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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Teen Romance And Its Struggle
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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17 Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
Similar Art And Story Elements
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
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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15 Clannad: After Story
Just The Right Type Of Sad
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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14 Wolf Children
A Similarly Strange Romance
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
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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12 Bubble
Similar Supernatural Tones
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
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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10 Weathering With You
An Unconventional Love Story
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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9 Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light
For Fans Looking For Another Tear-jerker
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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8 A Silent Voice
Well-Written Character Depth
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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7 I Want To Eat Your Pancreas
Struggling Main Character Who Learns To Love
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
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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5 5 Centimeters Per Second
Beautiful Direction
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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4 The Garden Of Words
Emotionally Impactful Story
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
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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2 The Wind Rises
An Easy-Going Romance
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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1 Suzume
Unseen Forces And Surprising Romance
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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