Legendary Anime Movies You Forgot About (& Need to Rewatch)

We tend to remember only a few well-known anime films, while many other incredibly important and innovative movies are often forgotten. These lesser-known films were hugely influential, helping to define animation styles, establish studios, and pioneer techniques that are now commonplace. They’re full of artistic detail and imaginative worlds that deserve to be rediscovered.

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve put together a list of twenty animated films that really stand out to me. These aren’t just fun to watch – they genuinely pushed the boundaries of what animation could *do*, whether it was through the music, the way they looked, or how they told their stories. You’ll find films where we first saw the incredible talent of certain directors, collections of shorts that showcased up-and-coming artists, and even some clever takes on classic stories. I’ve included details about who made each film, which studio was behind it, the format it was in, and what specifically made it so special.

‘Angel’s Egg’ (1985)

Director Mamoru Oshii and artist Yoshitaka Amano collaborated on a visually stunning and almost completely silent film created at Studio Deen. Instead of relying on dialogue, the movie uses beautiful, painted backgrounds, dramatic lighting, and extended shots to create a strong atmosphere. Lasting just over an hour, the film’s mood is subtly shaped by Yoshihiro Kanno’s evocative music, which feels like a gentle, guiding voice.

You know, this movie didn’t have a huge initial release – it really grew by word of mouth and people discovering it on DVD and streaming. But it’s funny, the visual style really carried over into everything the creators did afterward. And honestly, the way it *didn’t* explain everything – that super minimalist storytelling – it’s become a touchstone whenever people talk about experimental or abstract anime. It really set a precedent, you know?

‘Royal Space Force – The Wings of Honneamise’ (1987)

Gainax’s debut feature film was directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga, with character designs by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and mechanical designs by Hideaki Anno. Set in a world similar to our own, the film follows a nation’s first attempt at a crewed space launch, portraying rocketry with realistic detail. Ryuichi Sakamoto created the music, and the production team put a lot of effort into creating detailed backgrounds and visual effects.

The creators put incredible detail into the world, designing everything from signs and uniforms to the technology used as props. This gave the animators a rich, complete culture to work with, going beyond just a simple storyline. The project proved that Gainax could handle large-scale, complex projects and raised the bar for believable technology in animation.

‘Mind Game’ (2004)

Directed by Masaaki Yuasa and based on Robin Nishi’s manga, this Studio 4°C film is a visually dynamic experience. It blends traditional animation with rotoscoping, photography, and even short live-action clips, creating a constantly shifting and energetic style. While characters change size and form to highlight emotions, the scenes remain easy to follow, ensuring the experimental visuals enhance the story instead of distracting from it.

Viewers at film festivals responded to the film’s vibrant energy, establishing Yuasa and his team as distinct filmmakers. Its flexible style paved the way for future work where visual choices enhanced characters’ feelings instead of being a rigid signature.

‘Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade’ (1999)

I just finished watching this film, and it’s a really interesting entry in the Kerberos saga. Directed by Hiroyuki Okiura, with a script by Mamoru Oshii and stunning animation from Production I.G, it paints a picture of a rebuilt, post-war Tokyo. What struck me most was the attention to detail – the film really focuses on the procedures these armored riot police follow, and how the city itself impacts their work. The action feels incredibly weighty and realistic because of it; it’s not about flashy moves, but about the sheer physicality of the gear and the environment. It’s a grounded, procedural kind of action movie, and I found it really effective.

The story’s fantastical elements tie into the creation of political legends and highlight how propaganda and individual recollections can become mixed together. Its enduring appeal is demonstrated by later adaptations into live-action films and shows made outside of Japan, proving the lasting power of its core ideas and visual style.

‘Sword of the Stranger’ (2007)

Masahiro Ando directed this action-packed historical film, featuring a wandering samurai who gets caught up with spies and a child on the run. This leads to a series of exciting, well-animated sword fights. The animation style emphasizes clear movements and precise timing, making the action feel both quick and easy to follow.

Naoki Sato’s music effectively enhances both calm, atmospheric scenes and intense action sequences with its unique themes. Animators frequently analyze this project for its clever staging, particularly the climactic battle, which skillfully combines character movement, camera angles, and the surrounding environment.

‘Patema Inverted’ (2013)

Director Yasuhiro Yoshiura and Studio Rikka created a unique world for their project where gravity works differently for two groups of people, essentially flipping between them. The artists carefully designed the backgrounds so they would still look realistic even when flipped, and the animation team made sure details like hair and clothing moved naturally with whichever gravity was in effect.

