This beautifully crafted historical drama portrays life in WWII-era Hiroshima through the eyes of a young woman. Its delicate hand-drawn animation enhances its emotional impact. Fun fact: The film’s accuracy was praised by Hiroshima residents, who recognized their childhood streets in its backgrounds.

A heartwarming holiday story about three homeless people who find an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve. Fun fact: The film’s depiction of Tokyo’s streets was based on real locations, down to minute details.

A cyberpunk classic depicting a dystopian Tokyo and psychic experiments gone wrong. Fun fact: It was one of the first anime films to pre-record voice acting, syncing lip movements to dialogue rather than the reverse.

A charming coming-of-age story about a girl who accidentally gains time-travel abilities. Fun fact: It’s a loose sequel to the 1967 novel of the same name.

This high-octane sci-fi anime follows daredevil racer JP as he competes in an illegal intergalactic race. The film’s stylish, hand-drawn animation took seven years to complete. Fun fact: Every frame of this movie was painstakingly drawn by hand, resulting in a truly unique visual experience.

A psychological thriller about an idol descending into madness, blurring reality and illusion. Fun fact: It inspired Black Swan, with Darren Aronofsky even buying the rights for reference.

Hayao Miyazaki’s 2023 fantasy follows a grieving boy who enters a surreal world guided by a cryptic heron. With stunning animation and dreamlike storytelling, it explores life, death, and legacy. Fun fact: This was intended as Miyazaki’s final film, but he later expressed interest in making another.

Inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s manga, this cyberpunk masterpiece blends classic animation with CGI to depict a futuristic city’s struggles. Fun fact: Tezuka had never actually seen Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, despite his manga’s name and thematic similarities.

A young girl embarks on a journey to close mysterious doors that bring disaster, blending road trip adventure with Shinkai’s signature romance. Fun fact: The talking chair in the film was inspired by Shinkai’s own childhood furniture.

A surreal, one-night adventure through Kyoto, following a quirky college girl’s whimsical journey. Fun fact: This film is set in the same universe as The Tatami Galaxy, featuring an unnamed protagonist who may be the same character.