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Hey There…I assume you are tired of the daily work schedule due to WFH. Do you want to watch some of the best anime movies to relax? Here’s a list of the 10 most Underrated Anime Movies that you have to watch at least once in your lifetime.
These all are the must-watch anime movies on love and friendship. Just note them down, search them and watch. You will find them easily on Netflix.
If you are looking for some lightweight anime movies to feel good, here’s the list you have to consider. I can tell you for sure, they will refresh your mind and make you fall in love with them!
So, let’s start with these studio Ghibli movies!
Whisper Of The Heart
Overview
This movie was released in 1995, belongs to the romance/family genre, and has 1 hr 51 mins of duration.
Whisper Of The Heart Characters
- Shizuku Tsukishima
- Seiji Amasawa
Whisper Of The Heart Summary
The story is based on a bookworm girl named Shizuku. She lives in Tokyo with her parents and elder sister. Going to the library, reading books, and borrowing them are usual parts of her everyday routine.
In this way suddenly she finds something interesting and felt curious about it. In the checkout cards of every book she borrows, she finds a particular name that is of amasawa just before hers. Soon she finds out about the boy after some very peculiar incidents and the story takes an interesting turn.
Rating
IMDb 7.9/10
Why Should You Watch This?
HEY! Who wouldn’t love to watch a sweet simple nostalgic love story? I fell in love with the bond between Shizuku and Seiji right after starting to watch this movie. I’m sure you will feel the same and will be lost in the magical world of Shizuku’s writing with Seiji’s tunes of the violin.
Kiki’s Delivery Services
Overview
It was released in 1989, belongs to adventure/family genre and has 1hr 43 mins of duration.
Kiki’s Delivery Services Characters
- Kiki
- Jiji
- Tombo
Kiki’s Delivery Services Summary
It’s a story of a little witch who finally starts her wizardry life for which she was eagerly waiting. After arriving at the port city of Koriko, she gets stucks into various problems. A pregnant woman named Osono helps her in this situation and eventually, Kiki starts her own business of delivery service with her black cat Jiji and the broomstick. She also makes a friend named Tombo. Kiki, Tombo, and Jiji faced a lot of obstacles and overcame them together.
Rating
IMDb 7.8/10
Why Should You Watch This??
It’s a very adorable movie I must say. If you love to see some out-of-the-box storylines, this is for you. You will enjoy every scene of this movie. So, start the journey with Kiki now!
A Whisker Away
Overview
It was released in 2020, belongs to fantasy/adventure genre, has a duration of 1hr 44mins.
A Whisker Away Characters
- Miyo Sasaki
- Kento Hinode
- Mask Seller
A Whisker Away Summary
This is a story of an unhappy teenage girl named Miyo also known as Muge. Though she is a cheerful childish girl to the world, she actually is a depressed soul from inside who doesn’t love herself at all.
She belongs to a broken family and sad about it but never reveals it. She has only one friend in school to stays with. She has a crush on Kento but he doesn’t love her back at the beginning. Then Miyo meets a Mask Seller and borrows a cat mask from him to be loved a little more but trouble comes ahead.
Rating
IMDb 6.7/10
Why Should You Watch This?
We all have this phase sometimes when we feel left out or feel that nobody loves us right? In this movie, you will see the consequences of that particular thought. This will help you to realize that there are people who really care about you and you aren’t focusing on this fact yet. Ultimately you will feel complete after watching this.
Spirited Away
Overview
Released in 2001, belongs to fantasy/family genre and has 2hr 5mins of duration.
Spirited Away Characters
- Chihiro Ogino
- Yubaba
- Haku
Spirited Away Summary
The story starts with the journey of a little girl named Chihiro and her family to their new home. On the way, her father takes a shortcut and ended up reaching in front of a suspicious tunnel. Driving by curiosity, they explored an abandoned village through that tunnel. After that, a number of weird incidents started to happen. Chihiro finds here a well-wisher named Haku and fell in love with him. This support helped her to take challenges from the villain here named Yubaba.
