Saturday, June 1, 2013

The 72 best ANIME movies you need to watch














1.
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
    7.9/10  
A young girl finds that all the books she chooses in the library have been previously checked out by the same boy... (111 mins.)
Director: Yoshifumi Kondô
“ Incredibly underrated. One of the best works on animation ever, in my opinion. Directed by deceased japanese master animator Yoshifumi Kondo, and with an excelent score by Yuji Noma. ” - paschan-1
 
2.
Akira (1988)
    7.9/10  
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psionic psychopath that only two kids and a group of psionics can stop. (124 mins.)
Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
“ With "Akira", Katsuhiro Otomo redefined the term "Animation" for ever. ” - paschan-1
 
3.
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
    7.8/10  
A female cyborg cop and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master. (83 mins.)
Director: Mamoru Oshii
“ The best work by master Mamoru Oshii. Along with "Whispers of the Heart" and "Akira", this film is one of the best crafted animated movies of all times. ” - paschan-1
 
4.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
    8.4/10  
A tragic film covering a young boy and his little sister's struggle to survive in Japan during World War II. (89 mins.)
Director: Isao Takahata
“ Isao Takahata's masterpiece ” - paschan-1
 
5.
Wings of Honneamise (1987)
    7.1/10  
In an alternative Earth, a young astronaut participates in a controversial fledgling space program. (121 mins.)
Director: Hiroyuki Yamaga
“ A masterpiece by Hirokuki Yamaga. Unfortunately, this movie was way ahead of its time and didn't get the attention it truly deserved. ” - paschan-1
 
6.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
    8.2/10  
When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wonderous forest spirits who live nearby. (86 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
“ Visually astonishing film by master Hayao Miyazaki. The music by Joe Hisaishi makes it an unforgettable beautiful experience. ” - paschan-1
 
7.
Ninja Scroll (1993)
    7.8/10  
A ninja-for-hire is forced into fighting an old nemesis who is bent on overthrowing the Japanese government. His nemesis is also the leader of a group of demons each with superhuman powers. (94 mins.)
“ A shocking film. An incredible animated experience by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. ” - paschan-1
 
8.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
    8.4/10  
On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime. (134 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
“ Impossible to miss this epic tale by master Hayao Miyazaki. ” - paschan-1
 
9.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
    7.7/10  
On Christmas Eve three homeless people living on the streets on Tokyo find a newborn baby among the trash and set out to find the parents. (93 mins.)
“ The definition of "drawing masterpiece" ” - paschan-1
 
10.
Only Yesterday (1991)
    7.6/10  
A 27-year-old office worker travels to the countryside while reminiscing about her childhood in Tôkyô. (118 mins.)
Director: Isao Takahata
“ The second best film by Takahata after "Grave of the Fireflies" in my opinion. ” - paschan-1
 
11.
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (1999)
    7.4/10  
A traumatized member of an elite para-military police force falls for the sister of a female terrorist courier who died in front of him on duty. (102 mins.)
Director: Hiroyuki Okiura
“ Directed by Hiroyuki Okiura. The characters and environment are so realistic that you can actually feel true anger for this fascist society. ” - paschan-1
 
12.
Perfect Blue (1997)
    7.6/10  
A retired pop singer turned actress' sense of reality is shaken when she is stalked by an obsessed fan and seemingly a ghost of her past. (81 mins.)
Director: Satoshi Kon
“ Satoshi Kon's masterpiece. ” - paschan-1
 
13.
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)
    7.6/10  
When a girl is abducted by a vampire, a legendary bounty hunter is hired to bring her back. (103 mins.)
“ An epic tale by director Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Incredible movie. ” - paschan-1
 
14.
Macross: Do You Remember Love? (1984)
    7.1/10  
In the next century, a reconfiguring ship (think "Transformer" with a pilot) called Macross carries... (114 mins.)
“ Forget about Robotech. Macross is where it all should have been stayed. this 1984 masterpiece is directed by deceased Noboru Ishiguro and Shoji Kawamori. ” - paschan-1
 
