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Top 50 Anime Movies Thread (Part 1/2):
Excluding OVAs, short films and anthologies (so no Tenshii no Tamago, Birth, Memories, Robot Carnival and others)
Excluding OVAs, short films and anthologies (so no Tenshii no Tamago, Birth, Memories, Robot Carnival and others)
50: Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor the Movie
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Patlabor is one of the most iconic mecha franchises in anime and while it's initial success is due to the OVA, Oshii's reimagining of the world in film format delivers a powerful narrative with great atmosphere.
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Patlabor is one of the most iconic mecha franchises in anime and while it's initial success is due to the OVA, Oshii's reimagining of the world in film format delivers a powerful narrative with great atmosphere.
49: Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
The single most successful anime film in the west lands a spot in the 49th position. Everyone has seen it and just about everyone likes it, as you'd expect from a film produced by one of the most coveted studios in anime.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
The single most successful anime film in the west lands a spot in the 49th position. Everyone has seen it and just about everyone likes it, as you'd expect from a film produced by one of the most coveted studios in anime.
48: Crusher Joe
Director: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Yasuhiko is no stranger to the classic era of anime, contributing to the success of Gundam perhaps as much as the series director Yoshiyuki Tomino and his knack for creating impressive sci-fi anime is showcased greatly in Crusher Joe.
Director: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Yasuhiko is no stranger to the classic era of anime, contributing to the success of Gundam perhaps as much as the series director Yoshiyuki Tomino and his knack for creating impressive sci-fi anime is showcased greatly in Crusher Joe.
47: Kurenai no Buta
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
The 2nd Studio Ghibli film on the list is yet another Miyazaki work. Kurenai no Buta features the most charming protagonist in Ghibli's catalogue and the film is honed by some of the time's greatest talents in animation.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
The 2nd Studio Ghibli film on the list is yet another Miyazaki work. Kurenai no Buta features the most charming protagonist in Ghibli's catalogue and the film is honed by some of the time's greatest talents in animation.
46: Tekkon Kinkreet
Director: Michael Arias
Being produced by the biggest studio in the area of forward thinking anime (Studio 4C) and based on a manga by the great Taiyou Matsumoto, you can expect Tekkon Kinkreet to be nothing short of a visual spectacle, which it is.
Director: Michael Arias
Being produced by the biggest studio in the area of forward thinking anime (Studio 4C) and based on a manga by the great Taiyou Matsumoto, you can expect Tekkon Kinkreet to be nothing short of a visual spectacle, which it is.
45: Aru Machi Kado no Monogatari
Director: Eiichi Yamamoto
Osamu Tezuka is a legend in the realm of manga but not many pay attention to his contribution to anime. Aru Machi provides the viewer with surprisingly good visuals for it's time and a powerful anti-war message.
Director: Eiichi Yamamoto
Osamu Tezuka is a legend in the realm of manga but not many pay attention to his contribution to anime. Aru Machi provides the viewer with surprisingly good visuals for it's time and a powerful anti-war message.
44: Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Lu is perhaps Yuasa's most impressive directorial effort since forming Science SARU. Frequent Yuasa collaborator Shinya Ohira contributed to the film's animation a lot and his work on it alone makes it worth a watch.
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Lu is perhaps Yuasa's most impressive directorial effort since forming Science SARU. Frequent Yuasa collaborator Shinya Ohira contributed to the film's animation a lot and his work on it alone makes it worth a watch.
43: Giovanni no Shima
Director: Mizuho Nishikubo
Giovanni is yet another war themed film on the list but this time the narrativeis a lot more personal while still featuring the highly artistic merits that Aru Machi possesses. The work is beautiful and masterfully crafted.
Director: Mizuho Nishikubo
Giovanni is yet another war themed film on the list but this time the narrativeis a lot more personal while still featuring the highly artistic merits that Aru Machi possesses. The work is beautiful and masterfully crafted.
42: Vampire Hunter D
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Bloodlust is no doubt an anime with some of the most detailed art and animation. It replicates the feel of Yoshitaka Amano's cover arts for the novel series and tells a good story with interesting characters while doing so.
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Bloodlust is no doubt an anime with some of the most detailed art and animation. It replicates the feel of Yoshitaka Amano's cover arts for the novel series and tells a good story with interesting characters while doing so.
41: Metropolis
Director: Rintaro
The 2nd film on the list that can be affiliated with Tezuka is no doubt a great one. Metropolis takes a classic Tezuka story and molds it into something greater while showcasing the early prowess of digital animation.
