Shimokawa Oten developed a five-minute chalk-drawn video in the early twentieth century, which launched the profitable animation business in Japan. In the decades that followed, the medium expanded gradually, with a peak during World War II. The Japanese government utilized anime for propaganda and it came to be acknowledged as a component of the country’s cultural identity, both at home and abroad.
The beautiful world of anime may often seem a bit impenetrable to novices, with so much to choose from various genres. The meticulous attention to detail and the blend of drama, action, romance, and other genres truly distinguishes them as a work of art. Here, we have listed the anime movies you cannot miss.
50. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Based on Eiko Kadono’s book of the same name, it follows a trainee witch who, according to witch tradition, leaves home at the age of 13 to find work. Witches are neither feared nor strange on this planet, and are seen as useful public servants rather than frightening
conjurors.
Kiki gets the ideal employment in Koriko, earning a living with her broom: she carries packages for a pregnant bakery owner.
49. Porco Rosso (1992)
Hayao Miyazaki has long had a soft spot for Italy. He visited the country in 1990 to do some location research for “Porco Rosso.” This story, set in a fictional version of Italy in the aftermath of WWI, follows a former fighter pilot who is changed into an anthropomorphic pig by an unknown curse.
He’s now a world-weary bounty hunter who spends his days chasing pirates around the Mediterranean Sea.
48. The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl (2017)
Science SARU and filmmaker Masaaki Yuasa collaborated on “The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl,” an adaptation of Tomihiko Morimi’s romantic comedy novel of the same name. The story is set on a night out in Japan’s former capital, following two Kyoto University students.
Though fate keeps conspiring to keep them apart, the smitten guy plans to proclaim his love to his female buddy at the conclusion of the evening.
47. Mirai (2018)
The Annie Award-winning fantasy film “Mirai” by Mamoru Hosoda examines the complexity of family dynamics and how they evolve through time. It’s the story of Kun, a mischievous little boy who runs away from home when his new baby sister, Mirai, begins to get more attention.
While sulking around, the envious four-year-old stumbles into a time portal, giving him the opportunity to get to know his sister in the future.
46. Ponyo (2008)
This is the story of a goldfish girl who desperately wants to become human. It is one of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s most kid-friendly films. Ponyo, whose real name is Brunhilde, is the daughter of a powerful sea-dwelling wizard and the ocean goddess Granmamare.
She flees to land, against her father’s desires, and quickly befriends a human kid named Sasuke, using her magic to transform herself into a human.
45. Ride Your Wave (2019)
Masaaki Yuasa’s most polished-looking film to date is centered on surfing. The bizarre style of animation he’s known for is drastically toned down, showcasing blue skies and crystal clear waterways instead.
The film follows Hinako Mukaimizu, a college student who moves to a coastal surf town and falls in love with a firefighter. Unfortunately, he drowns, but he appears to her in the ocean whenever she sings their favorite song.
44. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (2018)
This animated short film is about a girl with a terminal disease. When Haruki learns that his popular classmate Sakura is concealing her pancreatic disease from the rest of the school so she can live out her dying days in relative normalcy, he tries to help her cross everything off her bucket list before it’s too late.
This story will definitely touch some heartstrings, have a box of tissues prepared.
43. In This Corner of the World (2016)
Sunao Katabuchi’s “In This Corner of the World” is a film about the Hiroshima bombing that prioritizes gut-wrenching storyline over gruesome graphics.
Suzu Hojo, a hardworking Hiroshima native, is the subject of the film, which begins in the run-up to WWII and spans a whole decade. She and her Navy husband relocate to Kure, where she tries to have an optimistic attitude despite losing a hand in an air raid.
42. Pom Poko (1994)
The creatures which make up the cast of Studio Ghibli’s classic “Pom Poko” are tanuki, prominent animals in Japanese folklore. The story begins in the 1960s, when Tokyo’s urban growth was devouring both rural towns and green spaces.
