Anime’s sphere of influence has become thoroughly globalized over the years, especially recently – the prevalence of online streaming services has certainly played a large role in its unstoppable rise in popularity. Netflix has commissioned several anime projects in both serial and film form and has also acquired the rights to several other properties. Here in this blog post, we are going to tell you the best anime movies on Netflix.
Compared to series, anime movies can be harder to get hold of, especially if they aren’t produced by a company like Studio Ghibli. Netflix’s selection of anime properties provides an accessible entry point for those who haven’t yet dipped their toes into Japanese animation, as well as makes it easy for fans to track down new and old films. What are the best anime movies on Netflix?
Here is the list of the best anime movies on Netflix
1. Drifting Home (2022)
A recent addition to Netflix’s anime movie catalog, Drifting Home has a charming premise about a group of kids who, after entering a strange apartment building, find themselves drifting through a vast ocean of space and time. The concept is inherently interesting and leaves plenty of room for intense action sequences and suspense; In execution, Drifting Home combines a light-hearted tone with heavy themes that deal with grief and forgiveness. The mixture creates an oddly textured film that slightly lowers the stakes of its base.
With projects like Penguin Highway and Burn the Witch under its belt, Studio Colorido can be trusted to deliver stunning animation that is the best in the business. Storywise, the company’s output is polarizing, and Drifting Home is unlikely to change that perception. At two hours, the film wears out its welcome, but there are enough high points to make the trip worth taking.
2. A Whisker Away (2020)
Miyo Sasaki is an awkward teenager with a complicated home life and a crush that she makes perhaps a little too obvious. One day, Miyo meets a cat spirit who offers her a mask that will allow her to transform into a cat, an ability she uses to get closer to her love interest.
Even with its supernatural twist, the story of A Whisker Away plays like a straightforward love story about two teenagers who struggle to communicate effectively. While not entirely lacking in depth or insight, the film is strongly driven by emotion rather than logic or analysis; as such, it’s best to expect a rom-com that’s a bit unusual and interesting. Where the film really shines is in its animation, as Studio Colorido has put together an absolutely stunning production.
3. Okko’s Inn (2018)
Okko’s Inn flew under the radar when it came out in 2018, but it’s worth checking out for anyone looking for a smartly written slice of life that touches on some tough topics. After a family tragedy, Okko, a young girl, begins working at her grandmother’s hot springs inn. Along with standard guests, this Inn also welcomes less conservative visitors.
Okko’s Inn falls into the “cure” anime sub-genre of Slice of Life, so expect a slow-paced narrative and lots of nature scenes. However, this anime is literally about healing as it directly deals with the suffering of its main character. The film handles this subject very well.
4. Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway (2021)
It can be difficult for someone new to The Gundam series to jump in because there are so many series and movies to watch. Netflix has a good amount of content, including some classics like Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack. Hathaway is the most recent animated venture in The Flash franchise and is only the first entry in a trilogy.
The animation is amazing, and the plot has an interesting premise as it focuses on a group of terrorists led by Mafty. The film requires prior knowledge of the series to appreciate Hathaway’s background in particular, but longtime fans of the Mecha franchise should find a lot to enjoy here.
5. Flavors Of Youth (2018)
Divided into three shorts with loose themes, Flavors of Youth mainly deals with reminiscing about days gone by. A Japanese-Chinese co-production, this anime is at its best when highlighting the unique flavor its Chinese culture has to offer. While neither film delivers much in the way of surprises, they manage to be sweet and emotionally affecting, especially in the finale.
- The Rice Noodles (Hidamari no Choshoku) tells the story of Xiao Ming, a resident of Beijing, who remembers the special noodles he enjoyed as a child.
- A Little Fashion Show (Chiisana Fashion Show) follows two sisters who are slowly drifting apart as one of them becomes a fashion model.
- Love in Shanghai (Shanghai Koi) is about young love, the story of the romance between Li Mo and Xiao Yu. Using cassette tapes as a portal to the past, this piece deals with heartbreak, regret, and broken relationships.
