43 Underrated & Arty Anime Films
43 titles
- 1
ComedyMovie · 2002 · 11mIn Ireland during the War of Independence, a five-year-old girl attempts to protect her village from the British army. She seeks out the legendary Black Swordsman, known for accepting only books of a specific type as payment for his services.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.0 - 2
Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in SpaceMovie · 2002 · 92mTamala, a cat from Planet Cat in the Feline Galaxy, tries to escape the galaxy's control by Catty & Co. She crash-lands on the dangerous Planet Q and encounters Michelangelo. As they spend time together, Tamala searches for links to Catty & Co. and her unknown home world, Orion.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.3 - 3
Iblard TimeMovie · 2007 · 30m · Animation, Fantasy, AdventureThe film follows a peaceful journey through Iblard, a fantastical realm first visualized in the paintings of Naohisa Inoue. Inoue's artwork drew inspiration from Impressionism and Surrealism.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 4
Princess AreteMovie · 2001 · 104m · Adventure, Animation, FantasyPrincess Arete, held captive by a sorcerer who believes she poses a threat to his immortality, finds an unlikely ally in a kind villager. Together, they devise a plan for her escape.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.9 - 5
Kakurenbo: Hide & SeekMovie · 2004 · 25m · Animation, HorrorIn the ruins of a forgotten city, children play a game called "Otokoyo"—a form of hide-and-seek. But the game has a deadly consequence: each time they play, the children vanish into the walls of the buildings. The story follows a boy who enters the world of Otokoyo in search of his missing sister.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.0 - 6
CencorollMovie · 2009 · 27m · Animation, Science FictionWhen a colossal monster appears, terror grips a town's residents, but Yuki and her classmate Tetsu remain calm. Tetsu also has a peculiar pet of his own, a creature called Cenco. Meanwhile, another boy, Shuu, is the one controlling the destructive monster, setting the stage for an impending confrontation.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.2 - 7
Time of EVE: The MovieMovie · 2010 · 106m · Animation, Science Fiction, DramaIn the near future, androids are commonplace, but treating them like equals is discouraged, fueling widespread fear of robot rebellion. Those too trusting of their androids are scorned as "android-holics." Rikuo Sakisaka, who has always taken robots for granted, discovers his home android, Sammy, is acting independently. He finds a cryptic message in her activity log: "Are you enjoying the time of EVE?" With his friend Masakazu Masaki, Rikuo traces Sammy to an unusual café where the barista, Nagi, explains the cafe's principle of equality between humans and androids. As Rikuo attempts to understand Sammy's actions, he begins to question the basis of humanity’s fear of androids as mere tools.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 8
Angel's EggMovie · 1985 · 71m · Animation, Fantasy, MysteryIn a bleak, empty world, a young girl searches for water. She carries a single, precious egg, protecting it from the harsh environment. A mysterious stranger appears, and they begin to talk about their desolate world and the forces shaping their lives. Their conversation creates a fragile connection, offering brief moments of hope in the darkness.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.7 - 9
Wonderful DaysMovie · 2003 · 86m · Animation, Science FictionAfter a war and pollution devastated the world, humanity's last hope lies in Ecoban, a city powered by pollution. As natural resources dwindle, Ecoban's citizens must generate more pollution, leading to conflict with the people of Marr. But one man dreams of a world without pollution, longing to clear the skies and see the sky again.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.1 - 10
Jin-Roh: The Wolf BrigadeMovie · 1999 · 102m · Animation, Drama, RomanceThis intense drama follows a counter-terrorism operative grappling with the emotional fallout of a young girl's suicide bombing. While undergoing retraining, he becomes entangled in the intricate dynamics and rivalries within the police department. The girl's sister emerges as a significant presence in his life, and their mutual grief forges an unforeseen connection. The film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and strength as the protagonist confronts his emotional wounds and seeks a path toward healing and a fresh start.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.4 - 11
Neo TokyoMovie · 1989 · 50m · Science Fiction, Animation, AdventureThis three-part film series features a variety of stories for different viewers. The first, "Labyrinth labyrinthos," follows a curious girl and her cat who are mysteriously transported to a strange world full of puzzling obstacles.
