15 Fantastic Anime Movies Not Created by Ghibli or Miyazaki

15 Fantastic Anime Movies Not Created by Ghibli or Miyazaki

When people think about anime movies, Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki usually come to mind first. However, the world of Japanese animation extends far beyond these famous names, offering incredible stories that deserve just as much attention.

From mind-bending thrillers to heartwarming tales about family and friendship, these films showcase the remarkable creativity and diversity that anime has to offer. Get ready to discover some truly amazing movies that might just become your new favorites.

1. Your Name

Makoto Shinkai created a masterpiece that took the world by storm in 2016.

This film tells the story of Mitsuha and Taki, two teenagers who mysteriously swap bodies and must navigate each other’s lives while trying to figure out what’s happening.

The animation quality is absolutely breathtaking, with every frame looking like a painting come to life.

Shinkai captures the beauty of both rural and urban Japan in ways that make you want to visit immediately.

The soundtrack, composed by the band RADWIMPS, perfectly complements the emotional journey.

What makes this movie special is how it blends romance, comedy, and science fiction into one unforgettable experience.

The plot twists will keep you guessing until the very end.

2. A Silent Voice

Redemption takes center stage in this powerful story about Shoya Ishida, a former bully seeking forgiveness from Shoko Nishimiya, the deaf classmate he tormented in elementary school.

Director Naoko Yamada handles sensitive topics like bullying, disability, and suicide with remarkable care and honesty.

The film doesn’t shy away from showing how cruel kids can be, but it also demonstrates that people can change and grow.

Shoya’s journey from troublemaker to someone desperately trying to make amends feels genuine and earned.

Shoko’s character is portrayed with dignity and depth, never reduced to just her disability.

Kyoto Animation’s stunning visuals bring emotional weight to every scene.

This movie will make you cry, but it also offers hope.

3. Weathering With You

In his latest visually breathtaking film, Makoto Shinkai tells the story of Hodaka, a runaway boy who encounters Hina, a girl with the magical ability to end rain and summon sunshine in her wake.

Climate change serves as a backdrop to this modern fairy tale about sacrifice and young love.

The movie asks difficult questions about whether we should accept natural consequences or fight against them for the people we care about.

Tokyo looks absolutely gorgeous, whether drenched in endless rain or bathed in magical sunlight.

The relationship between Hodaka and Hina feels authentic despite the fantasy elements surrounding them.

4. Mirai

Director Mamoru Hosoda crafted a unique story about sibling jealousy and family connections through the eyes of four-year-old Kun.

When his baby sister Mirai is born, Kun feels neglected and upset, leading to magical encounters with different versions of his family members across time.

The film takes an innovative approach to exploring childhood emotions and family dynamics.

Kun meets his sister as a teenager from the future, his mother as a young girl, and even his great-grandfather as a young man.

Each encounter teaches him something valuable about himself and his place in the family.

Hosoda’s animation style brings warmth and whimsy to everyday moments.

The movie celebrates the ordinary magic found in family relationships and growing up.

5. Perfect Blue

One of anime’s most psychologically gripping films, Satoshi Kon’s directorial debut follows Mima Kirigoe, a pop idol turned actress, as she struggles with obsession from a fan and her own sense of self.

This 1997 film explores themes of celebrity culture, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy long before social media made these issues even more relevant.

Kon masterfully keeps viewers guessing what’s real and what’s in Mima’s deteriorating mental state.

The editing technique deliberately confuses timelines and perspectives.

Darren Aronofsky has cited this movie as a major influence on his work. It’s intense, unsettling, and definitely not for younger audiences.

6. Akira

Katsuhiro Otomo’s 1988 cyberpunk masterpiece changed animation forever and introduced countless people to anime.

Set in Neo-Tokyo in 2019, the story follows biker gang leader Kaneda as he tries to save his friend Tetsuo, who gains dangerous psychic powers after a mysterious accident.

The animation quality was revolutionary for its time and still holds up today, featuring incredibly detailed backgrounds and fluid action sequences.

Otomo adapted his own manga, creating a complex narrative about government conspiracies, scientific experiments, and the destructive potential of unchecked power.

The iconic red motorcycle and Tetsuo’s transformation scenes have become legendary in pop culture.

This film influenced everything from The Matrix to Stranger Things.

7. Ghost in the Shell

The 1995 film by Mamoru Oshii challenges viewers with questions about identity, consciousness, and what it truly means to be human.

Cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi hunts the mysterious hacker Puppet Master while questioning her own reality.

The movie explores whether our minds define us or if our bodies and experiences matter just as much.

Set in a future where people can enhance themselves with cybernetic implants and connect their brains directly to the internet, it predicted many modern technological concerns.

The stunning visuals blend traditional animation with early computer graphics.

This film directly inspired The Matrix and remains essential viewing for sci-fi fans.

8. The First Slam Dunk

Takehiko Inoue, creator of the beloved manga, returned to direct this 2022 film that breathed new life into the classic sports story.