15.
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
    8.1/10  
When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking home. (119 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
“ Another masterpiece by Miyazaki. The score by Joe Hisaishi is one of the best music for cinema ever. ” - paschan-1
 
16.
5 Centimeters Per Second (2007)
    7.8/10  
Told in three interconnected segments, we follow a young man named Takaki through his life as cruel winters, cold technology, and finally, adult obligations and responsibility converge to test the delicate petals of love. (63 mins.)
Director: Makoto Shinkai
“ A beautiful movie that defined the style of master director Makoto Shinkai. ” - paschan-1
 
17.
Tekkonkinkreet (2006)
    7.5/10  
In Treasure Town, life can be both peaceful and violent. This is never truer than for our heroes, Black and White... (103 mins.)
Director: Maikeru Ariasu
“ A lot of people got upset because this anime was directed by mexican director Miguel Arias. Don't let you be fooled by this "nonsenseless" an WATCH THIS MASTERPIECE NOW! ” - paschan-1
 
18.
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
    7.8/10  
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service. (103 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
“ Everytime a movie is directed by Hayao Miyazaki and the music composed by Joe Hisaishi, a masterpiece is born. ” - paschan-1
 
19.
Metropolis (2001)
    7.2/10  
Kenichi and his uncle Shunsaku Ban must find the mystery behind robot girl Tima. (108 mins.)
Director: Rintaro
“ A fine piece of art by director Rintaro resurrecting the universe created by master artist Osamu Tezuka. ” - paschan-1
 
20.
Memories (1995)
    7.5/10  
"Memories" is made up of three separate science-fiction stories. In the first, "Magnetic Rose," four... (113 mins.)
“ This movie by directors, Otomo, Morimoto and Okamura, is thrill-de-ride. ” - paschan-1
 
21.
Porco Rosso (1992)
    7.7/10  
The adventures of a 1920's bush pilot who just happens to look like a humanoid pig. (94 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
“ Hayao Miyazaki the director and Joe Hisaishi the composer; there's nothing else to say. ” - paschan-1
 
22.
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
    7.5/10  
In the year 2032, Batô, a cyborg detective for the anti-terrorist unit Public Security Section 9, investigates the case of a female robot--one created solely for sexual pleasure--who slaughtered her owner. (100 mins.)
Director: Mamoru Oshii
“ Visually astonishing sequel also by Mamoru Oshii. ” - paschan-1
 
23.
Paprika (2006)
    7.6/10  
When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patient's dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist can stop it: Paprika. (90 mins.)
Director: Satoshi Kon
“ The last masterpiece by the great Satoshi Kon. ” - paschan-1
 
24.
Castle in the Sky (1986)
    8.0/10  
A young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle. (124 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
“ Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this film is one of the first japanese animations that can actually compete with the best live action cinema worldwide. ” - paschan-1
 
25.
Steamboy (2004)
    6.9/10  
In 1860s Britain, a boy inventor finds himself caught in the middle of a deadly conflict over a revolutionary advance in steam power. (126 mins.)
Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo
“ Another virtuoso filmmaking by Otomo. ” - paschan-1
 
26.
Spirited Away (2001)
    8.6/10  
In the middle of her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and monsters; where humans are changed into animals; and a bathhouse for these creatures. (125 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
“ An Oscar winnig treasure by Hayao Miyazaki. ” - paschan-1
 
27.
Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993)
    7.2/10  
When a terrorist attack is blamed on the Air Force, Special Vehicle Unit 2 gets caught in the middle of a growing political conflict. (113 mins.)
Director: Mamoru Oshii
“ Watching this Mamoru Oshii movie feels like entering an art gallery. ” - paschan-1
 
