6 Must-See Japanese Animated Films That Will Captivate You Once in a Lifetime
Icons of Japanese culture, animated movies have contributed significantly to making this genre widely recognized worldwide. Originally considered suitable mainly for children, these full-length productions have distinguished themselves through the sophistication of their narratives and the profound emotions they evoke.
Ghibli, Kyoto and Mappa are studios renowned for their many masterpieces. Now famous for their
manga adaptations
, some of them continue to produce excellent animated films. If you don’t know which one to watch, here’s a selection of six you need to see.
Castle in the Sky
(1986), Hayao Miyazaki
Regarded as Hayao Miyazaki’s debut piece,
Castle in the Sky
helped popularise Japanese feature films among European audiences. The film tells the story of Sheeta, a young girl in possession of a strange magic stone that draws the attentions of greedy air pirates. A pendant that can unlock the secret of Laputa, the legendary floating island…
Although Miyazaki’s films are now a staple of Japanese animation, this was this first feature film and it laid the foundations for his future projects. His fantastical worlds parallel to our own, his luminous graphic style that evolves over the course of the story and his many characteristic characters – it all came from
Castle in the Sky
.
Wolf Children
(2012), Mamoru Hosoda
During her time studying at Tokyo University, Hanna meets a lonely man. She helps him meet with success in his studies, and the two eventually fall in love. They soon give birth to two children, Ame and Yuki. Then the man falls dead in an accident, leaving Hanna aggrieved, and with a heavy burden to handle all on her own… For the family had quite a secret: the father and the two babies have the power to turn into wolves.
The story is a powerful mix of joy and sadness. With no family to support her and no partner to help her raise her half-cubs, the young mother has only herself to rely on and does everything she can to keep her secret, despite intrusive neighbours and nosy social services. Like in
Princess Mononoke
This movie’s lead character is a resilient and self-reliant woman ready to make personal sacrifices for the well-being of her loved ones.
Grave of the Fireflies
(1988), Isao Takahata
In the summer of 1945, Japan lies scarred from the devastation of World War II. Fourteen-year-old Seita and his four-year-old sister Setsuko become orphaned children after losing their mother to a deadly air raid and having no word about their father who is fighting at the frontline. Living under the harsh care of an unkind aunt, Seita chooses to depart with his younger sibling and seeks shelter in an abandoned bomb shelter illuminated nightly by countless glowing fireflies. He now faces the challenge of trying to endure amid surroundings still marked by the relentless hardships brought forth by wartime conditions.
Far removed from the magical realms of Studio Ghibli,
Grave
of the Fireflies
It serves as a stark reminder of grim truth. A poignant human drama unfolding against the backdrop of one of the harshest battlefields of war in the 1900s.
th
In this century, the movie aims to tug at your heartstrings by portraying the harsh struggles that Setsuko and Seita have to withstand.
Spirited Away
(2001), Hayao Miyazaki
Earning more than $400 million at the box office,
Spirited Away
has long been regarded as the best animated film out of Japan. The story is that of Chihiro, a young girl with a sulky streak who becomes trapped in a world called the Spirit Realm. Forced to work for Yubaba, a powerful witch and owner of a massive bath house, Chihiro struggles to regain her freedom in an environment that tries to make her lose her own identity.
While the film’s masterful animation shines throughout, the message it conveys makes it even richer. The film is intended to be a mirror of society. Through different characters, we discover the flaws that the director seeks to highlight. Although
Spirited Away
Having surpassed an age of 23 years, the film’s moral message and how it highlights the shortcomings in our lifestyle remain pertinent today.
A Silent Voice
(2016), Naoko Yamada
Actions often speak louder than words. This narrative follows Shoko, a newcomer who is deaf. She faces bullying from Shoya, the head of her class. Due to her inability to connect with him because of her hearing impairment, Shoya inadvertently leads to her leaving the school and finds himself expelled as well. Years afterward, they meet once more at their old school. Reflecting on his past actions, Shoya goes to great lengths to learn sign language and seek her pardon.
Based on the manga with the same title,
A Silent Voice
highlights the problem of bullying in schools. It showcases the various communication issues that can occur among diverse student groups. In doing so, the director opts to place traditional dialogue secondary, focusing instead on bringing Shôko’s character vividly to life through music and physical expression. Through these means, she demonstrates that there are countless methods for effective communication.
Your Name
(2016), Makoto Shinkai
A cornerstone of contemporary animation,
Your Name
It breaks the mold of animated movies. This film revolves around Mitsuha, a teenage girl living in a rural area of Japan who longs to leave for bustling Tokyo, and Taki, an urban high school student from the metropolis who finds city life overwhelming. One day, they find themselves inhabiting each other’s bodies upon waking up. To unravel this enigma, these teenagers join forces, embarking on a journey that spans vast distances across space and time.
The filmmaker’s debut full-length movie packs a punch with its cutting-edge artistic approach and meticulously crafted screenplay. As the narrative progresses, viewers become deeply engaged in unraveling the enigma alongside the characters. The focus on these two students heightens emotional involvement and compassion, making the climax even more poignant.