mjf314's Guide to Anime Movies

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Created by mjf314.

Favorited 4 times, disliked 0 times, added to 11 watchlists.

This is a guide for anyone who wants to learn about the history of anime movies, short films, and OVAs, from the 1920s to the present.

While creating the list, I took several factors into account:
1. Quality, based on a combination of critical acclaim and my personal opinion. This is the most important factor, because I want it to be a list that's enjoyable to work on.
2. Variety. This list covers a wide variety of genres, styles, and trends throughout the entire history of anime, and covers all of the most important anime film directors. Some unusual films are included mainly for variety, but I did take quality into account when making my choices. Additionally, I tried to avoid picking too many similar films or too many films by the same director. If your favorite Miyazaki or Takahata or Kon film is missing, it doesn't mean that I don't like it. I just thought it would be pointless to include every single one.
3. Popularity and historical importance. This wasn't a major factor, but it did play a role for some choices.

Most of the movies/OVAs are standalone, but I included a few that are based on series (Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer, Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie), because I think you can understand them without watching the series. I included Hi no Tori: Uchuu Hen, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, and You Are Umasou because I think they feel more like new adaptations rather than sequels.

I excluded some remakes such as Rebuild of Evangelion and Madoka Magica because I think it's better to watch the series first. However, I included Galaxy Express 999 and The Dog of Flanders even though they're remakes, because the movies are (arguably) at least as important as the series, and a lot of people have seen only the movies. I excluded the movie series Kara no Kyoukai because I didn't want it to take up so many spots on the list, although the 5th one is very good.

I included some short OVAs with (3 hours total or less). I wanted to include some OVAs because they're an important part of anime history and they don't take long to watch, but this list is just an introduction, so I don't want to overwhelm people with longer series. This means that I left out some important OVAs, but I had to draw the line somewhere.

I'm using a fairly broad definition of anime, so I included films which are mostly still images (Band of Ninja, Fantascope: Tylostoma). I also included Grim, which doesn't really look animated, but it was photographed frame by frame, so it sort of fits the definition of stop motion.

Missing from IMDb:
Hana to Mogura (1970)

If you want a list that's purely based on my personal taste, see this list.

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  1. 93 new

    Omoide no Mânî

    2014 — a.k.a. When Marnie Was There, in 2 top lists Check
  2. 92 new

    Wonder

    2014, in 0 top lists
    Check
  3. 91 new

    Majokko shimai no Yoyo to Nene

    2013, in 0 top lists Check
  4. 90 new

    Kaguya-hime no monogatari

    2013 — a.k.a. The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, in 8 top lists Check
  5. 89 new