"Running Man" is an action adventure about a determined racer facing their greatest challenge: a relentless rival seeking to win. This suspenseful competition will keep audiences engaged.
Finally, "Construction Cancellation Order" examines the impact of new technology as a worker struggles with the decision to shut down their team of robots. The story explores themes of loyalty, responsibility, and the relationship between humans and machines.
Together, these films offer a diverse range of experiences designed to captivate audiences from beginning to end.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 12
Fumiko's ConfessionMovie · 2009 · 3m · Animation, Comedy, RomanceFumiko, a schoolgirl who recently confessed her love, is rejected by the boy, who wants to focus on baseball. Heartbroken, she runs downhill through the town, increasing her speed as she cries.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.7 - 13
Genius PartyMovie · 2007 · 102m · Animation, Science Fiction, FantasyGENIUS PARTY is a collection of seven very different but equally impressive short films. Atsuko Fukushima offers a visually stunning abstract piece. Masaaki Yuasa, known for MIND GAME and CAT SOUP, presents "Happy Machine," a deceptively simple story exploring a child's first year with his signature graphic style and dreamlike logic. Shinji Kimura’s “Deathtic 4” delves into the unsettling aspects of childhood imagination, revealing a world of dark and playful surprises. Hideki Futamura’s “Limit Cycle” envisions virtual reality, while Yuji Fukuyama’s "Doorbell" and Shinichiro Watanabe's "Baby Blue" use subtle realism to create surreal situations. Finally, Shoji Kawamori’s “Shanghai Dragon” playfully reimagines classic anime conventions.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.5 - 14
Noiseman Sound InsectMovie · 1997 · 16mA dangerous scientific experiment unleashes crystallized Noise across the globe. A band of rebels rises to fight back, determined to restore music to the world.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9 - 15
G-9Movie · 2006 · 18mIn a black and white watercolor style, the OVA tells the story of a woman who wakes up in an empty town with no memory of her past or even what she's wearing. She begins to recover her memories and discover her purpose in the town with the help of a voice that communicates directly with her through an earring. The woman is Agarta, the Devourer of Dragons, and her mission is to destroy dragons that haunt people's minds, in exchange for regaining her own lost memories from a long ago past.IMDb 5.5TMDB 4.8 - 16
Genius Party BeyondMovie · 2008 · 81m · AnimationStudio 4°C, a leading animation studio, presents a collection of five short films by five acclaimed directors. Each director brings a unique style and approach, united by a shared commitment to maximum creativity. The films range from classic anime to detailed urban scenes, vibrant bursts of color, and animated cyberpunk. Studio 4°C's head, Koji Morimoto, contributes an abstract piece designed to be visually stunning. This collection is a showcase of exceptional talent and imaginative filmmaking.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.3 - 17
Yobi, The Five-Tailed FoxMovie · 2007 · 86m · Animation, Family, FantasyYobi, a five-tailed fox who lost her family to hunters, lives in the forest with a group of stranded aliens, hidden from humans. When one of her alien friends is captured by a villager, Yobi must venture into the human world to save him. In the village, she encounters humans, including Geum Yee, a student at a school for troubled children. Drawn to Geum Yee, Yobi joins the students and enjoys experiencing human life, but she is pursued by both a fox hunter and a mysterious shadow man.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 18
VexilleMovie · 2007 · 109m · Animation, Science FictionIn 2067, Japan isolates itself from the world, severing all contact due to international restrictions on robotics. By 2077, this isolation is shattered when agents of S.W.O.R.D., a US-independent fighting force, infiltrate the country. Their mission: investigate rumors of Japan developing forbidden robotic bio-technology, deemed a threat to humanity. The ensuing conflict between humans and machines could have devastating consequences for everyone.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.7 - 19
Mind GameMovie · 2004 · 103m · Animation, Romance, ComedyNishi 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.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 20
1001 NightsMovie · 1998 · 23m"1001 Nights," the inaugural film in the innovative "Filmharmonic" series, unfolds like a vivid dream. It features original music composed by a renowned filmmaker and a celebrated composer.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.6 - 21
Tokyo LoopMovie · 2006 · 76mSixteen short stories produced by the collaborative group Images Forum.IMDb 5.3TMDB 8.0 - 22
Birthday BoyMovie · 2004 · 10m1951, Korean War. A young boy named Little Manuk plays in his village, imagining himself fighting alongside his father, who is a soldier. He returns home one day to find a package on his doorstep and, believing it's a gift, opens it. The contents of the package will profoundly alter his life.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.6 - 23
She and Her CatMovie · 1999 · 5m · Animation"She and Her Cat" offers a unique look at the lives of a young woman and her cat in a city apartment. The story is told entirely from the cat's point of view, showing its thoughts, feelings, and relationship with its owner.
