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Many anime films that come out of Japan are dramatic tellings of love, loss, and regret designed to tug at the heartstrings of fans all over the world. The stories that bring tears to the eye and leave a warm feeling in one's heart are the most memorable. Your Name is one such film that was released among a split audience but made an impression nonetheless.

Your Name is a brilliant and vibrant piece of art that will leave viewers yearning for more. Luckily, there is a sea of films that bear great emotional weight that viewers can cry their eyes out over. Stories of unrequited love, love that did not last, and love that never got the chance to bloom. For those who loved Your Name, here are some recommended anime movies to watch.

Updated February 24, 2024, by C.M Edwards: Your Name won the hearts of millions and became one of the most talked about animated films to come out of Japan by the brilliant creators at Comix Wave Films. The story sits on the edge of paranormal mystery, as two teenagers find themselves in each other's bodies halfway across the country from one another. While volatile at first, the journey both characters go on is unique and well told. Your Name carries many themes that many types of fans may enjoy, including those who like slice-of-life series or tragic romance stories. There are a fair number of animated films that fans can flock to if they are still looking for a special story to warm the heart or wet the eyes, and many are available to stream on most services. Here are some more of the best anime movies to watch if you liked Your Name.

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18 To Me, The One Who Loved You

Teen Romance And Its Struggle

Couples from To Every You I've Loved Before & To Me, The One Who Loved You

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

To Me, The One Who Loved You

2022

TMS Entertainment

Kiyomi Hidaka is a young man with the world on his shoulders as his parents go through a taxing divorce, which forces him to choose sides. Deciding to live with his father, Kiyomi befriends a young girl going through similar circumstances.

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As the two grow closer, a thorn threatens their budding love when their parents become engaged. This story has a sweet story and is a two-parter that can be watched from both perspectives.

17 Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop

Similar Art And Story Elements

Kouichi and Yuki in the countryside

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Clannad: After Story

2021

Signal M.D, Sublimation

Words Bubble Up like Soda Pop is a beautifully directed story that, while simplistic in its plot, excels in the emotional portrayal of romantic relationships and young love. Yui is the main character of the series, who becomes interested in a young girl who seems to have the same social inadequacies as himself. The film follows the ups and downs of both trying to become closer to the other.

16 The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya

Well-Written Characters

The SOS Brigade from The Meloncholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya

2010

Kyoto Animation

A continuation of the popular series, "The Melancholy Life of Haruhi Suzumiya", this animated film explores the story further, which is a great watch for veteran fans and newcomers to the series.

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A strange, reality-altering phenomenon occurs and leaves Kyon on his own with the life he used to have to be a figment of his imagination. While stunned at first about his situation, Kyon wonders if this may be his second chance at life.

15 Clannad: After Story

Just The Right Type Of Sad

Tomoya and daughter

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Clannad: After Story

2008

Kyoto Animation

Newcomers and long-time fans of the incredibly popular Clannad series will enjoy this continuation of the story set on the eve of two of the main characters' high school graduation.

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The original Clannad anime tugged at the heartstrings of thousands and explored deep emotional situations where love, sorrow, and regret fill each episode. After Story is a movie that explores the anime further and grants the characters a chance to mature and move on.

14 Wolf Children

A Similarly Strange Romance

wolf children

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki

2012

Studio Chizu

Wolf Children is a legendary movie that tells a very dejected story about a young mother raising several ostracized children on her own. While attending college, Hana becomes entangled with a young boy in her class. As the two become close, it is revealed that the boy is not of the same race; however, Hana's feelings do not falter, and they start a family.

The story begins after the passing of Hana's lover, leaving her emotionally destroyed and all alone to raise two children and deal with the joy and hardships of her situation.

13 The Anthem Of The Heart

Protagonists With Similar Story Themes

The Anthem Of The Heart (2015)

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda.

2015

A-1 Pictures

The Anthem of the Heart is a beautifully crafted animated film by A-1 Pictures. The film tells a story of true weight when a young girl is cursed by her own regret after accidentally causing her parents to separate.

