List of 20 Best Anime Movies
The list of best anime movies includes a mix of old classics and newer hits that have made a big impact on anime worldwide.
We picked these movies based on things like how well they tell their stories, how important they are culturally, and how much they’ve influenced other films and TV shows.
The list covers lots of different types of stories, like adventures, science fiction, and love stories, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
We made sure to include movies that have really stood out and left a lasting impression, inspiring both fans and other filmmakers.
From magical worlds to heartfelt tales, these movies showcase the amazing creativity and diversity found in anime.
List of 20 Best Anime Movies
The list includes a variety of styles, themes, and time periods, featuring some of the most highly praised and cherished anime movies.
1.Spirited Away (2001)
“Spirited Away,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, tells the story of a young girl named Chihiro. One day, she and her parents stumble upon a strange amusement park. But it’s not a normal park, it’s a magical world filled with spirits and gods.
Chihiro’s parents eat some magical food and turn into pigs. To save them, Chihiro must work for a powerful witch named Yubaba. Along the way, she meets a boy named Haku, who helps her.
Chihiro faces many challenges and learns important lessons about bravery and friendship. Through her adventures, she grows stronger and eventually finds a way to rescue her parents and return home.
2.Akira (1988)
“Akira,” directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, is an action-packed anime set in a futuristic city called Neo-Tokyo. The story follows two friends, Kaneda and Tetsuo, who get caught up in a dangerous government plot.
After a big explosion, Neo-Tokyo is rebuilt but is still troubled by violence and unrest. Kaneda and Tetsuo, part of a motorcycle gang, get involved when Tetsuo gains strange psychic powers.
As Tetsuo struggles to control his newfound abilities, Kaneda and his friends try to stop him from causing more damage. Along the way, they discover dark secrets about government experiments and a mysterious figure named Akira.
“Akira” is known for its intense action and gripping storyline, making it a classic in the world of anime.
3.My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
“My Neighbor Totoro,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is a sweet story set in the countryside of Japan. It’s about two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to a new home with their dad while their mom is sick in the hospital.
In their new place, they meet magical creatures called Totoros who live in the nearby forest. Satsuki and Mei become friends with these big, cuddly creatures and have fun adventures with them.
Even though they’re dealing with some tough stuff, like their mom being sick, the sisters find happiness and comfort in their friendship with the Totoros. The movie is full of lovely animation and teaches us about courage, family, and friendship.
4.Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
“Grave of the Fireflies,” directed by Isao Takahata, is a sad but powerful animated film set during World War II in Japan. It tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, who struggle to survive after their home is destroyed by bombs.
With their parents gone, Seita, who is a teenager, takes care of his little sister Setsuko. They face hunger, sickness, and the cruelty of war. Despite Seita’s efforts, their situation gets worse, leading to a tragic ending.
The movie shows the harsh reality of war and how it affects innocent people, especially children. It’s a sad but important story about love, sacrifice, and the impact of war on families.
5.Your Name (2016)
“Your Name,” directed by Makoto Shinkai, is a captivating anime about two teenagers, Taki and Mitsuha, who suddenly start swapping bodies. Taki lives in Tokyo, while Mitsuha is in a rural village.
At first, they’re confused, but they learn to live each other’s lives and leave messages to communicate. Through their experiences, they grow close, even though they’ve never met face-to-face.
Their bond is tested when a disaster threatens Mitsuha’s village. Taki sets out to find her and save her and the village.
“Your Name” is loved for its beautiful animation and touching story about love crossing time and space. It’s a movie that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.
6.Princess Mononoke (1997)
“Princess Mononoke,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is an adventurous animated film set in ancient Japan. It follows a brave warrior named Ashitaka, who gets cursed while protecting his village.
To find a cure, Ashitaka ventures into a magical forest filled with spirits and creatures. There, he meets San, a girl raised by wolves, known as Princess Mononoke, who fights against humans destroying the forest.
The story unfolds as Ashitaka gets caught between humans led by Lady Eboshi, who wants to mine iron, and the forest spirits defending their home. It’s a tale of nature versus industry, with themes of environmentalism and the consequences of human actions.
With its stunning animation and engaging story, “Princess Mononoke” is loved by audiences for its adventure and important messages about respecting nature.
7.Ghost in the Shell (1995)
“Ghost in the Shell,” directed by Mamoru Oshii, is a futuristic anime about Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg officer investigating a hacker named the Puppet Master. Alongside her team, she delves into a complex mystery involving technology and human consciousness.
The movie explores deep questions about what it means to be human, especially for Kusanagi, who is part human and part machine. As she pursues the hacker, she confronts her own identity and the nature of existence.
With its stunning animation and thought-provoking themes, “Ghost in the Shell” has left a lasting impact on the science fiction genre, inspiring many other works.
8.The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” directed by Isao Takahata, is a charming animated film based on a Japanese folktale. It tells the story of a tiny princess found by a bamboo cutter and his wife.
As she grows up, she attracts the attention of many suitors, but longs for the simple life she once had in the forest.
Despite the luxury and attention, Kaguya feels trapped and yearns for freedom. In the end, she must make a difficult choice that changes her life.
