448 Animated Films to Watch Now

Baku Yumemakura's Twilight Theatre

1991 • 56 min

This story was originally presented as a segment within the Studio Pierrot video magazine show *Anime V Comic Rentaman*, alongside other programs including *Abashiri Ikka*, *Eguchi Hisashi no Kotobuki Gorou Show*, and *Akai Hayate*.

5.0

Ao Oni The Animation

2017 • 60 min

Five students in a cultural anthropology club at an old school discover a collection of folk tales compiled by a former member. They suspect these tales are the inspiration for the popular video game *Ao Oni* and decide to use…

4.8

3.9

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Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic

2017 • 100 min • Box office $511K

Animation, Action, Comedy

Ciel discovers the existence of the "Aurora Society," a group rumored to be researching resurrection. Their next meeting will take place on the Campania, a ship crossing the Atlantic. To his disappointment, Elizabeth Midford is also on board, forcing Ciel…

7.5

7.6

17+

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BEM: BECOME HUMAN

2020 • 90 min

Two years after Bem, Bela, and Belo vanished, Bem is living a seemingly perfect life with his wife and children. He's built the life he always wanted, but under a new identity, he has no recollection of his past as…

7.0

6.3

14+

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Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation

2022 • 58 min

This film blends anime, live-action, and music by innovative artist Eve to create a dreamlike audio-visual experience inspired by the story of Adam and Eve.

7.0

6.2

14+

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A Child's Metaphysics

2007 • 5 min

He's a child defined by numbers, who winds his face and carries it with him. Stripped of a normal identity, he has fish eyes and a zipper across his mouth that prevents him from speaking. A story exploring the ecology…

6.8

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Beluga

2011 • 5 min

This film reimagines "The Little Match Girl" as a chilling horror story.

6.0

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Antique Heart

1988 • 29 min

An abandoned building on the school grounds hides a secret, which Takahiro and his friends unexpectedly uncover. They make contact with a mysterious being named Saki and must find a way to save her world from destruction.

3.5

4.7

Ajin: Demi-Human – Compel

2015 • 104 min

Animation, Action, Thriller

Kei, a high school student, and at least forty-six others unexpectedly gain immortality. However, this doesn't grant him any special powers. Instead, he becomes a target. The public and governments view him as a unique individual who must be captured…

7.1

7.5

Animal Treasure Island

1971 • 78 min

This Japanese adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's *Treasure Island* reimagines the story with animals in the main roles. Young Jim discovers a map to Treasure Island and sets sail with Glan the rat and Bub, a baby, aboard a vessel…

6.2

6.8

Baby Love

1997 • 30 min

Seara has loved Shuhei since childhood, despite his being three years her senior and much larger. He told her to return when she was older. Years later, resembling a high school student, Seara finds a way into Shuhei's home and…

1.5

4.7

Adachi-ga Hara

1991 • 25 min

This science-fiction fantasy draws inspiration from the Japanese Noh play Adachi-ga Hara. The film follows Yūkei, a space pilot, as he travels to a planet where a deadly "witch" is rumored to live. Lyrical passages about the demon Onibaba are…

7.5

6.7

Are you here, Ser Brunetto?

2021 • 4 min

This film draws inspiration from the fifteenth canto of Dante's *Divine Comedy*, where Dante encounters his mentor, Brunetto Latini.

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A Sea Doesn't Tell Much

2008 • 5 min

A visually striking animated short film by Yoriko Mizushiri.

