Recommendations for anime or Studio Ghibli-type films
March 5, 2024 4:03 PM Subscribe
I recently became interested in watching anime (mostly after stumbling upon Studio Ghibli films for the first time in my life and thinking they're kind of the best things I've ever seen). Would love some suggestions! More info in the description.
I'm completely ignorant about this artform (outside of watching like Sailor Moon and whatever was on Cartoon Network in the early 2000s) but some things I tend to enjoy in other narratives are:
-Fanciful or whimsical art and stories (love fairytales, Victoriana, steampunk, etc.)
-Female and/or queer and trans characters
-No sexism or racism
-Not really into war, fighting, imperialism--though I do like stories about revolution or overthrowing power structures
-Beautiful art!
-Relationships and character development over plot--though sensible and logical plotting is important
-Mind-bending, unique or unusual premises that leave you thinking
-Spooky stuff (I'm a huge horror fan!)
Though obviously doesn't have to be all these things at once!
I've been looking through past questions on this topic (including this one) and the Anime Feminist website and have decided on the following few to start with:
-Rose of Versailles
-Puella Magi Madoka Magica
-Haibane Renmei
-Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
Would love other recommendations that seem to fit! And thank you in advance.
I'm completely ignorant about this artform (outside of watching like Sailor Moon and whatever was on Cartoon Network in the early 2000s) but some things I tend to enjoy in other narratives are:
-Fanciful or whimsical art and stories (love fairytales, Victoriana, steampunk, etc.)
-Female and/or queer and trans characters
-No sexism or racism
-Not really into war, fighting, imperialism--though I do like stories about revolution or overthrowing power structures
-Beautiful art!
-Relationships and character development over plot--though sensible and logical plotting is important
-Mind-bending, unique or unusual premises that leave you thinking
-Spooky stuff (I'm a huge horror fan!)
Though obviously doesn't have to be all these things at once!
I've been looking through past questions on this topic (including this one) and the Anime Feminist website and have decided on the following few to start with:
-Rose of Versailles
-Puella Magi Madoka Magica
-Haibane Renmei
-Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
Would love other recommendations that seem to fit! And thank you in advance.
Response by poster: Thanks, @ojocaliente, that looks amazing!
Also just wanted to clarify that I wrote "anime or Studio Ghibli-type films" in the title by accident--I'm looking for films or serialized TV--with a preference for TV.
posted by lizard2590 at 4:11 PM on March 5
Also just wanted to clarify that I wrote "anime or Studio Ghibli-type films" in the title by accident--I'm looking for films or serialized TV--with a preference for TV.
posted by lizard2590 at 4:11 PM on March 5
Haikyu!! is fantastic. It doesn't really live in the categories you've listed as liking, but it's not what you dislike and everyone I know who's seen it thinks it's great and the art is strong.
Then, if you like Haikyu!!, Blue Lock is similar in all the best ways.
posted by vegartanipla at 4:48 PM on March 5 [1 favorite]
Then, if you like Haikyu!!, Blue Lock is similar in all the best ways.
posted by vegartanipla at 4:48 PM on March 5 [1 favorite]
A Little Snow Fairy Sugar: a series about a girl, Saga, who discovers that she can see "season fairies" that control aspects of weather. No real villains, although managing Sugar, a young novice fairy, and Greta, a pushy classmate, keeps Saga busy. Musical themes run through the series. Also, the setting of the story is a fictionalized Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a German walled town and tourist attraction.
posted by SPrintF at 5:01 PM on March 5 [1 favorite]
posted by SPrintF at 5:01 PM on March 5 [1 favorite]
For films, Suzume?
