It is fascinating how anime is diverse these days. I’m sure most of us want to watch films that project real people, not just animation. However, when you watch some of the anime movies listed below, you’ll be hooked to these artworks — well, I hope so, at the very least. The art of animation is becoming emergent recently.
You can start by watching the movies on this list:
1. “Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)”
A teenage boy and girl embark on a quest to meet each other for the first time after they magically swap bodies.
This Makuto Shinkai film is a bit overrated, some say. Nonetheless, it still tops the list of my favorite films. This movie has so much complexity, and I would gladly want to figure it out until the end of the movie. It started in a comedic fashion, but as the film progresses, the plot is twisting, waiting to be unraveled. The soundtrack? One of the best! There are too many emotions that accurately fit the situations in the film. The elements of the movie — animation, character development, etc. — are really strong. These elements are more than enough to please the viewers. I personally love the time lapse displayed in the movie.
This film talks about fate and time. What a concept, right? This movie will make you fall in love over and over.
2. “Spirited Away”
During her family’s move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
Yes, a Miyazaki film! Miyazaki is famous for most of his films; he is a co-founder of Studio Ghibli. As expected from a Ghibli film, this movie did not fail to deliver. Miyazaki’s imaginations always leave room for the viewers’ astonishment. With a very strong female character, what else can we ask from this film? A satisfying visual element? It is also present in the film. Miyazaki’s creativity is always admirable.
There are lots of adventures in this film, if you are down for one or maybe more, you can watch this.
3. “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo)”
A teenage girl tries to use her newfound ability to travel through time to her advantage.
A film with a time travel aspect and a pinch of romance is a good one to watch. If you’re looking for such, then this film could be the answer. If you also happen to love minimalism, you can check this movie out. Going against time has consequences. Like any sci-fi films, the fulfillment you can get from this film will never disappoint you. Are you willing to take a leap of faith into something uncertain? Find out the answer in this movie.
4. “5 Centimeters Per Second (Byousoku 5 Centimeter)”
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.
Another movie brought by Makuto Shinkai, and the animation quality is excellent. Seriously, Makuto Shinkai’s films have one of the best visual elements. Poetic title? Yes, the film’s content is somehow poetic, too. Will love go beyond the distance? If fate wanted you two together, will you still find your way toward each other despite the distance? Check this film out for answers.
5. “Kiki’s Delivery Service”
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.
Another Miyazaki film, and this is a classic one. This film did not involve intricate conflicts; the simplicity of the movie is just enough to warm one’s heart. It was produced in 1989 and talks about the adventures and struggles of a young adult as he/she searches for his/her journey in this world. Since Kiki is a witch, of course magic is present. The theme of this film also involves independence, which most of us need in order to build the pieces of our life together.
These films will make you feel like home. The underlying lessons found in the stories are applicable in real life, even though they are animated.
