Roujin Z (Japan, 1991)

An old man is being treated specially by the Department of Health under the so-called Project Z, a special nursing bed with a 6th generation computer on board. When the pain and loneliness of the old man reaches his ex-private nurse, she decides to rescue him from the government's experiment. Thus begins a wild chase through the busy streets of Tokyo as the 6th generation computer begins to have the personality of the old man's ex-wife and as the government's secret project unfolds.

What's impressive with Roujin Z is the names behind it; Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of Akira, wrote the story and screenplay, while Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue) served as art director and set designer. How can it go wrong knowing that? Well, it doesn't naturally. Roujin Z is a wild joyride with stunning animation which of course looks like a companion piece to Akira. All the 90's anime aesthetic you could ask for with that special blend of science-fiction technology and early computer tech with chunky monitors and huge mechanical keyboards. The plot doesn't nearly reach the depths of Akira, being a much smaller film but there's still ambition in its satirical view of older generations and handing them over to robot beds. 

Genre: Animation/Comedy/Sci-Fi. 1h 20min.

Belle (Japan, 2021)

Suzu is a shy, everyday high school student living in a rural village. For years, she has only been a shadow of herself. But when she enters "U", a massive virtual world, she escapes into her online persona as Belle, a gorgeous and globally-beloved singer. One day, her concert is interrupted by a monstrous creature chased by vigilantes. As their hunt escalates, Suzu embarks on an emotional and epic quest to uncover the identity of this mysterious "beast" and to discover her true self in a world where you can be anyone.

Belle is the latest adventure from acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, Wolf Children) and it gives a modern twist to the Beauty and the Beast tale. The visuals are, as you'd expect, absolutely stunning and the world of U is exhilarating to behold. It's an interesting idea to adapt a story we all know and view it from inside a virtual reality, which resonates with modern viewers who know what it's like to have an online persona. 

Accompanied by some beautiful pieces of music, Belle delivers a classic adventure in a high-tech skin and is certain to draw you in to its fascinating and sometimes all to relatable world of online horrors.

Genre: Animated/Drama. 2h.

Golgo 13: The Professional (Japan, 1983)

Indestructible to his enemies and irrestible to women, the professional assassin codenamed GOLGO 13 is shrouded in mystery and anonymity. If you're on his hit list your already dead. Always hired on his reputation alone, GOLGO 13 never breaks a contract. But can he survive the combine forces of the FBI, CIA, The Pentagon and the U.S. Army? Has the nameless agent finally met his match against the superhuman powers of the Snake and the twin evils of the psychopathic mercenaries, Gold and Silver?

Golgo 13 is an insane, ultra-violent ride. It oozes with so much style, and even though the film wears its Western influences on its sleeves every ounce of them has been filtered through a Japanese over-the-top mentality and turned up to 11. It takes the notion of a silent assassin and turns it into a killing spree that would make Léon blush.

Genre: Animation/Action/Crime. 1h 31min

Only Yesterday (Japan, 1991)

A twenty-seven-year-old office worker travels to the countryside while reminiscing about her childhood in Tokyo.

Only Yesterday is probably the most mature film animation giant Studio Ghibli has ever done, far away from the usual fantasy elements that often marks their other creations. Here, we're acquainted with 27-year old Taeko who, while taking a job out in the sticks, thinks back to her early days in the city. Made by Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies), Only Yesterday shows an incredible appreciation for nature and the life outside our stressful bubble of hectic social life and work. Studio Ghibli takes something as ordinary as slicing up a pineapple and makes it a joy to watch because it's so carefully and meticulously animated. Takahata took 17 members of his staff on a research trip to a rural area in Yamagata prefecture similar to the place where many of the film's present-day (1982) scenes are set. There the staff consulted with a farmer named Inoue, who taught them about harvesting safflowers, as the film's heroine, Taeko, does in the narrative. The staff videotaped their journey so that they would be able to re-create accurately in animation both the fields of safflowers and the natural beauty of the region in general.

The cinematography is a love letter to the films of Yasujiro Ozu (Tokyo Story) with the "camera" set very low and rarely moving. Where Hayao Miyazaki makes films about the often fantastical and made-up worlds, Takahata usually focuses on the character driven stories and the deeply personal journeys that leaves a bittersweet taste with the viewers. The juxtaposition of Taeko's younger and older self naturally portrays the dreams we give up, the wishes never fulfilled but also how we're different people from when we were young. 

Genre: Drama/Romance

Cleopatra (Japan, 1970)

Three people from the future are spiritually sent back in time to relive the era of Caesar, Marc Anthony and Cleopatra. As close companions to these key historical figures, they seek to understand the nature of an enemy's plan in their own time.

From Osamu Tezuka, creator of one of the most well-known series ever made; Astro Boy (1952-68), comes a far lesser known film about.. well, aliens and naked ladies? Okay, that's not all it has to offer of course but it's extremely hard to put into words what it tried to convey, but somehow it manages be such a weird and mental experience that it needs to be seen. The official translated version of the film is said to be lost, and at release it was a huge commercial failure. It's definitely worth seeing, if not for anything else but a fun piece of cinema history. It ranges from hilarious to incomprehensibly odd and strange. The animation isn't exactly high quality, but at times very abstract and with a great sense of art. 