9.Perfect Blue (1997)
“Perfect Blue,” directed by Satoshi Kon, is a suspenseful anime movie about Mima Kirigoe, a young pop idol who decides to become an actress.
As she faces pressure from fans and industry, Mima’s grip on reality starts to slip, leading to hallucinations and paranoia.
The movie takes us on a thrilling journey as Mima struggles to separate truth from fiction, with surprising twists along the way.
It’s a gripping story about the dangers of fame and the challenges of staying true to oneself.
10.Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
“Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is an exciting animated movie set in a world destroyed by pollution and overrun by dangerous creatures.
The story follows Princess Nausicaä, who lives in a small valley surrounded by toxic forests. She’s kind and brave, and she understands the creatures of the forests better than anyone.
When war threatens her home and the forests, Nausicaä sets out to stop it and uncover the truth behind the destruction. Along the way, she meets new friends and faces many challenges.
11.Wolf Children (2012)
“Wolf Children,” directed by Mamoru Hosoda, is a touching anime movie about a woman named Hana who falls in love with a man who can turn into a wolf. They have two children, Yuki and Ame, who can also transform.
The story follows Hana as she raises her unique family, facing challenges and joys along the way. As Yuki and Ame grow up, they struggle with their identities and must decide whether to embrace their human or wolf sides.
With its beautiful animation and themes of love and acceptance, “Wolf Children” is a heartwarming film that resonates with audiences of all ages.
12.Paprika (2006)
“Paprika,” directed by Satoshi Kon, is a trippy animated movie about a device that lets therapists enter people’s dreams. When this device is stolen, dreams start merging with reality. Dr. Atsuko Chiba, also known as Paprika in the dream world, teams up with detective Toshimi Konakawa to stop chaos.
As they explore dreams, they encounter strange things like living dolls and giant robots. Along the way, they must face their own fears and solve the mystery behind the stolen device.
13.Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
“Howl’s Moving Castle,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is a wonderful animated movie about a girl named Sophie who gets turned into an old woman by a witch’s spell. She meets a wizard named Howl and his magical moving castle.
As Sophie travels with Howl, she discovers a world full of magic, talking creatures, and flying battles. Along the way, she learns about bravery, friendship, and being true to herself.
14.The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
“The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” directed by Mamoru Hosoda, is an engaging animated film about a high school girl named Makoto Konno. She discovers she can time travel after finding a strange object.
At first, Makoto uses her newfound ability for fun, fixing mistakes and avoiding trouble. But as she realizes the consequences of her actions, she learns valuable lessons about friendship and responsibility.
15.Summer Wars (2009)
“Summer Wars,” directed by Mamoru Hosoda, is an exciting animated movie about a young math whiz named Kenji who joins his classmate Natsuki’s family for a summer celebration.
But their plans take a turn when a dangerous computer virus threatens to cause chaos in a virtual world called Oz.
With the help of Natsuki’s family, Kenji must use his smarts to stop the virus before it’s too late. The movie is full of action, humor, and heartwarming moments, showing the power of teamwork and family.
16.Redline (2009)
“Redline,” directed by Takeshi Koike, is an action-packed anime movie set in a futuristic world where racing is the biggest sport. The story centers on JP, a bold racer who enters the most dangerous race in the galaxy called the Redline.
As JP and other racers compete in this intense race, they face all sorts of challenges and dangers. Along the way, JP forms friendships, battles rivals, and learns important lessons about bravery and determination.
17.The Wind Rises (2013)
“The Wind Rises,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is a touching animated movie about Jiro Horikoshi, a young man who dreams of designing airplanes. Despite facing challenges like poor health, he stays determined to make his dream come true.
Along the way, Jiro falls in love with Naoko, who shares his passion for life. But as World War II approaches, Jiro struggles with the idea that his planes will be used for war.
The film explores themes of love, ambition, and the difficult choices people face during wartime. With its beautiful animation and heartfelt story, “The Wind Rises” is a movie that leaves a lasting impression on its viewers.
18.Millennium Actress (2001)
“Millennium Actress,” directed by Satoshi Kon, is a fascinating anime movie about Chiyoko Fujiwara, a famous actress. The story follows a filmmaker named Genya Tachibana and his cameraman as they interview Chiyoko about her life.
As Chiyoko shares her memories, the movie takes us on a journey through different time periods and film genres. We see Chiyoko’s rise to fame, her romances, and the challenges she faced.
19.The Garden of Words (2013)
“The Garden of Words,” directed by Makoto Shinkai, is a beautiful anime film about a high school student named Takao and a mysterious woman named Yukari. They meet in a garden on rainy days and share their thoughts and feelings.
As they spend time together, Takao and Yukari develop a special connection, finding comfort and understanding in each other’s company. Despite their differences, they help each other face their challenges and grow as individuals.
20.A Silent Voice (2016)
“A Silent Voice,” directed by Naoko Yamada, is an emotional anime movie about a boy named Shoya who used to bully a deaf girl, Shoko, in elementary school. As he grows up, Shoya feels guilty and tries to make amends.
The film follows Shoya’s journey as he reconnects with Shoko and tries to repair their relationship. Along the way, they both learn about forgiveness, friendship, and the importance of communication.
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