A Top 5 of Fantastical Worlds in Film

There are a number of good anime films that have brought good stories, memorable characters and beautiful art. Many of them have brought tears, laughter and heartfelt emotions to all that have watched them. However, there are certain films that bring a certain special aspect to the viewer that can be found in other anime series as well; and that is bringing the viewer to a whole new world. Whether it be bright and fantastical or unique and filled with adventure, these films are a high recommendation to watch

5. Bakemono no Ko

A story of family and growing up, this film follows the tale of nine-year-old Ren, who, after having lost his mother and was left by his father, ran away in order to not live with his other relatives. As he roams the streets of Shibuten he is encountered by a beast and fierce warrior named Kumatetsu. Following after the beast as he moves away, Ren soon finds himself in maze of alleyways where he stumbles upon the beast realm of Shibuten. It is there that he is found once more by Kumatetsu who saves him from other beasts and takes him under his wing naming him Kyuuta. This is the story of their friendship.

4. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

In a post-apocalyptic world where fantastical beasts roamed free and nature took a complete flip, a story is told of a princess of the Valley of the Wind named Nausicaa. When a ship crashes into her land one day she soon finds herself tangled into a struggle with the kingdom of Tolmekia as she fights against their plan in using an ancient weapon in order to eradicate the jungle of mutant insects.

3. Paprika

In a world where one can enter the dream world freely, highly intelligent Dr. Atsuko Chiba otherwise known in the dream world as the feisty red head “Paprika” has developed a machine in which one can enter into a dreamer’s inner thoughts and be able to give psychological help. Being such a powerful machine it was found that the prototype for the powerful device was stolen. Now alongside with Detective Toshimi Konakawa, she as Paprika is on the case to find the thief before real damage can be done to the dream world.

2. Summer Wars

Welcome to the world of OZ, where just about everything is down nowadays, from shopping, to communicating and even being used as a tool in work, OZ has become an essential to the entire world. For Kenji Koiso, a part-time moderator of OZ and a high school student, what he has in mind is trying to think of what to do for the summer when he is suddenly invited to spend the summer with his crush Natsuki Shinohara for according to her, a job. Because of this Kenji soon finds himself entangled with the Shinohara family. However, things seem to be brewing in the world of OZ and soon enough its issues begin leaking into the real world.

1. Spirited Away

Moving to a new place was never easy, especially for a kid, this was the case for young Chihiro. As she and her parents are moving into their new town, they find themselves lost in the forest and enter into what they believe is an abandoned amusement park. Yet unknown to them they have entered into the magical realm of the spirit world and when Chihiro’s parents are unwittingly turned into pigs from their consumption of food in a booth they found she now faces the challenge of finding a way to save her parents and head home.