Redline

This Japanese animation movie centered on a deadly racing tournament held every five years and naturally every driver wants to win it.

Redline Poster

Genres: Action, Sci-Fi
Director: Takeshi Koike
Starring: Takuya Kimura, Tadanobu Asano, Yuu Aoi
Alternative title: Red Line
Japanese: レドライン
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 9 October 2010 (Japan)
Runtime: 101 min
Official Site: http://red-line.jp/index.html

Plot Summary:
Red Line, the biggest racing tournament of the universe and it's only held once every 5 years. Elite drivers from all over the galaxy who unleash lethal weaponry to win — with the rules, such as they are, permitting it. JP, a racing driver take part the prestigious no-rules race held on Roboplanet, the military planet the race is to take place on, is opposed to the race and has threatened anyone participating with death. Why hold the race there? JP participates in Redline in spite of the danger.

"Redline" Review:
Redline is a Japanese animation movie about racing, unlike anything you've ever seen before. Produced by Madhouse, with second key animation by Gainax, music from James Shimoji and a cast and crew pumped with everlasting potential. The main character, JP has the classic Japanese gangster hairstyle, the 'Japanese' team in the race look like otaku and every other male are heavily muscled. The girls are of course sexualised beyond what any ecchi anime could achieve. The characters give the film its flavour and they're incredibly fun and amazing to behold on screen.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1483797/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2H_FsmxWzc

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

This Japanese animation movie based on the very popular and successful TV series, "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" featuring stunning , state-of-the-art animation, this action-packed sci-fi adventure builds to a breath-taking, nail-biting climax that will have you glued to your seat until it is well over.

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie Poster

Genres: Action, Drama, Science fiction
Director: Shinichiro Watanabe
Starring: Beau Billingslea, Melissa Fahn, Nicholas Guest
Alternative title: Cowboy Bebop: Tengoku no tobira
Japanese: カウボーイビバップ天国の扉
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 1 September 2001 (Japan)
Runtime: 116 min
Official Site: http://www.sonypictures.com/cthe/cowboybebop/

Plot Summary:
A few days short of Halloween, the year is 2071. Terrorist blow up a tanker truck on Highway, a deadly virus that kills hundreds is released in the capital city of Mars. A 300 million woo-long reward, the largest bounty in history has been offered by the government for the capture of the person behind the destruction and prevent more devastating biochemical attack. The bounty hunter crew of the spaceship Bebop; Spike, Faye, Jet and Ed, take the case with hopes of cashing in the largest bounty. But the mystery surrounding the man responsible, Vincent, goes deeper than they ever imagined, and they are not the only ones hunting him. The original creators of the virus have dispatched an agent named Electra to deal with Vincent, as well as take out anyone who might uncover the truth behind his murderous crusade against the Martian government. The fate of Mars rests with the Bebop crew, the only trouble is that Spike and the gang have stumbled onto something that is much more than a simple bounty and end up discovering a big conspiracy that will throw their lives into ultimate danger.

"Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" Review:
The "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" is a spin-off of the cult TV series "Cowboy Bebop," which centers around four bounty hunters: the ultra-cool and fearless Spike, the "Art of War" loving Jet, the superficial Faye and the computer genius Edward. Cowboy Bebop has a good balance of intelligent Japanese animation movie, the scenery is dynamic and the characters, the main cast as well as the new additions, carry the weight of the movie and the script which is well written and very Bebopish style. You get a sense of realism when watching Bebop, and it comes with a sense of cool that is unmatched by almost any American series.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275277/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au1AO1xaEts

Mai Mai Miracle

This Japanese animation movie is based on the Takagi Nobuko's award-winning autobiographical novel "Mai Mai Shinko," by Nobuko Takagi, winner of the prestigious literature award - Akutagawa Prize.

