While Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli is the go-to for family movies like "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Spirited Away" , there are hidden treasures that have yet to reach the American audience. This list is dedicated to those who want a refreshing change from the wondrous animations and settle down for a more relaxed watch.
1. Kaze no Matasaburou (Matasaburou of the Wind) (2016)
Originally a film adaptation of the novel by Koji Shima, this anime is a 30 minute light-hearted story of a young girl's experience of moving to the countryside for the first time. Buemon Studios' Kaze no Matasaburou brings much of the Japanese fable to a modern mindset in one of the most endearing ways. As the girl learns more about the "God of the Wind" and the animals who talk of him, she begins to embrace her new rural home. While the animation is a blend of 3D movement with drawn outlines, its characters soft rhythmic movement gives it a child-like feel. Kaze no Matasaburou is a wonderful movie looking for a quick and easy watch.
2. Kaguya-Hime no Monogatari (The Tale of Princess Kaguya)
This recreation of the fairytale also known as, "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter", is a beautifully animated story of a princess born from a bamboo stalk taught how to be a princess by the bamboo cutter and his wife who take her in. With cool hues and temperate colors, the animation feels as though classical Japanese block prints have sprung to life. While the tale itself is a classic, Isao Takahata's rework creates rounded characters that weave the story in a new pattern. Princess Kaguya is a must see for you Japanese Lore fanatics.
3. Omae Umasou da na (Your name is Umasou)
While this movie leans more toward a younger audience, the story takes on the adult theme of life and death and identity. Heart, a meat-eating dinosaur is taken in by a leaf-eater and is raised until he realizes who he is. In turn, when Heart is older, he finds a leaf-eating dinosaur who mistakingly thinks that his name is Umasou, the Japanese word for tasty. And although this reality is explored, the art is kid-friendly, rendering the flesh of the dinosaurs a pink fluffy mass rather than a bloody chunk of gore. If you have kids or are babysitting and have an itch for anime, count on this movie to make it throughout the day.
4. Tonari no Yamada-kun (My neighbors the Yamadas)
Quirky, funny, and full of gags explains this movie on its surface. Yet, in all it's hilarity, "My neighbors, the Yamadas", sprinkle feel-good vibes in tender moments between the family that feels quite close to home. This cozy 1999 anime boasts cartoony artwork telling of its decade. The round faces and stumpy bodies normalize the characters, enticing a sense of nostalgia of similarly shaped family of our own. I'm sure we all know an uncle or aunt with happy plump faces or beer bellies that put Santa to shame. "My neighbors, the Yamada"s is great for the whole family and will leave them laughing.
5. Ookami kodomo no Ame to Yuki (Wolf Children)
On a darker note, "Wolf Children" undertakes a bildungsroman theme with the issues of loss and acceptance of loss as the bigger motif. After the death of her werewolf husband, Hana is left alone to care for her two half-wolf children and all the obstacles that come with their growth. With animation identical to Studio Ghibli's, "Wold Children" is a vivid movie with fluid transitions and defined characters that never oversell the plot. Although this movie is intended for an older audience, it caters to young adults with similar concerns on identity and grieving.
If it's your turn to watch the kids or if you're at a family gathering with the little ones, take a peek at these five anime movies. Or even if you're simply an avid anime fan, you can check out the directors and animation studios for more fun movies or T.V. series they've made. Enjoy!
