best anime movies
A list of my favourite anime movies
The list is not in perfect order.
It been a while since a really good one came out.
I do not watch anime movies explicitly nowadays, only the ones that get somewhat famous and I hear about them.
The list is not in perfect order.
It been a while since a really good one came out.
I do not watch anime movies explicitly nowadays, only the ones that get somewhat famous and I hear about them.
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- DirectorMizuho NishikuboMamoru OshiiStarsAtsuko TanakaIemasa KayumiAkio ÔtsukaA cyborg policewoman and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master.Ghost in the Shell basically combined elements from “Blade Runner” and “Akira” and expended those two movies in just the right way. With better detective work than Blade runner and better world building than Akira. I have to say that this movie is very complex and profound and has so many little details in it that you can’t possible find them all in your first watch. But that adds to the experience in my opinion. It deals a lot with computer technology in the future and therefore comes around as rather realistic, it’s thought provoking world gripped my way more than those of Blade runner or akira. It also used a new kind of cel animation technology that thought to be the upcoming thing which made the images and animation look breathtakingly beautiful.
Also with one of the best soundtracks in moviemaking history this is nothing less than a masterpiece and I always enjoy revisiting it nearly annually since I watched it the first time around 10-15 years ago. - DirectorKatsuhiro ÔtomoStarsMitsuo IwataNozomu SasakiMami KoyamaA secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a group of psychics.Akira has a very similar feeling to Blade Runner, it borrowed heavily on its cyperpunk style and managed to create an even more intriguing story. Compared to Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell, Akira focuses not so much about artificial intelligence but rather the unkown of science. In the process you got twists and more action heavy storytelling with a range of different characters. Many people say that the manga is better, but I disagree. The movie basically had the perfect ending and didn’t drag the story out too long, but both sure had a very memorable artstyle. Also the movie had one of the best ending scenes in the history of ending scenes.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsYôji MatsudaYuriko IshidaYûko TanakaOn a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.Princes Mononoke is in my opinion the best anime movie from Studio Ghibli. If you know any of their movies you know that those are rather made for a younger audience, from children to teenagers, but Princess Mononoke is a rather brutal movie with a very interesting storyline about myths and conflicts. Its one of the best fantasy movies I have seen in general (not only Japan). There isn’t anything deep or revolutionizing about it, but it got such a great atmosphere to it, especially since it focuses around an old forest that looks like it is out of legends (inspired by the forest of Yakushima Island, which I was lucky enough to have been to, and it was breathtaking..maybe thats what makes it even more special to me). Other than that it has a great soundtrack and beautiful artstyle overall and definitely worth a watch.
- DirectorSatoshi KonStarsJunko IwaoRica MatsumotoShinpachi TsujiA pop singer gives up her career to become an actress, but she slowly goes insane when she starts being stalked by an obsessed fan and what seems to be a ghost of her past.Perfect Blue is a perfectly crafted thriller. It just plays with your mind and does it so wonderfully, that you want to rewatch it over and over again. It follows the life of a Japanese Idol who wants to traverse into acting. Saying more would probably spoil the movie so I wont, the only thing more to say is that the movie is made from studio Madhouse, which is notorious for making movies and anime in a variety of different styles and magnitude. They are one of the biggest names when it comes to anime and Perfect Blue definitely is their best work, as far movies are concerned.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsChieko BaishôTakuya KimuraTatsuya GashûinWhen an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.This was probably the third Ghibli movie I have watched, after Spirited away and Princess Mononoke and from the score it is also my third most favourite one after the ones previously mentioned. I think it encapsulates the term "magical" the best compared to all other ghibli movies and I like the WW1 era style to it. It is also quite confusing in a good sense but the ending is in my opinion not as well written as in other Ghibli movies.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.Well one of the most famous and simultaneously best rated Japanese movies there is. What can I say about it what you dont already know? I mean its good, nothing profound or too emotional, but well directed with a great artstyle, great music and great voiceacting. It is touching.
- DirectorTakeshi KoikeStarsTakuya KimuraYû AoiTadanobu AsanoA story about the most popular racing event in the galaxy, the Redline, and the various racers who compete in it.A movie that basically shines with music and artstyle. Its a cool action movie more than anything else with a typical story and a little bit of a cringe ending
- DirectorKenji KamiyamaHiroyuki OkiuraStarsMichael DobsonYoshikazu FujikiSumi MutohA traumatized member of an elite para-military police force falls for the sister of a female terrorist courier who died in front of him on duty.A well made anime drama with a war like feel to it. Artstyle and soundtrack are top notch, story could have been a bit better but still shines with some very well made scenes
- DirectorIsao TakahataStarsTsutomu TatsumiAyano ShiraishiAkemi YamaguchiA young boy and his little sister struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.A very emotional movie that was quite impacting for me, especially since it was one of the first well written drama movies I have watched.
