Most Overlooked Anime Movies You Should Watch

Many incredible anime movies have had a lasting impact on the art form, pioneered new styles, or told truly memorable stories – often without receiving much attention. This collection showcases films from various genres and studios, focusing on the unique vision of each director, the circumstances of their creation, and what makes each movie special. You’ll discover original stories, adaptations of famous books, and works by well-known creators that aren’t part of their biggest franchises. Consider it a roadmap to explore hidden gems in anime film history.

‘Angel’s Egg’ (1985)

This visually striking and atmospheric dark fantasy film, directed by Mamoru Oshii and featuring character designs by Yoshitaka Amano, is famous for its quietness and use of symbolism. Produced by Studio Deen, it’s known for its beautiful, painted backgrounds and slow, thoughtful pacing. The film centers on a girl carrying an egg through an empty city, accompanied by a soldier, and explores themes of belief and remembrance. Its unique and memorable style has inspired many filmmakers, including Oshii himself.

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

Gainax’s first full-length film imagines a world with its own unique space program, exploring the challenges of training astronauts, navigating political hurdles, and dealing with the human cost of reaching for the stars. The film is notable for its incredibly detailed worldbuilding – everything from languages and uniforms to vehicles and government systems feels fully realized. Directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga and featuring mechanical designs by Hideaki Anno, it combines realistic technology with imaginative futuristic elements. The film’s grand animated sequences are perfectly matched by Ryuichi Sakamoto’s beautiful orchestral score.

‘Night on the Galactic Railroad’ (1985)

This animated film is based on a novel by Kenji Miyazawa, and it tells the story of a journey through space using cats as characters. The animation beautifully captures the book’s dreamy, symbolic style with stunning visuals of stars, constellations, and train cabins. The story centers on two friends traveling through the cosmos, and it explores themes of friendship and what it means to be alive. The film stays true to the original novel, using its ideas about astronomy and philosophy throughout.

‘Belladonna of Sadness’ (1973)

This film is part of Mushi Production’s ‘Animerama’ series, aimed at adult audiences. It’s a visually unique work, combining watercolor backgrounds, simple animation, and dreamlike, psychedelic scenes. The story is based on historical accounts of witchcraft accusations, told through a stylized approach that often uses still images. Experimental music by Masahiko Satō complements the film’s unconventional and deliberate pace. Recent restoration work has emphasized its importance as a pioneering example of animation for mature viewers.

‘Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade’ (1999)

This film takes place in a reimagined postwar Japan and was created by writer Mamoru Oshii and director Hiroyuki Okiura. It follows a counterterrorism agent and explores themes of security, the power of information, and individual struggles. The movie is visually striking, with incredibly detailed city scenes and realistic armored suits called “Kerberos,” giving it a believable feel. While part of the larger Kerberos Saga, this story works perfectly well on its own.

‘Tekkonkinkreet’ (2006)

This film, based on a manga by Taiyō Matsumoto and created by Studio 4°C, shows a striking contrast between a rundown city and plans for modern development. Director Michael Arias uses dynamic camera work and vibrant colors to tell the story of two children living on the streets. The electronic soundtrack by Plaid enhances the film’s changing atmosphere, from fast-paced action to peaceful moments. The film’s visuals draw inspiration from the architecture and scenery of both Asia and Europe.

‘Mind Game’ (2004)

Masaaki Yuasa’s first feature film for Studio 4°C is a visually striking experience, blending different animation styles, constantly changing character looks, and unusual camera angles. The story centers on a young man who, after a near-death experience, embarks on a bizarre journey filled with gangsters, a whale, and the chance to start over. Quick cuts and hand-drawn animation add to the film’s spontaneous feel. It established Yuasa’s signature experimental style, which he would further develop in works like ‘The Tatami Galaxy’ and ‘Ride Your Wave’.

‘Redline’ (2009)

This visually stunning racing anime, created by Madhouse and director Takeshi Koike, took years to produce its incredibly smooth animation. The story follows a dangerous, illegal race held on a planet controlled by the military. It’s known for its bold lines, dramatic character designs, and fast-paced editing. The sound design powerfully highlights the roar of engines, the energy of the crowds, and the sounds of high-tech vehicles.

‘Colorful’ (2010)

This film, directed by Keiichi Hara and based on Eto Mori’s novel, tells the story of a spirit reborn into the body of a teenager. It’s a thoughtful exploration of family life, the stresses of school, and the journey to discover long-held secrets. The movie feels very real, with everyday scenes and subtle animation, and unfolds like a mystery, slowly changing how we understand the main character and their connections to others.

‘A Letter to Momo’ (2011)

Hiroyuki Okiura directed this animated film, a supernatural story about growing up, created by Production I.G. It centers on a girl who moves to a secluded island and meets mythical creatures called yokai as she tries to understand a message her father left behind. The film is beautifully hand-drawn, especially when it comes to characters’ expressions, and realistically portrays island life, including bustling markets and traditional houses. Water, clouds, and changing weather are used creatively to move between scenes.