Makoto Shinkai's other films Your Name and Weathering with You are also good.
posted by BungaDunga at 5:10 PM on March 5 [7 favorites]
Makoto Shinkai's other films Your Name and Weathering with You are also good.
posted by BungaDunga at 5:10 PM on March 5 [7 favorites]
Best answer: That previous thread you linked mentions Revolutionary Girl Utena several times, and I really must nth that recommendation wholeheartedly. I admittedly haven’t seen a ton of anime myself, but it’s my understanding that Utena was highly influential on a number of series that followed, both in terms of visuals and in terms of setting a high bar for nuanced queer representation.
posted by ActionPopulated at 5:18 PM on March 5 [11 favorites]
posted by ActionPopulated at 5:18 PM on March 5 [11 favorites]
Best answer: Please watch Tatami Galaxy! There is also a film, The Night is Short, Walk On, Girl. They're whimsical "college life" stories with a very unusual narrative style, and I can't recommend them highly enough.
Ghibli kind of occupies a special place -- there aren't a lot of Ghibli-like films outside of Disney's recent choice to take on similar plots (specifically in Moana). There are previous films that are kind of "honorary Ghibli" -- specifically The Castle of Cagliostro and The Last Unicorn. Miyazaki was deeply involved with Cagliostro, and The Last Unicorn was animated by the studio that became Ghibli, in collaboration with Rankin-Bass.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is known for being dark and depressing, and has a lot of fighting and death -- it's about fighting and death in an intrinsic way. Be aware of that going in.
Baccano! is great but does have some very violent scenes.
Carole and Tuesday doesn't vibe like Ghibli but it's light and similarly charming. It's about two girls living on Mars (which has been settled by people from Earth and mostly looks like normal urban areas with some slightly futuristic features) who decide to start a band and participate in a singing competition.
There was a show called Belle and Sebastian that aired in the US in the 1980s that had that same "early 1900s Europe" vibe that a lot of Ghibli films have. I don't know if you'll be able to track it down or if it's worth watching, but there's some stylistic overlap.
posted by verbminx at 5:22 PM on March 5 [5 favorites]
Ghibli kind of occupies a special place -- there aren't a lot of Ghibli-like films outside of Disney's recent choice to take on similar plots (specifically in Moana). There are previous films that are kind of "honorary Ghibli" -- specifically The Castle of Cagliostro and The Last Unicorn. Miyazaki was deeply involved with Cagliostro, and The Last Unicorn was animated by the studio that became Ghibli, in collaboration with Rankin-Bass.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is known for being dark and depressing, and has a lot of fighting and death -- it's about fighting and death in an intrinsic way. Be aware of that going in.
Baccano! is great but does have some very violent scenes.
Carole and Tuesday doesn't vibe like Ghibli but it's light and similarly charming. It's about two girls living on Mars (which has been settled by people from Earth and mostly looks like normal urban areas with some slightly futuristic features) who decide to start a band and participate in a singing competition.
There was a show called Belle and Sebastian that aired in the US in the 1980s that had that same "early 1900s Europe" vibe that a lot of Ghibli films have. I don't know if you'll be able to track it down or if it's worth watching, but there's some stylistic overlap.
posted by verbminx at 5:22 PM on March 5 [5 favorites]
Also, Utena is great (just wasn't sure it suited your requirements). Definitely involves queer and gender-challenging characters overthrowing a power structure.
There is a fantastic slice of life film about a disabled character, called A Silent Voice. It's worth your time, but I'm not sure it fits your list.
posted by verbminx at 5:25 PM on March 5 [1 favorite]
There is a fantastic slice of life film about a disabled character, called A Silent Voice. It's worth your time, but I'm not sure it fits your list.
posted by verbminx at 5:25 PM on March 5 [1 favorite]
Mirai is a somewhat Ghibli-esque film about a four year old who experiences visits from his family’s past and future histories.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury (TV series) is the latest incarnation of the Gundam franchise (which started in the 1970s and is sort of the Star Wars of Japanese sci-fi in terms of influence and longevity). However, it takes place in a completely new timeline and shares no characters or continuity with any other Gundam media, so it’s a great place to start watching. It’s also the first Gundam whose main characters are female, and it has a central queer relationship. However, it does feature quite a lot of fighting in giant robots (though much of it is in simulated “duels” rather than actual combat). The second season especially focuses on the horrors of war (with a healthy dose of “overthrowing the system”).
