The Best New Anime Movies Of The Last Few Years

The anime industry has experienced a significant surge in high-quality theatrical releases over the last few years, ranging from blockbuster franchise expansions to original auteur-driven projects. This period has seen a blend of advanced CGI techniques and traditional hand-drawn animation that has reached global audiences in record numbers. Major studios like Studio Ghibli, MAPPA, and Production I.G have pushed the boundaries of storytelling through diverse genres including sports, fantasy, and science fiction. These films represent the pinnacle of modern Japanese animation and its evolving influence on the international cinematic landscape.

‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)

In ‘The Boy and the Heron’, a young boy named Mahito moves to the countryside following his mother’s death during the Pacific War. He encounters a mysterious talking heron that leads him to a fantastical, hidden world where life and death intertwine. This film marks the return of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki and explores themes of grief, lineage, and creative legacy. Its hand-drawn animation showcases the signature visual style of Studio Ghibli while presenting a deeply personal narrative.

‘Suzume’ (2022)

‘Suzume’ follows a high school girl who teams up with a mysterious young man to close supernatural portals appearing across Japan. These doors unleash destructive earthquakes, forcing the pair on a cross-country journey to prevent a massive disaster. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, the film combines breathtaking landscapes with a story about healing from collective trauma. The narrative blends elements of Shinto mythology with a contemporary coming-of-age adventure.

‘Look Back’ (2024)

Based on the popular one-shot manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, ‘Look Back’ tells the story of two young girls, Fujino and Kyomoto, who are brought together by their shared passion for drawing manga. The film depicts their evolving friendship and professional rivalry over several years as they transition into adulthood. It focuses on the intense dedication required for artistic creation and the profound impact creators have on one another. The animation captures the unique, expressive art style of the original source material.

‘The First Slam Dunk’ (2022)

‘The First Slam Dunk’ serves as a cinematic conclusion to the iconic basketball series, focusing on the high-stakes match between Shohoku High and the reigning champions, Sannoh. The story centers on Ryota Miyagi, the team’s point guard, and provides new backstory regarding his motivations and family history. Utilizing a unique blend of 3D motion capture and 2D shading, the film replicates the kinetic energy of a real basketball game. It was written and directed by the original manga creator, Takehiko Inoue.

‘Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle’ (2024)

This film depicts the long-awaited official match between Karasuno High School and Nekoma High School at the national tournament. Known as the “Dumpster Battle,” the game represents the culmination of the intense rivalry and friendship between the two teams’ players. The narrative emphasizes the strategic playstyles and personal growth of Hinata Shoyo and Kozume Kenma. As a direct continuation of the television series, ‘Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle’ provides a cinematic conclusion to one of the show’s most anticipated arcs.

‘Blue Giant’ (2023)

‘Blue Giant’ chronicles the journey of Dai Miyamoto, a young saxophone player who moves to Tokyo with the ambition of becoming the best jazz musician in the world. He forms a trio called JASS with a talented pianist and a novice drummer, aiming to play at the prestigious So Blue club. The film focuses on the raw energy of live performance and the sacrifices required to achieve musical excellence. Its soundtrack features original compositions that drive the emotional weight of the story.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ (2021)

Serving as a prequel to the main series, ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ follows Yuta Okkotsu, a high school student haunted by the powerful cursed spirit of his childhood friend, Rika. He is recruited into the Tokyo Jujutsu High School by Satoru Gojo to learn how to control his powers and break the curse. The film explores the concept of love as a double-edged sword within the world of sorcery. It set significant box office records and expanded the lore of the franchise’s supernatural combat system.

‘One Piece Film Red’ (2022)

‘One Piece Film: Red’ centers on Uta, a world-famous singer who is revealed to be the daughter of the legendary pirate Shanks. During a massive concert, she attempts to use her unique musical powers to create a world without suffering, leading to a confrontation with the Straw Hat Pirates. The movie blends high-energy action with a heavy emphasis on musical performances and emotional character development. It became one of the highest-grossing anime films of all time upon its release.

‘Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time’ (2021)

This film serves as the final installment of the ‘Rebuild of Evangelion’ tetralogy, providing a definitive conclusion to the long-running franchise. Shinji Ikari and his fellow pilots struggle to survive in a desolate world while the shadowy organization NERV attempts to initiate the Final Impact. The narrative delves deep into the psychological resolution of its characters and the philosophical nature of human connection. Director Hideaki Anno utilizes a mix of experimental and traditional animation styles to wrap up the epic saga.

