Ye olde Anime Movies
by C-Puff | created - 25 May 2012 | updated - 11 Jun 2013 | PublicI am not the biggest fan of what anime is today. Granted now and then something truly great comes out (like Summer Wars) but for the most part I am not overly enthusiastic about the new stuff. So here's a list of anime movies I'd much rather spend my time watching. If you're looking for some good old fashioned anime movies that don't have the Moe pitfalls check these out. Enjoy!
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1. Perfect Blue (1997)
R | 81 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
A pop singer gives up her career to become an actress, but she slowly goes insane when she starts being stalked by an obsessed fan and what seems to be a ghost of her past.
Director: Satoshi Kon | Stars: Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, Shinpachi Tsuji, Masaaki Ôkura
Votes: 95,368 | Gross: $0.78M
2. Patlabor: The Movie (1989)
Unrated | 100 min | Animation, Action, Crime
The screwball cops of Special Vehicles Section 2 Division 2 must investigate and stop a spree of rampaging construction robots.
Directors: Mamoru Oshii, Kôji Sawai | Stars: Toshio Furukawa, David Jarvis, Doug Erholtz, Mîna Tominaga
Votes: 5,617
3. Ninja Scroll (1993)
Not Rated | 94 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A vagabond swordsman is aided by a kunoichi and a spy in battling a demonic clan of killers - led by a ghost from his past - who are bent on overthrowing the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri | Stars: Kôichi Yamadera, Emi Shinohara, Takeshi Aono, Osamu Saka
Votes: 40,705
4. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)
R | 103 min | Animation, Action, Drama
A legendary dhampir competes with a motley family of bounty hunters to return a young woman, who has been seemingly abducted by a vampire, to her family.
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri | Stars: Andrew Philpot, John Rafter Lee, Pamela Adlon, Wendee Lee
Votes: 35,791 | Gross: $0.15M
5. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
TV-14 | 115 min | Animation, Action, Crime
A terrorist explosion releases a deadly virus on the masses, and it's up to the bounty-hunting Bebop crew to catch the cold-blooded culprit.
Directors: Shin'ichirô Watanabe, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Tensai Okamura, Hiroyuki Okiura, Yoshiyuki Takei | Stars: Beau Billingslea, Melissa Fahn, Nicholas Guest, Kôichi Yamadera
Votes: 53,120 | Gross: $1.00M
6. Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (2003)
Not Rated | 68 min | Animation, Adventure, Music
A continuation of the story told in the Daft Punk music videos "One More Time," "Aerodynamic," "Digital Love," and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."
Directors: Daisuke Nishio, Hirotoshi Rissen, Leiji Matsumoto, Kazuhisa Takenouchi | Stars: Romanthony, Thomas Bangalter
Votes: 15,563
7. Metropolis (2001)
PG-13 | 108 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
Kenichi and his uncle Shunsaku Ban must find the mystery behind robot girl Tima.
Director: Rintarô | Stars: Toshio Furukawa, Scott Weinger, Yuka Imoto, Kei Kobayashi
Votes: 22,605 | Gross: $0.64M
8. Only Yesterday (1991)
PG | 119 min | Animation, Drama, Romance
A twenty-seven-year-old office worker travels to the countryside while reminiscing about her childhood in Tokyo.
Director: Isao Takahata | Stars: Miki Imai, Toshirô Yanagiba, Yoko Honna, Mayumi Izuka
Votes: 37,213 | Gross: $0.45M
9. Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy (1987)
Unrated | 73 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Lupin and his gang are called to action when Goemon's fiancé is held hostage by a mysterious ninja clan.
Director: Masayuki Ôzeki | Stars: Toshio Furukawa, Banjô Ginga, Mami Koyama, Kaneto Shiozawa
Votes: 988
10. Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie (1999)
Not Rated | 100 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Utena Tenjou disguises herself as a boy for the Ohtori Academy, however she encounters trouble due to a ring which shows she's skilled duelist. As well as this, the vice president of the school challenges her to a duel
Directors: Kunihiko Ikuhara, Shingo Kaneko, Katsushi Sakurabi, Tôru Takahashi | Stars: Tomoko Kawakami, Yuriko Fuchizaki, Leah Applebaum, Sharon Becker
Votes: 1,794
11. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
TV-MA | 83 min | Animation, Action, Crime
A cyborg policewoman and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master.
