Plenty of rewarding forms of entertainment exist as possible distractions and forms of art, yet there’s a special level of diversity and grandeur that’s often applied to the medium of anime. There are hundreds of new anime series that come out every year that add more challenging content to different genres, but some of the medium’s most impressive feats are the stories designed for the cinema.
Anime movies can present powerful stories in direct ways, but there can often be a schism in content between what’s geared for younger audiences and what can be enjoyed by adults. Fortunately, there are some strong anime movies out there that are deeply enjoyable, regardless of the audience’s age.
10 Spirited Away Is A Fantastical Burst Of Imagination That’s Suitable For All Ages
All of the works of Hayao Miyazaki are layered and passionate enough that they’re able to satisfy both children and adults alike, but Spirited Away is a particularly versatile movie that can break through to all demographics. The anime film tells a simple story where Chihiro tries to save her family while she negotiates a sanctuary for supernatural entities. Spirited Away is filled with astounding visuals and an evergreen narrative that can make adults feel like kids again. Spirited Away’s presentation of its supernatural creatures always skews toward a more cheerful style that shouldn’t frighten younger audiences.
9 Lu Over the Wall Teaches A Beautiful Lesson About Coming Out Of One’s Shell
Masaaki Yuasa has become one of the most ambitious names who are currently working in the anime industry, and all of his works have the privilege of toeing the line between a story that’s suitable for children or adults. Some of Yuasa’s storytelling gets a little too sophisticated or emotional for children, but Lu Over the Wall marks some of the director’s most playful work. There’s an elegant story about a musician who befriends a strange mermaid who has a passion to sing, but it transforms into a universal story about art, freedom, and the importance of creativity in life.
8 Promare Uses Star-Crossed Relationships & Unreal Visuals To Create Magic
Promare is a bit of a situation where style overpowers substance, but that’s not necessarily an issue when the level of style that’s applied to the movie is just so visually incredible.
Studio TRIGGER is one of the most daring animation studios working in anime, and Promare leans into fire superpowers to create dazzling action sequences that play by their own rules. A simple battle against a flaming breed of mutants drives Promare’s story, but there’s a touching Romeo and Juliet-esque relationship that fleshes out the eye-popping movie.
7 Lupin The Third: The First Is A Strong Introduction To The Iconic Gentleman Thief
Monkey Punch’s Lupin the Third series is over 50 years old and one of the most cherished properties to come out of Japan. There is copious Lupin the Third content in the form of anime, specials, and feature films. Castle of Cagliostro is an excellent entry point for both young and old audiences. However, the recent Lupin the Third: The First works as an even more universal Lupin story. The First and its CG aesthetic may rub some the wrong way, but it looks gorgeous and is the perfect reboot for newcomers, regardless of age.
6 A Silent Voice Crafts A Touching Story About Humanity That Everyone Should Experience
Morality plays and tales of redemption can hit hard when they’re able to properly sell their emotion and pain. A Silent Voice begins as an innocent story about a callous student who bullies a new addition to the class who is deaf and uses a hearing aid. Years later, the two reunite and the bully is appalled by his past behavior and examines the type of person he wants to be in life. A Silent Voice is strong enough to turn the worst bully into an ally, which children can benefit from just as much as adults.
5 Children Of The Sea Presents Patient, Meticulous Artwork That Transcends Age
Coming from Studio 4°C and director Ayumu Watanabe, Children of the Sea is a surprisingly patient and soothing picture that's more concerned about the atmosphere and arresting visuals than an overly complicated story.
Ruka is a character with a deep affinity for the sea and its many forms of life, which only intensifies after she befriends two mysterious boys, Umi and Sora. There are lots of anime movies that capitalize on the vast glory of the sea, but Children of the Sea puts detailed effort into its depictions of underwater life.
4 Your Name Tells A Universal Love Story That Will Reduce Anyone To Tears
Makoto Shinkai has a certain flair when it comes to heartwarming anime movies, but Your Name might be his crowning achievement and one of the best anime films of all time. There's an unassuming body-swapping structure to the movie while two seemingly random teenagers get to walk a mile in each other's shoes. Your Name centers around teenagers, but the emotions felt are so genuine that it’s a love story that anyone will be moved to tears over. Someone who has never been in love or an individual who’s been married for decades will both adore Your Name.
3 Summer Wars Creates A Global Disaster Where Everyone Serves A Purpose
Mamoru Hosoda is a major emerging talent in the anime industry who cut his teeth on the first Digimon Adventure movie before coming up with movies like The Boy and the Beast, Mirai, and the upcoming Belle. Summer Wars is one of Hosoda's biggest movies, and it centers around an artificial intelligence-fueled apocalypse that should resonate with any age group. The characters and creatures present in Summer Wars will easily connect with children, but the heavier themes about technology will also be enough to keep the adults entertained. It culminates into one of Hosoda’s deepest films.
2 Tokyo Godfathers Is A Tender Look At The Beauty Of Life & Its Unpredictable Nature
Satoshi Kon is a prolific name in the anime industry who is responsible for some of the most mind-bending and psychologically complex stories of the genre. Movies like Perfect Blue, Paprika, and Millennium Actress are all essentials in anime, but they’re absolutely not stories that should be seen by children. Tokyo Godfathers isn’t exactly a kids’ movie, but it’s the most delicate of the director’s works. There’s a sweet story that’s set at Christmas where three vagrant outcasts stumble upon a baby and try to give it a hopeful future. It’s an earnest, beautiful movie that can teach children a lot.
1 The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Reminds Audiences That Everyone Has Dreams
Another prominent tale of fantasy by Mamoru Hosoda, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is perfect escapism with magic that should work on children and adults alike. Makoto Konno's ability to travel through time is presented in a moving way that connects both visually and emotionally, which guarantees that the movie never looks boring. However, Makoto's struggles with guilt and moving on in life will connect with anyone. Makoto is a teenager, and her desire for adventure and to escape her small surroundings will definitely appeal to kids.
0 Comments