For anyone who is interested in anime but has no idea where to begin there is no doubt that Studio Ghibli is a great place to start. The studio has been a giant of the industry for a very long time, and for good reason.
However, there are plenty of anime movies to enjoy that perhaps aren't as well known to newcomers. In the grand scheme of things, not every wonderful anime film is produced by Studio Ghibli.
10. Mirai (2018): 7.0
This film gave director Mamoru Hosoda (whose entire back catalog is worth viewing) his Academy Award nomination. Mirai is a sweet, funny and family-friendly story about brother and sister. It follows a young boy on the day his baby sister first arrives at home. He's apprehensive about the new arrival, but a version of his sister from the future arrives to teach him more about family values. It's a sweet story but not afraid to delve into more grown-up themes, making it more of a coming of age drama.
9. Redline (2009): 7.5
Even by the standards of other anime, Redline is seriously off-the-wall. The animation style is virtually psychedelic and it took so long to complete that the studio funding had to file for bankruptcy! Set in the world of illegal alien car racing, the story follows one driver as he hops between planets competing in races hoping to qualify for the mythic Redline race. The film starts fast and almost never slows down. Watch it for the races but stay for the robots, the aliens, the weapons, the explosions; the list goes on forever.
8. Paprika (2006): 7.7
The final film from legendary director Satoshi Kon, Paprika is a mind-bending film that has influenced countless others, most notably Christopher Nolan's Inception. It follows multiple characters as they try and recover some stolen technology that is causing everyone in Tokyo to have crazy dreams.
The animation is so rich and the storytelling so intricate that at several points throughout the film it's impossible to tell what is real and what is not. It's a masterpiece and truly unique.
7. In This Corner of the World (2016): 7.8
Compared to the other films on the list so far, In This Corner of the World, is a dramatic change of pace. Set in Hiroshima both before and after the dropping of the atomic bomb, the film shows how deeply the Japanese culture and landscape were affected by the war. While the film follows the fictional character of Suzu, a lot of the script is taken from real-life accounts, journals, pictures, and letters, all beautifully rendered in realistic animation.
6. The Girl Who Lept Through Time (2006): 7.8
Another film from director Mamoru Hosoda, this was his first film as the sole creator. Makoto is a teenager in Tokyo who, after a strange accident, gains the ability to jump back in time. With the new power to repeat any moment she likes, Makoto uses it to her own advantage to gain an upper hand in tests and friendships.
While it remains funny and charming throughout, the film is driven forward by a central mystery that could ruin everything Makoto has done.
5. Ghost in the Shell (1995): 8.0
Probably one of the most famous anime movies in the world. Ghost in the Shell was a global hit and has inspired myriad sequels and spin-off TV series. The first film remains iconic. Set in a cyberpunk future it follows Major, an android with a personality from a previous life stored inside her. The film is part police drama, but it is also a deeply philosophical reflection on both identity and humanity. The animation is often quite serene, despite the heavy action, and remains as visually stunning today as it did on release.
4. Perfect Blue (1997): 8.0
The directorial debut from Satoshi Kon, Perfect Blue is a psychological thriller that has, again, been massively influential on a number of Western directors. Mima Kirigoe is a pop star who chooses to pursue a career in acting. As she makes the transition Mima faces death threats from her dedicated fans and is torn between her various pop personalities as her agents bicker over what she should do next. A mindbending mas-up of dream, reality, and hallucination that very quickly turns into one of the most horrifying thrillers ever made.
3. Akira (1988): 8.0
A film many consider to be the best anime of all time. Akira was a sensation from the moment it released and to do this day remains the most expensive animated film ever made. A group of hooligan bikers in a future Tokyo accidentally find themselves caught up in a secret government operation.
The film is a jaw-dropping spectacle, with incredibly detailed animation and some extreme (but very fun) action sequences. There is a reason Akira has stood the test of time and is as good now as it ever has been.
2. A Silent Voice (2016): 8.2
For fans of slightly quieter and more nuanced stories, A Silent Voice is a heartbreaking but beautiful drama. It follows a high school teenager who, as a child, was the class bully and now finds himself alone and friendless. He tries to make amends with the people he has done wrong, most importantly Shoko, a deaf girl he bullied so badly she had to move school. Anime is known for its powerful fights and bonkers action, but this film proves that when it comes to human emotion this artform can pack a serious punch.
1. Your Name (2016): 8.4
Your Name has become an Anime sensation. Not only is it the highest-grossing anime of all time it has inspired a live-action American remake (currently in production). Taki and Mitsuha are two high schoolers who find themselves inexplicably swapping bodies. They begin to first improve the other's lives and learn more about the different traditions of life in the city and life in the country. Your Name is a joyous film with a well-crafted plot that constantly surprises. The animation is both crystal clear and incredibly detailed; guaranteed to capture the hearts of all who haven't seen it.