In the last decade, anime movies have pushed boundaries to create some of the most flawless theater experiences ever. Emotions have never run higher, animation has never been more beautiful and, most importantly, the writing present in these films has never been stronger.
The best-written anime of recent years have redefined the art of storytelling. These movies explore loss, grief, identity and the complexities of life, and most of them, be they traditional dramas, sci-fi or fantasy films, or action movies, leave a lasting impact on viewers even years after watching.
Your Name’s Body-Swap Romance Is Iconic
Your Name is Makoto Shinkai’s revolutionary romantic tale. After its release, Your Name became the highest grossing Japanese movie of all time, only being recently overtaken by Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. The way Makoto Shinkai began the film with a comic body swap, but ended it with one of the most impactful plot twists of all time, will always remain iconic.
To this day, Your Name remains a must-watch anime movie which can lead its audiences to feel a blend of different emotions all at once. The protagonists, Taki and Mitsuha, slowly bond because of their accidental body swap, only to find out that the distance between them is far greater than any mode of transportation can cover.
In This Corner of the World Is a Brave Anti-War Movie
In This Corner of the World is one of those anime movies that leave its audience a broken mess. At the same time, one can’t help but admire the film’s guts to show the reality of war and its effects on civilians. The film follows Suzu Hojo, an artistic young woman who never achieves her potential because her life is led astray by World War II.
Suzu’s life begins like a slice of life story of a woman who contains big dreams in her small body. As she embarks on her new journey of being a wife, with a raging war in the background, it becomes clear that the future of Suzu and her family is uncertain. In This Corner of the World’s writing does a perfect job of derailing Suzu’s life to create a cautionary tale.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly Humanized the Titular Character
Dragon Ball Super: Broly is one of the few anime films from a major shonen franchise which can be considered truly well-written. It transforms Broly from a terrifying and unreasonable rage monster to someone who fans can sympathize with. Akira Toriyama’s direct involvement with the film made the conflict and Broly’s rampage take a meaningful turn.
Not only did Dragon Ball Super: Broly make Broly into a likable character with layers, but it also canonized the official backstory of Bardock, Goku’s father. The movie begins with a dark and politically charged background before having fun with its iconic power level and transformation shenanigans. Still, the film’s highlight will always be the 10/10 found family trope executed via Broly, Cheelai, and Lemo.
Look Back Explores Artistic Ambitions Through Grief
Look Back, by Tatsuki Fujimoto, is a far cry from the gory chaos of Chainsaw Man. The film focuses on two little girls and their artistic ambitions, but as they grow up, their struggles with mental health comes into focus. The movie isn’t particularly dialogue heavy, but the weight of the silence sits heavy on the minds of fans.
Through its young characters, Look Back explored the pain and grief that comes after experiencing the loss of a loved one. The anime movie is often described as a hauntingly heartbreaking one, especially due to its focus on human experiences and the cost of making art.
Penguin Highway Is a Vivid Magical Fantasy
Penguin Highway is a beautiful coming of age movie which portrays the joys of growing up and the curiosity of children. When a bunch of penguins appear in the middle of summer in Japan, things are bound to feel crazy even for adults. So when Aoyama, a fourth grader, finds penguins wandering around a small town, he takes a silent oath to find the science behind the magical event.
Despite taking place in a comically bizarre environment, the movie is actually a heartfelt story of a child whose curiosity takes him to new adventures. Penguin Highway is the kind of movie that is adored by Ghibli movie fans. It is a slow burn mystery that leaves viewers with life lessons.
Blue Giant Brought Jazz to Life on Screen
Blue Giant is a musical anime movie that captures jazz as a medium of human expression. Blue Giant shows a jazz-obsessed trio whose passion for music shines with their powerful and expressive performances. The movie shows the struggles and desires of its main characters via their love for the music they play.
Blue Giant perfectly captures the essence of music and how creating art and following one’s passion can be extremely ruthless in a society that demands rigidity. The anime movie is a diamond in the rough whose obscurity does not steal its shine.
A Silent Voice is a Depressing Look at Bullying and Its Effects
A Silent Voice’s commentary on bullying and physical disabilities is something that very few movies have been able to capture. While most films portray bullying as an irredeemable sin, A Silent Voice stars Shoya, a former child bully who is buried in guilt and remorse for his past actions.
A Silent Voice is often called a must-watch in the anime community because of its raw storytelling and how it exposes the vulnerable sides of its characters. As Shoya and Shoko form a bond, viewers stand witness to how the duo go from uncomfortable silence to heartfelt exchanges. A Silent Voice is an emotional story that does not dillydally before showcasing the dark reality of humanity.
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko Is an Emotional Tale of a Mother-Daughter Duo
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko is a poignant tale of the connection between a mother and her daughter. Nikuko is a free-spirited and food-loving mother who is also extremely unlucky in all her romantic ventures. Kikuko, her daughter, is the exact opposite and the interactions between the characters are as real as can be. As Kikuko grows and navigates life, she also feels guilt for being embarrassed about her loving yet loud mother.
The best part about Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko is towards its finale, when all the secrets spill out in the open, leaving the mother and daughter duo fighting back tears. The healing of unseen wounds of both characters makes the final scene even more impactful as the two find solace in each other after keeping their emotions hidden out of consideration.
Children of the Sea Makes Viewers Question Life Itself
Children of the Sea’s fantastic animation might be eye-catching, but no one can deny its beautiful writing is what carries the audience to an oceanic adventure. The movie aims big and reaches to debate nature, human existence and one’s place in the vast and unending world full of mysteries. The ambition of the film alone renders it rich and worthwhile.
Children of the Sea introduces two ethereal boys, Umi and Sora who have originated from the ocean. As Rumi connects with the boys, she starts to get drawn into a supernatural world where she is forced to contemplate the connection between celestial bodies, the ocean and human lives. Children of the Sea is a must-watch for those who love to ponder the connection between everything in existence.
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms Shows the Constant Grief of an Immortal
Maquia is another anime movie that focuses on motherhood as the titular protagonist adopts an orphan boy after a major disaster. However, Maquia’s physical appearance does not change, despite the passing years, forcing her and her child apart as he grows up. The movie slowly reveals how life as an immortal is a continuous cycle of grief and loneliness instead of a fantasy.
The evolving bond between Maquia and her son takes center focus as it quietly builds before leaving the audience with an emotional climax. As Maquia watches her son grow old and leave her, viewers are bound to shed a few tears.
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