When people think about where to watch anime movies, the first platform to pop into their minds might not be Amazon Prime. Unbeknownst to most, there is a hidden treasure trove of Japanese animation to choose from to either buy or rent. The service is also constantly expanding, offering new ways to experience content, and even adding ways to watch things free with ads.
With availability to support the creators and watch highly acclaimed movies such as Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service, Amazon Prime is a great way to spend some time unwinding with movies that span a diverse selection of genres.
Updated by Sage Ashford on March 31st, 2023: Amazon Prime isn’t just about adding classic films like Studio Ghibli projects, but they have a wide variety of films available from the present and the past. Popular franchises of today and yesterday have found their way to the streaming service, making themselves available for fans to buy or rent.
24 Kiki’s Delivery Service
Another classic title from Studio Ghibli, Kiki’s Delivery Service, follows a young witch named Kiki. After completing much of her training, Kiki’s last test to become a full witch is to live on her own for a year, away from her family and friends.
With that idea in mind, Kiki flies to a coastal city far from home, where she must learn how to survive. Over time, she learns how to use her special powers of flight to run her own delivery service. Though she runs into hardship, Kiki gradually discovers her place in the world.
23 One Piece Stampede
The One Piece films continue to be just as consistently good as the anime itself. For Stampede, everything begins when Luffy and his crew are invited to a celebration of pirates known as the Pirates Festival. Not only do the Straw Hats appear, but multiple other pirate groups from the Worst Generation.
While there, everyone is challenged to participate in a contest held by Buena Festa, the person responsible for organizing the group. The prize is one of Gol D. Roger’s treasures, which leads to all the pirates being caught up in a massive battle royale to decide who will own this legendary treasure.
22 Tokyo Godfathers
On Christmas Eve, a trio of homeless people discovers an abandoned baby while digging through the trash. One of them, Hana, decides they should find the child’s mother to learn why she abandoned the child. Naming the child Kiyoko, the trio doesn’t have much to go on – just a key and a single note, but they still go looking.
However, on their quest to find Kiyoko a home, the three find themselves caught up in increasingly unlikely events. Easily one of the best anime films ever made; everyone should give this film a chance, especially around Christmas.
21 Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Another classic Studio Ghibli film, Nausicaa, is set on Earth over a thousand years after a nuclear war. Life on Earth has changed drastically, with humanity struggling against a massive jungle filled with all kinds of dangerous threats to what remains of humankind.
There exists a peaceful area, though, known as the Valley of the Wind, which is safe from the dangerous jungle. That peace is at risk when suddenly an airship from another kingdom crash lands. Nausicaa, the princess of the Valley, is forced to fight against this new kingdom before they use another nuclear weapon to wipe out what remains of humanity.
20 Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire
At this point, casual Case Closed fans should stick with the films if they want to enjoy a good adventure featuring the world’s youngest detective. The Fist of Blue Sapphire sees Conan tricked into attending a karate tournament in Singapore courtesy along with his friends Ran and Sonoko.
However, with Conan not having a passport, his only way to return home is by relying on his rival, the phantom thief Kaitou Kid. As for Kaitou, he’s found himself in Singapore because of a plan to steal the world’s largest blue sapphire. As ever, any adventure featuring both Conan and Kaitou Kid is almost certain to be great, with the two constantly trying to top one another.
19 Lupin The 3rd Vs. Cat’s Eye
Lupin the 3rd vs. Cat’s Eye represents a crossover between the two most well-known groups of thieves in the anime world. Everyone’s familiar with Lupin and his group, a gang of clever gentlemen thieves that regularly make a fool of police Inspector Zenigata with their heists.
However, not as many people know of Cat’s Eye, a trio of sisters who operate as cat burglars and run a café on the side. The two groups run into each other when they start going after the same target, a piece of art known as “Three Paintings,” originally left by the sisters’ dad. Though the animation is a bit shaky, thanks to CGI, seeing these two groups clash is still awesome.
18 Gintama The Very Final
Gintama is one of the most beloved anime franchises in Japan and the West, and Gintama: The Very Final is no different. After several years of running as a television series, The Very Final is meant to be the true ending to Gintama, adapting the last few chapters of the manga.
This time the focus is on Gintoki and his allies battling against the dangerous Tendoushuu Forces. While the story is mostly serious, the spirit of Gintama and the wacky cast of the Yorozuya still manage to shine through. While this might be a bit confusing for newcomers, it’s going to be a must-watch for any Gintama fan.
17 City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes
City Hunter is one of Japan’s oldest popular shonen franchises, but the series had been dormant in the anime world for decades until Shinjuku Private Eyes. As the top City Hunter in Japan, Saeba Ryo has a habit of only taking cases from beautiful women, much to the chagrin of his partner Kaori.
With their latest case, Ryo and Kaori are pulled into protecting Ai, a model in need of a bodyguard. Though the job seems easy enough, the case gets deeper when Kaori meets Ai’s employer Shunji Mikuni, a former friend of hers. Shinjuku Private Eyes isn’t going to change anyone’s world, but it is a great 90-minute action blockbuster.
16 My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising
In the second My Hero Academia film, Heroes Rising, the kids of Class 1-A get the opportunity to go on a trip to Nabu Island. Meant to help the kids learn how to participate in safety programs around the country, Class 1-A are left to their own devices on what should’ve been a safe trip. However, things quickly spiral out of control when a new villain named Nine appears.
With no adult heroes around to help, Class 1-A are left with nothing more than their own powers and wit to help them survive against a villain with a very dangerous plan. While the My Hero films might not be canon, they’re always a gorgeous spectacle thanks to the efforts of BONES.
