Best Anime Movies to Stream on Netflix
When I used to tell people I like anime, the first reaction would be, “you like cartoons”?
Now, I know this is a common notion, but for me or any other anime fan, this can be very frustrating and borderline annoying.
Thank God, we have passed that stage. People now love anime, and they openly talk about it as well.
Why?
Well, content streaming sites have made anime accessible for all, which means a wider audience and more acceptance towards this genre.
If you are also an anime fan or just exploring this genre, then we have a list of anime movies that you can stream on Netflix.
Side note: Before we get straight to the list, keep in mind that you need a decent internet connection for a good streaming experience on Netflix. For this, I recommend Cox Internet. The service provider offers a wide variety of affordable internet deals, bundling options, and Cox servicio al cliente support for its Hispanic users in the US.
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Kiki’s Delivery Service
Release: 1989
Runtime: 1hr 42min
Genre: Adventure, Family
Animated by: Studio Ghibli
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Synopsis: A young and strong-headed witch in training leaves her house to explore the real world by using her magic to help others.
Anything with a Studio Ghibli stamp on it can easily be the best thing you can watch in the anime genre. Directed by the mighty Hayao Miyazaki, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a colorful yet heartwarming story that will make you fall in love with anime. Laced with details, every frame offers a completely new depiction that leave you speechless. Most aspiring manga and animation artists use Hayao Miyazaki’s work as a blueprint, and Kiki’s Delivery Service offers you proof of why Hayao is considered a mentor by most.
The story of Kiki’s Delivery Service revolves around a young witch who needed to figure out hher strengths and weaknesses by independently living in the world. The heartwarming story of Kiki, mixed with the exceptional music, grips the viewer and makes them crave more.
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Spirited Away
Release: 2001
Runtime: 2hrs 5min
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Animated by: Studio Ghibli
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Synopsis: A family of three gets stranded in an abandoned amusement park ruled by supernatural beings who lure people with delicious food and trap them for life.
If you are new to anime, you need to know about the anime royalty, Spirited Away. Directed by the uncrowned king Hayao Miyazaki himself, the details and sophistication in each scene are enough to lure you into the world of anime.
Spirited Away revolves around the story of a small family of three who are ready to shift to a new city. Excited, thrilled, but fearful, Chihiro travels to the new destination. However, the family decides to spend some time in an abandoned park, where supernatural beings rule. In a series of unfortunate events, both parents end up spellbound, and Chihiro has to figure out a way to bring his family back.
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Earwig the Witch
Release: 2020
Runtime: 1hr 22min
Genre: Fantasy, Animation
Animated by: Studio Ghibli
Directed by: Goro Miyazaki
Synopsis: Adopted by a witch family, a brazen orphan girl figures out a way to teach herself magic and use it in her favor.
Another exceptional work by Studio Ghibli, Earwig the Witch might not be your cup of tea if you like the original hand-drawn details. The director Goro Miyazaki is the son of the most famous and most loved animator in history, yet the 3D take of Ghibli via Earwig the Witch might seem a little incomplete. Critics advise keeping the legacy of Ghibli and Miyazaki separate, and only then will you be able to enjoy the movie.
Earwig the Witch is a story of a young orphan girl who is adopted by a couple with supernatural abilities. Estranged, distant, and cold at first, the couple uses her for simple domestic household chores. However, she has to figure out a way to learn some magic and make the family open up to her.
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A Whisker Away
Release: 2020
Runtime: 1hr 44min
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Animated by: Studio Colorido
Directed by: Junichi Sato, Tomotaka Shibayama
Synopsis: A young girl turns herself into a cat to visit and live with a boy she loves, filled with regret, passion, and some new experiences. She learns things about the new world that make her question her choices.
As an anime fan, falling in love with the freshness of Studio Colorido is a no-brainer. In case you are new to anime, you need to check Studio Colorido. Famous for innovation, out-of-the-box stories, and some fun elements, the work of Studio Colorido speaks for itself.
A Whisker Away offers a very fresh yet a little creepy side of love. For most people, obsessive love or stalking might seem like an offense, but for others, it is a mere expression of love. A Whisker Away is the story of a young girl who turns herself into a cat just to be with her lover. Filled with some heartwarming scenes and some deep quotes, this movie will surely offer you something to ponder.
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Drifting Home
Release: 2022
Runtime: 2 hours
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
Animated by: Studio Colorido
Directed by: Hiroyasu Ishida
Synopsis: A group of friends gets into a dangerous play during their summer break, which leads them to a strange experience of loss and destruction
A little mature and serious, but Drifting Home is an exceptional work that truly defines Studio Colorido. If you like mellow drama and anime, you must add this to your watch list. The best thing about this movie is that storytelling is as powerful as the frame-by-frame animation of the movie.
The story revolves around a bunch of friends who find themselves in a mysterious accident that leads their whole apartment complex into water. Navigating through love, loss, and grief, they figure out ways to reverse and live in the situation.
While there are so many other anime movies on Netflix and the platforms keep adding new titles every day, the above-mentioned are some of my top favorites that you must add to your watch list.