Netflix may not boast Studio Ghibli’s extensive collection like HBO Max, but its anime movie lineup is a hidden gem for those yet to dive into Reelsrated. With mechas, transformations, and even a touch of Miyazaki (thanks to Lupin III!), there’s a lot to savor. Notably, Netflix has ventured into creating its own anime originals. While results have been mixed in other genres, anime has seen considerable success.
Netflix is renowned for its anime series, anime films waiting to be discovered after your JoJo’s or Demon Slayer binge. In this blog post, we’ve curated the top 5 anime movies available on Netflix, featuring beloved franchises. Its captivating anthologies, intriguing Originals, and rare hidden gems. So, grab your popcorn, and let’s explore the world of anime cinema on Netflix. Here are the best anime movies streaming now on Netflix:
1. Mirai
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
In the past decade, Mamoru Hosoda’s original films have taken on a deeply personal tone, each offering a glimpse into the director’s life. “Summer War,” while borrowing elements from his early work, unfolds as a distant memory. The character of Hosoda’s first encounter with his wife’s family. “Wolf Children” (2012) channels the emotions stemming from his mother’s passing, interwoven with the anticipation and fears of impending parenthood. “The Boy and the Beast” (2015) coincided with the birth of Hosoda’s first child. Hosoda prompting him to explore the role of a father in his son’s life.
Then comes “Mirai,” the seventh installment in Hosoda’s filmography, a departure from autobiographical inspiration. Instead, it springs from his eldest son’s experience meeting a new sibling. Through the eyes of Kun, a toddler navigating the arrival of baby sister Mirai. The film embarks on a mesmerizing journey through Kun’s family history. The culmination is a touching testament to the profound essence of love.
“Mira” stands as Hosoda’s magnum opus, even earning the distinction of being. The first anime film outside Studio Ghibli to receive an Academy Award nomination. It’s not just a movie; it’s an enriching and joyful experience for all to savor.
2. Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack
Director: Yoshiyuki Tomino
In 1988, a cinematic masterpiece graced the screens, capping off the epic saga. It began with the 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam TV series. “Char’s Counterattack,” directed and written by Yoshiyuki Tomino, stays true to its source material, Tomino’s novel “Hi-Streamer.” While buzzwords won’t do justice to this iconic film, it’s crucial to note that this isn’t just another Gundam movie. It’s hailed as the pinnacle of the Gundam franchise.
The narrative revolves around the 14-year rivalry between Amuro Ray, the Earth Federation’s hero, and Char Aznable, the Neo-Zeon leader. The plot centers on a classic Gundam dilemma: Char’s Neo-Zeon seeks to drop an asteroid loaded with nuclear weapons. On Earth, liberating colonies from the Earth Federation’s oppression while risking the lives of everyone on Earth.
What sets “Char’s Counterattack” apart is its commitment to hard sci-fi, meticulously explaining the science. Behind giant mobile suits and “newtypes” with psychic abilities. Tomino skillfully delves into the motivations and animosities driving Char and Amuro, leaving viewers torn between their conflicting perspectives.
This film delves into the horrors of war and humanity’s innate flaws, a recurring theme in the Gundam series. While it excels in many aspects, it’s essential to invest time in the TV series to fully grasp. The intricate plot and appreciate the climax of the Amuro-Char rivalry.
Featuring breathtaking space battles, a stellar soundtrack by Shigeaki Saegusa, and iconic Gundam designs. “Char’s Counterattack” remains a pivotal moment in the Gundam universe. Nearly 30 years later, it’s a timeless classic worth revisiting. Hail Zeon!
3. The Summit of the Gods
Director: Patrick Imbert
Adapted from Jiro Taniguchi’s early 2000s manga, which beautifully merged stunning environmental artistry with sharply defined characters. ‘The Summit of the Gods’ weaves a tale of self-motivation through the intertwined narratives of two men. Mountain climber Joji Habu (played by Eric Herson-Macarel) and journalist Makoto Fukamachi (portrayed by Damien Boisseau). In this French anime directed by Patrick Imbert, their paths cross thanks to a legendary Vestpocket Kodak camera once owned by George Mallory. The English mountaineer of the 1920s who may or may not have reached Everest’s summit.
