FILMS - Anime
by j-r-f-goodbody | created - 31 Aug 2014 | updated - 02 Jun 2017 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Sword of the Stranger (2007)
Not Rated | 103 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A swordsman from a strange land is caught in a struggle between morality, righteousness, and devotion as he reluctantly agrees to take a raggedy boy and his dog to a remote, Buddhist temple.
Director: Masahiro Andô | Stars: Tomoya Nagase, Yuri Chinen, Kôichi Yamadera, Akio Ôtsuka
Votes: 18,299
2. Wolf Children (2012)
PG | 117 min | Animation, Drama, Family
After her werewolf lover unexpectedly dies in an accident while hunting for food for their children, a young woman must find ways to raise the werewolf son and daughter that she had with him while keeping their trait hidden from society.
Director: Mamoru Hosoda | Stars: Aoi Miyazaki, Takao Osawa, Haru Kuroki, Yukito Nishii
Votes: 49,473
3. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal (1999)
TV-MA | 118 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In the era of Japan's Meiji Restoration, an assassin regains his humanity.
Stars: Mayo Suzukaze, Junko Iwao, Nozomu Sasaki, Masami Suzuki
Votes: 16,192
The 4 episode OVA prequel to the original Kenshin anime. This anime involves masterful storytelling, Kenshin the main character is given a rich backstory, the anime plays out always rising, never falters, zero filler, a rich and rewarding experience. The greatest samurai anime ever made. Despite only being four episodes long it feels very complete and those who want to see more of Kenshin (which you will) can check out the sequel (original anime) series. P.S. Since this is a prequel you don't need to have seen the original anime.
4. Golden Boy (1995–1996)
Not Rated | 165 min | Animation, Comedy
A University drop-out rides Japan on his bicycle, taking part-time jobs and trying not to take women.
Stars: Doug Smith, Matt Greenfield, Mitsuo Iwata, Gorô Naya
Votes: 7,182
It's a 6 episode OVA series. This anime is all about perverted comedy. I'm not really sure how to elaborate further, there's not a whole lot to be said, it's a guys comedy about a college drop out who has a high sex drive and overactive imagination. I struggled on whether or not to include this, I mean there's not much in the way of a plot or even a solid cast of characters. However the objective of a comedy is to make the viewer laugh, in this respect Golden Boy was successful for me, I did laugh and that's why it's included on the list. Recommended to fans of GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka.
5. Fist of the North Star (1986)
Not Rated | 110 min | Animation, Action, Drama
In a post-nuclear hellscape, a master of the deadly martial art "Hokuto Shinken" allies with two kids and an expert in "Nanto Suicho-Ken" to battle the tyrants who kidnapped his lover.
Director: Toyoo Ashida | Stars: Akira Kamiya, Yuriko Yamamoto, Kenji Utsumi, Chikao Ôtsuka
Votes: 7,289
A.k.a. The Fist of the North Star
6. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection (2001–2002)
Not Rated | 83 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
Kenshin and Kaoru are married. Kenshin leaves Kaoru with their son, Kenji, to lead a revolution in China. But both of them suffer from a seemingly incurable disease. 15 years later, Kenshin... See full summary »
Stars: Mayo Suzukaze, Miki Fujitani, Mîna Tominaga, Yûji Ueda
Votes: 4,369
A.k.a. Samurai X: Seiso Hen
7. Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009)
TV-14 | 112 min | Animation, Action, Drama
In the face of increasingly bizarre and powerful Angel attacks, Shinji Ikari and his partner Rei Ayanami are assisted by two new pilots: the fiery Asuka Langley Shikinami and the mysterious Mari Illustrious Makinami.
Directors: Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki, Hideaki Anno, Joe Fria | Stars: Kotono Mitsuishi, Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Yûko Miyamura
Votes: 24,876 | Gross: $0.13M
8. Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)
PG-13 | 98 min | Animation, Action, Drama
The fate of the world is threatened by seemingly monstrous entities known as Angels. NERV is an organization set up to counter this threat and it is up to young pilots to protect Earth but exactly what are the real motives behind NERV?