Directors: Mizuho Nishikubo, Mamoru Oshii | Stars: Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka, Kôichi Yamadera
Votes: 156,818 | Gross: $0.52M
12. Wings of Honneamise (1987)
Unrated | 121 min | Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi
In an alternative Earth, a young astronaut participates in a controversial fledgling space program.
Director: Hiroyuki Yamaga | Stars: Leo Morimoto, David Thomas, Mitsuki Yayoi, Heidi Lenhart
Votes: 5,757 | Gross: $0.06M
13. Akira (1988)
R | 124 min | Animation, Action, Drama
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a group of psychics.
Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo | Stars: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tesshô Genda
Votes: 205,126 | Gross: $0.55M
14. Millennium Actress (2001)
PG | 87 min | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
A TV interviewer and his cameraman meet a former actress and travel through her memories and career.
Directors: Satoshi Kon, Kô Matsuo | Stars: Miyoko Shôji, Shôzô Îzuka, Mami Koyama, Fumiko Orikasa
Votes: 32,036 | Gross: $0.19M
15. Sailor Moon S: The Movie - Hearts in Ice (1994)
TV-14 | 60 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
An unusual snow storm hits the town and the Sailor Scouts discover that an evil snow queen Kaguya, wants to freeze the entire earth. It's up to the Inner Sailor Scouts along with the Outers... See full summary »
Director: Hiroki Shibata | Stars: Kotono Mitsuishi, Aya Hisakawa, Michie Tomizawa, Emi Shinohara
Votes: 2,250
16. Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993)
TV-14 | 113 min | Animation, Action, Drama
When a terrorist attack is blamed on the Air Force, Special Vehicle Unit 2 gets caught in the middle of a growing political conflict.
Directors: Mamoru Oshii, Mizuho Nishikubo | Stars: Mîna Tominaga, Briony Glassco, Julie Ann Taylor, Toshio Furukawa
Votes: 4,595
17. Memories (1995)
PG-13 | 113 min | Animation, Sci-Fi, Thriller
An animated science fiction anthology from the visionary anime director, Katsuhiro Otomo.
Directors: Kôji Morimoto, Tensai Okamura, Katsuhiro Ôtomo | Stars: Marc Swint, Robbie Daymond, Frank Todaro, Laura Post
Votes: 21,365
18. Jungle Emperor Leo (1997)
PG | 99 min | Animation, Adventure
The story of Leo, the lion emperor and his family, and their struggles to protect the jungle from intruders bent on recklessly mining the a precious stone.
Director: Yoshio Takeuchi | Stars: Masane Tsukayama, Chieko Baishô, Tomoko Ishimura, Hekiru Shiina
Votes: 530
19. Lupin III: Farewell to Nostradamus (1995)
TV-PG | 100 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Lupin must rescue a young girl from a doomsday cult seeking a book of prophecies hidden by the girl's father, a wealthy US Presidential candidate.
Directors: Takeshi Shirato, Nobuo Tomizawa, Shun'ya Itô | Stars: Kan'ichi Kurita, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Makio Inoue, Eiko Masuyama
Votes: 930
20. Galaxy Express 999 (1979)
PG | 129 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of a brave young boy who travels from planet to planet in a determined quest to avenge his mother's death.
Director: Rintarô | Stars: Masako Nozawa, Masako Ikeda, Yôko Asagami, Miyoko Asô
Votes: 2,370
21. Windaria (1986)
100 min | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
An ambitious young farmer becomes an agent in a pointless war between two nations, and tragedy ensues.
