Anime is a form of animation native to Japan that has been around since the early 1900s. It is enjoyed by people all over the world, and there are more than 200 anime series available for streaming on Netflix alone! Anime is often considered to be a form of art because it combines traditional drawing techniques with computer-generated graphics.
Anime films and TV shows make up 60% of the animation-based entertainment in the world. The schools in Japan have declared anime as an individual subject on its own. Anime voice acting is also huge, as Japan has around 130 voice-acting schools. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the popular anime shows and why you should consider watching them.
List of Popular Anime Films
You can watch the popular Japanese animation material on Netflix at any time. There are several genres of anime series and movies like comedy, high school love story, dragon adventure, live-action, dragon story, and more. These movies are more detailed in the stories; therefore, they are interesting even for adults.
Each movie has a set of loyal fans who usually wait a long time for the next release from the respective studio. You can find the best movies in our list or scroll through hundreds of movies on Netflix. The platform will recommend similar movies according to your interests.
Highest-Grossing Japanese Films (2023)
| Title | Worldwide gross | Year | Format |
| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train | $507,127,293 | 2020 | Anime |
| Spirited Away | $395,580,000 | 2001 | Anime |
| Your Name | $382,238,181 | 2016 | Anime |
| Suzume † | $324,185,112 | 2022 | Anime |
| The First Slam Dunk † | $263,385,475 | 2022 | Anime |
| One Piece Film: Red | $246,570,000 | 2022 | Anime |
| Howl's Moving Castle | $237,536,126 | 2004 | Anime |
| Ponyo | $204,826,668 | 2008 | Anime |
| Jujutsu Kaisen 0 | $196,290,952 | 2021 | Anime |
| Weathering with You | $193,715,360 | 2019 | Anime |
| Stand by Me Doraemon | $183,442,714 | 2014 | Anime |
| Pokémon: The First Movie | $172,744,662 | 1998 | Anime |
| Princess Mononoke | $170,005,875 | 1997 | Anime |
| Bayside Shakedown 2 | $164,450,000 | 2003 | Live-action |
| The Secret World of Arrietty | $149,411,550 | 2010 | Anime |
| The Wind Rises | $136,533,257 | 2013 | Anime |
| Pokémon: The Movie 2000 | $133,949,270 | 1999 | Anime |
| Dragon Ball Super: Broly | $122,747,755 | 2018 | Anime |
| Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire | $115,570,314 | 2019 | Anime |
| Bayside Shakedown: The Movie | $115,000,000 | 1998 | Live-action |
Apart from this, you may find games with interactive character stories and live-action to play with your high school friends. In addition, video games offer a great bonding experience to people online as they cross each level.
When you start watching high school love and thriller shows such as Death Note, you will be tempted to watch one episode after another. Although it is not a film, it gets an honourary mention before the film list. The story and each character have depth along with an unpredictable plot. You may pick more series after this with more than one season.
Here is a list of popular anime movies that you should not miss out on. If you are relatively new to the Japanese anime world, these will introduce you well to the genre.
Princess Mononoke (Mononoke-Hime), Miyazaki Hayao, Studio Ghibli, 1997
- Director: Hayao Miyazaki
- Studio: Studio Ghibli
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Running Time: 134 minutes
Released more than twenty years ago, this movie is in seventh place among the highest-grossing films in Japan. Besides, the theme song of the anime series was quite famous. The story revolves around the Muromachi Period of Japan, where giant animals are gradually disappearing from the Emishi village.
Plot -
In the late Muromachi period of Japanese history, a young prince named Ashitaka is cursed by a demon. In order to lift the curse, he must travel to the western forests and find the Forest Spirit, a powerful deity who can heal him. Along the way, he meets San, a young woman who was raised by wolves, and becomes embroiled in a conflict between humans and animals.
Ghost in The Shell, Oshii Mamoru, Production I.G, 1995
This is the best anime in the West as there is a movie adapted starring Scarlett Johanson. The original is one of the best anime films released in 1997 and was an instant hit at the box office.
This was a successful international co-production venture between Japan and Great Britain.
Plot
The story revolves around Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg public security officer tasked with investigating a series of cybercrimes committed by a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master. As Major Kusanagi delves deeper into the case, she begins to question her own existence and the boundaries between humans and machines.
Akira, Toho Studio, 1988
This is a classic manga film adaptation of the same name, considered to be the best animated movie ever. In the movie, Testsu is a teenager in the post-apocalyptic world of Neo-Tokyo in the year 2019.
Considered a landmark in Japanese animation, "Akira" is praised for its stunning visuals, complex storytelling, and groundbreaking use of animation techniques. It has influenced numerous works of popular culture and is regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time.
Here are some additional details about "Akira":
- It was one of the first anime films to achieve widespread critical and commercial success outside of Japan, helping to popularize anime around the world.
- The film's production was notoriously difficult, with Otomo and his team spending three years working on the animation.
- The film's soundtrack, composed by Shoji Yamashiro, is considered a masterpiece of electronic music and has been praised for its innovative use of synthesizers and sound effects.
- "Akira" has been adapted into several other media, including video games, novels, and a live-action film that is currently in development.
Neighbor Totoro, Studio Ghibli, 1988
The film plot revolves around the life of a father and two girls moving to the countryside to take care of a sick mother in the hospital. Soon, they discover the house has fantastic creatures known as the totoros. They usually sleep between the full moons and are friendly. Years after its release in Japan, the film was released in Europe in 2013.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing anime film of all time until it was surpassed by Spirited Away in 2001. My Neighbor Totoro has been praised for its beautiful animation, heartwarming story, and memorable characters, and is considered one of the greatest animated films of all time.
The film has been interpreted in a variety of ways, with some critics seeing it as a commentary on environmentalism, childhood innocence, or the power of imagination. However, Miyazaki has said that he simply wanted to create a film that would make children happy.
Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli, 2001
The movie garnered more than 30 billion yen as it was a commercial success. This movie revolves around a brave girl and does not fixate on a romantic angle like other anime. Besides, it is about a little girl who transitions into an adult to save her mother and father. The plot is captivating with a ghost town story. The animation of the movie is simple yet delightful. Moreover, the theme is spot on to keep it away from romantic love stories.
Chihiro and her family are stuck here under the spell of Yubaba. Her parents cannot refuse the delicious Japanese food that is served at the abandoned park. After her parents transform into pigs, she has no choice but to face Yubaba. In the end, she can rescue her parents and forget the whole ordeal like a distant memory.
Chihiro and her family are stuck here under the spell of Yubaba. After her parents transform into pigs, she has no choice but to face Yubaba. In the end, she is able to rescue her parents and forget the whole ordeal like a distant memory.
Wolf Children, Studio Chizu, 2012
After a few years of hard work with Hosoda Mamoru, the movie was released in 2012. The movie is about Hana and her two kids living in Tokyo. They have a secret identity as they come from a werewolf family. After the disappearance of her husband, Hana decides to take her half-werewolf children to the countryside. This movie was produced by Studio Madhouse and directed by Studio Chizu.
"Wolf Children" is known for its beautiful animation, heartwarming story, and exploration of themes such as family, love, and the search for identity. It received critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year and the Annecy International Animated Film Festival's Cristal for Best Feature.
The film's success led to the creation of a manga adaptation and a live-action stage play. It has also been praised for its positive portrayal of non-traditional families and its exploration of the complexities of parenting.
Graves of the Fireflies, Studio Ghibli, 1988
This was one of the first movies from Studio Ghibli. The movie has a peaceful message and impacts the audience in a triggering manner. It may not be a commercial success; however, it was praised by critics. Therefore, it is a masterpiece from Studio Ghibli.
The plot revolves around the time following the Kobe bombing. Its aftermath has made Seita and his sister orphans. The movie is about their life and survival in a bunker that is surrounded by thousands of fireflies.
Best Website To Watch Japanese Anime Free
The best website to watch Japanese anime for free is a subjective matter and can depend on personal preferences and specific requirements. You must watch anime on platforms that have the legal rights to show for the audience.
However, here are some popular options that offer a wide variety of anime titles:
- Crunchyroll: Crunchyroll is one of the most well-known anime streaming platforms, offering a vast library of both simulcast (currently airing) and classic anime series. It has a freemium model, with a premium subscription unlocking additional features such as ad-free viewing and simulcast access.
- Funimation: Funimation is another popular anime streaming service, known for its extensive collection of English-dubbed anime. It also offers a freemium model, with a premium subscription providing access to simulcasts, ad-free viewing, and offline viewing.
- RetroCrush: RetroCrush specializes in classic and retro anime series, particularly those from the 1980s and 1990s. It has a free ad-supported service, with a premium subscription removing ads and providing access to simulcasts.
- Tubi TV: Tubi TV is a free streaming service that offers a wide range of movies and TV shows, including a decent selection of anime. It is ad-supported, but the ads are generally less intrusive compared to other free streaming services.
- Pluto TV: Pluto TV is another free streaming service that offers a variety of live TV channels and on-demand content, including anime. It is ad-supported, but the ads are usually short and infrequent.
These websites provide a legal and convenient way to watch anime for free, with some offering additional features and benefits with premium subscriptions.
Learn About Japanese Culture and Cinema
Through Anime" delves into the fascinating world of Japanese animation, showcasing its rich history, cultural significance, and impact on Japanese cinema. Anime, short for animation, has become a global phenomenon, captivating audiences worldwide with its diverse genres, captivating storytelling, and visually stunning artwork.
Anime's roots can be traced back to the early 20th century when Japanese artists began experimenting with animation techniques. However, it wasn't until the post-World War II era that anime truly flourished, gaining immense popularity both domestically and internationally.
One of the key aspects of anime is its ability to seamlessly blend traditional Japanese culture with modern storytelling. Many anime series and films incorporate elements such as folklore, mythology, historical events, and everyday life, providing viewers with a glimpse into the intricacies of Japanese society.
Anime has also significantly influenced Japanese cinema, with many live-action films drawing inspiration from anime's visual aesthetics, narrative styles, and character development. This cross-pollination between anime and cinema has resulted in a unique and dynamic film industry in Japan.
Moreover, anime has become a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy, promoting Japanese culture and values to a global audience. Through its captivating stories and relatable characters, anime has fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japanese society, customs, and traditions.
Now you have a long list of Japanese animation series and movies to watch. You may start watching some small episodes of anime like the Death Note. These episodes do not consume much time and entertain you with adventure, suspense, and high school comedy. Apart from watching the anime movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime, watch high school love story animes or new dragon and demon genre series.
Also, check out the Indian attempt on anime that is heavily inspired by the Japanese. Moreover, there are several anime games to keep you occupied with interactive characters and adventure in the episodes. You may find a game that caters to the interests of both girl and boy characters. It is recommended to create original accounts on the games to get the best experience.
As you know, the manga and anime series are in Japanese, so you may watch the English versions on Netflix and Amazon Prime. These on-demand movie platforms make it easy to watch new episodes of movies and series at any time. If you wish to work on your Japanese, you may watch these action and adventure-filled anime with English subtitles.
After developing a good understanding, you may watch these with native subtitles to learn more. To learn more about the culture, tradition, and cinema of Japan, we recommend registering on Superprof. The website has a community of teachers who can teach you the Japanese language, history, reading, and writing Kanji. With this knowledge, you may be able to write your own comedy, love, high school, and dragon drama anime.
Find a Japanese teacher today!
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