I’ve been thinking about doing this one for a while. When it comes to making a list of favorite
Anime films, just narrowing it down to five options is the toughest of
challenges. So I decided to do something
special instead. Rather than just five
favorites, I’ll do ten and split them up between now and next week. Besides, things have changed since the early
days I tried to come up with a list like this.
I’ve seen more titles, found more favorites. Well they’ll all be featured in this two part
special. Without further ado, here’s
movies 6-10.
#10- Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack
Given my love for Gundam, one of it’s many movie entries
had to make onto my list somehow (it is my blogs namesake after all). Char’s Counterattack still remains my gold
standard for the best Gundam experience.
The story is excellent, the action is on a scale that has become a
standard for me, and it closes out years worth of excellent Gundam
storytelling. Whether you route for
Amuro or Char to come out on top, there’s no real definitive side to stand on
(ok more so Amuro’s cause no one wants a destroyed Earth…come on Char). Many Gundam entries would follow this film,
both movie and TV series alike, and would attempt to replicate the success of
Char’s Counterattack…I still haven’t seen a Gundam movie, or show for that
matter, that tops it.
#9-Cowboy Bebop-Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
By the time I was a junior in high school, Cowboy Bebop
was an Anime that had become family to me.
When the series ended, I had a little hole in my Anime heart. Where would I go from there having watched
one of the greatest Anime of all time?
The answer was, lots of different places. But that also made going to see the Bebop
Movie all the more special. The film
plays a lot like a high school reunion.
And because it takes place before the end of the series, it gives us a
reason to watch Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed and Ein partake in one more
adventure. The villain is scary, the
action is more everyday than over the top and the pacing and scale remind you
all the time that this isn’t a two part episode, this is a movie level event
and the kind of flick Cowboy Bebop always deserved.
#8- Ninja Scroll
When most people would ask me in the past, what Anime
film id recommend to them, it used to be four instant choices that came to
mind. All of them are on this list but
Ninja Scroll is the one I would go to if anyone wanted to see off the rails,
action packed, bloody good time Anime.
The sword play and demon slaying action is still some of the best in the
genre even today. The enemies Jubei
faces are inventive and all distinct from one another. There’s even a samurai who is simply blind
and good at using his surroundings. The
final battle might not be the best ever.
But this is still one of the most mature, sex and violence rampant Anime
ever in existence (I know there are far darker examples). This was the movie we all wanted to see as
kids when we first got into Anime, the one our parents would have gawked at and
grounded us for…and if I had seen it then, it would have been worth the
grounding.
#7-Ghost in the Shell
If Ninja Scroll shows Anime at it’s most action packed,
Ghost in the Shell is Anime at it’s most thought provoking. When I first saw Ghost in the Shell, I was a
little let down. For this being the film
that inspired The Matrix, there wasn’t a lot of action. But that actually convinced me to watch it
again and appretiate both the asthetic and philosophical storytelling elements
that DID inspire The Matrix to great degrees.
Motoko, Batou, Togusa and Aramaki became instant memorable characters in
my Anime viewing history. And I was also
introduced to the surreal style of movie making that was director Mamoru Oshii. It’s dark, serene, at times surprisingly
peaceful, something I hadn’t really felt from a lot of cybertech stories
before. And that score from Kenji
Kawaii…so good.
#6-Princess Mononoke
I wish I had known, way back when, when I first saw this
movie, just how special this movie actually was. Today, I see Princess Mononoke as a pinnacle
of Anime storytelling. It’s Hayao
Miyazaki at his best, with amazing animation, surprisingly violent action,
memorable characters, a legendary score and a message that speaks to the heart
of pretty much everything. Many have
hailed Princess Mononoke as one of, if not THE, greatest Anime of all
time. It’s hard to argue why. Granted, this sits at #6 cause I like other
titles better. But please don’t let that
discount how amazing this movie is.
We’ve only gotten a few really good Anime like this at rare times in
history. Watch it and find out why it’s
so freaking legendary.
Check back next week for #s 5-1. Guess that makes this a...To be continued...
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