‘Belle’ (2021)

In ‘Belle’, a shy high school student named Suzu finds fame in a massive virtual world called U by performing as a singer under the avatar Belle. While navigating her digital stardom, she encounters a misunderstood “Beast” and embarks on a quest to discover his true identity. Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, the film is a modern reimagining of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ set in the digital age. It explores themes of online anonymity, trauma, and the courage to be oneself.

‘Spy x Family Code: White’ (2023)

The Forger family embarks on a winter vacation in ‘Spy x Family Code: White’, which quickly turns into a mission of international proportions. While Loid attempts to make progress on Operation Strix, Anya accidentally consumes a microchip that contains secrets capable of starting a war. The film maintains the series’ balance of domestic comedy and high-stakes espionage action. It is an original story that stands apart from the main manga timeline, designed for both long-term fans and new viewers.

‘Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’ (2022)

‘Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’ shifts the focus away from Goku and Vegeta to highlight Piccolo and Gohan as they face the resurgence of the Red Ribbon Army. The villains create two new powerful androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, who believe they are fighting for justice. The movie is notable for being the first in the franchise to be produced primarily using 3D animation. It features the return of classic series elements while introducing new transformations for its lead protagonists.

‘Lonely Castle in the Mirror’ (2022)

‘Lonely Castle in the Mirror’ centers on seven teenagers who are all avoiding school and find themselves transported through their bedroom mirrors to a mysterious castle. A masked girl known as the Wolf Queen tells them they have one year to find a hidden key that will grant one of them a wish. As the group spends time together, they discover common threads in their personal struggles and social anxieties. The film is a poignant exploration of bullying and the importance of finding a safe space.

‘Inu-Oh’ (2021)

Directed by Masaaki Yuasa, ‘Inu-Oh’ is a musical rock opera set in 14th-century Japan. It follows the friendship between Inu-Oh, a performer born with unique physical characteristics, and Tomona, a blind biwa player. Together, they challenge societal norms by creating a new form of music and dance that captivates the masses. The film uses bold, fluid animation to depict the transformative power of art and the struggle against historical censorship.

‘The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes’ (2022)

This film explores the urban legend of the Urashima Tunnel, which is said to grant the heart’s desire in exchange for years of the visitor’s life. High school student Kaoru Tono discovers the tunnel and teams up with a transfer student named Anzu Hanashiro to investigate its properties. Both characters seek something they have lost, but they must weigh the cost of the time dilation against their goals. It is a quiet, atmospheric drama focused on regret and the passage of time.

‘Goodbye, Don Glees!’ (2022)

‘Goodbye, Don Glees!’ follows three teenage boys who call themselves the “Don Glees” and embark on a forest adventure to prove they were not responsible for a local wildfire. Their quest to find a missing drone leads them into a deeper journey of self-discovery and friendship before they head their separate ways for adulthood. The story emphasizes the fleeting nature of youth and the vastness of the world beyond their small town. The film is the first original feature from director Atsuko Ishizuka.

‘Sand Land’ (2023)

Based on a short manga by the late Akira Toriyama, ‘Sand Land’ is set in a desert world where water is extremely scarce and controlled by a greedy king. Beelzebub, the Prince of Demons, teams up with a human sheriff named Rao and another demon named Thief to find a legendary “Phantom Lake.” The trio travels in a highly customized tank, facing various obstacles and uncovering political conspiracies along the way. The film captures Toriyama’s iconic mechanical designs and lighthearted sense of adventure.

‘Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King’ (2023)

In this original feature, Asta and his allies face the return of four former Wizard Kings who have been resurrected to destroy the Clover Kingdom. Led by Conrad Leto, the previous Wizard Kings believe that the current society is beyond saving and must be rebuilt from scratch. The film features large-scale magical battles and highlights the determination of Asta, who possesses no magic of his own. It was released globally on streaming platforms, expanding the reach of the popular Shonen franchise.

‘Maboroshi’ (2023)

‘Maboroshi’, also known as ‘Alice and Therese’s Illusion Factory’, takes place in a town where time has stood still since a mysterious explosion at a steel mill. Residents are forbidden from changing or doing anything that might disrupt the “state of permanence” in hopes that things will one day return to normal. Third-year middle school student Masamune and his classmates encounter a mysterious girl who cannot speak, triggering a chain of events that challenges their stagnant reality. The film is directed by Mari Okada and explores themes of adolescent longing and the pain of progress.

