15 Essential Anime Films from NHK
15 titles
- 1
TIGER & BUNNY: The BeginningMovie · 2012 · 88mIn a world where superheroes are celebrities, a popular TV show ranks their heroic deeds, awarding points leading to an annual championship. Veteran hero Wild Tiger is paired with a new partner who holds contrasting beliefs about the role of heroes. Their partnership is tested when a vigilante criminal emerges, presenting them with a significant challenge.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.4 - 2
Farewell to Space Battleship YamatoMovie · 1978 · 151mThe Yamato and its crew confront the Comet Empire, an invading force from the Andromeda Galaxy led by Prince Zordar. The Empire wields the destructive power of a comet, targeting all civilizations as rivals. The Space Battleship Yamato prepares for a final mission, a journey from which few will return.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.9 - 3
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part III: RebellionMovie · 2013 · 117m · Mystery, Animation, FantasyAfter Madoka sacrificed herself to save all magical girls from a terrible fate – erasing the witches from existence – despair now takes the form of creatures called nightmares. Homura Akemi, a magical girl, continues her solitary fight, hoping for the day she can see Madoka smile again.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.7 - 4
High☆Speed!: Free! Starting DaysMovie · 2015 · 110m · Animation, Drama, ComedyThis film tells the story of how the bonds between a group of young swimmers began. It serves as a prequel to the 2013 Kyoto Animation series Free!, which is based on the High☆Speed! light novels.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 5
The Castle of CagliostroMovie · 1979 · 102m · Animation, Adventure, ComedyLupin 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 encounters a woman held captive by the evil Count Cagliostro. Seeing an opportunity, Lupin resolves to rescue her while also uncovering the truth behind the counterfeit operation.
In this exciting adventure, Lupin must use his wits and charm to overcome a dangerous enemy, retrieve stolen wealth, and free a beautiful prisoner.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 6
TIGER & BUNNY: The RisingMovie · 2014 · 108mWild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks Jr. return in a new film, continuing their work as heroes in Hero TV's Second League after the Maverick incident. Their partnership ends when Apollon Media's new owner fires Kotetsu and moves Barnaby back to the First League, pairing him with Golden Ryan, a powerful new hero with a big ego. Assigned to investigate strange incidents linked to the city's Goddess Legend, they uncover three powered individuals planning widespread destruction. With the city at risk, Barnaby and Golden Ryan must work together to stop them, while Kotetsu, now without a hero job, struggles to support his friends from the sidelines.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.2 - 7
Nausicaä of the Valley of the WindMovie · 1984 · 117m · Adventure, Animation, FantasyAfter 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 and nature to live together, guiding her people on a hopeful path toward healing the environment. Her bravery and understanding lead her on a compelling journey about strength, compassion, and finding balance after destruction.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9 - 8
Castle in the SkyMovie · 1986 · 125m · Adventure, Fantasy, AnimationTwo 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 face unexpected challenges that test their courage. The powerful crystal guides them but also attracts those who want to control its energy. As they travel through wondrous and perilous landscapes, they learn to trust each other and use the crystal's powers.
The story is about friendship, resilience, and discovering themselves in a captivating world. With danger and mystery at every step, their search for the Floating Castle becomes an extraordinary and unforgettable adventure.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.0 - 9
Macross: Do You Remember Love?Movie · 1984 · 114m · Animation, Science Fiction, WarIn 2009, humanity faces interstellar war against the Zentrans and Meltrans – powerful, advanced alien humanoids. As these aliens fight across the galaxy, Earth's only defense, the SDF-1 Macross, must make a dangerous journey back to Earth with survivors from a destroyed South Ataria Island.
Captain Global and the Macross crew face dangers in space and relentless enemies as they fold space for a long trip home. Their biggest challenge is understanding humanity’s future in the face of immense power beyond Earth. The return journey will be full of danger, sacrifice, and a chance for those who survived the war to find redemption.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.2 - 10
AkiraMovie · 1988 · 124m · Animation, Science Fiction, ActionIn 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 to control this destructive force and save their home. The story explores loyalty, trust, and the dangers of science gone too far, set against a visually impressive dystopian backdrop with intense action.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9 - 11
Love Live! The School Idol MovieMovie · 2015 · 99m · Animation, Music, Comedyμ's, the reigning champions of the school idol tournament, are planning to disband after their graduating seniors leave. However, they are unexpectedly offered a chance to hold a concert! The nine girls navigate this new and challenging experience together, continuing to learn and grow. What will be their final act as school idols? With time running out, what meaning will μ's members discover in giving their most unforgettable performance?IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.7 - 12
Your Name.Movie · 2016 · 106m · Animation, Romance, DramaMitsuha and Taki are two teenagers with completely different lives. Then, one night, they inexplicably swap bodies. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki's body, and Taki finds himself in Mitsuha's. This strange body-swapping continues to occur unpredictably, forcing them to navigate each other’s lives.IMDb 8.4TMDB 8.5 - 13
Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky WarriorMovie · 2008 · 96m · Family, Adventure, AnimationWhen it’s discovered that Giratina can create parallel worlds, Ash and his friends must prevent a mysterious person from exploiting its abilities for malicious purposes.IMDb 6.1TMDB 6.8 - 14
Girls und Panzer der FilmMovie · 2015 · 120m · Animation, Action, ComedyWhen the Ministry of Education threatens to close Ooarai Girls Academy, the responsibility of protecting the massive Academy Ship falls to Miho and her inexperienced tank crew. Their mission quickly becomes complicated as they face a more skilled university team. Failure means losing their tanks. Can the students win, relying on tactics and teamwork? They may find unexpected support from friends and allies.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 15
Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful DreamerMovie · 1984 · 95mAtaru and his friends are excited for the Tomobiki High School carnival, but they soon discover something strange: time is looping. They keep reliving the same day, and no matter what they try, they can't escape the cycle.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.3