15 Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie
The Street Fighter II television series, Street Fighter II V, might still be one of the best video game adaptations of all time. The animated movie isn’t too far behind it. While the show has time to focus on all the characters, the film condenses the main story to just under two hours.
In Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie, Chun-Li and Guile work together to stop Shadoloo and M. Bison’s plan to take over the world. With plenty of shout-outs to the classic game in its fights, this is a great way to spend an afternoon.
14 Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Broly might be the best Dragon Ball movie ever created. A film that introduces Broly into the canon proper, Dragon Ball Super captures everything people loved about early Dragon Ball Z. It’s got tons of cool sci-fi as viewers learn about the history of Planet Vegeta and what Saiyan life was truly like.
It’s also got some of the best action sequences – not just in DBZ, but in anime history – in the latter half of the film, that’s just a fight between Broly and everyone else. It’s even got just the right amount of humor to keep things from getting too serious. Fans of awesome fight scenes have likely already seen this movie before… but there’s nothing wrong with a rewatch.
13 Liz & The Blue Bird
Liz and the Blue Bird was released in 2018. Directed by Naoko Yamada and based on the novel series written by Ayano Takeda, the film was an adaption of the spin-off novel Sound! Euphonium: Kitauji High School Concert Band, Turbulent Movement.
The story focuses on the friendship of high school students and musicians Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki as they prepare for a concert with their school’s band. It also has elements of fantasy, such as the music piece they’re working on for their concert.
12 Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer
Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer is the second film in the Urusei Yatsura film series. While the first film in the series was a faithful adaption of the manga, Beautiful Dreamer took more liberties.
When the students prepare for the first day of the student fair that’s supposed to happen the next day, problems arise when some begin to notice the next day won’t arrive. As stress accumulates, the students are tested as their beliefs blur along with questioning what’s reality and dreams.
11 Neon Genesis Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone
The Neon Genesis Evangelion television series wasn’t just a great mecha series, but one of the best anime series of the ’90s. Nearly a decade later, creator Hideaki Anno and his personally formed Studio Khara teamed up to create a theatrical version of the series.
The Rebuild of Evangelion series seeks to remake the first third of the original series. Shinji Ikari is once again asked to pilot an Evangelion to protect humanity from the threat of the “angels.” People who have seen the original should still give this a watch, as there are some noteworthy changes in the characters.
10 Project A-Ko
Anyone who grew up watching anime in the early 2000s has likely seen Project A-Ko a few times, even if they forgot about it. The main plot is simple enough: Eiko Magami is a superpowered teenager who just wants to make it to school on time. Unfortunately, she keeps getting attacked by her classmate, Biko, with everything from giant mecha to powered armor.
Decades removed from its release, Project A-Ko doesn’t get nearly the respect it should. The original film is a loving parody of nearly every popular sci-fi anime of the era. However, it’s also the inspiration for several comedy tropes that are still around today.
9 The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl
The Night is Short, Walk On Girl was released in 2017. It was directed by Masaaki Yuasa, a film director known for his wild and free-form style, who also directed The Tatami Galaxy and Devilman Crybaby (2018). The film was based on the 2006 novel of the same name written by Tomihiko Morimi.
The two-time award-winning film is a spiritual sequel to The Tatami Galaxy. However, sharing the same Kyoto University setting and a few characters, the plots are not the same. It follows a night out for three university students, an unnamed woman who is simply referred to as Kouhai (meaning “Junior”), Kurokami no Otome (“Black-haired Maiden”), and Senpai (“Senior”). While the Senpai wants to confess to his Kouhai that night, circumstances continue to arise and keep them separated.
8 Ghost In The Shell
Masamune Shirow’s Ghost in the Shell film is one of the main reasons anime is popular in the West today. When the film debuted, it was a cyberpunk experience that was distinctive in nature. Nothing else, live-action or animated, looked quite like it.
Ghost in the Shell wasn’t just a master class in animation; it also handled complex topics like what it means to be human after gaining a completely cybernetic body. Plus, at just over 80 minutes, the film never outstays its welcome. It tells its story and leaves the viewer with plenty to think about concerning the world’s ever-changing technology. Sadly, the sequel failed to match how great the original film was.
7 Classmates
Premiering in 2016, Classmates was directed by Shoko Nakamura. The film was based on a 2007 manga written and illustrated by Asumiko Nakamura. Classmates follows Rihito Sajou, an honor student who scored perfectly in every subject on his entrance exam, and Hikaru Kusakabe, a boy who plays in a band popular with girls.
The Rihito Sajou and Hikaru Kusakabe grow closer as they bond through their love for music and begin to date. The film deals with coming-of-age themes and is considered one of the best LGBTQ+ anime of all time.
6 The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time was released in 2006 and directed by Mamoru Hosoda. Animated by Madhouse and based on the science fiction novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, this anime movie tells the story of a high school girl who accidentally gains the ability to time travel.
Although it shares the same themes as the novel, it has some differences, such as having different characters. It has received positive reviews since its debut and won numerous awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, and was re-released by Funimation in 2016.
5 Redline
Simply put, Redline is an animation marvel. The plot is simplistic and focuses on a race known as the Redline, a competition held every five years between some of the best drivers in the universe. The protagonist is JP, a hotshot driver hoping to compete against all the drivers as one of only two humans in the race.
The story isn’t meant to be thought about too hard, though. Redline’s plot fulfills its purpose of pulling viewers into the world, but it’s all to enjoy one of the most beautifully animated projects ever. Studio Madhouse created a must-watch film for hardcore animation lovers.
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