Some more interesting anime cult classics:
Megazone 23 (1985) - I am referring more to Part 1 (although Part II and III are also good). In many ways this inspired The Matrix and even Akira. I am too young (not old enough?) to validate this on a personal level, but I believe the movie also carried the spirit of 80s Japan when they were seen like China is today.
Memories / Magnetic Rose (1995) - Another commentator mentioned Satoshi Kon. While I would argue that Perfect Blue is probably the most engaging experience from Satoshi Kon (it was originally supposed to be a live action movie), there is just something about Magnetic Rose that doesn’t allow you to let go. Vague hints of Alien, space scifi, but also a very touching and human experience.
Metropolis (2001) - Anime remake of Fritz Lang’s Weimar Republic era science fiction landmark, Metropolis, from 1927. It’s actually a very good adaption and arguably keeps the spirit of the original.
Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise (1987) - Don’t mind the generic sounding title. This piece explores a civilization/society working on expanding into space with beautiful steampunk-like motifs and subtle background political dynamics.
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (1999) - Alt history Japan. Rebels fighting against the regime. A touching romance story. Mamoru Oshii was the writer for this one. Keep in mind the Amazon production of The Man in the High Castle (to cite another alt history piece with a sort of similar setting) has nothing on this.
Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) and Miyazaki/Ghibili are well known, but I will still add some lesser know pieces.
Twilight Q / Mystery Article File 538 (1987) - This one is only 30 minutes, but if you are a fan of Oshii you’ll appreciate the themes, style and even scenes.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) - Well know, but IMO it’s still the best production by Miyazaki. All his other works in a way stem from Nausicaä.
I didn’t realize “cult” included several of the most famous, financially successful and mainstream anime films of all time. Spirited Away? Cult?
Man I thought you were exaggerating but Akira is even on there. I mean shit.
Thank you
In the west they are. Anime did not have quite the following that it does now and was widely considered to only be for “nerds”, with a few exceptions, like dragonballz.
I was born in the USA in 1991. You don’t need to tell me about how people used to look down on anime, I was there. That doesn’t mean these are cult movies by today’s standards. They’re old, but they’re considered all-time classics, not “cult”.
I mean really, Robotech The Movie is a western-specific adaptation of Megazone 23, which was the OVA that kicked off the whole OVA revolution of the 1980s. These movies are like ABCs of anime movie history. Next you’re gonna tell me that Revolutionary Girl Utena is cult, as opposed to just a classic all-time masterpiece.
I mean this article is like having an article that goes,
"Check out these cult classics films you may not have heard of:
- Casablanca
- King Kong
- Pulp Fiction
- The Maltese Falcon
- The Princess Bride
- The Birds"
Spirited Away was the first non-English language animated film to win Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. It was the highest grossing film in Japanese history and held the record from 2001 till 2020
This list is seriously lacking some Satoshi Kon.
