Top 20 Greatest Anime Movies of All Time
Behold - CINEMA! Join Ashley as we look over the greatest movies to stem from the anime medium
Transcript
00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for what we believe to be the
00:12greatest cinematic triumphs in the anime scene.
00:26Number 20, Red Line.
00:29This hot-blooded feature is about putting pedals to the metal via the Red Line, an intergalactic
00:34race where staying alive proves to be just as tricky as passing the finishing line.
00:44This thing is a pure adrenaline rush, and while the story may not strike as much of
00:49a chord, the racing sequences, along with the spicy relationship between JP and Sonoshi,
00:55keeps things lively all throughout.
00:57Besides, it gave us one of anime's greatest pompadours, and that's saying something.
01:10Number 19, Jujutsu Kaisen Zero.
01:14Taking what was initially a precursor premise and turning it into a feature-length film
01:19that directly ties into and influences the future of one of modern anime's biggest
01:24hits was quite a play.
01:26Thankfully, the result was monumental, given how Yuta's journey as a long-suffering
01:32youth to one of the deadliest sorcerers in existence was utterly thrilling.
01:46The characters here are beyond intense, with Yuta establishing himself as such a compelling
01:51character that come the end of the flick, we can't help but wonder if he would have
01:55made a better lead than Yuji.
01:57The Shibuya arc wouldn't have been nearly as rich without this to spice it up.
02:15Number 18, My Neighbor Totoro.
02:18There's a reason this giant fluffball became Ghibli's mascot.
02:22After making a fresh start in the countryside, a family comes across a variety of strange
02:27and enchanting creatures, including the titular Totoro.
02:35This is a very low-stakes and effortlessly charming slice-of-life fantasy that will nonetheless
02:41reel you in.
02:42From the uncanny cat bus, all the way to Totoro making all things spontaneously grow, there's
02:48a pure magical quality to this film that continues to astound, even among Ghibli's extensive
02:54catalogue.
03:03Number 17, Mobile Suit Gundam Char's Counter-Attack.
03:08You couldn't ask for a better way to conclude the rivalry between Amuro and Char, let alone
03:13bring an end to the original Gundam series.
03:29Fueled by the desire to destroy all humanity on Earth, the Red Comet sets about kick-starting
03:35one final battle, prompting the likes of Amuro to once again get in the robot and end
03:41things for good.
03:42As expected of the Universal Century, we're showcased to the best and worst of both sides
03:47of the conflict, and there is no shortage of death to leave you hollow – in between
03:52all the amazing mecha-bouts, that is.
03:58Number 16, Dragon Ball Super Broly.
04:02This thing ticked so many boxes for Dragon Ball fans, it's astounding.
04:16Coming off the hype of the Tournament of Power, this film gave us the greatest animation the
04:21franchise has ever seen.
04:23As well as fight scenes as fluid as they are frenzied, and did an incredible job of reintroducing
04:29and recontextualising fan-favourite powerhouse, Broly.
04:33While you might have to be a DB fan to fully appreciate all its facets, the thrill of that
04:59Number 15, Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba, the movie Mugen Train.
05:12To call this a runaway success would be a discredit, given how it earned more money
05:16than God, and fully demonstrated just what Ufotable were capable of in the visual department.
05:23Continuing the story of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro and his companions soon find themselves under
05:28siege when their train comes under the threat from Muzan's elite demon forces.
05:34What follows is the most beautiful serenade of swords, blood splatter and anime tropes,
05:39all leading to the now legendary bout between Rengoku and Akaza.
05:44Shonen fights don't get more cinematic than this.
05:57Number 14, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
06:00The precursor to all things Ghibli, and one of the purest examples of Miyazaki's magic
06:05as a filmmaker.
06:07From the corrupted, yet enchanting environments, to its spirited lead as she attempts to stop
06:12a wayward kingdom of humans from destroying all of nature, Nausicaä's journey blends
06:18its messaging with fantastical adventure brilliantly.
06:30It also really knows how to embrace the grotesque and macabre aspects of its creatures and worldbuilding.
06:37We know they're innocent and all, but the Oumu still creeps us out.
06:45Number 13, Suzume.
06:47The latest in Makoto Shinkai's flicks focusing on a coming-of-age story, meshed with mythical
06:54elements and meteorological phenomena, Suzume nonetheless maintains the quality and beauty
07:00his works are known for.
07:06In an attempt to stop a series of earthquakes from devastating her home, the titular Suzume
07:11traverses the country, forced to close chosen doorways or risk the wrath of the monstrous
07:17worm.
07:18It is just as bizarre as it sounds, and yet utterly gorgeous to behold.
07:22Keep doing you, sir, and we'll keep enjoying these lavish tales of youth and disaster.
07:38Number 12, A Silent Voice.
07:41Fair warning, this one cuts deep.
07:43A rich, heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful look at how one's childhood actions can
07:48haunt a person, and just how difficult it can be to seek out redemption.
07:53After tormenting a deaf girl during their younger years, Ishida endeavours to make things
07:58right now that he's come to regret his actions.
08:11What follows is a beautiful and uncompromising examination at how preconceptions, violence,
08:17disabilities, and teenage mentalities can destroy a person, as well as make them better.
08:30Number 11, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya.
08:33Picking up where the hit series left off, SOS Brigade member Kyon wakes up one morning
08:39To discover high schooler slash unknown god, Haruhi Suzumiya no longer exists.
08:45But is this a blessing or a curse?
08:48Disappearance trades much of the humour the series is known for in exchange for a potent
08:52study of Kyon's character and what he truly feels for Haruhi.
08:58With some of Kyoto Animation's best work in terms of visuals, this journey through
09:03the looking glass is a true delight.