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama | Stars: Tôru Furuya, Waka Kanda, Kazuhiko Inoue, Naoko Matsui
Votes: 611
22. Battle Angel (1993)
Not Rated | 54 min | Animation, Action, Drama
In a distant future, a the young cyborg Gally is found on a scrapheap by the Cyberdoctor Daisuke Ido, who rebuilds her and becomes her surrogate father.
Stars: Miki Itô, Shunsuke Kariya, Kappei Yamaguchi, Edward Glen
Votes: 5,826
23. Ah! My Goddess: The Movie (2000)
106 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A young man and his Angel bride must stop an angry Archangel from destroying Earth by proving that love is the ultimate force in the universe.
Director: Hiroaki Gôda | Stars: Bridget Hoffman, Kikuko Inoue, Masami Kikuchi, Tony Oliver
Votes: 1,206
24. Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)
Not Rated | 48 min | Animation, Action, Horror
Saya is a Japanese vampire slayer whose next mission is in a high school on a US military base in 1960s Japan, where she poses as a student. She uses a katana/samurai sword to kill vampires.
Director: Hiroyuki Kitakubo | Stars: Yûki Kudô, Saemi Nakamura, Joe Romersa, Stuart Robinson
Votes: 13,299
25. Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
102 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A dashing thief, his gang of desperadoes and an intrepid cop struggle to free a princess from an evil count, and learn the secret of a treasure that she holds part of the key to.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Yasuo Yamada, Eiko Masuyama, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Makio Inoue
Votes: 33,554
26. Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
PG-13 | 92 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
On Christmas Eve, three homeless people living on the streets of Tokyo discover a newborn baby among the trash and set out to find its parents.
Directors: Shôgo Furuya, Satoshi Kon | Stars: Tôru Emori, Yoshiaki Umegaki, Aya Okamoto, Shôzô Îzuka
Votes: 46,730 | Gross: $0.13M
27. Porco Rosso (1992)
PG | 94 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
In 1930s Italy, a veteran World War I pilot is cursed to look like an anthropomorphic pig.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Shûichirô Moriyama, Tokiko Katô, Bunshi Katsura VI, Tsunehiko Kamijô
Votes: 102,029
28. Pom Poko (1994)
PG | 119 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A community of magical shape-shifting raccoon dogs struggle to prevent their forest home from being destroyed by urban development.
Director: Isao Takahata | Stars: Shinchô Kokontei, Makoto Nonomura, Yuriko Ishida, Norihei Miki
Votes: 34,557
29. Megazone 23 (1985 Video)
Not Rated | 81 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In 1980s Tokyo, a young motorcycle enthusiast discovers that the transforming bike/mecha entrusted to him by his murdered friend holds the key to the true nature of his world.
Directors: Yasuo Hasegawa, Noboru Ishiguro, Ichirô Itano | Stars: Masato Kubota, Maria Kawamura, Mîna Tominaga, Mayumi Shô
Votes: 724
30. Megazone 23 Part II: Please Give Me Your Secret (1986 Video)
Not Rated | 82 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Framed for murder and on the run, Shogo Yahagi must make contact with EVE to determine the fate of everyone on board Megazone 23, which is under attack from the alien Dezalg.
Directors: Yasuo Hasegawa, Ichirô Itano, Katsuhisa Yamada | Stars: Kazuki Yao, Maria Kawamura, Shigeru Chiba, Kôichi Hashimoto
Votes: 365
31. Megazone 23 III (1989)
Not Rated | 101 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Eiji Takanaka is a B Level hacker who has been accepted into EX. However, before his first day on the job, he becomes embroiled in a network war, a legendary figure named EVE, and a plot to re-inhabit the Earth.
Stars: Takeshi Kusao, Hiroko Kasahara, Kôichi Yamadera, Saki Takaoka
Votes: 280
32. The Fantastic Adventures of Unico (1981)
Not Rated | 90 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
When Unico, a young unicorn, is taken from his family by evil gods, his powers of joy and happiness are put to the test. Can Unico's power triumph the darkness?
