60 Films Celebrating Noburou Oofuji's Legacy

This is a stop-motion animated adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's classic story, "The Ugly Duckling."

This 25-minute film follows Itako, an elderly woman who has been bedridden for a long time. A fox named Okon visits her home, and Itako offers him anything he desires, as she needs nothing. Pleased, Okon reciprocates by performing a…

This is a short puppet animation, and the recipient of the prestigious Oofuji Noburou Award.

Based on Japanese folklore, this beloved animated film follows Susano, the youngest son of the gods who created Earth. Grieving the death of his mother, Susano defies his father and sets out on a journey to find his siblings and…

Alone for the first time, the unnamed Cat—gender unknown—struggles with its dual nature. One side is gentle and perceptive, while the other is mischievous.

The film follows a young boy's experience of the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. It shows how this historical disaster deeply affected the Japanese people, changing their lives and minds as they faced a world transformed by immense…

This is a short animated film, recognized with the 1998 Noburou Oofuji Award.

This is a short animated film, recognized with the 1998 Noburou Oofuji Award.

Inside a small white box, a whole world unfolds. A woman appears and screams, birds attack, trains pass through, and a couple argues. When a billiard ball enters the box, it transforms into different things. Each space within the box…

A highly aggressive mantis, skilled in martial arts, disrupts the lives of a couple as it relentlessly pursues its prey – cans and cicadas. This personal work by Shintaro Kishimoto, a frequent contributor to Production I.G's 3D animation team, received…

Lupin the Third, a renowned master thief, and his partner Jigen discover a large quantity of expertly made counterfeit money. Intrigued, Lupin sets out to find the counterfeiters, leading him to the imposing Castle of Cagliostro. Inside the castle, Lupin…

Young Sosuke, who lives by the sea, rescues a goldfish named Ponyo and finds his life changed forever. Ponyo is a lively and curious creature who dreams of becoming human. While she brings playful chaos to Sosuke's home, her father…

Two unlikely allies embark on an epic quest to find the legendary Floating Castle. A young boy and a resourceful girl, connected by a mystical crystal, must navigate dangerous waters filled with pirates and foreign agents. Racing against time, they…

Edo, 18th century. Owaka, the daughter of a merchant, and her childhood friend Matsukichi share a deep connection. However, Matsukichi has been ostracized by his family and works for the city fire brigade. As arrangements for Owaka's marriage are made,…

In Japan, Saya, a powerful vampire hunter and an original vampire herself, is dispatched by her government liaison, David, to Yokota High School on Halloween night, posing as a student. Her mission: to hunt vampires. Saya requests a new katana…

In a quiet fishing village, a withdrawn middle schooler named Kai encounters a mermaid named Lu.

Two young British hunters become lost in the woods and stumble upon an unusual restaurant. The film adapts a story by Kenji Miyazawa, and questions whether their situation will lead them to experience the feeling of being hunted themselves.

During a journey of faith, a man spends the night with a woman. Following a shared experience of intimacy, he flees, and she pursues him.

This is a color remake of the 1960 film, following a man and a woman who travel to a deserted island by raft, bringing only chickens and a dog. Initially, they find paradise, establishing a daily routine of farming and…

A peaceful forest and its inhabitants are threatened by human encroachment. A squirrel, who has spent his entire life in the woods, must fight to protect his home, encountering many challenges in the process.

Yoshiro Ishihara (1915–1977) became a prominent figure in Japanese modern poetry in the mid-1950s and is now known as a "poet of silence." He famously stated, "A poem is an impulse to resist writing." This film explores the places that…

This thought-provoking film explores the experience of modern life through a simple premise: people of all ages and backgrounds are asked to sit in a chair for fifteen minutes with no distractions. The film observes how these individuals grapple with…

Documentary filmmaker Genya Tachibana seeks out the elusive actress Chiyoko Fujiwara, who disappeared from fame years ago. Giving her a key she believed lost, Genya unexpectedly unlocks not only the long-hidden truths of Chiyoko's past, but also reveals something about…

The film presents a series of vignettes illustrating humanity's capacity for primal, animalistic behavior.

A young girl finds solace in her bear doll, while a young mouse navigates life with his family. Their world includes a sycamore tree, an old lamp post, a hoodlum moth, and a vibrant alleyway where posters seem to come…

Two reckless thieves attempt to steal a groundbreaking new medicine from a research lab. Their plans are complicated by an unexpected encounter with a desperate crow and the head professor's assistant.

Shinji, a struggling manga artist, stumbles upon an old drawing by his childhood friend Masaru, sparking a magical journey that reignites his artistic inspiration. The film explores a psychologically complex world of hidden truths and deception, blending elements of thriller…

This is a report about a mysterious creature discovered by "Watashi" during the year when the world ground to a halt. When lockdowns began globally in the spring, "Watashi" chose to stay home instead of commuting. One day, "Watashi" found…

In a peaceful coastal village, an elderly fisherman makes what could be his last trip out to sea. His boat, showing its age, carries him out with a hopeful heart and a familiar net. As the sun sets, he hooks…

"The Robot Moles" is a charming tale about flowers, moles, inept scientists, and a young girl.