Mai Mai Miracle Poster

Genres: Drama
Director: Sunao Katabuchi
Starring: Mayuko Fukuda, Manami Honjou, Ei Morisako, Jenya
Alternative title: Mai Mai Shinko and the Millennium-Old Magic
Japanese: Mai Mai Shinko to Sennen no Mahō
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 21 November 2009 (Japan)
Runtime: 93 min

Plot Summary:
In the mid-1950s in a small town of Hofu in Yamaguchi Prefecture in southwestern Japan. Shinko Aoki, a nine-year-old girl likes to listen to the history of the little town as it appeared a millennium prior by her grandfather and imagine herself in them. Fascinated by Kiiko's Tokyoite ways, Shinko quickly makes friends with a shy girl (Kiiko Shimazu) who has recently transferred to her school from Tokyo. They embark on a magical experience involving a goldfish and a thousand-year-old legendary figure.

"Mai Mai Miracle" Review:
A sprightly and vibrant Japanese animation movie that revolves around the friendship of a little girl, discoveries and growing-up, is depicted in this animation that overflows with elements of fantasy. Main purpose of this film isn't to show an as big drama as possible, for nostalgia. It just wants to show the lives of a bunch of kids growing up together. Both the animation and music were very good and consistent.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517216/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9ylq9RmW1w

Tekkon Kinkreet

The Japanese animation movie is faithful to the comic book and the storyline is basically the same. It's the first time an American director has ever gone and directed an entire piece of animation in Japan, at the studio.

Tekkon Kinkreet Poster

Genres: Action, Adventure
Director: Michael Arias
Starring: Kazunari Ninomiya, Yû Aoi, Yûsuke Iseya
Alternative title: Tekkon kinkurîto
Japanese: 鉄コン筋クリート
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 23 December 2006 (Japan)
Runtime: 111 min
Official Site: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/tekkonkinkreet/

Plot Summary:
In Treasure Town, a metropolitan slum out of touch with the world, life can be both peaceful and brutal. Black and White, two street urchins who known together by the moniker Neko ("Cat"), they run wild in the mean streets of Treasure Town. Black is tough, smart, and beating down any thug who gets in his way, while White is naive, childish, and has an inconceivable sixth sense when things aren't right. When a foreign corporate named "KIDDY KASTLE" wants to redevelop Treasure Town and replacing it with an amusement park. It is up to the Tekkonkinkreet to save the fate of the Treasure Town.

"Tekkon Kinkreet" Review:
The Japanese animation movie is beautifully detailed and composed and editing in the action scenes is spectacular, with breathtaking characterization and striking visuals. The dynamic story deals with brotherhood, friendship, loss, insanity, the inexplicable, differing visions, and overall fighting for what you love and believe in. Tekkon Kinkreet is a deeply resonant Japanese animation movie with a heart.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0831888/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWOCf1wNlk0

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

The Japanese animation movie, "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" is a very touching and emotional cinematic experience.

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Poster

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara, Yasuhiro Takemoto
Starring: Sayaka Aoki, Minori Chihara, Yuko Goto
Alternative title: The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya
Japanese: 涼宮ハルヒの消失
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 21 May 2010 (USA)
Runtime: 163 min
Official Site: http://haruhi.tv/fanclub/syoshitsu.html

Plot Summary:
On December 17th, and SOS Brigade chief Haruhi Suzumiya make plans to hold a hot pot party for Christmas. The SOS brigade members Kyon, Yuki Nagato (an alien robot), Mikuru Asahina (a time traveler) and Itsuki Koizumi (an ESPer) start preparing everything for the Christmas party. But on December 18th, Kyon wakes up as usual, walks to school and finds out everything has become drastically different. The SOS Brigade have mysteriously disappeared, Haruhi and Itsuki Koizumi are missing, Mikuru Asahina has lost all memory of Kyon, Yuki Nagato has become an ordinary human and Ryoko Asakura has mysteriously returned. The SOS Brigade seems to have never existed, nor has Haruhi Suzumiya. No one remembers anything about Haruhi or the SOS Brigade, except for Kyon.

"The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" Review:
The Japanese animation movie "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" was interesting and rather amusing. The main theme and storyline of this Japanese animation movie tie in with the original anime series. However, even without seeing the series, this movie can still leave a good impression and will likely lead the viewer interested to watch the original series. The screenplay itself has a lot of depth and successfully portrays the uniqueness.