The film explores companionship, loyalty, and the special connection between people and animals. Through the cat’s observations of its owner’s daily life, we see their world from a perspective very different from our own. This creates a heartwarming story that highlights the profound impact pets have on our lives and emotions.
"She and Her Cat" is a tender and captivating film about the unspoken bond between humans and their pets, perfect for animal lovers and anyone who has shared their life with a beloved companion.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.6 - 24
Origin: Spirits of the PastMovie · 2006 · 95m · Animation, Science Fiction, AdventureThree hundred years in the future, Earth's environment is ruined by humanity's mistakes. People now struggle against sentient forests they inadvertently awakened. The world shifts when a young boy named Agito discovers a glowing blue machine within a restricted sanctuary.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.9 - 25
First Squad: The Moment of TruthMovie · 2009 · 73m · Fantasy, Animation, ActionIn the early days of World War II on the Eastern Front, a group of Soviet teenagers with unique powers are recruited for a special unit to combat the German invasion. They face an enemy in the Schutzstaffel, led by an officer attempting to resurrect a supernatural army of crusaders from the 12th-century Order of the Sacred Cross.IMDb 5.6TMDB 6.2 - 26
Mount HeadMovie · 2002 · 10m · Animation, Comedy, FantasyA stingy man’s habit of discarding cherry pits leads to a bizarre consequence: a tree begins to sprout from his head. He cuts it off, but it stubbornly regrows. Eventually, he relents and allows the tree to flourish, attracting crowds who leave behind mountains of refuse. Overwhelmed by the constant accumulation, he decides to remove the tree by force, leaving a crater on his scalp. The crater fills with water, transforming into a popular lake.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.3 - 27
To: A Space FantasyMovie · 2010 · 88m"Elliptical Orbit" follows the Flying Dutchman as it returns to Earth after a long journey, carrying valuable "protons" for energy. However, a terrorist group in military gear attacks the station where the ship docks, aiming to weaponize the proton cargo into a devastating bomb. "Symbiotic Planet" tells the story of two lovers from opposing sides of a conflict who struggle to build a life together.IMDb 5.8TMDB 6.1 - 28
Band of NinjaMovie · 1967 · 120mIn 16th century Japan, the son of a murdered feudal lord seeks revenge. He encounters Kagemaru, a rogue ninja aiding peasants in their rebellion against Oda Nobunaga. The story is presented using a unique filmmaking style, adapting pages from the original manga into a sound-driven visual experience.IMDb 5.8TMDB 4.6 - 29
Winter DaysMovie · 2003 · 39mThis 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 gathered prominent international animators, alongside many Japanese artists. Each animator contributed at least 30 seconds to their stanza, with most sequences lasting under a minute (Yuriy Norshteyn’s is nearly two minutes).IMDb 6.6TMDB 5.9 - 30
Dead LeavesMovie · 2004 · 52m · Animation, Comedy, CrimePandy and Retro find themselves naked on Earth, with no memory of who they are or where they came from. Driven by hunger and the need for clothes, they begin a series of crimes. Eventually, they are caught and sent to Dead Leaves, a notorious prison on the moon.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0 - 31
ElemiMovie · 2009 · 45mIn pre-cellphone Japan, a quiet scandal unfolds around a utility pole secretly illuminating the city's edges. The film tells the story of a love affair between a utility pole named Elemi and an electrician, Mr. Takahashi. Pretending to be human, Elemi attempts to contact him by ringing his phone – a forbidden act for a power pole. Rumors spread throughout the town, leading to Elemi being summoned to court.IMDb 6.3TMDB 2.5 - 32
Man & WhaleMovie · 2007 · 2mAt a coastal school, the principal is a favorite among the lively students. While looking at a drawing of a whale he made as a child, the head teacher is overcome with emotion and a memory from his past surfaces.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.5 - 33