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Arpeggio of Blue Steel -Ars Nova Cadenza-

2015 • 105 min

The privateers of the Blue Steel are on a critical mission: delivering blueprints for a Vibration Warhead Torpedo – a weapon that could change the course of the war – to the United States. But they face a new danger…

7.3

7.1

Ar Tonelico: The Girl Who Sings at the End of the World

2006 • 25 min

Orica struggles with her inability to perform as a Lavateil – someone who channels magic through song. Her life changes when Laina’s airship crashes near her. Together, they seek an engineer to fix the ship and encounter Cruze. During their…

8.5

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Bavi Stock II: The Revenge of Eyesma -Beyond The Throbbing Love-

1986 • 45 min

Agent Kate of the G.P.P. Police force continues her fight against the Ventica Empire, aided by her partners Bavi and Mooma. Their mission takes a dangerous turn when they crash-land on an uncharted planet dominated by towering, hundred-meter-high trees and…

4.0

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Anklet and the blue sea

2018 • 7 min

A girl living on a southern island loses her cherished anklet in the sea. A boy finds it and discovers he possesses magical powers. This is a heartwarming and nostalgic story about their developing friendship, centered around the lost anklet…

6.0

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Astro Boy: The Last Day of Earth

2001 • 16 min

Atom finds and helps Bem, a robot soldier who escaped a dying junk planet in space. A strong friendship forms between them, deepening over time. Then, the junk planet unexpectedly heads towards Earth. The only way to prevent a collision…

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BIG HITS! Program ID

2011 • 1 min

A music video by Yoriko Mizushiri for the "BIG HITS!" Program block on Space Shower TV.

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(Making of) evangelion: Another Impact

2015 • 5 min

This film examines the development process behind "Evangelion: Another Impact."

6.0

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Animal Crossing: The Movie

2006 • 87 min • Box office $16M

Animation, Drama, Family

Ai, a resourceful young woman, relocates to Animal Village and takes a job at Nook's Cranny. Slowly, she integrates into the community with help from the villagers and sets out on a mission to plant pine trees. She hopes this…

6.8

6.6

A Challenge

1999 • 21 min

This short film explores the issue of bullying in an educational manner.

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Aura Battler Dunbine Memorial

2000 • 165 min

The recap of *Aura Battler Dunbine* was first released as part of the *Aura Battle Dunbine: The Tale of Neo Byston Well* OVA. It's presented in three parts: The Beginning, The Progress, and The Destruction. These parts include extra footage.

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A Manipulated Man

2006 • 5 min

What if a person has a limited number of words they can speak, and that limit is controlled by an outside force? This film explores that very premise.

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Balance

2016 • 1 min

Studio Ghibli animated the renowned Chōjū-Jinbutsu-Giga Emaki ("Scrolls of Cartoons of Birds, Animals, and People," or "Chōjū Giga" for short) for a second Marubeni Power advertisement.

3.0

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AZICON Opening Animation

1983 • 10 min

A vibrant opening sequence introduces AZICON.

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A Day in the Life of Chameko

1931 • 7 min

This film, inspired by a popular 1929 song by child star Hideko Hirai, offers a fascinating look at 1930s Japanese life. It follows the everyday experiences of a lively young girl and includes period details like an early advertisement for…

4.9

5.8

Asa

2013 • 1 min

Haruka Suzuki's short animation adapts Ikuko Shirakuma's poem "Asa."

6.4

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Aya Hito Shiki to Iu na no Ishi Hata

2006 • 6 min

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1/100 RICE Planting

2016 • 10 min

This stop-motion animation depicts the traditional practice of planting rice in the peaceful mountains of rural Japan. Follow Genki-kun as he plants 80,000 rice seedlings.

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A-Girl

1993 • 31 min

Mariko and her sister May meet Ichiro, a self-assured model who is known for his womanizing. Their lives become complicated as they become involved with him, along with Mariko's boyfriend, who is often irritable.

6.5

6.3

Adventures of the Polar Cubs

1979 • 78 min

"Adventures of the Polar Cubs" follows Mushka and Mishka, two polar bear cubs who explore the North Pole. Mushka is thoughtful, while Mishka is adventurous. During one of their explorations, Mishka befriends Aura, a playful seal, and Mushka accidentally breaks…

5.0

6.7

Ajin: Demi-Human – Collide

2016 • 120 min

Kei, a high school student, and at least forty-six other people unexpectedly gain immortality. However, this isn't a blessing. Instead of becoming a hero, Kei is seen as a valuable subject by the public and governments. He is hunted down…

7.1

7.6

ATAMA

1994 • 1 min

While attempting to eat an omelet, a skinhead man is invaded by countless dwarves that emerge from it. The dwarves infiltrate his brain, ultimately causing his head to explode. A short animation by Keita Kurosaka for MTV Japan.

