The imagination exhibited through Japanese animation often dwarfs other styles of film-making, with visionaries such as Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Satoshi Kon and Makoto Shinkai having crafted vibrant, deep worlds and narratives that couldn’t exist using any other method.
The best of these films are brought to life with intelligence, perseverance and a strong connection with storytelling, and offer stunning visuals to match their ambition. Below are 10 that represent the best the genre have to offer.
Plot summaries from IMDB. Words by Jordan
10. 5 Centimetres Per Second (2007)
Written and Directed by Makoto Shinkai. CoMix Wave Films
Told in three interconnected segments, we follow a young man named Takaki through his life as cruel winters, cold technology, and finally, adult obligations and responsibility converge to test the delicate petals of love.
Attempting to hold onto a temporal moment in time can stir irrepressible feelings in an almost unequalled way, as explored through the eyes of Takaki while the past and present he’s known make way for an uncertain future. Backed by delightful artistry, 5 Centimetres Per Second is a careful, articulated statement on the pangs of letting go.
9. Paprika (2006)
Directed by Satoshi Kon. Based on a novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui. Madhouse/Sony Pictures Entertainment
When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patients’ dreams is stolen, all Hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist, Paprika, can stop it.
It’s an impressive feat that Paprika can retain its feverish energy while getting less and less decipherable as it progresses, ultimately being savoured for its bold, dreamlike approach to a complex idea and captivating central character. Satoshi Kon was a director unconcerned with taking risks, and his creative approach in tackling such layered material produced a film quite unlike any other.
8. When Marnie Was There (2014)
Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. Based on a novel by Joan G. Robinson. Studio Ghibli
Upon being sent to live with relatives in the countryside, an emotionally distant adolescent girl becomes obsessed with an abandoned mansion and infatuated with a girl who lives there – a girl who may or may not be real.
Hiromasa Yonebayashi is proving himself the heir apparent to Miyazaki, with When Marnie Was There being the last Studio Ghibli film to date and his upcoming Mary and the Witch’s Flower the first from Studio Ponoc. Based on the novel by Joan G. Robinson, When Marnie Was There is rich in artistry and powerfully captures the strong feelings of emotionally isolated youth, as well as the essence of family and how the past shapes us. Its a delight.
7. Wolf Children (2012)
Written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda. Studio Chizu
College student Hana falls in love with another student who turns out to be a werewolf, who dies in an accident after their second child. Hana moves to the rural countryside where her husband grew up to raise her two werewolf children.
Wolf Children is a heartfelt, earnest depiction of the joys and struggles of single-parenthood, heightened by an astonishing music score by Masakatsu Takagi and delicate direction by Mamoru Hosoda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars). Seeing Hana’s children grow and learn while she devotes herself to allowing them the happiness she and their father promised them is nothing short of wonderful, with the paths they take true to the different natures we’re born with.
6. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Directed by Mamoru Oshii. Based on the comic by Masamune Shirow. Bandai Visual Company
A cyborg policewoman and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master.
Ghost in the Shell provides a thought-provoking insight into a mass-information future, where the complicated, nuanced nature of crime has brought about Section 9: cyborgs with the ability to access any of Earth’s networks to prevent it. Sharing similarities with both Blade Runner and to an extent The Matrix, Mamoru Oshii’s science fiction classic is the pinnacle of animated technological thrillers.
5. Your Name (2016)
Written and Directed by Makoto Shinkai. CoMix Wave Films
Two high school kids who’ve never met – city boy Taki and country girl Mitsuha – are united through their dreams.
few films survey the landscape of love and fate like Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name, which presents a narrative that assimilates the idea of interwoven threads of time while also introducing two likable characters whose interactions range from light-hearted to deeply moving. Funny, surprising and totally captivating, this is one of the best films of recent years.
4. Perfect Blue (1997)
Directed by Satoshi Kon. Based on the novel by Yoshikazu Takeuchi. Madhouse
A retired pop-singer-turned-actress’ sense of reality is shaken when she is stalked by an obsessed fan and seemingly a ghost of her past.
Centering on the idea of an identity crisis taken to the extreme, Perfect Blue is a psychological thriller that harnesses a timely distrust of information technology and shatters any preconceptions of animation being unable to convey serious themes. Though the struggle of aspiring actress Mima, Satoshi Kon presents how truth and fiction can become horribly blurred in a world of unchecked moral ambiguity and paranoia.
3. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Directed by Isao Takahata. Based on the novel by Akiyuki Nosaka. Studio Ghibli
A young boy and his little sister struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.
Grave of the Fireflies is perhaps the finest film you’re likely to only see once, instilled with moments of personal tragedy amidst a bleak landscape of war. Isao Takahata directs with a soft touch however, capturing the moments of hope and optimism and lingering on them for longer than those of loss; aware that Seita and Setsuko represent an innocence and determination that cannot be extinguished. Harrowing viewing.
2. Spirited Away (2001)
Written and Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Studio Ghibli
During her family’s move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
Like My Neighbor Totoro and other Ghibli films, Spirited Away begins with a families change of environment and the fantastical imagination harnessed by the child to cope. The imagination on display though, through characters and locations vividly imbued with Japanese culture and wholly striking (as well as undoubtedly frightening at times) is at a level here above anything else.
1. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Written and Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Nibariki Production Company
Warrior/pacifist Princess Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.
