Top 5 Films for Art Appreciation

There are a lot of factors to enjoy when it comes to watching an anime film, the plot, the characters, and even the franchise on which it comes from. But one of the main things that almost any fan whether old or new, is the art of any film. Whether it be bright and whimsical or strange but memorable, the art of any anime is one of the main things that attracts any viewer. There are several films to choose from if one is mainly looking for art appreciation, here is a top five list of anime films that fall under this topic.

5. The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Based on a Japanese fairy tale, this is the story of a young girl that was born from a bamboo shoot and raised by a simple couple in the countryside, believed to be a sign of good fortune and her growth into understanding her true role and purpose. A work from the well-known Studio Ghibli, this film brings about a unique style that in reminiscent to what is seen on old Japanese paintings and presents a folkish feel in the storytelling.

4. Paprika

Enter the surreal world of dreams where almost anything can happen and the strange can seem quite beautiful. For this film, while unravelling the mystery of a missing prototype that could lead the collision between reality and dreams, the viewer is presented with imagery both surreal yet captivating as they are further drawn into the world of dreams. In a certain way, one would think that this was a type of fantasy thriller

3. 5 Centimeters per Second

A heart-warming tale of a long-distance love between two friends torn apart when one of them are transferred to another region. With imagery of the changing seasons, beautiful background and large amount of whimsical fluttering cherry blossoms. A majority of the art while beautiful, also brings a melancholic feel to the audience to fit the story.

2. Spirited Away

Enter a world of demons and spirits as a young girl named Chihiro finds herself entangled into the world of youkai due to her parents turning into pigs from eating the food meant for the spirits. Like all of Miyazaki’s works, this film brings not only a sense of wonder in entering a completely different world but it also captures an image of surreal but fantastical world with bright colours, captivating images of traditional but unique Japanese structures and layouts.

1. Your Name (Kimi no Nawa)

As interesting as the story is on how two people finds themselves literally walking in one another’s shoes, one of the main aspects that is appreciated by many on the film is the captivating art style that almost seems realistic at many points. Not only does the viewer see the unique beauty of nature in Japan with serene fields of green, fluttering trees and most strikingly the vast image of the sky in both night and day, but there’s also the towering masses of buildings in Tokyo and the bustling streets filled with people. As the characters walk around in their respective settings, the audience cannot help but feel that they too are part of the scene.