Directors: Toshio Hirata, Osamu Tezuka | Stars: Katsue Miwa, Ryouko Kitamiya, Kazuko Sugiyama, Junko Hori
Votes: 899
33. Sea Prince and the Fire Child (1981)
TV-Y7-FV | 108 min | Animation, Drama, Family
A prince of the sea and a child of fire engage in a tragic forbidden romance.
Director: Masami Hata | Stars: Tôru Furuya, Mami Koyama, Ikue Sakakibara, Jûkichi Uno
Votes: 590
34. Comet in Moominland (1992)
70 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Moomin, Sniff and My set out to stop a comet approaching the Moomin valley. Along the way they meet Snusmumriken, the beautiful Snorkfröken, Snorken and a Hemul, who join them in their quest.
Directors: Masayuki Kojima, Hiroshi Saitô | Stars: Rabbe Smedlund, Jyrki Kovaleff, Elina Salo, Ulla Tapaninen
Votes: 2,343
35. Sailor Moon R: The Movie: The Promise of the Rose (1993)
TV-14 | 61 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
Fiore, an old friend from Mamoru's lonely childhood who couldn't survive on Earth, returns with flowers he promised Mamoru. But, the evil flower Kisenian overpowered Fiore's weak mind and ... See full summary »
Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara | Stars: Kotono Mitsuishi, Tôru Furuya, Michie Tomizawa, Aya Hisakawa
Votes: 2,859
36. Kenji Miyazawa's Night on the Galactic Railroad (1985)
Unrated | 113 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
Two kittens go on a metaphysical journey on a magical railroad train.
Director: Gisaburô Sugii | Stars: Mayumi Tanaka, Chika Sakamoto, Junko Hori, Ayumi Ishijo
Votes: 2,401
37. Unico in the Island of Magic (1983)
PG | 91 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A young unicorn named Unico must fight an evil magician and save everyone who's trapped under his spell.
Director: Moribi Murano | Stars: Katsue Miwa, Iruka, Chieko Baishô, Sumi Shimamoto
Votes: 588
38. Vampire Hunter D (1985)
Not Rated | 80 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
When Doris Lang is chosen as the next bride for the vampire Count Magnus Lee, she will hire a mysterious vampire hunter known only as D in an attempt to escape her ill-gotten fate.
Director: Toyoo Ashida | Stars: Kaneto Shiozawa, Michie Tomizawa, Seizô Katô, Satoko Kifuji
Votes: 17,516
39. Escaflowne: The Movie (2000)
PG-13 | 98 min | Adventure, Animation, Drama
A grim retelling of the television series "The Vision of Escaflowne".
Directors: Kazuki Akane, Yoshiyuki Takei | Stars: Shin'ichirô Miki, Jôji Nakata, Maaya Sakamoto, Tomokazu Seki
Votes: 3,813
40. Sailor Moon SuperS: The Movie: Black Dream Hole (1995)
TV-14 | 75 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
When the Evil Madame Vadiane kidnaps Chibi-Usa, the senshi rush to her rescue with the aid of Chibi-Usa's new friend, Peruru. After trying to find Chibi-Usa and fight off Vadiane's henchmen... See full summary »
Director: Hiroki Shibata | Stars: Kotono Mitsuishi, Kae Araki, Michie Tomizawa, Aya Hisakawa
Votes: 1,806
41. The Little Mermaid (1975)
Not Rated | 74 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
A mermaid falls in love with a human prince, which leads to tragedy.
Directors: Tomoharu Katsumata, Tim Reid | Stars: Fumie Kashiyama, Mariko Miyagi, Tarô Shigaki, Hideki Shibata
Votes: 1,148
42. Project A-Ko (1986)
Unrated | 86 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A plucky, super-powered redhead finds herself saving her crybaby best friend from an amorous, bikini armor-clad classmate at their new school and aliens seeking to bring her home.
Directors: Katsuhiko Nishijima, Shigeru Morikawa | Stars: Miki Itô, Emi Shinohara, Michie Tomizawa, Julia Braams
Votes: 1,473
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