6. Stand By Me Doraemon Movies (2014; 2020)
Doraemon is an institution, so anyone unfamiliar with the franchise may be hesitant to jump into the two modern films. The Stand By Me Doraemon movies adapt some of the series’ best short stories, and they’re very welcoming to newcomers. Both films are coming-of-age stories that deal with themes of family and anxiety.
Heartwarming, engaging, and intense, these films serve as a testament to Doraemon’s longevity. They’re so good, these movies might inspire someone to track down an anime series (the 2005 one is great) or one of the other 40+ movies. There are hundreds of reasons that explain Doraemon’s longevity, and Stand By Me highlights some of them.
7. Kuroko’s Basketball The Movie: Last Game (2017)
The final blow to Kuroko’s basketball anime, Last Game, is bringing Miracle Generation to the US. Unsurprisingly, this film doesn’t hold much value for those who aren’t familiar with the series; However, for fans of Kuroko’s basketball, the last game presents a rare opportunity to see Miracle as an awesome force.
With solid animation, an exciting final match, and a healthy helping of comedy, Kuroko’s Basketball The Movie: Last Game packs everything that was great about sports anime into one 90-minute sitting. If nothing else, this sequel lets fans spend a little more time with these iconic characters. There is no downside to it.
8. Mirai (2018)
Mamoru Hosoda cemented his place in anime history with Wolf Children, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and The Boy and the Beast. Mirai doesn’t reach the level of either of these films, however, the 2018 release is still a fun watch with a good message.
Mirai is about Kun, a spoiled boy who starts acting up when his parents start paying more attention to his newborn sister. To deal with these outbursts, Kun goes on imaginary adventures. Although a bit formulaic at times, Mirai has great animation and a handful of supporting characters that complement Kun nicely.
9. Violet Evergarden: Eternity And The Auto Memory Doll (2019)
Violet Evergarden helped establish Netflix as a legitimate anime streaming service that may not offer the volume of Crunchyroll but matches its rival in quality. The movie Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll tells the emotional story of two space-separated sisters who are connected by Violet’s postal service.
The animation is surprisingly gorgeous, and the warmth of the story makes for a relaxing watch. The film deals with the theme of family, and how it runs deeper than blood.
10. Violet Evergarden: The Movie (2020)
Serving as the high point of the series, Violet Evergarden: The Movie is the perfect embodiment of the anime’s strengths. The sequel consists of three stories set in the past, present, and future; While they are not tied together, the narratives serve as a satisfying study of Violet’s development throughout the story.
Violet Evergarden: The film is a tearjerker that earns every emotional outburst. With a plot that hits hard and brings both the protagonists and the audience closer, the film’s animation and music are also top-notch.
11. Tiger & Bunny: The Rising (2014)
Tiger & Bunny is now available on Netflix, with Season 2 of the anime following earlier this year. The entire franchise can now be streamed on the platform, and that includes 2014’s The Rising. A sequel to Season 1, the film introduces a new superhero, Ryan Goldsmith, as Barnaby Brooks’ partner, replacing the aging Kotetsu T. Kaburagi. Although powerful, Ryan soon proves to be anything but heroic.
The Rising largely captures the magic of the series, even if the film feels somewhat like filler as it drags things out toward the end of its runtime. Barnaby and Kotetsu get a lot of focus, but the film doesn’t neglect the rest of the cast either; In fact, The Rising is at its best when it focuses on Nathan Seymour, a character who faces discrimination on a daily basis.
12. One Piece Film Strong World (2009)
Netflix has a couple of One Piece movies in its library, including 2012’s enjoyable Film: Z. While an argument can certainly be made for the release that represents the franchise at its cinematic best, Strong World is also a contender for that throne. Written by Eiichiro Oda, the film pits the Straw Hats against the Golden Lion Shiki, a powerful pirate who takes a personal interest in Nami.
The One Piece films are limited by their inability to introduce or change anything about the character’s situation. However, this adventure gives fans a chance to see the Straw Hats as a unit, something that has become increasingly rare over the past decade. More than anything, Strong World is just a fun shonen anime movie that comes with a memorable villain, great fight scenes, and even some laughs.
