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A prolific and multifaceted medium that has been steadily going global with its appeal, anime has an affinity to venture into all kinds of narratives, from endlessly engrossing action flicks to somber and profound meditations on the human condition. Within anime's many-sided catalog of unorthodox stories, some may stumble upon films and series that touch them on a level beyond appealing to baseline entertainment.

These anime titles — some of which are known for being thought-provoking, while others may surprise the viewers with their subtle ability to make an impact — can become a life-altering experience, making audiences reflect on their values, attitudes, and existential notions. Like all forms of earnest artistic expression, anime has the power to change one's understanding of the world and put into perspective views they perceive as obsolete.

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Related50 of the Best Anime On Crunchyroll

From brand-new breakout hits to classic fan favorites, Crunchyroll has a...

My Neighbor Totoro is one of Studio Ghibli's most beloved films and with Totoro as Studio Ghibli's mascot character, it's no surprise that it is. What makes My Neighbor Totoro, so great is how it gets down to the root of life and what makes it so beautiful. The simplicity of adapting to a new environment, character growth and mingling back with nature makes the film a breaht of fresh air.

Fortunately for fans of My Neighbor Totoro, there are a bountiful number of anime series and movies out there that carry the same weight and heartwarming feelings that My Neighbor Totoro delivers to every viewer. From action-packed anime movies like The Boy and the Beast to bittersweet anime series like March Comes in like a Lion, fans of My Neighbor Totoro have plenty of wonderful animations to pick and choose from.

Related 10 Best Studio Ghibli Movies for New Anime Fans,...

Bullying is a reoccurring issue that society has tried to tackle but can't seem to eliminate. With social media, people get bullied not only in person but online as well. In the anime Viral Hit, Hobin Yoo is the victim of physical bullying and cyberbullying and no one comes to his aid. Social media and bullying are bad enough on their own, but when both are combined, it creates cyberbullying.

Instead of helping him out, people take videos of him getting beat up on social media so that they can try to go "viral." To make the situation even worse, it turns into cyberbullying as Hobin Yoo gets hateful comments belittling him in the comment sections. Viral Hit is able to combine action with the societal issues of social media and bullying to create a unique story. These are the top ten anime to watch if you liked Viral Hit.

Warning: Sensitive topics are discussed below.

Anime like Death Parade, Bocchi the Rock, & A Silent Voice explore mental health themes with depth and sensitivity. Fruits Basket, Neon Genesis Evangelion, & Banana Fish delve into complex issues like trauma, depression, & Ptsd effectively. Series like March Comes in Like a Lion, Perfect Blue, & Welcome to the N.H.K. provide realistic portrayals of loneliness, madness & social anxiety.

Mental health issues are a nuanced subject that can be hard to address and portray accurately, especially in anime. Previously stigmatized, particular matters may have been glossed over in mainstream media. With changing times and increased acceptance and conversation surrounding mental health, anime has also become an art form that includes meaningful dialogue around mind-wellness or specifically highlights characters with lived experiences.

Whether it is to raise awareness or to speak to viewers who can relate, these series explore the depth, struggle, sensitivities, and sentiments around depression,...

Coming-of-age is the most popular kind of character arc in Studio Ghibli films. Coming-of-age stories can be very varied, and even occur at different ages and surround different themes. Most commonly, they are stories where a child learns what it means to go from childhood into adulthood.

In some movies, it means learning lessons while establishing autonomy. Some characters learn what their true life passions and vocations could be. Other protagonists learn how to make peace with the past and determine what it means to them as they transition into adulthood. Coming-of-age doesn't always come all at once; sometimes it comes in pieces.

Related 10 Best Anime Coming-Of-Age Stories Anime like Kiki's Delivery Service, Flcl, and March Comes In Like A Lion tell distinctive stories about growing up. Shizuku Unlocks Her Creativity Whisper of the Heart Close

Anime Planet Rating

4 Stars

MyAnimeList Rating

8.22

IMDb Rating

7.8

Shizuku is an avid reader in Whisper of the Heart,...

Black Butler -Public School Arc- episode #1 is immensely impressive – complete with stunning animation and an intricate, mystery-driven story. Despite the 10-year gap between the Public School Arc and Book of Murder, Black Butler -Public School Arc- captivates audiences with timeless charm. The premiere episode expertly introduces a new group of characters and sets up an open-ended mystery for Ciel and Sebastian to explore.