Directors: Hiroshi Haraguchi, Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki, Hideaki Anno, Kôbun Shizuno | Stars: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi, Yuriko Yamaguchi
Votes: 27,632 | Gross: $0.11M
A.k.a. Evangelion shin gekijoban: Jo
9. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012)
TV-14 | 96 min | Animation, Action, Drama
Fourteen years have passed since the near Third Impact. Most of the world has changed, except for Shinji Ikari, who awakens in a strange new environment without having aged.
Directors: Mahiro Maeda, Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki, Hideaki Anno, Joe Fria, Kiyotaka Suzuki | Stars: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Yûko Miyamura, Maaya Sakamoto
Votes: 18,477 | Gross: $0.17M
10. Galaxy Express 999 (1979)
PG | 129 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of a brave young boy who travels from planet to planet in a determined quest to avenge his mother's death.
Director: Rintarô | Stars: Masako Nozawa, Masako Ikeda, Yôko Asagami, Miyoko Asô
Votes: 2,370
A.k.a. Galaxy Express 999
11. The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010)
Not Rated | 162 min | Animation, Drama, Family
A week before Christmas, Kyon wakes up in a world where the SOS Brigade doesn't exist. Mikuru and Yuki don't recognize him, and Haruhi and Itsuki seem to have vanished.
Directors: Noriyuki Kitanohara, Kazuya Sakamoto, Noriko Takao, Yasuhiro Takemoto, Hiroko Utsumi, Naoko Yamada, Mitsuyoshi Yoneda, Tatsuya Ishihara | Stars: Aya Hirano, Tomokazu Sugita, Minori Chihara, Yûko Gotô
Votes: 8,009
12. Bubblegum Crisis (1987–1991)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
A female mercenary team, armed with unique power armor suits, battle the forces of the corrupt mega-corporation, Genom in futuristic Tokyo.
Stars: Yoshiko Sakakibara, Kinuko Ômori, Michie Tomizawa, Akiko Hiramatsu
Votes: 1,771
13. Detroit Metal City (2008 Video)
TV-MA | 168 min | Animation, Comedy, Music
The life of a split personality man who secretly sings for death metal.
Director: Hiroshi Nagahama | Stars: Daisuke Kishio, Ai Kobayashi, Takashi Matsuyama, Masami Nagasawa
Votes: 1,533
A.k.a. Detroit Metal City
14. Agent Aika (1997–1999)
Unrated | 210 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Aika Sumeragi, a salvager for hire who gets caught up in a plot for world domination. It is well known for its copious amounts of fan service, specifically the camera angles on panties of the many female characters that populate the show.
Stars: Rei Sakuma, Hiroko Konishi, Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Ôtsuka
Votes: 717
15. Oh My Goddess! (1993–1994)
Not Rated | 160 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A college student receives an unexpected wish from a goddess and asks her to stay with him forever, but that brings complications.
Stars: Yumi Tôma, Aya Hisakawa, Yuriko Fuchizaki, Kiyoyuki Yanada
Votes: 1,269
16. Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space (2002)
92 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A cerebral and existential story of Tamla, a kitten from the Planet of Cats, who sets out to solve the mystery of her birth.
Director: Tol | Stars: Béatrice Dalle, Takeshi Katô, Hisayo Mochizuki, Shinji Takeda
Votes: 567
17. Cyber City Oedo 808 (1990–1991)
TV-14 | 120 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In 2808 A.D., three convicts are conscripted by the Cyber Police to fight crime in the hi-tech metropolis of Oedo - while being forced to wear collars that can kill them at any time.
Stars: Hiroya Ishimaru, Kaneto Shiozawa, Tesshô Genda, Norio Wakamoto
Votes: 2,316
18. Battle Angel (1993)
Not Rated | 54 min | Animation, Action, Drama
In a distant future, a the young cyborg Gally is found on a scrapheap by the Cyberdoctor Daisuke Ido, who rebuilds her and becomes her surrogate father.
Stars: Miki Itô, Shunsuke Kariya, Kappei Yamaguchi, Edward Glen
Votes: 5,827
19. Gunbuster (1988–1989)
PG | 30 min | Animation, Action, Drama
A young pilot, daughter of a deceased space captain, is selected to pilot a gigantic robot as a key point of Earth's defense during a space war.
