Japanese anime animated films are considered indispensable spiritual food for movie enthusiasts and have created a solid foothold in the hearts of fans. Japanese animation is loved not only because of its attractive storyline, beautiful images, and vivid sound, but also because of the humanistic values, human ethics, and philosophy of life in each film. Below are the top 10 best Japanese animated movies that you should not miss.
1 Grave of Fireflies
Movie Grave of Fireflies. Source: rottentomatoes
Trailer
This Japanese animated film is based on a novel of the same name by Nosaka Akiyuki. The film's content revolves around two orphans Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, set in Japan after World War II. The two brothers lost their mother in the American bombing of the city of Kobe, while their father The whereabouts of the two children are fighting outside.
Grave of the Fireflies is not just a story about simple brotherly love or condemnation of senseless war crimes. In Grave of the Fireflies, viewers better understand the fable about the high self-esteem of Japanese people despite all circumstances.
Director: Isao Takahata
IMDb: 8.5/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 1988
Genre: Romance, war
Duration: 89 minutes
2 Tonari no Totoro
Movie Tonari no Totoro. Source: sachhay24h
Trailer
The content of the film revolves around the story of the forest god Totoro and two sisters Satsuki and Mei. Two sisters and their families moved to a house in a remote suburb that was rumored to be haunted. Here, two children met Totoro - a huge mascot who wrote their peaceful and laughter-filled childhood.
My Neighbor Totoro recreates a realistic picture of Japan in 1958 when the country was still poor. Since then, family love and traditional Japanese culture have been portrayed more prominently than ever. By integrating many close and familiar images from childhood, the film has become one of Studio Ghibli's most classic works.
Director: Miyazaki Hayao
IMDb: 8.2/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 1988
Genre: Adventure, fantasy
Duration: 86 minutes
3 Spirited Away
Spirited Away. Source: IMDb
Trailer
Spirited Away is a story about the gentle and kind girl Chihiro. During a move, she and her parents accidentally got lost in the spirit world. Here, her parents were cursed to turn into pigs. Chihiro must stay in the spirit land to work and find a way to cure her parents' curse. During the journey to rescue her parents, the girl encountered many strange things and new friends. Each small story in there brings extremely interesting philosophies to life.
Mixed with beautiful footage about the spirit world, Spirited Away is also a wake-up call about the exploitation of child labor and child abuse that has been taking place all over the world.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
IMDb: 8.6/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 2001
Genre: Adventure, Family
Duration: 125 minutes
4 Howl’s Moving Castle
Movie Howl's Moving Castle. Source: nhaccuatui
Trailer
One of the best Japanese anime animated films based on the novel of the same name by author Diana Wynne Jones. The film is the story of Sophie - a gentle, kind girl. She was having a stable life at a hat maker when suddenly she was cursed to become a 90-year-old woman. Sophie, wanting to break the curse, stepped onto wizard Howl's moving castle. Here, Sophie tried to break the curse and find the lost heart of the wizard Howl.
The film brings profound human values, promoting the fact that good always triumphs over evil. And besides, sincere human love will help dispel all painful curses.
Director: Miyazaki Hayao
IMDb: 8.2/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 2004
Genre: Adventure, Family
Duration: 119 minutes
5 Kikis Delivery Service
Kikis Delivery Service. Source: IMDb
Trailer
Kikis Delivery Service is one of the most popular Japanese animated films of all time. The Little Witch Kiki brings viewers to the magical world. The main character Kiki has grown up and must live alone for a year to prove that she has enough ability to become a real witch. The girl moves to a new city and uses her flying powers to make a living. From here, the girl went through many different difficult journeys. The film is an interesting and sweet coming-of-age story but also shows the gulf between independence and dependence for teenage girls in Japan.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
IMDb: 7.8/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 1989
Genre: Romance, Adventure
Duration: 103 minutes
6 Princess Mononoke
Movie Princess Mononoke. Source: fado
Trailer
It is the first animated film to open the line of epic fantasy anime films of the Land of the Rising Sun. The film is set in the Muromachi period (1392 - 1572), when humanity consciously conquered and exploited nature but exploited it indiscriminately, causing many consequences.