A Whisker Away and Drifting Home are both films about middle-school-age kids, focused on character development but with a backdrop of Ghibli-esque magical realism or supernatural elements.
Ride Your Wave (film) is a romance with supernatural elements, directed by Masaaki Yuasa (who also did the Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! anime). What I’ve seen of his other work is also very good.
I also second Suzume and the other Makoto Shinkai films.
posted by mbrubeck at 5:32 PM on March 5 [2 favorites]
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury (TV series) is the latest incarnation of the Gundam franchise (which started in the 1970s and is sort of the Star Wars of Japanese sci-fi in terms of influence and longevity). However, it takes place in a completely new timeline and shares no characters or continuity with any other Gundam media, so it’s a great place to start watching. It’s also the first Gundam whose main characters are female, and it has a central queer relationship. However, it does feature quite a lot of fighting in giant robots (though much of it is in simulated “duels” rather than actual combat). The second season especially focuses on the horrors of war (with a healthy dose of “overthrowing the system”).
A Whisker Away and Drifting Home are both films about middle-school-age kids, focused on character development but with a backdrop of Ghibli-esque magical realism or supernatural elements.
Ride Your Wave (film) is a romance with supernatural elements, directed by Masaaki Yuasa (who also did the Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! anime). What I’ve seen of his other work is also very good.
I also second Suzume and the other Makoto Shinkai films.
posted by mbrubeck at 5:32 PM on March 5 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Natsume Yuujinchou/Natsume's Book of Friends & Mushishi may both be worth looking into on the fantastical/atmospheric side of things and both I would say check a few boxes on your list
posted by Soap_and_Bathetic at 5:43 PM on March 5 [3 favorites]
posted by Soap_and_Bathetic at 5:43 PM on March 5 [3 favorites]
I adored A Place Further Than the Universe. It's about a group of teen girls trying to get to Antarctica. The story is lovely, the characters are varied, the animation style is beautiful, and I enthusiastically recommend it!
posted by burntflowers at 5:52 PM on March 5 [5 favorites]
posted by burntflowers at 5:52 PM on March 5 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Mushishi and Kino's Journey are both series that I think have ghibli's "timeless" quality.
Both are set up as a series of short stories/fables, usually one per episode, and both have that ghibli vibe of a place that is both nostalgic and fanciful.
The main characters are both travelers that visit other villages/countries, and each episode focuses on the people they meet there. As you watch more, you learn more about the main character.
Mushishi is mystical/spooky, with strong nature themes, and a Japanese setting.
Kino's Journey is philosophical and queer/trans, with a european-style fantasy setting.
(for Kino's Journey, either the old (early 2000s) version or the remake are fine.)
-----------
I haven't seen Rose of Versailles in 20 years (and it was very old even then), and I'm a little worried that you might find the melodrama to be Too Much, but you have a good list to work through, so if a show isn't working out, move on and try another one! it can take a bit before you find the media that really touches the right part of your brain. :)
posted by homodachi at 6:01 PM on March 5 [3 favorites]
Both are set up as a series of short stories/fables, usually one per episode, and both have that ghibli vibe of a place that is both nostalgic and fanciful.
The main characters are both travelers that visit other villages/countries, and each episode focuses on the people they meet there. As you watch more, you learn more about the main character.
Mushishi is mystical/spooky, with strong nature themes, and a Japanese setting.
Kino's Journey is philosophical and queer/trans, with a european-style fantasy setting.
(for Kino's Journey, either the old (early 2000s) version or the remake are fine.)
