Ever wanted to binge an anime without the guilt of binging? This is now possible thanks to these anime films whose visuals alone are sure to satisfy.
Anime movies are generally shorter than the length of a typical season of anime, but that in turn enables for a larger budget and more time spent on crafting it. This is why the production value and animation quality of anime movies are usually higher than a television anime series.
Films are also forced to be more selective with their composition and content because of the limited timeframe, making each scene all the more impactful. Here are some of the best anime movies with breathtaking visuals.
The grass on the other side always seems greener — but what if there was a chance to explore that other side? That's exactly what happens to Mitsuha Miyamizu, a countryside girl who has always yearned for the city. One day, she wakes up and finds herself in the body of Taki Tachibana, a high school boy in the bustling city. When Taki also finds himself in the body of Mitsuha, the two quickly discover they have switched bodies. To figure out the reason behind this strange phenomenon, the two begin to search for each other.
Your Name is a multi-award-winning movie that's nationally acclaimed for the beautiful story woven into its stunning visuals. The animation is flawlessly vibrant and impactful, incorporating the background and environment as forms of symbolism to further enhance the story. Produced by CoMix Wave Films and directed by Makoto Shinkai, also known for other visual masterpieces like The Garden of Words and Five Centimetres Per Second, it is no wonder that Your Name has become such an industry standard for anime films.
When the efforts of the Demon Slayer Corps fail to resolve a series of mysterious disappearances surrounding a train, the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku is called in to personally resolve it. Accompanied by Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke, they must fight harder than ever to stop the sinister plan the demon responsible has set into action.
When a movie is adapted by ufotable, an animation studio renowned for its high-quality animations, it comes as no surprise that Demon Slayer: Mugen Train became the highest-grossing film in Japan as of January 2021. Coupled with the spine-tingling music and sound effects, ufotable really brings out the strengths of the Demon Slayer franchise. One of the highlights of Demon Slayer on screen is seeing its fight scenes animated. While also beautifully drawn in the original manga, the movie truly brings the different breathing forms to life.
In Maquia's fantastical world, Iorphs are mystical beings that don’t age after their youth and can live for thousands of years. They choose to remain separate from the troubles of humanity, peacefully spending their days weaving their lives into fabric called Hibiol. That is, until the peace is broken when the greedy kingdom of Mazarte invades their homeland in the hopes of adding immortality to their lineage.
Maquia is one such Iorph who has always felt a sense of loneliness even among her people. Caught in Mazarte’s attack, Maquia makes a miraculous escape on the back of a berserk dragon that takes her far beyond the borders she’s familiar with. On the brink of despair, she is drawn by the cries of a single orphaned baby. Deciding to raise the child on her own, she must now prepare herself for the tribulations of motherhood as well as the reality of raising a human who ages much faster than herself.
When a movie is written and directed by Mari Okada — known for other emotional rollercoasters like Anohana — it's certainly about to hit deep. One thing Maquia does particularly well is using color to illustrate the growing maturity and emotional journey of Maquia as she learns about the cruelties of the human world.
In elementary school, the rambunctious Shoya Ishida decides to bully the deaf Shoko Nishimiya for fun when she transfers into the school. But when the school is notified of it, Shoya is singled out and made into a scapegoat. This time his classmates are the ones bullying him, just as he once did to Shoko. In his last year of high school, Shoya is still isolated and deeply regretful of his childhood wrongdoings. Can he make amends or is it too late?
The topic of bullying is a heavy one that requires much care to portray tactfully and beautifully. Kyoto Animation, under the direction of Naoko Yamada, manages to convey the deep and heavy themes of bullying and repentance in an artistically beautiful way. A Silent Voice is filled with parallels, and what’s truly amazing is the fact that most of them are conveyed visually without words or explanation. It is as if the viewer is witnessing the world through the senses of Shoko herself.
The world is changing several years after Violet Evergarden's Great War. The development of technology like telephones means Auto Memory Dolls have seen a decline in demand, but Violet Evergarden is still writing letters for people as she continues to pursue the meaning of her own emotions. One day she hears of a rumor, a glimmer of hope, that the person who once said “I love you” to her could still be alive.
Kyoto Animation excels at conveying emotion through purposeful composition in its films, and that is certainly accentuated in Violet Evergarden: The Movie. When paired with the stunning quality of the animation itself, it really allows this film to hit all the emotional ups and downs its storyline entailed.
Anime movies have grown in quality and number over time as animation technology has improved. Nowadays, modern audiences expect stunning visuals to go along with compelling stories. These films have certainly managed to deliver on both fronts.
Anime Feature Writer for CBR. An avid anime fan for as long as she can remember, Jessie likes binge-watching her favourite animes and catching up with seasonal shows. She is a big sucker for beautiful animation and deep stories.
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