Director: Rintaro
The 2nd film on the list that can be affiliated with Tezuka is no doubt a great one. Metropolis takes a classic Tezuka story and molds it into something greater while showcasing the early prowess of digital animation.
40: Youjuu Toshi
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Just like Bloodlust or any other Kawajiri project YT takes upon itself to feature detailed animation alongside telling a mature story with lots of gore. What puts this one above Bloodlust is that the characters are more well developed.
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Just like Bloodlust or any other Kawajiri project YT takes upon itself to feature detailed animation alongside telling a mature story with lots of gore. What puts this one above Bloodlust is that the characters are more well developed.
39: Redline
Director: Takeshi Koike
Redline famously took 7 years to create and you can see that in it's quality. The film is well paced and features the most exciting opening sequence in all of anime alongside having some of the best world building among anime movies.
Director: Takeshi Koike
Redline famously took 7 years to create and you can see that in it's quality. The film is well paced and features the most exciting opening sequence in all of anime alongside having some of the best world building among anime movies.
38: Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Birthed by the success of the Nausicaä manga. The film version of the story while drastically different is a landmark piece in Pre-Akira anime, being a tour de force of individuals who would go on to define Akira's quality.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Birthed by the success of the Nausicaä manga. The film version of the story while drastically different is a landmark piece in Pre-Akira anime, being a tour de force of individuals who would go on to define Akira's quality.
37: K-On! Movie
Director: Naoko Yamada
Yamada has been staple name in the newer generation of creative individuals within anime since her inception but her rise to stardom came with K-On. The film acts as the conclusion to the anime series and brings great emotional pay off.
Director: Naoko Yamada
Yamada has been staple name in the newer generation of creative individuals within anime since her inception but her rise to stardom came with K-On. The film acts as the conclusion to the anime series and brings great emotional pay off.
36: Sennen Joyuu
Director: Satoshi Kon
Kon's work needs no introduction. He crafts magical plots and brings some of the industry's biggest talents to work on them under his direction. SJ is my 3rd favorite of his films and has in my opinion Susumu Hirasawa's finest soundtrack.
Director: Satoshi Kon
Kon's work needs no introduction. He crafts magical plots and brings some of the industry's biggest talents to work on them under his direction. SJ is my 3rd favorite of his films and has in my opinion Susumu Hirasawa's finest soundtrack.
35: Mimi wo Sumaseba
Director: Yoshifumi Kondou
MwS is the only film that Kondou got to direct before his death but his debut is a memorable one for sure and filled with love and soul. The 2 main characters are great and the Naohisa Inoue sequence is among the best in anime.
Director: Yoshifumi Kondou
MwS is the only film that Kondou got to direct before his death but his debut is a memorable one for sure and filled with love and soul. The 2 main characters are great and the Naohisa Inoue sequence is among the best in anime.
34: Hashire Melos
Director: Tomoharu Katsumata
Melos is based on a classic Japanese novel by the same name. The film's narrative is epic and the setting is nothing short of fascinating. It features great animation too due to having numerous talented names attached to itself.
Director: Tomoharu Katsumata
Melos is based on a classic Japanese novel by the same name. The film's narrative is epic and the setting is nothing short of fascinating. It features great animation too due to having numerous talented names attached to itself.
33: Crayon Shin-chan Movie 24
Director: Wataru Takahashi
Shin-chan movies can be good but once you appoint a talented director like Takahashi on the work you are in for greatness. Exploring themes of existentialism and surrealism, Shin-chan 24 is surprisingly thought provoking.
Director: Wataru Takahashi
Shin-chan movies can be good but once you appoint a talented director like Takahashi on the work you are in for greatness. Exploring themes of existentialism and surrealism, Shin-chan 24 is surprisingly thought provoking.
32: Ouritsu Uchuugun: Honneamise no Tsubasa
Director: Hiroyuki Yamaga
Honneamise features one of the most well thought out sci-fi worlds in anime and a lovely cast that brings life to it. Not only that but Hideaki Anno's rocket sequence is one the his most impressive cuts.
Director: Hiroyuki Yamaga
Honneamise features one of the most well thought out sci-fi worlds in anime and a lovely cast that brings life to it. Not only that but Hideaki Anno's rocket sequence is one the his most impressive cuts.
31: Kaze Tachinu
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki's latest and likely 2nd to last film is certainly one of his best and no doubt his most personal one thus far. The narrative feels almost autobiographical and features everything you'd expect from a Miyazaki film.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki's latest and likely 2nd to last film is certainly one of his best and no doubt his most personal one thus far. The narrative feels almost autobiographical and features everything you'd expect from a Miyazaki film.