13. The Seven Deadly Sins: Prisoners Of The Sky (2018)
The reputation of The Seven Deadly Sins has fallen after a few weak seasons in recent years. Debuting after the well-received revival of the 2018 season of Command, Prisoners of the Sky came out when the anime was at the height of its popularity, and the film could be considered the show’s swan song before its decline. That said, the 2021 film Cursed by the Light is also a good watch.
Like many films based on the Battle Shonen series, Prisoners of the Sky is minor in the grand scheme of things. Fans skipping the movie won’t feel like they’re missing anything; However, this does not rob this release of all its value. Prisoners of the Sky is a fun action-packed epic with great animations and captivating battles, courtesy of the Six Knights of Black, a villainous group introduced by the film. Compared to the later chapters of the main series, this feature offers a straightforward story that brings the Seven Deadly Sins together and lets them shine.
14. Godzilla Trilogy (2017-18)
Polygon Pictures’ Godzilla CGI trilogy is a tough sell for several reasons. The first film, Planet of the Monsters, has a slow start and focuses almost exclusively on its human characters, most of whom don’t start getting interesting until the sequel films. The trio also makes the risky creative decision to delay the reveal of its central kaiju by more than an hour, considering the fact that the big arrival is imminent. Finally, CGI anime doesn’t have the greatest reputation, although there are many solid shows that use this style of animation.
All of these criticisms are valid, but as these movies go, the second entry is notably better than its predecessor. That said, this recommendation is primarily for kaiju film veterans as the trilogy’s pacing and themes make it a less-than-ideal starting point for the subgenre.
15. Blame! (2017)
Tsutomu Nihei’s Blame! A mesmerizing work of art that is one of the greatest sci-fi manga of all time. Unfortunately, there has yet to be an anime that fully adapts the source material. Netflix’s 2017 release only scratches the surface of this long story and complex world. The film focuses on a short arc rather than a full experience Blame! Stands out as an example of talent.
Still, there’s a lot to enjoy here, especially for longtime fans who want to see Kylie in animated form. Polygon Pictures’ CGI is an acquired taste, although it is suitable for the mechanical and cold metropolis that accuses! While the film is a worthwhile addition to the franchise, newcomers to this universe should start with the manga.
16. Mobile Suit Gundam Compilation Trilogy (1981-82)
1979’s Mobile Suit Gundam is not only a classic, but one of the most influential mecha anime movies of all time. The series should become required viewing for subsequent releases of the franchise or for fans of the genre in general; However, the age of the show can translate into a rough watch. While the story and world-building hold up beautifully, the anime’s animation and pacing leave a lot to be desired.
Sunrise’s Mobile Suit Gundam Movie Anthology Trilogy wraps up the 43-episode series in about six hours, and it’s the best way to experience this amazing anime. As is always the case with this type of release, the trilogy moves the plot along at a blistering pace, even cutting out some key moments entirely. That said, the films also underscore Gundam’s themes and ideologies while presenting a more consistent tone than the show. Both versions of this story have their positives, and the trilogy has a place among the best anime movies on Netflix.
17. Altered Carbon: Resleeved (2020)
Altered Carbon is such a weird show. The sci-fi franchise spawned two seasons with different lead actors and surprisingly different tones, though they share many things in common. This change in leadership is possible because the story revolves around Takeshi Kovacs, a man who transfers his consciousness into different bodies (or sleeves).
Altered Carbon: Resleeved has a distinct Japanese flavor that goes beyond its animation style. The story revolves around the yakuza and the code of honor, while still keeping the same beats as the main show. Narratively, Relieved doesn’t add much to the mythos of this world as it mainly sticks to the basics; However, as an action spectacle, this short film is quite entertaining.
Read More | Top 13 Anime for Beginners To Start With
18. Modest Heroes (2018)
Now for something different, Modest Heroes consists of three short films that cover a surprising range of genres and tones. As is often the case with anthology projects, some parts work better than others, but all three stories in this collection have their strengths.