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Naruse struggles with her guilt, which drags her into a deep depression and causes her view and desire for a fairy tale ending to falter. The story does a fantastic job of displaying emotional weight through music. As Naruse struggles to come to terms with her predicament, a light appears at the end of the tunnel that may give her the happy ending she's always wanted.

12 Bubble

Similar Supernatural Tones

Bubble main characters looking at each other

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Bubble

2022

Wit Studio

Bubble is a movie set in a dystopian future where the world has been torn apart by an interstellar invasion of gravity-manipulating beings. Split apart by the fluctuations in gravity, the world nearly implodes on itself but hangs on by a thread. The survivors of the human race now survive by any means possible and live as best they can.

Hibiki, A young boy with a reputation, becomes trapped in a dire situation when he befriends one of the beings that initiated the gravity incident and must aid her to get back to where she belongs before history repeats itself.

11 Josee, The Tiger, And The Fish

Similar Main Character Chemistry

tiger and the fish anime

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi

2020

Bones

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is an anime film created by Seiko Tanabe based on his short light novel and produced by the Bones animation studio. The story is a sweet romantic tale following Tsuneo, a struggling university student with dreams of studying abroad.

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Tsuneo works several jobs, one of which introduces him to Josse, a young girl confined to a wheelchair. Initially only trying to further his own personal goal, the more time Tsuneo and Josee spend time together, the more they learn about each other's circumstances. The film is animated stunningly, but more than that, the author truly portrays genuine emotion from the characters, making them more than just pictures on a screen.

10 Weathering With You

An Unconventional Love Story

weathering with you anime

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Tenki no Ko

2019

Comix Wave Studio

Weathering with You is a whimsical tale about independence and making one's own choices. In a rain-ridden city, Hodaka is a struggling teen all on his own, attempting to take care of himself. His life is forever changed when he meets Hina and her brother.

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Their fates are intertwined after Hodoka saves Hina from a dangerous situation, and the small group decides to take care of each other. Hina confesses to Hadoka that she is the cause of the rain and that she is to be a human sacrifice to stop it. Hadoka refuses to let her go and implores her to live for herself, but freedom of choice is not freedom without consequence.

9 Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light

For Fans Looking For Another Tear-jerker

hotarubi-no-mori-e-i anime

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Hotarubi no Mori e

2011

Brain's Base

A film that will undoubtedly break the hearts of viewers, Hatorubi no Mori e is an anime romance film created by Yuki Midorikawa and produced by Brain’s Base animation studio. The story is a beautiful journey about love and loss. A young girl becomes lost in the forest, but with the help of a spirit in the form of a young boy, she finds her way home.

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Wanting to show her appreciation, the young girl promises to come back every summer, even after being warned to stay away. Years pass and the spirit and girl become close and develop feelings for one another. Their wills are put to the test because if the spirit becomes touched by the living, he will disappear.

8 A Silent Voice

Well-Written Character Depth

a silent voice anime

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Koe no Katachi

2016

Kyoto Animation

A Silent Voice is an anime film created by Yoshitoki Ōima. It is a beautifully told drama about social pressures, emotional trauma, humanity, and reconciliation. The story follows Shouya, a former school bully turned outcast after a prank goes wrong after assaulting a fellow classmate with a disability, Shouko.

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The shoe is put on the other foot when Shouya develops his own personal disadvantage in the form of crippling insecurities stemming from his guilt. Fans follow Shouya as he tries to atone and reunite with Shouko and all the friends he lost along the way.

7 I Want To Eat Your Pancreas

Struggling Main Character Who Learns To Love

i wat to eat your pancreas anime

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai

2018

Studio VOLN

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas tells the story of the short time Shiga Haruki and Sakura Yamauchi spend together after meeting by happenstance. The two teens spend many days together, and while Shiga is a very reserved and introverted individual, Sakura’s opposite personality of bright and cheerful buoyancy forces him out of his shell.

The bond between the two strengthens, and feelings take root, but as both slowly find that life is valuable and must be held onto with both hands, their time together slowly comes to an end. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas was created by Youru Somino.