Another thing to note about this movie is its length. This Japanese animation movie is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes long. Which makes it the second longest movie in Japan. This could be a good and bad thing, but i would say that the longer, the better.

So overall, if you're a fan of the series or just want to see a good animation movie, check this great movie with amazing screenplay and animation out.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1572781/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAyCTepec4c

Paprika

This Japanese animation movie based on Yasutaka Tsutsui's 1993 novel is a challenging and brilliant production. It tells an intriguing puzzle-like story that explores a intricate mysterious dream world and delivers it in a beautiful and thoughtful way.

Paprika Poster

Genres: fantasy, horror, mystery, psychological, science fiction, Thriller
Director: Satoshi Kon
Starring: Megumi Hayashibara, Toru Emori, Katsunosuke Hori
Alternative title: Papurika
Japanese: パプリカ
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 25 November 2006 (Japan)
Runtime: 90 min
Official Site [United States]: http://www.sonyclassics.com/paprika/

Plot Summary:
In the near future, a new device called the "DC Mini" has invented that will allow therapists to enter into people's dreams and explore their unconscious thoughts. One day, a thief who steals the one of the the D.C. Mini devices and that uses the device to create a mass Chaos through enter people's minds, when awake and distract them with their own dreams and those of others. The woman psychologist, Dr. Atsuko Chiba uses her alter-identity, "dream detective" Paprika attempt to prevent the dream world from melding with reality. In the process, she witness a bizarre parade of appliances, toys, and kitsch objects: a combat in the dream world of the fantasy and adventure begins.

"Paprika" Review:
This is an extremely well Japanese animation movie for those who like movies that make you think. Awarded Best Film honors at the 2007 Anime Awards in Tokyo, Japan, "Paprika " tells of a group of well-meaning scientists who invent a machine capable of controlling people's dreams - only to discover that the dreams, in a retaliatory measure, have actually begun controlling them. There are many storylines, some explicit, some weaving somewhere in the background. There are also many parallels, where different characters experience similar conflicts, though each one goes through it in a unique way. The visuals are stunning, the sound track is amazing, everything comes together. There were one or two parts that dragged but besides that this was a perfect movie.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851578/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERaLC28EaQo

King of Thorn

King of Thorn is a Japanese animation movie based on Yuji Iwahara's manga series by the same name, puts animated images to a sensational cross between Aliens and the series Lost.

King of Thorn Poster

Genres: Action, Survival horror
Director: Kazuyoshi Katayama
Starring: Sendai Eri, Kana Hanazawa, Toshiyuki Morikawa
Alternative title: Ibara no O
Japanese: いばらの王
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 1 May 2010 (Japan)
Runtime: 120 min
Official Site: http://www.kingofthorn.net/en/index.html

Plot Summary:
Medusa Virus, a deadly virus that turns its victims into stone, begins to spread around the people of the whole world. In order to save humanity's future from this mortal virus, the government picks out a select group of patients put into a cold sleep (CS) until they come up with a solution. Kasumi, a teenage girl is one of only 160 people chosen for this procedure in the whole world, and is guided to a Cold Sleep Capsule Center (CSCC) inside an ancient castle in Scotland. An unknown amount of time later, Kasumi and the others in hibernation abruptly woke up, only to find the CSCC is not as they remembered. The castle is covered with thorns, and the survivors are attacked by unknown monstrous creatures!

Why they are being attacked? Where did the monsters come from? How long were they asleep? What has happened to the world? In order to attempt to discover what exactly has happened to the Earth, the escapade of the seven survivors begins.

