INU4SH4's Blog

Anime Relations: Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, Perfect Blue, Jin-Rou, Yoru wa Mijikashi Arukeyo Otome

A short list containing my favorite Anime Movies. Anything that really stands out will be added to this list and it will grow as I watch more movies.
Right now every movie rated an 8 or above will be added to this list. I consider anything rated an 8 to be a classic that is extremely recommended watching.

Perfect Blue - 1998
Personal Score: 97%
Main Genres - Psychological|Horror|Dementia
By far my favorite anime movie. I love every work directed by Satoshi Kon and this one is (IMO) his best work without a single doubt. The movie in a whole delivers a very thrilling experience that keeps breaking your expectations and ends with an epic conclusion. This movie is the very definition of paranoia and I loved everything about it, the characters, the atmosphere, the plot, and the 10/10 animation. Perfect Blue is a gruesome and psychologically brilliant masterpiece thriller that will terrorize you on how far the human mind can go and how dark and twisted a person can be.


Jin-Rou - 1999
Personal Score: 92%
Main Genres - Romance|Military|Psychological
A tragic historical romance movie with some amazing psychological elements. Jin-Rou started slow but the second half of the movie was brilliant, beautiful, deep, and left me speechless due to its ending which I consider one of the best endings ever created. With a different approach to the tale of Red Riding Hood, it manages to become an impressive mix of a historical war story and a fairy-tale. I had low expectations for this one but turns out it is now one of my favorite movies and romance of all time.


The Night is Short, Walk on Girl - 2017
Personal Score: 93%
Main Genres - Comedy|Romance
I started this movie simply because I love the director's style and thought this could be a cool spiritual successor to The Tatami Galaxy, but it has proven to be way beyond my wildest dreams and I adore it. The story is so fast-paced and over-the-top and makes no sense most of the time, but that's what's so great about it since it all wraps perfectly in the end. It has so much style and holds great substance as well. Smartly connected characters and turns of events that create this crazy story. Just like implied in the title, all this madness is accomplished in a single night and that's what makes this story so memorable.


Spirited Away - 2001
Personal Score: 91%
Main Genres - Adventure|Supernatural|Drama
Looks and sounds better than the majority of anime and anime movies I watched despite its age. Truly one of Ghibli's shiniest gems. A creative and imaginative movie that will be enjoyed by kids and adults. It has a simple yet effective story, amazing visuals, super interesting character designs, great music and heartwarming moments. Take a dive in this beautiful movie!


Tokyo Godfathers - 2003
Personal Score: 89%
Main Genres - Comedy|Drama
This actually reminded me of Western Christmas movies. Except it was a lot better than your average Christmas miracle movies. The homeless Main Characters are hilarious and so is every situation they get in. It made me laugh, almost cry, feel desperate, feel happy and above all it made me still have faith in Humans and how they can help each other in desperate moments of need. MadHouse did it once again. This is not just a Christmas miracle, it is a MadHouse miracle! And a movie that made me feel a very vast array of emotions.


Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind - 1984
Personal Score: 87%
Main Genres - Adventure|Fantasy
Contrary to some people, I actually found this movie superior to Mononoke Hime in almost every regard, maybe with the exception of the audiovisuals. An amazing journey through this beautiful yet deadly decaying World. This movie alerts us to the consequences of our acts and our constant research for resources and how we might lead our World to its end. The MC is charismatic and a very respectable female lead that is trying to save the World from the destruction we cause. The ending is beautiful and very powerful.


The End of Evangelion - 1997
Personal Score: 87%
Main Genres - Psychological|Dementia|Mecha
Not really much to add here, this is basically the ending EVANGELION lacked. For further info about this movie, check what I say about EVA in my favorite anime extended list. What can be said is that this is my EVA-related work and it really shines and even outmatches the anime. Great visual upgrade from the anime as well.


The Girl Who Could Leap Through Time - 2006
Personal Score: 84%
Main Genres - Sci-Fi|Romance|Drama
Pretty much what the title emplies. You have a girl leaping through time to fix her problems and save someone. What is really great about this are the rules of the time traveling, the ways it happens and the major secret revealed by the end of the movie. Recommend to any time-traveling and Steins;Gate fans.