30: Escaflowne
Director: Kazuki Akane
Creator Shoji Kawamori has a special talent for birthing TV anime that go on to have spectacular movie versions. Escaflowne is perhaps the best anime that the isekai genre can offer and it's opening sequence is 2nd only to Redline's.
Director: Kazuki Akane
Creator Shoji Kawamori has a special talent for birthing TV anime that go on to have spectacular movie versions. Escaflowne is perhaps the best anime that the isekai genre can offer and it's opening sequence is 2nd only to Redline's.
29: Gake no Ue no Ponyo
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Ponyo acted as clear inspiration for Lu so it's subsequent appearance on the list should come off as no surprise. It's Miyazaki's most artistically impressive film and features lovely and lively characters to accompany the visuals.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Ponyo acted as clear inspiration for Lu so it's subsequent appearance on the list should come off as no surprise. It's Miyazaki's most artistically impressive film and features lovely and lively characters to accompany the visuals.
28: The End of Evangelion
Director: Hideaki Anno
End of Eva is one of the biggest titles within anime movies and all of it's praises have been repeated to no end. Narrative elements aside it features some of the best cuts from Mitsuo Iso and Yoh Yoshinari.
Director: Hideaki Anno
End of Eva is one of the biggest titles within anime movies and all of it's praises have been repeated to no end. Narrative elements aside it features some of the best cuts from Mitsuo Iso and Yoh Yoshinari.
27: Majo no Takkyuubin
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
The final Miyazaki film on the list and my favorite of his works is Kiki. It features great animation as you'd expect but it's the main character and the setting that truly make it his best for me.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
The final Miyazaki film on the list and my favorite of his works is Kiki. It features great animation as you'd expect but it's the main character and the setting that truly make it his best for me.
26: Cello Hiki no Gauche
Director: Isao Takahata
The first Takahata entry on the list is not one of his Ghibli productions, but instead something he directed before Ghibli. Gauche is a heartfelt story about passion and it's one of Takahata's most emotionally engaging works.
Director: Isao Takahata
The first Takahata entry on the list is not one of his Ghibli productions, but instead something he directed before Ghibli. Gauche is a heartfelt story about passion and it's one of Takahata's most emotionally engaging works.
25: Urusei Yatsura Movie 2
Director: Mamoru Oshii
In a typical Oshii way he once again takes a comedy TV anime and molds it into an atmospheric and thoughtful movie form. Beautiful Dreamer keeps the charm of the UY characters but mixes in qualities more seen in his other movies.
Director: Mamoru Oshii
In a typical Oshii way he once again takes a comedy TV anime and molds it into an atmospheric and thoughtful movie form. Beautiful Dreamer keeps the charm of the UY characters but mixes in qualities more seen in his other movies.
24: Mind Game
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Yuasa's debut film is not just his best effort in feature length anime, but one of the best in general. He implements various stylistic choices and techniques to keep it constantly engaging but also features the wildest plot he has worked on.
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Yuasa's debut film is not just his best effort in feature length anime, but one of the best in general. He implements various stylistic choices and techniques to keep it constantly engaging but also features the wildest plot he has worked on.
23: Tokyo Godfathers
Director: Satoshi Kon
Godfathers goes unjustly unseen among Kon's feature works despite being his 2nd for me. Despite lacking the supernatural atmosphere that his other films have it doesn't fail when it comes to delivering a thoughtful and emotional plot.
Director: Satoshi Kon
Godfathers goes unjustly unseen among Kon's feature works despite being his 2nd for me. Despite lacking the supernatural atmosphere that his other films have it doesn't fail when it comes to delivering a thoughtful and emotional plot.
22: Lupin III: Lupin vs. Fukusei-ningen
Director: Souji Yoshikawa
Mamo is my favorite of the Lupin movies by far. The visuals in this movie are extraordinary as it references high art and features lots of wonderful color palettes. The plot is also fun as you'd expect from Lupin.
Director: Souji Yoshikawa
Mamo is my favorite of the Lupin movies by far. The visuals in this movie are extraordinary as it references high art and features lots of wonderful color palettes. The plot is also fun as you'd expect from Lupin.
21: Kaguya-hime no Monogatari
Director: Isao Takahata
Kaguya-hime is a stand out film in Takahata's filmography due to the very distinctive art style. It tells an emotional story that offers subtext beyond the feelings and features wonderful background art and animation.
Director: Isao Takahata
Kaguya-hime is a stand out film in Takahata's filmography due to the very distinctive art style. It tells an emotional story that offers subtext beyond the feelings and features wonderful background art and animation.