Kanini and Kanino revolve around two anthropomorphic crab siblings who leave the safety of their home to search for their father. Overall, this is the weakest part of Modest Heroes due to uneven animation and pacing. That said, it’s still attractive.
Life is Not a Loser tells a more intimate story. The short follows a boy who is allergic to eggs and the condition affects his daily life as well as his mother.
Invisible is about a man who is ignored by those around him, causing him to gradually become invisible. This relates to his struggles to live in a small world that doesn’t register her existence.
19. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End Of Evangelion (1998)
This 90s anime about big giant robots isn’t really about big giant robots. Neon Genesis Evangelion was part of a brave new genre called Anti Mecha, which took the “deus ex machina” concept and turned it on its head.
Neon Genesis Evangelion ended its run on two episodes that were made on a low budget, resulting in one of the most infamous finales in anime history. In response, the end of Evangelion was created as a new conclusion, and the film is a journey unlike any other. Similar to the show, the film deals with heavy themes and contains many uncomfortable scenes, whether due to extreme graphic violence or psychological turmoil.
20. The Summit Of The Gods (2021)
Summit of the Gods is a special case as it is a French production, however, the film should be mentioned as it is based on a manga by Jiro Taniguchi. A realistic story about a passionate man who wants to conquer Mount Everest, the story has a unique twist as it follows a photographer who chronicles the life and eventual ascent of the aforementioned mountaineer.
The Peak of the Gods is beautifully animated, powerful, and grounded. If not anime, fans of the medium with a Netflix subscription should make sure to watch this movie.
21. Pokemon The Movie: Secrets Of The Jungle (2020)
Some of the Pokemon movies on Netflix are Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution, The Arceus Chronicles, and Secrets of the Jungle. Of the three, the latter is the most complete and recommended experience, although the former remake may tickle the memories of a longtime fan if they have fond memories of the franchise’s original film. Ash’s time as a Pokemon anime hero has finally come to an end, ushering in an exciting new era for the 20-year+ license. If Secret of the Jungle proves to be Ash’s last cinematic adventure, it serves as a solid endpoint for the iconic character; More importantly, a future without Ketchum is more than viable.
Even though Ash and Pikachu play very important roles in the story, the movie is not really about them. Koko lives in a forest dedicated solely to Pokémon and was raised by Zarude to make her believe she is one of them. Naturally, this changes when the boy meets Ash, who questions whether he is human or a pocket monster. Koko is a wonderful and likable character with an interesting backstory, a big personality, and an interesting dilemma. The rest of the film is generally okay, though it falters a bit in the final act due to a weak antagonist. Secrets of the Jungle also has great animations for Pokemon.
22. Children Of The Sea (2019)
In an aquarium, young Ruka meets two brothers who are more in touch with the sea than the land. Soon, the girl finds herself drawn to the water while a strange migration takes place that sees sea life forced out of its natural habitat.
Children of the Sea is beautifully animated, and many of the ocean scenes have a sense of wonder usually reserved for Studio Ghibli productions. Narratively, the film expands relentlessly, reaching ludicrous grandeur by the final act. Although some aspects of the film, such as the characters, are weak, the overall experience is a success.
23. Gantz:O (2016)
Gantz:O is primarily a showcase of CGI’s capabilities, and the 2016 film makes a solid case for the technology’s viability as an alternative to traditional animation. Hiroya Oku’s Gantz manga is a sci-fi classic with horror elements, and the comic has inspired a few adaptations. Gonzo’s 2004 anime is a mixed bag but does a good job of adapting the manga’s first few steps.
2016’s Gantz:O does its own thing, telling a self-contained story within the same universe and featuring some characters from the manga. Since no prior knowledge of the franchise is required to appreciate the film’s story, Gantz:O is one of the more accessible entry points into this world, especially since it doesn’t spoil the manga in any significant way.
Gantz:O follows Masaru Kato, who dies and ends up in a special room with a few other people. Forming Team Osaka, these strangers are sent on a mission to exterminate the aliens, who are strange and very violent. If he survives, Kato will only get one wish.