Black Butler has finally made its return with the release of Black Butler -Public School Arc-, and the first episode far exceeds fan expectations. This new installment in the Black Butler franchise is one that's been highly anticipated from the moment it was announced, and despite A-1 Pictures no longer handling the production of the anime, CloverWorks has done an exceptional job adapting Yana Toboso's intricate aesthetic flair, and the grounds of Weston College have been beautifully adapted for animation, complete with a recurring stained-glass motif...

Embrace your passion for art no matter what obstacles may come your way, as seen in these inspiring anime titles. Explore a variety of creative fields such as painting, photography, and calligraphy through the lens of self-expression in art. Follow the journeys of determined artists in these series, celebrating the transformative power of art in overcoming societal norms and personal struggles.

The best anime about making art are some of the medium's most inspiring and creative titles, highlighting the often difficult yet rewarding journey of those who choose to pursue their passion for the arts, no matter what may stand in their way. Whether they struggle with internal conflicts or not being acknowledged by others, these artists give everything to their craft of choice.

From the animation industry itself, which these titles may provide more insight into, to a variety of other art forms such as painting, photography, or even calligraphy,...

Sports anime can focus on activities that aren't traditionally considered sports, like Karuta and Shogi, but still highlight competition and sports-style structures. Salaryman's Club is a youth-blasted badminton anime set in the corporate world, showing the protagonist's struggle to balance his dreams and his realities. Prince of Stride is a unique sports anime that combines the explosiveness of sprinting with the dexterity of obstacle course running, resembling modern-day parkour.

The best sports anime that fans will never believe are about sports focus on activities ranging from tabletop games to poetry, with athletic elements slipping seamlessly into the background. Despite this, the anime with seemingly inconsequential sports focuses will start to show its competitive colors once the main characters delve deeper into the essence of the respective sports.

The question of what makes a sports anime a sports anime is rather ambiguous. There are a plethora of series about mainstream sports,...

Educational anime can cover a wide range of genres and subjects, showcasing the educational value in unexpected places. Anime like Bakuman, Wagnaria!!, and Food Wars! seamlessly incorporate informative content into their narratives. From behind-the-scenes of the manga industry to the details of the service industry and cooking techniques, educational anime offer engaging and informative viewing experiences.

The best educational anime are series that not only have something to teach but will keep viewers captivated by the content they are trying to convey. Furthermore, the educational content does not particularly have to be the main focus of the anime, as a lot of series perfectly weave fun facts and specific subject details into the main conflict or storyline.

Anime series that have informative content can also range between a wide variety of genres, from science fiction to shonen, to slice of life. There are no theoretical barriers to how far out...

The official website for Onmyoji 0 , a new live-action film inspired by Baku Yumemakura's historical fantasy novel series Onmyoji , released a full trailer today featuring its theme song "Kaikou" ( Encounter ) performed by Japanese rock band Bump Of Chicken. The film is set to release in Japan on April 19, 2024. Poster visual Related: Onmyoji 0 Live-Action Film Posts New Teaser Trailer for April 2024 Release The main cast for the movie includes: Abe no Seimei played by Kento Yamazaki Minamoto no Hiromasa played by Shota Sometani Queen Yoshiko played by Nao Hegurino Sadafumi played by Masanobu Ando Tachibana no Yasuie played by Nijiro Murakami Emperor played by Rihito Itagaki Kamono Tadayuki played by Jun Sonomura Koremune no Korekuni played by Kazuki Kitamura Fujiwara no Yoshisuke played by Kaoru Kobayashi Bump Of Chicken band photo Bump Of Chicken made their major debut in 2000 and have provided theme songs for many popular anime franchises, such as...

Studio Shaft offers a diverse catalog of anime, from well-known series to hidden gems, spanning various genres. The anime produced by Studio Shaft feature unique and unconventional storytelling, with interesting premises and complex characters. Aside from their quirky staples and other creative additions to their adaptations and original series, Shaft is well-known for crafting gorgeous series, like March Comes In Like a Lion.

The best Studio Shaft anime are a mix of well-known series with deep positive review logs and more obscure titles that glimmer like pearls in the sea once they've been dug up. The studio's robust collection also features plenty of feature films and sequel series.

Although Studio Shaft is not one of the bigger studio names like Mappa, Kyoto Animation, or Madhouse, it still has a deep catalog of series from many genres, ranging from shojo to slice of life to sports anime. Headed by directors Shinbo Akiyuki,...

This list deals with topics such as depression, abuse, trauma, and suicide. If you feel you are in need of support, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Society has long stigmatized depression. Despite this — or perhaps because of this — many anime series aren't afraid of addressing mental health issues. While it's difficult to broach these topics in a sensitive manner, dozens of anime series have skillfully explored what it's like to live with depression and the ways people struggle to cope with their trauma.

