BEST ANIME MOVIES OF THE LAST 5 YEARS

Anime is an incredible storytelling medium where it often feels as if anything is possible. Ongoing anime series can reach incredible heights through episodic and serialized narratives. However, there’s a whole other pedigree of talent featured in the anime cinematic spectacles that grace movie theaters and streaming services. Anime movies often benefit from a greater budget and a lengthier production schedule that allows these stories to excel in ways that would otherwise be impossible in anime TV series.

Some of anime’s greatest triumphs are feature films from the past that helped put the medium on the map, whether it’s Akira, Ghost in the Shell, or even Pokémon: The First Movie. These older anime movies are certainly magical, but recent cinematic accomplishments have left just as great of an impression on audiences. It’s truly remarkable to see what modern anime feature films have been able to accomplish, and there are some incredible must-watch movies from just the past five years that are destined to last the test of time and become evergreen classics. For fans who love these films, there’s a wealth of anime merch in India, including anime figures and anime hoodies, available at various anime stores.

5. Belle

Mamoru Hosoda is an anime director who's consistently explored the power of virtual realms and hidden identities, whether it's Summer Wars, The Boy and the Beast, or even Digimon Adventure: Our War Game! 2021's Belle feels like the culmination of Hosoda's many ideas as he deconstructs digital avatars and virtual worlds with a modern reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. Suzu Naito, a high school student, becomes a digital singing sensation in the virtual world "U," helping her escape her ordinary life and become a celebrated phenomenon.

Suzu experiences limitless freedom as her digital avatar, Belle. However, she soon becomes involved in a sprawling mystery that involves another "U" user who is on the run from dangerous vigilantes. Belle is by far the most visually impressive of Hosoda's movies and genuinely benefits from the IMAX treatment where Belle's concerts play out on a tremendous scale. Fans can celebrate this visual feast with anime merchandise from their local anime merch store, which offers a variety of items like anime clothes and one piece merchandise.

4. Inu-Oh

Masaaki Yuasa is one of anime's most gifted visionaries who's delivered consistent hits in both television and cinema, which includes revelatory titles like Ping Pong The Animation, Devilman Crybaby, The Night is Short, Walk on Girl, and Lu Over the Wall. Inu-Oh, Yuasa's most recent cinematic masterpiece, is a bewildering rock opera murder mystery set in 14th century Japan. Inu-Oh celebrates the very nature of storytelling and how music and fables are the ultimate equalizers.

A reclusive and shamed dancer befriends a blind musician, and these two ostracized individuals overcome their adversities to create the ultimate musical experience. Inu-Oh excels with its recreation of Japan's Muromachi period, but it also features plenty of Yuasa's signature fluid visuals and elastic character designs where anything is possible. Fans who love this film can find anime figures and other anime merchandise at their nearest anime store. Inu-Oh is perpetually fun and entertaining, reaching an incredible climax when Inu-Oh and Tomona's performance crescendos and transcends.

3. Gintama: The Final

Gintama is a marvel of an anime series that's run for more than 360 episodes, parodied every series and trope imaginable, and somehow has only gotten stronger over time. Gintama achieves the perfect balance between action, drama, and comedy, and 2021's Gintama: The Final functions as the long-running franchise's ultimate swan song. The film reunites the Odd Jobs crew -- Gintoki, Kagura, and Shinpachi -- as they take on the immortal Utsuro, who's determined to end the world as a last-ditch effort to end his eternal life.

Gintama: The Final gives audiences everything they'd want from a Gintama movie. There's exceptional samurai action, science fiction theatrics, cathartic character-driven revelations, and a fierce sense of humor that few other series have been able to match. Fans of the series can celebrate its conclusion with anime merch from their local anime store near me, featuring one piece merchandise and naruto merchandise. Many anime series use a feature film for their larger-than-life finale, but Gintama: The Final is the best of the best.

2. Rebuild Of Evangelion 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time

Many anime fans consider Neon Genesis Evangelion to not just be one of the greatest mecha series to come out of the ‘90s, but that it’s genuinely one of the medium’s most powerful accomplishments. Audiences were initially skeptical over the value in the Rebuild of Evangelion feature films that were designed to retell and remix the series’ events. The first two movies stick fairly close to their anime source material, but the third and fourth movies – especially the final entry – go radically off course and push Evangelion into an ambitious and unexpected endgame. There's nearly a decade between Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo and 2021's Evangelion 3.0:1.0 Thrice Upon A Time.

Evangelion has never been a simple series that takes it easy on its viewers. That being said, Thrice Upon A Time gets to the core of Shinji Ikari's character and what he truly wants in life. There's a seismic showdown where the fate of everything rests on Shinji's actions, but it's just as much an internal conflict that revolves around peace, fulfillment, and identity. Studio Khara produces mind-bending visuals that make sure that the series ends on a visually gorgeous note. However, the movie's biggest surprise is its hopeful and optimistic nature, as opposed to End of Evangelion's intense pain and nihilism. Fans can commemorate this remarkable conclusion with anime merchandise from any anime merch store.

1. Suzume Crafts

Makoto Shinkai is one of this generation's most powerful storytellers, and he's responsible for an incredible run of movies between Your Name, Weathering With You, and 2022's Suzume. These three films could even be viewed as an unofficial trilogy of sorts, due to how they all reckon with humanity's endangerment of nature and the toxic relationship between mankind and the environment. Shinkai has often been referred to as the next generation's Miyazaki, and Suzume definitely feels the most aligned with a Studio Ghibli venture. A teenager, Suzume, gets burdened with an important mission to seal supernatural doors in order to prevent destructive chaos from ruining Japan.

Suzume finds herself with an unconventional companion, Souta, who winds up inhabiting an adorable three-legged chair. Suzume operates on a grandiose scale that effectively creates cataclysmic stakes. On top of its dire mission, there's a rich beating heart to this story -- like all of Shinkai's works -- that makes it feel remarkably grounded and human. On top of everything else, stunning visuals and chaotic action sequences help turn Suzume into a truly special journey that's destined to be one of Shinkai's crowning achievements and an evergreen anime classic. Fans of Shinkai's work can explore a wide range of anime merch in India, available at various anime stores.

Whether you're a fan of these incredible films or looking to start your anime movie journey, don't forget to check out anime merchandise at your local anime store nearby. From anime hoodies to anime figures, there's something for every anime enthusiast. Click here to buy now!

[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Anime Devta, they are just for entertainment purposes]

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~Mimansa Sharma