Top 10, and who they'll appeal to:
May 21 '01
The Bottom Line Top 10 anime movies. Right here with full reviews (so it's really long!). This will keep you going for awhile!
The top 10 best anime films....that's a tough one considering there are not that many anime movies availible in the US. So I'm going to include OAVs (which to the uninitiated are like a mini-series here in North America). Keep in mind all these (unless specifically mentioned) were watched in japanese with english subtitles, because 99% of anime dubs suck).
Honorable Mention: Grave of the Fireflies.
Depressing war movie. You will end up crying in this movie at some point or another. It was exceptionally done, and should been seen by anyone over 18 (it's a mature film in that younger people probably wouldn't get the full impact of it). I don't have it in the rants simply because I feel it shouldn't be catagorized. I don't care what kind of movies you like for this one because it is a must see. Shows just how stupid war is.
Number 10: 3x3 Eyes (OAV)
I watched this so long ago on a perfect collection VHS tape. The most annoying this was that the series wasn't completely ported over to NA yet and it left you at a cliff hanger. What I really like about the series was that although I had watched it dubbed, the voice acting carried across some of the lines quite well (although now I would probably wince at the voices because I'm so picky). Another thing was that the story was fairly original in that I wanted to see what would happen next instead of guessing and being right. The genre would be somewhere between adventure and horror, and would appeal to people who like movies set in modern day with supernatural elements and a hint of romanticism.
Animation: 6 (by no means great, but character and creature design is pretty good). I like a shadow effect they did near the end of the 4th OAV - showed that they were paying attention to detail.
VA (english): 6 Try to find japanese with subtitles, but if you can't, it's still worth watching (won't make your ears shatter)
Sound effects: 5 not too memorable, but none which seemed out of place or badly recorded.
Story: 7 I'm a bit harsh here because I couldn't see the rest of it, but I certainly liked what I saw. I rewatched it about 5 times because I'm nuts, and I still liked it after that.
Overall: 7 (not an average). Rent before buy. If you can't, then buy the perfect collection (not the individual OAVS - you'll save money this way).
Number 9: Patlabor 1
Although the mecha designs were silly (they have to get out of the mechs to reload their weapons which only hold 6 bullets!), I liked the plot. The plot was slow moving, but for some reason, I liked it that way for this movie. It gave the movie an interesting atmosphere which resembled reality a bit. Even the mechs were more down to earth (they didn't fly, or turn into planes). It's part mystery, part drama, and part action. It certainly is not for people who need a lot of action in their anime and would appeal more to those who can just sit back and relax while watching a movie without needing it to go anywhere fast.
Animation: 7. It's all right, considering it's a movie. Designs were done very well (minus that gun issue), and nothing jarred in my opinion. Don't expect anything revolutionary here though.
VA (japanese): 7. I only have three rankings when it's in japanese. Either it's terrible, satisfactory, or excellent. It's satisfactory in this case, as it is in most anime. No voice seemed out of character, and the lines were well delivered.
Sound Effects: 7. With any mech anime, you need good sound effects. I should also note that I only remember the intro music, but I liked it. I'd say that the ambience and specifics were done quite well, but nothing was really tough for them to do in this anime, so I only deem it worth a 7.
Story: 7. Wow, it's 7 all around here. The story is slow moving, but keeps you with it. Aside from a strange little burp near the end which doesn't make much sense, the mystery carries through quite well, and it draws you in in the latter half (it's quite laid back in the begining).
Overall: take a guess. 7. I would not buy this puppy if you can rent it because it's rewatching value wouldn't be more than 2 or 3 times.
Number 8:Ghost in the Shell
Okay, this anime was an OAV, and too damn short. I like to think of it as an advertisement for the Manga. You'll probably need to watch this 3 or 4 times to be able to take in the whole storyline because they cram so much into so little time. This is action/drama, and will appeal to anyone who likes cyber-punk stuff, and government conspiracies. This is a classic which should be watched by anyone hoping to get a better understanding of what anime is like. People hell-bent on action may not like this one as much.
Animation: 8.5. I loved the animation in this. Some computer assisted work intersperced in the OAV, along with excellent character design sketches. It teems with atmosphere, and actually takes a break 2/3 through the movie just to go around Tokyo, which I thought was cool.
VA: 8 (english). This anime was done in english very very well. The only voice I have a complaint with is Kusanagi because it seemed lifeless in some parts of the film. However, I thought about it, and it seems to fit the character. The voices were very memorable though.
Sound Effects: 8. From the gunfire, to the kicks, to the bangs, thumps, and ambient city noise, it rocked. They really thought this one out. I really liked the music too. Most of it is tres ambience, but it fits the movie perfectly.
