Introduction to my List of Favorite Anime Movies:
I am a huge anime buff and this is a simple list of what I would consider to be the Best Anime Movies out there. These are great for both those who are new to the world of anime or those who are long time fans. Some of the anime movies on this list may be rated R and may not be suitable for children – so please check to ensure the rating if needed.
A Whisker Away:
The anime A Whisker Away is a heartwarming story about a girl named Miyo Sasaki who falls in love with a boy in her class, Kento Hinode. However, she soon discovers that he is spending time with another girl, and she becomes determined to win him over. She turns to the local cat spirit, Nyaa-san, for help in becoming a cat so she can get closer to Kento. However, as she spends more time as a cat, she begins to realize that there is more to life than just winning over her crush. A Whisker Away is a charming story about love, friendship, and learning to be yourself.
A Silent Voice:
A Silent Voice is a touching anime movie about a boy in school that bullied and made fun of a mute girl who only wanted to make friends. Later in life he felt bad for being a bully and attempts to make it up to her.
Boy and the Beast, The:
The Boy and the Beast is a 2015 Japanese animated film directed by Mamoru Hosoda. The film follows Ren, a 9-year old boy who runs away from home and finds himself in a parallel world of beasts. There, he befriends Kumatetsu, a wild and untamed beast who is also searching for meaning in life. The two forge an unlikely bond as they begin to train together. The Boy and the Beast is a heartwarming story about friendship, growing up, and finding one’s place in the world. The film’s beautiful animation and endearing characters have charmed audiences of all ages, making The Boy and the Beast one of Hosoda’s most popular films.
Blue Submarine No. 6:
The anime Blue Submarine No. 6 is set in a future world where the planet has been flooded by a rise in sea levels. The only way to survive is to live in giant submarines. The story follows Tsubasa, a young man who joins the Blue Submarine, a submarine that is fighting against the forces of the Black Fleet. Tsubasa must use all of his skills to help the Blue Submarine defeat the Black Fleet and save the world.
The animation is kinda hit and miss. Sometimes it is great then other times it is terrible CG. But if you watch alot of older anime then this one could be for you.
Brave Story:
Brave Story (2006) is a fantasy anime movie based on the novel of the same name by Miyuki Miyabe. It tells the story of Tatsuya, an 11-year-old boy who enters another world to save his mysterious friend Miki from a dark fate. With help from some unlikely allies, Tatsuya embarks on a dangerous journey through a magical land full of Gods, monsters and powerful forces.
Castle in the Sky:
Castle in the Sky (1986) is a classic anime movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It tells the story of an orphaned girl named Sheeta who escapes from pirates with the help of a young engineer, Pazu. Together they search for a legendary floating castle known as Laputa.
Dofus:
A French animation about a group of kids who fight a Witch to regain a Dofus (Dragons Egg). Dofus belongs to the Wakfu series and I would recommend to any Wakfu fans. The only thing I think could have been better about the movie was the soundtrack was lacking. It makes up for the OST by having characters that are really likable.
Escaflowne:
Hitomi, a Taro card reader, gets pulled into the world of Gaia where she attempts to see the future results of a war between factions. The movie is a re-telling of the animated series of the same name. Fantastic art and great characters!
Full Metal Alchemist:
There are movies for both the Original version and Brotherhood versions. They are not as good as the series however if you enjoyed the series then the movies are a must.
Howls Moving Castle:
Miyazaki’s follow-up to Castle in the Sky, Howl’s Moving Castle is another classic anime movie. The story follows a young girl named Sophie who is transformed into an old woman by an evil witch. In her new form she meets with the mysterious wizard Howl and his magical moving castle.
Karas:
Karas is a Japanese anime that aired from 2007 to 2009. The show was created by Masakazu Katsura and directed by Keiichi Satou. It follows the story of two friends, Yuma and Koyomi, who become Karas, or protective spirits, in order to save the city from evil forces. Karas is known for its unique visual style and was also praised for its complex and well-written plot. While it only ran for two seasons, Karas remains a cult classic among anime fans.