The story follows the journey of the last prince of the Emishi tribe, Ashitaka, and his efforts to bring peace between the foresters of the Iron Fortress and the divine creatures living in the surrounding forests. fortress. Besides, the beautiful love story between the courageous Prince Ashitaka and the strong Princess San touched many audiences. Ashitaka is the person who protected, protected and helped San reduce her resentment towards humans. Each shot of the film realistically portrays the scene of humans destroying nature to exploit iron ore, leaving nature in ruins and conveying to the audience a strong message about environmental protection. .
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
IMDb: 8.4/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 1997
Genre: Action, Adventure
Duration: 134 minutes
7 5 Centimeters Per Second
Movie 5 Centimeters Per Second. Source: wikipedia
Trailer
5 Centimeters Per Second tells a simple, touching love story set in the 90s of the 20th century. This Japanese animated film revolves around the faithful and romantic love story of a couple. best friends Takaki and Akari. Each beautiful, realistic footage highlights the pure, brilliant yet fragile and easily broken youthful love. The film has left viewers with special emotions and meaningful stories.
Director: Makoto Shinkai
IMDb: 7.6/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 2007
Genre: Romance, Family
Duration: 63 minutes
8 Castle In The Sky
Movie Castle In The Sky. Source: facebook
Trailer
The film revolves around the journey of two friends Pazu and Sheeta to find Laputa - an island, also known as a flying castle in the sky.
Sheeta is the last remaining heir to the Lupita dynasty. owns a necklace encrusted with Levistone - considered the key to unlocking the secret of Laputa castle. Therefore, Sheeta was often in danger from those who wanted to own this necklace, in search of Laputa's secret. Pazu is a gallant boy, orphaned at a young age, working as a maid in a small town. Pazu dreams of one day exploring the great sky and wants to prove the existence of the castle - the legendary citadel that his father saw only once in his life. That's why Pazu stood up to fight with Sheeta to protect the castle.
The film brings about chases and disputes between evil forces. Not only that, with courage, resilience and helping everyone to the fullest, Sheeta gradually revealed the secret of Laputa castle. Besides, Sheeta and Pazu's friendship is the embodiment of spiritual friendship, love of life and simple desire for peace.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
IMDb: 8.0/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 1986
Genre: Romance, adventure
Duration: 125 minutes
9 The Cat Return
Movie The Cat Return. Source: manganetworkplus
Trailer
The film tells about the main character Haru - a 17-year-old female student. One day she accidentally saved a cat from being run over by a car, without realizing that it was the prince of the cat kingdom. To repay her, the king decided that the entire kingdom would do their best to repay Haru's kindness. However, no "gift" is suitable for humans.
That's why Haru was brought to the cat kingdom by the cats and was asked by the king to become the prince's wife. However, since coming to the cat kingdom, Haru has changed her appearance, becoming more and more like a cat. Haru and Baron and Muta - two friends she met at the antique shop - tried everything to help her leave here.
The film gives viewers a humane view of animals and the gratitude between humans and animals. Thereby also reflecting the spirit of friendly treatment of animals.
Director: Morita Hiroyuki
IMDb: 7.2/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 2002
Genre: Fantasy, adventure
Duration: 75 minutes
10 Your Name
Movie Your Name. Source: wikipedia
Trailer
The film revolves around two main characters: high school girl Mitsuha - a female student who hates the boring life in the countryside and Taki - a male student in Tokyo who loves drawing and has a passion for architecture. The two people switched bodies when the legendary comet Tiamat appeared in the sky. From there, both must leave each other messages to help the other understand themselves better as well as advise the other person what not to do to avoid trouble. The film continues with the development of feelings between Mitsuha and Taki and twists related to the question of why the two can switch bodies with each other.
The film captures the journey of the past - present - future, interwoven with the scenes, locations and stories of two young people, while taking viewers into the emotions of chasing and searching. and then unintentionally and indifferently passing by each other like two people with fate. The film also brings the audience excitement because of the places that create a strangely beautiful country.
Director: Shinkai Makoto
IMDb: 8.4/10
Country: Japan
Broadcast time: 2016
Genre: Fantasy, love, romance
Duration: 107 minutes