"King of Thorn" Review:
If you likes horror and psychological thrillers, this Japanese animation movie is a good tense mystical horror, dynamic fighter and touching drama and the animation and music is magnificent. "King of Thorn" combines traditional animation for characters and 3d computer graphics for vehicles, most moving objects and certain creatures. They mix very well and seem to add depth to the proceedings. The characters are nicely drawn and the action sequences are particularly exciting and dynamic with amazing direction. There's also a nice contrast between medieval castle look and sci-fi trappings. I would like to point out one of the last creatures seen that was quite grandiose yet weirdly beautiful.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1690483/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx43rP4G70g

Summer Days with Coo

Summer Days with Coo depicts the friendship between Koichi and his young kappa (A water creature of Japanese folklore). Five years in the making, this Japanese animation movie met with great reviews and word of mouth for its realistic characters, strong themes, and heartwarming story.

Summer Days with Coo Poster

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Director: Keiichi Hara
Starring: Kazato Tomizawa, Takahiro Yokokawa, Naoki Tanaka
Alternative title: Kappa no ku to natsu yasumi
Japanese: 河童のクゥと夏休み
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 28 July 2007 (Japan)
Runtime: 138 min
Official Site (France): http://www.kaze.fr/sites_officiels/coo/

Plot Summary:
Koichi Uehara is an elementary school boy living in the small-town of Tokyo. One day, he accidentally picks up curious-looking stone which turns out that Koichi has brought home a young kappa (A water creature of Japanese folklore) that has been sleeping underground for the past 300 years. Koichi names the timid, mischievous river sprite Coo - after the first sound it makes. Koichi and Coo become good friends and starts living with his family. But as time passes, Coo could not adjust to the life style in Tokyo and becomes increasingly lonely and sad, a lone kappa in the human world. On a hot summer day, Koichi and Coo decide to set off on a journey to Tono in northern Japan where the kappa legend is still told.

"Summer Days with Coo" Review:
"Summer Days with Coo" won the Best Animation Film award at the 2008 Mainichi Film Awards and the Grand Prize for Animation at the 11th Japan Media Arts Festival and the Feature Film category at the 2008 Tokyo Anime Award. "Summer Days with Coo" is very beautiful movie, not a kind of only critically acclaimed movie. You will see in this Japanese animation movie how human beings who live in concrete jungle forgot sincerity to others. Coo may look like an alien to you but he and his summer days with one kind human family will remind you of your lost memories and bittersweet nostalgia.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1179773/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMaa1FNbTFo

Summer Wars

This Japanese animation movie tells a beautiful story based off our own social network called "Oz" as a widely known like facebook and used operating system is affected by an unknown user, throwing the entire world into total chaos. Family meetings, feuds, love, hate, different people joined together in an adventure of a lifetime, all under a single roof.

Summer Wars Poster

Genres: Romance, Adventure, Comedy
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Starring: Michael Sinterniklaas, Brina Palencia, Pam Dougherty
Alternative title: Samâ wôzu
Japanese: サマーウォーズ
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 1 August 2009 (Japan)
Runtime: 114 min
Official Site: http://s-wars.jp/index.html

Plot Summary:
This animated sci-fi adventure comedy centered on a no self-confidence eleventh-grader math genius Kenji Koiso agrees to take a summer job at the Nagano Prefecture, hometown of his crush secret crush, Natuski. When he arrives, he finds that her family have all come together to celebrate the 90th birthday of the family matriarch. Much to Kenji's surprise, his "summer job" is to pose as Natsuki's boyfriend. In the process, he receives a strange mathematical equation on his cell phone, his attempt to solve this mysterious equation causes a bizarre parallel world to collide with Earth. Kenji, Natsuki, and her fake family must find a way to clear up the mess before it plunges the planet into chaos.

"Summer Wars" Review:
Summer Wars is a fantastic and beautiful Japanese animation movie that delves into themes of emotional storytelling. The story about friendship, family, togetherness and heart-warming. You will certainly love about this film is how much emotion it pumps through you; I was laughing, crying and biting my lips in suspense all the way through the film, not once did I feel that the film was dragging on, there was always something there to keep your attention towards the film right from the beginning to the very end.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1474276/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsLwVoZqEjk

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5 Centimeters per Second

 - Japanese Animation MovieThis dramatic Japanese animation movie "5 Centimeters Per Second" is not one agglutinate movie, but instead a collection of three segments describing the life and growth of Tono Takaki from elementary school, to high school, to the workforce.

