Best Anime Blockbusters to Watch This Winter: Cozy Classics and Epic Adventures
Looking for something to watch on these chilly autumn-winter evenings, transporting you to the future, the past, on adventures in whimsical worlds? Have you considered anime?
Don't worry, we won't be talking about the the 900-episode marathons that'll take you several years and a ritual sacrifice to get through (even if they're really, really good!)- we're talking about the feature-length stories by auteurs like Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon that could rival (and have inspired) the likes of Christopher Nolan and Darren Aronofsky.
At Rarewaves, we take nostalgic stories, seamless animation, and iconic legacies extremely seriously-especially when they pair perfectly with a cozy blanket and a hot drink. So as the rain falls and thunder rumbles outside, settle in as we explore some of the most breathtaking anime blockbusters to get lost in this winter!
Perfect Blue (1997)
It’s all in the name - Perfect Blue without a doubt deserves blockbuster recognition. By Satoshi Kon, the film is heralded for its insane storyline depicting a young woman on the verge of madness. The film dissects her thoughts and her life through beautifully imperfect animation, reinforcing its central theme of psychological horror. In Japanese culture, blue represents purity and feminine energy, but within the context of the film, the colour may also represent melancholy and a loss of self. The juxtaposition of meanings perfectly conveys the film’s primary theme.
Perfect Blue notably inspired Darren Aronofsky's works Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream, and there's no better way to watch it at home than with the Deluxe Edition coming in September! (nudge nudge wink wink).
84% Rotten Tomatoes
8/10 IMDb
Spirited Away (2001)
Deemed Studio Ghibli’s finest creation by many, Spirited Away is an example of Hayao Miyazaki’s goal of showing feisty young women as his leads. This enchanting adventure tells the story of ten-year-old Chihiro, who embarks on a journey to save her parents who have been transformed into pigs, navigating the fascinating spirit world of terror and tranquillity.
Spirited Away won the Oscar for Best animated feature and boosted the global recognition and commercial viability of Japanese animation, sparking a worldwide interest in the medium that only continues to grow today.
96% Rotten Tomatoes
8.6/10 IMDb
Paprika (2006)
Another Satoshi Kon hit, Paprika, is often hailed as a cinematic masterpiece. This not-suitable-for-kids movie depicts a complex storyline of the manipulation and theft of dreams. The surreal and stunning visuals along with a compelling plot rich with themes of identity and subconscious are a sight to behold.
This incredibly influential film inspired Christopher Nolan’s Inception, and has been endlessly celebrated for its ambitious storytelling and seamless execution.
87% Rotten Tomatoes
7.7/10 IMDb
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies is renowned for its powerful anti-war message and unflinching portrayal of tragedy and trauma during the Second World War. A triumph for Studio Ghibli and often rated as one of the saddest anime films, tells the story of two orphans fighting to survive in Post War Japan, faced with the brutalities of a devastated society and famine, the brother and sister hold on to hope.
This film is particularly poignant as the director Isao Takahata created the image of Japanese soldiers as fireflies. This heartbreaking film has certainly earned its prestige.
100% Rotten Tomatoes
8.5/10 IMDb
Akira (1988)
Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira is a film that forged the path for anime into widespread popularity. Not only is its animation incredibly advanced, but this powerhouse of a film also created a space for the cyberpunk aesthetic to expand into popular culture.
Akira grew anime's popularity in the West, and when it was released outside of Japan in the early 1990s, it changed the outlook for anime worldwide.
91% Rotten Tomatoes
8/10 IMDb
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Celebrating the 30th anniversary with a brand-new limited edition steelbook, Ghost in the Shell teeters on the themes of identity and humanity. Initially seen as a box office failure following its release in 1995, this film grew to be a cult classic anime film and is now considered one of the greatest anime and science fiction films of all time. Ghost in the Shell tells the story of life in a futuristic world, where brain hacking is all the rage. The protagonist, a cyborg policewoman, and her partner and hunting down the perpetrator of the hacking of computerised minds, known fittingly as the Puppet Master.
This hauntingly beautiful futuristic classic was an inspiration on both the aesthetics and themes of The Matrix, with The Wachowskis having openly cited it as a major influence.
95% Rotten Tomatoes
7.9/10 IMDb
Each of these films has had a part in defining or forging a path for anime. What are often throwaway statements such as "the greatest" or “trailblazer”, here ring true, and these pioneering works should not be forgotten.
Which one will you watch next?
Read more about anime!
Check out more of our latest:
Leave a comment