Anthology anime presents a distinct way of watching, as each series is composed of various short films or episodes that feature diverse styles, plots, and artistic perspectives. This format allows audiences to explore fresh directorial visions and distinct storylines in easily digestible portions.
For anime enthusiasts interested in broadening their interests, anthology shows offer a great chance to experience a variety of directors, writers, genres, and animation techniques. These highly-rated and influential anthology anime series are essential viewing for any fan of the genre.
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10 Must-Watch Anthology Anime Series for Fans
1. Memories
In 1995, Director Katsuhiro Otomo brought together three short films of distinct styles and stories to create Memories, an anthology anime. This compilation showcases the wide range of creativity within anime as an art form.
The initial movie, Magnetic Rose, helmed by Koji Morimoto, is renowned for its eerie ambiance and breathtaking imagery. The subsequent film, Stink Bomb, is a quirky comedy directed by Tensai Okamura, following the transformation of an average man into a biochemical weapon.
Featuring a striking hand-drawn art style and directed by Otomo himself, the last film of the trilogy, Cannon Fodder, is a powerful anti-war tale. Memories masterfully displays the animators’ exceptional creativity through its diverse themes, tones, and stunning visuals across all three shorts. It truly showcases their unparalleled talent and skill.
2. Short Peace
“The standout among the 4 short films in Short Peace is Possessions, a ghost story directed by Shuhei Morita (known for Kakurenbo). It showcases a unique combination of traditional animation and 3D computer-generated imagery.”
In addition, there are the post-apocalyptic Gambo, directed by Hiroaki Ando (Five Numbers!), the magical historical story A Farewell to Arms, and the family-friendly Combustible, which showcases a fire disaster during the Edo period in Japan.
Despite being an anthology anime, Short Peace manages to break new ground with its combination of advanced animation and impactful storytelling. Its recognition with nominations for both the Oscar and Annie Awards only further solidifies the artistic excellence of anthology anime on a global scale.
Robot Carnival
This renowned 1987 anthology anime is comprised of 9 short films created by various writers and directors, all centered around the theme of robots. From lighthearted comedies to thought-provoking dramas to dark dystopias, each story delves into different concepts surrounding artificial intelligence and the dynamics between humans and robots, presented in a variety of animation styles.
The opener Franken’s Gears, directed by Koji Morimoto, is among the most well-known segments. Other notable segments include Presence, directed by Hiroyuki Kitazume (known for Moldiver), and “Cloud”by Manabu Ōhashi, which were considered groundbreaking during their time.
Robot Carnival, as one of the first attempts to highlight the storytelling abilities of anime creators using the prevalent motif of robotics, holds a significant position in the history of anime. This anthology anime stands out not only in its visual appeal, but also in its thematic elements.
4. The Animatrix
The Animatrix, a collection of 9 brief animated films, was created during the height of the early 2000s fascination with the successful films of the Wachowskis. This anime anthology delves into various aspects and viewpoints of the fictional Matrix universe through a variety of animation styles.
Notable features include Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s Program, a simulated reality program that takes place in a feudal Japan-inspired world. The photorealistic CGI battle in Final Flight of the Osiris and The Second Renaissance parts 1 and 2 both portray the machine uprising through a newsreel-style narration and visually captivating scenes.
Despite being an anime expansion of a globally renowned film franchise, The Animatrix’s top-notch production and varied shorts made it accessible to a wider audience. It continues to be a must-watch for followers of The Matrix world.
Black Jack OVAs
These Black Jack OVAs from the 1990s are adaptations of various stories about the enigmatic and unlicensed surgeon, Black Jack, from Osamu Tezuka’s timeless manga series.
Over the course of 12 standalone episodes, all presented with a cohesive visual aesthetic, the series centers on Black Jack as he utilizes his extraordinary medical abilities to identify and cure bizarre illnesses, all while uncovering buried truths about both his patients and his own past.
The Black Jack OVAs are highly praised for their ability to effectively adapt Tezuka’s thought-provoking and morally intricate source material. Through emotionally powerful storytelling, they explore themes of loss, redemption, retribution, and healing.
This anthology anime is a must-watch for fans of morally ambiguous antihero doctor protagonists, as it captures the essence of Tezuka’s signature melodramatic storytelling centered on ethical issues in the medical field.
Genius Party
In 2007, Studio 4°C’s Genius Party anthology of 7 animated shorts was created with the purpose of highlighting the skills of the studio’s key animators and directors. Through its stunningly diverse artistic styles and storytelling genres, the anthology successfully showcases the talents of these individuals.