The movie focuses on point guard Ryota Miyagi and his team, the Shohoku High basketball team, as they face their biggest challenge yet.

Unlike typical sports anime that follow predictable patterns, this film uses stunning CGI animation combined with traditional techniques to create incredibly realistic basketball action.

The matches feel dynamic and exciting, with camera angles that put you right in the game.

Inoue adds emotional depth by exploring Ryota’s backstory and his relationship with his older brother.

Even people who don’t usually enjoy sports movies find themselves completely absorbed by the compelling storytelling.

9. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

In his 2006 landmark film, Mamoru Hosoda follows Makoto Konno, a teen who can literally jump back in time.

Initially, she uses her newfound ability for fun and convenience, but she quickly learns that changing the past can have profound effects.

The movie perfectly captures the feeling of being a teenager who wants to avoid responsibility and keep things the way they are forever.

Makoto’s journey teaches her that running from problems or trying to control everything doesn’t work.

The time travel mechanics are handled cleverly, with each jump having ripple effects she didn’t anticipate.

The bittersweet ending will stay with you long after the credits roll.

10. Wolf Children

Mamoru Hosoda created a touching story about parenthood, identity, and finding where you belong.

Hana falls in love with a man who can transform into a wolf, and after his tragic death, she must raise their two half-wolf children, Ame and Yuki, alone.

Watching Hana struggle as a single mother trying to hide her children’s secret while helping them understand their dual nature feels incredibly real and relatable.

She moves to the countryside where the kids can explore both their human and wolf sides safely.

As they grow older, Ame and Yuki must each decide which path to follow.

The film beautifully illustrates how parents must eventually let their children make their own choices, even when it’s difficult.

11. Summer Wars

When family gatherings collide with virtual reality mayhem, Mamoru Hosoda’s 2009 film takes you on a thrilling ride.

Math prodigy Kenji attends Natsuki’s great-grandmother’s 90th birthday, pretending to be her fiancé while racing to stop a rogue AI.

The movie switches between the chaotic warmth of Natsuki’s huge extended family and the digital world of OZ, a virtual reality network where people do everything from shopping to controlling infrastructure.

When an AI takes over OZ, both worlds face catastrophe.

What saves the day isn’t just Kenji’s brilliance but the entire family working together.

It’s a celebration of family bonds and human connection in our increasingly digital age.

12. Paprika

Satoshi Kon’s final completed film before his death is a mind-bending journey through dreams and reality.

Dr. Atsuko Chiba uses an experimental device called the DC Mini to enter patients’ dreams as her alter ego Paprika, but when the technology gets stolen, dreams begin invading the waking world with catastrophic results.

The animation is absolutely wild, featuring surreal imagery that shifts and morphs in ways only dreams can.

Kon explores the thin boundary between our conscious and unconscious minds, questioning which version of ourselves is more real.

The parade of random objects marching through Tokyo represents the chaos of uncontrolled dreams spilling into reality.

Christopher Nolan acknowledged this film’s influence on Inception.

13. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

Based on a short story by Seiko Tanabe, this 2020 film tells a tender love story between Tsuneo, a college student, and Josee, a young woman with a physical disability who rarely leaves her house.

Tsuneo takes a job as Josee’s caretaker, and their relationship slowly evolves from awkward beginnings to deep connection.

What makes this romance special is how it treats Josee as a fully realized person with dreams, fears, and flaws rather than just defining her by her disability.

She’s stubborn, sometimes difficult, and passionate about art and the ocean.

Tsuneo helps her experience the outside world, while she teaches him to appreciate life beyond his own ambitions.

The underwater dream sequences are visually stunning and metaphorically rich.

14. Stand By Me Doraemon

This 2014 CGI film reimagines the beloved Doraemon franchise for a new generation while staying true to what made the original manga special.

Nobita Nobi, a clumsy and unlucky boy, receives help from Doraemon, a robot cat from the future sent to improve Nobita’s life so his descendants won’t suffer.

The movie focuses on their friendship and Nobita’s growth as a person, particularly his relationship with Shizuka, the girl he eventually marries.

Unlike the episodic nature of the TV series, this film presents a cohesive emotional arc about believing in yourself and working hard to change your future.

The CGI animation gives the classic characters a fresh, modern look while maintaining their iconic designs.

Fans old and new will find themselves moved by this heartfelt story.

15. In This Corner of the World

As war looms over Japan, Sunao Katabuchi’s 2016 film follows the quiet bravery of everyday life.

Suzu, a young artist, moves to Kure near Hiroshima after marrying, discovering how ordinary moments are touched by extraordinary times.

Rather than focusing on combat or politics, the film shows how regular people adapted to rationing, air raids, and loss while still finding moments of beauty and joy.

Suzu’s artistic perspective transforms mundane tasks into something special, and her gentle nature helps her family endure hardship.

The watercolor-inspired animation style perfectly matches the story’s contemplative tone.

This film reminds us that history is made of individual human experiences, not just major events.