28.
Barefoot Gen (1983)
    7.8/10  
A powerful statement against war, Barefoot Gen is a disturbing story about the effect of the atomic bomb on a boy's life and the lives of the Japanese people. (83 mins.)
Director: Mamoru Shinzaki
 
29.
Ocean Waves (1993 TV Movie)
    7.0/10  
As a young man returns home after his first year away at college he recalls his senior year of high school and the iron-willed, big city girl that turned his world upside down. (72 mins.)
Director: Tomomi Mochizuki
“ Tomomi Mochizuki is the director of maybe the best drama ever on animation. ” - paschan-1
 
30.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
    7.8/10  
A teenage girl finds that she has the ability to leap through time. With her newfound power, she tries to use it to her advantage, but soon finds that tampering with time can lead to some rather discomforting results. (98 mins.)
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
“ A touching movie by master Hosoda. ” - paschan-1
 
31.
The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004)
    7.3/10  
In an alternate postwar timeline, Japan is divided into the Union-controlled North and the US-controlled South. (91 mins.)
Director: Makoto Shinkai
“ A brillant film by Makoto Shinkai. ” - paschan-1
 
32.
Summer Wars (2009)
    7.5/10  
A student tries to fix a problem he accidentally caused in OZ, a digital world, while pretending to be the fiancé of his friend in her grandmother's 90th birthday. (114 mins.)
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
“ A film by Mamoru Hosoda. this is a must see for any animation or visual art fan. ” - paschan-1
 
33.
Colorful (2010)
    7.0/10  
A sinful spirit is granted the opportunity to prove worthy for rebirth, inhabiting the body of a student who killed himself. (126 mins.)
Director: Keiichi Hara
“ Fantastic piece of work by Keiichi Hara ” - paschan-1
 
34.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
    8.1/10  
Warrior/pacifist Princess Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet. (117 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
“ With this was that it all started for master director Hayao Miyazaki and master composer Joe hisaishi. ” - paschan-1
 
35.
Ponyo (2008)
    7.7/10  
An animated adventure centered on a 5-year-old boy and his relationship with a goldfish princess who longs to become human. (101 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
“ the proof that if you mix Hayao Miyazaki and Joe Hisaishi, the result is ALWAYS GREAT. ” - paschan-1
 
36.
Macross Plus (1994 Video)
    7.4/10  
Two old friends/rivals find themselves rival test pilots in competing projects while a mutual old flame returns to them with her own secrets. (115 mins.)
“ Directed by Kawamori and Watanabe. This is one of the first movies to use CGI. With music composed by Yoko Kanno, this is one of the best works of art of all times. ” - paschan-1
 
37.
Wicked City (1987)
    6.7/10  
There has been peace between the worlds of the mortals and the supernatural for centuries, but the balance is now being threatened... (82 mins.)
“ The second best film by Kawajiri after Ninja Scroll in my opinion. ” - paschan-1
 
38.
Spriggan (1998)
    6.5/10  
An elite superhuman agent must stop a foreign military unit from seizing control of an ancient artifact that holds the key to ultimate power. (90 mins.)
“ One of the best animated action movies. The best work by Hirotsugu Kawasaki in my opinion. ” - paschan-1
 
39.
The Cat Returns (2002)
    7.2/10  
After helping a cat, a young girl finds herself involuntarily engaged to a cat prince in a magical world where her only hope of freedom lies with a dapper cat statuette come to life. (75 mins.)
Director: Hiroyuki Morita
“ Directed by Hiroyuki Morita, this film is the sequel of the masterpiece "Mimiwo Sumaseba" (Whispers of the Heart). The music is also from master Yuji Noma. ” - paschan-1
 
40.
“ Kawajiri and Otomo make a great directing team working together. ” - paschan-1
 
41.
Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011)
    7.1/10  
A coming of age story involving young love and a mysterious music, coming from a crystal radio left as a memento by an absent father, that leads a young heroine deep into a hidden world. (116 mins.)
Director: Makoto Shinkai
“ If a movie is directed by Makoto Shinkai, don't worry, it's not gonna be good, it's gonna be great. ” - paschan-1
 
