Animation is a fantastic tool for telling stories. It has the ability to communicate messages to audiences in ways that live-action films just cannot. Anime has been mainstream entertainment in Japan and, as a result, popular globally, thanks to the Internet, since the 1980s.
Studio Ghibli’s charming tales filled with stunning hand-drawn animations won many fans. Other fans were introduced to anime through the cyberpunk genre, which began with films like Akira (1988) and Ghost in the Shell (1989). (1995). There are anime films for every generation, which has resulted in several overlooked masterpieces that have deservedly received critical acclaim.
A Silent Voice (2016)
Another fantastic entry from Kyoto Animation. A Silent Voice doesn’t hold back when it comes to making spectators cry with its unusual story about a former school bully and his attempt to mature from his infantile personality in front of the camera. The powerful story tackles problems that aren’t generally addressed in popular anime, such as the deaf population and sadness and suicide.
A Silent Voice is a fascinating coming-of-age picture that isn’t afraid to explore difficult issues, despite being overshadowed by Makoto Shinkai’s big success with Your Name (2016). Instead, the film shines at exploiting anime’s adaptable storytelling medium, transforming cliched and frequently disregarded Hollywood side characters into compelling, nuanced characters.
Belladonna of Sadness (1973)
The plot of the Japanese cartoon centers around a purported witch who claims to be the catalyst for the French Revolution. Belladonna of Sadness is a divisive anime, owing to its excessive use of violent graphic images and sexual taboos. Audiences reacted angrily to the film’s discussion of satanic rites.
Putting away its controversial features, Belladonna is a surreal hallucinogenic masterpiece that examines female sexuality and vividly illuminates the miseries of surviving in a chauvinistic culture.
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (1999)
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade is a science fiction political thriller anime that went unnoticed when it first came out. The film is a re-interpretation of the Red Riding Hood story, co-created by Mamoru Oshii, who is responsible for legendary anime such as Ghost in the Shell. The main character is continually torn between his obligation as a cold-blooded killer and his inherent humanity.
Jin-sluggish Roh’s pacing and political commentary may not appeal to everyone, which explains its small fan base. This dystopian film has now been remade, with Illang: The Wolf Brigade, a South Korean adaption, being released in 2018.
Liz and the Blue Bird (2018)
Sound! Euphonium: The Spin-Off is a spin-off sequel to the critically acclaimed and beloved anime series Sound! Euphonium. The friendship between two supporting characters introduced in the anime series’ second season is the subject of the 2018 film adaptation. It’s both a visual feast with dazzling animations and a musical symphony with breathtaking classical music compositions.
Fans of popular shows like Free! and Violet Evergarden should check out this anime film about two ladies who are pursuing separate aspirations but still manage to support each other with unwavering affection, created by Kyoto Animation.
Memories (1995)
Satoshi Kon and Darker Than Black are two of your favorite artists. Take a look at this science fiction anthology film. Memories is a 113-minute anime film that is made up of three unique stories for everyone and anybody who is new to the delights of anime.
Much is expected of Kon’s work, which has been dubbed the “David Lynch of Anime.” Magnetic Rose, the first story, is a hauntingly beautiful narrative about heartbreaks, mixed with terrifying shivers and heart-stopping suspense. Stink Bomb, the sequel, can be described as Dr. Strangelove in a zombie-apocalypse setting, although it is a lighter-hearted part with a dash of political humor. Cannon Fodder brilliantly concludes the anthology with an emphasis on the cynical aftermath of war and destruction, paired with an opera-meets-punk-rock orchestral composition and innovative animations.
Night is Short, Walk On Girl (2017)
Night is Short, Walk on Girl is simply a meet-cute story involving binge drinking and the search for a good book. To characterize the picture in this way, however, would be an understatement.
The 2017 picture is ambitious in its animation style, filled with an excessive quantity of details for fans to pay attention to, bearing the same original creator as other equally appealing works like The Tatami Galaxy and Devilman Crybaby. Not to mention its imaginative exploration with many genres and the incorporation of several seemingly unrelated plotlines.
Only Yesterday (1991)
Only Yesterday is curiously not typically among the names listed when questioned about the best Studio Ghibli films, despite being acclaimed by critics and anime fans alike. The 1991 anime, like other Studio Ghibli films, is an emotionally honest drama about growing up in Japan, with excellent character development and a strong moral conclusion for viewers. Only Yesterday takes pleasure in being one of the first animated films to target an adult audience, particularly women.
This lesser-known Ghibli gem tackles the gender obligations and realistic commitments of Japanese women, bouncing back and forth between childhood recollections and the adult present. This emotional roller-coaster, on the other hand, will appeal to just about everybody who like nostalgia.
The Case of Hana and Alice (2015)
This youth drama film is a prologue to director Shunji Iwai’s live-action picture Hana and Alice, which was released in 2004. It is one of the few animes to use the rotoscoping technique for its animation. Anime series such as Neon-Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop popularized the method previously. With its story about blooming friendship, The Case of Hana and Alice deserves greater affection from audiences, even if it isn’t as popular as the two series described above.
Add in a dash of nostalgia and a scoop of murder mystery. An unorthodox high-school drama that challenges viewers’ perceptions of adolescents, this vital and nostalgic coming-of-age narrative about two nice girls, an introvert and an extrovert, is an essential and nostalgic coming-of-age story about two likable girls, an introvert and an extrovert.
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)
Bloodlust no certainly delights lovers of the original work, as it responds to fan demand for a sequel to Vampire Hunter D (1985). Others are drawn to the surrealist sequel to sink their teeth into this cinematic apex of blood-sucking and monster-slashing.
The violent exploits of D, a half-vampire, half-human vampire hunter, are jam-packed with ghoulish fiends, supernatural events, and sad gothic romance. Bloodlust is not for the faint of heart, with its often ominous undertones and a slew of bogeymen. Nonetheless, this vampire-hunting masterwork features some of the most enticing visual aesthetics, as well as a healthy dosage of romance sequences.
You Are Umasou (2010)
Many will be fooled by its cute animation and unusual title, but this overlooked anime will tug at anyone’s emotions. You Are Umasou, also known as Heart and Yummie, is a popular Japanese picture book series that tells the story of a carnivorous dinosaur who, by chance, becomes a father to a baby vegetarian.
As terrifying as it may sound, the film contains a number of lighthearted moments peppered with funny mishaps. It delves into the true natures of predators and prey, questioning societal prejudices while remaining focused on the film’s compelling tale of familial relationships.
