There was a time when anime had a very small audience, but now, Japanese animated shows are getting recognition from fans around the world. That said, people still connect the term anime with TV series; however, there are countless masterpieces in the form of movies that people usually skip.
Watching a great anime series is surely worth every second, but it's a commitment for days, months, or sometimes years, depending on the number of episodes. So, if you aren't prepared to invest that much time, you should probably dive into the world of anime movies. Well, if you're thinking of doing so, here are some of the best anime movies you can start with.
10 Paprika
Paprika is a science-fiction psychological thriller movie based on a 1993 novel by the same name. The movie is directed by famous Japanese director Satoshi Kon, also known for his other great projects like Perfect Blue, Paranoia Agent, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, and more.
Ever wondered what it would feel like to enter into someone's dream? Well, that's the basic plot of this movie. Dr. Atsuko Chiba works by the name "Paprika," and together with her colleagues, she invents a device - DC Mini - that can help psychiatrists enter into the minds of patients. But somehow, the device gets stolen, and Atsuko needs to recover it before it can be used to destroy people's minds.
9 Jujutsu Kaisen 0
JJK is one of the best ongoing manga and anime series, and its recent movie does justice to the franchise's reputation. Did the movie do well at the box office? Well, it was the highest-grossing movie of 2021 at the Japanese box office. In total, the movie earned ¥13.5 billion as of April 2022, making it the 15th highest-grossing movie in the Japanese industry. From animation to Yuta's character development, the movie has a lot to offer.
Yuta Okkotsu, the protagonist of the movie, gets in contact with a curse named Rika. They both share a great bond of friendship, but Saturo Gojo wants the kid to join the Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School to help him get full control over the spirit.
8 Dragon Ball Super: Broly
We have seen Goku and Vegeta fight in several movies and shows, but their combined efforts to eradicate Broly were legendary enough to land this movie on the eighth spot on this list. The movie had incredible animation, action sequences, and, of course, spectacular soundtracks.
Everything looks at peace after the chaos we see in The Tournament of Power. But, Goku continues to train, knowing that it's the calm before the storm. Soon, Goku and Vegeta face a Super-Saiyan warrior named Broly, who is far stronger than anyone they previously fought.
7 Ghost In The Shell (1995)
Ghost in the Shell is a paradigm of greatness in the cyberpunk genre. And among all the countless movies of the franchise, the 1995 Ghost in the Shell movie is most appreciated by the fans. Despite being released in 1995, the movie is still known for its great animation and soundtracks.
The movie is set in the year 2029 when the world has become so advanced that cyborgs are common, and the internet can be accessed directly inside the human brain. A cyborg policewoman, Motoko Kusanagi, is on a mission to find Puppet Master, a criminal entering into the minds of other cyborgs and committing heinous crimes.
6 Akira
Akira has influenced several works in Hollywood and the Japanese industry, including The Matrix, Kill Bill, The Dark Knight, Godzilla, Inception, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, and many more. So, you can imagine how legendary this 1988 movie is.
Thirty-one years after the nuking of Tokyo city, a biker gang known as Kaneda comes into notice when they attempt to save their friend Tetsuo from a government project. They have to battle anti-government people, politicians, a group of scientists, and several others. Tetsuo's psychic powers also awaken in the heat of the battle.
5 Perfect Blue
The 90s gave us some anime shows and movies that we remember even after all these years, and Perfect Blue is one of those projects. Although it's been a long time since the movie was released, you can still co-relate it to the present scenario. In fact, the fans of this age can better relate to the movie than anyone else, as it shows the dark side of social media and the glamorous celebrity world.
Mima Kirigoe is a well-known pop singer who decides to give up on her singing career to pursue acting. However, her career demands her to drop the "innocent girl" image. Mima's life becomes even more complicated when an obsessed fan starts stalking her.
4 Wolf Children
We have seen movies about mothers' unconditional love before, but Wolf Children completely redefines that idea. The movie will take you on an emotional journey with small pieces of chuckles in between. Overall, it keeps you stuck to the screen until the end.
A woman named Hana falls in love with a man who reveals that he can turn into a werewolf. Together, they have two children, a daughter named Yuki and a son named Ame. On an unfortunate day, Hana's husband goes on a food hunt and gets killed in an accident. Hana is now left alone to raise her werewolf children and tries to keep them hidden from society.
3 Your Name
When the movie comes from the mind of a great director and writer like Makoto Shinkai, it is confirmed to mark its place in people's hearts. For those who don't know, Makoto is the director and writer of some legendary projects like The Garden of Words, 5 Centimeters per Second, Weathering with You, and many more. Your Name has bagged countless awards in several categories and was a massive success at the box office.
The unique story of the movie revolves around two youngsters who mysteriously swap their bodies. This unique phenomenon intrigues them to find the answer to this mystery, and thus they find each other.
2 Grave Of The Fireflies
This movie was a stroke of genius, and what made it truly lovable was the fact that it was based on a true story. The movie is based on Akiyuki Nosaka's struggles during the second world war. Rather than focusing on the larger issues of the war, Grave of the Fireflies aimed at people's suffering during that period.
World War II is on the verge of end, and Japan is struggling due to American bombings. Two young siblings lose their parents and their home, but they still thrive to survive in the hope of a better future.
1 Spirited Away
It is so unfortunate that some anime movies never won an Academy Award despite being absolutely perfect. But, Spirited Away managed to break every record by becoming one of the few anime films to have won an Oscar. In fact, it is the only anime movie to have won an Oscar in the Best Animated Feature category. So, you can imagine why it is considered the best anime movie of all time.
While walking home with her parents, Chihiro Ogino discovers an abandoned amusement park. The place looks spooky, and soon they learn that the abandoned park is actually home to spirits and ghosts. Her parents turn into pigs, and now she is left alone to survive. Haku, a mysterious spirit, helps Chihiro revive her parents and escape the place.