Genre: Animation/Adult/Comedy

Midori (Japan, 1992)

Midori, is a young, and vibrant girl who enjoys her school and classes, but after her mother became very ill, and their dad evaded contact with her, her mom dies from her ailments. Midori is then tricked by a circus producer to enter his funfair, where she is consistently raped and abused by the circus folk, but when she is on the edge of giving up hope, she is acquainted by a dwarf, and her whole world changes.

The whole story of how this film even got made could be its own stand-alone article. It got banned pretty much everywhere, even in Japan, due to the graphic violence and sexual abuse. The director, Hiroshi Harada, had to animate it all by himself because no one wanted to come near it. After its release, people did their best to destroy every copy of the film, which is why it's so obscure these days. Well, how bad could it be, you ask?   

The trailer says it all, really: "the ultimate antidote to mainstream anime". If you've grown tired of everything Japanese animation has to offer, this is your last stop. It has a staggering shock factor and could be seen as a more juvenile version of Freaks (1932). Had Midori been live-action, it would have been one of the most disturbing films ever made, but as an animated feature it reaches half-way and "only" leaves you deeply disturbed afterwords. Precisely the kind of film that would have been passed around as a rumoured bootleg back in the 90's. A stern warning must be issued though, due to the heavy themes of rape, abuse and animal violence taking place during its rather short runtime (56 min). Adult audiences only. 

Genre: Animation/Drama/Horror

Hana and Alice (Japan, 2004) & The Case of Hana and Alice (2015)

Upon entering high school, two best friends named Hana and Alice notice a boy a year older them while waiting for the train, and they both develop a pretty strong crush on him. One day while secretly following him home, Hana witnesses the boy walk right into a wall and pass out. When he wakes up, she lies and convinces him that he must have amnesia, because he doesn't remember the fact that she was his girlfriend. After this, hilarity ensues as the two girls attempt to run with the lie. Of course, complications soon arise.

Hana and Alice is directed by the wildly talented Shunji Iwai, who's given us fantastic films such as Love Letter (1995), April Story (1997 and All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001). With Hana and Alice, he perfectly captures the big and small events happening in Japanese school culture, and puts two teenage schoolgirls in the middle of love dramas and murder mysteries. In 2015 it was followed up by an animated prequel which had a bit more engaging story and an animation style which looked a little unusual. Two slice-of-life kind of films with two likeable main characters to befriend. 

Genre: Drama

Berserk Manga/Anime series (Japan, 1997-1998)

Guts was brought up by a mercenary group since birth. After killing his guardian in self-defense, he runs away. Years later, he encounters Griffith and The Band of the Hawk. The Hawks fight for the King of Midland, and after winning the 100-year war against the neighboring Tudor, they become the King's personal guard. However, once they reach the top, things take a turn for the worse.

Here's an unusual recommendation, coming from this site. A series, instead of a film is what's up today. Now, don't worry, this will most likely be a one-time thing only but I feel I just can't ignore such a huge chunk of a Japanese gemstone. 

Berserk started as a manga series in 1989 and is still running today (if you can believe that). It's set in a medieval high fantasy world which gradually becomes a more nightmarish place and focuses on Guts, a mercenary with a sword twice the size of the soldiers he's chopping down with it. A 25-episode anime series was adapted in 1997, and covered most of the series first story arc. That's where you'll most likely get hooked, and then get your hands on the manga and the three animated films: The Egg of the King (2012), The Battle for Doldrey (2012) and Descent (2013), which I've covered here before.

The characters are one of Berserk's biggest strengths. After multiple viewings of the anime and readings of the manga, The Band of the Hawk starts to feel like your own comrades. The leader Griffith, a beautiful young man who's just as smart and cunning as he is loyal to his friends. Casca, a petite woman but one of the best fighters The Hawk's ever had, and Judeau, a master of knives and wits. The list goes on, but the point is that these are amazing characters you'll fall in love with. 

Also one of my favorite aspects of the series is how Guts is just a human being who's up against seemingly unbeatable odds. While the towering tentacle demons and colossal monstrosities are all coming down on him, Guts only have his trademark sword to fight them with. Berserk has also inspired other high fantasy work, the hardcore and now hugely popular 2011 video game Dark Souls for example have tons in common with the series. What it all comes down to is that it's a tour de force of raw violence and emotions, disgusting monster slaying and a powerful struggle for the fate of mankind, which starts with just a small band of ambitious mercenaries but grows infinitely larger until it reaches beings residing in an existence far from our own. 

Genre: Animation/Action/Fantasy

The Wind Rises (Japan, 2013)

Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted from a young age and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world's most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life, depicting key historical events, including the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan's plunge into war. Jiro meets and falls in love with Nahoko, and grows and cherishes his friendship with his colleague Honjo.