‘Patema Inverted’ (2013)

Yasuhiro Yoshiura’s sci-fi film tells the story of two societies living with opposite gravitational forces. This unique premise allows for creative visuals and set design, with the film using techniques like rotated cameras and flipped horizons to show the challenges faced by the characters, both physically and socially. The story explores themes of environmental disaster, strict government control, and the bravery it takes to connect different worlds. It originally started as a series of short web videos before being developed into a full-length movie.

‘Expelled from Paradise’ (2014)

This movie is a unique blend of traditional and computer animation, created through a partnership between Toei Animation and Nitroplus. Directed by Seiji Mizushima and written by Gen Urobuchi, it follows a security officer from a virtual world and an Earth-based detective as they hunt down a mysterious signal. The action features powerful, realistic mecha battles set against vast desert landscapes. Beyond the action, the story explores themes of who we are, what it means to be human, and how society functions after a major catastrophe.

‘Harmony’ (2015)

This film is one part of the ‘Project Itoh’ series, created by Studio 4°C and directed by Michael Arias and Takashi Nakamura. It depicts a seemingly perfect society built on constant health monitoring and control. The story centers on people who once rebelled against this system and are now facing its consequences, as the film explores the idea that being healthy means following the rules. The visuals use a striking contrast between spotless, modern buildings and rebellious street art and digital displays.

‘Lu Over the Wall’ (2017)

Masaaki Yuasa and Science SARU have created a vibrant musical fantasy centered on a coastal town and a mermaid whose songs control the ocean and people’s emotions. The film is known for its energetic, fluid animation style, which seamlessly transitions into musical numbers. It playfully exaggerates aspects of coastal life, like festivals, local businesses, and flood defenses, with character designs focused on making movement—especially dancing and large groups—look lively and dynamic.

‘The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl’ (2017)

Directed by Masaaki Yuasa and produced by Science SARU, this series brings Tomihiko Morimi’s novel to life with a vibrant and unusual journey through Kyoto. It seamlessly blends different locations – bars, bookstores, and university happenings – into one flowing, visually striking experience. Fans of ‘The Tatami Galaxy’ will recognize familiar characters. Clever use of text, signs, and theatrical set designs help guide you through each short story.

‘Penguin Highway’ (2018)

Studio Colorido brings Tomihiko Morimi’s novel to life, telling the story of a town experiencing odd events and a boy determined to uncover the truth. The movie mixes realistic scientific observation with imaginative, dreamlike moments. The detailed backgrounds – showing places like convenience stores, homes, and school labs – really bring the setting to life. The main puzzle is solved through hands-on experiments, detailed drawings, and careful investigation by the young characters.

‘Ride Your Wave’ (2019)

Science SARU, with director Masaaki Yuasa at the helm, created a touching romance that explores themes of personal growth and loss through the imagery of surfing, firefighting, and water. The animation is notable for its realistic depiction of waves and reflections. The film also offers a detailed and authentic portrayal of city life, emergency services, and beach communities. A memorable pop song is used throughout to connect important scenes to the characters’ memories and feelings.

‘Children of the Sea’ (2019)

I’m so excited about Studio 4°C’s new film! It’s based on a manga and it’s a really beautiful, mysterious story set in the ocean. The animation is incredible – it looks almost like a painting, and they’ve done some really cool things with how the images are put together. It follows a girl who gets involved in some research about two boys who have a strange connection to the sea. And the sound design is amazing – you can really feel like you’re there, with whale songs, the sound of the waves, and everything. They even tie in cool stuff about space and natural history, connecting the cycles of planets to our own lives. It’s just a really immersive and thought-provoking experience.

‘Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop’ (2020)

Directed by Kyohei Ishiguro, this visually striking animated film from Signal.MD and Sublimation tells the story of a quiet poet who writes haiku and a masked online streamer. It’s known for its bold, pop-art style, featuring blocks of color, large text, and playful on-screen graphics. The film explores themes of caring for elderly relatives, life in shopping malls, and the importance of preserving older forms of media, like physical recordings. We see the haiku writer’s creative process unfold onscreen as they work on poems inspired by everyday life.

‘Summer Ghost’ (2021)

This brief animated film, created by loundraw and Flat Studio, combines traditional hand-drawn characters with dreamy, blurred backgrounds. It follows three students as they search for a legendary spirit, hoping to find guidance during difficult times in their lives. The film relies on quiet sounds and subtle visuals to highlight the characters’ conversations and small actions. Visually, it builds on loundraw’s signature illustration style, focusing on beautiful lighting, twilight skies, and a shallow depth of field.

Share your own overlooked favorites in the comments so everyone can discover even more hidden gems.

2025-10-29 09:51