✧ Top 5 - non Ghibli- Japanese animated films ✧

I get this question A LOT on my tumblog along with the 'top five favourite anime' questions and i always feel it's a little unfair as Ghibli movies always seem to take up all the room! so here it is for you, my top 5 favourite anime movies which are not Ghibli!!

Number 5

Paprika

It's an absolute tragedy that we lost Satoshi Kon a few years back but thankfully his outstanding library of movies are here for us to remember him by. I remember watching the trailer for this one and thinking 'Holy anime Jesus!! this looks amazing' It's believed that Paprika had a role in the inspiration for Christopher Nolan's Inception and yet I find the psychedelic charm of dreamy chaos that Paprika presents to be a much closer resemblance of my own dreams.
The story follows three scientists who have created a device (the D.C. Mini) which allows people to both record and observe the dreams of others.
and that's all i'm going to say because i don't want to spoil anything.
The animations style is beautiful and even if you are not keen on anime it's worth watching for the opening sequence alone.

Number 4

Adolescence of Utena

It's a bit of a cheek putting this up here as it can't really be enjoyed properly if you haven't watched the anime but anyway. Revolutionary Girl Utena is up there as one of my all time favourite anime and i feel like i watched it at just the right time in my life, before I was too cynical for the over the top symbolism but old enough to understand and relate to it. I must stress, no matter what you've heard, it is not yuri. I spent a long time after finishing it desperate for another fix and then hallelujah!! there's a movie! Utena deals with, well, adolescence and the symbolism is so obvious sometimes it's almost painful, with the huge erect buildings and floods of red roses spilling off the platforms, not to mention the swords protruding from peoples chests. And yet there is something wonderful about Utena. As a child she is rescued by a prince but instead of vowing to grow up and marry him, she wants to grow up and be a heroic prince herself! There's much in here about empowerment, and at one point Utena literally transforms into a car for Anthi to ride. The movie feels more like an 'add on' to the anime and some fans have even speculated that it takes place in the land of the dead (though i am not keen on this interpretation) This film will leave you confused and possibly disorientated, but hopefully in a good way.

Number 3

Metropolis

I cried! (queue Ray Charles) Metropolis is the first movie that ever made me cry. My dad rented it from blockbuster when i was 8, i sat, i watched it, i took it out, gave it back to him and said 'that movie was awful, take it back'

I then proceeded to watch it 6 more times until the due date! My poor little 8 year old self couldn't quite take it all in and it remained for years 'that magical, mystical, sad film about the robot girl having an existential crisis' I rediscovered this film 2 years ago as it was showing on Film 4! By that time i'd forgotten almost everything about it except that there was a robot girl who glowed! I thought to myself, this animation style is a lot more cartoony than i remember and was preparing for the whole thing to be a bit pants but instead i reverted back to my 8 year old self and sat glued to the screen! The film is good, really, really good but really it's the last 20 minutes that are so amazing, it almost feels like the whole film is there just for the last 20 or so minutes. PLEASE PLEASE WATCH THIS!! It's a wonderful movie and i really wish more people had seen it, it's beautiful and tragic and thoughtful and needs to be seen.

Number 2

Perfect Blue

Another brilliant Satoshi Kon. As a big fan of Asian pop music and 'idol' culture this movie made me really uncomfortable!

What this film really succeeds in doing, is making you feel desperately concerned for the main character Mima. At the start of the film she breaks away from her idol, music group to pursue a career as an actress. The movie gets weird and scary fast! The concept of multiple personalities plays a key factor but it is handles so subtly that you will often find yourself thinking 'did that actually just happen?' or 'did she just say what i think she did?'

I would say the most uncomfortable scene (without giving to much away) is the staged rape scene which her managers must watch! There's a moment where it's hinted that Mami is exchanging real life traumatic events for scenarios that happen to her character but i won't say any more  it is a must watch film, regardless whether you have an interest in anime. Movie fans will also appreciate the 'screaming bath' scene which is almost copied frame for frame in Requiem For a Dream.

Number 1

Akira

I must ask, Is there really an anime better than Akira? I know it is the most obvious choice but i feel it is perfectly justified! There's little for me to say about Akira as most of you have probably seen it, it's set in a dystopian Tokyo named 'Neo-Tokyo' in which our protagonist Kaneda leads a gang of motorcycle riding youths. The destruction of Tokyo turns out to have been the responsibility of a young esper named 'Akira' who's cryonically stored remains are being kept below Neo-Tokyo!! Sounds ridiculous and yet it's perfect! It's so brilliantly told and it simply looks incredible! I really can't think of any reason for someone not to watch this film, other than maybe a terrible attention span or lack of appreciation for good cinema!

So there you have it, my top 5 NON Ghibli anime movies!

Hopefully you guys will check out the ones you haven't seen and enjoy them as much as i did!

I'd love to hear about some of your favs as well so feel free to comment below

Ly ～❤