Best Anime Movies of All Time

Anime movies are animated films originating in Japan. Since its origin in 1917, anime has come a long way to gain wide popularity in as well as outside Japan. A high degree of variation is observed in the artistic features and story telling of anime and its western counterpart. Some animation fans even believe that the anime movies are much more superior, when it comes to story telling and showcasing intense emotions. Here are some of the best anime movies of all time.

Akira (1988)
Akira is an anime movie, based on manga series by the same name, which was directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. The plot of the film is set in the year 2019, in a city known as Neo-Tokyo, which is built on the ruins of the old Tokyo city that was destroyed in a war. The dark world of Neo-Tokyo is characterized by gang violence, political tussle and a wave of anti-government revolution. In one of the gang wars, Tetsuo gets injured and has to be hospitalized. Here the doctors notice that Tetsuo has some psychic abilities resembling to Akira - a small boy, with god-like abilities whose destruction had invariably destroyed Tokyo some years ago. This makes him the target of the government organization which is hell bent on stopping the anticipated destruction. The movie received 'A' rating from most of the critics and is also regarded as one of the best anime movies of all time. In 2009, the movie was enlisted as one of the Top 50 Animated Films in the World by IMDB.

Ghost in the Shell (1995)
An adaptation of the manga series by the same name, Ghost in the Shell follows Major Motoko Kusanagi and Bateau of Section 9 unit of the Japanese police, in their pursuit of a hacker known as the Puppet Master. In the virtual world connected with vast network of computers, Puppet Master implants false memories in people to get his unethical work done. In due course, Kusanagi and Bateau realize that the main culprit behind all the nuisance is Project 2501 - an AI program, which has become a sentinel. The events that follow keep you gripped to your seat. One of the best animation movies of all times, Ghost in the Shell received wide critical acclamation on its release in 1995.

Ninja Scroll (1993)
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Ninja Scroll is a Japanese action thriller which follows the escapades of a wandering ninja, Jubei Kibagami, who earns the rage of the Eight Devils of Kimon and another monster, when he saves Kagero - a poison taster from the clutches of a monster. While on the run, they get to know about an evil plan plotted by Lord Gemma - the man who controls the Devils. This is followed by Jubei and Kagero's tryst for survival, and a series of encounters full of bloodshed. The strong story line and great animation undoubtedly make it one of the best anime movies of all time.

Princess Mononoke (1997)
Princess Mononoke, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is a Japanese anime set in the late Muromachi period of Japan. One of the best anime movies of all time, Princess Mononoke features the struggle between the supernatural guardians of the forest and the humans who rely on the resources derived from the forest. In order to find the cure for a curse which would eventually kill him, Ashitaka sets out a journey to the mountains of the west. In this forest, he is witness to an intense battle for the forest resources between the humans and the wolf clan protecting the forest. Here he falls in love with Princess Mononoke - San. When he tries to put things together, he finds himself entangled in this wild tussle. On its release, Princess Mononoke became the highest grossing movie in Japan.

Spirited Away (2001)
Spirited Away is a Japanese anime written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. One of the best anime movies of all time, Spirited Away holds the distinction of becoming the first anime movie to win the Academy Awards. The movie follows the adventures experienced by Chihiro, a ten year old Japanese girl, when her family decides to move to a new town in the countryside. On their way to the new place, her father tries to take a short cut, which unknowingly takes them to another world. In this totally new world, Chihiro comes across spirits and monsters, loses her identity and realizes that her parents have turned into pigs. The rest of the movie stresses on the girls tryst to save her parents and regain her identity. Spirited Away earned tremendous critical recognition and went on to become the highest grossing movie in Japanese history.

The anime industry has seen a significant growth over the last few years, not just in Japan, but outside the country as well. The growth has reflected on the tremendous popularity of anime movies throughout the world. Owing to this rise, the Japanese animated film industry has been churning out some of the best anime movies of all time and the trend just seems to be getting better and better.