You may also find yourself needing a region-free DVD player, too, to play US-release NTSC copies. This is particularly true for movies from the 1980s and early-1990s and explains the higher cost (though this does give you the peace of mind that your copy will hold its resale value). This has also helped fuel the cult status of many hard-to-find anime releases, such as Patlabor: The Movie and Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise.Īll but the most popular anime movies will often need to be purchased second-hand, as subtitled and dubbed releases in Europe are limited and physical copies are scarce. Though contemporary streaming platforms are doing their best to fill in the gaps, many essential anime movies are hard to get because of their initial limited releases. Traditionally, the popularity of anime among Western audiences has negatively affected its availability. If you’re looking to discover all that anime has to offer, we’ve brought together some of the best anime movies for your collection.Ī Note On The Availability Of Classic Anime The medium is also recognised for its expression and examination of Japan’s history with war, both traditional and nuclear. Equally as prevalent is anime’s interest in the future and human-technology integration, with renowned hits Akira and Ghost In The Shell each taking on their own unique approach to prophecy. There’s a strong tradition from works to draw upon Japan’s rich folklore and feudal ancestry – early western-hit Ninja Scroll used shogunate myth to craft a violent and dark fantasy adventure, while Studio Ghibli utilised Shinto folklore to form a heartfelt coming-of-age tale in Spirited Away.

As the medium continues to evolve, anime is growing increasingly popular with worldwide audiences – with the arrival of streaming services like Crunchyroll and Funimation, Netflix’s ever-growing anime collection, and a spate of live-action remakes.īut anime is a blanket term that encompasses a rich and varied catalogue of titles, spanning genres, moods, and visual styles.

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