5 Classic Fantasy Anime That Hold Up Today: Nostalgic Rewatches
Some fantasy anime ages like milk, but other times it still has plenty to offer even after years have passed. The world of anime can be bizarre, especially in the fantasy genre, but that’s what makes it appealing. In fantasy anime, literally anything can happen. Here are five fantasy anime movies that have stood the test of time and can still be enjoyed today. Have you seen any of these treasures?
5 Awesome Fantasy Anime Movies
1. Princess Mononoke
Be forewarned: we will see quite a bit of Studio Ghibli on this list. This is Ghibli’s masterpiece among masterpieces. The animation is nothing short of gorgeous, with the music perfectly capturing the story’s epic scope. Nature and technology are pitted up against each other, and we’ve seen stories like that play out before, but neither side is portrayed as all good or all bad. Thes sides clash because they each want different things, which is how many real-world conflicts start.
Of course, the characters are wonderfully memorable, especially Princess Mononoke herself. She’s so fierce and wild that you can’t help but root for her. I could gush about this movie all day.
2. Paprika
This delightfully weird movie was Inception before Inception even existed. While it contains some sci-fi elements, eventually dreams and reality collide, sending it into the world of fantasy anime. The super weird dream visuals are nothing short of breathtaking, as is the bizarre story that only gets weirder the more you think about it. As the characters go in and out of dreams, the audience too is taken on a dreamlike experience. Your head will explode if you try to logic the story out, but since when are dreams logical?
3. Spirited Away
Some of you may be furious that I didn’t rank this as Number 1, but I just don’t worship it like a lot of people do. Of course, it wouldn’t be on the list if I didn’t still love it. It’s still an amazing movie with beautifully creative visuals and memorable characters, but you’ve probably heard that before. However, there are some storytelling flaws, such as how Lin’s character arc seems to be going somewhere and then she basically disappears for the last part of the movie. Still, the flaws don’t get in the way of how this is a masterwork with so many memorable moments, especially that beautiful train ride.
4. Howl’s Moving Castle
Yes, we have another Ghibli film, but Ghibli films tend to be the standouts when it comes to fantasy anime, and Howl’s Moving Castle is no exception. The story of a young woman who gets transformed into an old lady and discovers a magical walking castle on her quest to break the spell is full of charm. As is to be expected from Ghibli, the animation is nothing short of beautiful, and you can have fun just staring at screenshots from the film. If you haven’t seen any Ghibli films, go watch them.
5. Kiki’s Delivery Service
While smaller in scope and less weird than a lot of fantasy anime, this movie is still worth a watch. The smaller scope means it almost feels like a slice-of-life story – except that the main character happens to be a witch. Of course, the flying scenes make you feel like you are soaring through the air along with Kiki, and the characters are loveable as always. Oh, and Jiji the talking cat is adorable.
Final Thoughts
There are of course far more than five great fantasy movies. This list could have easily been doubled. The world of anime is rich and varied, especially when the fantasy genre lets the filmmakers let their imaginations run wild. Why don’t you treat yourself to one of these movies today?
