15 Japanese Anime films that deserve an Oscar

Japanese anime films have delivered some of the most stunning visuals and emotional stories ever made. They stand out for their bold art styles and characters that feel real. These movies often explore themes that connect with people everywhere. While Spirited Away earned an Oscar, many other anime films deserve the same recognition. Some tell stories about love and loss, and others dive into futuristic worlds or epic adventures. Fans and critics have praised them, but the Academy has mostly overlooked their brilliance.

**Disclaimer: This article is entirely based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.**

1) A Silent Voice (2016)

Naoko Yamada directed A Silent Voice, which came out in 2016. The film tells the story of Shoya Ishida, a boy who bullied a deaf girl named Shoko Nishimiya when they were in elementary school. Years later, Shoya is overwhelmed by guilt and decides to find her to make amends. The movie follows his efforts to repair the damage he caused while also dealing with his own feelings of shame and isolation. It handles bullying and disability with honesty and care. Its animation captures emotions through subtle gestures and expressions. The story’s focus on redemption and forgiveness deserved Oscar recognition.

2) Your Name (2016)

Makoto Shinkai directed Your Name, which was released in 2016. The story centers on Mitsuha, a girl from a rural town, and Taki, a boy living in Tokyo. They mysteriously swap bodies and begin to experience each other’s lives. They leave notes and messages to communicate, but things take a turn when Mitsuha disappears. Taki later learns that her town was destroyed in a disaster three years earlier. Determined to save her, he finds a way to change the past. The animation is rich in detail and emotion. The movie’s combination of romance and fantasy deserved far more recognition.

3) Weathering With You (2019)

Makoto Shinkai directed Weathering With You, which came out in 2019. The story follows Hodaka, a runaway teenager who ends up in Tokyo and meets Hina, a girl with the power to control the weather. They start offering sunshine on demand for people’s events, but Hina’s ability comes with consequences. As the weather grows worse, Hodaka risks everything to protect her from those trying to exploit her powers. The film’s animation captures modern Tokyo with precision and beauty. Its themes of love, sacrifice, and climate change deserved attention from the Academy. It proved Shinkai’s influence on modern anime.

4) The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

Mamoru Hosoda directed The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, which was released in 2006. The story follows Makoto Konno, a high school girl who gains the ability to leap through time. She uses it for trivial reasons at first, like fixing bad grades or avoiding awkward moments. Eventually, she learns that her actions affect the lives of others, especially her best friend Chiaki, who secretly loves her. The movie combines humor and drama while exploring how time cannot fix every problem. Its emotional depth and relatable themes made it a standout film. It deserved more recognition for its storytelling.

5) Paprika (2006)

Satoshi Kon directed Paprika, which came out in 2006. The story follows Dr. Atsuko Chiba, who uses a device that lets her enter patients’ dreams under the alias Paprika. When the device is stolen, the boundaries between dreams and reality start to collapse. The movie explores identity and control while diving into the subconscious mind. Its dream sequences are chaotic and visually stunning, pushing the limits of animation. The film influenced Hollywood movies like Inception but never got the recognition it deserved. Its creativity and ideas made it one of the most ambitious anime films ever made. It deserved Oscar's attention.

6) Promare (2019)

Hiroyuki Imaishi directed Promare, which was released in 2019. The story takes place in a futuristic world where mutants called Burnish can manipulate fire. A group called the Burning Rescue fights fires caused by these mutants using advanced mecha suits. Galo Thymos, the team’s hotheaded recruit, faces Lio Fotia, the leader of a rebel Burnish group. Their conflict uncovers a government conspiracy tied to Earth’s destruction. The movie’s animation bursts with bright colors and sharp angles, creating a bold and energetic look. Its action scenes are fast and intense. The film’s creativity and visual style deserved Oscar attention for animation.

7) The Garden of Words (2013)

Makoto Shinkai directed The Garden of Words, which was released in 2013. The story follows Takao, a high school student who skips class to sketch shoes in a park. He meets Yukari, an older woman who appears troubled. They bond over rainy mornings but face challenges when her past as a teacher and his as a student collide. The movie highlights loneliness and unspoken feelings through soft dialogue and detailed visuals. Its rain-soaked animation captures every drop, making the setting feel alive. The film’s focus on emotion and its ability to tell so much in a short runtime deserved more recognition.