-----------
I haven't seen Rose of Versailles in 20 years (and it was very old even then), and I'm a little worried that you might find the melodrama to be Too Much, but you have a good list to work through, so if a show isn't working out, move on and try another one! it can take a bit before you find the media that really touches the right part of your brain. :)
posted by homodachi at 6:01 PM on March 5 [3 favorites]
It's not anime, but for amazing queer representation (but some wrenching scenes) you should absolutely watch Nimona.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is old (2006) but wonderful.
posted by canine epigram at 6:44 PM on March 5 [6 favorites]
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is old (2006) but wonderful.
posted by canine epigram at 6:44 PM on March 5 [6 favorites]
Please watch Kaiba (2008). It is incredible and I can’t ever get people to watch it. It’s like a psychedelic poem became an anime about identity and love in a retrofuturist galaxy.
posted by Mizu at 6:45 PM on March 5 [4 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 6:45 PM on March 5 [4 favorites]
Steven Universe has a lot of Ghibli-esque moments, their animators took scenery cues and pacing from Miyazaki
posted by nickggully at 7:56 PM on March 5 [6 favorites]
posted by nickggully at 7:56 PM on March 5 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Please watch Revolutionary Girl Utena.
Under "whimsical, mindbending, spooky," you might like Mushishi.
Under "whimsical, fairy tale, female characters, character development," you might like Princess Tutu. Here, have a music video.
I'll definitely second Song of the Sea, Night is Short Walk On Girl, and Your Name.
But really, for mind-bending premises with female and/or queer characters overthrowing power structures, Revolutionary Girl Utena is the best answer.
posted by Jeanne at 8:04 PM on March 5 [6 favorites]
Under "whimsical, mindbending, spooky," you might like Mushishi.
Under "whimsical, fairy tale, female characters, character development," you might like Princess Tutu. Here, have a music video.
I'll definitely second Song of the Sea, Night is Short Walk On Girl, and Your Name.
But really, for mind-bending premises with female and/or queer characters overthrowing power structures, Revolutionary Girl Utena is the best answer.
posted by Jeanne at 8:04 PM on March 5 [6 favorites]
The works of Satoshi Kon: Perfect Blue, Millenium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika.
Gisaburo Sugii's adaptations of Kenji Miyazawa: Night on the Galactic Railroad and The Life of Budori Gusko
Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise
posted by dunhamrc at 8:35 PM on March 5 [3 favorites]
Gisaburo Sugii's adaptations of Kenji Miyazawa: Night on the Galactic Railroad and The Life of Budori Gusko
Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise
posted by dunhamrc at 8:35 PM on March 5 [3 favorites]
I think you'll like 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End'. It's TV and available on Crunchyroll.
It's takes a very, very generic fantasy/Dungeons and Dragons/JRPG setting, deliberately so, and then focuses on characters. The heroic quest to save the world is skipped over to show what happens afterwards. You might get dust in your eyes a few times.
There is fighting, but it's not ultraviolence or long, dragged-out fights like in the boy's comics shows. There are (so far) no cringey bits, there's no sexualisation. The art is lovely, the music is wonderful. It can go for episodes with less action than Laid Back Camp and you won't mind. And it's funny.
It's honestly the most well rounded, enjoyable anime series I've seen for a long time.
posted by BinaryApe at 12:45 AM on March 6 [5 favorites]
It's takes a very, very generic fantasy/Dungeons and Dragons/JRPG setting, deliberately so, and then focuses on characters. The heroic quest to save the world is skipped over to show what happens afterwards. You might get dust in your eyes a few times.
There is fighting, but it's not ultraviolence or long, dragged-out fights like in the boy's comics shows. There are (so far) no cringey bits, there's no sexualisation. The art is lovely, the music is wonderful. It can go for episodes with less action than Laid Back Camp and you won't mind. And it's funny.
It's honestly the most well rounded, enjoyable anime series I've seen for a long time.
posted by BinaryApe at 12:45 AM on March 6 [5 favorites]
Commenting on other comments:
Satsoshi Kon: I found 'Perfect Blue' too unpleasant to watch again and Millennium Actress' is the only film that's made by absolutely stream with tears, absolutely not cosy films. 'Paprika' is light and most Ghibli-like, and 'Tokyo Godfathers' is my favourite Christmas film.
