Vincent
Underrated Anime Movies (Take One)
Okay, this is just my take on “underrated” anime movies. Technically, this can be taken on perspective. It’s just that I haven’t met a whole lot of people who’ve watched these following anime despite my enjoyment of it.
Rules:
- No TV series (I will make an “Underrated Anime Series” list at another date)
- No movies that are dependently attached to a series (examples: Anohana, Assassination Classroom, etc.)
- No Studio Ghibli movies (those already have a very large following)
- No Kimi no Na wa / Your Name or Koe no Katachi / A Silent Voice (those are quite mainstream)
Besides that, things will be explained as we go.
Honourable Mentions:
The movies that I didn’t enjoy as much as others but think that people will still have a certain amount of enjoyment for:
- Garden of Words
- The Place Promised in Our Early Days
- Five Centimetres Per Second
Asagao to Kase-san
MY SCORE: 7.9/10
Genre: Romance, Shoujo-Ai, School Duration: 58 min
If you like: K-On!, Yuru Yuri, Bloom Into You, Doukyuusei
Asagao to Kase-san is a manga preview kind of movie. It’s technically an OVA because of that, but it stands well on its own too. That doesn’t mean I don’t want another one though because that would be a lie. The art style and the characters along with their interactions and the overall atmosphere and dynamics are all very sweet.
Doukyuusei
MY SCORE: 8/10
Genre: Romance, Shounen-Ai, School Duration: 1 hr
If you like: Yuri On Ice, Asagao to Kase-san
From one gay romance to another, this movie was a simple romance between two guys who are your nerd and musician. Its art is well-presented, and just like the last entry, it’s very fluffy. This one is far more like a stand-alone movie comparing to Asagao to Kase-san though.
Hal
MY SCORE: 8.3/10
Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Drama Duration: 1 hr
If you like: Chobits, Plastic Memories
This movie does have a death mention and plane crash (kind of clear if you read the synopsis). This one was fast-tracked on my “Watch Later” list by Akaskira! I would say that this was Yoshimasa Hosoya’s best performance, but I don’t recall him ever giving a bad performance. But this one will definitely stick out if you watch it to the end. Same with Yoko Hikasa. She sings an amazing ED, and I have it saved on Spotify. I was a bit perplexed by this movie at first, but I rewatched it a little and found myself really respecting it as a whole. As expected from a really strong cast, a good studio (Production I.G. and Wit Studio), the legendary score composer Michiru Oshima, and an overall stacked production team.
Hotarubi no Mori e
MY SCORE: 9.2/10
Genre: Romance, Drama, Supernatural Duration: 45 min
If you like: Natsume’s Book of Friends, Anohana
As expected from the creator of Natsume’s Book of Friends, she knows how to write an emotional storyline. The casting for this was unexpectedly perfect. I’m not used to hearing Kouki Uchiyama go outside of the usual edgy villain type of character, but this was a nice surprise. Ayane Sakura did an amazing job too. You have the studio Brain’s Base and Makoto Yoshimori (who’s known for Baccano, Durarara, and Natsume’s Book of Friends) on score composition. This movie is a solid 45 minutes of bliss and sorrow all wrapped into one.
The Boy and The Beast
MY SCORE: 8.9/10
Genre: Romance, Drama, Supernatural Duration: 1 hr 58 min
If you like: Sword of the Stranger, Spirited Away, Wolf Children
This movie was an action-packed wonderful masterpiece. I watched this one in dub oddly enough. I was watching it with other people and figured that kicking off anime with subtitles would make for the wrong first impression. But this movie is awesome either way. We have sword fights, growing up, and a brilliantly done between a boy and his mentor. I can’t even say much because it’s one of my first recommendations for people who want to get into anime.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
MY SCORE: 8.1/10
Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Drama Duration: 1 hr 38 min
If you like: Your Name, Steins;Gate, Hotarubi no Mori e
While the recommendations I made were really all over the place, I stand by it. It has a similar kind of dynamic to Your Name, it has the time travel elements of Steins;Gate, and it has similar vibes to Hotarubi no Mori e. And this movie’s protagonist is relatable. If I received time travel abilities, you know I would use it to prevent socially cringe-inducing situations.
