Look to Japan for some of the best anime films. Japan is an animation powerhouse! Whilst Hollywood has Disney, Japan had Studio Ghibli, led by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. The creativity of the Japanese films in this list are often unmatched by their American counterparts. You are missing out if you haven’t seen at least a handful of these!
The Top 10
1. Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke is a classic. It is Miyazaki’s return to the more political realms of Nausicaa and Laputa – films which promote awareness of global issues such as discrimination, global warming, and war. Plus, the animation is beautifully created and the storyline is an adventure epic. For more, follow this link to check out my analysis of Princess Mononoke.
2. Spirited Away
Spirited Away is Miyazaki’s most celebrated work, and rightly so. The film follows a young girl who gets lost in a spirit world which she has to navigate to save her parents. I am in awe of how Miyazaki dreamed up everything in this film, it is the one of the most magical films you could watch.
3. Pom Poko
Oh yes! Pom Poko! This entry from Isao Takahata is framed as a sort of documentary. It follows some shape-shifting raccoons who rise up against the growing industrialisation/expansion of Tokyo to protect their habitat. One of the comedic highlights is seeing these raccoons parachute using their scrotum (don’t worry it’s completely PG). Pom Poko promotes awareness of industrialisation with this hilarious comedy.
4. Laputa: Castle in the Sky
Whilst not the best film title to translate into Spanish, this animation is another excellent addition from Miyazaki. It was the first film released by Studio Ghibli and set a very high bar for the rest of their films. In this adventure, a young girl searches for the island in the sky whilst trying to evade those who want to find it before her.
5. Howl’s Moving Castle
Yes, Studio Ghibli rounds out my top 5. Howl’s Moving Castle is one of Miyazaki’s most recent films and one of his most imaginative. Moving castles, talking fire, and a jumping scarecrow are three things you’ll find in this movie. Another brilliant example of Miyazaki’s celebrated career, this one also serves as an allegory for war.
6. Grave of the Fireflies
Isao Takahata’s animation of the bombing of Japan during World War Two is heart wrenching. There are some pretty sad moments in a number of Pixar films, but nothing on this level. This will hit you on another emotional level. In addition, learn about life in Japan during World War Two and how terrible war is!
7. Paprika
You thought Inception was original? Well you obviously didn’t see Paprika when it came out in 2006. Paprika is set in a future where patients can use devices to start lucidly dreaming. The problem is that some people are hacking into other people’s dreams. Not great if these skills fall in the wrong hands…
8. My Neighbour Totoro
This is the perfect film to watch for the little ones. My Neighbour Totoro is very peaceful and calm – there are no chases or conflict like some of the other Miyazaki films. However, in true Miyazaki fashion there is his trademark fantasy. And of course, there is Totoro! (a great addition to all the Disney merchandise).
9. Akira
Set in a dystopian future where society is crumbling, Akira is the anime equivalent of The Matrix. Pay attention to the superbly animated setting of ‘Neo-Tokyo,’ a city which resembles a mix of Bladerunner’s Los Angeles and Tron. Read a full preview of Akira here.
10. My Neighbors the Yamadas
Rounding out the top 10 is another entry from Isao Takahata. The star of this film is the hilarious skits of a family living in Tokyo. The snippets reminded me of things my family would do. The bare-bones animation adds to the simplicity of the film. It’s an ode to the regular family.
Conclusion
There are plenty more Japanese anime films to check out, so take this list as an entry point. I’ve included some more to watch later, that only just missed out on the top 10.
Nausicaa, The Wind Rises, Whisper of the Heart, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
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