Mushi-Shi: Astonishingly beautiful, sad and haunting, it was made to be watched before going to bed in the evening, feeling pleasantly melancholy and relaxed.
posted by BinaryApe at 12:52 AM on March 6 [5 favorites]
Satsoshi Kon: I found 'Perfect Blue' too unpleasant to watch again and Millennium Actress' is the only film that's made by absolutely stream with tears, absolutely not cosy films. 'Paprika' is light and most Ghibli-like, and 'Tokyo Godfathers' is my favourite Christmas film.
Mushi-Shi: Astonishingly beautiful, sad and haunting, it was made to be watched before going to bed in the evening, feeling pleasantly melancholy and relaxed.
posted by BinaryApe at 12:52 AM on March 6 [5 favorites]
Very happy for people just discovering Studio Ghibli!
I have created Letterboxd lists that partially answer this question (fave anime, and all fave animation, and also provided a list in this question.
Some particular recommendations for your criteria are Wolf Children (same director as Girl Who Leapt Through Time), Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, A Letter to Momo, The Case of Hana & Alice, The Illusionist, Song of the Sea, Tokyo Godfathers
For serialised TV, I wholeheartedly agree with:
- Kaiba
- Eizouken
- Mushishi
- Steven Universe
They are unfortunately difficult to find by legal means, but I'd urge you to watch the classic 1970s animated TV series that the founders of Studio Ghibli cut their teeth on:
- Heidi, Girl of the Alps
- Future Boy Conan
- Anne of Green Gables
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (aka Marco)
They are truly timeless, and they really don't make them like this anymore, and they would tick all your boxes across 52 episodes each.
posted by snarfois at 3:20 AM on March 6 [5 favorites]
I have created Letterboxd lists that partially answer this question (fave anime, and all fave animation, and also provided a list in this question.
Some particular recommendations for your criteria are Wolf Children (same director as Girl Who Leapt Through Time), Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, A Letter to Momo, The Case of Hana & Alice, The Illusionist, Song of the Sea, Tokyo Godfathers
For serialised TV, I wholeheartedly agree with:
- Kaiba
- Eizouken
- Mushishi
- Steven Universe
They are unfortunately difficult to find by legal means, but I'd urge you to watch the classic 1970s animated TV series that the founders of Studio Ghibli cut their teeth on:
- Heidi, Girl of the Alps
- Future Boy Conan
- Anne of Green Gables
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (aka Marco)
They are truly timeless, and they really don't make them like this anymore, and they would tick all your boxes across 52 episodes each.
posted by snarfois at 3:20 AM on March 6 [5 favorites]
Cardcaptor Sakura has a strong female lead who stumbles into a magical girl situation. I really like how the relationships between the characters develop over time and there's a queer relationship that is essential to the story. A spin off is Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle.
Like the others, I recommend Suzume and Weathering with You and Your Name. The art is lovely, Makoto Shinkai is my favorite anime director.
Mirai and Belle are other films with nice visuals and stories.
Now Frieren is shaping up to be my favorite anime of all time. The writing is superb and the characters are charming.
Have fun on your quest!
posted by dragonplayer at 4:51 AM on March 6
Like the others, I recommend Suzume and Weathering with You and Your Name. The art is lovely, Makoto Shinkai is my favorite anime director.
Mirai and Belle are other films with nice visuals and stories.
Now Frieren is shaping up to be my favorite anime of all time. The writing is superb and the characters are charming.
Have fun on your quest!
posted by dragonplayer at 4:51 AM on March 6
Best answer: Shocked that The Apothecary Diaries hasn't been mentioned yet. Along with Frieren, it's one of the best TV anime currently airing. I've been reading the manga adaptation of the original novels for awhile now, so when this show was announced, it immediately became a must-watch.