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5.9

A Wind Named Amnesia

1990 • 80 min

Animation, Drama, Science Fiction

After a global event wipes everyone's memories, people struggle to rebuild society and relearn how to communicate. A young man embarks on a journey across America, driven by a desire to understand his lost past and the cause of the…

5.9

6.5

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+11

1000 Pine Groves

1992 • 90 min

Following devastating floods in 1753, the community of Senbon Matsubara in Shizuoka works together to build flood defenses along the Kiso, Nagara, and Yuhi rivers. Meanwhile, the people of Satsuma (present-day Kumamoto Prefecture) face immense hardship as the central government…

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2.9

After School Tinker Bell

1992 • 46 min

A student vanishes from the school broadcasting club, and whispers connect the disappearance to someone who died the previous year. The missing student’s final message hinted at becoming Peter Pan. Kenichi and Misako, friends of the missing girl's boyfriend, become…

4.0

Between Showers

2009 • 3 min

This year has seen a lot of sudden showers. When it starts to rain, people look up, hurry their pace, and open umbrellas. The animation's central image evokes scenes of a crowd and a feeling of nostalgia.

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Be Quiet Please!

1980 • 4 min

Animation

Tadanari Okamoto's short animation presents a visually stunning and emotionally resonant story. Without dialogue, the film tells its story through poetic imagery, intricate character movements, and beautiful animation. Okamoto’s masterful technique creates an ethereal atmosphere as we witness seemingly unrelated…

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Alien Human

2023

"Is human the only species who can hurt each other psychologically?" Alien Human asks. Wen Pang's animated adaptation of Yuewei Wang's comic series presents four short stories as concise poems: Pearl, The Goldfish, Ocean, and Hole. This visually stunning experience…

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Bird Shit

2013 • 1 min

Hidden within the ordinary, moments of profound insight can unexpectedly appear. Sometimes, these glimpses of deeper meaning reveal themselves in the most commonplace situations, if only one is willing to truly observe.

7.0

6.7

A Donkey Got a Bit Sulky

1983 • 2 min

This animated musical short follows a traveling donkey who gets irritated by small problems. His cheerful young owner happily makes amends for each one.

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A Girl At Dojo Temple

1946 • 20 min

6.0

6.6

Black Butler: Book of Murder

2014 • 116 min

Mystery, Animation, Adventure

On the Queen's behalf, Ciel and his demon butler Sebastian throw a lavish dinner party for London's elite. The elegant evening turns chaotic when a prominent guest is found dead in his room. Trapped in the Phantomhive Manor by a…

8.0

7.9

17+

A Wish to the Moon: Joe Hisaishi & 9 Cellos 2003 Etude & Encore Tour

2005 • 111 min

Joe Hisaishi composed the film music, featuring a straightforward arrangement of cello and piano. A live recording of the concert was captured at Tokyo Opera City. The album "ENCORE ~ a Wish to the Moon" presents the strongest songs from…

3.8

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Ainone

2015 • 2 min

This short film uses rotoscoped clips from "Swallotwail Butterfly," synchronized with music from the film's Yentown band.

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Azusa Will Help!

2004 • 44 min

The Karugamo High School baseball team is struggling. Following a crushing defeat, many players have left, leaving them with only eight – one player short of a full team. Reluctantly, the protagonist Harumaki Shunpei purchases a baseball robot due to…

8.0

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Belle

2021 • 121 min • Box office $63M

Animation, Science Fiction, Drama

Suzu, a 17-year-old high school student, lives with her father in a rural town. Still grieving the loss of her mother from childhood, Suzu discovers the vast online world "U" and begins exploring it as her avatar, Belle. Quickly, Belle…

7.7

7.0

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.hack//GIFT

2003 • 27 min

Helba has prepared a special hot springs for the .hack characters as a reward for them to rest and relax. Kite, Elk, Tsukasa, Mimiru, and many others from the series appear in The World for this treat. There's just one…

