People often don’t recognise the distinction between mainstream cartoons and the Japanese visual art form of Anime. The latter is a unique medium, a triumphant amalgamation of imagery and storytelling, that has led to the making of some extraordinary films, often in the running for the prestigious Academy Awards. There is a stark maturity with which Anime has consistently managed to deal with issues that every one of us face in life. While the world of Anime might be fantastical, they are all rooted in our everyday lives, ingeniously. There is no age limit when it comes to appreciating some of the Anime films that are streaming on Netflix right now, so we’ve put together a list of our recommendations below:
Studio Ghibli Films
There is no denying that Hayao Miyazaki is the master of his craft, and through his Anime studio, Studio Ghibli, he has lent the world the immense pleasure of indulging in some of the greatest Anime films made in human history. Presently, most of the Studio Ghibli oeuvre is streaming on Netflix. If you need a segue into watching them all, the first one we recommend is the only Anime film to ever win an Academy Award, Spirited Away. A unique feat of fantasy, Spirited Away will transport you into a world out of proportions, teaching you many lessons along the way. While we would suggest that you consume all of Studio Ghibli creations, some other film that you must watch are My Neighbor Totoro, The Wind Rises, From Up On Poppy Hill, Only Yesterday and My Neighbors The Yamadas.
Makoto Shinkai Films
Perhaps the most-widely known and applauded film by this extraordinary filmmaker is Your Name, followed by Weathering With You, which was also in the running for Oscars in 2020 and is the first Anime film to have had a theatrical release in India. While these two films are not available of Netflix, some of other lesser-known, however equally stunning and riveting works are now streaming on the OTT. The two films that are a must watch are Garden of Words and Five Centimetres Per Second, both enchanting in equal measures, akin to visual poetry.
A Silent Voice
Naoko Yamada and Kyoto Animation came together to make this wonderful film about a deaf girl and her former bully, whose lives are intertwined in a strange way. This critically-acclaimed film should be watched for its nuanced depiction of human fragility. The unique set-up of the film draws you in and as it progresses, tears will surely be shed by anyone watching the film, as the emotional intensity slowly pervades the screen and the viewer. Another brilliant feat of Anime.
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
A recent release, Kyōhei Ishiguro’s film transports you into a world that is ours, yet filled with magic. After meeting one bright, sunny day, a shy boy who expresses himself through haiku and a bubbly but self-conscious girl share a brief, magical summer. The use of poetic form of haiku in this film is enough to make you want to keep watching. The reflections on the self and identity of the young generation today is an added bonus and a masterful exploration by the filmmaker.
Date 20-09-2021