‘Pompo the Cinephile’ (2021)

‘Pompo the Cinephile’ provides a vibrant look at the world of filmmaking through the eyes of Gene Fini, an assistant to a legendary movie producer named Pompo. Despite her appearance, Pompo has a sharp eye for talent and assigns Gene to direct his first feature film. The story focuses on the grueling creative process, the art of film editing, and the sacrifices made to create a masterpiece. It serves as a love letter to cinema and the passion of those who work behind the scenes.

‘Sing a Bit of Harmony’ (2021)

This film follows Shion, a mysterious new transfer student who turns out to be an experimental AI designed to test her integration into a human high school. Her primary mission is to make a lonely girl named Satomi happy, which she attempts to do by bursting into song at unexpected moments. Satomi and her classmates try to keep Shion’s true nature a secret while dealing with the AI’s unconventional social behavior. The narrative blends science fiction with musical elements to explore the meaning of friendship.

‘Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop’ (2021)

‘Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop’ is a bright, colorful romance about two teenagers who have difficulty communicating with others. Cherry is a shy boy who wears headphones to avoid conversation and expresses himself through haiku, while Smile is a girl who wears a mask to hide her braces. They meet during a summer at a suburban shopping mall and begin a quest to find a lost vinyl record for an elderly man. The film uses a vibrant, pop-art aesthetic to tell a heartwarming story about connection.

‘Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko’ (2021)

The story revolves around the bond between a boisterous, cheerful mother named Nikuko and her quiet, observant daughter, Kikuko. They live on a houseboat in a small fishing town, where Nikuko’s loud personality often causes embarrassment for the pre-teen Kikuko. As Kikuko navigates the complexities of middle school and growing up, she learns more about her mother’s past and the depth of her love. This slice-of-life drama is praised for its emotional honesty and unique character designs.

‘Drifting Home’ (2022)

‘Drifting Home’ follows a group of sixth-grade students who are exploring an old, abandoned apartment building that is scheduled for demolition. Suddenly, they find themselves caught in a strange phenomenon where the building begins drifting in the middle of a vast, endless ocean. The children must work together to survive and find a way back home while confronting their memories of the building. The film is a fantastical metaphor for letting go of the past and moving toward the future.

‘The Deer King’ (2021)

‘The Deer King’ is an epic fantasy set in the aftermath of a brutal war between two powerful empires. Van, a former soldier, and a young girl named Yuna survive a mysterious plague spread by wild dogs and develop a unique resistance to the disease. They are pursued by a gifted physician named Hossal, who seeks to use Van’s blood to create a cure. The story explores the intersection of medical science, political intrigue, and ancient legends in a beautifully rendered world.

‘Psycho-Pass: Providence’ (2023)

‘Psycho-Pass: Providence’ serves as a crucial bridge in the franchise timeline, following Inspector Akane Tsunemori and the members of the Public Safety Bureau. They investigate the “Peacebreakers,” a paramilitary organization that threatens the stability of the Sibyl System by seeking the “Stronskaya Document.” The film delves into the legal and philosophical flaws of a society governed by automated psychological profiling. It features the return of several fan-favorite characters and provides context for the events of the third season.

‘Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway’ (2021)

Set twelve years after the events of ‘Char’s Counterattack’, ‘Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway’ follows Hathaway Noa, the son of legendary commander Bright Noa. Hathaway leads a terrorist organization called Mafty, which aims to force the corrupt Earth Federation to change its ways through extreme measures. The film is noted for its sophisticated political narrative and realistic depiction of mobile suit combat. It is the first part of a planned trilogy adapting the novels by Yoshiyuki Tomino.

‘Kaguya-sama: Love Is War – The First Kiss That Never Ends’ (2022)

This movie continues the story of the high-stakes romantic battle between Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane following their first kiss. Instead of the conflict ending, the two find themselves struggling with how to define their new relationship during the Christmas season. The film focuses on the characters’ inner vulnerabilities and their fears of showing their “true” selves to one another. It maintains the series’ signature comedic timing while moving into more serious emotional territory.

‘The Concierge’ (2023)

‘The Concierge’ takes place in the Hokkyoku Department Store, a unique establishment where all the customers are extinct animals. Akino is a new trainee concierge who must fulfill the increasingly difficult and eccentric requests of these special patrons to prove her worth. The film uses a charming and whimsical art style to address themes of environmentalism and high-quality hospitality. It provides a lighthearted yet thoughtful look at the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Share which of these cinematic experiences was your favorite in the comments.