Anime backdrop

Anime movies

Anime-style storytelling and visuals, shaped by Japanese animation conventions and pacing.

One Piece Film: Strong World

1. One Piece Film: Strong World

Animation Fantasy Adventure Anime Quest Fantasy
7.4
20091h 54min

Overview

20 years after his escape from Impel Down, the legendary pirate Shiki, the Golden Lion, reappears causing massive upheaval to the Marines. During his long seclusion, he was able to come up with a scheme to bring the World Government to his knees. On his way to execute the plan, Shiki crosses paths with the Straw Hat Pirates and becomes so impressed with Nami's knowledge of meteorology that he abducts her to forcedly enlist her into his crew. Luffy and the gang end up on a strange land populated with monstrous beasts as they desperately search for Shiki and Nami.

Themes

Loyalty under duress, Power abuse, Biological manipulation, Coercion and recruitment, Ecological hazards, Collective action

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Afro Samurai: Resurrection

2. Afro Samurai: Resurrection

Animation Action Adventure Drama Fantasy
7.1
20091h 41min

Overview

Afro Samurai avenged his father and found a life of peace. But the legendary master is forced back into the game by a beautiful and deadly woman from his past. The sparks of violence dropped along Afro’s bloody path now burn out of control – and nowhere are the flames of hatred more intense than in the eyes of Sio.

Themes

Loyalty and betrayal, Adoptive kin tension, Cycle of revenge, Forbidden resurrection, Identity and surrogate family, Vengeance vs detachment, Power through legacy

Available on

Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Redline

3. Redline

Animation Action Science Fiction Anime Vehicle-Driven Action
7.5
20091h 42min

Overview

A daredevil driver is determined to compete in Redline, the most popular race in the galaxy. The race only occurs every five years, but in order to participate he must overcome the mafia, the government and even love.

Themes

Spectacle over substance, Sporting corruption and fixed outcomes, Power dynamics under pressure, Popularity as leverage, Displacement and refugee resilience, Loyalty vs deceit

Available on

Kanopy
Hoopla
Tubi TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Summer Wars

4. Summer Wars

Animation Science Fiction Anime Simulation & Reality-Shift Sci-Fi
7.4
20091h 54min

Overview

Teenage math whiz Kenji Koiso agrees to take a summer job at the Nagano hometown of his crush, Natsuki. When he arrives, he finds that her family have reunited to celebrate the 90th birthday of their matriarch. His job: pretend to be Natsuki's fiancé. Meanwhile, his attempt to solve a mathematical equation causes a parallel world's collision with Earth.

Themes

Card game dynamics, Virtual reality intrusion, Family holiday burden, Hacker-led crisis, Artificial intelligence ethics, Legacy inheritance tension

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

5. Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

Animation Science Fiction Action Drama Anime
7.9
20091h 52min

Overview

Under constant attack by monstrous creatures called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind, U.N. Special Agency NERV introduces two new EVA pilots to help defend the city of Tokyo-3: the mysterious Makinami Mari Illustrous and the intense Asuka Langley Shikinami. Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari and SEELE proceed with a secret project that involves both Rei and Shinji.

Themes

Trust under strain, Duty versus autonomy, Humanity under siege, Authority and manipulation, Parental bonds under strain, Identity in crisis

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds

6. Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds

Fantasy Animation Action Anime Epic Action
6.8
20081h 30min

Overview

A mysterious group of ninjas makes a surprise attack on the Konohagakure, which takes great damage. The nightmare of another Shinobi World War could become a reality. Sasuke, who was still a missing nin from Konoha trying to kill his brother, Itachi, appears for the second time in front of Naruto at an unknown location to prevent it from happening.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Betrayal and deception, Trust under fire, Looming war threat, Duty under siege, Power versus restraint

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Sword of the Stranger

7. Sword of the Stranger

Action Animation History Martial Arts Action Anime
7.7
20071h 43min

Overview

Pursued by formidable Chinese assassins, young Kotaro and his dog run into No Name, a mysterious stranger who gets pulled into the chase. The unlikely companions form a bond over saving the dog from a poison attack, but chaos erupts when the assassins find Kotaro, and No Name must face his past before a horrible fate is met again.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Identity through disguise, Betrayal and survival, Duty vs personal cost

Available on

Crunchyroll
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society

8. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society

Animation Action Thriller Crime Science Fiction
7.8
20071h 45min

Overview

The story takes place in the year 2034, two years after the events in Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG. Female cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi has left Public Security Section 9, an elite counter-terrorist and anti-crime unit specializing in cyber-warfare, which has expanded to a team of 20 field operatives with Togusa acting as the field lead.

Themes

Mass media manipulation, Refugee labor politics, State corporate collusion, Power struggles in governance, Ethics and autonomy, Urban surveillance and control

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

9. Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

Animation Science Fiction Action Drama Anime
7.5
20071h 41min

Overview

After the Second Impact, Tokyo-3 is being attacked by giant monsters called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind. The child Shinji’s objective is to fight the Angels by piloting one of the mysterious Evangelion mecha units. A remake of the first six episodes of GAINAX’s famous 1996 anime series. The film was retitled “Evangelion: 1.01” for its DVD release and “Evangelion: 1.11” for a release with additional scenes.

Themes

Parent-child tension, Mecha duty, Post-apocalyptic pressure, Alien invasion threat, Military obedience, Remake interpretation

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Naruto Shippuden the Movie

10. Naruto Shippuden the Movie

Animation Action Fantasy Anime Epic Action
6.7
20071h 34min

Overview

Demons that once almost destroyed the world, are revived by someone. To prevent the world from being destroyed, the demon has to be sealed and the only one who can do it is the shrine maiden Shion from the country of demons, who has two powers; one is sealing demons and the other is predicting the deaths of humans. This time Naruto's mission is to guard Shion, but she predicts Naruto's death. The only way to escape it, is to get away from Shion, which would leave her unguarded, then the demon, whose only goal is to kill Shion will do so, thus meaning the end of the world. Naruto decides to challenge this "prediction of death."

Themes

Deception and trust, Fate versus choice, Prophecy and sacrifice, Duty and protection, Teamwork versus lone hero, Endurance under pressure

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.