mjf314's Guide to Anime Movies

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Created by mjf314.

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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. 26 new

    DAICON III Opening Animation

    1981 — a.k.a. Daicon III Opening Animation, in 0 top lists Check
  2. 80 new

    Elemi

    2009, in 0 top lists Check
  3. 47 new

    Aa! Megamisama!

    1993, in 0 top lists Check
  4. 7 new

    Koneko no rakugaki

    1957 — a.k.a. The Scribbling Kitten, in 0 top lists Check
  5. 6 new

    Suteneko tora-chan

    1947, in 0 top lists Check
  6. 78 new

    Detoroito Metaru Shiti

    2008 — a.k.a. Detroit Metal City, in 0 top lists Check
  7. 44 new

    Ningyo no mori

    1991 — a.k.a. Rumik World: Mermaid Forest, in 0 top lists Check
  8. 3 new

    Norakuro gochô

    1934 — a.k.a. Corporal Norakuro, in 0 top lists Check
  9. 54 new

    Yokohama kaidashi kikô

    1998, in 0 top lists Check
  10. 38 new

    Hi no tori: Uchû-hen

    1987, in 0 top lists Check
  11. 71 new

    Fantascope 'Tylostoma'

    2006, in 0 top lists Check
  12. 2 new

    Kuronyago

    1931 — a.k.a. The Black Cat, in 0 top lists Check
  13. 27 new

    DAICON IV Opening Animation

    1983, in 0 top lists Check
  14. 17 new

    Tabi

    1973 — a.k.a. The Trip, in 0 top lists Check
  15. 49 new

    Golden Boy: Sasurai no o-benkyô yarô

    1995 — a.k.a. Golden Boy, in 0 top lists Check
  16. 45 new

    Otaku no video

    1991, in 0 top lists Check
  17. 22 new

    Sekai meisaku dôwa: Mori wa ikiteiru

    1980 — a.k.a. Twelve Months, in 0 top lists Check
  18. 4 new

    Tengu taiji

    1934 — a.k.a. Hyoei and Heibei's Tengu Hunt, in 0 top lists Check
  19. 1 new

    Manga: Kobutori

    1929 — a.k.a. The Stolen Lump, in 0 top lists Check
  20. 14 new

    Sora tobu yûreisen

    1969 — a.k.a. Flying Phantom Ship, in 0 top lists Check
  21. 24 new

    Natsu e no tobira

    1981 — a.k.a. The Door Into Summer, in 0 top lists Check
  22. 84 new

    Omae umasoudana

    2010, in 0 top lists Check
  23. 91 new

    Majokko shimai no Yoyo to Nene

    2013, in 0 top lists Check
  24. 87 new

    Little Witch Academia

    2013, in 0 top lists Check
  25. 55 new

    Glassy Ocean: Kujira no Chôyaku

    1998, in 0 top lists Check
  26. 37 new

    Mori no densetsu

    1987 — a.k.a. Legend of the Forest, in 0 top lists Check
  27. 11 new

    Ninja bugei-chô

    1967 — a.k.a. Band of Ninja, in 0 top lists Check
  28. 35 new

    Jûichi-nin iru!

    1986 — a.k.a. They Were Eleven, in 0 top lists Check
  29. 15 new

    Kiseichuu no Ichiya

    1972 — a.k.a. The Midnight Parasites, in 0 top lists
    Check
  30. 9 new

    Aru machikado no monogatari

    1962 — a.k.a. Story of a Certain Street Corner, in 0 top lists Check
  31. 77 new

    Eve no jikan

    2008 — a.k.a. Time of Eve, in 0 top lists Check
  32. 92 new

    Wonder

    2014, in 0 top lists
    Check
  33. 5 new

    Kumo to chûrippu

    1943 — a.k.a. The Spider and the Tulip, in 0 top lists Check
  34. 67 new

    Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space

    2002, in 0 top lists Check
  35. 10 new

    Wanpaku ôji no orochi taiji

    1963 — a.k.a. Little Prince and the Eight Headed Dragon, in 0 top lists Check
  36. 34 new

    Purojekuto A-ko

    1986 — a.k.a. Project A-Ko, in 0 top lists Check
  37. 83 new

    Maimai Shinko to sennen no mahô

    2009 — a.k.a. Mai Mai Miracle, in 0 top lists Check
  38. 42 new

    Top wo Nerae!

    1988 — a.k.a. Gunbuster, in 0 top lists Check
  39. 23 new

    Unico

    1981 — a.k.a. The Fantastic Adventures of Unico, in 0 top lists Check
  40. 66 new

    Kigeki

    2002 — a.k.a. Comedy, in 1 top list Check
  41. 25 new

    Jarinko Chie

    1981 — a.k.a. Chie the Brat, in 0 top lists Check
  42. 89 new

    Sakasama no Patema

    2013 — a.k.a. Patema Inverted, in 0 top lists Check
  43. 52 new

    Gekijôban Furandaasu no inu

    1997 — a.k.a. The Dog of Flanders, in 1 top list Check
  44. 19 new

    Chirin no suzu

    1978 — a.k.a. Ringing Bell, in 0 top lists Check
  45. 18 new

    Dôjôji

    1976 — a.k.a. Dojoji Temple, in 1 top list Check
  46. 13 new

    Sen'ya ichiya monogatari

    1969 — a.k.a. One Thousand and One Nights, in 1 top list Check
  47. 33 new

    Grim

    1985, in 0 top lists Check
  48. 8 new

    Hakuja den

    1958 — a.k.a. Panda and the Magic Serpent, in 1 top list Check
  49. 79 new

    Genius Party Beyond

    2008, in 0 top lists Check
  50. 65 new

    Atama-yama

    2002 — a.k.a. Mount Head, in 1 top list Check
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Last updated on Jun 23, 2015;