Some anime manage to accurately depict depression, which can feel priceless to viewers who can relate. With depressed protagonists like Fruits Basket's Tohru Honda and Neon Genesis Evangelion's Shinji Ikari, audiences can view mental health issues through various relatable lenses.

Updated January 25th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: Anime covers a vast assortment of subjects and themes, even ones that are harder for audiences to swallow.

Anime production company Aniplex has revealed that its mysterious visual teasers of the letters "O" and "M" are related to two new anime projects in the Monogatari light novel series.

The official anime X (formerly Twitter) account of Monogatari author Nisio Isin has revealed the teaser trailer and key visual for the new anime projects being developed by Aniplex and Shaft studio (also known for the likes of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and March Comes in Like a Lion). Akio Watanabe, chief animation director and character designer for the animated Monogatari series, is credited for the visual. The "O" and "M" teasers released this week referred to two series of books from the franchise: Off Season and Monster Season.

Related Over 20 Million People Tuned in to Japan's Most-Watched Anime TV Episode of 2023 2023's most-watched TV anime episode in Japan has been revealed, with the popular Demon Slayer -- perhaps unsurprisingly -- topping the list twice.

The annual Anime! Anime! General Election has unveiled the winners of the “Most Recommended Male Voice Actor” of 2023 on Dec 29, 2023.

The survey period spanned from Nov 15, 2023, to Dec 15, 2023, during which over 3,000 anime fans participated. With a majority of female respondents, accounting for approximately 65%, with 35% being male, the survey captured the sentiments of a diverse audience ranging from those under 19 to individuals in their 40s.

Participants were asked to identify the voice actors who left a lasting impression, whether through their roles in various anime or their appearances in other forms of entertainment. The criteria ranged from the most active and impactful voice actor of the year to the one fans found themselves recommending the most.

Checkout the top 20 most recommended male voice actors of 2023 below:

20. Takahiro Sakurai

Notable roles: Kenjaku / Suguru Geto in Jujutsu Kaisen, Giyu Tomioka in Demon Slayer, Reigen Arataka in Mob Psycho

19. Akira Kamiya

Notable roles: Ryo Saeba in City Hunter,...

Black Butler Season 4 has released a new visual commemorating its anime release window after 10 long years.

Black Butler: Public School Arc (Season 4) will air in April 2024, as announced on the anime's official website on Dec. 14, 2023. The date also commemorates Black Butler protagonist Ciel Phantomhive's birthday, and a special visual of the character was released following one of Sebastian Michaelis that was previously revealed. Both can be viewed below alongside the current trailer for the upcoming series.

Related Crunchyroll to Stream Global Debut of Solo Leveling Anime The latest Solo Leveling anime trailer has been released, with confirmation that Crunchyroll will be the first to stream the anime worldwide. Close

Black Butler Season 4 will be directed by Kenjirou Okada, who was the series director for March Comes In like a Lion and directed multiple episodes for the Monogatari series. Ryo Kawasaki (To Your Eternity) is responsible for the music, while screenwriter...

Many of today's most popular anime give the spotlight to males. This can leave female viewers yearning for a show where girls take center stage. Not only are there anime with powerful leading ladies, but there are even some where the male characters barely even exist.

From wacky comedies to magical girl shows, some anime series give exclusive focus to young women. These anime provide comfort for viewers of any age. The male characters take a backseat to some wonderful ladies as they live their lives at school or go on a journey. Sometimes, anime can be light and fluffy like a pancake and still evoke all sorts of emotions.

Related: 10 Most Influential Shojo Anime

Gourmet Girl Graffiti

Gourmet Girl Graffiti was a 2015 anime from Studio Shaft. The show is about a middle school student named Ryo who is distraught that her cooking no longer tastes as good — that is,...

Coming-of-age is a genre that's both intimate and relatable to anyone who went through a turbulent adolescence. In simple terms, coming-of-age narratives depict a protagonist's journey from childhood to adulthood. Yet, on an emotional level, such a simple premise has more depth and nuance than any other genre. The transitional period of adolescence is one of the most crucial in a person's life.

While coming of age, one firmly builds their identity and comes to terms with who they are but also faces the first cruelties of the adult world. Leaving one's childhood behind can be both heartbreaking and hopeful, as it opens the person up to the opportunities of maturity. Coming-of-age anime is a helpful tool for adolescent viewers to find comfort during this lonesome process. And, for those who have long since stepped into the adult world, the best coming-of-age stories in anime offer melancholic nostalgia unique to the genre.

