We all love anime so here is a Part 3 of our top 30 anime list. Some of us pride ourselves on watching the most obscure shows imaginable. The more obscure, the truer the fan that you are so to speak. However, is there a comprehensive list of mainstream anime that needs to be watched before you shuffle off into the afterlife?
5 Recommended Movies
Here are my recommendations for some of the most popular anime to watch before you die for the third time.
1. Wolf Children
Plot
After a young woman falls in love with a wolfman, she is forced to raise their offspring alone. Half-human and half-wolf, the children enjoy both aspects of their unique characters. However, living two halves of separate lives becomes taxing for the young children. When it comes time to make a decision, which life will they choose?
Genre
Wolf Children is a beautiful piece of fantasy fiction. I use the term, ‘fantasy’ here very loosely, as for the most part, the movie simply details this family’s everyday life. Going to school, completing household chores, transforming into the body of a beast to traverse the rocky mountain landscapes. You know, the usual.
Background
The show has wonderful messages of love and acceptance that are truly heart-warming to see play out. Anyone in need of a serious heartstring plucking should give this movie a watch.
Trailer
Due to movies having a significantly shorter runtime than that of an ongoing series, I felt that including a large chunk of any movie would sour the overall experience. Instead, why not check out the trailer for the movie which includes bite-size snippets that you can enjoy.
2. Studio Ghibli Collection
Background
If you are a Martian, blissfully unaware of the stranglehold daddy Miyazaki’s authoritarian grip has over our community, he is the famed director of Studio Ghibli; a company known for pumping out some of the most revered animated movies of our time.
Rather than recommend a specific movie from Ghibli’s extensive library – I urge every one of you to steadily make your way through the collection. There will be highs (my personal favourites being Princess Mononoke and Ponyo). There will be…less than highs (looking at you, Tales from Earthsea). But I cannot in good conscience claim that my personal favourite is the one that should be watched above all others.
Should you ever find yourself visiting Japan, be sure to look up the Ghibli museum located in an area known as Mitaka or the Ghibli theme park. Tickets sell out fast but should you be lucky enough to snag one, you’ll be able to stroll through the hallways of the museum learning new lore, information on the director, and even be able to watch screenings of short unseen cinematics.
Trailer
Have a look at the trailer for Spirited Away, one of the most popular Ghibli movies of all time.
3. Your Name
Plot
Having discovered that they are magically linked in some way, two teenagers undergo a series of Freaky Friday-Esque body-swapping shenanigans until ultimately, they decide to meet in person.
Genre
While containing several magical or fantasy elements, at its core, this is a romance movie.
Background
Makoto Shinkai’s rare animated movie that garnered so much attention that it actually aired in several western movie theatres as well.
Being set in modern-day Japan, people often make the pilgrimage to take photoshoots at the fabled gorge or famous set of steps.
Trailer
4. A Silent Voice
Plot
After a hearing-impaired student is tormented mercilessly during her younger years, she is left with no other option than to transfer schools. Years later, one of the bullies reconnects with her and begins to try and make up for the way he used to treat her.
Genre
A Silent Voice is a drama-heavy romance story. Dealing with such delicate material leads to a lack of jokes compared to other entries on this list but this wasn’t a story designed for such things. This is a beautiful story of growth and acceptance that should be viewed with the utmost respect.
Background
One of the most fascinating things about this movie is that the English dubbed version actually stars deaf voice actress Lexi Cowden in the role of her counterpart Shoukou Nishimiya. For those unaware of the struggles faced by deaf people or those interested in learning more, this is a great place to start.
Trailer
5. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Plot
Upon discovering that she has been blessed with the ability to ‘time-leap’ – essentially travel back in time to redo mistakes, high school student Makoto Konno begins scheming for how to best use this newfound power to her advantage. However, she may soon come to learn that it is not only her life that she affects by doing this.
Genre
Another romance; I know, I know you can call it bias but when Japan makes an anime romance movie, they do it right, ok? To be fair to this film, it falls under many different genres. Comedy, action, and the inclusion of time travel even emanate slight science fiction vibes as well.
Background
This movie can almost be seen as a loose sequel to the original novel which debuted in 1967 only all of the characters’ names have been adjusted and the plot altered significantly. However, the basic premise of a time-traveling girl using this power to solve her problems remains the same.
Trailer
Honourable Mentions
1. Monogatari Series
Plot
???
Genre
??????
Background
Seriously though, classifying the Monogatari series as a whole is a task in and of itself. Unlike nothing I have ever witnessed before, the story follows Koyomi Araragi, a human turned vampire, as he uses his powers to help his ailing peers who have become possessed by evil spirits.
Doesn’t sound too difficult to understand, does it? The only problem is, most of the time, this plot is entirely benched in favour of extended dialogues between the characters. If you don’t like talking and lots of it, stay well away.
The dialogue in this show is so natural and free-flowing, it’s almost reminiscent of a Tarantino film in that regard. I would recommend this show to anyone who loves a well-crafted conversation.
The show itself is fairly difficult to watch as well (both the content and in which order). With many of the jokes revolving around Japanese history, Japanese culture, and Japanese wordplay, for us westerners; the punchlines are lost in translation.
Depending on the person who subbed your particular version and whether they were kind enough to cover the screen in a wall of text explaining the joke and how it could be perceived in English, it’s best to just move past it.
Besides, with the speed at which those subtitles will be flying on screen, you won’t have a chance to blink let alone understand the humour.
Hope you brought your reading glasses.
Feel free to read the novels as well. Many episodes of the show reference the novels and it only adds to the hilarity.