The story takes place in a fantasy (but not fantastical) China where a teenage girl is kidnapped to be sold into service at the Emperor's palace, where she becomes a lady in waiting to one of the concubines. However! She is an apothecary's daughter who is well-versed in medicines and poisons, and has a sharp mind in general. There's plenty of mystery and intrigue, a fair amount of humor when appropriate, and most of the cast is women. I'm so happy that this adaptation turned out as well as it did.
posted by May Kasahara at 8:25 AM on March 6 [7 favorites]
The story takes place in a fantasy (but not fantastical) China where a teenage girl is kidnapped to be sold into service at the Emperor's palace, where she becomes a lady in waiting to one of the concubines. However! She is an apothecary's daughter who is well-versed in medicines and poisons, and has a sharp mind in general. There's plenty of mystery and intrigue, a fair amount of humor when appropriate, and most of the cast is women. I'm so happy that this adaptation turned out as well as it did.
posted by May Kasahara at 8:25 AM on March 6 [7 favorites]
If you haven’t yet seen The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, please consider it. It’s a Ghibli film but from the ‘other one’: it was Isao Takahata’s final film and he really went out with a flourish. The story from an old folk tale may be familiar, but it’s absolutely heartbreaking and rendered with such exquisite beauty. I’ve only watched it once but I think about it often.
posted by macdara at 10:00 AM on March 6 [4 favorites]
posted by macdara at 10:00 AM on March 6 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Wow, thank you so much for these amazing answers! They're all going on my list but at the top are:
-Revolutionary Girl Utena (just started watching it yesterday and am really liking it so far!)
-Mushi-Shi
-Apothecary Diaries
-Kino's Journey
-The Night is Short Girl, Walk On
-Natsume's Book of Friends
-Tatami Galazy
posted by lizard2590 at 11:31 AM on March 6 [3 favorites]
-Revolutionary Girl Utena (just started watching it yesterday and am really liking it so far!)
-Mushi-Shi
-Apothecary Diaries
-Kino's Journey
-The Night is Short Girl, Walk On
-Natsume's Book of Friends
-Tatami Galazy
posted by lizard2590 at 11:31 AM on March 6 [3 favorites]
If you haven’t yet seen The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, please consider it. It’s a Ghibli film but from the ‘other one’: it was Isao Takahata’s final film and he really went out with a flourish. The story from an old folk tale may be familiar, but it’s absolutely heartbreaking and rendered with such exquisite beauty. I’ve only watched it once but I think about it often.
Yes, I would definitely second watching all of Takahata's films if you haven't gotten to them - they are among some of my favourite Studio Ghibli films, including Only Yesterday, Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko and My Neighbours the Yamadas. They range in style even more than Miyazaki's films. I fell in love with Studio Ghibli via Miyazaki, but I really admire how Takahata is more adventurous when it comes to playing with animation style, magic realism, etc. I would be hard-pressed if anyone asked me to pick between the two, though Ponyo is my current favourite Ghibli film.
I would also highly recommend The Red Turtle - it's a co-production between Studio Ghibli and several French companies, and directed by Michaël Dudok de Wit. It's one of the best animated films - no, one of the best films that I have ever seen. This one is worth trying to see in a theatre, as unlikely as that might be, or at least on a good screen with good sound. The soundscape is as important as the images.
posted by jb at 2:10 PM on March 6 [2 favorites]
Yes, I would definitely second watching all of Takahata's films if you haven't gotten to them - they are among some of my favourite Studio Ghibli films, including Only Yesterday, Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko and My Neighbours the Yamadas. They range in style even more than Miyazaki's films. I fell in love with Studio Ghibli via Miyazaki, but I really admire how Takahata is more adventurous when it comes to playing with animation style, magic realism, etc. I would be hard-pressed if anyone asked me to pick between the two, though Ponyo is my current favourite Ghibli film.
I would also highly recommend The Red Turtle - it's a co-production between Studio Ghibli and several French companies, and directed by Michaël Dudok de Wit. It's one of the best animated films - no, one of the best films that I have ever seen. This one is worth trying to see in a theatre, as unlikely as that might be, or at least on a good screen with good sound. The soundscape is as important as the images.
posted by jb at 2:10 PM on March 6 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I think these fit your category:
Aria - (beautiful art, fantasy/whimsical, female MC) - A peaceful series centred on a girl working as a tour guide in a gondolier company in a beautiful canal city
Macquia - (beautiful art, fantasy, female MC) - A high fantasy anime movie about a girl from a long living race who gets separated from her people and lives among humans for a while. Explores loneliness and motherhood. There's a bit of war-related violence dotted throughout the story but nothing gory
XXXHolic - (beautiful art, spooky, unusual) - An urban fantasy with horror and comedic elements. A high school student unwillingly starts working part time at a witch's wish-granting shop in city Japan, where they're visited by clients human and supernatural alike.
