Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 the Movie

Just some classic physical cels and hard work.

Disclaimer: some of these i'm not 100% positive if they include cels so let me know if i added something i shouldn't have (I put most suspect at the bottom).

Try to get the blu-ray or 4K of these works, if possible (after you've checked them to see if you like them), because the high resolution scans clean and really help bring out the texture of some of these backgrounds. And yes it looks better on physical media than streamed even if it's HD (if that's something that matters to you).

Ordered somewhat by aesthetic preference.

These movies are some of the best anime movies, which you may not have seen which alot of critics consider essential to view. I have excluded some popular choices as they have been watched by a lot of people, but they are included in the honourable mentions below.

Honourable Mentions:
AKIRA (1988)
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Paprika (2006)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Sword of the Stranger (2007)
Perfect Blue (1998)

Around the late 90s and early 2000s (the "Y2K Era", if you will), art style trends included a softer and more realistic look characterized by rounded, prominent noses and smaller eyes. These style trends were often found in darker, more adult anime, though some lighter-hearted productions could fall under the "Y2K Art Style" label as well. They just don't make anime that look like this anymore!

Anime released on VHS by Manga Entertainment/Manga Video in the UK. If you have any additions or corrections let me know.

(note: this does not include hentai as the stack would have to remain unlisted if it did)

Part 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/31684

Entries where the visual aspects, including directing, indicates a large part of the works' qualities. It also includes hidden symbolism within the visuals.

For a good shot of adrenaline to the retinas
Or a big smack to the hypothalamus
please consult this list.

From wibbly-wobbly animation, or intricate stylized ones, to highly detailed and superb animation. Please please consult this list.

This list is made of works that deals with certain political factors of this, or that, or those world(s).

"It's not a matter of good or evil; it's simply not possible to do it any other way."

Noir is characterized by such elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy.

The isolation from society of the typical noir hero was underscored by the use of stark high-contrast lighting. Classic images of noir included rain-soaked streets in the early morning hours; street lamps with shimmering halos; flashing neon signs on seedy taverns, diners, and apartment buildings; and endless streams of cigarette smoke wafting in and out of shadows.

The inherent subjectivity of Expressionism is also evident in noir’s use of narration and flashback. An omniscient, metaphor-spouting narrator frequently clarifies a characteristically labyrinthine noir plot or offers a subjective, jaded point of view. Tension and suspense are increased by the use of all-knowing narrators and flashbacks, in that the audience is always cognizant of impending doom.

The heroes of noir generally share certain qualities, such as moral ambiguity, a fatalistic outlook, and alienation from society. They also exhibit an existential acceptance of random, arbitrary occurrences as being the determining factors in life. Such compassionless pragmatism is found in the most noble, as well as the most tarnished, of noir heroes. The weakest of such characters exhibit an abundance of tragic flaws.

Noir villains are often characterized as homme fatales or “spiders”; in the words of one critic, they are “comfortable in the world of cheap dives, shadowy doorways, and mysterious settings.” They cunningly and ruthlessly manipulate their counterparts to gain power or wealth.

Nevertheless, the noir villains often evoke sympathy, as they are frequently victims of emotional or physical abuse, with such victimization providing impetus for their vengeance. They are trapped in passionless or violent bonds of contract/servitude and resort to murder as a means of escape, usually destroying their conspirators in the process.

Source: Britannica - list will be kept updated

Every cinema or direct to video anime film that came out in 1993.

1992: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/34702
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/34703
1994: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/34759

Disclaimer: There are a few hentai movies, that could be counted as well:
- Dochinpira (1993)

Shows or movies that have had their scores INCREASE over time, despite the opposite being the norm.

use the way back machine if you want to confirm it.

This is obviously a hard thing to know without checking, so my knowledge on what anime would be here is very limited. so if you know of more stuff, please do tell.

This list contains all those anime that have been dubbed into Latin Spanish from each available decade.

Series which played on the various Encore and Starz channels. Ordered alphabetically by their English titles.

Newly released & mentionable titles aired from 1990 t0 1999. Sequels, spin-offs, OVAs, and related movies are not included.

For most series the score is falling over time, however some special series it is rising over time.

This is the list of these series that used to be scored lower on MAL but have been rising in score over the years, excludes currently airing series and series where the score rise happened when the series was airing or within 5 years of its airing.

Source: Wayback Machine


Updated: 29th March 2024
Updated: 8th May 2024
Last Updated: 16th May 2024

Anime with a focus on a futuristic police force.