42.
Purojekuto A-ko (1986)
    6.8/10  
Project A-ko is the typical love triangle of three school girls and their confrontations with aliens, giant robots, and women who look like burly men. (86 mins.)
“ Great animation, great action, great fight sequences. A great experience for anyone looking for an animated thrill-de-ride. Directed by Katsuhiko Nishijima. ” - paschan-1
 
43.
Voices of a Distant Star (2003 Short Film)
    7.6/10  
The love of Japanese high school students Mikako Nagamine and Noboru Tera is tested when Mikako is sent to fight aliens in a distant universe and voice mails to and from Earth become months to years in transmission. (25 mins.)
Director: Makoto Shinkai
“ 4 words describe this Shinkai movie; poignant, beautiful, amazing and short. ” - paschan-1
 
44.
Patlabor: The Movie (1989)
    7.0/10  
A mysterious suicide and strange robot malfunctions are clues to a devastating sabotage plot that Special Vehicle Unit 2 must stop. (100 mins.)
Director: Mamoru Oshii
 
45.
The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
    7.6/10  
The Clock family are four-inch-tall people who live anonymously in another family's residence, borrowing simple items to make their home. Life changes for the Clocks when their daughter, Arrietty, is discovered. (94 mins.)
“ Underrated jewel by director Hiromasa Yonebayashi. ” - paschan-1
 
46.
Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)
    6.6/10  
Japan, 1966. Saya is part of a secret team destroying daemons. She is sent undercover as a student at the Yokota Air Base in Fussa-shi... (48 mins.)
“ A short movie but with outstanding graphic technics. Directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo. ” - paschan-1
 
47.
Robot Carnival (1991)
    7.1/10  
An anthology of various tales told in various styles with robots being the one common element among them. (90 mins.)
“ Excelente team work from various great directors. ” - paschan-1
 
48.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
    7.7/10  
A terrorist explosion releases a deadly virus on the masses, and it's up the bounty-hunting Bebop crew to catch the cold-blooded culprit. (116 mins.)
“ Directed by Chinchiro Watanabe, this is a great movie for the series, also directed by Watanabe. A must see!!! ” - paschan-1
 
49.
Chôjin densetsu Urotsukidôji (1989 Video)
    6.1/10  
When Overfiend is found and born in a human, he will remake the world to something more of his liking... (108 mins.)
Director: Hideki Takayama
“ Horror, gore, porn. This is probably the best Hentai movie ever made. Not for anyone though. A risky work by director Hideki Takayama. ” - paschan-1
 
50.
Millennium Actress (2001)
    7.8/10  
A TV interviewer and his cameraman meet a former actress and travel through her memories and career. (87 mins.)
Director: Satoshi Kon
“ One of the few movies by the great Satoshi Kon. May he rests in peace. ” - paschan-1
 
51.
Kite (1998 Video)
    6.8/10  
She may be cute. She may be young. She may seem innocent and naive, but don't be fooled. She's a cold-blooded killer... (50 mins.)
Director: Yasuomi Umetsu
“ Very few Hentai animes can be taken seriously. Along with urotsukidoji, this excelent risky action, gore, porn movie from director Yasuomi Umetsu is one of them. ” - paschan-1
 
52.
Black Magic M-66 (1987 Video)
    6.3/10  
A freelance reporter discovers that two killer androids are running loose and have a little girl for a kill target.
“ Great action in this japanese version of The terminator. Directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo and Masamune Shirow. ” - paschan-1
 
53.
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - The Egg of the King (2012)
    7.5/10  
He trusts no one, only his sword. (76 mins.)
 