6 Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Another Romance Between Lives

anohana anime

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai. Movie

2013

A-1 Pictures

The Flower We Saw That Day is a film produced and created by the studio Super Peace Busters. The story follows a group of friends that have fallen apart, mainly focusing on Jinta Yodami, who is struggling with his life having turned into a NEET.

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Jinta is pushed to get back into living and reconnect with his friends by the ghost of his deceased friend, Meiko Hanma, who perished in a terrible accident. While the story was initially released in a series format, it was later developed into a feature film. The story focuses on the trouble of not dealing with grief and holding onto and hiding from pain and has slice-of-life aspects.

5 5 Centimeters Per Second

Beautiful Direction

5 centimeters per second

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Byousoku 5 Centimeter

2007

Comix Wave Films

5 Centimeters per Second is an anime film created by Makoto Shinkai. It is a romance tale crossing over several years, mainly between two main characters. The first chapter follows Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara, two high school students who enter a relationship as they become closer. The second chapter involves the same two lovers as they deal with the struggles of dealing with a long-distance relationship and introduces somewhat of a love triangle.

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The final chapter deals with the finality of moving on as the relationship has ended and several years have passed but explores how not dealing with or reconciling with emotion can cause severe withdrawal in a person’s life. 5 Centimeters per Second is a stunningly told film that goes deep into the foundations of love and emotional health.

4 The Garden Of Words

Emotionally Impactful Story

garden of words anime

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Kotonoha no Niwa

2013

Comix Wave Films

The Garden of Words is another beautiful work by Makoto Shinkai and produced by CoMix Wave Studios. It follows the entanglement that forms between Yukino Yukari and Takao Akizuki after they meet in a park on a rainy day. Their meetings become an everyday occurrence, and as they become closer, they learn they can share their most precious insecurities with each other.

But there are countless obstacles that challenge their resolve, and anything wanted must be fought for. Both Takao and Yukino’s circumstances change drastically, and love is not as easily kept as it is found. The Garden of Words is a beautiful forbidden love animation that all fans will enjoy.

3 Howl's Moving Castle

A Classic Supernatural Journey

Howls-Moving-Castle-Anime-Studio-Ghibli

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Howl no Ugoku Shiro

2004

Studio Ghibli

When it comes to beautiful visuals and heart-wrenching stories, it's hard to beat Studio Ghibli, which has been a pioneer in anime movies for over thirty years. With an extensive library of magical tales and heart-stopping epics, Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle has been argued as one of the most incredible releases of all time.

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When a young girl named Sophie becomes close to the powerful wizard, Howl, a jealous witch lashes out and curses her. Seeking to undo the curse, Howl faces the witch head-on, which risks him never being able to return to Sophie.

2 The Wind Rises

An Easy-Going Romance

Jiro kissing Naoko on the hill where she paints in the Wind Rises

Original Title

Release Year

Studio

Kaze Tachinu

2013

Studio Ghibli

Jiro Horikoshi is an ambitious young man with eyes aimed at the sky having a devout obsession with flight. The Wind Rises tells the story of Jiro as he attempts to become an aircraft designer but is held back at every turn due to global politics and impending war.

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At the same time, Jiro must traverse the shaky road of love and loss as he must constantly juggle his priorities between his dream and the love of his life, Nahoko Satomi. The Wind Rises is a stunning film directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

1 Suzume

Unseen Forces And Surprising Romance

Suzume Music Feature

Original Titale

Release Year

Studio

Suzume no Tojimari

2022

Comix Wave Films

Animation director Makoto Shinkai returns with a breathtaking fantasy story that has once again shot to the top of reviews all over the world. Suzume is a fantastical tale that follows Suzume Iwato, a young high school girl who takes it upon herself to combat the chaos spreading throughout the world and save her country.

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Strange doors appear across the continent and as one of the only people who can see them, Suzume ventures out to face whatever force is behind the repeated terrible events. Makoto Shinkai does not disappoint and merges fantasy and cinema into a seamless creative masterpiece.

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