The success of Hayao Miyazaki‘s second feature film lead to the creation of Studio Ghibli, with Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind itself not technically part of the studio’s output, though it embodies all the great hallmarks that have earned it tremendous respect. The Princess Nausicaä is one of the most courageous and spirited of all animations, being closely tied to nature and the peace for which it aspires to achieve while also yearning to protect her valley. She is cherished by her people, and adored by Miyazaki’s fan base as the finest aspect of a film overflowing with passion and ideas.
Honourable mentions:
Picking a top 10 was no easy feat, so here in no particular order are others that deserve to be mentioned alongside the very best:
Akira, Millennium Actress, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Porco Rosso, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Last Year’s Your Name would be right up there for me!
Absolutely! I ranked it as the finest film of 2016.
Jordan
Good call!
Still have to watch A LOT of these films mentioned. Heard of almost every movie here on your list and I have watched some and still have many on my to-be-watched list. I love Japanese Anime movies. I think I have never seen one that was bad.
There aren’t many bad examples at all.. I really value how creative they are, and the stories they tell. Hope you can catch the ones here you haven’t seen!
Jordan
Always great to see Satoshi Kon getting some love (Tokyo Godfathers is my personal favourite). Still have to see Your Name, but very much looking forward to it. Great selection!
Thanks Sam, hope you like Your Name!
Jordan
Nice list but, gah! Akira should’ve been in it.
Reuben
Check the Honorable Mentions! ha
Jordan
Yeah man, saw it there but it should’ve been in the top ten! Ah well. I’ve yet to see a lot on the list anyway.
No The Girl Who Leap Through Time? blasphemy! Joke. Watched all of this, Tale of Princess Kaguya would’ve been number one for me followed by Spirited Away. Haven’t watched Your Name though.
Was so hard deciding on a top 10! Was a shame leaving both of those out. You’ll have to let us know what you think of Your Name when you see it.
Jordan
Princess Mononoke will always be my favorite anime movie, but this was a good list.
I think there would be quite a few with you on that one. It’s definitely an outstanding achievement, but I think that Myazaki achieved better results on the topic with Nausicaa.
Jordan
Personally I’d bump Akira out of the Honorable Mention and into the Top Five. Probably three. And you can’t forget Princess Mononoke! Powerful imagery and deeply complex characters. They aren’t “heroes” and “villains”, they’re protagonists and antagonists, two groups with their own ambitions and goals, both flawed and yet well motivated. It’s my favorite anime film of all time.
Knew I’d cop some flack for Mononoke and Akira! ha. Mononoke really is rewarding and gets more refined with each re watching. Fair enough call for sure.
Jordan
I am not sure I can say I love Japanese animations as I have only watched Studio Ghibli movies, but you made some great choices up there and made me curious to watch many of those flicks.
I have yet to watch When Marnie Was There (it’s the only Ghibli movie I haven’t watched), but I am glad to hear you like it that much.
Ghibli was my entry point too, but there really is so much more to explore. Hope you like Marnie when you catch it.
Jordan
Great list. Love seeing Perfect Blue and Ghost in the Shell on your list. Need to see your number one pick and Wolf Children.
Needed to include some that weren’t tear jerkers, ha. Wolf Children is very touching.
Jordan
You forgot Digimon the movie.
Such an oversight.
Jordan
Amazing list! I love all these films but havent heard of 10.5. Will check it out!
Glad you liked it! Your input on animation is always appreciated.
Jordan
Thanks for saying that. This list would be sooo hard for me to narrow down
Princess Monokoe is a personal favourite of mine, as is Ghost In The Shell and also Porcco Rosso delights me to this day. Great list!
Thanks! You mention some very good ones there!
Jordan
Spirited Away is one of my all time favorite films!
Can’t argue with that!
Jordan
If you are ready to be depressed for a few days, go ahead and watch Grave of Fireflies. However, it does show what war is capable of through the eyes of two innocent children.
It’s a very important film.. even if it is exceptionally hard to watch at times.
Jordan
These are some great picks you’ve posted. You can never please everyone heh. I love animation as i mention on my site aswell and i could never have a particular order for them but i love most of the studio Ghibli movies such as Howls Moving Castle, and ones you mentioned here. And an anime called Millennium Actress which I enjoyed.
I also love alot of underrated movies such as French animated. They have some wonderful ones worth watching. Like ..A cat in Paris, The Illusionist.
Very interesting picks! You’re far more versed in French cinema than me.. I’ll need to delve into it now.
Jordan
5cm per second is a masterpiece. I’d have End of Evangelion in my top 10 (or Eva 2.22)
Yeah good call there.. glad you agree on 5cm.
Jordan
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Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away,Totoro and Arriety would be on my list. I just love Studio Ghibli mainly because it was my childhood. Also 5 centimeters per second’s animation is so beautiful!
Yeah as you can imagine, a top 10 list is extremely difficult to put together! It really should’ve been a top 50…
Jordan
I still have to see Wolf Children. It is interesting to see Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind at your number one. Most people would never put it that high.
Nausicaa paved the way for most of the films on this list, and was the first to display Miyazaki’s vision for animation. Its incredibly important and a very fine narrative in its own right.
Jordan
Your Name does look good, as does the new one out ‘A silent voice’
I’ll be seeing A Silent Voice next week.. can’t wait!
Jordan
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Thanks for the list. I will figure out a way to watch them all
Valley of the Wind made me cry buckets though
I adore that film.
Nausicaa is such a beautiful character.
Jordan