A book claiming itself to be “The Rough Guide to Anime” compiles a ranking totaling 10 anime films it believes surpasses all else to be the most renowned in respect to everything from visuals to plot.
The list is one highly debatable, as with any list – yet seeing some familiar names, it is certain most of us can agree on the titles which appear, although their placement on the chart may be another factor up for discussion. Coming up at number one is dynamic action thriller of the future, Akira, released many moons ago during the year of 1988. As for number two, it’s another recognized name – yet considering how classic it is, most of us are likely to have never bothered watching it, Astro Boy.
At number three is a film far more to our tastes, revolutionary cyberpunk series Ghost in The Shell – the film responsible for further developing into one of the most legendary works of animation ever created. And at number four is another epic work from the same mastermind behind the aforementioned, Jin-Roh – a dark love affair taking place during a time of war which was simply never meant to be.
Below you can see the remaining entries of the relatively respectable ranking:
1.) Akira
2.) Astro Boy
3.) Ghost in The Shell
4.) Jin-Roh5.) Only Yesterday
6.) My Neighbor Totoro
7.) Neon Genesis Evangelion8.) Mind Game
9.) Wings of Honneamise
10.) Tokyo Godfathers
If you’ve yet to see any of these, this serves to be a grand excuse for you to try them out. While someone’s bound to find themselves in disagreement at what they see, this list truly does well to capture the works which did have a monumental impact on Japanese animation – movies which went on to inspire other creations, studios, and directors.
Dec 5, 2011 @ 13:36 CDT
Mind Game is eight, it wasn’t that good. Well I miss Spirited Away, Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo, Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya. Well actually I have seen only few anime films, so my opinion probably doesn’t mean much.
Dec 5, 2011 @ 23:29 CDT
I’ve not seen much myself – I personally like a full series more than a film.
Dec 5, 2011 @ 18:37 CDT
My Neighbour Totoro and Tokyo Godfathers are in the list! That really made me happy, for some reason XD.
Dec 5, 2011 @ 21:31 CDT
I’d like to watch Tokyo Godfathers one day – it all sounds good besides the transvestite, that’s been making me avoid watching.
Jan 15, 2013 @ 15:15 CDT
Is it sad that I have only seen one of these?