The Tale of the Princess Kaguya - 2013
Personal Score: 84%
Main Genres - Fantasy|Historical
This short Japanese folklore tale creates a story with a very emotional character that connects you to the MC. You watch a girl grow and mature in a very classic way and with the implementation of some fantasy elements. This story is at the level of the Ghibli classics as one of the most magical and aesthetically beautiful work.


Millenium Actress
Personal Score: 83%
Main Genres - Romance|Historical|Adventure
Satoshi Kon is really good at creating mind-fucks, that's a given. But he's actually really good at writing a compelling love story that goes beyond time and reality to create an amazing mix of reality and fantasy. It might not make sense at first, pretty much like every other Satoshi Kon's mind-fucks, however, it all makes sense in the end and creates a beautiful yet extremely tragic ending that I will surely not forget.


Death Billiards - 2013
Personal Score: 80%
Main Genres - Game|Psychological|Thriller
This might be just a small movie and an introduction to the real deal, but I actually find this movie incredibly enjoyable despite the existence of Death Parade. A very emotional, psychological and intense game of life or death.


Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door - 2001
Personal Score: 79%
Main Genres - Action|Space|Mystery
Another great adventure with the Cowboy Bebop crew reunited. If you loved the main series, you have to watch this movie. Same style and characters and it feels like it could be part of the main series but does extremely well as a standalone work as well.


Tekkon Kinkreet - 2006
Personal Score: 78%
Main Genres - Action|Supernatural|Psychological
Tekkon Kinkreet is the weird and bizarre adventure of two orphans through Treasure Town, which they proudly protect. They face many obstacles and enemies to keep on surviving and at the beginning, it looks like Kuro is the one protecting Shiro, however, the story might not be as simple as that. Incredible backgrounds and great action scenes, Tekkon Kinkreet is a weird and heartwarming movie that you shouldn't miss. Even if for the incredible artwork alone.


Steamboy - 2004
Personal Score: 78%
Main Genres - Steampunk|Historical|Adventure
Steamboy has a simple plot and characters, but what really shines about it is the originality and the use of vast Steampunk themes that aren't that popular in anime. If you're a fan of the Steampunk style but is the best movie you can watch, just don't expect something very deep or extremely impressive story.


Summer Wars - 2009
Personal Score: 77%
Main Genres - Sci-Fi|Comedy|Action
Summer Wars was surely influenced by older sci-fi anime and really uses that influence to its advantage. Fast-paced with impressive action scenes that do not only stimulate your eyes with its colorful and frenetic visuals but it also contains a touching message about the value of family and the powers of trust and bonds of friendship. It also feels like a comedy-version with lots of action of Serial Experiments Lain. Exchange most of the complicated the psychological questions and symbolism and you get Summer Wars. An entertaining watchers for all viewers with important messages that make you think a bit.


Grave of the Fireflies - 1988
Personal Score: 77%
Main Genres: Drama | Historical
An emotionally devastating movie, quite overrated I'd say, but still pretty recommended. This is a very tragical story and you know exactly how it ends, however, it still gets to your feelings and destroys all your hopes. Feels bad man.
Looking for the feels and a historical devastating movie about the consequences of war? Look no further.

Mononoke Hime - 1997
Personal Score: 76%
Main Genres - Adventure|Action|Fantasy
I did not give this a higher score because I believe Nausicaa does everything better than Mononoke Hime even tho it's an older project from Ghibli. What Mononoke Hime really does brilliantly is its animation and OST. Despite being an inferior and somewhat overrated Nausicaa, do not let that fact let you down. Mononoke Hime is still a beautiful and thought-provoking movie.


In This Corner of the World - 2016
Personal Score: 77%
Main Genres: Drama | Historical
Pretty much feels like watching a very modern-looking and more cheerful and slice-of-life version of Grave of the Fireflies. The contrast between happiness and tragedy is quite charming and well executed.
While its plot is not very original, its main character and story-telling and directing feel unique and fresh nonetheless. This movie is a must-watch for fans of historical tragedy stories.

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