Here we are with a brand new Studio Ghibli film, The Wind Rises, and what is said to be the last Hayao Miyazaki film. This is his goodbye to all his fans and to his past as one of the worlds greatest animators, and how fitting it that he decides to make this his most different film to date? When The Wind Rises was released in Japan, kids all over the country didn't like it, they thought it was boring. In a sense, I can understand that, because it's a far cry from earlier films by Miyazaki like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. Hayao Miyazaki himself said that this isn't a movie for kids, and it shows in the slower tempo and lack of fantasy elements. Here's a film about a real life plane engineer, and how he sought out his dream. As I said, it's probably the most different film by Miyazaki, the most mature and serious. The one thing that remains intact is the wonderful animation, it's so warm and has that sort of fairy tale feel to it, even though the story is set in a realistic world this time. 

There's no wonder Hayao Miyazaki put so much effort in this film because airplanes is one of his favorite things, both to draw and to experience up close, so there's little doubt that this film has meant much to him and I'm really glad he finally got to make film that centers around planes (his film Porco Rosso (1992) also featured a lot of planes though not as in depth). If you can accept the more grown up story, then this film is a wonderful treat that has lots beautiful sights to show. The problem for all those Japanese children is that they were expecting another cute film like Ponyo (2008), and this couldn't be further away from that, but it's a fantastic film in every way possible. 

Genre: Animation/Biography/Drama

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (Japan, 1979)

Renowned international thief Lupin III (known as "Wolf" in the English dub) comes to the small European duchy of Cagliostro to investigate some excellently-forged money and stumbles across a national conspiracy going back some hundreds of years. Lupin and his friends must rescue the beautiful Clarice from the hands of the evil Count Cagliostro and solve the mystery of a hidden treasure dating back to the 15th century.

The Castle of Cagliostro is hailed as one of the best stand-alone films from the Lupin III franchise, and rightfully so. It was co-written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who five years later would found the animation giant Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke). The incredible style and charm mixed with old-school animation makes it a joyride from the get-go and steps on the gas constantly, but even though there's tons of action the film is not at all afraid to have very small and subtle moments. One thing I love about it is how there seems to be so much history and lore behind everything, and we're not watching a crazy anime but true historical fiction. There's just enough backstory to make things seem very mystical but we're also exploring and learning alongside Lupin. There's something about it that just makes you wish it's not going to end, that Lupin will get himself in one more dangerous situation and go on another adventure. 

Genre: Animation/Action/Comedy

5 Centimeters Per Second (Japan, 2007)

Takaki and Akari are two classmates in elementary school. During their time together they have become close friends. Their relationship is tested when Akari moves to another city because of her parents' jobs. Both of them struggle to keep their friendship alive, as time and distance slowly pulls them apart. When Takaki finds out that he is moving further away, he decides to visit Akari one last time.

Before animation genius Makoto Shinkai created the incredible Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011), he directed the equally beautiful 5 Centimeters Per Second and immediately made a huge name for himself. It pulls on your heartstrings, and it's hard not to get moved by this portrayal of a doomed, yet very strong relationship. The animation is flawless. I want to eat every cloud that floats across the many gorgeous, purple skies this film has to offer. 

Genre: Animation/Drama/Romance

Millennium Actress (Japan, 2001)

A movie studio is being torn down. TV interviewer Genya has tracked down its most famous star, Chiyoko Fujiwara, who has been a recluse since she left acting some 30 years ago. Genya delivers a key to her, and it causes her to reflect on her career; as she's telling the story, Genya and his long-suffering cameraman are drawn in. The key was given to her as a teenager by a painter and revolutionary that she helped to escape the police. She becomes an actress because it will make it possible to track him down, and she spends the next several decades acting out that search in various genres and eras. 

A film that uses memories as its set; from geishas to astronauts, feudal Japan to the burning plains of the second world war. Millennium Actress is a mind-blowing, thought-provoking chase scene through life itself and possibly my favorite film by genius film maker Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue). 

Susumu Hirasawa is once again in charge of the soundtrack and the melodies are some the most memorable pieces of music, and together with the emotional and intense scenes you can't help getting goosebumps. It contains nods to Japan's cinema history such as Setsuko Hara and Kurosawa's films. Satoshi Kon has mastered the incredible art of bringing out nostalgia, so even if we the viewers weren't actually present during the film's events Kon makes us look back at the journey behind us just as if we'd been through it all. If you don't see this film you are missing something truly incredible.

Genre: Animation/Drama/Romance

Studio Ghibli-productions (Japan)

Studio Ghibli has made many of the worlds best animated movies, so they're well worthy of a place in this list. I could write an essay on how beautiful Porco Rosso (1992) is, or how Castle in the Sky (1986) captures the very nature of a perfect fantasy journey. But you must experience them for yourself, all of them, and it'll be like devouring an enormous slice of Japanese culture.

My personal favorite is Pom Poko (1994), which follows the lives of a group of tanuki (raccoon dogs) who are trying to save their forest from an ongoing suburban development project. The movie is often overshadowed by more popular Ghibli-films like Spirited Away (2001) or Princess Mononoke (1997), so I thought I could at least mention it here. It also has one of the best soundtracks of the whole bunch, though that's always tough to decide because the music in these films are pure heaven.