When a troop of tanuki living in a forest south of the city learns that their habitat is about to be demolished to make way for a new suburb, they fight back.
41. Weathering With You (2019)
This is a romantic tale about an impulsive country boy and a metropolitan girl with a big secret. Hodaka Morishima finds a position at an esoteric magazine after coming to Tokyo to start fresh.
He then learns about the local legend of the Sunshine Girl, who is said to be able to manipulate the weather. Hina Amano, an orphan who works at McDonald’s, is revealed to be the Sunshine Girl.
40. The Boy and the Beast (2015)
“The Boy and the Beast” by Mamoru Hosoda is a touching story about friendship and commitment. It follows Ren, a nine-year-old boy who has been living on the streets of Tokyo since his mother died.
After meeting Kumatetsu, a grumpy talking bear who is the heir to the hidden Beast Kingdom, his fortunes alter. Ren becomes his disciple and grows up to be a kendo master in the Beast Kingdom.
39. Tekkonkinkreet (2006)
American director Michael Arias’ adaptation of Taiy Matsumoto’s manga “Tekkonkinkreet” hit theaters in 2006. He became the first foreign director of a big anime film.
It follows orphaned street youngsters Kuro and Shiro as they try to push the yakuza out of Treasure Town, a large metropolis based on real-life sites all throughout Asia. It takes place in “a parallel universe that is kind of like Japan, but not really.”
38. Castle in the Sky (1986)
Castle in the Sky is another Studio Ghibli masterpiece. Two children go on an epic journey to an airborne island known as Laputa. Airship pirates are looking for Sheeta and her mystery necklace, so their quest for the island isn’t easy.
Sheeta’s origins and those of the mysterious island of Laputa are revealed later in the quest. It’s a fantastic anime film for fans of adventure and Hayao Miyazaki’s trademark.
37. Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Shizuku, a book-loving girl, and her love interest, a guy called Seiji, are the central characters of Whisper of the Heart. Shizuku discovers the same individual, who turns out to be Seiji, by looking through the checkout cards of the books she reads. Studio Ghibli animated it, and it shows.
The settings in Ghibli films are unrivaled, and this is no exception. We will never listen to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in the same way again.
36. When Marnie Was There (2014)
When Marnie Was There, a Family/Drama film in which the main characters, Anna and Marnie, form a lovely and intimate connection. This is a wonderful, heartfelt look at friendship. Anna meets the enigmatic blonde-haired Marnie.
Marnie makes Anna swear to keep their secret from the rest of the world. It has a level of heart and realism that I haven’t seen in an anime before. It’s a standout, and it’s from Studio Ghibli before their little break.
35. A Letter to Momo (2011)
Momo is a young girl who travels to Shio Island and begins to live among the locals, learning their rituals and ways of life. Strange things start to happen on the island of Shio, and Momo finds herself banding together with Kawa, Mame, and Iwa, three Imps with different personalities, to figure out what’s going on.
The humorous aspects are memorable. Add in the wildly emotional second half, and you’ve got my dream film.
34. Millennium Actress (2001)
It features two TV journalists entrusted with interviewing the former star of a bankrupted film studio for a documentary.
Chiyoko Fujiwara, who hasn’t seen a key in three decades, first refuses to participate, but when the two present her with a key she hasn’t seen in three decades, the recluse thespian begins to tell her narrative, a story of envy and lost love that leads them back to her adolescence.
33. Tatsumi (2011)
This anime film is a biographical account of Yoshihiro Tatsumi and his unique animation technique, gekiga. A Drifting Life is a Singaporean anime film based on Tatsumi’s history. From working on comics to developing the gekiga style, the film traces Tatsumi’s life.
The animation technique, which resembled simple cut-out animation, played to the production house’s strengths, keeping things simple and relying on Tatsumi’s artistry. This is quite a depiction of a real-life story.
32. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
In the 87th Academy Awards, this film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It relates to the story of a little girl who was discovered on a bamboo stalk and nurtured by her discoverers.