Stars: Noriko Hidaka, Rei Sakuma, Norio Wakamoto, Maria Kawamura
Votes: 2,010
A.k.a. Gunbuster
20. Devilman (1987–1990)
TV-MA | 57 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
Devilman faces the tortoise demon Jinmen and birdwoman Shiranu.
Stars: Show Hayami, Alan Marriott, Yû Mizushima, Adam Matalon
Votes: 1,862
A.k.a. Devilman
21. Venus Wars (1989)
Not Rated | 103 min | Animation, Action, Drama
Two thriving colonies, Ishtar and Aphrodia, exist on the planet Venus in the year 2089. War breaks out, and Ishtar invades Aphrodia, sweeping its residents, including motorcycle rider Hiro and his teammates, into the chaos of the conflict.
Director: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko | Stars: Katsuhide Uekusa, Yûko Mizutani, Eriko Hara, Yûko Sasaki
Votes: 1,990
22. Roujin Z (1991)
PG-13 | 80 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A compassionate young nurse is determined to help an elderly invalid strapped to a revolutionary health care bed but there are unexpected consequences.
Director: Hiroyuki Kitakubo | Stars: Shinji Ogawa, Shinsuke Chikaishi, Chisa Yokoyama, Hikojirô Matsumura
Votes: 3,187
23. Armitage III (1995)
Unrated | 140 min | Animation, Action, Drama
In the year 2046, a cop and his female android partner called Armitage, part of the latest android line known as "class III" models that look, act and feel human, investigate illegal manufacture of class III androids on colonized Mars.
Stars: Hiroko Kasahara, Yasunori Masutani, Ryûsei Nakao, Hirohiko Kakegawa
Votes: 1,599
24. Blue Submarine No. 6 (1998–2000)
Not Rated | 125 min | Animation, Action, Sci-Fi
The once famous and well respected scientist Zorndyke has bred a new genre of living being, one that thrives on the oceans and lives to destroy humans. Zorndyke believes it is time that the... See full summary »
Stars: Basile, Hozumi Gôda, Thunderbird Dinwiddie, Tamara Mercer
Votes: 1,300
25. Demon City Shinjuku (1988 Video)
TV-MA | 82 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
A young swordsman and the daughter of a political Messiah enter a ravaged Shinjuku, Tokyo, to stop the man who killed the former's father from opening a portal to a world of demons.
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri | Stars: Hideyuki Hori, Hiromi Tsuru, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Kyôko Tongû
Votes: 3,677
26. Perfect Blue (1997)
R | 81 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
A pop singer gives up her career to become an actress, but she slowly goes insane when she starts being stalked by an obsessed fan and what seems to be a ghost of her past.
Director: Satoshi Kon | Stars: Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, Shinpachi Tsuji, Masaaki Ôkura
Votes: 95,452 | Gross: $0.78M
27. Paradise Kiss (2011)
115 min | Drama
A chance encounter leads Yukari, a burnt out high school student, to a group of dedicated fashion design students. She becomes their model for their graduating exhibition and discovers her talent for modeling.
Director: Takehiko Shinjô | Stars: Keiko Kitagawa, Osamu Mukai, Shunji Igarashi, Kento Kaku
Votes: 1,769
28. Antique (2008)
107 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Jin-hyeok opens a cake shop in an old antique shop, hiring Seon-woo, Korea's best pastry chef, who fell in love with him in high school. Also there, are Su-young, crushing on Seon-woo, ex-boxer Ki-beom, and Seon-woo's French ex-boyfriend.
Director: Kyu-dong Min | Stars: Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Jae-Wook, Yoo Ah-in, Choi Ji-ho
Votes: 1,615
29. Time of Eve (2010)
106 min | Animation, Drama, Romance
In a not too distant future, a young man's outlook on his home android begins to change after tracking the android's behavioral log to a mysterious cafe.
Director: Yasuhiro Yoshiura | Stars: Jun Fukuyama, Kenji Nojima, Rie Tanaka, Rina Satô
Votes: 4,073
30. The Legend of the Dog Warriors: The Hakkenden (1990– )
420 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
Adapted from the famous samurai masterpiece, Hakkenden tells the tale of eight samurai brothers.
