Growing up I remember all of the classic TV shows I used to watch daily. Kenan and Kel, Saved by The Bell, Dexter's Laboratory. The list could go on and the memories will last me a lifetime.
But its one TV show that always got me rushing to the remote quicker than any others.
Yes you guessed it, it was Dragon Ball Z.
Dragon Ball Z is the first time I had ever discovered anything Anime related. It was different to the typical cartoon that was being broadcasted at the time. Soon after Pokémon came along and the love for Anime has only grown since.
According to Google, Anime related terms typed into Google's search bar between 10 million and 100 million times every month. And other sources have confirmed that their are between 2 and 3 billion people in the world that enjoy Anime.
I know a handful of people who claim to have watched other 600 movies! How's that for an Anime fan!
What do people love so much about Anime?
There are many things about the wonderful world of Anime that keeps people coming back for more. One of the reasons is the amount of different genres, especially when it comes to action Anime.
The animations are also far more appealing as well as being easier and more cost-effective to make. Why would anybody care about the cost? Because this gives the creators a lot more movability and freedom to perfect each actions in each scene.
Another point is that Anime appeals to a far wider audience than your typical cartoon. While western cartoons are generally aimed at children (apart from Family Guy, South Park etc), Anime's dramatic, relatable storylines also appeals to adults. I'm 28 now and a hard-hitting movie like Wolf Children will keep me on the edge of my seat with uncontrollable tears pouring down my face every single time and I know there's other grown men out there that would say the same thing. Well, maybe they won't admit it but they know they do!
But all points considered, the main thing that
people love about Anime is the fact that it takes you from the typical boring world and puts you into a better one. A world of fantasy, immersion and elation. It enables your imagination to run wild with the infinite possibilities while still being kept grounded with the warmth and romance infamous of a great Anime movie.
What are some of the best Anime movies?
God what a question! According to
Quora, there are over 35,000 movies, and that was posted in 2017! We could be looking at a number closer to 40,000 now so choosing the best Anime in the world is a pretty tough ask!
Also, everybody enjoys different Anime movies. Some will swear that the 2002 film 'The Cat Returns' was one of the all time greatest, while others weren't buying the whole 'talking to cats' thing and prefer simple human characters.
However, taking ratings from a combination of multiple sources, the top Anime film is...
Spirited Away
There's no arguing that this is one of the greatest ever made. Filled with fantasy and spiritual struggles throughout. Spirited Away was directed by Hayao Miyazak and released in 2001. The film depicts a young woman struggling with Japanese culture. Her parents turn into pigs and run wild while the young girl trys to seek solom in her now home country as she seeks power in love and romance.
Let me know in the comments what you think. Is this your favorite Anime movie?