5 Centimeters per Second Poster

Genres: Animation, Drama, Romance
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Starring: Kenji Mizuhashi, Yoshimi Kondou, Satomi Hanamura, Ayaka Onoue, Risa Mizuno
Alternative title: 5cm per Second
Japanese title: 秒速5センチメートル
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 3 March 2007 (Japan)
Runtime: 63 min
Official Site: http://5cm.yahoo.co.jp/

Plot Summary:
"5 Centimeters per Second" tells the tale of Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari, who were inseparable friends during their time together in elementary school. But gradually the distance between them grew because of Akari moves to another city because of her parents' jobs. Both of them try hard to maintain their friendship alive, as time and distance slowly pulls them apart. Later, Takaki decides to pay a visit to Akari, and sets out on the road that leads to his old friend. This is the story of Takaki and Akari as told in three segments: From the perspective of both friends, as well as the vantage point of those they both meet along the way.

"5 Centimeters per Second" Review:
"5 Centimeters Per Second" is beautiful and wonderful Japanese animation movie that is thoroughly enjoyable to watch, only about 1 hour long. This movie is about the pain of never being able to get to the person you care about the most and being able to tell them how you feel. Even though you say it, sometimes the time you spend apart makes you isolated and confused. The music and animation effectively complement the story, and this movie resembles some of the best romances.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0983213/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDBH4xCE9ys

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

This Japanese animation movie is a fabulous story about our protagonist to understand that the people around her are really thinking, and never run from confrontations, because once that what has already happened, you'll never change it back.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time poster

Genres: adventure, drama, romance, science fiction
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Starring: Riisa Naka, Takuya Ishida, Ayami Kakiuchi Bandai
Alternative title: TokiKake (Japanese)
Japanese: 時をかける少女
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 2006-07-15 (Japan)
Runtime: 98 minutes
Official Site: http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/tokikake/

Plot Summary:
When a 17-year-old high school girl Makoto Konno finds that she has ability to literally leap through time, she immediately tries to use the newfound power to preserving the relationships with her closest friends and reveals the perpetually shifting nature of personal relationships. But she soon finds that changing the time can alter the fate of those around her. This was not supposed to happen and she have to rely on her new powers to fix the future of herself and her friends.

"The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" Review:
This is one of those Japanese animation movies that you can share with people who don't especially like anime movies and be sure to keep them in their seats.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time maybe is one of those Japanese animation movies that you wish it never ended but you know that it has to end.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808506/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSXvoJJRaUU

You Are Umasou

This Japanese animation movie is an adaptation of Tatsuya Miyanishi’s best selling children' s picture book about a carnivorous Tyrannosaurus Rex that unpredicted becomes a adoptive father to a baby dinosaur rather than eating it.

You Are Umasou poster

Genres: Adventure
Director: Masaya Fujimori
Cast (voice): Tomoyo Harada, Seishiro Kato, Kappei Yamaguchi - Hatu, Tetsuya Bessho
Alternative title: Omae Umasou da na
Japanese: おまえうまそうだな
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: October 16, 2010 (Japan)
Runtime: 89 min

Plot Summary:
A carnivorous Tyrannosaurus named Heart is raised by a female herbivorous dinosaur Maiasaura. As Heart grew up, he grows bigger and bigger, the other herbivorous dinosaurs starts to afraid his difference between meat-eaters and plant-eaters. Finally, Heart makes a tough decision and leaves his home alone behind to realizes who he really is.

By a twist of fate, Heart stumbles upon a baby Ankylosaurus dinosaur and he says out loud "Umasou! You look delicious" and opens his mouth to eat the baby dinosaur, but suddenly the baby dinosaur says "Dad! Is my name Umasou?" (which means literally looks delicious). Heart feel embarrassment and started to taking care of this little dinosaur and has a change of his heart.

"You Are Umasou" Review:
The "You Are Umasou" movie is awesome and adorable! I never thought that a children anime is so cute in Japanese animation movie.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1734113/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJfl2zTd-G0