Stars: Matt Hill, Kelly Sheridan, Doris Chillcott, Lalainia Lindbjerg
Votes: 248
A.k.a. Hakkenden: The Nine Dog Warriors
31. Crayon Shin-chan: The Hidden Treasure of the Buri Buri Kingdom (1994)
95 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Shinchan and his lookalike embarks on a journey to defeat forces of a ruthless leader Mr. Anaconda and his forces.
Director: Keiichi Hara | Stars: Akiko Yajima, Miki Narahashi, Keiji Fujiwara, Yumi Takada
Votes: 626
32. All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku (1992)
TV-PG | 25 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Ryunosuke's pet cat passes away in a accident and his inventor father brings the cat back to life by putting it's brain in an android body in the shape of a young woman.
Stars: Takehito Koyasu, Megumi Hayashibara, Kazue Ikura, Akira Kamiya
Votes: 226
A.k.a. All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku
33. Please Save My Earth (1993–1994)
Not Rated | 185 min | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
A group of students discover they are aliens reborn on Earth. But their past lives start to overlap with their present ones, leading to drama and heartache.
Stars: Ted Cole, Michael Dobson, Paul Dobson, Jason Gray-Stanford
Votes: 277
34.
Violence Jack (1986–1990)
Episode:
Violence Jack, Part 1, Slum King
(1986)
Unrated | 37 min | Animation, Action, Drama
Set on a future Earth that has been ripped apart by natural disasters. Civilization has turned into a brutish nightmare of survival. Violence Jack is caught in the crossfire when a new ... See full summary »
Director: Osamu Kamijô | Stars: Tesshô Genda, Shigezô Sasaoka, Norio Wakamoto, Yoshino Ôtori
Votes: 410
35. Guyver: Out of Control (1986 Video)
TV-MA | 55 min | Animation, Action, Horror
High school student Sho happens to come across a mysterious metal object that causes his body to become enveloped in a weapon-encrusted suit of armor, changing him into a being called The ... See full summary »
Director: Hiroshi Watanabe | Stars: Yû Mizushima, Michie Tomizawa, Keiko Toda, Jun Hazumi
Votes: 448
36. Devil Hunter Yohko (1990– )
Not Rated | 28 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
A teenage girl learns that she is the current generation of demon fighter and her enemies know it.
Stars: Aya Hisakawa, Chieko Honda, Tiffany Grant, Amanda Winn Lee
Votes: 307
A.k.a. Demon Hunter Yohko
37. Area 88 (1985– )
TV-PG | 200 min | Animation, Action, Drama
A pilot must try to survive with his humanity when he is shanghaied into a mercenary jet fighter force.
Stars: Shannon Conley, Dan Olk, Randy Glass, Wendy Walker
Votes: 478
38. Ushio & Tora (1995 Video)
Animation, Adventure, Comedy
An ordinary boy who wields a magic spear and a demon find themselves reluctant allies against the supernatural threats to the world.
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama | Stars: Jessica Boone, Julie Burks, Jessica Calvello, Mandy Clark
Votes: 170
39. Shamanic Princess (1996– )
TV-14 | 60 min | Animation, Fantasy, Romance
A young princess acts as guardian of a world of magicians.
Stars: Crispin Freeman, Tara Sands, Kôichi Yamadera, Rica Matsumoto
Votes: 140
40. Birdy the Mighty (1996– )
TV-14 | 40 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A Tokyo teenager's world is turned upside down when he is accidentally killed by a Federation officer. In order for Tsutomu to live, he must share a body with the female officer, Birdy. ... See full summary »
Stars: Kotono Mitsuishi, Tetsuya Iwanaga, Yukana, Keaton Yamada
Votes: 245
41. We Were There: First Love (2012)
123 min | Drama, Romance
It chronicles the love relationship between a boy called Motoharu Yano and a girl called Nanami Takahashi, starting from their teenage years and continuing during their early twenties.
Director: Takahiro Miki | Stars: Tôma Ikuta, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Sôsuke Takaoka, Yuika Motokariya
Votes: 702
42. We Were There: True Love (2012)
121 min | Drama, Romance
Nanami and Yano were in-love. But because of unavoidable circumstances, they cannot commit to their plans and promises. They can decided whether they want to live life as it is, or find a way back to each other's arms.
