Summary
Animefilms reached new heights in popularity, consistent quality, and reach during the 2010s. Movies likeA Silent VoiceandYour Namebrought wide mainstream appeal to the medium globally, while Studio Ghibli’s few but masterful works enforced a standard that pushed other filmmakers to improve their work.
Despite less than half of the decade being gone,the 2020s have only continued to produce the highest quality films, boasting an already impressive résumé of anime movies.
While there’s yet to be a film outside the shōnen demographic to penetrate pop culture in the west, like last decade’sYour Name, what has been released thus far follows thattrend of highly cinematic, incredibly drawn and animated, tightly packaged stories over a typically longer runtime. The highly profitable films of the 2010s also seem to have led to a greater sense of comfort among larger studios to make films as alternatives to seasonal TV anime series, as seen from larger IPs likeDemon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, andDragon Ball. Because of these factors, the 2020s have already released a number of films worth viewing.
Top 10 Anime Films of the 2010s
Anime films have always exemplified the best qualities of the medium, and the 2010s were a decade that pushed anime on the big screen to new heights.
10Maboroshi (2023)
Produced by MAPPA
Maboroshiis a sci-fi fantasy film following high schoolers Masamune and Mustumi, after an explosion at a steel mill in their town stops time from flowing, trapping the citizens in an endless winter. With excellent visuals, as expected from MAPPA, the film tells an emotional tale centered around themes of familial love.
While not contributing anything groundbreaking to the medium of animation,Maboroshiis a product of the Makoto Shinkai school of storytelling; natural disasters acting as the backdrop to tragic, but ultimately feel-good films. Clocking in at just under two hours, the movie delivers a tightly packaged, heartwarming experience.
9A Whisker Away (2020)
Produced by Studio Colorido, Toho Animation, Twin Engine
A coming of age film with a healthy helping of cats,A Whisker Awaytells the story of Miyo Sasaki, a 14-year-old girl who can transform into a cat with the help of a magical mask. Premiering on Netflix, rather than a typical theatrical release, the film received positive reviews from critics while flying a bit under audiences' radars. Regardless of initial success,A Whisker Awayis lighthearted, feel-good fun to its very core. The film offers romance, fantasy,and even comedy that manages to land in a way that other anime fail to do. With a soft art style to compliment its themes, the film deserves its place among the best of the decade so far.
15 Best Non-Ghibli Anime Movies That Feel Like Studio Ghibli Movie
These non-Ghibli movies warm the heart, touch on deep themes just like Hayao Miyazaki’s works, and feel as if they were made by Studio Ghibli.
8Belle (2021)
Produced by Studio Chizu
Belleis a visual delight, as expected from Studio Chizu, andis also perhaps the strangest adaptation ofBeauty and the Beastto have ever been made. Set in an undisclosed time period resembling the current day, high school student Suzu is taken on a journey of self-discovery through virtual reality. The film begins slowly, and later quickly picks up pace when transitioning into its more musical, virtual-based sequences.
Despite being such an unusual take on a classic tale,Belleis an emotionally charged, satisfying viewing experience that never wanders too far into the bizarre to lose sight of itself. During the closing sequences, the film’s strong character writing turns Suzu’s eventual recovery of her voice into an exceptionally moving sequence. Offering music to match the high quality of its visuals,Bellestands among Studio Chizu’s best works.
7Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
Produced by Toei Animation
Following the success of 2019’sDragon Ball Super: Broly,Super Heropresents itself asboth a return to the franchise’s roots, and also a step in a brand-new direction. Gohan and Piccolo, both having long been relegated to the role of side character, steal back the spotlight with their defeat of the monstrous Cell Max. The film uses mainly CGI for its visuals, a first for the franchise, and an unconventional, risky decision that is ultimately executed to near perfection.
Maintaining a largely lighthearted tone throughout its runtime,Super Herois able to capture all the magical whimsy ofDragon Ballwithout sacrificing any of the action for which it’s known. The film’s critical and box office successproves that the franchise still has something left in the tank, even without Goku and Vegeta in the driver’s seat.
Broly Could Be the Key to Keeping Gohan Relevant in Dragon Ball
Gohan has always had a habit of fading to the background in Dragon Ball. However, Broly may be the key to keeping him relevant to the story.
6The First Slam Dunk (2022)
Produced by Toei Animation and DandeLion Animation
Slam Dunk’s original author, Takehiko Inoue, made his directorial debut withThe First Slam Dunk, an adaptation of the final arc of his own manga series.The film leaves much of the comedy of the original series behind for a more mature, intense, and dramatic tone. Anime original flashback sequences focus primarily on Ryota Miyagi, and are spliced between scenes of high-octane basketball action.