A short animated film by Tadanaro Okamoto.

In a quiet early 20th-century town, Gauche is a modest cellist who plays in the local orchestra and accompanies silent movies. He struggles with criticism from his conductor as they prepare for a performance of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony. Over four…

Black and White, two orphaned children, fight to survive in the harsh streets of Treasure Town. Their lives are upended when a powerful corporation plans to demolish the town for a new amusement park, forcing them into a desperate struggle…

This animated film adapts Yanase Takashi's picture book, telling the story of Muku-muku, a mother dog grieving the loss of her puppy, and Buru-buru, a baby lion who has lost her mother. The film focuses on their developing friendship.

A short animated film by Tadanari Okamoto.

Two sisters, Kiki and Chizu, leave their city home and move with their father to be near their mother, who is hospitalized. While adjusting to their new surroundings, they discover a magical secret: ancient Totoros live in the forest. The…

Two brothers, hunters living with their mother, head to the mountains to set deer traps. A demon suddenly attacks the younger brother. The older brother shoots an arrow, severing the demon's arm, which they intend to bring back. However, they…

This short film offers a thoughtful look at human history, from early fire-making to today's technology, showing both our achievements and struggles. Amidst a rapidly changing world, the film follows one person searching for meaning amidst distractions. It explores the…

This film uses a series of wordless animated vignettes to examine key figures in contemporary life: a plastic surgeon, a fashionista, a gossip, and others. Ultimately, it offers a reflection on how far society has advanced.

A concise animated mystery.

A short animated film by Tadanari Okamoto.

Three aimless high school students form a rock band. Lacking talent, funds, and even basic equipment like a complete drum kit, they're driven by a desire to play music and win over their closest friend.

Nishi is a failure with a longing for his childhood sweetheart. Following a run-in with the Japanese mafia, he experiences a trip to heaven and back, only to find himself stranded in an even stranger location.

Giovanni leads a bleak existence, consumed by work and relentlessly mocked by his classmates. His workplace offers no warmth or support. Overwhelmed by social isolation, he impulsively boards a train, leaving his unhappy home behind. He's joined by Campanella, a…

After a devastating apocalypse, the peaceful kingdom of the Valley of the Wind is one of the last safe places left. It's surrounded by a poisonous forest protected by giant insects. Princess Nausicaä works to find a way for people…

A short animated film by Tadanari Okamoto.

This abstract animation explores the relationship between people and their internal organs, depicting them both within and outside of drawers.

I'm a 66-year-old cicada. A major earthquake struck. Then came a large tsunami. Following that, there was a significant accident.

During their final year of high school, two girls in the school's brass band perform a piece of music inspired by a fairy tale that reflects their own close friendship.

Uri, a boy, and an old man embark on a fantastical adventure in the Milky Way, a universe inhabited by starfish. Their journey is driven by the quest to find a mysterious monster fish.

In 14th century Japan, a dancer burdened by a curse and a musician who is blind find themselves outsiders. They form a partnership and a close friendship, and together, their spectacular concerts lead them to fame.

A moon that plunged into the ocean depths awakens to utter darkness. Can it find its way back to the sky?

This animated film adapts a single renku, a collaborative linked poem, from Bashō's 1684 collection of the same name. The film’s creation mirrored the poem's collaborative origins; 35 animators independently produced visuals for each of the 36 stanzas. Director Kawamoto…

On her fifteenth birthday, the princess discovers a diary written by her mother during her youth. The diary reveals the Queen’s secret first love. The Princess ventures into the forest to meet her mother's former lover. When she meets his…

This short experimental anime from acclaimed Japanese indie animator Yoji Kuri explores the intense experience of desperate love.

A country doctor urgently recounts being called to a young patient late one night. The situation quickly becomes bizarre when he's transported to the bedside by strange horses. Distracted by his own problems and resentment towards his patients, the doctor…

This is a story about workers who are ignored and lose their spirit as wealthy businessmen prioritize profits by partnering with foreign entities. As these businessmen become increasingly greedy, the economy crashes. A young man finds solace in poetry, offering…

Japan, 1943, World War II. Young Suzu journeys from her village near Hiroshima to Kure, a naval port, to marry and live with her husband's family. Her resourcefulness blossoms as she adapts to a life of hardship, quickly becoming essential…

Kujiratori follows a group of schoolchildren who imagine they're constructing a boat. As their fantasy takes over, they find themselves at sea, on a whale hunt. A large, kind whale appears, guides them back to shore, and joins them in…

Alone together in their home, they are left with the body of her father. Memories, ideals, and reality blur into a suffocating sense of isolation. They are utterly alone, adrift in solitude.