The widely popular and versatile style of Japanese animation known as anime has largely risen over the years to be one of the most impactful and widely celebrated types of animation out there. From strikingly beautiful, fluid animation to powerful and prolific storylines, anime has massively grown over the years from a more niche, underground subgenre of animation to a titan of the industry with many legendary franchises. While the medium is more commonly associated with the multitude of anime series that have been released, there are also a great share of masterpiece anime films that have furthered anime’s global influence.
From defining classics of animation that became global titans of cultural appeal to more niche, experimental films that push the confines of anime to its absolute limits, there is a wide variety of cinematic masterpieces that anime has produced over the years. Arguably, there is no better time than the present to get into anime feature filmmaking, when films like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle are breaking box office records and proving the global dominance of anime as a medium.
10
‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
Mei Kusakabe, the younger daughter from My Neighbor Totoro, with totoroImage via Studio Ghibli
Standing as an icon for the entire medium of anime feature filmmaking for decades, the overwhelming charm and familial beauty of My Neighbor Totoro has made it a masterpiece classic of the genre. The beautiful 2D animation still holds up wonders decades after its release, with the inherent grace and simplicity of its story making it one of the most approachable anime films to have ever been released. However, just because the film can be appreciated by all ages doesn’t mean that it is lacking in emotionally impactful moments and a great core message of family.
The coming-of-age anime makes the absolute most out of its concepts of pure childlike imagination and wonder, seing its characters embark on various fantasy ventures as an escape from the difficulties of their home life. It sets in stone a style and format that a large chunk of Hayao Miyazaki’s subsequent movies would follow, being one of the first of what would be a multitude of anime masterpieces that he would release over the years.
9
‘Mind Game’ (2004)
A group of very colorful people sitting on a trainImage via Asmik Ace Entertainment
One of the inherent strengths that anime holds over many other more traditional forms of animation is its ability to completely unrestrain itself in terms of pure creativity and madness with its animation style. No singular anime film distinctly expresses this type of manic, captivating animation like Mind Game, whose fluid, deeply impressive animation serves to elevate the entire film around it. The fever dream film is constantly going all out in terms of wild visuals, absurdist humor, and an overall tonal style where anything can happen either narratively or visually.
While its no-restrains approach to animation may prove to be too chaotic for some, it’s impossible to not, at the very least, be impressed with the film’s scale and conviction in this deeply unique style. From high-stakes car chases that treat impossible stunts like second nature to the awkward melancholy life of living inside a whale, the unusual story of life and all of its beauty is filled with non-stop notable moments and entertainment.
8
‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)
Mahito The Boy and the HeronImage via Studio Ghibli
Hayao Miyazaki’s surprise return to filmmaking after having spent a decade in retirement, The Boy and the Heron not only updates the filmmaker’s classic conventions to the modern era of anime filmmaking, but comments on his own style for a powerful message of acceptance and life itself. At times, the film feels right at home with the type of beautiful, coming-of-age fantasy that Miyazaki has excelled at creating for generations, while at other times, it expands and evolves this classic story to become something entirely new in itself.
Few modern anime films are as consistently beautiful and poignant in their animation style as The Boy and the Heron, which crafts one of the most fine-tuned and visually stunning worlds in anime film history. It is as much a classic Miyazaki fantasy story as it is a story about the reflection on life itself and coming to terms with one’s own final days, a poignant swan song of Miyazaki’s career that will forever be remembered as a masterpiece for the ages.
7
‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ (2013)
Princess Kaguya looking out of the window in Princess KaguyaImage via Toho
Adapting one of the most famous and celebrated Japanese literary tales to the modern world of animation with deep respect and care for the emotional weight and themes of the original, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is about as perfect an adaptation as one could ask for. The film not only doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to the emotional brilliance and timeless nature of the original story, but utilizes a masterful watercolor animation style that helps the film still hold up today as one of the most beautiful 2D animated films to ever be released.
While the film was only a lukewarm success in the eyes of audiences when it first released, it would slowly but surely garner an exceptional reputation as one of the defining anime films of the 2010s and a masterpiece of historical fantasy storytelling. It acts as a love letter not only to the original story it adapts itself from, but the notions and deeply respected history of Japanese culture as a whole. It tells its story of unconditional love in about the best way possible, having audiences guaranteed to be teary-eyed by its emotionally compelling end.
6
‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988)
Image via Toho
Releasing on the exact same day as My Neighbor Totoro to create one of the highest quality double feature experinces imaginable, Grave of the Fireflies couldn’t feel more different from the feel-good classic. The masterpiece anime war film proves to be an absolute onslaught of pain and emotional turmoil, with its young characters facing non-stop painful realities as they keep their spirits high with hope in the face of death. The emotional weight and gravitas of the film has made it a critically acclaimed juggernaut for generations, often considered one of the greatest animated films ever made.
The way that the film is able to juxtapose and find this balance between the hopeful innocence of its youthful characters with the painful, shocking reality of World War II is a feat in of itself. The emotional pull that the film has held over audiences for decades simply isn’t comparable to any other anime film, as Grave of the Fireflies will forever be remembered as one of the most heartwrenching and bittersweet films ever created.
