Anime’s sphere of influence has become well-globalized over the years, especially recently – the prevalence of online streaming services has certainly played a massive role in its seemingly unstoppable surge in popularity. Netflix has commissioned various anime projects in both serialized and movie form and has also obtained the rights to several other features.
Compared to series, anime movies can be harder to come by, particularly if they are not produced by a company like Studio Ghibli. Netflix’s selection of anime features provides an accessible entry point for those who have yet to dip their toes in Japanese animation, along with making it simpler for fans to track down new and older movies. What are thebest anime movies on Netflix?
Each anime’s Japanese title includes a link to the movie’s U.S. Netflix page.
Considering it initially attracted mockery for its voice acting and pacing,Black Cloverreally managed to turn things around. By the time the first (very long) season ended, an argument could be made that Pierrot had the best airing battle shonen, a statement that would have been laughed off the internet just a few years prior. Nowadays,Black Cloverstands confidently alongside the likes ofOne Piece,My Hero Academia, andDemon Slayeras a beacon of its demographic/genre. Something else these shonen franchises have in common is that they have all produced great movies.
Like many of these types of releases,Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard Kingis not considered canon, but the film nevertheless puts in the effort to firmly ground itself within the manga’s timeline. A former Wizard King, Conrad Leto, returns from imprisonment to bring ruin to the Clover Kingdom, and he is accompanied by a couple of other former rulers. Despite their very evil intentions, the villains are refreshingly nuanced since they are driven by anger at their failed attempts to bring positive change to this world.
A recent addition toNetflix’s anime moviecatalog,Drifting Homehas a fascinating premise about a group of children who, after entering a strange apartment building, find themselves drifting on an expansive ocean removed from space and time. This concept is inherently exciting and allows plenty of room for intense action sequences and mystery; in execution,Drifting Homeblends a lighthearted tone with heavy themes that deal with grief and forgiveness. This mix makes for an oddly structured film that slightly dulls the stakes of its premise.
With projects likePenguin HighwayandBurn the Witchunder its belt, Studio Colorido can be relied upon to deliver gorgeous animation that ranks among the best in the business. Story-wise, the company’s output tends to be polarizing, andDrifting Homeis unlikely to change that perception. At two hours, the movie overstays its welcome, but there are more than enough high points to make this a trip worth taking.
Miyo Sasaki is an awkward teen with a complicated home life and a crush that she probably makes a bit too obvious. One day, Miyo meets a cat spirit who offers her a mask that will allow her to transform into a cat, an ability she uses to get close to her love interest.
Even with its supernatural twist,A Whisker Away’s narrative plays out like a straightforward love story about two teenagers who struggle to communicate effectively. Although not completely lacking in depth or insight, the movie is firmly driven by emotion rather than logic or analysis; as such, it is best to go in expecting a slightly unusual and charming rom-com. Where the movie really shines is in its animation, as Studio Colorido put together an absolutely gorgeous production.
TheGundamseries can be difficult to jump into for the uninitiated since there are just so manyseries and moviesto watch. Netflix covers a decent amount of content, including some classics such asMobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack.Hathaway’s Flashis the franchise’s most recent animated venture, and it is only the first entry in what will be a trilogy.
The animation is wonderful, and the plot has an interesting premise as it focuses on a group of terrorists led by Mafty. The film does require prior knowledge of the series to appreciate, particularly Hathaway’s backstory, but longtime fans of the mecha franchise should find a lot to enjoy here.
Doraemonis an institution, so anyone unfamiliar with the franchise might be hesitant to jump into two modern movies. TheStand By Me Doraemonfilms adapt some of the series' stand-out short stories, and they are quite welcoming to newcomers. Both movies are coming-of-age stories, ones that deal with themes of family and anxiety.
Heartwarming, charming, and profound, these films serve as a testament toDoraemon’s longevity. They are so good, these movies might just inspire someone to track down the anime series (the 2005 one is pretty great) or one of the other 40+ movies. There are hundreds of reasons that explainDoraemon’s longevity, andStand By Mehighlights quite a few of them.
The final hurrah for theKuroko’s Basketballanime,Last Gamefinds the Generation of Miracles reuniting to take on a U.S. team that looks down on Japanese players. Unsurprisingly, this film does not hold much value for those not familiar with the series; however, for fans ofKuroko’s Basketball,Last Gamepresents a rare opportunity to see the Miracles united as a singular force.
Solid animation, a thrilling final match, and a healthy helping of comedy,Kuroko’s Basketball The Movie: Last Gamedistills everything that was great about thesports animeinto a digestible 90-minute sit. If nothing else, this sequel lets fans spend a bit more time with these iconic characters. There is no downside to that.
Violet Evergardenhelped establish Netflix as a legitimate anime streaming service, one that might not offer the quantity of Crunchyroll but can match its competitor in quality.Violet Evergarden: Eternity And The Auto Memory Dolltells the emotional tale of two sisters separated by space who are connected through Violet’s postal service.
The animation is unsurprisingly gorgeous, and the story’s warmth makes for a cozy watch. The film tackles the subject of family, and how it goes deeper than just blood.
Serving as an endpoint for the series,Violet Evergarden: The Movieis the perfect encapsulation of the anime’s strengths. The sequel contains three stories that are set in the past, present, and future; while they aren’t tied together all that tightly, the narratives act as a satisfying study of Violet’s development throughout the story.
Violet Evergarden: The Movieis a tearjerker that earns every emotional outburst. Along with a plot that hits hard and provides closure to both the protagonist and the audience, the film’s animation and music are also top-notch.
Tiger & Bunnyis now available on Netflix, with season 2 of the anime debuting earlier this year. The entire franchise can now be streamed on the platform, and that includes 2014’sThe Rising. A sequel to season 1, this movie introduces a new superhero, Ryan Goldsmith, as Barnaby Brooks' partner, replacing the aging Kotetsu T. Kaburagi. Although powerful, Ryan quickly proves to be anything but heroic.
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The Risinglargely captures the magic of the series, even if the movie does feel somewhat like filler since it reverts things back to normal by the end of its runtime. Barnaby and Kotetsu get a lot of attention, but the film does not neglect the rest of the cast either; in fact,The Risingis at its best when it focuses on Nathan Seymour, a character who faces discrimination daily.
Netflix has a couple ofOne Piecemoviesin its library, including 2012’s enjoyableFilm: Z. While an argument can certainly be made for that release representing the franchise at its cinematic best,Strong Worldis also a contender for that throne. Written by Eiichiro Oda, this film finds the Straw Hats going up against Golden Lion Shiki, a powerful pirate who takes a personal interest in Nami.
One Piece’s movies are limited by their inability to introduce or change anything about the characters' status quo. However, these adventures provide opportunities for fans to see the Straw Hats as a unit, something that has become quite rare in the last decade. More than anything,Strong Worldis just a fun shonen anime movie, one that comes with a memorable villain, awesome fight scenes, and even a few laughs.