55.
Kite Liberator (2007 Video)
    5.7/10  
(58 mins.)
Director: Yasuomi Umetsu
“ Very enjoyable sequel to Kite (1998). Like the first movie, you've never seen anything like this. ” - paschan-1
 
56.
Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (1994)
    7.0/10  
Bison, the ruthless leader of the international terrorist organization Shadowlaw, has been desperately... (98 mins.)
Director: Gisaburo Sugii
 
57.
Kamui no ken (1985)
    6.6/10  
An orphan named Taro killed who Tein-Hei told her was the killer of his family. Taro found out, years... (132 mins.)
Director: Rintaro
 
58.
Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
    7.6/10  
A flamboyant thief and his gang struggle to free a princess from an evil count's clutches and to learn the hidden secret to a fabulous treasure that she holds part of a key to. (110 mins.)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
 
59.
Sword of the Stranger (2007)
    7.6/10  
A swordsman from a strange land is caught in a struggle between morality, righteousness, and devotion as he reluctantly agrees to take a raggedy boy and his dog to a remote, Buddhist temple. (103 mins.)
Director: Masahiro Andô
 
60.
Appleseed (1988 Video)
    6.2/10  
In a vast futuristic city, built on the ashes of the third world war, a police officer and her cyborg partner fight terrorism. (71 mins.)
 
61.
The Professional: Golgo 13 (1983)
    6.6/10  
The action packed life of the professional assassin Golgo 13 (AKA Duke Togo). This guy makes James Bond look like Maxwell Smart. (95 mins.)
Director: Osamu Dezaki
 
62.
Appleseed Saga: Ex Machina (2007)
    7.0/10  
With Brialeos convalescing after a mission, Deunan is assigned a new and remarkably familiar partner as a strange wave of terrorist attacks plague Olympus. (105 mins.)
Director: Shinji Aramaki
 
63.
Kaze no na wa amunejia (1993 Video)
    6.7/10  
A wind has swept the Earth taking all the memories from everyone. No one knows who they are, how to speak... (80 mins.)
Director: Kazuo Yamazaki
 
64.
Vexille (2007)
    6.8/10  
Japan, 2077: A female agent named Vexille is dispatched to Tokyo to investigate whether Japanese are developing robotic technology, which has been banned by the U.N. due to its potential threat to humankind. (109 mins.)
Director: Fumihiko Sori
 
65.
Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2005)
    7.4/10  
Edward Elric, an alchemist from an alternate world, races to prevent the Thule Society from harassing alchemy to wage war on his home. (105 mins.)
Director: Seiji Mizushima
 
66.
Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (2007 Video)
    6.8/10  
An anime continuation of the HIGHLANDER saga, following immortal Colin MacLeod's quest for revenge in the future. (96 mins.)
 
67.
Sky Blue (2003)
    6.7/10  
Civilization has been destroyed by war and pollution, but the survivors have built the last city of Ecoban... (86 mins.)
Director: Moon-saeng Kim
 
68.
Kara no Kyoukai: The Garden of Sinners, A Study in Murder: Part 1 (2007)
    7.0/10  
August 1995: Mikiya first meets Shiki in a white kimono during a snowing day. Later on, at the high school freshmen ceremony...
 
69.
Gin-iro no kami no Agito (2006)
    6.5/10  
It is 300 years into the future. Earth's environment had been devastated by mankind's own foolish plans... (95 mins.)
Director: Keiichi Sugiyama
 
70.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)
    7.3/10  
An ex-mercenary is forced out of isolation when three mysterious men kidnap and brainwash the city's children afflicted with the Geostigma disease. (101 mins.)
 
71.
Cat Soup (2001 Short Film)
    7.6/10  
A young anthropomorphic cat goes on a psychedelic journey with his sister in order to save her soul. (34 mins.)
Director: Tatsuo Sato
“ Stupid Title, but a true masterpiece ” - paschan-1
 
72.
Redline (2009)
    7.1/10  
An action drama centered on a deadly racing tournament held every five years and the reckless dare-devil driver who wants to win it. (102 mins.)
Director: Takeshi Koike
 

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