I just saw this film, and it’s really something special! Comix Wave did a great job getting it out there, and it builds on a world they first hinted at in some earlier short films. What’s truly fascinating is how the filmmakers use perspective – constantly playing with what ‘down’ even means – and it’s not just a visual trick. It actually *matters* to the story; every chase and rescue hinges on figuring out which way is, well, down! It’s a really clever way to raise the stakes.

‘Memories’ (1995)

This collection, created by Katsuhiro Otomo, features three short films, each with a different director. ‘Magnetic Rose,’ directed by Koji Morimoto and featuring music by Yoko Kanno, combines the themes of space salvage and opera. ‘Stink Bomb,’ directed by Tensai Okamura, depicts a laboratory accident that quickly spirals out of control. Finally, ‘Cannon Fodder,’ directed by Otomo himself, portrays an entire city in one continuous, unbroken shot.

Each section focuses on a unique hurdle faced during production, covering everything from creating sound for opera to working with restricted color schemes and complex camera movements. Collectively, these examples offer a concise look at the sophisticated techniques used during that period.

‘Robot Carnival’ (1987)

This collection showcases shorts from creators like Katsuhiro Otomo, Koji Morimoto, and Atsuko Fukushima. While each film has a different feel, they all focus on robots, emphasizing their movement, visual effects, and unique designs. Composer Joe Hisaishi provides a consistent musical theme throughout the anthology, tying the segments together.

This project helped launch the careers of several animators who went on to work on big-budget films. The film’s restoration not only allowed more people to see it, but also saved a unique example of the creative spirit of its time.

‘Night on the Galactic Railroad’ (1985)

Gisaburo Sugii’s adaptation of Kenji Miyazawa’s novel uniquely portrays the characters as cats, while preserving the story’s deeply spiritual core. The film features tranquil, star-filled backgrounds and realistically detailed train interiors, making the fantastical destinations even more impactful. Haruomi Hosono’s score is spare and delicate, intentionally using silence to enhance the atmosphere.

The adaptation maintains the book’s calm rhythm and thoughtful mood. It’s often used in schools and by those studying literature to explore the work of Miyazawa and how it connects to poems and myths.

‘Belladonna of Sadness’ (1973)

Eiichi Yamamoto directed this film from Mushi Production, using a unique style that relies on beautiful watercolor backgrounds, simple animation, and voice-over narration. Instead of focusing on constant movement, the film creates scenes using still illustrations and slow camera pans across paintings, allowing the visual composition to tell the story.

The film’s recent restoration really showcases its beautiful colors and detailed artwork, making it appealing to a new audience. Its music and sound blend traditional folk elements with psychedelic sounds, clearly marking it as a product of its time, though its visual style remains unique.

‘Venus Wars’ (1989)

Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, who also created the original manga, directed this series, focusing on realistic and impactful bike battles on a transformed Venus. The bikes aren’t just fast – their designs highlight how weight and grip affect movement, making chases feel powerful and believable. The world itself is detailed with sprawling industrial areas and arid landscapes designed to support a military presence.

Joe Hisaishi’s music powerfully drives the action during training and fight scenes. The movie also cleverly shows how to animate group strategies, depicting characters working together as units instead of individual fighters.

‘Metropolis’ (2001)

As a huge animation fan, I was really impressed with Rintaro’s take on Osamu Tezuka’s manga. Katsuhiro Otomo did the screenplay, and the visuals are just stunning. They mixed traditional hand-drawn characters with these amazing computer-generated backgrounds, creating this incredibly detailed, layered city. The characters themselves really felt like Tezuka’s work – all rounded and expressive – but the cityscapes had a strong art deco vibe with the architecture and lighting. It’s a really unique look!

This movie uses a detective story to examine issues like social class divisions, the legal side of robotics, and how the media creates spectacles. Its detailed music and large-scale crowd scenes were carefully crafted through editing and camera work, making it a helpful example for creating complex animated cityscapes.

‘Colorful’ (2010)

This animated film, directed by Keiichi Hara and based on Eto Mori’s novel, tells the story of a person reborn into the body of a teenager. It realistically portrays the challenges of school, family issues, and social expectations, relying on subtle animation to capture everyday moments and realistic settings.

The film’s detailed backgrounds realistically depict everyday neighborhoods, capturing different weather conditions and times of day. Positive reception at film festivals and award shows boosted director Hara’s profile, moving him beyond his previous experience with family-friendly films.

‘A Tree of Palme’ (2002)

Director Takashi Nakamura reimagined the story of ‘Pinocchio,’ setting it in a unique desert and jungle landscape filled with remnants of advanced technology. The film is visually striking, using long, flowing shapes, detailed lines, and a color palette that changes to reflect both the environment and the emotional tone of each scene. Fight sequences are intentionally paced in a way that feels slightly off-kilter, creating a surreal and dreamlike effect.