4.3

5.5

A Certain Magical Index: The Miracle of Endymion

2013 • 90 min • Box office $4M

Animation, Action, Comedy

While viewing Academy City's space elevator and the distant Endymion, Touma Kamijou and Index encounter Arisa Meigo, a Level 0 girl with an extraordinary singing voice. Their afternoon together is interrupted when Stiyl Magnus, a magic user, unexpectedly attacks them,…

7.0

6.4

14+

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Anal Juice

2013 • 3 min

Following a breakup, a woman experiences a dream.

4.1

5.2

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Awaiting

2012 • 4 min

A man sits alone in a small boat, waiting. He persists in his wait, though the reason is unclear. He seeks a fleeting moment of pure joy, wanting to savor it for as long as possible.

5.0

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Banner of the Stars II Movie

2005 • 92 min

This film compiles the Seikai no Senki II series with extra footage. The Abh star force achieved a major victory at Aptic Gate, ending the United Mankind fleet's counterattack. Now, Operation Hunter is underway: a mission to find and destroy…

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Aikatsu! The Movie

2014 • 89 min

Ichigo is an ordinary middle school student who unexpectedly finds herself in the world of idols. The story focuses on Aikatsu!'s biggest event yet: the Dai Star Miya Ichigo Matsuri "Super Live" concert. Ichigo prepares for the concert through press…

4.2

8.3

Bavi Stock I: Fated to Be A Target

1985 • 45 min

GPP agent Kate Lee Jackson rescues Muna, a mute girl, from a prison on the Bentika Empire, a massive space station. She also frees Bavi Stock, a young boxer imprisoned after accidentally killing someone, and facing imminent death at the…

4.0

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Anpanman: The Blacknose with Magical Song

2010 • 51 min

Abandoned as a child, a young person is raised by a cruel individual who denies them any happiness. Now, a superhero fueled by red bean paste must show them the beauty and joy of life.

5.3

6.2

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"Please Describe Yourself in One Word": I'm Bad at the Question.

2022 • 5 min

This anime presents Kyocera's vision of a comfortable and secure future in a "smart city," powered by advanced technology. It also explores the anxieties faced by those searching for work. The title and central theme capture the difficulty of summarizing…

6.0

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Azure Striker Gunvolt

2017 • 21 min

Set in the near future, the emergence of "Adepts" – individuals with powerful abilities called "Septimal Powers" – has thrown the world into turmoil. In Japan, the Sumeragi Group, a powerful corporation, maintains control and stability. A rebel organization called…

5.9

6.2

Anpanman: Star-Spirited Dollie

2006 • 70 min

The popular children's superhero faces a new challenge when he rescues Dollie, who then comes to life and persistently disrupts everyone with her endless pursuit of excitement.

8.2

4.5

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Ark IX

2013 • 11 min

A massive wall separates humanity into two worlds, built to contain a deadly "Dark mist" epidemic. Artificial cities called "Arks" were constructed to house the survivors. Shido Enishi, a private detective in Ark Nine, is hired to track down a…

4.0

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Bakabon: Three Thousand Miles in Search of Osomatsu's Curry

1992 • 45 min

This is a comedic reimagining of "Journey to the West," blending the worlds of Fujio Akatsuka's beloved creations, Tensai Bakabon and Osomatsu-kun.

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After School Midnighters

2012 • 95 min

*Houkago Midnighters* centers on a human anatomical model that awakens to life within a school after midnight.

6.3

5.9

Akira

1988 • 124 min • Budget $5M • Box office $49M

Animation, Science Fiction, Action

In a futuristic Neo-Tokyo, a top-secret government experiment goes wrong, transforming a biker gang member into a dangerous psychic. This unstable individual threatens the city's survival. Two ordinary teenagers and a group of people with psychic abilities must join forces…

7.9

8.0

17+

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Anpanman: The Secret of Fairy Rin-Rin

2008 • 51 min

Anpanman's power, which comes from flowers given to him by the fairy Rin-Rin, is threatened when the villainous Baikinman tricks her into giving them to him instead!

