Anime Roundup #1
Since I'm not going to be seeing any new films for a while I thought I would recommend you something to watch in the meantime. While anime films are often brushed off as being for kids or teens, a lot of anime films are actually aimed at an older and more mature audience. In the anime roundup I'll be recommending three films that you should watch, along with a small review of each.
Spirited Away
While this might seem like an obvious choice to anime fans, I think it's a great place to start if you want to see what anime can offer in a mainstream package. Stuido Ghibli, who have been making anime films for more than 25 years, are like the Walt Disney of Japan. Their films have a recognisable quality to them which makes them stand apart from a lot of the more action and comic book orientated anime films. Spirited Away is directed by the godfather of anime Hayao Miyazaki, it is arguably their best offering. The film follows the adventures of Chihiro, a girl who gets separated from her parents and transported into a magical world filled with strange and wonderful creatures, it really is a good old fashioned adventure film, and at a running time of over two hours it really manages to cover a lot of ground. I'd recommend this film to anyone who hasn't yet watched an anime as its a great way to introduce the genre.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
This is again a nice introductory anime film that anyone can watch without having seen an anime film before. Its a sci-fi film about a girl who finds a way to time travel, as she attempts to use it to her advantage she realises that she can't always get what she wants. The film blends sci-fi, fantasy, comedy and drama to create a film that anyone of any age can watch and understand. It might not be the best that the genre has to offer but if you want a stepping stone between Ghibli films and some of the more hardcore anime films then this is it.
My Neighbour Tororo
I couldn't make an anime list without including one of my all time favourites! My Neighbour Totoro is an excellent kids film, but one that can also be thoroughly enjoyed by adults and grandparents. The film is about two kids who move house and come across the creature called Totoro, this leads onto some adventures and misadventures that I won't spoil. The film oozes love and care, and has a genuine heart, which can't be said for most of the kids films that are coming out nowadays. The film has a beautiful soundtrack too, which gives the film a completely magical feeling. The character has spawned a sort of cult fan club, and you'll be able to find Totoro merchandise in most cities around the world, its also be referenced a lot, with a Totoro making a cameo himself in Toy Story 3! If you want a film that you can watch with your kids, or a film to make you feel happy then I wholeheartedly recommend Totoro.
That's it for the Anime roundup this week but I'll be carrying it on across the coming weeks with more recommendations!
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