Director: Takahiro Miki | Stars: Tôma Ikuta, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Narumi Akizuki, Yumi Asô
Votes: 546
43. Burn Up! (1991 Video)
47 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
A group of young police officers infiltrate a sleazy night club in an attempt to apprehend a man named McCoy, who is involved in kidnapping and white slavery. The plot twists when one of the officers is kidnapped!
Director: Yasunori Ide | Stars: Yumiko Shibata, Kumiko Nishihara, Hirokazu Hiramatsu, Shôichirô Akaboshi
Votes: 201
44.
New Angel (1994–1995)
Episode:
New Angel
(1994)
Unrated | 45 min | Animation, Adult, Comedy
After high-school perverts Keisuke and Atami have a run-in with the "woman with the disappearing face," it seems that they have had an encounter with a real ghost. The problem worsens when ... See full summary »
Director: Kaoru Toyooka | Star: Nobuo Tobita
Votes: 87
A funny series but it's for ADULTS ONLY!
45. Hyper Combat Unit Dangaioh (1987 Video)
Not Rated | 71 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
Four teens modified to become ESPers must fight for their lives aboard a powerful robot: the Dangaioh.
Director: Toshiki Hirano | Stars: Mayumi Shô, Annemarie Lawless, Naoko Matsui, Toni Barry
Votes: 128
46. Maison Ikkoku - Apartment Fantasy (1986)
97 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Travel into Japan's nuttiest apartment house and meet its volatile inhabitants.
Director: Shin'ichirô Sawai | Stars: Mariko Ishihara, Ken Ishiguro, Masatô Ibu, Yumiko Fujita
Votes: 139
47. New Dominion Tank Police (1993–1994)
30 min | Animation, Short, Action
The year is 2016. The place is New Port City. The Tank Police are still waging a desperate war on crime, and their tactics are still highly questionable. Mayor Weatherby is trying to pass a... See full summary »
Stars: Cameron Mitchell, Rei Sakuma, Toni Barry, Hiroyuki Shibamoto
Votes: 589
48. Le portrait de petite cossette (2004– )
Not Rated | 111 min | Animation, Fantasy, Horror
Eiri, a talented art student, works part-time in an antique shop in a quiet part of town. One afternoon, he uncovers a delicate Venetian glass that holds a startling secret. When Eiri peers... See full summary »
Stars: Johnny Yong Bosch, Michelle Ruff, Wendee Lee, Marina Inoue
Votes: 560
A.k.a. Portrait de Petit Cossette (wrong french); Le Portait de la Petite Cosette.
49. Giant Robo the Animation: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1992–1998)
TV-PG | 339 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
A super-hero organization battles a super-villain organization that is bent on destroying the world by using a recently discovered perfect source of energy named the Shizuma Drive, which powers the entire planet.
Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Michelle Newman, Eva Kaminsky, Sumi Shimamoto
Votes: 488
A.k.a. Giant Robo: The Animation
50. La Blue Girl (1992– )
X | 45 min | Animation, Action, Adult
Sex Ninjas Must Die! Miko Mido answers the call of the wild, to become a mistress of martial arts sexcraft! In these erotic episodes, Miko discovers that she is the last in a line of supernatural sex ninjas.
Stars: Yumi Takada, Mari Akutsu, Mirei Asaoka, Kappei Yamaguchi
Votes: 376
A.k.a. La Blue Girl This one is a Hentai series. Not for kids. Very sexy imagery and characters.
51. R.O.D Read or Die (2001)
Not Rated | 33 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
A young female agent with a powerful psionic power over paper must stop a plot for world destruction.
Stars: Rieko Miura, Michiko Neya, Hozumi Gôda, Masami Iwasaki
Votes: 1,454
52. Bastard!! (1992–1993)
Not Rated | 180 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A dark lord is trying to destroy his foes, take over the world with his demonic armies and bed women along the way.
Stars: Kazuki Yao, Daran Norris, Wendee Lee, Yuriko Fuchizaki
Votes: 795
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