5.3

4.5

Arion

1986 • 119 min

Arion was taken by Hades as a child and raised with the belief that his mother was blinded by Zeus. He's told that killing Zeus, the ruler of Mount Olympus, is the only way to restore her sight.

6.1

6.5

17+

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Anthropo-Cynical Farce

1970 • 8 min

This film uses dog racing as a metaphor to explore the meaninglessness of life.

6.2

5.7

Birth - The cycles of life -

2020 • 28 min

Birth stories are as unique as the individuals who experience them. Even with modern medicine, childbirth can tragically result in loss. This film explores this universal experience by interviewing mothers about their personal journeys into motherhood. We've adapted these intimate…

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Attraction

2010 • 10 min

Attraction is a groundbreaking interactive anime film from Tokyo's 4°C studio, created at the request of INPES (the French National Institute for Health and Prevention) to deter young people from starting to smoke.

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Aikatsu!: Dai Starmiya Ichigo Matsuri Zenyasai!!

2014 • 47 min

This film adapts the animated Aikatsu! Series.

1.0

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ANNA (kidnapper)

2018 • 27 min

In 196X, Anna, a mysterious and alluring professional kidnapper, is hired by a former girlfriend of The Professor to take him before his wedding. This woman, whose face Anna has never seen, wants to die with him. Anna agrees and,…

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8.4

Akuemon

1993 • 25 min

A fortune teller reveals to Taisho that he must hunt 1000 foxes to gain control of the nation. Unpopular Akuemon is tasked with this daunting mission. In response, the foxes send a female fox disguised as his wife. A relationship…

5.0

6.3

Balloon

2013 • 1 min

The film explores the multifaceted experience of pain.

7.0

5.8

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Anima

2005 • 4 min

ANIMA is a dance animation film that depicts the entirety of a human life.

2.0

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Attack No. 1 - Tear Rotation Receive

1970 • 60 min

The four best volleyball players in Japan join the Fujimi Gakuen Valley Club, determined to win the national championship. But when one of them, Yuri, injures her wrist and can't play, she decides to compete in track and field, encouraged…

4.7

3.8

Before you wake up

2017 • 1 min

One night, university student Souta meets a girl named Yuki, whom he claims saved him in the past. Yuki appears sheltered and unfamiliar with everyday things like shopping or using utensils. She also has an unusual fear of being touched.…

3.0

7.1

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4 Eyes

1975 • 9 min

Keiichi Tanaami's film *4 Eyes* uses the recurring image of the eye to create a visually intense experience. Drawing on his background in nightclub design, Tanaami presents two versions of the same film, subtly offset from each other. This technique…

2.0

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Attack No. 1 - World Championship of Tears

1970 • 55 min

For the first time, the Japanese team is competing in the World Junior Championships. Kozue, Midori, Kakinouchi, and their fellow all-Japan players, led by Coach Inokuma, prepared diligently for the demanding competition. They travel to New York, where they face…

4.0

4.5

Attack No. 1 - Tearful Immortal Bird

1971 • 60 min

Kozue, a first-year student at Fujimi Gakuen High, and Tsutomu, who took over his family's fruit and vegetable shop, were close friends who supported each other. Kozue's resolve to defeat the formidable Yagisawa sisters from Teradoin High – winners of…

4.0

4.3

Binchō-tan

2006 • 144 min

Orphan Bincho-tan lives a solitary life in the forest, always with a piece of coal attached to her head. She occasionally travels to a nearby town seeking work, and the townspeople offer her food as thanks for her labor. Despite…

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7.6

Anemone: Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution

2018 • 95 min

When Anemone's father dies because of a dangerous coral, she decides to get revenge. However, the only way to defeat the coral is to go inside it.

5.7

7.2

14+

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A Log Day of Timbre

2011 • 3 min

This is a supplementary installment to Mizue Mirai's *Timbre A-Z*.

