Anime is a vast genre, covering everything from sports to science fiction. It can take the viewer to places that are still impossible in live-action, as the many failed anime adaptations can attest, and there are certain famous names that are known for their excellence when it comes to animation.
When it comes to full-length anime movies from Japan, nobody has more of an international name than Studio Ghibli. The fame of everyone's favorite Japanese animation studio is far-reaching and well-deserved, but there are plenty of others that are also doing great work.
7 Your Name (2016)
For those animation fans that like the romance as much as the fantastic, Your Name is a perfect mix of the two. It's a simple plot about two high school students, a boy in Tokyo and a girl living in the countryside, who switch bodies. It's city mouse versus country mouse and male versus female, with some funny but terrifying results.
It sounds like it could be corny and cliche along with including some crass humor, but this movie has none of those petty distractions. CoMix Wave Films put together the film's sublime look, and Toho was in charge of distribution.
6 Wolf Children (2012)
Ever think of a story about a monster but from a monster's point of view? That's the idea behind Wolf Children, in which Hana, who is a human woman, loses her werewolf husband and has to raise her lycanthropic children by herself. Imagine a lighthearted version of Princess Mononoke in her early years instead of a horror or adventure film.
This is often mistaken for a Ghibli film simply because the look is similar, but Wolf Children was written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda. He put together a new animation studio, Studio Chizu, just to make this movie, and then went on to make several others.
5 The Last Unicorn (1982)
The story is a fractured fairy tale, playing on the old tropes of heroes and dragons and damsels in distress. Although this is an American film, adapted from a book by Peter S. Beagle, it was a team of Japanese animators collaborating with Rankin/Bass that put the animation together. That means there's a handy loophole that can classify The Last Unicorn as anime.
Full disclosure, we are cheating a bit here. The name of the Japanese animation team was Topcontent, and by 1984, they had a few more successful projects and staff to back up their talent, and officially changed their name to Studio Ghibli.
4 The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
It's a fantasy that all of us have had. No machines are required, just the innate ability to jump back in time whenever you want. When high school student Makoto discovers this power, she enthusiastically uses it to her benefit but starts to learn that changing her past might have some adverse effects — not only in her own timeline but anyone she comes into contact with.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time was directed Mamoro Hosada and produced by animation studio Madhouse. Hosada had previously worked on Samurai Champloo and parts of the One Piece series beforehand, which are also decent recommendations for non-Ghibli-but-still-great animation.
3 Ghost In The Shell (1995)
Some credit Ghost in the Shell with bringing not only mecha, but also cyberpunk, into the media mainstream. The music and literary references that fill out some part of the dialogue give this movie a dimension that's beyond science fiction and let it lean into the realm of fantasy and mythology.
Masamune Shirow is the creator behind the original manga of the same name, which was released in 1989. Production I.G is the animation studio that brought not only the original movie to the screen but also the sequel, Ghost in The Shell: Innocence, and the various ministries that serve as prequels.
2 Metropolis (2001)
In case you're wondering what the term "dieselpunk drama" means, check out Metropolis, a movie directed by the notorious Rinatro and produced by animation company Madhouse. The setting is a futuristic city in which humans and robots exist, but there's not exactly peace between the two groups.
It looks like Astroboy but has a lot more in common with Bladerunner or Ghost in the Shell. Don't be fooled by the retro look, as this isn't really a movie for kids. In fact, the plot of Metropolis revolves around a robot who thinks she's a human and the implications of what happens when she discovers the truth about her identity. It never goes well, and this story is not an exception.
1 Redline (2009)
Famous for its colorful, experimental animation style and an equally mind-blowing soundtrack, Redline is yet another Madhouse production, but this time featuring Takeshi Koike as the director. The film was critically acclaimed and well-received by fans despite the fact it doesn't fit into a specific style or genre.
This movie mixes science fiction with fantasy and even some crime drama, taking place in the distant future on multiple planets and featuring an exciting and deadly automotive race. JP, who is both a greaser and a gear head, had been dreaming of winning this race ever since he was a kid watching from the sidelines. He's up against a vicious Mafia boss, crooked rivers, and fellow racer Sonoshee McLaren, who wants the win just as badly as he does.