with The Boy and The Heron for most nominated anime. It is available to stream on Netflix and Crunchyroll.
Unlike the arguable 2017 live-action film of the same name, the original Ghost in the Shell is an anime classic. The film follows a cyborg agent who seeks to stop a criminal from illegally hacking into the minds of cyborg-human hybrids. Explores the nature of the self and technology.
The film, directed by Mamoru Oshii, is based on the manga of the same name. It is considered a cult film because it was first a box office failure before being released on video. The film encouraged the Wachowski sisters, adding to their film The Matrix. James Cameron also called Ghost in the Shell “the first truly animated film for adults to achieve a level of literary and visual excellence. ” It is available to stream for free on Tubi and Pluto TV.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion is arguably the most productive film in a television anime franchise. The film is the finale of the Neon Genesis Evangelion series, which aired in 1995–1996. Technically, those are the last two installments in the franchise. , however, it was sold as a film and released in theaters.
Although the movie is better if you have watched the series, watching the series is not a prerequisite to enjoying the movie. In particular, the Evangelion franchise is strangely clever when it comes to making “independent movies. “The 2021 Evangelion movie: 3. 0 1. 01 Thrice Upon a Time is also worth watching, even for those who are not familiar with the series. The film was directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki and Hideaki Anno and starred several of the series’ voice actors, including Megumi Ogata, Yuko Miyamura, and Megumi Hayashibara. It follows an organization of teenagers who pilot mechas to fight the angels. The last scene is simply iconic and beyond impressive. It is available for streaming on Netflix.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya is the latest film by the legendary Isao Takahata. It is based on the 10th-century folklore The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter and follows a bamboo cutter who digs up a luminous little woman in a bamboo shoot. He elevates the woman to the status of princess even though she longs for the forest and village of her childhood. Like many of Takahata’s other films, the film focuses on the position of women and the way of life.
Although the film is impressive, it uses a much more simplistic style than other Ghibli films and evokes classic portrait tastes, especially Sumi-e watercolors. Until 2023, The Boy and The Heron, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, the highest budget film in Japan. history, with a budget of around 49 million dollars. The film is Takeo Chii’s latest film and also features a special appearance by Yukiji Asaoka. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and is currently one hundred percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The story of Princess Kaguya is currently airing on Max.
Your Name is a romantic anime with a twist. The film follows two prominent school students who switch bodies when a rare comet arrives on Earth. It’s charming both visually and thematically, and has a strangely catchy soundtrack and narrative approach. It balances quirky youth romance with themes of culture and crisis in a very satisfying way.
Directed by Makoto Shinkai, Your Name is popular in Japan and abroad. Japanese studios Toho are reportedly running a live-action version. It currently owns 98% of Rotten Tomatoes and is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
My Neighbor Totoro is an old anime from his formative years. The film follows two sisters who notice the spirit of the forest in rural Japan in the 1950s. Not only is it a wonderful coming-of-age movie, but it also reflects respect for culture and nature. Outside of the film itself, the character Totoro has a cultural icon and also serves as Studio Ghibli’s mascot.
The film was originally dubbed into English in 1989 for Japan Airlines. While there is a stripped-down version from 2004 starring Dakota and Elle Fanning, as well as Timothy Daly, many (especially millennial fans) prefer the original voice acting. The movie is charming and also captures nostalgia. for a time and position that the peak audience has probably never been in. The movie is available to stream on Max.
Another film written and directed by Satoshi Kon, The Godfathers of Tokyo, follows three homeless people who find a bathrough in a trash can on Christmas Eve. The movie has a little bit of everything and works like a Christmas movie, a Yakuza movie, and a Tragicomedy. It has also gained cult vintage prestige in United States.
While the subtitled edition is recommended over English dubs for most of the anime on this list, the most recent English dub is notable for having a trans actress, Shakina Nayfack, playing the trans character of Hana (in the Japanese edition, Unfortunately Hana has a voice). through a man). It currently has a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and is streaming free on The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime.
The film that established Studio Ghibli outside of Japan, Princess Mononoke, can be said to be another Hayao Miyazaki film. The film is set in the Muromachi era (around 1400 AD) and follows an epic war between kami (forest deities) and humans. Princess Mononoke conveys a strong environmental message and does not shy away from nuance and ethical ambiguity.
Princess Mononoke is a critical and box office heavyweight, holding the Japanese box office record for domestic films until Spirited Away in 2001. It is also the first animated film to win the Japanese Academy Film Award for Film of the Year. Lately it has been streaming on Max.
One of the darkest anime on this list, Grave of the Fireflies, surprisingly, comes from Studio Ghibli and director Isao Takahata. The film follows two young men who suffer in war-torn Japan in the 1940s. It’s an anti-war masterpiece that still seems vital more than 35 years later.
Although the film is not suitable for children, interestingly it was first screened as a double feature with the much lighter My Neighbor Totoro. The film was director Akira Kurosawa’s favorite Ghibli film, and he even once wrote a letter to Hayao Miyazaki. a song he praises, after mistakenly believing Miyazaki had directed it. Roger Ebert said it was an “emotional delight so harsh it forces you to reconsider animation. ” USA.
Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira is an iconic film of the genre. The film helped popularize animated films overseas and is one of the most notable animated films ever made. Set in the dystopian future of 2019, the film follows the leader of a biker gang and his telekinetic friend in an uprising in Neo-Tokyo.
Akira’s violent yet charming images are iconic and have been referenced directly or in many other films and TV shows. He also popularized a sliding stop for motorcycles, the “Akira slide”, which has become a reference in action movie images. In the action sequences, Akira is very influential. Tom Usher wrote for Vice: “[Akira] was the first time the West became massively involved with Japanese culture, and it had an enormous impact: the influence of the film is still obvious everywhere. It will have to be streamed on Hulu.
Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away held the record for the highest-grossing film in Japan for 19 years. It is also the first non-English animated film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (it is also the only one until another Miyazaki film, The Boy and the Heron, won in 2024).
Spirited Away follows a 10-year-old woman who must save her parents from the spirit realm and an evil witch who runs a spirit bath. It is arguably Miyazaki’s masterpiece and the most productive film Studio Ghibli has released to date. The film is one of the most beautifully animated films of all time and is currently streaming on Max.
Conclusion
From coming of age to romance to robots, animated films capture beauty, excitement, and excitement. Anime are not only amazing animated videos but also wonderful videos in general.
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