In May 2020, HBO Max launched as a streaming service. While Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Disney Plus are among the most popular platforms, HBO Max had over 40 million subscribers as of April 2021. It offers many different kinds of television series and movies, such as anime.
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By definition, anime is an animation from Japan. Often, it is adapted from Japanese comics known as manga or light novels and video games. But when it comes to film, typically anime movies are standalone and became popular thanks to production companies like Studio Ghibli.
10 Castle In The Sky
Castle In The Sky is a story about teenagers Pazu and Sheeta. He is an orphan from a mining town who caught her when she fell from the clouds. Soon after, Pazu finds out Sheeta is being chased by pirates as well as the government because they want her crystal necklace (which is from the floating city of Laputa). Both of them go on an adventure to find Laputa and escape the bad guys.
This movie was produced by Studio Ghibli and came out in August 1986.
9 Ride Your Wave
Ride Your Wave tells the love story of Hinako and Minato. She is a surfer in college from a seaside town and he is a firefighter who saves the day. But right after they meet and fall in love, Minato dies in an accident due to the ocean itself. Then Hinako finds out she is able to sing and summon him from the water, any body of water.
This movie was produced by Science SARU and came out in June 2019.
8 My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro is about magical creatures and little girls. There is 10-year-old Satsuki and 4-year-old Mei, and Totoros. The girls are sisters and they go on tiny adventures with the Totoros in the forest near their house. There is more to the plot, such as them moving to the countryside in the first place with their father to be closer to their mother who is in the hospital.
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This movie was produced by Studio Ghibli and came out in April 1988.
7 Promare
Promare takes place thirty years has passed since the appearance of Burnish, a race of mutant beings that have the power of fire. They destroyed much of the world with flames. Suddenly, a new group of mutant beings appears, and both battle it out. These mutants are called Promare and are like firefighters and use mechs to fight back.
This movie was produced by Trigger, XFLAG, and Sanzigen and came out in May 2019.
6 Howl's Moving Castle
Howl's Moving Castle is a love story between Sophie and Howl. She is an 18-year-old young woman who was cursed by a witch, turning her into an old woman. He is a magician who lives in a castle that moves and contains the fire demon Calcifer. Together, they try breaking the curse.
This movie was produced by Studio Ghibli and came out in November 2004.
5 When Marnie Was There
When Marnie Was There is about 12-year-old Anna who befriends Marnie. They are in the Japanese countryside, where Anna likes to sketch by herself. Marnie is mysterious. Eventually, the viewer finds out Marnie is not just a stranger to her after all.
This movie was produced by Studio Ghibli and came out in July 2014.
4 Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke is about the journey of Ashitaka looking for the cure to a curse by Tatarigami. He got it from a demon while protecting his village. Ashitaka, on his quest into a forest, meets Lady Eboshi, who leads a clan of humans, as well as Princess Mononoke, a woman who was raised by wolves. There is a war brewing between the humans and the creatures of the forest.
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This movie was produced by Studio Ghibli and came out in July 1997.
3 Tales From Earthsea
Tales From Earthsea follows Ged, a young wizard. He is on a quest and eventually meets Prince Arren, who is shy yet ruthless when it comes to protecting a young girl named Teru. They investigate why dragons are appearing in the world of humans. Aside from that, the witch named Kumo messes with Teru and comes in between the boys.
This movie was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Studio Ghibli and came out in July 2006.
2 Spirited Away
Spirited Away is a tale of 10-year-old Chihiro. She gets caught up in a secret world after losing her parents to piglike transformation. Chihiro winds up encountering strange spirits and creatures as well as a nasty sorceress named Yubaba and a mysterious boy named Haku. She must work at Yubaba's bathhouse to free herself and her parents (under Haku's supervision).
This movie was produced by Studio Ghibli and came out in December 2002.
1 Weathering With You
Weathering With You is a story about a time in the world where the rain just will not stop. Hodaka, a teenage boy, runs away from the Japanese countryside to Tokyo. There, he befriends an orphan girl named Hina who is able to manipulate the weather. Unfortunately, there is a price to pay to use her powers and he does everything possible to stop that from happening.
This movie was produced by CoMix Wave Films and Story Inc. and came out in July 2019.