This film’s art style is so appealing and flowing that I cannot adequately explain it without having the viewer watch it.
31. Only Yesterday (1991)
“Only Yesterday” by Isao Takahata isn’t the average Studio Ghibli picture. Takahata’s opted to produce a film for a different demographic here, producing a straight-up drama aimed at adults. It follows 27-year-old city resident Taeko Okajima on a trip to the Japanese countryside.
She’s worked in Tokyo for years, but the memories evoked by her journey cause her to reconsider her life choices.
30. The Wind Rises (2013)
Hayao Miyazaki’s passion for aviation has always been a recurring theme in his work. “The Wind Rises” is about Jiro Horikoshi, a real-life engineer who worked on a variety of Japanese fighter jets during WWII.
After being told that he is too nearsighted to be a pilot, Jiro turns to engineering, but his new passion of constructing planes is challenged by the knowledge that they will be used for war.
29. Perfect Blue (1997)
Perfect Blue tells the story of Mima Kirigoe, a former pop star who appears to be pursued by an obsessed admirer. But not everything is as it seems, as the fan appears to be a phantom from her past. Which is it? We will have to find out.
It has everything. Twists and turns, gorgeous, striking animation with paranoia, and dreamy images will keep you engrossed for the duration of the 81-minute film.
28. Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
On Christmas Eve, three homeless individuals discover a baby and seek to locate its parents in Tokyo Godfathers. I thought the writing would be good because it was co-written by the same writer who wrote Cowboy Bebop and Wolf’s Rain, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The narrative touched me deeply, with its endearing characters and their persistent search for baby Kiyoko’s missing mother.
27. Metropolis (2001)
“Metropolis” is a story about class, discrimination, and robots, written by Katsuhiro Otomo and directed by anime veteran Rintaro. Shusaku Ban and his nephew Kenichi are on the lookout for a wanted scientist.
They find him dead, and the assailant has set fire to his lab. Kenichi and Tima, a small girl, manage to get out. What neither of them realizes is that she’s a robot, constructed by the scientist.
26. Ninja Scroll (1993)
In feudal Japan, Jubei, a lone swordsman, must face a demonic clan of warriors attempting to topple the shogunate with the assistance of others, particularly Dakuan and Kagero. Kagero is a ninja, and Dakuan is a former spy.
Ninja Scroll is considered one of the most important anime films, having influenced films such as Ghost in the Shell and The Matrix.
25. Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2017)
“Mary and the Witch’s Flower” is the first feature film from Studio Ponoc. It’s the fascinating story of Mary Smith, who discovers a rare flower known as fly-by-night in Northern England.
The flower is nicknamed fly-by-night because the powder contained in its bulbs may turn you into a witch, as she would soon learn. There is no way to miss this.
24. Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise (1987)
Hiroyuki Yamaga’s “Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise” has long been regarded as one of the greater anime of the 1980s. In Yamaga’s film, set on an alternative Earth, humans have yet to go into space.
The flying sequences are breathtaking, and we cannot help but root for the world’s first astronaut. We ought to sit tight and enjoy the thrill.
23. Barefoot Gen (1983)
Barefoot Gen takes place during the Hiroshima bombs, a vivid depiction of the catastrophe. The finer anime films must sometimes be incredibly emotional and realistic.
The narrative has similarities to Grave of the Fireflies. However, it is less cartoonish and more realistic, not just in terms of graphic style but also in terms of plot. Yet, it serves the film brilliantly.
22. Summer Wars (2009)
This story is half cyber-thriller, part family dramedy. It follows math genius Kenji Koiso, who works for OZ, a business that creates a computer-simulated virtual reality world. When his account is hijacked and an AI avatar terrorizes OZ, Kenji must discover out way to stop the damage before it affects the real world.
His buddy Natsuki Shinohara and her large family, proud descendants of a samurai clan, are assisting him.
21. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)
Here, we have an action/adventure film based on Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D series of novels. This film’s animation is flawless, and the subject and concepts are engrossing. D is charged with tracking down the daughter of a wealthy man who has been kidnapped by a vampire in a combination of western, Dracula, and drama.
Things heat up rapidly, and things aren’t as they appear. This is an unusual and entertaining anime film.
20. From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
This animation depicts students attempting to rescue their school’s clubhouse from destruction before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The focus of this story is on the characters. This is because the characters are so powerful, and the theme of friendship is so pervasive and poignant throughout.
Hayao Miyazaki authored the script, which is unsurprising given his characteristic approach. Umi and Shun are two friends who labor tirelessly to keep their clubhouse afloat while strengthening their bond.
19. The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
Directed by Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki, “The Castle of Cagliostro” features gentleman thief Arsène Lupin III as he tries to track down the source of some counterfeit money he stole in the Grand Duchy of Cagliostro while assisting a fleeing bride.
Our suave anti-hero Lupin becomes engaged in the middle of a sinister count’s attempt to marry the princess in order to obtain access to the fabled treasure of Cagliostro.
18. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
The Clock family, four-inch-tall individuals who dwell in a family’s house are introduced in The Secret World of Arrietty. To adorn their own houses, the Clock family borrows tiny objects. However, their daughter Arrietty is discovered while on an excursion.
A girl is informed that her life’s in jeopardy and that she should never associate with humans. This anime film has stunning animation as well as a compelling and poignant narrative about existence, life, and friendship.
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)
Fans of the dark, intellectual, and fascinating Neon Genesis Evangelion must see this anime film. Shinji Ikari and his fellow EVA pilots battle strange life forms known as “Angels.”
This anime film and series contain deep conceptual material, emotionally draining scenes, and musings about humanity’s destiny. The EVA pilots are tasked with the near-impossible mission of defending Earth from approaching angels, a supernatural force that is by no means indestructible.
16. Paprika (2006)
“Paprika” is Satoshi Kon’s fourth and final film. It tells the story of a visionary scientist whose innovative technology falls into the wrong hands. Doctor Atsuko Chiba and her team have developed a technology that allows users to enter other people’s dreams.
The psychiatrist’s virtual avatar/alter ego Paprika enters their thoughts to treat them. When the dream technology is stolen, she dives into the dreamworld to solve the mystery.
15. Sword of the Stranger (2007)
Once again, we’re following a great swordsman on his travels, this time across Sengoku period Japan. Kotaro becomes embroiled in the Japanese pandemonium’s disputes. When Kotaru is tasked with assisting an injured individual, he must utilize all of his talents to make it out alive.
The attention to detail in this anime film is incredible. It was awe-inspiring, to say the least.
14. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies is the dramatic, tragic narrative of brother and sister Seito and Setsuko fighting to live during and after World War II. It begins with a firebombing in Kobe, the loss of their mother, and the terrible battle for life in a country ripped apart by war.
If you want to see beautiful animation and witness a compelling tale about the relationship between two siblings, this is the one to watch.
13. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
The enormously successful and outrageously gorgeous neo-noir sci-fi series has been made into a feature film. Spike, Faye, Jet, Edward, and Ein are back to track down a terrorist who wants to use a terrible virus to wipe out the people of Mars.
Director Shinichiro Watanabe has stated that he saw Cowboy Bebop as a series of mini-movies. Fans of the anime will not be disappointed. It maintains the unique aesthetic of the anime.
12. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
The “Dragon Ball” franchise is so popular that even people who have only a passing interest in anime know about it. Japanese artist Akira Toriyama initially adapted his own manga series in the 1980s.
There have been dozens of spinoff films since then, but by far the greatest is “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” released in 2018. The film follows Goku and Vegeta as they encounter a powerful Saiyan named Broly.
11. A Silent Voice (2016)
A Silent Voice tells the story of Shya, a young kid who finds himself on a bridge on the verge of suicide. Shya had been tormenting Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf kid, and had separated himself from his peers, as a result, becoming a victim of bullying himself.