09:09Number 10, Ghost in the Shell.
09:12The film that redefined sci-fi, breathed new life into cyberpunk, and in many ways introduced
09:17the western world to how gritty and compelling the mature side of anime could be.
09:29The driving force of its neo-noir plot is Major Kusanagi and her elite Section Nine
09:35units as they track down an infamous hacker, though in many ways.
09:39It also serves as a springboard for discussion on the nature of man and machine, and just
09:45how dangerously close the two are becoming.
09:53With philosophy and action aplenty, it's no wonder this film has become such an inspiration
09:58beyond its medium.
10:00Number 9, Howl's Moving Castle.
10:06After accidentally offending a witch, a young woman named Sophie is cursed with old age.
10:11Her only hope for a cure is to seek out the feared wizard Howl, and of course, his moving
10:17castle.
10:18As whimsical a fantasy film as you can expect, there's a reason why this classic is so
10:23ingrained into the hearts of numerous generations.
10:26Apart from the inspired visuals, the characters really carry this.
10:34From the curious and straight-laced Sophie to the suave yet childish Howl, this eclectic
10:40group are easily some of the most recognizable in anime history.
10:45Number 8, The End of Evangelion.
10:48This thing is a marvel due to the sheer amount of layers it has to it.
10:52On the one hand, it's a conclusion to Neon Genesis Evangelion, one that sees the world
10:57face cataclysmic events, as well as terrible things happening to its characters.
11:10So yeah, a major bummer saturated in Abrahamic symbolism, but to the keen eye, you can see
11:16that there is a much deeper reason behind it.
11:19No matter how you choose to interpret this film, there is an undeniable beauty to its
11:24apocalyptic aesthetic.
11:27Number 7, Gintama The Final.
11:30We couldn't ask for a better way for the hilarious samurai with a silver soul to end his long
11:36tenure.
11:40The comedy is still present here and there, why wouldn't it be?
11:44But the main focus is on Gintoki tying up loose ends with his past, and by that, we
11:49mean him beating the ever-loving fourth wall out of long-time foe, Utsuro.
11:59While it is very much a conclusion to a franchise that feels impossible to summarise, given
12:05immense zaniness, and as a result, not exactly newcomer-friendly, the action here is utterly
12:11sublime, giving Oddjob's Gin the richest send-off you could ask for.
12:16Number 6, Perfect Blue.
12:19You can't bring up the conversation of the greatest anime films without bringing up Satoshi
12:24Kan.
12:25The man knew how to make magic, the kind of magic that leaves you disturbed and intrigued
12:30down to your bones.
12:38The best example of this being the psychological masterpiece that is Perfect Blue, where an
12:43idol-turned-actress finds herself dealing with everything from paranoia, murder, and
12:48the blurring of her reality.
12:50Not only is this exquisitely unsettling, but the way it correctly predicted the dangers
12:55of the internet and fan culture is borderline prophetic.
13:07Number 5, Princess Mononoke.
13:10Cinematic brilliance flows through this film like a river.
13:13Miyazaki's storytelling and environmental consciousness seamlessly blend together to
13:18create a fantasy tale filled with just as much action as there are poignant character
13:23moments.
13:28In fact, this might be Ghibli's darkest film, and it's all the better for it.
13:32In order to stop a conflict between a warmonger and the divine denizens of nature, an exiled
13:38prince allies himself with a young woman raised by wolves.
13:50This really is essential viewing for anyone who even moderately has an interest in anime
13:55or great films in general.
14:01Number 4, Millennium Actress.
14:04Satoshi Kon strikes again, though this time he's swapping out the psychological for
14:09the contemplative, and in doing so crafts a deeply moving tale, layered with the eternal
14:15question of what could have been.
14:34Two documentary filmmakers seek out Chiyoko Fujiwara, an actress long missing from the
14:40spotlights.
14:41Upon finding her, she reminisces about her career.
14:45From there, the film becomes an ever-twisting mesh of genre and time, as through each performance
14:50we're able to garner a better understanding of Chiyoko's life, and the highs and lows
14:56that occur offscreen.
15:09Number 3, Your Name.
15:11It started with body swapping, and it turned into something else entirely.
15:15After waking up in each other's bodies, Taki and Mitsuha start to slowly experience one
15:20another's lives.
15:37Things only get crazier from there, and yet their story remains wholly endearing and expertly
15:43crafted.
15:44You truly want nothing but happiness for both of them, with all your heart.
15:53And we don't care what Makoto Shinkai says, his work here is incredible, to the extent
15:59we're not sure how he'd improve it.
16:06Number 2, Akira.
16:08Neo Tokyo, 2019.
16:11A war is about to erupt between the remnants of the military, a rebel with the greatest
16:16futuristic bike of all time, and a psychically imbued teenager with a god complex.
16:22Over 30 years later, it's still awesome.
16:35The animation for the time was groundbreaking, the lore woven into the dystopian setting
16:40was intriguing, and it's all helmed by two of anime's greatest frenemies.
16:45Both burnt by tragedy, both brought to blows when Tetsuo's newfound omnipotence threatens
16:51to decimate everything.
17:13Number 1, Spirited Away.
17:15It speaks to the sheer majesty of this film, that even among the pantheon of enchanting
17:21that bear the Ghibli name, this undoubtedly stands at the top.
17:25Everything magical about the art form, and Miyazaki's sensibilities as a storyteller
17:30and animator, can be found here.
17:39In order to free her parents from a curse, young Chihiro must enter a realm of spirits
17:44both well-meaning and insidious, leading to a dangerously delightful adventure filled
17:50to the brim with moments that have become ingrained into the culture for all time.
17:55It's a special one, alright.
17:57Which anime film is your all-time favourite?
18:00Let us know in those comments below.