- DirectorMamoru OshiiStarsRinko KikuchiRyô KaseShôsuke TaniharaThe Kildren, a group of eternally young fighter pilots, experience the sudden loss of innocence as they battle the enemy in astonishing dogfights above the clouds.Mamoru Oshii has such a good sense of picking his sorce materials. Ofc many of his movies are either hit or miss but thats what I really like about him. He makes movies that are so unique to one another each with their own niche audience. "Sky Crawler" however has many things similar to his earlier work "Ghost in the Shell", it portays equally emotionless character and deals with very profound themes. Thats where the similarities end however. "Skycrawler" is a movie about war and its psychological impact on people which makes it very interesting at times. The movie however is overall a bit monotonic and bland.
- DirectorMichael AriasHiroaki AndôStarsKazunari NinomiyaYû AoiYûsuke IseyaTwo boys defend Treasure Town and Yakuza try to take over and clear it for new development.A very bizar story that also managed to be touching at times. Quite unique.
- DirectorNaoko KusumiMizuho NishikuboMamoru OshiiStarsAkio ÔtsukaAtsuko TanakaTamio ÔkiIn the year 2032, Batô, a cyborg detective for the anti-terrorist unit Public Security Section 9, investigates the case of a female robot--one created solely for sexual pleasure--who slaughtered her owner.The second part of "Ghost in the Shell" is also a very enjoyable watch, but the complexity of the story is drastically reduced and so is the profoundness. It rather tries to be overly smart with putting in a lot of quotes from old philosophers but all and all the movie itself isnt as smart. Its a good watch however
- DirectorMasahiro AndôStarsTomoya NagaseYuri ChinenKôichi YamaderaA swordsman from a strange land is caught in a struggle between morality, righteousness, and devotion as he reluctantly agrees to take a raggedy boy and his dog to a remote, Buddhist temple.Basically a pure action anime movie which succeeds in artstyle, animation, soundtrack and has a nice enjoyable but not too compelx action story to it. Very enjoyable watch
- DirectorRintarôStarsToshio FurukawaScott WeingerYuka ImotoKenichi and his uncle Shunsaku Ban must find the mystery behind robot girl Tima.A very unique artstyle and feel towards this movie and it definitly is a well made mix of cyberpunk and 70s detective story. It has a nostalgic feel to it in terms of presentation and storytelling.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsSumi ShimamotoMahito TsujimuraHisako KyôdaWarrior and pacifist Princess Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.A well written Ghibli movie about insects and stuff. The movie, like all Ghibli movies looks and sounds great and it was a bit unique compared to other Ghibli movies with its anti war message.
- DirectorHiromasa YonebayashiStarsSara TakatsukiKasumi ArimuraNanako MatsushimaAnna, a shy 12-year-old girl, is sent to spend time with her aunt and uncle who live in the countryside, where she meets Marnie. The two become best friends. But Anna gradually discovers that Marnie is not quite who she appears to be.The movie is a lovely character story which is watchable just for its stunning visuals (it’s from Ghibli after all).
- DirectorIsao TakahataStarsChloë Grace MoretzJames CaanMary SteenburgenKaguya is a beautiful young woman coveted by five nobles. To try to avoid marrying a stranger she doesn't love, she sends her suitors on seemingly impossible tasks. But she will have to face her fate and punishment for her choices.As I mentioned in my review, the thing that this movie stuck out the most for is its artstyle and soundtrack. The story also has a very sweet touch to it with quite an impressiv ending.
- DirectorHideaki AnnoKazuya TsurumakiStarsMegumi OgataMegumi HayashibaraYûko MiyamuraConcurrent theatrical ending of the TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995).
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsYasuo YamadaEiko MasuyamaKiyoshi KobayashiA dashing thief, his gang of desperadoes and an intrepid cop struggle to free a princess from an evil count, and learn the secret of a treasure that she holds part of the key to.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsShûichirô MoriyamaTokiko KatôBunshi Katsura VIIn 1930s Italy, a veteran World War I pilot is cursed to look like an anthropomorphic pig.
- DirectorSunao KatabuchiStarsNonAva PickardKenna PickardA spirited 18-year-old woman is married off to a man she barely knows as she combats the daily struggles of living in Hiroshima during World War II.A very refreshing anime movie with an amzing artstyle and a good soundtrack. The story is emotional at times but a bit too childish overall for the subject matter it portrays.
- DirectorFujiaki AsariMamoru HatakeyamaTakashi KawabataStarsAoi YûkiChiwa SaitôEri KitamuraA mysterious creature "Kyubey" offers a young girl named Madoka Kaname the chance to have any one wish granted to her. In exchange she must battle evil creatures named "Witches" at the risk of losing her life.