20: Jin-Roh
Director: Hiroyuki Okiura
Written by Mamoru Oshii Jin-Roh is a story with very apparent social commentary and a touching plot. Where it truly shines is in Okiura's involvement, thanks to whom it's one of the most technically impressive anime of the digital era.
Director: Hiroyuki Okiura
Written by Mamoru Oshii Jin-Roh is a story with very apparent social commentary and a touching plot. Where it truly shines is in Okiura's involvement, thanks to whom it's one of the most technically impressive anime of the digital era.
19: Perfect Blue
Director: Satoshi Kon
Perfect Blue is yet another anime that needs no introduction. It's my favorite Kon movie and the favorite of many others as well. It's a very thrilling movie with haunting atmosphere.
Director: Satoshi Kon
Perfect Blue is yet another anime that needs no introduction. It's my favorite Kon movie and the favorite of many others as well. It's a very thrilling movie with haunting atmosphere.
18: Omoide Poroporo
Director: Isao Takahata
My favorite of Takahata's works is one of my overall favorite anime as well. Poroporo does a wonderful job in portraying mundane everyday life alongside featuring great direction in it's childhood segments.
Director: Isao Takahata
My favorite of Takahata's works is one of my overall favorite anime as well. Poroporo does a wonderful job in portraying mundane everyday life alongside featuring great direction in it's childhood segments.
17: Innocence
Director: Mamoru Oshii
The sequel to Oshii's classic anime movie partially surpasses the original, such as in it's character acting, which is some of the best we have seen in anime. The plot is a great, thrilling and thought provoking tale of A.I as you'd expect.
Director: Mamoru Oshii
The sequel to Oshii's classic anime movie partially surpasses the original, such as in it's character acting, which is some of the best we have seen in anime. The plot is a great, thrilling and thought provoking tale of A.I as you'd expect.
16: Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni
Director: Sunao Katabuchi
Katabuchi's adaptation of Fumiyo Kouno's masterpiece manga falls nothing short of greatness. Featuring the touching story of the source material it adds another dimension to the work with great sound and art direction.
Director: Sunao Katabuchi
Katabuchi's adaptation of Fumiyo Kouno's masterpiece manga falls nothing short of greatness. Featuring the touching story of the source material it adds another dimension to the work with great sound and art direction.
15: Colorful
Director: Keiichi Hara
Colorful is one of the most personal anime movies ever made and it's subject matter includes themes such as death, suicide and fractured families. The story is original and incredibly touching with great direction as you'd expect from Hara.
Director: Keiichi Hara
Colorful is one of the most personal anime movies ever made and it's subject matter includes themes such as death, suicide and fractured families. The story is original and incredibly touching with great direction as you'd expect from Hara.
14: Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 the Movie
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Patlabor 2 takes the seriousness of the first Patlabor movie and turns it to the max. Comedy is completely discarded in favor of grandiose atmosphere mostly delivered by Kawai and Wakabayashi, and social commentary.
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Patlabor 2 takes the seriousness of the first Patlabor movie and turns it to the max. Comedy is completely discarded in favor of grandiose atmosphere mostly delivered by Kawai and Wakabayashi, and social commentary.
13: Momo e no Tegami
Director: Hiroyuki Okiura
Momo is a successor to Okiura's directorial debut Jin-Roh, and surpasses it completely. It does a great job in incorporating Japanese folklore into the narrative and has perhaps the best character animation in feature length anime.
Director: Hiroyuki Okiura
Momo is a successor to Okiura's directorial debut Jin-Roh, and surpasses it completely. It does a great job in incorporating Japanese folklore into the narrative and has perhaps the best character animation in feature length anime.
12: Spriggan
Director: Hirotsugu Kawasaki
Spriggan is an action movie at it's score and it delivers some of the best action sequences in all of anime. The main character is charming and fun to follow and the overall narrative is engaging and filled with twists.
Director: Hirotsugu Kawasaki
Spriggan is an action movie at it's score and it delivers some of the best action sequences in all of anime. The main character is charming and fun to follow and the overall narrative is engaging and filled with twists.
11: Koukaku Kidoutai
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Oshii's sci-fi classic is a great anime. It's certainly one of the most well directed anime and it has one of the most thoughtful plots as well. It features great action scenes and it's greatest traits are the acoustics and animation.
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Oshii's sci-fi classic is a great anime. It's certainly one of the most well directed anime and it has one of the most thoughtful plots as well. It features great action scenes and it's greatest traits are the acoustics and animation.