From imaginative magical realism and thrilling steampunk adventures to romantic tales of telekinetic aliens and thought-provoking explorations of a post-apocalyptic world, Genius Party truly lives up to its name in showcasing original and diverse creative visions.
Two of the most notable segments include Doorbell, directed by the renowned Satoshi Kon (known for his work on Perfect Blue), which portrays a surreal situation where a man comes face to face with different versions of himself. Another standout segment is Limit Cycle, a thought-provoking examination of consciousness and the nature of reality, directed by Hideki Futamura.
Genius Party showcases the boundless creativity of anime artists, free from the constraints of commercialism. This collection of short films elevates animation to the level of fine art, showcasing the ingenuity of these creators at their finest.
Neo Tokyo
Neo Tokyo, a groundbreaking anthology from the 1980s, is a representation of the emerging cyberpunk anime movement. It features three short films by renowned science fiction directors, each bringing to life surreal and dystopian tales with vivid anime imagery. This collection delves into a futuristic society grappling with themes of genetic manipulation, artificial intelligence, and corporate domination.
This anthology anime contains a collection of shorts, such as Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s The Running Man, which follows the story of a champion racer with the ability to manipulate objects with their mind. Katsuhiro Ōtomo’s Construction Cancellation Order is a Kafkaesque tale about an unstoppable construction project, while Rintaro’s Labyrinth Labyrinthos takes the audience on a surreal journey through a nightmarish circus.
As one of the first anime attempts at mature science fiction, the unsettling and dreamlike depictions of Neo Tokyo had a significant impact on future works such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell. It remains a groundbreaking masterpiece for filmmakers who would later become industry titans.
Busy
Each 23-minute episode of the series is based on Yuki Urushibara’s manga and features self-contained fictional stories. These stories focus on Mushi Masters, experts who study Mushi – ethereal primordial lifeforms that interact strangely with humans according to esoteric rules.
Mushishi episodes are visually inspired by traditional Japanese art and carefully depict supernatural phenomena. The protagonist, Ginko, encounters individuals troubled by Mushi and gains knowledge about the unique characteristics of each Mushi. Instead of exorcising them, Ginko resolves the crisis by comprehending nature’s mysticism.
Mushishi, an episodic anthology, provides director Hiroshi Nagahama with the opportunity to delve into different Japanese occult folklore-inspired concepts, each presented as standalone stories with a realistic tone. This creates a truly one-of-a-kind anime experience that seamlessly combines elements of mysticism and nature.
Batman: Gotham Knight
A partnership between Warner Bros and several renowned anime writers and directors, 2008’s Batman: Gotham Knight features a collection of unique animated versions of Batman, complementing Christopher Nolan’s live-action films Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.
The shorts aim to showcase diverse creative interpretations of the Batman mythos, with particular standouts being Kazuto Nakazawa’s imaginative portrayal of Batman’s evolving technology in Field Test, Shojiro Nishimi’s noir take in Have I Got a Story for You, and Jong-Sik Nam’s mystical depiction of Batman’s confrontation with the villain Deadshot in Deadshot.
Batman: Gotham Knight is a thought-provoking cross-cultural endeavor that brings together renowned Japanese creators and an iconic American superhero, reimagined in the form of an anime. For fans of Batman and DC, this anthology remains a must-watch.
10. Flavors of Youth
The 2018 Chinese-Japanese anthology anime film, created in collaboration between Chinese and Japanese studios such as CoMix Wave, is a unique cross-cultural venture. It consists of 3 shorts that revolve around wistful stories of childhood reminiscences and coming of age.
The event begins with Jiaoshou Yi Xiaoxing’s food-focused short film, The Rice Noodles, which beautifully portrays a young man’s upbringing in the countryside. Following that is Yoshitaka Takeuchi’s A Little Fashion Show, a heartwarming story about sisterhood and chasing one’s aspirations.
In addition, Li Haoling’s Love in Shanghai is a touching first love story that spans across time, showcasing the city’s evolving backdrop in a captivating manner. Through its gentle and vibrant portrayal of youthful experiences and coming-of-age narratives, Flavors of Youth effectively demonstrates the widespread appeal of anime storytelling.
Conclusion
The anthology anime format offers a rich opportunity for anime creators to explore stories, styles, and ideas in their most authentic form. The aforementioned anthologies feature a selection of pioneering, impactful, and imaginative anime shorts that highlight the breadth of the medium.
For both seasoned anime enthusiasts and newcomers alike, anthologies serve as a means of discovering fresh artistic perspectives and emerging talents that continue to shape and impact the anime industry to this day. These collections are a must-watch for anyone interested in anime.
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