    Sakasama no Patema

    2013 — a.k.a. Patema Inverted, in 0 top lists Check
  6. 88 new

    Kaze tachinu

    2013 — a.k.a. The Wind Rises, in 4 top lists Check
  7. 87 new

    Little Witch Academia

    2013, in 0 top lists Check
  8. 86 new

    Ôkami kodomo no Ame to Yuki

    2012 — a.k.a. Wolf Children, in 7 top lists Check
  9. 85 new

    Hotarubi no mori e

    2011 — a.k.a. To the Forest of Firefly Lights, in 1 top list Check
  10. 84 new

    Omae umasoudana

    2010, in 0 top lists Check
  11. 83 new

    Maimai Shinko to sennen no mahô

    2009 — a.k.a. Mai Mai Miracle, in 0 top lists Check
  12. 82 new

    Redline

    2009, in 2 top lists Check
  13. 81 new

    Samâ uôzu

    2009 — a.k.a. Summer Wars, in 2 top lists Check
  14. 80 new

    Elemi

    2009, in 0 top lists Check
  15. 79 new

    Genius Party Beyond

    2008, in 0 top lists Check
  16. 78 new

    Detoroito Metaru Shiti

    2008 — a.k.a. Detroit Metal City, in 0 top lists Check
  17. 77 new

    Eve no jikan

    2008 — a.k.a. Time of Eve, in 0 top lists Check
  18. 76 new

    Tsumiki no ie

    2008 — a.k.a. The House of Small Cubes, in 3 top lists Check
  19. 75 new

    Kafuka: Inaka isha

    2007 — a.k.a. Franz Kafka's a Country Doctor, in 0 top lists Check
  20. 74 new

    Stranger: Mukô hadan

    2007 — a.k.a. Sword of the Stranger, in 1 top list Check
  21. 73 new

    Kappa no Kû to natsuyasumi

    2007 — a.k.a. Summer Days with Coo, in 2 top lists Check
  22. 72 new

    Byôsoku 5 senchimêtoru

    2007 — a.k.a. 5 Centimeters per Second, in 1 top list Check
  23. 71 new

    Fantascope 'Tylostoma'

    2006, in 0 top lists Check
  24. 70 new

    Toki o kakeru shôjo

    2006 — a.k.a. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, in 2 top lists Check
  25. 69 new

    Mind Game

    2004, in 6 top lists Check
  26. 68 new

    Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar...

    2003, in 3 top lists Check
  27. 67 new

    Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space

    2002, in 0 top lists Check
  28. 66 new

    Kigeki

    2002 — a.k.a. Comedy, in 1 top list Check
  29. 65 new

    Atama-yama

    2002 — a.k.a. Mount Head, in 1 top list Check
  30. 64 new

    Sennen joyû

    2001 — a.k.a. Millennium Actress, in 7 top lists Check
  31. 63 new

    Cowboy Bebop: Tengoku no tobira

    2001 — a.k.a. Cowboy Bebop the Movie: Knockin' on Heaven's Door, in 1 top list Check
  32. 62 new

    Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi

    2001 — a.k.a. Spirited Away, in 39 top lists Check
  33. 61 new

    Metoroporisu

    2001 — a.k.a. Metropolis, in 2 top lists Check
  34. 60 new

    Nekojiru-sô

    2001 — a.k.a. Cat Soup, in 2 top lists Check
  35. 59 new

    Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

    2000, in 2 top lists Check
  36. 58 new

    FLCL

    2000, in 0 top lists Check
  37. 57 new

    Jin-Rô

    1999 — a.k.a. Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, in 1 top list Check
  38. 56 new

    Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan:...

    1999 — a.k.a. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal, in 1 top list Check
  39. 55 new

    Glassy Ocean: Kujira no Chôyaku

    1998, in 0 top lists Check
  40. 54 new

    Yokohama kaidashi kikô

    1998, in 0 top lists Check
  41. 53 new

    Pâfekuto burû

    1997 — a.k.a. Perfect Blue, in 13 top lists Check
  42. 52 new

    Gekijôban Furandaasu no inu

    1997 — a.k.a. The Dog of Flanders, in 1 top list Check
  43. 51 new

    Memorîzu

    1995 — a.k.a. Memories, in 1 top list Check
  44. 50 new

    Kôkaku Kidôtai

    1995 — a.k.a. Ghost in the Shell, in 12 top lists Check
  45. 49 new

    Golden Boy: Sasurai no o-benkyô yarô

    1995 — a.k.a. Golden Boy, in 0 top lists Check
  46. 48 new

    Mimi wo sumaseba

    1995 — a.k.a. Whisper of the Heart, in 4 top lists Check
  47. 47 new

    Aa! Megamisama!

    1993, in 0 top lists Check
  48. 46 new

    Shôjo tsubaki: Chika gentô gekiga

    1992 — a.k.a. Midori, in 0 top lists Check
  49. 45 new

    Otaku no video

    1991, in 0 top lists Check
  50. 44 new

    Ningyo no mori

    1991 — a.k.a. Rumik World: Mermaid Forest, in 0 top lists Check
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Last updated on Jun 23, 2015;