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Some of the greatest anime stories of all time have been told in films. The best anime movies take full advantage of the big screen, telling larger-than-life tales that are a true visual spectacle. Many classic and influential anime movies were made in the '80s and '90s, like Princess Mononoke and Akira, which have influenced many stories told in the years since.
However, as impressive as the anime movies of the 20th century were, there have been even more amazing films released since 2000, including Spirited Away and Your Name. These movies may prove to be as influential as the greatest anime movies of the '80s and '90s and have introduced many people to the anime medium.
Tekkonkinkreet Is an Underrated Gem of 2000s Anime
While not the most well-known anime movie of the last 25 years, Tekkonkinkreet does, without a doubt, deserve to be celebrated as a one-of-a-kind treasure. The film separates itself from its contemporaries from the get-go, as its visually unique, vibrant, yet noticeably gritty art style looks nothing like that of a typical anime movie.
Despite its visual presentation evoking emotions of childlike wonder, Tekkonkinkreet is a mature, chaotic, and, at times, brutal story of two orphaned delinquents striving to save the slums of their hometown from being torn down by the yakuza. Beneath the liveliness of urban life and kinetic action, the movie hides a thematically profound narrative that masterfully tugs at the viewers’ heartstrings.
Spirited Away Was a Massive Hit Worldwide
An entire list of the 21st century’s best anime movies could be made out of Studio Ghibli’s contributions to the medium. However, the story of the studio becoming globally synonymous with top-notch Japanese animation arguably began with Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 masterwork Spirited Away.
An exquisite coming-of-age tale following a little girl, Chihiro, as she ventures into the eerie yet magnificent world of yokai, Spirited Away is a brilliant blend of gorgeous, magical animation and profound storytelling that adults and children find equally evocative. In the early 2000s, anime was still seen as a niche hobby overseas. However, Spirited Away, despite its pronounced focus on Japanese folklore, succeeded in knocking down boundaries between cultures and was even the first-ever anime film to win an Academy Award.
Millennium Actress’ Story Is a Love Letter to Movies
Satoshi Kon’s career as an auteur anime filmmaker began with the release of his debut movie, Perfect Blue, in 1997. His very next work, however, has also succeeded in becoming a universally revered masterpiece, exploring similar themes of perception and reality mixing with fiction, albeit from a completely different angle.
The story of Millennium Actress takes viewers down the memory lane of Chiyoko Fujiwara, a former film star whose prolific career unfolded parallel to many significant historical events. Every frame of Millennium Actress is a reality-bending masterpiece, as the story flows as unreliably yet poignantly as memory itself, blurring the line between Chiyoko’s roles and the factual events of her life.
Rebuild of Evangelion Revitalized the Iconic ‘90s Masterpiece
Hideaki Anno’s magnum opus, Neon Genesis Evangelion, originally premiered in 1995. However, it did not stop at being a standalone classic, but developed into a huge cultural phenomenon, and in 2007, it began a 14-year journey of complete reinvention. The Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy is not universally beloved, but few Evangelion fans would question its importance.
The movies build upon the original story in unique, creative ways, at times by simply improving the story’s pacing and modernizing the animation and, in other instances, by taking the events in a completely different direction. For many, Rebuild of Evangelion stands as the true conclusion to Shinji Ikari’s story – a long-awaited definitive conclusion that finally lets the show’s cast grow up and overcome their struggles.
Redline’s Visual Splendor Remains Unmatched to This Day
An over-the-top movie about a thrill-seeker competing in the galaxy’s most dangerous, lawless race, Redline doesn’t aim to wow viewers with a profound or particularly emotional narrative. Yet, in terms of visual spectacle and creativity, it has no rivals to this day, despite premiering nearly two decades ago and, initially, failing to become a hit.
Studio Madhouse spent seven years producing Redline, and the entire movie was made using over 100,000 hand-drawn frames – a monumental feat of diligence and dedication. The resulting movie is pumped with adrenaline and so visually spectacular, one would have a hard time taking their eyes away from the action. The visual style of Redline alludes to anime classics of the ‘80s, while the film’s energy and animation quality would be seen as ahead of their time even today.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Bids Farewell to the Best Heroine of 2000s Anime
Back in the mid-2000s, Haruhi Suzumiya was virtually inescapable – the face of the medium for an entire generation of anime fans. The show she comes from is a quirky school comedy that integrates surprising sci-fi and supernatural elements into its lighthearted slice-of-life narrative.
However, the series’ feature entry, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, is completely different in tone, transforming the comedic story into a high-stakes psychological drama where Kyon has to navigate a world without Haruhi and the SOS Brigade. For the countless fans attached to the characters of the original series, this film was a cathartic emotional roller-coaster and a perfect farewell to a generation-defining work.
Wolf Children Is a Heartwarming Tale of Family & Sacrifice
Within the last two decades, director Mamoru Hosoda created numerous remarkable anime classics, many of which focus on themes of family, coming-of-age, and identity. Within his prolific filmography, the 2012 magical realism feature Wolf Children stands out as a quintessential embodiment of the ideas Hosoda explores in his movies.
A story of a single mother struggling to raise her half-human, half-werewolf kids while relying solely on herself, Wolf Children is a heartfelt celebration of the joys and tribulations of motherhood, as well as a relatable story of finding one’s own path in life. Visually stunning and incredibly rich in emotion, Wolf Children, along with other Hosoda movies like Mirai and Summer Wars, fully deserve the recognition and acclaim they get.
Your Name Took the Entire Anime Community by Storm in 2016
Director Makoto Shinkai has been working on anime since the late ‘90s, yet few would argue that his 2016 movie Your Name was the filmmaker’s true breakthrough hit. The popularity of Your Name at the time cannot be overstated, and it’s no wonder this masterful sensation has managed to stay relevant as a modern classic.
The plot of Your Name revolves around the seemingly tired body-swapping trope, yet the way the movie integrates it into both its romantic storyline and its shocking overarching mystery is nothing short of phenomenal. The film’s production quality is also deserving of a special acknowledgment, with the stunning, detailed art style of Your Name becoming a signature of Shinkai’s works.
A Silent Voice’s Quiet Beauty Resonated With Countless Fans
Often compared to Your Name due to both movies releasing in the same year, A Silent Voice, nonetheless, offers a vastly different experience with its greater focus on realism and profound thematic exploration of forgiveness and redemption. A Silent Voice’s premise is a heavy one, introducing viewers to the story of Shouya, a former bully who has since become a loner and seeks to reconcile with his victim, a deaf girl named Shoko.
A Silent Voice is an emotionally complex film that touches on many sensitive subjects. Yet, it does its themes justice, painting a relatable, realistic story of personal growth that openly acknowledges the flaws and struggles of its characters but doesn’t deem them unworthy of empathy or an opportunity to improve.
Look Back Will Undeniably Become a Generational Classic
Despite releasing as recently as 2024, Look Back is already regarded as one of the best anime movies of all time, and not without reason. Based on a one-shot manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto of Chainsaw Man fame, Look Back is a sincere and honest love letter to creativity in all its forms, including the connection art helps foster.
While, on the surface, the story of Look Back might be a simple chronicle of two girls trying to make it by drawing manga, the emotional nucleus of the film is much more complex. Within its short runtime, there is space to explore artists’ countless struggles, the beauty of friendship, grief, and, above all else, the myriad of things that make creating art worthwhile.