- DirectorTomoyuki ItamuraYukihiro MiyamotoMasahiro MukaiStarsAoi YûkiChiwa SaitôEri KitamuraAs the truth behind the girls' contracts with Kyubey is revealed, Madoka has to make the ultimate decision to either see those she love the most die before her eyes or to sacrifice her life as a normal girl and help out her friends in need.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsMayumi TanakaKeiko YokozawaKotoe HatsuiA young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle.
- DirectorKunihiko YuyamaStarsVeronica TaylorRachael LillisEric StuartScientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.
- DirectorShinji TakagiKatsuhiro ÔtomoStarsAnna PaquinPatrick StewartAlfred MolinaIn 1860s Britain, a boy inventor finds himself caught in the middle of a deadly conflict over a revolutionary advance in steam power.
- DirectorMamoru OshiiMizuho NishikuboStarsMîna TominagaBriony GlasscoJulie Ann TaylorWhen a terrorist attack is blamed on the Air Force, Special Vehicle Unit 2 gets caught in the middle of a growing political conflict.
- DirectorKôji MorimotoTensai OkamuraKatsuhiro ÔtomoStarsMarc SwintRobbie DaymondFrank TodaroAn animated science fiction anthology from the visionary anime director, Katsuhiro Otomo.
- DirectorYoshiaki KawajiriStarsKôichi YamaderaEmi ShinoharaTakeshi AonoA vagabond swordsman is aided by a kunoichi and a spy in battling a demonic clan of killers - led by a ghost from his past - who are bent on overthrowing the Tokugawa Shogunate.
- DirectorKeiichi HaraStarsKumiko AsôChris AyresGreg AyresA sinful spirit is granted the opportunity to prove worthy for rebirth, inhabiting the body of a student who killed himself.
- DirectorKeiichi HaraStephanie ShehMichael SinterniklaasStarsYutaka MatsushigeAnne WatanabeErica LindbeckThe life and works of Japanese artist and ukiyo-e painter Katsushika Hokusai, as seen from the eyes of his daughter, Katsushika O-Ei.
- DirectorMakoto ShinkaiStarsHisako KanemotoMiyu IrinoKazuhiko InoueA coming of age story involving young love and a mysterious music, coming from a crystal radio left as a memento by an absent father, that leads a young heroine deep into a hidden world.
- DirectorShunji IwaiStarsYû AoiAnne SuzukiShôko AidaAlice transfers to a new school, where students believe that one student per school year is cursed, whom they call Judas Iscariot. Alice is deemed the new Judas, but what happened to the former Judas?
- DirectorSatoshi KonStarsMegumi HayashibaraTôru EmoriKatsunosuke HoriWhen a machine that allows therapists to enter their patients' dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist, Paprika, can stop it.
- DirectorKenji KodamaStarsMinami TakayamaWakana YamazakiKappei YamaguchiMultiple murders has been committed while the Black Organization members are roaming around Conan and his friends. Are they responsible for the killings? Or Is it someone else?
- DirectorMakoto ShinkaiStarsKenji MizuhashiYoshimi KondouSatomi HanamuraTold in three interconnected segments, Takaki tells the story of his life as cruel winters, cold technology, and finally, adult obligations and responsibility converge to test the delicate petals of love.
- DirectorYoshio KurodaStarsMakoto TsumuraSakura TangeShinobu AdachiA small poor boy lives with his caring grandfather in a small Flemish village in the 19th century Belgium, has a lovable pet dog, loves art and dreams of becoming a famous painter one day. Based on a famous Flemish novel.
- DirectorMamoru HosodaStarsRiisa NakaTakuya IshidaMitsutaka ItakuraA high-school girl named Makoto acquires the power to travel back in time, and decides to use it for her own personal benefits. Little does she know that she is affecting the lives of others just as much as she is her own.
- DirectorYoshiaki KawajiriStarsAndrew PhilpotJohn Rafter LeePamela AdlonA legendary dhampir competes with a motley family of bounty hunters to return a young woman, who has been seemingly abducted by a vampire, to her family.
- DirectorMamoru HosodaStarsKoji YakushoAoi MiyazakiShôta SometaniWhen a young orphaned boy living on the streets of Shibuya stumbles upon a fantastic world of beasts, he's taken in by a gruff warrior beast looking for an apprentice.
- DirectorHirotsugu KawasakiNorihiko SutôKatsuhiro ÔtomoStarsShôtarô MorikuboRyuji AigaseTakehito KoyasuAn elite superhuman agent must stop a foreign military unit from seizing control of an ancient artifact that holds the key to ultimate power.
- DirectorSatoshi KonKô MatsuoStarsMiyoko ShôjiShôzô ÎzukaMami KoyamaA TV interviewer and his cameraman meet a former actress and travel through her memories and career.