Story: 7. Lower because they tried to do too much, and at the end you're left with two reactions: "Wha?" and "It's over?". When you figure it all out after the 3rd time watching it, you realize that it was a pretty cool story, but they should've made more movie to help draw it out. This would be my biggest complaint. It was just too short.
Overall: 8. Rent or buy, it's a classic either way. Certainly looks good in a growing anime collection. I'd buy it if I had the spare cash.
Number 7:Vampire Hunter D
Ooohhh, classic classic anime horror. The animation is mediocre, there's a bit too much fan service, but it's just too classic for me to care. For you anime buffs who haven't seen it, the character designer was Amano himself, so expect some really original stuff here. This will appeal to people who like vampire stories, action/adventure/horror mixtures, who can look past animation to enjoy this flick whole heartedly.
Animation: 6. Not a huge palette here, VHD looks very dated. What pulls it though are the character and creature designs.
VA (english: 7, japanese: 7). Both have their ups and downs. The main female lead seems to suck either way, and her younger brother sounds too old in the english version. But the voices for the Count, D's hand, and a few others sound much better in the english version (unlike some anime, english meshes very well with the atmosphere in this).
Sound effects: 5 Taken from what seems to be the most popular anime sfx of all time, I recognised so many effects from this movie from others. A lot of repeats in this area, which is kind of a shame. More effort would've made it more atmospheric.
Story: 7. Not the most original plot-line, but it was original for it's time. Throughly enjoyable though, with some great lines here and there.
Overall: 7.5. I just loved this movie to bits when I saw it, and I've watched it 10 or so times. I don't know what it is exactly about it, but it's certainly worth a try. Who knows, it may end up in your permanent collection.
Number 6: Ninja Scroll
It's the number 1 ninja action flick in anime! If you've got a stomach for gore, love good animation, and don't mind the somewhat thin plot, then go see this right away. People who like ninja flicks, action scenes, and aren't afraid of a bit of blood should see this.
Animation: 8.3 Good stuff here. Characters and scenery are done very well, with a wide palette of colours. Designs for characters are very nicely done, and everyone/everything has a very unique quality to them that's hard to find in movies nowadays.
VA: 8. Saw it with japanese voices, and I liked it. Each fit the part, each voice done with believable reactions/responses, so I will not complain.
Sound effects: 8 Great sounds for sword fights, dripping blood, snakes, etc. Along with the semi-memorable music, this section really contributed to the mystical far east setting of the film.
Story: 6. The character backgrounds should have been more developed because it looked like they could've done really cool stuff with them. In the end, the story just seems to be an excuse to kill things. I must say that it certainly isn't a chore to sit through the plot, as it's entertaining, but certainly not that original/deep.
Overall: 8. Wonderful flick. Best in it's class I must say. Rent or buy. Either way you should be happy.
Number 5: Wings of Honnenamise
Slow and beautiful. This will appeal to people who have a lot of patience and don't mind a movie which isn't chalk full of action/adventure. The best classification of this is artsy drama. The design's for the characters and the whole world are wonderful and make you feel like this is a completely different world (right down to the currency they use).
Animation: 9 Gorgeous. Wonderous designs for everything and everyone. The only complaint was that it wasn't done to the point where I would actually be wowed. But it sure was pretty, and very original.
VA: 7 I saw it in english, which didn't bother me because they had good choice in voice actors. Nothing jarred here, and seeing that it's hard to find good english dubs, I have to give it credit here.
Sound effects: 7.5. I remember a lot of music in this, more so than sound effects. Both were done well, but nothing stood out as being exceptionally good or bad.
Story: 8 Original, but very slow moving. Enjoy this one like a fine wine. Only the patient will make it through this movie, IMO.
Overall: 8. I liked it a lot, but there will be those who'll disagree, big time. This is a visual feast, and although the plot is slow-moving, it's still a winner in my eyes. I would try this one out before buying. It's not something you'll watch a lot because you have to be in the right mood.
Number 4: Macross Plus (movie)
Super mech action with romance, drama, music, and awesome animation! Anyone who likes mecha movies, or anything with Tom Cruise in it should see this. This would appeal to anyone over 14 who likes a good anime action/drama movie.
Animation: 8.7 Great work here. Some computer assistance in doing the effects make it look that much better. The dog fights are great, and the movie should be experienced on DVD with a home theatre system for the best effect.
VA; Japanese 8. Myung (main female lead) whines too much for my taste, but I like all the other characters just fine. The inflection and mood for each character is done nicely, and really helps develop each character.