Fukamachi spots Habu with the camera but loses him, driven by the desire for a scoop, while Habu seeks solitude as he prepares for his ascent. Fukamachi embarks on a quest to uncover Habu’s life, piecing together his obsessive journey through old news clippings. ‘The Summit of the Gods’ blends the essence of great journalism and mountaineering, both laden with emotional depth that’s challenging to convey to outsiders.
Plot
Why does one strive for the peak? Why devote oneself to uncovering every detail of a story? These solitary pursuits are as personal as they are professional, their motivations shrouded in existential mystery. The animation brings these profound questions to life with simplicity. The vibrant, ethereal natural landscapes contrast starkly with the mundane cityscapes, emphasizing the loss of romance in daily life.
The climbing sequences are visually breathtaking, with stark shots bathed in sunlight, creating a painterly abstraction that leaves viewers in awe. Yet, on a granular level, it’s a meticulous dance of pitons into stone, clever rope knots, and the tactile friction of hands and feet. The characters move with purpose, leaving footprints and mini-avalanches of pebbles in their wake.
“The Summit of the Gods” is a nuanced film, told in the quiet language of white hues and contemplative silence. Yet, beneath the icy exterior, it burns with a passionate core. Furthermore, its intricate storytelling and captivating visuals make a compelling case: Whether you risk it all to reach a peak, unravel a mystery, or create a painstaking work of animation, you’re fortunate to have something you truly love.
4. A Silent Voice
Director: Naoko Yamada
In a world where many movies seem trapped within a narrow, masculine lens and often drown in hypersexualized portrayals of women, Naoko Yamada’s work shines like a breath of fresh air. Her films possess a unique quality that captures the heart and soul of her audience. Influenced by legendary directors such as Yasujiro Ozu, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Sergei Parajanov, Sofia Coppola, and Lucile Hadzihalilovic, Yamada is a masterful director. She effortlessly commands attention, weaving melancholy and bittersweet catharsis into her films. Through exquisite compositions of sound, swift editing, delicate color palettes, and characters with rich, relatable struggles.
One such masterpiece is “A Silent Voice,” adapted from Yoshitoki Oima’s manga of the same name. The story follows Shoya Ishida, who relentlessly bullies Shoko Nishimiya. Additionally, Shoko is a deaf transfer student, during their elementary school years. However, when Shoya takes his torment too far, Shoko is forced to transfer again for her safety. Leaving Shoya ostracized by his peers and drowning in self-imposed isolation and self-hatred. Years later, their paths cross again as teenagers, and Shoya endeavors to make amends for the harm. He inflicted on Shoko while grappling with his own motivations. “A Silent Voice” is a profoundly emotional film, delving into the complexities of adolescent. Abuse, reconciliation, and the power of forgiveness—for the wrongs committed by others and ourselves.
5. The End of Evangelion
Director: Hideaki Anno, Kazuya Tsurumaki
The final two episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion are etched in infamy among fans of the series. Titled “Do you love me?” and “Take care of yourself,” these episodes took an unconventional turn by sidestepping the climactic showdown. Delving deep into the subconscious of Shinji Ikari, the show’s tormented protagonist. Here, he grappled with the self-loathing and inner demons that had haunted him throughout the series.
The reaction to this departure from the norm was swift and vehement. Disgruntled fans went to extreme lengths, even issuing death threats. Against the creator, Hideaki Anno, and defacing Gainax’s building with graffiti. In response to this turmoil, Anno embarked on crafting an alternative ending, one that would be presented in two parts.
However, if you were hoping for a lighthearted, celebratory conclusion, “End of Evangelion” is anything but that. Instead, it offers viewers an experience that is simultaneously fatalistic, avant-garde, and strangely life-affirming. In essence, it encapsulates the complex and polarizing essence of Evangelion itself. Moreover, despite its unrelenting darkness, “End of Evangelion” stays true. Furthermore, the ethos of its subtitle, revealing that the joy of death can be found in the act of rebirth. Consequently, this film stands as a unique and unforgettable masterpiece in the world of anime.
In conclusion, Netflix, moreover, offers a captivating selection of anime films that shouldn’t be overlooked. From timeless franchises to exclusive Originals, there’s something for every anime enthusiast. So, dive into the world of animation and discover the best anime movies streaming Now on Netflix. Wait for part-II anime movies article, Happy watching!