5
‘Tokyo Godfathers’ (2003)
A family of three scream in fear and jumps forward to catch a falling baby in Tokyo-GodfathersImage via Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan
A non-traditional Christmas comedy that combines the normally dark and mature style of director Satoshi Kon with the unrelenting charm and grace of the holiday season, Tokyo Godfathers is the definitive holiday anime film experience. Its instantly engaging premise of a trio of homeless people discovering a newborn baby in the trash and searching the streets of Tokyo for its parents feels like it was ripped straight out of a golden era comedy.
Tokyo Godfathers makes the absolute most out of its premise not just in terms of sheer comedy, but the emotional weight and grace of a found family dynamic, unconditional love, and overall community during the holiday season. Its moments of darkness and painful reality only serve to amplify its genuinely charming moments that much more, as it’s hard not to root for the wild antics of such a memorable main trio of characters. It’s a film that has only grown more appreciated and beloved as the years have gone on, being rewatched by many anime fans year after year as the go-to feel good anime Christmas film masterpiece.
4
‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)
San on the back of a wolf in a forest on the poster for Princess MononokeImage via Studio Ghibli
A powerful story of man vs nature that has been dissected and celebrated ever since its release, Princess Mononoke finds a perfect balance between its philosophical messages and impactful action sequences. It combines breathtaking animation and some of the most grounded and mature explorations of the classic man vs nature story to create a defining animated experience of the era. The film has grown to be one of the most popular anime movies of all time following its release thanks to its overwheming qualities and mass appeal.
The immersive fantasy film has proven to be deeply influential even outside the confines of anime or even animation, often acting as an inspiration for many other modern fantasy films. It simply has a fundamental understanding and prowess surrounding its themes and messaging that stands unmatched over 25 years after its release. Princess Mononoke stands tall as a masterclass of animated fantasy films that will only further continue to cement its legacy over the next 25 years.
3
‘Akira’ (1981)
Tetsuo Shima sitting on a throne with a metal hand looking evil in Akira.Image via Toho
A film so widely recognizable and influential that a singular shot of a bike sliding against the ground has been referenced by more movies and TV shows than one can count, Akira is the absolute face of sci-fi anime to many people. Its striking and instantly engaging cyberpunk city aesthetic combined with top-notch animation and a story of corruption that comes with overwhelming power, Akira has been an icon of anime mastery ever since its release.
Even over 40 years after its release, there are visual flairs and techniques utilized in the film that still wow and enchant the audience as if the film were brand new. However, the animation is only one part of Akira’s continued dominance over the conversation of sci-fi anime filmmaking, as its engaging characters and heightened action also go a long way in terms of making the film a feat of cinematic scale and presence. While many other anime films have attempted to replicate its style of striking visuals and vast sci-fi worldbuilding, none come close to the magnitude and brilliance of Akira.
2
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
Chihiro holding into Haku as he flies above the river in Spirited AwayImage via Studio Ghibli
Often considered to be the magnum opus of Hayao Miyazaki’s filmography and Studio Ghibli as a whole, it’s impossible to sing the praises of Spirited Away without repeating the unanimous praise of thousands of critics and audiences before. The film sees the classic escapist coming-of-age fantasy formula at its absolute best, with top-of-the-line animation and entertaining characters weaving together an enchanting world of magic and mystery.
The film still manages to delight and mystify audiences almost 25 years after its release, standing tall as an icon of 21st century anime filmmaking and often being considered one of the greatest films of all time. The film fully lives up to every word of its lofty reputation, weaving together an experience of pure escapist brilliance that could only be accomplished in the medium of anime. It’s the type of film that single-handedly proved the strength and power of anime filmmaking to many audiences, playing a prominent role in its now global dominance in the modern day.
1
‘Perfect Blue’ (1997)
A distressed woman with blood on her faceImage via Rex Entertainment
What makes Perfect Blue stand out as an anime masterpiece is distinctly different than the vast majority of other anime masterpieces that have been released over the years. While it has a lot of the same strengths of these other films, such as exceptional animation and mesmerizing soundtracks, the film taps into a sense of deeply unsettling and effective thrills that only the best thrillers of all time are capable of. The animated psychological thriller is in a league of its own in terms of uneasing tension, a captivating central story, and dynamic themes that have only grown more relevant with each passing day.
Satoshi Kon’s masterpiece of R-rated anime filmmaking has stood for years as the go-to example of just how effective anime can stand, not just as a medium for family-friendly content, but real, hard-hitting and emotionally intelligent masterpieces of filmmaking. From its painful portrayal of imposter syndrome and spiraling depression to messaging on the dangers of toxic parasocial fandom, the film’s core themes continue to strike a chord with audiences all these years later. Perfect Blue’s distinct individuality in its execution of anime mastery helps it stand out as a masterpiece even among some of the greatest films of all time.
Perfect Blue
Release Date
February 28, 1998
Runtime
82 minutes
Junko Iwao
Mima Kirigoe (voice)
Rica Matsumoto
Rumi (voice)
AloJapan.com