There aren't many anime that focus on married couples. These long-term relationships generally are smaller pieces of the plot, if at all mentioned, meaning that their infrequent appearances are under heavier criticism. Many anime marriages are toxic because they have unhealthy relationship dynamics or are portrayed badly during their little screen time.

When done right, anime marriages can become fan favorites, but they can also have negative effects on other characters. The children of these toxic marriages often have more difficult childhoods and later on struggle to find partners because they didn't have a good example growing up. The worst anime marriages only end up hurting the characters involved and their loved ones.

Related: 10 Best Anime Marriages

Kuniharu & Kurumi Saiki (Saiki K.)

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.'s comedic elements are based in its character's interactions, and Saiki's parents, Kuniharu and Kurumi, are a great example of that. While it's depicted as comedic relief,...

Despite being released in 2014, Your Lie in April is still hailed as one of the most emotional anime of the last decade. Fans would go so far as to claim that it’s actually among the most heartbreaking anime to ever come out of Japan. It’s easy to see why such claims are made regularly, seeing how fans went in assuming the show would be a light-hearted romantic comedy

Related: 15 Isekai Anime With Surprisingly Sad Endings

However, viewers soon realized that the anime was a dramatic tragedy that focused on the failures, imperfections, and constant rejections of its characters faced. Although Your Lie in April is effectively unique, there are several anime series that employ the narrative elements, structure, and characterizations in this Naoshi Arakawa masterpiece.

Updated on May 23, 2023 by Ajay Aravind: Your Lie in April is a masterful take on human relationships, one that involves as much joy as heartbreak.

Manga artist Chica Umino is primarily known for her recent coming-of-age series March Comes in Like a Lion. However, before this title, Umino made a name for herself with the romance series Honey and Clover.

Honey and Clover centers on a group of friends that attend a performing and visual arts university. They try to navigate love, friendships and careers in an ever-changing society. From 2005 to 2006, Honey and Clover stood as an iconic romance anime alongside Nana and Paradise Kiss, but even though Honey and Clover is a classic among shojo and josei enthusiasts, it has been overlooked in the romance genre in recent years. Even so, the series helped paved the way for further college romance and josei works.

Related: Suzume Would Have Been Better as an Anime Series

Honey and Clover Tackles the Age-Old Question: What Are Your Plans After Graduation?

In recent years, many characters in romance...

by Siria Fallleroni

After his first feature film “Afternoon Breezes” (1980), Hitoshi Yazaki directed “March Comes in Like a Lion” (1991), a cruel but visually stunning fable regarding the visceral relationship between siblings. Although the title is the same as the award-winning manga “March comes in like a lion”, written and illustrated by Chika Umino, the two works are poles apart. “Afternoon Breezes” depicted the main character's repressed homosexuality, showing how her crush on roommate Mitsu slowly evolves into an obsession, while his second feature revolves around the sensitive theme of incest.

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The preamble of the story is extremely straightforward as well as puzzling: “There was a boy and his sister. The girl adored her brother and hoped to one day be his lover. One day, the boy lost his memory, the girl decided to be his lover until he regained...

The refined playbook of Japanese family drama allocates a close-meshed set of rules that many directors go by. At first sight, Hitoshi Yazaki’s “Sakura” is just another chapter. Based on a popular novel, teenage drama in a high school setting, food scenes at the dinner table, and a dog that the film is named after. But the renowned director, who started as Sogo Ishii’s assistant, lays out a false trail.

“Sakura” is screening on Japannual Film Festival

Hajime (Ryo Yoshizawa), Kaoru (Takumi Kitamura), and Miki (Nana Komatsu) live a happy life together with their parents at home. Hajime is the oldest good-looking baseball star of the family. He is the contrast to Kaoru, who has good grates but no luck with girls. Miki is the youngest sister, who mistrusts all the girls that the boys bring home. Sakura is the name of the family dog. Everything seems fine...

Japanese composer-filmmaker Yoshihiro Hanno is directing the film produced by Taiwan’s Joint Pictures and Japan’s Shimensoka Co.

Japanese stars Satoshi Tsumabuki and Etsushi Toyokawa will head the cast of Japan-Taiwan co-production Paradise Next, which is gearing up to shoot in Taiwan.

Directed by Japanese composer-filmmaker Yoshihiro Hanno, the film will feature a theme song composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Taiwan’s Joint Pictures and Japan’s Shimensoka Co will co-produce.

The story follows two Japanese hit men who are forced into exile in Taiwan, where they embark on a journey of atonement. Production is scheduled to start on June...