Throughout the film, he sets out on a quest for atonement with her. This is a fantastic anime film that sends a powerful anti-bullying message.
10. Wolf Children (2012)
Hana, the human mother of half-wolf/half-human hybrids, struggles to raise them as a single parent after her partner dies, the focus of Wolf Children. This anime film depicts a compassionate portrayal of a single mother attempting to provide for her children following a loss.
Hana has to hide the knowledge that her children can transform into human and wolf forms. Overall, it’s a lovely narrative about family, growing up, and standing for people you care about.
9. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
It follows Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg cop, and Batou searching New Port City for a mysterious hacker known as “The Puppet Master” in the mid-twentieth century. The Matrix and other cyberpunk novels have been influenced by this anime film.
Ghost in the Shell has a Metacritic score of 76, indicating that it received positive reviews. Users have praised the game for striking a perfect blend of tranquillity, serenity, and neo-noir action.
8. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Hayao Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle” is roughly based on the Diana Wynne Jones novel of the same name. This captivating steampunk story is set in a war-torn kingdom where magic and the mechanical coexist.
Sophie, a skilled hatmaker, is transformed into an elderly woman following a meeting with the vengeful Witch of the Waste. She embarks on a journey to break the spell, which brings her to the titular castle.
7. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Users agree that Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is among Miyazaki’s finer works of all time. The beauty and richness of each area will nearly take your attention away from the game. The tale, on the other hand, is equally lovely.
It follows Nausicaä as she seeks to preserve an insect-infested forest from a monarchy attempting to eliminate it. It takes place 1,000 years after a devastating conflict that obliterated the industrialized world.
6. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
“My Neighbor Totoro” by Hayao Miyazaki highlights Japanese pop culture. It follows Satsuki and Mei, two sisters who have recently moved to the countryside with their father.
Their new home is ancient and drafty, but it is close to the hospital where their ill mother is being treated. After the girls encounter Totoro in a neighboring forest, he becomes their protector.
5. Princess Monoke (1997)
Princess Mononoke is a powerful anime film that covers a number of themes, including environmental concerns and wildlife protection. Mononoke depicts the narrative of Ashitaka, who is seeking a cure for a curse and becomes embroiled in a fight between woodland spirits and an evil mining business, which is unusually violent for a Ghibli picture.
This picture has some of Miyazaki’s greatest high-octane cartoons, and it’s bloody but beautiful. So, sit tight and enjoy.
4. Akira (1988)
From the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the “Anpo” student demonstrations of that era through the country’s economic growth and the then-nascent counterculture of Bosozoku racing, Akira is a film whose roots and style are intimately entrenched in the history of postwar Japan.
Akira is a film with numerous themes, not the least of which is a disguised anti-nuclear fable and a rant against rapacious capitalism and “progressive” arrogance. It is also a narration of best friend
3. Your Name (2016)
The drama, fantasy, and romance in Your Name are all well-balanced. Taki and Mitsuha, the two main protagonists, are drawn to one other, and everything seems to be related to a strange environmental calamity.
I wish I had more to say, but it is truly a piece of art that must be seen to be believed. This is one of the most loved rom-com anime movies of the audience.
2. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
Time travel movies are one of my favorites. Mokoto, a teen who has the ability to travel across time, is ignorant of the effects of her actions on people in the past. However, Mokoto demonstrates that it isn’t that simple or without repercussions. I was torn emotionally by this film.
It’s meant to be about time travel, but it ends up being a fantastic lesson on life and the importance of our decisions.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
Nothing compares to seeing Spirited Away for the first time. Chihiro fleeing wildly through the streets after discovering her parents had been changed into pigs while the town around her comes to live as lights flicker into existence and spirits spring up from the soil is nothing short of amazing..
Spirited Away cemented Hayao Miyazaki’s place in the pantheon of the greatest animators of all time and assured his legacy for decades to come.