Sound effects: 10. They rock. Flybys guns, everything. There is nothing wrong here. Crank this puppy up, because you're in for a ride. I should point out that the music in MP is some of the best music you'll find in anime. Not just Japanese vocals, you get some french and english stuff too. All very cool and fine.
Story: 8. Well, it's cool. Something enjoyablely fresh with lots of conflicts between characters, with not too much action to dilute the plotline.
Overall: 9 I loved this one to bits. I have it in my collection and I plan to get the DVD one day too. Don't miss this one.
Number 3:Perfect Blue
Murder mystery/psychological thriller. You really get into this one, and it takes you for a mind trip. People who like mysteries and thrillers should definitely give this one a shot. It's unlike anything else you've seen.
Animation: 7. It was good, but not great. The character designs were quite fitting though. I must say it worked out very well in this department. Still the overall animation quality was not up to the greater works out there.
VA: 8. Good stuff in japanese. Not good in english. I found that again, each character had a voice which suited their personality very well. Well, maybe one was off, but I'll let you be the judge of who when you see it (oh yes, you will see this movie!).
Sound effects: 8. I don't remember anything remarkable about the sound effects, only that the mood which the sound assisted was very sharp and had a very powerful effect audience-wise. Since sound is an important element in this mixture, I believe that it's safe to say that it was done very well.
Story: 9. Wow. I loved this movie. Keeps you second guessing yourself every step of the way, and then you stop guessing because you get completely disoriented. It really puts you in the same place as the main character, and you're hooked up in suspense right until the climax. This is what you'll be seeing the movie for. It was done out so well. Definitely a great achiever.
Overall: 8.6. Great thriller mystery is all I have to say. Worth seeing more than once, but spread out by several months. A buy in my opinion.
Number 2: Princess Mononoke
See it. I don't care what kind of animation or genre you like. This is one to see. A wonderful story with questions how humans treat nature, combined with a visual masterpiece, and stunning soundtrack. This will appeal to a massive audience simply for it's originality and beauty.
Animation: 10. Wonderful animation. The landscapes, atmosphere, characters and towns are done remarkably well. I'd love to write more, but it's all praise here, so it seems pointless to continue.
VA: Billy Bob Thorton is not a monk. Japanese voices are so much better in this, despite the big names that did the english voices. For english, it gets a 4. For japanese, it gets a 9.
Sound effects 9: Very good. The animals, the ambience, and definitely the music. They all merge together to create the perfect atmosphere to each scene. Even the use of silence was handled really well in this (something which is not done often).
Story: 8. Wonderful setting with a good script and a bi-polar plot which makes sure that you have lots to talk about when you leave the theatre, and satisfies your craving for a great story. I feel it doesn't stand up to the rest of the movie simply because everything else was so outstanding, it's difficult to keep up. But it's by no means a let down.
Overall: 9. I loved it. But if you're gonna see it, the DVD is the answer because it's got the original japanese voice acting. Definitely a keeper.
Number 1: Samurai X (aka Kenshin OAVs)
Had enough ninja action? Try Samurai action! This drama/action/more drama anime was exactly what I wanted. I have never seen blood drip artistically before this movie. I put this at the top of the list simply because it got something in me. It just seemed to be a triumph in anime cinema. Unlike ninja scroll, this has a much more full bodied plot, the 'action' (it seems wrong to call them that) scenes are masterpieces, and the whole atmosphere of the OAVs is dark and wonderfully morbid. This will appeal to anyone who likes ninjas, samurais, and political strife. Though I recommend this to everyone on earth anyway.
Animation 10: Art. The movements, 'camera' angles, and designs were so well thought out, and so wonderfully executed, it seems wrong that there's only 4 episodes. I was awestruck more than once in this film.
VA: Japanese 8. There wasn't a whole lot of speaking in this one, but the voices worked well with the characters. Even in the voices had been bad, I may not have noticed because I was too distracted by everything else.
Sound Effects 9: Swords sound great, music (the main theme gets a bit repetitive near the end, IMO) is very nicely orchestrated, and little nuances in ambience were also taken into effect. Great contrasting scenes in the series were made possible by some of the sounds.
Story: 8 Nothing much really happens plot-wise all at once until the last episode. It certainly wasn't cliche, but there wasn't all that much there. Don't let this scare you off. You should not die without seeing this series.
Overall: 9.5. I loved it to bits. When I get the cash, I'm getting this on DVD and keeping it forever.
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Epinions.com ID:
mr_chupon99
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Member: Adam Richards
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Reviews written: 57
Trusted by: 5 members
About Me:
Video game guru, and a loving sexy man for any women who needs one[wink].
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