Both traditional 2D and 3DCG animation are combined to create a distinct visual style, whichThe First Slam Dunkis able to use to its advantage during the fast-paced basketball sequences. The fluidity in the movement of the characters makes for some of the most realistic animation the medium has likely ever seen.The First Slam Dunkis an emotional rollercoaster, offering something new for both newcomers and long-time fans of the series, all the while boasting anime’s best visuals of the decade.
5Demon Slayer - The Movie: Mugen Train (2020)
Produced by Ufotable
Mugen Trainis not only the highest grossing anime film of the 2020s so far,but the highest grossing Japanese film of all time. Its massive success has led other large studios to also condense sections of their own popular series into films, likeJujutsu Kaisen 0, as well as the upcomingAttack on TitanandChainsaw Manmovies. Covering a portion of the manga which spans only a few chapters,Ufotable used the ample time and space given to create what is likely their tightest entry into the franchise yet.
Unlike futureDemon Slayerseasons or films,Mugen Trainnever sacrifices storytelling for flashy animation or fight sequences, despite the film containing one of the better looking battles in the franchise.Rengoku’s story is a poignant one, leaving a lasting impact on both casual and hardcore fans of the series. Proving itself to be a high-point of the series,Mugen TrainisDemon Slayerat its very best.
15 Strongest Demon Slayer Characters Of All Time, Ranked
Demon Slayer is filled with both horrific villains and courageous heroes, who show off their impressive powers during action-packed battles.
4Violet Evergarden: The Movie (2020)
Produced by Kyoto Animation
Violet Evergarden: The Moviewas the triumphant return of Kyoto Animation, following the devastating arson attack on one of their main offices in 2019, and acts as a conclusion to theViolet EvergardenTV anime. Known for their visual prowess in mainly slice of life stories,the film is arguably Kyoto Animation’s best looking work yet. Violet, an ex-super soldier, makes it her goal at the beginning of the series to learn what the phrase ‘I love you’ means, having heard it from her caretaker and superior in the army, Gilbert.
Upon learning that he is alive, Violet boards a ship to find him.The film is an emotionally-taxing, tear-jerking experience that ultimately concludes with a much-needed happy ending. After releasing one of the very best films of the 2010s withA Silent Voice,Violet Evergarden: The Movieis yet another Kyoto Animation film to stand among the best of its respective decade.
3The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Produced by Studio Ghibli
2013’sThe Wind Rises,directed by Hayao Miyazaki, was stated to be his final film and acted somewhat as an allegory for the director’s own creative experiences. Ten years later, however, he would return withThe Boy and the Heron, a movie which dives even further into Miyazaki’s life. What the film can sometimes lack in coherent storytelling, is largely made up for with stunning, breathtaking visuals and yet another masterful soundtrack from Joe Hisaishi.
Unlike Miyazaki films of the past, the director’s own pessimism, which was typically left aside in favor of more hopeful storytelling, often leaks intoThe Boy and the Heron,resulting in one of Studio Ghibli’s darkest movies yet. Regardless, the film is an emotionally-charged, contemplative look-back at life from a man who has endlessly wrestled with his own creativity. While no longer pumping out classic after classic,The Boy and the Heronis another superb addition to Studio Ghibli’s catalog.
All Studio Ghibli Movies In Order of Release Date (Including The Boy and the Heron)
Studio Ghibli are a mainstay of anime film studios, having been working since the 80s. Here’s every major film they worked on in the order of release.
2Evangelion 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon a Time (2021)
Produced by Studio Khara
Evangelion 3.0+1.0carries the burden of being the final send off to one of the most beloved anime series of all-time. And after a largely troubled development, due in part to creator Hideaki Anno’s mental health struggles, the film was released nine years after its initial announcement. Despite all the difficulties faced when producing3.0+1.0,the finished product ultimately fulfills its promise to be a fitting goodbye toEvangelion.
Viewing Shinji’s journey from despondent pilot to decisive hero provides an emotional catharsis unrivaled by any other entry in the franchise. The ending is fitting, as Hideaki Anno himself, like Shinji, is freed from the shackles ofEvangelion. Constant callbacks and a climax to rival 1997’sThe End of Evangelion,3.0+1.0pulls off the seemingly impossible task of closing out the franchise with masterful execution.
1Suzume (2022)
Produced by CoMix Wave Films
Suzumeis the quintessential Makoto Shinkai film. While it may not reach the emotional heights of his magnum opus,Your Name,the movie presents itself as a perfectly executed masterclass in all the director’s usual tropes. Main characters Suzume and Souta are tasked with preventing natural disasters while building a relationship, all in an attempt to return Souta to his original body.
Romance nestled within supernatural occurrences in a shifting setting between rural Japan and Tokyo, all the boxes are checked for yet another Shinkai classic. Even more impressive,the film pulls off having one of its protagonists appear as a chair for the large majority of the runtime. While stranger than the director’s previous works,Suzumestill offers a highly rewarding viewing experience, making it the best anime film of the 2020s so far.