Legend of Hei, The:
The Legend of Hei is an anime movie rich in Chinese culture and mythology. It tells the story of a young spirit, Hei, as he embarks on a life-changing journey of exploration and discovery. Along the way, Hei encounters fantastic creatures and powerful supernatural forces that challenge his strength and resolve. The masterful animation combined with adventurous characters make The Legend of Hei a must watch for any lover of anime.
Made in Abyss:
Rated R for sure. Made in Abyss is actually a pretty messed up anime. It has alot of that Japanese Anime stuff in it so if you cannot get past that then the show is not for you. Easily one of the most twisted shows to watch. Has one of the best bad-guys in all of anime in my opinion and all of the main characters are really fun except the main chick is boring. They have three movies out which cuts all of the fluff out of the first season. The third movie takes place in between seasons one and two. Then after you watch the three movies you can then start season two. Abyss is not for children even though it may look like it would be due to its art style.
Origin: Spirits of the Past:
Origin: Spirits of the Past is a Japanese anime film that was released in 2006. The film was directed by Keiichi Sugiyama, and it was produced by Studio GONZO. Origin: Spirits of the Past tells the story of a future world that has been polluted and despoiled by a war between humans and forest Fairies. The protagonist, Agito, is a young boy who lives in a village near the edge of the forest. One day, he discovers a mysterious girl named Tula, who has come from the future. They set out on a journey to find the Origin of the Forest and restore balance to their world. Origin: Spirits of the Past is a visually stunning film that features beautiful animation and an intriguing story. It is considered to be one of the best anime films of all time, and it is definitely worth watching.
Princess Mononoke:
Princess Mononoke is a 1997 anime film produced by Studio Ghibli. The historical fantasy film tells the story of Princess Mononoke, a young woman raised by wolves who becomes involved in a struggle between humans and the forest Spirit. Princess Mononoke is ultimately a story about the damaging effects of greed and hatred, and the importance of working together to protect the natural world. The film’s protagonist, Ashitaka, becomes caught up in this conflict when he is cursed by a demon. His journey to find a cure for his curse leads him to Princess Mononoke and the forest Spirit, and ultimately helps him to understand the importance of working together to save the natural world. Princess Mononoke is an excellent example of Studio Ghibli’s masterful storytelling and is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.
This one is my personal favorite and was my introduction to Anime. It is a must watch!
Pokemon Mewtwo Strikes Back:
Released in 1998, Pokémon: The First Movie, otherwise known as Mewtwo Strikes Back, was the first ever Pokémon movie. It tells the story of a powerful and intelligent Pokémon named Mewtwo, who was created in a laboratory using DNA from the legendary Pokémon Mew. After realizing that he is nothing more than a tool to be used by humans, Mewtwo rebels and vows to destroy all humans. This sets the stage for a massive battle between Mewtwo and a group of trainers led by Ash Ketchum, who is determined to prove that Pokémon and humans can coexist peacefully.
If you enjoy older movies that may have bad voice acting and such at times then this is a must watch for Pokemon fans.
SAO (Sword Art Online) The Movie:
Yes that is correct. SAO has a movie. SAO is not for everyone. However, if you enjoyed the series than you should watch the movie. Guild members team up using Augmented Reality Head Sets so that they can play the game using a VR head-set but they run around in public places such as parks and malls.
Suzume:
A cute anime about a girl that gets caught up in trying to save Japan from earthquakes. Along the way of her journey she meets new people and discovers things about herself that she did not know.
Spirited Away:
Spirited Away (2001) is one of the most acclaimed films from Hayao Miyazaki. It tells the story of a young girl named Chihiro who finds herself trapped in a strange spirit world where she must work to regain her freedom.
Secrets of NIMH:
The anime Secrets of NIMH is set in a world where animals have developed human-like intelligence. The story follows Mrs. Brisby, a mouse who must move her family to safety before the farmer plows his field. With the help of some magical creatures, she sets out on a journey to save her family.
Secrets of NIMH is a heartwarming film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it. The story is touching and the animation is beautiful. If you’re a fan of animal characters, then this is a must-see.
Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse:
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse tells the story of Spider-Man Miles Morales, who is bitten by a radioactive spider and gains superpowers similar to Spider-Man Peter Parker. When Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, opens a dimensional portal to bring Spider-Men from different universes to his own in order to kill them, Morales must team up with these Spider-Men to stop Kingpin and return everyone to their own universes.
Secret World of Arrietty, The:
The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) is a family-friendly anime movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It tells the story of a race of tiny people living in secret beneath the floors and walls of a human home. The main characters, Arrietty and her family, must remain hidden as they collect items from the humans to survive.
Sonic the Movie 1999 OVA:
The Sonic the Movie 1999 OVA is a Japanese animated direct-to-video movie adaptation of the popular Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise. The movie was produced by Sega Corporation and directed by Hirokazu Yasuhara, who also served as the game’s lead designer. It was released in Japan on December 23, 1999 and in North America on March 14, 2000.
The plot of the movie revolves around Sonic and his friends Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose as they attempt to stop Dr. Eggman from using the Chaos Emeralds to power his Death Egg II space station. Along the way, they are joined by a mysterious creature called Mighty the Armadillo, who helps them in their quest. The movie features several action-packed scenes and a high level of animation quality, making it a must-see for fans of the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series.
The only complaint that I have about this movie is the voice acting is very rough to sit through. But if you are a Sonic fan then this is a must watch as the dark anime style and world is amazing.
Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike:
Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike is a 2009 anime film that serves as a prequel to the 2010 video game Tales of Vesperia. The film focuses on Yuri Lowell, a young man from the lower class who dreams of becoming a knight. When he meets Estellise Sidos Heurassein, a princess who has run away from her kingdom, Yuri agrees to help her return home. Along the way, they are joined by Flynn Scifo, a former knight; Repede, Yuri’s faithful dog; Ragou, Estellise’s bodyguard; and Karol Capel, a young street urchin. Together, they must stop Duke’s conspiracy to overthrow the king and take control of the kingdom. Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike is an exciting adventure that is sure to please fans of the Tales series.
Vampire Hunter: D:
Vampire Hunter: D is a Japanese anime series based on the Vampire Hunter D novel series by Hideyuki Kikuchi. Vampire Hunter: D follows the story of D, a dhampir (half-human, half-vampire) who is hired to protect a young woman named Charlotte Elbourne from Count Magnus Lee, a Vampire Lord who intends to make her his bride. The anime was well-received upon its release and has been praised for its stylish visuals and compelling story. Vampire Hunter: D is considered to be one of the finest examples of anime from the 1980s and remains popular with fans of the genre to this day.
Wolf Children:
Wolf Children is a Japanese anime film that was released in 2012. The film tells the story of a woman named Hana who falls in love with a Wolf Man and has two children with him. One day the Wolf Man dies, and Hana is left to raise the children on her own. The film follows the family as they adjust to life in the countryside and learn to cope with the fact that their children are half-wolf. Wolf Children is a heartwarming story about family, love, and acceptance. The film’s visuals are stunning, and the characters are memorable and relatable. Wolf Children is an excellent example of an anime that appeals to a wide range of viewers.
Witcher: The Animation:
If you are a fan of the live action series on Netflix then you should know that there is an anime movie that takes place before the series. Even if you have not seen the live action series the Witcher anime movie is fantastic. Great story, animation, character development and this anime movie ties lightly into the live action series.
Can be found on Netflix.
When Marnie was There:
When Marnie Was There (2014) is another classic anime movie from Hayao Miyazaki. It follows the story of an introverted girl named Anna who discovers a mysterious abandoned house that she soon realizes has ties to her past. As the story unfolds, Anna finds herself drawn to the secrets hidden within the walls of the mansion and makes a connection with a strange girl named Marnie.
Your Name:
Your Name is a 2016 anime film that was written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. The story follows Taki, a high school boy in Tokyo, and Mitsuha, a high school girl in the countryside who wish they could swap places. One day, their wishes come true and they find themselves in each other’s bodies. As they get to know each other better, they begin to fall in love. But when a disaster threatens to destroy their homes, they must find a way to save each other.
Your Name is a beautiful and heartwarming film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it. The story is touching and the animation is stunning.
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