The film was shown at several important international festivals and highlighted Nakamura’s talent as both an actor and an animator. The creators put a lot of detail into the world the story takes place in, and you can see that care in everything from the objects used to the characters’ clothing and customs.

‘Phoenix 2772’ (1980)

Tezuka Productions adapted Osamu Tezuka’s ‘Phoenix’ story into a standalone space adventure. It centers on a boy raised by robots who finds himself caught up in a conflict involving a powerful, cosmic firebird. This allows the film to seamlessly transition from training facilities to the vastness of space and legendary battlegrounds, all while maintaining a consistent atmosphere.

The characters have the classic look that Osamu Tezuka is known for, but the spaceships and cities are designed to look modern and futuristic. This film was one of the first efforts to adapt the expansive story of ‘Phoenix’ into a single movie.

‘Twilight of the Cockroaches’ (1987)

Director Hiroaki Yoshida created a unique film by blending real-life footage with traditional animation. He imagined a secret world of cockroaches living inside an apartment and brought it to life using this technique. It was challenging because the animated characters’ shadows and reflections had to perfectly match the lighting and angles of the real-world scenes.

The movie examines themes of conflict, feeling lost, and fragile peace, all within a familiar home environment. Making the film with Madhouse also improved the process of combining different types of footage, a technique that benefited later, more visually complex projects.

‘X: The Movie’ (1996)

Rintaro directed this movie version of the popular manga series, skillfully shortening the long story into one complete film. It focuses on two groups of powerful fighters battling in Tokyo, with memorable scenes taking place in and around skyscrapers and important cultural locations.

Even with fast action, character outlines stay clear and defined. The screen is filled with realistic details like falling debris and moving cloth, all responding naturally to wind and gravity. The film’s release was part of a broader marketing campaign, making it a good example of how stories can be told across different types of media.

‘Arion’ (1986)

As a huge animation fan, I was really excited about Yoshikazu Yasuhiko’s take on Greek mythology. He didn’t just retell the stories, but really dove into the power struggles happening on Mount Olympus and the tragic fates of the heroes. Plus, the studio Sunrise did an amazing job with the animation – the detail on everything, from the armor and creatures to the grand buildings, really brought those epic battles to life!

Joe Hisaishi’s music powerfully enhances both peaceful temple scenes and exciting action sequences with memorable melodies. The project demonstrates how anime retells classic myths using dynamic fight choreography, vibrant colors, and unique character performances.

‘Wicked City’ (1987)

Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri and based on Hideyuki Kikuchi’s novel, this film takes place in a vibrant, futuristic city where a secret peace exists between humans and demons. It’s famous for its incredibly detailed animation of fantastical creatures, dynamic camera work, and clever use of perspective during action sequences.

Madhouse’s animation process created clear, detailed outlines and deep, dark shadows that looked great even in dimly lit scenes. This distinctive style became a benchmark for animated urban dark fantasy, and it impacted the director’s and studio’s future work.

‘Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland’ (1989)

As a longtime animation fan, I was really excited to finally see this project come to life! It was a big undertaking, a collaboration between Japanese and American studios to bring Winsor McCay’s famous comic to the screen. The directing credit goes to Masami Hata and William Hurtz, and it sounds like they went through a lot of different ideas before landing on the final story. What I really loved is how the film captured the feeling of the original comic – it’s full of those wonderfully weird, dreamlike moments where things change size and the world just doesn’t quite make sense, especially with those amazing, over-the-top parade scenes!

The Sherman Brothers created the music and songs for the film. During production, filmmakers creatively arranged scenes to resemble the visual style of early animation pioneer Winsor McCay. This project also served as one of the first times a feature-length animated film involved teamwork across different countries.

‘The Dagger of Kamui’ (1985)

Rintaro’s ambitious film is adapted from a novel by Tetsu Yano and a manga by Sanpei Shirato. It tells the story of a young loner who masters the art of ninjutsu and discovers a conspiracy that reaches across Japan and beyond. The film features detailed and well-researched settings – from seaside towns and mountain paths to bustling foreign ports – which perfectly complement the hero’s travels.

The movie blends real historical characters and travel documentary-style footage with exciting action sequences filmed in both lengthy, continuous shots and fast-paced cuts. The large budget allowed the production team to create realistic effects involving water, smoke, and how materials like cloth move in different weather conditions.

Share the forgotten anime films you would add to this list in the comments.

2025-09-15 13:48