10: Shoujo Kakumei Utena: Adolescence Mokushiroku
Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara
"End of Eva, but even more allegorical" is a phrase that describes Ikuhara's film variation of Utena. Everything is symbolic and it's all conveyed with beautiful visuals and some of the best direction.
Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara
"End of Eva, but even more allegorical" is a phrase that describes Ikuhara's film variation of Utena. Everything is symbolic and it's all conveyed with beautiful visuals and some of the best direction.
9: The Sky Crawlers
Director: Mamoru Oshii
The final Oshii film on the list and my favorite of his works is Sky Crawlers. Oshii's most thoughtful feature movie with great thematic execution and a poignant atmosphere unseen in any of his other works, and Kenji Kawai's best OST.
Director: Mamoru Oshii
The final Oshii film on the list and my favorite of his works is Sky Crawlers. Oshii's most thoughtful feature movie with great thematic execution and a poignant atmosphere unseen in any of his other works, and Kenji Kawai's best OST.
8: Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai
Director: Keiichi Hara
Hara's most visually stunning film is certainly one of the best anime movies too. It shows a wonderful portrayal of Edo-Japan while the story focuses on well written and highly emotional human drama.
Director: Keiichi Hara
Hara's most visually stunning film is certainly one of the best anime movies too. It shows a wonderful portrayal of Edo-Japan while the story focuses on well written and highly emotional human drama.
7: Akira
Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Akira is the single most important anime ever made and not giving it a high position on the list would be sheer ignorance. It's a masterpiece in it's technical aspects and shaped the artistry of the best animators in the industry.
Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Akira is the single most important anime ever made and not giving it a high position on the list would be sheer ignorance. It's a masterpiece in it's technical aspects and shaped the artistry of the best animators in the industry.
6: Macross: Do You Remember Love?
Director: Shoji Kawamori
Once again we have a Kawamori TV anime turned film and this time it's an actual masterpiece of anime. DYRL features visuals on par and surpassing those of Akira while featuring a great story with great scenes throughout.
Director: Shoji Kawamori
Once again we have a Kawamori TV anime turned film and this time it's an actual masterpiece of anime. DYRL features visuals on par and surpassing those of Akira while featuring a great story with great scenes throughout.
5: Crayon Shin-chan Movie 09
Director: Keiichi Hara
Shin-chan 9 is widely recognized in Japan as one of the best animated films made and I cant say I disagree with their view on it. The film has some of the best thematic execution in all of anime and it will make you cry too.
Director: Keiichi Hara
Shin-chan 9 is widely recognized in Japan as one of the best animated films made and I cant say I disagree with their view on it. The film has some of the best thematic execution in all of anime and it will make you cry too.
4: Kaijuu no Kodomo
Director: Ayumu Watanabe
KnK is the biggest visual spectacle in all of anime. Based on Daisuke Igarashi's acclaimed manga, it takes upon itself themes like communication, existentialism, nature and much more and explores them without focusing on exposition.
Director: Ayumu Watanabe
KnK is the biggest visual spectacle in all of anime. Based on Daisuke Igarashi's acclaimed manga, it takes upon itself themes like communication, existentialism, nature and much more and explores them without focusing on exposition.
3: Roujin Z
Director: Hiroyuki Kitakubo
Roujin Z acts as a successor to Akira and while its technicalities aren't on its level they are impressive. Its biggest asset is the story, which begins as a comedy but gets more serious as it progresses into it's thematic exploration.
Director: Hiroyuki Kitakubo
Roujin Z acts as a successor to Akira and while its technicalities aren't on its level they are impressive. Its biggest asset is the story, which begins as a comedy but gets more serious as it progresses into it's thematic exploration.
2: Crayon Shin-chan Movie 22
Director: Wataru Takahashi
Shin-chan 22 just like 9 features some of the best handling of themes in anime. The exploration of the theme of "father figure" is powerful and extends into social commentary in Japan. It's an emotional film made with care.
Director: Wataru Takahashi
Shin-chan 22 just like 9 features some of the best handling of themes in anime. The exploration of the theme of "father figure" is powerful and extends into social commentary in Japan. It's an emotional film made with care.
1: Crayon Shin-chan Movie 10
Director: Keiichi Hara
Words can't express how powerful this movie is. It has wonderful character work and explores sengoku era Japan greatly as well. It's masterfully directed and is by far the most impactful anime movie I have seen.
Director: Keiichi Hara
Words can't express how powerful this movie is. It has wonderful character work and explores sengoku era Japan greatly as well. It's masterfully directed and is by far the most impactful anime movie I have seen.