5.0

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Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King

2023 • 113 min

Animation, Fantasy, Action

A determined young man, lacking magical abilities, dreams of becoming the Wizard King. But his ambition is threatened when four former Wizard Kings, exiled long ago, return to destroy the Clover Kingdom.

8.1

7.4

14+

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Anata ga furikaeru toki

1993 • 30 min

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Battlefield Baseball

2009 • 41 min

This is a coming-of-age story centered around baseball, filled with youthful energy, moments of injury, and plenty of humor.

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A Wind Egg

2012 • 11 min

This film centers on a family that operates a chicken farm. The son is fascinated by the birds, while his younger sister watches over him. The father is passionate about eggs, and the mother harbors affections for someone outside the…

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A Smart Experiment

2006 • 3 min

A bonus short included on the "Atsushi Wada Works 2002-2010" DVD.

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Attack on Titan: Crimson Bow and Arrow

2014 • 118 min

A century ago, humanity secured safety behind enormous walls that held back man-eating Titans. But this haven is shattered when a massive Titan breaches the walls, unleashing a wave of giants into the previously protected zone.

8.1

7.7

A Silent Voice: The Movie

2016 • 129 min • Box office $30M

Animation, Drama, Romance

Shouya Ishida begins to bully Shouko Nishimiya, a new classmate who is deaf. As his teasing escalates, the other students in the class begin to disapprove of Shouya's cruelty. After elementary school, Shouko and Shouya lose all contact. Years later,…

8.4

8.2

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A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest

2007 • 72 min

From July 21st to September 10th, 2007, the Museum for Contemporary Art Tokyo hosted an exhibition celebrating Kazuo Oga, the art director and background artist behind many well-known films from Japan's Studio Ghibli. The exhibition featured over 600 of Oga’s…

6.0

8.0

Beyond the Train Tracks

2006 • 11 min

A boy discovers a hint of his missing father on a set of train tracks, at a station where time seems to stand still. He teams up with a strange projectionist and the station master to uncover the story behind…

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Back to the Forest

1980 • 70 min

Animation, TV Movie

In Placid Forest, Peter the fairy is a respected leader among the animals, living a peaceful life with his friends. Their sanctuary is threatened when humans begin cutting down the forest's trees. Peter and the animals try to peacefully protest…

3.0

6.8

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At The Mercy of The Sea

2023 • 5 min

A girl runs away from home one night, heading towards the coast. There, she discovers something unexpected.

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Barefoot Gin Rei

1994 • 20 min

A spin-off of Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still. Ginrei discovers her China dress is missing and must find it quickly.

7.0

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Anpanman: Nanda and Runda from Star of Toys

2016 • 62 min

A skilled pastry chef is called upon to assist a spoiled princess and her helpful robot in finding her lost magic wand. The wand has the power to transform anything it touches into toys.

7.0

4.2

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A Whistle

2002 • 6 min

Inspired by a poem by Sakutaro Hagiwara, the story explores the contrasting difficulties faced by a child and an adult.

3.0

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A Woman in a Fashion Building

2015 • 1 min

A woman arrives at a fashion building, driven by longing and illusions, confronting a stark reality.

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Anpanman: Shine! Kulun and the Stars of Life

2018 • 62 min

In the cheerful world of Anpanman, everyone is excitedly preparing for the annual Star Festival. An egg appears from Baikinman's trash, and a boy named Kurun hatches from it. Unsure of his origins, Kurun enjoys playing with everyone. However, black…

5.0

5.5

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Black Jack: The Two Doctors in Black

2005 • 97 min

The powerful Daedalus Group faces threats from the activist group, the Ghost of Icarus. While assisting bombing victims, Black Jack meets Dr. Kiriko, also known as Death Incarnate, who, like him, charges patients large sums for a painless death rather…

5.9

6.5

100

30,000 Miles Under the Sea

1970 • 60 min

The ruler of the underground world plots to conquer the entire planet. Riding the fire dragon Isamu and aided by Angel, the princess of the undersea kingdom, they attempt to prevent him from destroying their world.

5.1

6.4

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