Another plug for Princess Tutu mentioned above (whimsical, mind-bending, beautiful art)
posted by womb of things to be and tomb of things that were at 5:13 PM on March 6 [2 favorites]
Aria - (beautiful art, fantasy/whimsical, female MC) - A peaceful series centred on a girl working as a tour guide in a gondolier company in a beautiful canal city
Macquia - (beautiful art, fantasy, female MC) - A high fantasy anime movie about a girl from a long living race who gets separated from her people and lives among humans for a while. Explores loneliness and motherhood. There's a bit of war-related violence dotted throughout the story but nothing gory
XXXHolic - (beautiful art, spooky, unusual) - An urban fantasy with horror and comedic elements. A high school student unwillingly starts working part time at a witch's wish-granting shop in city Japan, where they're visited by clients human and supernatural alike.
Another plug for Princess Tutu mentioned above (whimsical, mind-bending, beautiful art)
posted by womb of things to be and tomb of things that were at 5:13 PM on March 6 [2 favorites]
Wolfwalkers seems like another one you might want to check out. Not anime, strictly speaking, but checks a lot of your other boxes. Fair warning: there is sexism, racism and imperialism present and even plot-central in the movie, but it is a movie that takes a strong stance against such things.
posted by Aleyn at 7:23 PM on March 6 [1 favorite]
posted by Aleyn at 7:23 PM on March 6 [1 favorite]
Just following on The Red Turtle above – you can get a quick taste of Michael Dudok de Wit's animation with his two beautiful short films, available on YouTube: Father and Daughter, and The Monk and the Fish, both under 10 minutes.
posted by snarfois at 1:46 AM on March 7 [1 favorite]
posted by snarfois at 1:46 AM on March 7 [1 favorite]
Children of the Sea is kind of a weird movie plotwise, but the visuals are incredible.
posted by BungaDunga at 9:07 AM on March 7 [1 favorite]
posted by BungaDunga at 9:07 AM on March 7 [1 favorite]
Again, not anime, but definitely Scavengers Reign on HBO. Really wild art and depiction of a totally alien world. Some creepy body horror in places … really great though and not a long series. Some of the aliens give off dark Miyazaki vibes.
posted by caviar2d2 at 8:18 PM on March 7 [1 favorite]
posted by caviar2d2 at 8:18 PM on March 7 [1 favorite]
Mod note: "We each need to find our own inspiration. Sometimes that’s not easy."
So we've added this post to the Sidebar and Best Of blog in hopes that are others enjoy these recommendations and/or share their own!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 7:46 AM on March 8 [1 favorite]
So we've added this post to the Sidebar and Best Of blog in hopes that are others enjoy these recommendations and/or share their own!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 7:46 AM on March 8 [1 favorite]
I'm a big fan of Dorohedoro, which is still on Nrtflrx. Is it Comedy-Horror? Who knows.
It's pretty weird, but seems to be mocking its own violent tendencies. It follows the first third of the manga closely, and reading the manga does not help in understanding... anything. The animation by MAPPA is also sparkly and weird, but excellent. Multiple watchings are needed to even scratch the surface.
posted by sneebler at 9:01 AM on March 9 [2 favorites]
It's pretty weird, but seems to be mocking its own violent tendencies. It follows the first third of the manga closely, and reading the manga does not help in understanding... anything. The animation by MAPPA is also sparkly and weird, but excellent. Multiple watchings are needed to even scratch the surface.
posted by sneebler at 9:01 AM on March 9 [2 favorites]
Moribito is quite good, and fits your bill well:
-Fanciful or whimsical art and stories (love fairytales, Victoriana, steampunk, etc.)
