10 Best Japan Cartoon Movies

1. Spirited Away

Directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki , “Spirited Away” is the magical story of a child who wanders into a place inhabited by Gods, monsters, and witches.

2. Princess Mononoke

This is another Japanese cartoon movie that was both directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki. Ashitaka, the main character in “Princess Mononoke,” becomes involved in a war as he searches for the cure to a curse.

3. Grave of the Fireflies

Directed by Isao Takahata and written by Akiyuki Nosaka and Isao Takahata, “Grave of the Fireflies” is a tale about two children, Seita and Setsuko, who struggle to survive during the second World War.

       
4. My Neighbor Totoro

Yet another great Japanese cartoon movie directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki, “My Neighbor Totoro” is the adventurous story of two children who interact with forest spirits.

5. Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind

Hayao Miyazaki is the director and writer of this Japanese cartoon gem. The story involves a warrior princess who attempts to save a dying planet from being destroyed by two nations who are at war with each other.

6. Castle in the Sky

Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, “Castle in the Sky” is the tale of a boy and a girl who are on a dangerous quest to find the floating castle of a lost civilization. 7. "Ninja Scroll." Written by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri and Kevin Seymour, “Ninja Scroll” is the story of a ninja who must fight his nemesis, the leader of a band of demons.

8. Akira

This film was directed by Katsuhiro Ôtomo, who co-wrote the script with Izô Hashimoto. “Akira” involves a biker gang member who has turned into a psychopath and must be stopped.

9. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Jack Fletcher, and Tai Kit Mak are the directors of this film. "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust" was written by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and is based on the novel by Hideyuki Kikuchi. This is the story of a girl who has been kidnapped by a vampire and the vampire hunters who attempt to save her.

10. Ghost in the Shell

Directed by Mamoru Oshii and written by Kazunori Itô and Masamune Shirow, “Ghost in the Shell” is the futuristic story about a cyborg cop who must hunt down a hacker, known as the Puppet Master.