Anime is mostly regarded as something intended for children or teens, even if there is a plethora of anime shows that are definitely catered towards a more mature audience, boasting mature themes, gore, and other topics that may not be appropriate for younger viewers. This wrongful stereotype may also be applied to movies, as most may liken anime movies to the Disney flicks they show their children.

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There are a lot of anime out there that fit snugly in the comedy genre, but these series are geared primarily toward adults.

But just like the shows, there are movies geared towards more mature viewers, or even if they have PG or lower age ratings, they are still widely enjoyed by adults for the messages they convey, or pure nostalgia. If they are an anime veteran, or first venturing into the world of anime, these movies are perfect viewings for adults.

8

Your Name

A Love Story for the Ages

Your Name

Release Date

August 26, 2016

Runtime

106 minutes

Director

Makoto Shinkai

Though rated PG, Your Name is the perfect anime movie for those who enjoy romance, as this movie has plenty to offer. The two leads, Mitsuha Miyamizu and Taki Tachibana begin switching bodies with each other at random, leading the two to grow closer together as they are forced to communicate to lay down ground rules and try to navigate their strange new lives. Eventually, Taki sets off to find Mitsuha after the body swapping stops, only to discover her entire village was wiped out three years ago.

Tragic, romantic, and even delving into time travel, Your Name goes beyond the average romantic movies, presenting a story with so much more substance. To top it all off, it boasts some of the most gorgeous animation in all anime in existence, with each scene looking like it could be a painting. It is a feast for all the senses, and definitely needs to be watched, especially by couples.

7

Spirited Away

One of Studio Ghibli’s More Famous Movies is Popular for a Reason

Spirited Away

Release Date

July 20, 2001

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Studio Ghibli is one of the leading animated movie studios in the entire world, delighting audiences far and wide with its stories. While some remain more grounded in reality, there are also fantasy tales audiences can truly lose themselves in, such as Spirited Away. During their move to their new home, Chihiro and her family find an old abandoned theme park, but stocked with plenty of delicious food, which transforms her parents into pigs. Chihiro joins the bathhouse of the spirit world to try to save her parents, entering into a world of magic.

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Though Spirited Away can also be watched by kids, there are no shortage of adults who would delight in watching this movie, if they haven’t already. Whether they are taking a trip down memory lane, or entering the spirit realm for the first time, Spirited Away is sure to delight and thrill them. Just watch out for No Face…

Engaging Fight Scenes in Feudal Japan

Ninja Scroll

Release Date

June 5, 1993

Runtime

94 Minutes

Director

Yoshiaki Kawajiri

A classic 90s lick that might have flown under the radar of many cinephiles, Ninja Scroll takes place in feudal Japan, where a samurai by the name of Jubei Kibagami and a ninja called Kagero fight through the Eight Devils of Kimon before they can overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate, detailing each fight in glorious detail.

The plot is simple, but not every adult-intended movie needs to be brimming with sub-plots and twists, and the simple premise of Ninja Scroll is propped up by its engaging characters, such as the heavily tattooed Benisato, and the fighting scenes. No holds are barred when it comes to the combat, with many not shy about jumping into bloody and brutal territory, and sometimes this is all viewers could possibly need from a ninja-samurai movie.

5

Redline

Forget Fast and Furious, this Racing Movie Laps it by Miles

Redline

Release Date

May 27, 2010

Runtime

102 minutes

Director

Takeshi Koike

Named after an in-movie galaxywide race, Redline follows the story of racer JP who funds himself invited into the race due to popular demand. Most of the movie follows the preparation for the race, which makes it evident to the audience just how important this race it to participants and spectators. With such a big hype around it, there needed to be major pay-off, which, fortunately enough, is granted to the viewers.

Stylishly animated with an exciting soundtrack, Redline is always in top gear, never quite letting up its exciting pace while offering new and exciting takes on the race movie genre. Though it doesn’t quite break boundaries with its story, the animation is enough to keep the audience hooked from beginning to end.

4

Perfect Blue

Idols Don’t Lead Idyllic Lives

Perfect Blue

Release Date

August 5, 1997

Runtime

81 Minutes

Director

Satoshi Kon

Mima led a successful life as a pop-idol in the popular group CHAM!, but decides to leave to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress, to the dismay of her biggest fan, Me-Mania, who begins to obsessively stalk her. Landing a gig in a TV show, but the stresses of acting and her regret over leaving her group proves too much for Mima, who begins to suffer severe psychological distress. She begins to struggle to separate reality from her career.

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The result leads to many highly disturbing scenes for Mima to endure and the viewer to watch, such as one particular infamous scene for Double Bind which seems far too real, and another Mima which seems to be ruining her life. With its mind-bending reality, and highly adult themes, Perfect Blue is not only an excellent film in its own right, but perfect for those who want something with more substance.

3

Ghost in the Shell

The Future is Near and Dystopian

Ghost in the Shell

Release Date

December 8, 1995

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The year is 2029, and technology has advanced far enough for humans to augment themselves with cybernetic enhancements, or replace parts of themselves entirely, as well as the cyberbrain that can access online networks. The shell is the body, where the ghost is the consciousness inside, giving this sci-fi flick its name.

The story centers on Matoko Kusanagi, a Major in the Public Security Section 9 in New Port City, Japan, on the trail of the mysterious Puppet Master. Beyond being a futuristic law and criminal show, Ghost in the Shell also touches on topics such as what it truly means to be human, a question with far more weight when humans have begun heavily augmenting themselves with cybernetics.

2

Grave of the Fireflies

Explores the Heart-Breaking Reality of War

Grave of the Fireflies

Release Date

April 16, 1988

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When Studio Ghibli isn’t taking its viewers on fantasy adventures into the realm of spirits or kingdom of cats, its stories can often be extremely grounded in reality, exploring more personal tales of growing up, love, loss, and even extreme strife such as wartime. The latter is excruciatingly detailed in Grave of the Fireflies, a harrowing look at how deeply war can affect even those not on the frontlines.

After losing their mother, Seita is now fully responsible for his younger sister Setsuko, and the two struggle to navigate finding shelter and food as the entire prefecture buckles under the mounting pressure of war. The movie culminates in one of the most heart-shattering scenes in all of cinema history, and as such is definitely not suitable viewing for younger audiences. Even adults need to make sure they have someone or something to hug, and enough tissues as they endure this grueling but beautiful movie.

1

Akira

Cyberpunk Meets Body Horror

Akira

Release Date

July 16, 1988

Runtime

124 Minutes

Director

Katsuhiro Otomo

Akira might just be one of the most well-known and lauded anime movies of all time, and for very good reason. Though it takes place in a bygone year, 2019, it details a very chilling dystopian setting, focusing its story on its two main leads, Shotaro Kaneda and Tetsuo Shima. The latter was involved in a motorbike accident, which had the unforeseen side-effect of granting him powerful telekinetic powers, which he isn’t exactly intending to use for good.

Akira is one of those movies everyone needs to see at least once, especially those who believe all anime films are aimed at children, and can never have the same emotional impact, enthralling story and believable characters as seen in live-action movies. It is nothing short of excellent, and essential viewing for anime and non-anime fans alike. Plus, who can forget the iconic Akira slide that has since been referenced in countless movies, TV shows, and games?

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