Memorable Moment
So many to choose from but I personally love the tongue twister performed by black Hanekawa.
The exaggerated nature of Araragi, the multiple art styles, and the clever use of Japanese wordplay, just encapsulates how unique of an experience this show is.
The less said about the toothbrush scene, the better.
2. Student Council’s Discretion (Seitokai no Ichizon)
Plot
The story follows Sugisaki Ken, the fifth member of his school’s student council, as he attempts to attain a harem (a polygamous relationship) with his remaining four peers.
Genre
Sometimes, you don’t want to watch an action scene. You’ve grown weary of people’s heads exploding, people being stabbed with katana, people trying to eat each other. Sometimes, you just want to watch a nice slice-of-life anime, with some likable characters and light jokes.
When that’s the case, look no further than my personal favourite slice of life anime – Student Council’s Discretion or Seitokai no Ichizon.
Background
Originally a series of light novels, the show received its very own anime and even the characters themselves are in awe. They constantly break the fourth wall, noting that they are inside an anime and make no effort to take themselves seriously. However, where this should be all fine and dandy, it is the final few episodes that truly elevated this show for me – breaking free from the usual tropes that slice-of-life romance comedy anime fall victim to.
Memorable Moment
For my favourite moments of this series, I have two. The first shows the gang attempting to create a realistic play.
The outlandish acting, subversion of dramatic clichés, imaginative animation. These are all the things that Seitokai no Ichizon nails during its two-season (plus OVA) run.
I eluded to this earlier but the final episode of series one just blew me away. This moment made me realise just how different Seitokai no Ichizon was trying to be. In a slice-of-life comedy romance world where relationships are never allowed to come to fruition, Seitokai no Ichizon rebels. It makes a stand for the story it wants to tell. Be careful though. If you don’t want to have the ending of season one spoiled, look away.
3. Guilty Crown
Plot
Average high school student Shu, one day finds himself dragged into the middle of a war after being granted the ‘power of the king’; a special ability that allows for the extraction of voids (weapons found in a person’s psyche yet given corporeal form). He is now tasked with helping bring an end to the ongoing war.
Genre
‘Code Geass Lite’. It’s actually quite jarring just how these two plots play out almost entirely the same. A war involving mechs, a superpowered student becoming absorbed by his power. For those who just couldn’t get enough of Code Geass, this should help tide you over until a new release.
Background
One of the greatest aspects of this show is the absolute killer soundtrack. The first opening was sung by the famous Japanese band Supercell, with the second by Egoist. With great tracks blaring out during every episode, it is hard not to become entranced.
Memorable Moment
If you couldn’t already tell, I’m a sucker for playing music over a dramatic scene. Shu Rescuing Inori and proceeding to wreck face just makes me shiver.
4. Steins;Gate
Plot
Adapted from the visual novel of the same name, Steins;Gate follows the journey of self-proclaimed mad scientist Okabe Rintaro who discovers one day that his microwave has the ability to conduct time travel.
Genre
The show primarily focuses on science fiction elements with genius storytelling and an overarching plot. Intermittent bursts of other genres such as romance creep up occasionally but if you’re looking for a tried and true story about time travel and nothing else, you don’t have to look further than this.
Background
A well-known piece of trivia about this anime is that it’s set entirely in Akihabara; Japan’s prime location for all things otaku. Because of this, characters are often seen interacting with several foreigners, attending maid cafes, and using Gachapon toy machines.
A sequel aired recently known as Steins;Gate 0 which only adds to the overall quality of the franchise.
Memorable Moment
It had to be, didn’t it? It just had to be:
Related in no way to the overall plot of the series, this scene will forever live in infamy among Steins;Gate fans, and anime fans alike. The exaggerated, overconfident Okaba portrayed here should give you the perfect idea of what kind of protagonist you’re going to be stuck with for twenty-five episodes should you give this series a watch.
5. Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light (Hotarubi no Mori e)
Plot
While visiting relatives in the countryside, a young girl named Hotaru accidentally wanders into a forest teaming with spirits until she is rescued by a human-like spirit called Gin. Gin warns Hotaru that if he is ever touched by a human, he will disappear. The two grow ever closer as Hotaru continues to visit her family every Summer.
Genre
If I were to recommend one movie to you other than those mentioned; something that perhaps you have not even heard of before, it would have to be this one. A very short love story clocking in at only 45 minutes
Background
Originally a one-shot Shoujo manga of the same name, the movie adaptation was created following the manga’s success. Despite being relatively short, the movie was well received and even went on to win several awards both in Japan and abroad.
Trailer
As before, due to the length of the feature, showing you an extended moment would effectively be spoiling a large chunk of the run time. My recommendation is to just set 45 minutes aside one day and watch the entire movie in one shot, similar to the nature in which it was created.
SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY…
I think that will do, wouldn’t you agree? Any longer and we’ll diverge away from recommendations for newcomers and delve into my more obscure favourites.
“I think you should watch Gantz because it’s really cool and Kei Kuruno is super swell.”
Let’s be sure that this list can retain at least a modicum of dignity even if it is nothing more than an elongated fanboy squeal.
Those looking for something new to watch, I hope this list helped you find something new to get your teeth into, or at least gave you the push you needed to start something you had been putting off.
This list barely even scratches the surface of what the anime world has to offer so feel free to let me know your most recommended anime that needs to be seen before you’re spirited away down below.
Oh, and one final thing…
Senjougahara is and will always be the best girl and if anyone disagrees with me they should send me their address so they can plead their opinions to Mr. Nine Iron.