Dimensional LoopMovie · 2001 · 5m"Dimension Loop" is an original animation by Koji Morimoto about an ethereal alien and a young boy who can move vertically. Morimoto's visuals are presented at an unprecedented pace. Combined with Kicell's gentle, nostalgic singing, the film creates a feeling of weightless floating. The world is rendered in a refined monotone. The characters cross dimensions and connect with one another, leaving the audience to wonder about their ultimate destination.TMDB 9.0 - 34
Eternal FamilyMovie · 1997 · 29mSix individuals, unaware of each other's true identities, live together as a family within a sealed environment. Each has been implanted with fabricated memories, shielding them from the reality of the world outside. Unbeknownst to them, their lives are broadcast to the public as a reality television show set in the fictional town of Champon City.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.5 - 35
La Maison en Petits CubesMovie · 2008 · 12m · Animation*La Maison en Petits Cubes* follows a grandfather who builds his house with blocks to keep the rising floodwaters at bay, triggering a cascade of cherished memories.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.9 - 36
Franz Kafka's a Country DoctorMovie · 2007 · 21m · Animation, DramaA 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 misses a critical wound. Humiliated by the villagers' unrealistic expectations of him, he's trapped in a repeating cycle, losing everything with each journey.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.7 - 37
MemoriesMovie · 1995 · 113m · Fantasy, Animation, Science FictionThis animated anthology film features three separate stories examining isolation, fear, and the impact of human choices. "Magnetic Rose" tells of a salvage crew who find a deserted spaceship and become trapped in a dangerous, illusory maze. "Stink Bomb" centers on a lab worker who is transformed into a deadly virus after taking a cold tablet, questioning scientific advancement and our connection to nature. "Cannon Fodder" depicts a city enduring constant war against an unseen enemy, showcasing humanity's strength and harshness when pushed to the limit. Each story offers a compelling look at human experiences within imaginative settings.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 38
Cat SoupMovie · 2001 · 33m · Fantasy, Animation, Science FictionThis darkly humorous story follows Nyatta, a kitten who walks and talks, as he journeys to the afterlife to rescue his sister's soul.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.0 - 39
Bird SongMovie · 2007 · 35mSeeking shelter from the rain, a boy encounters a girl who gives him a feather and asks him to meet her again. The following day, he's unable to find the place where they met. Fifty years later, he returns to the city, still clutching the feather.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.2 - 40
Aquatic LanguageMovie · 2002 · 9mA diverse group of people are gathered in a café one evening: two girls gossiping, two men debating, a reader, and a young man recently heartbroken. The waitress strikes up a conversation with the boy, drawing his attention to an easel, while other patrons start to notice strange occurrences.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.5 - 41
SteamboyMovie · 2004 · 126m · Animation, Fantasy, Science FictionSet in 1860s Britain, a young inventor becomes embroiled in a dangerous power struggle surrounding a groundbreaking development in steam technology.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9 - 42
Hotori: Simply Wishing for HopeMovie · 2005 · 40mAt the Personality Plant, robots are created and gradually given artificial memories of actual people. Suzu is one of these robots, designed to replace a child a family has lost. He meets Hitori, a young girl who is losing her memories. The two children befriend each other and try to understand who they are as their memories change.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.8 - 43
sound / phantasma / mirrorMovie · 2004 · 6mKojiro Shishido's short amateur film, a 2005 winner at the 10th annual Student CG Contest, demonstrates a keen eye for subtle shifts in light and shadow found in nature. The film is accompanied by an equally delicate soundtrack composed by Shishido.
