There are plenty of amazing Japanese animation films that have been broadcast worldwide. The hardest part is choosing which movie to watch; you never know how the film will be until it is seen. So here are my Top Ten “Must See” Anime Movies. I recommend each of these films to watch because every single one of them has a unique story line and touches my heart completely. If you’re looking for something different from the simple romance or action films, then here’s the list for you.

Akira (1988)

Akira is a futuristic movie based in Japan. The Japanese government drops bombs on Tokyo after ESP child experiments go wrong. Twenty years after the bombing 2019, Kaneda, who is the leader of a biker gang, tries to save his friend Tetsuo from the ESP secret government project. This movie is not your typical family movie. The animation was filled with gore, and the language is more for mature teenagers and adults.

Spirited Away (2001)

Spirited Away was directed by Hayao Miyazaki and has touched the hearts of hundreds of people. A ten-year-old girl named Chihiro is swept away into a “magical” place that turns out to be a bath house for spirits. A witch named Yubaba makes Chihiro work for her in order to live there, but Chihiro also works to try to find out a way to go back home. Spirited away is rated PG and is more for families and children.

Wolf Children (2012)

Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, this film can be considered a tear jerking, intensifying, and heartwarming film. Hana was a normal college student until she meets and falls in love with an interesting man who reveals to be a wolf. The movie is narrated by her daughter Yuki who tells the story of Hana raising her and her brother as wolf children. This movie is perfect for sitting together with a loved one or by yourself and just watching it.

The Girl Who Leaped Through Time (2006)

Another movie directed by Mamoru Hosoda, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is about a teenage girl named Makoto Konno who discovers that she has the power to “time leap”, to literally leap through time. This movie is for families and children because of the follow through on Hosoda’s adventures and the relationships that she develops. It is considered one of the “must see movies” from the many who have seen it, myself included.

Ghost In The Shell (1995)

Set in the distant future, this Japanese animation, cyborg federal agent Maj. Motoko Kusanagi trails “The Puppet Master”, who illegally hacks into the minds of cyborg-human hybrids. Kusanagi’s pursuits of a man who can modify the identity of stranger’s leaves her pondering her own makeup, and what life might be like if she had more human traits. With her partner, Kusanagi corners the hacker, but her curiosity about her identity sends the case in an unforeseen direction.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Two sisters encounter a mythical forest sprite and its woodland companions when they move to rural Japan. They find out that its name is Totoro and become companions. Looking up the history of this movie, it is based on and relates to a case called the Sayama Case, where a child claimed to see a giant raccoon spirit and called it Totoro who then died later. Totoro is based on a spirit that was reported to be the God of Death. Not revealing too much detail on the case, but once you watch this film and read about it, everything is then set into place.

Ponyo (2008)

During a forbidden excursion to the surface world, a goldfish princess becomes more and more human after befriending a village boy. It shows how such a close bond between two children could form so easily through love and righteousness. Kids and teens can cuddle up together with their loved ones to watch this one.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

A prince becomes involved in the struggle between a forest princess and the encroachment of mechanization. This movie is more for mature children and teenagers considering the blood and mature topics that are being discussed. It shows more of the deeper meaning and bond that nature has with humans and how connected we all are.

Paprika (2006)

Dr. Atsuko Chiba works as a scientist by day and, under the code name “Paprika,” is a dream detective at night. Atsuko and her colleagues work on a device called the DC Mini, which is intended to help psychiatric patients, but in the wrong hands it could destroy people’s minds. When a prototype is stolen, Atsuko/Paprika springs into action to recover it before damage is done.

Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011)

A memento from her late father plays a part in a girl’s adventure in the land of the dead. While not revealing too much detail, this movie can jerk your tears to the point where they turn into a waterfall. This is such a great movie for family and friends and is most definitely recommended.

While there are many other great anime movies out there, these are the must see movies to start off with. If anyone is interested in watching anything, it is highly suggested to look up one of these films.