It’s never been so exciting to be a anime fan while there are hundreds of new series released every year. Anime series have an excellent ability to connect with audiences as they can run for many years and hundreds of episodes. Many of the most popular anime series celebrate their success with feature films that feature a greater level of spectacle.
There are several different strategies that animated films adopt, whether they’re meant to be frivolous stories that don’t connect to the franchise’s larger canon or compilation movies that repackage the events of the animated series in condensed form. However, there are also anime movies that actively contribute to the anime’s story and are essential to the experience.
ten Demon Slayer: Mugen Train presents heroes with their biggest challenge yet
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is the shonen anime of recent years and the series’ lovable characters, stunning animations, and thrilling fight choreography have earned it huge success. Train Mugen is a film that features a concise story where Tanjiro and his Demon Slayer friends face off against a fearsome demon while confined to a train.
Train Mugen is one of the most successful animated feature films of all time. The movie certainly doesn’t seem to be missing, but it’s a surprise that the first seven episodes of demon slayerit’s the second season is happening adapt the events of Train Mugen. It makes the powerful movie feel alien.
9 Evangelion’s ending throws the world into chaos and celebrates the birth of destruction
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a challenging mecha series that battles depression, identity, grief, and some truly anomalous monsters that threaten the future of the planet. evangelization becomes more obtuse and existential as it goes on and its final episodes, while deeply ambitious, leave audiences bitter and without a satisfying conclusion.
The follow-up movie, The end of Evangelion, works like the coda of the series and ends this trippy anime. For years The End of Evangelion was considered the final end of the series, but the quadrilogy of Rebuilding Evangelion movies create a new continuity that can also be seen as evangelizationit’s true, canonical ending.
8 Cowboy Bebop: Knocking on Heaven’s Door is a no-frills thriller
A common problem that many popular anime series face is that they end on a conclusive note, such as with the death of a major character, which makes continuing the story virtually impossible. cowboy bebop produces 26 episodes of pure magic that entertain many contrasting genres and sensibilities.
The prospect of a cowboy bebop a very enthusiastic audience and Knock on heaven’s door makes its way into the series canon by taking place before the anime’s final episode. Knock on heaven’s door focuses on a dangerous biological terrorist with Mars as a backdrop. It’s the perfect extra dose of this exciting universe.
7 Dragon Ball Super: Broly brings a fan-favorite juggernaut into canon
Akira Toriyama dragonball has established a prolific legacy over several decades, and the series has celebrated dozens of films since it began airing. Curiously, the majority of Dragon Ball Zit’s the films either exist outside of canon or are intentionally ambiguous with their timeline.
The last saga of the series, Dragon Ball Super, correct this situation with first movie, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, which directly continues the story of the anime series. Fans can’t wait for non-canon movie villains to make their way into Dragon Ball. Broly, as well as the next Super hero, finally made this a reality.
6 Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The rebellion wonders if peace is ever possible
The magical girl genre is abundant in anime but there are subversive programs like Puella Magi Madoka Magica who use the cheerful and friendly trappings of the genre as a bold way to deconstruct dark themes. magic madoka likens the transformation into a magical girl to a death sentence.
The first two magic madoka films recap the events of the series, but the third film, Rebellion, works as an appropriate conclusion. Rebellion leaves Homura and the other magical girls in a frayed reality where happiness might still be possible. Rebellion is a solid finish, but a 10th anniversary movie, Walpurgisnacht: Ascentis about to end the series for good.
5 Gintama: The Very Final Ends the Odd Job Team
Gintama recently wrapped its 350+ episode run and it’s one of the absolute best shonen series when it comes to hilarious absurdist humor and emotionally moving melodrama. The difficulty of finishing well Gintama becomes a bit of a running joke in the series.
Gintamait’s the first film recaps an arc in the series, and the second film tells an original story, but more standalone in nature. Alternately, Gintama: the very last East designed to finally end the series as Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura battle the immortal Utsuro to bring stability back to the universe.
4 Made In Abyss: Dawn Of The Deep Soul Descends Further Into The Belly Of The Beast
The tragic events of Made in the Abyss hits even harder since the adventure begins with so much optimism and bright aesthetics. Riko, a young orphan, is determined to be a Cave Raider master. She befriends a robot boy named Reg and the two descend deeper into uncharted territory.
There are two Made in the Abyss movies that cover the events of all 13 episodes of the anime, but the third movie, Dawn of the deep soul, works as a fitting extension of the story. Deep Soul Dawn focuses on the toxic relationship between Nanachi and the sadistic Bondrewd, which is some of the most moving content in the series.
3 Osomatsu-San: the film pushes the lazy sextuplets towards their future
There are an abundance of gag anime series out there, but few are as fearless and surreal as Osomatsu-san. the adult update Osomatsu-Kun anime 1960s and 1980s is a hilarious examination of the lethargy that gleefully mocks other animated series and pop culture staples.
There are three seasons of the anime and its first movie, Osomatsu-san: the movie, specifically examines whether the Matsuno sextuplets will ever become productive members of society. At least two more Osomatsu-san movies are on the way, and cinematic endeavors could be the future of anime.
2 Trigun: Badlands Rumble salutes the action of the series
Trigun is an iconic 90s action anime that establishes a mythical gunslinger then properly strips down the caption to show the real man behind these heightened theatrics. Trigun: Badlands Rumble came out more than a decade later Trigunit’s conclusion and it’s a film that goes back in time on the chaotic anime universe.
Rumble of the Badlands tells a simplistic story that pits a group of deadly bounty hunters against each other as they all fight for the same target. The plot of the film takes place between episodes 10 and 12 of Trigunmeaning that the story is somewhat disposable but still an integral part of the canon.
1 Jujutsu Kaisen 0 draws strange parallels with Yuji Itadori and his Jujutsu team
Jujutsu Kaisenit’s mixing action and horror genres has created a deeply engaging story as Yuji Itadori attempts to hone his budding jujutsu sorcery skills in a world filled with terrifying curses.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 works as a prequelbut the film’s focus on Yuta and the curse that accompanies him expands the world of the series in illuminating ways. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a satisfying addition to the anime. It also looks like characters from the movie will later appear in the anime, making the movie even more vital canon.
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