Miniature Worlds
Anime
Miniature worlds that are explored through the eyes of insects, mice, small animals, lilliputians (little people), fairies, etc. I'll make note of the ones that are a bit more interesting or polished for an adult audience, as opposed to dated children's series, which, unfortunately most of the titles on the list fall under.
Gokiburi-tachi no Tasogare
Twilight of the Cockroaches
Movie, 1987,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
One of the most inventive on here in terms of aesthetic. Probably the most grimy and interesting depiction of cockroaches, while still maintaining some degree of elegance that prevents it from being totally gross-out.
Karigurashi no Arrietty
The Secret World of Arrietty
Movie, 2010,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
One of the better examples for the way the environments are used and for exquisite production values.
Nihon Animator Mihonichi
Japan Anima(tor)'s Exhibition
ONA, 2014,
35 eps
Me:-
Author:3
Only episode 6. A tiny girl is perceived as a cockroach in a mad chase sequence. Fantastic storyboarding and animation.
Gamba no Bouken
Adventure of Gamba
TV, 1975,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:6
One of the best examples for being well directed and having the mice squirm through all kinds of nooks and crannies within the city, buildings, ships, etc.
Shin Mitsubachi Maya no Bouken
The New Adventures of Honeybee Maya
TV, 1982,
52 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Fits well, and you can expect the imagery to be more floral, since we follow bees. It didn't look terribly inventive in its composition from what I saw. Standard children's series.
Oyayubi Hime Monogatari
Thumbelina: A Magical Story
TV, 1992,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
This is Thumbelina, and any of the titles on here titled Oyayubi-hime are similarly based on the same story and should be fitting.
Movie, 1982,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
This one is stop motion/puppet. Admittedly, my list failed to tap into that much, so I'll probably add more of these later.
Movie, 1990,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Thumbelina influenced. I never thought I'd make a list with hello Kitty, lmao.
Sekai Meisaku Douwa: Oyayubi Hime
World's Famous Stories for Children: Thumb Princess
Movie, 1978,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Thumbelina influenced.
Hello Kitty no Oyayubi-hime (OVA)
Hello Kitty in Thumbelina
OVA, 2001,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
They tried reworking Thumbelina a second time!?
Mori no Densetsu
Legend of the Forest
Movie, 1987,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:4
A bit less effective for this purpose compared to some of the others, for we follow animals of numerous sizes, and the storyboarding is dynamic and often not from the perspective of the animals, but it works.
Hakumei to Mikochi
Hakumei and Mikochi
TV, 2018,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
I've heard good things about this one. An iyashikei fantasy with lilliputians.
Fushigi no Kuni no Alice
Alice in Wonderland
TV, 1983,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
There are almost always a few miniature scenes in Alice adaptations, though some stress these more than others.
Hello Kitty no Fushigi no Kuni no Alice
Hello Kitty in Alice in Wonderland
OVA, 1993,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Same, but being that it's so short, I doubt there's much.
Seton Doubutsuki: Risu no Banner
Bannertail: The Story of Gray Squirrel
TV, 1979,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Aoyama Goushou Tanpenshuu
Gosho Aoyama's Collection of Short Stories
Special, 1999,
7 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Episode 6 only.
Konchuu Monogatari Minashigo Hutch
The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee
TV, 1970,
91 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Kouchuu Ouja Mushiking Super Battle Movie: Yami no Kaizou Kouchuu
Mushiking: The King of Beetles SUPER BATTLE MOVIE -Altered Beetles of Darkness-
Movie, 2007,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Kouchuu Ouja Mushiking: Mori no Tami no Densetsu
Mushiking: The Guardians of the Forest
TV, 2005,
52 eps
Me:-
Author:-