8) Wolf Children (2012)

Mamoru Hosoda directed Wolf Children, which was released in 2012. The movie tells the story of Hana, a young woman who falls in love with a man who can transform into a wolf. After his death, Hana raises their two children, Ame and Yuki, who inherit his ability to transform. She struggles to keep their secret while deciding whether they should live as humans or wolves. The story focuses on the challenges of parenthood and identity. Its animation brings nature and emotions to life with rich detail. The film’s heartfelt portrayal of motherhood and sacrifice made it deserving of an Oscar.

9) Summer Wars (2009)

Mamoru Hosoda directed Summer Wars, which came out in 2009. The story follows Kenji, a math genius who visits his classmate Natsuki’s family during summer break. He accidentally triggers a cyberattack that threatens a global virtual network called OZ. With the help of Natsuki’s large family, Kenji fights to stop an artificial intelligence that has taken control of OZ. The movie blends a digital crisis with traditional family values, showing how technology and human connection intersect.

10) Belle (2021)

Mamoru Hosoda directed Belle, which was released in 2021. The story follows Suzu, a shy high school student who becomes a global sensation in a virtual world called U, where she transforms into the singer Belle. Her online fame grows, but she crosses paths with a mysterious and feared figure called the Beast. Suzu learns the Beast’s identity and helps him face his real-life struggles. The movie draws inspiration from Beauty and the Beast but modernizes it with themes about online identity and trauma. Its visuals are stunning, especially the design of U’s digital landscapes. The movie’s emotional depth and style deserved Oscar's attention.

11) Redline (2009)

Takeshi Koike directed Redline. It was released in 2009 and took seven years to animate by hand. The story is set in a distant future where illegal races draw the galaxy’s most dangerous drivers. JP, the main character, enters the Redline race despite the risks. He faces deadly obstacles, rival racers, and a corrupt government trying to stop the event. The film moves at full speed with bright colors and intense action that never slows down. Its animation feels alive, and the energy in every scene keeps viewers hooked. It deserved more recognition for pushing animation to new levels.

12) The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)

Isao Takahata directed The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, which came out in 2013. The story is based on a Japanese folktale about a girl found inside a bamboo stalk. She grows up surrounded by wealth but struggles with expectations and longs for freedom. The film explores her emotions as she faces her past and prepares for her return to the moon. Its hand-drawn animation looks like a moving painting, and its style matches the story’s timeless feel. It was nominated for an Oscar but did not win. Its emotional weight and visual design should have earned it the award.

13) Children of the Sea (2019)

Ayumu Watanabe directed Children of the Sea. It came out in 2019 and focuses on Ruka, a girl who feels disconnected from her family and classmates. She meets two mysterious boys raised by dugongs who seem to have a connection to the ocean. Strange events follow as Ruka discovers how deeply life and the sea are connected. The visuals capture underwater scenes with breathtaking detail, making the ocean feel alive. The film’s focus on nature and life’s mysteries leaves a lasting impression. It deserved more recognition for its artwork and how it explores the relationship between humans and the world around them.

14) 5 Centimeters per Second (2007)

Makoto Shinkai directed 5 Centimeters per Second, which was released in 2007. It tells the story of Takaki and Akari, two childhood friends who grow apart as time and distance pull them in different directions. The film is divided into three parts, showing how their connection fades but continues to shape their lives. Takaki struggles with memories of Akari and the feeling of not being able to move forward. Its animation captures everyday moments with careful detail, from falling snow to passing trains. The story leaves a deep impact by showing how love and loss can linger for years.

15) Sword of the Stranger (2007)

Masahiro Ando directed Sword of the Stranger, which was released in 2007. The story follows Kotaro, a young boy fleeing from Chinese soldiers, and Nanashi, a wandering samurai with no master. Nanashi agrees to protect Kotaro as they face relentless enemies and brutal battles. Nanashi’s past haunts him, and his struggle to protect Kotaro forces him to confront it. The action scenes are fast and intense, with sword fights that feel sharp and realistic. The bond between the boy and the samurai gives the story heart. Its combination of action and emotion deserved more attention from the Oscars.