The series is set in a fairytale Japan, with many supernatural creatures.
-Female and/or queer and trans characters
The show features Balsa, a female lead who, having renounced her revenge against the assassins who killed her father, is on a journey to atone for their deaths during her own escape from them, by saving lives.
-No sexism or racism
The show is based on by a book Nahoko Uehashi, Professor of Ethnology at Kawamura Gakuen Women's University. If there's any sexism, it's because the show intends to portray sexism's defeat (I can only recall one such brief scene).
The main -ism I recall is classism and again, only as a villian.
-Not really into war, fighting, imperialism--though I do like stories about revolution or overthrowing power structures
The main antagonist of the series is the Emperor, who is convinced he must re-enact the founding story of his thousand year old empire by slaying his own son, to end the drought his nation suffers from. Balsa is tasked by the Empress with saving the young prince from assassins.
One of the themes of the show is to contradict the common wisdom about masculinity, power, and violence, and the Emperor embodies that common wisdom, without resorting to caricature. Since this is the main question of the series, it has to introduce fighting from time to time, but does so in service of searching for alternatives, rather than glorification.
-Beautiful art!
Reviews commonly praise the high quality animation, from the group that did Stand Alone Complex.
-Relationships and character development over plot--though sensible and logical plotting is important
The overall plot doesn't require 26 episodes; the rest of the episodes portray the prince's moral growth, and Balsa's own emotional growth as a caretaker. Because the anime is based on a completed award winning novel, you can be confident the plot is coherent and logical.
-Mind-bending, unique or unusual premises that leave you thinking
-Spooky stuff (I'm a huge horror fan!)
A wandering warrior who has renounced killing isn't that unique, but that's just table setting here: the main plot revolves around a boy impregnated with the egg of a water spirit.
posted by pwnguin at 12:24 PM on March 9 [3 favorites]
-Fanciful or whimsical art and stories (love fairytales, Victoriana, steampunk, etc.)
The series is set in a fairytale Japan, with many supernatural creatures.
-Female and/or queer and trans characters
The show features Balsa, a female lead who, having renounced her revenge against the assassins who killed her father, is on a journey to atone for their deaths during her own escape from them, by saving lives.
-No sexism or racism
The show is based on by a book Nahoko Uehashi, Professor of Ethnology at Kawamura Gakuen Women's University. If there's any sexism, it's because the show intends to portray sexism's defeat (I can only recall one such brief scene).
The main -ism I recall is classism and again, only as a villian.
-Not really into war, fighting, imperialism--though I do like stories about revolution or overthrowing power structures
The main antagonist of the series is the Emperor, who is convinced he must re-enact the founding story of his thousand year old empire by slaying his own son, to end the drought his nation suffers from. Balsa is tasked by the Empress with saving the young prince from assassins.
One of the themes of the show is to contradict the common wisdom about masculinity, power, and violence, and the Emperor embodies that common wisdom, without resorting to caricature. Since this is the main question of the series, it has to introduce fighting from time to time, but does so in service of searching for alternatives, rather than glorification.
-Beautiful art!
Reviews commonly praise the high quality animation, from the group that did Stand Alone Complex.
-Relationships and character development over plot--though sensible and logical plotting is important
The overall plot doesn't require 26 episodes; the rest of the episodes portray the prince's moral growth, and Balsa's own emotional growth as a caretaker. Because the anime is based on a completed award winning novel, you can be confident the plot is coherent and logical.
-Mind-bending, unique or unusual premises that leave you thinking
-Spooky stuff (I'm a huge horror fan!)
A wandering warrior who has renounced killing isn't that unique, but that's just table setting here: the main plot revolves around a boy impregnated with the egg of a water spirit.
posted by pwnguin at 12:24 PM on March 9 [3 favorites]
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posted by ojocaliente at 4:07 PM on March 5 [9 favorites]