Wolf Children
MY SCORE: 8.3/10
Genre: Slice of Life, Drama Duration: 1 hr 57 min
If you like: Hotarubi no Mori e, The Boy and The Beast
While this movie is really boring to some, this movie actually made me like children… for at least the duration of the movie. Children or Doggos? What about children who can turn into doggos? Exactly. This movie is a sweet movie about growing up in a not-so-common environment under different circumstances. It’s about a mom’s quest to give her children the best life she can while seeking normalcy for them. Growing up different can affect your view on the world, and we get to see that interpreted in a surreal yet human way in this movie. Definitely one of the best stories to be made about a furry’s bad life decision.
Perfect Blue
MY SCORE: 7.8/10
Genre: Horror, Psychological, Drama Duration: 1 hr 57 min
If you can’t tell, this movie is very explicit and contains violence, trauma, and the whole works.
If you like: Paranoia Agent, Serial Experiments Lain
Well, one of these things is not like the other.
Satoshi Kon is known for making cult-classic, “weirds or scares the viewer out of their mind” kind of movies. I watched this one thinking, “What can go wrong?” The idol world is not what it seems. While I found myself more confused than scared, I also found myself intrigued by the graphic interpretation for how show business can affect a person’s mental state. Again, there’s a lot of heavy stuff in this movie. I finally found out where that dude getting stabbed in the eye socket with a screwdriver is from.
Sakasama no Patema
MY SCORE: 8.4/10
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure Duration: 1 hr 39 min
If you like: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, The Secret World of Arrietty
First off, if you’re going to say how this movie makes no sense scientifically, you can step outside. We don’t watch anime for logic like that. Second, this movie has a few really awesome shots, but it’s not Your Name or A Silent Voice kind of level. It’s definitely still solid. This movie doesn’t require a lot of thought, and after covering Perfect Blue, it’s kind of nice to come back to a pleasantly enjoyable film about acceptance and adventure.
Tamako Love Story
MY SCORE: 8.1/10
Genre: Slice of Life, Romance, Comedy Duration: 1 hr 23 min
If you like: Hotarubi no Mori e, The Boy and The Beast
Okay, we’re gonna end on the purist note possible. You do not need to watch Tamako Market to watch this. I didn’t. You might want to skip any parts with some fatass bird in it though. He’s not needed. Kyoto Animation is known for making cute things, and this is no exception. This movie isn’t really unique. It’s just a simple love story about mochi, high school, and cup phones.
That moment in the anime, when the main couple is already established, but then a CHILDHOOD FRIEND appears out of nowhere
That moment in the anime, when antagonist convinces part of the couple, that the other one is cheating without any proof at all.
That moment in the anime, when everything is good and fine, but then a MISUNDERSTANDING happens.
Romance Anime ♥ pt. 2
If you didn’t see the first list, it can be found at ♥ http://kuroshitsuji-book-of-circus.tumblr.com/post/115550798145/romance-anime
…but more love is abound! Share to spread the love and add recs ♥
Your Lie In April ♥ (a personal fave)
Blue Spring Ride
Special A
Golden Time
My Little Monster!
Lovely Complex
The World is Still Beautiful
Kimi Ni Todoke (From Me to You)
From the New World
My Love Story!
Honorable Mention - Durarara!! (not really a romance, but come on..Shinra and Celty are too cute!)
What should I watch next?
My nostalgia, my feeeeeels....
DON’T ARGUE, I LOVE BOTH CLASSIC/REBOOT VERSION
APRIL PLEASE COME SOON!
my favorite thing is kyo canon having a crisis every time tohru does something cute. every time hes like “FUCK thats cute” and then “GOD im a pervert” and then “do i have a fetish for this?????” like no sweetie youre fine youre just a tohrusexual living your best life god bless
fruits basket character: i’m awful, i hate myself, i’m a monster, no one will ever love or accept me
tohru:
