Anime has come a long way, especially recently, becoming one of the most popular media formats with millions of fans around the world. However, while many viewers tend to focus on TV shows like and , anime is home to many classic and groundbreaking films. From the romantic masterpiece to the mind-bending and influential , anime movies won't disappoint fans.

However, while there are many phenomenal anime movies, some are more important than others. based on their influence, genre-defining/redefining aspects, popularity, cultural significance, and how they elevate anime and movies. This list will not include any anime shows, solely focusing on the craft of films and how they changed the way fans view the medium.

Many fans will assume is a Studio Ghibli project. Despite featuring , this film wasn't a Ghibli film but the movie that started the studio. After a catastrophic nuclear war, humanity now struggles to survive deep in the jungle. However, the peaceful Valley of the Wind is far away from deadly animals, which Princess Nausicaä must protect from an invading kingdom.

This classic film had many things going for it, from to the relatable plot and the messages of environmentalism. However, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a vital anime movie because it , setting up the most influential and popular anime studio. The style of the movie would influence most Ghibli films, marking it as .

Every anime fan knows of , the uber-popular battle shōnen that follows Tanjiro as he fights demons and searches for a way to revert his sister into a human. is a sequel movie to the first season, with the trio of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke investigating a string of mysterious disappearances on a train alongside the powerful flame Hashira, Rengoku.

Many fans wouldn't assume Demon Slayer: Mugen Train is an essential anime movie, considering it is simply an enjoyable action movie with plenty of stunning animation. However, it established itself as a staple anime movie because it . Before this movie, most cinematic anime were filler events, but Mugen Train changed the game. Afterward, many other anime produced canon sequel movies, making .

Cyberpunk is a growing genre, with technology and AI becoming more prevalent in society, prompting filmmakers to share their worries through stories. is a classic anime movie that produced a live-action adaptation and . In the film, Motoko and her crew investigate a criminal stripping people's memories, forcing her to confront her past and philosophical questions about life.

Ghost in the Shell is one of the most popular anime movies, hooking fans in with its intriguing world and philosophical themes. While the themes and mystery are the best part, Ghost in the Shell remains an important anime film because of its . It is that inspired countless other films and , becoming an important anime classic.

Most of the movies on this list are original films. Still, some are based on anime series, with serving as the bizarre conclusion to. After the events of the anime, Shinji is the only one capable of saving the world, but first must take action; otherwise, catastrophe awaits.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a reasonably confusing anime, with The End of Evangelion taking it to the next level. Whether or not fans understand it, the impact of popularity remains. It is one of the most critically acclaimed anime movies, , vulnerable story, and artistic expression. with.

, also known as , is probably one of the lesser-known movies on this list because of its age. The movie is based on the ancient Legend of the White Snake, centered around the romance between a snake and a man and is one of China's Four Great Folktales. The film follows the snake as she turns into a human, trying to prove her love for Xu Xian.

The Tale of the White Serpent may not be the , but it is one of the most important. While the story is based on the legend, displaying the folktale to a broader group of people is equally important so others can learn of this ancient tale. The Tale of the White Serpent is essential because it was , taking a massive.

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movie based on the 1967 semi-autobiography of . However, the story depicts the events in the way that the author wished it to have turned out. The movie follows Seita and his two-year-old sister traveling across Japan after the fallout of the American bombings after The Second World War. It is a depressing tale showcasing the horrors of war.

This is , depicting the aftermath of war in an unsettling way by following two younger characters. Fans know the story won't be happy, and any hope is quickly put to rest, standing above as one of the best anti-war films. With its artistic expression and gut-wrenching story, the themes and execution make Grave of the Fireflies.

is either one of the most well-known or completely forgotten anime movies. The short film is only four minutes, but its importance is more than enough to rank it this high. Originally made in 1917, an antique shop employee rediscovered the film in 2008. The silent short film follows a foolish Ronin purchasing a dull sword and attempting to test his skills on a random passerby.

With its origins of anime potentially stemming from as early as 1907, that there is evidence of. Not much needs to be said; the influence and impact are apparent since , inspiring other creators to try their hand and ultimately . The first anime movie is arguably the most important because nothing would come after, but other films elevate and define anime movies more than The Dull Sword.

The Dull Sword is not available to stream or purchase in the US and Canada.

is arguably the most important anime movie director, creating iconic films such as Paprika and . The latter follows Mima, a former idol wishing to shed that persona and become an actor. However, after a series of disturbing events, such as a stalker, demanding work, and lack of success, Mima can no longer distinguish reality from fantasy in this psychological horror.

Perfect Blue is . While it takes liberties, the film still highlights a pretty realistic portrayal. The themes and messages are incredibly important to Japanese culture, and the film shows fans the unsettling nature of celebrities' lives. that influenced popular films such as , making it an important piece of 20th-century pop culture.

Whether or not fans expected more or less Studio Ghibli films on this list, everyone could have predicted nearing the top. Ghibli is a juggernaut of creativity, with providing some of the most unique animated films ever, and Spirited Away is his best. The film follows a young girl moving to a new house, but after her parents turn into pigs, she must go to a resort for spirits to reverse the curse.

While hand-drawn animation is slowly fading, Spirited Away showed how it could be and proved it still has a place in modern-day film. The film is an essential anime film because of its massive success, establishing Studio Ghibli as one of the most outstanding anime studios and winning Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. and .

Set in the infamous 2019, 31 years after the nuclear bombings, Neo-Tokyo is the now destroyed home of countless civilians. follows Kaneda, a bike gang leader who attempts to save his friend Tetsuo from a dangerous government experiment. However, the journey is full of struggles, as he must fight against politicians, scientists, the military, and anti-government activists to expose the horrific experiment.

Anime was always viewed as children's TV, with shows like reinforcing this point. It wasn't until Akira that the West finally woke up and realized how impactful and profound Japanese animation could be. It became . It is the definitive sci-fi anime with its gorgeous animation and complex themes, helping the genre get the credit it deserves and increase its popularity. Akira isn't just the most important anime in movie history but one of in general.

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