Rating
IMDb 8.6/10
Why Should You Watch This?
Want to explore a fantasy world that will blow your mind up? simply watch this. This movie has an engaging plot and subplots so you can’t take your eyes off from screen while watching it. I do love this one so much that I had to watch it more than once after finishing it. You can pick this up as well without thinking anything.
Ocean Waves
Overview
This was released in 1993 and belongs to romance/drama genre. Has a duration of 1hr 16 mins.
Ocean Waves Characters
- Taku
- Rikako
- Yutaka
- Yumi
Ocean Waves Summary
This movie is crafted with nostalgia. One day Taku sees a girl on the opposite platform of Kichijoji Station and felt familiar. This glimpse of a few seconds takes him to his school memories. He recalls a girl named Rikako and the series of moments they shared back then.
This underrated teen movie is all about the incidents they faced in all those years. This makes the movie more relatable and special.
Rating
IMDb 6.7/10
Why Should You Watch This?
Well, one has to recognize the alphabets to read and enjoy an article, right? Just like that, you should watch some of the classics of the anime world to grasp the essence of these movies properly. This one is one of the light classics that can bring your memories back in front of your eyes and make you smile.
A Silent Voice
Overview
Was released in 2016, belongs to romance/drama genre, has 2hr 10mins of duration.
A Silent Voice Characters
- Shouko Nishimiya
- Shoya Ishida
A Silent Voice Summary
This story is about a boy named Shoya . He used to bully a deaf girl named Shouko in elementary school and afterwards the guilt turned him into a depressed, lonely teenager. The movie starts with the scene where he tries to kill himself by jumping from a bridge but suddenly the past memories came and blurred his eyes.
He could not commit suicide and takes the decision to find that girl again. A lot of things happen in between and after their meeting. Could he make up his faults? Did he reunite with his old friends and could be happy again? To know, watch this one.
if you want to know more about A Silent Voice, you can checkout complete article here.
Rating
IMDb 8.1/10
Why Should You Watch This?
A Silent Voice will take you far from this mechanical world and teach you the real meaning of friendship. It will make you emotional, sad, happy and satisfied at the same time. This is a complete package of all of your emotions.
If you are feeling low, detached from the surroundings, or want to give yourself some quality time, you just have to watch it.
From Up On Poppy Hill
Overview
Released in 2011, belongs to romance/family genre. Has a duration of 1hr 32mins.
From Up On Poppy Hill Characters
- Umi Matsuzaki
- Shun Kazama
From Up On Poppy Hill Summary
This is a story of a high school student named Umi. She is an ideal good girl who runs the house and looks after her sibling all on her own. She also takes good care of her grandmother obediently.
Every morning she raises a set of signal flags with the hope that they will guide her father to come home. One day Umi finds out a poem about it in the school newspaper and in search of its author, she meets Shun. The plot takes a significant turn after this.
Rating
IMDb 7.4/10
Why Should You Watch This?
If you want to go through a simple yet heart-touching story, this one will give you the company. An unusual plot will surprise you from this side. A pure hope will wake your optimistic soul up again after watching this. So, what are you waiting for? Start with this one and thank me later!
The Secret World Of Arrietty
Overview
It was released in 2010, belongs to adventure/family genre. Has a duration of 1hr 35 mins.
The Secret World Of Arrietty Characters
- Arrietty
- Sho
The Secret World Of Arrietty Summary
The story is a recalling of a summer week of a boy named Sho that he spent at her maternal grand aunt’s place. The boy finds out that the story his mother told him about the secret world of borrowers, is certainly true. He even became a friend of a little borrower named Arrietty. The family of her’s faces difficulties to exist in this human world and had to cope with them.
Rating
IMDb 7.6/10
Why Should You Watch This?
If you love adventure and want to chill as well, pick this one up. A complete entertaining yet emotional backstory will satisfy you with this movie. While empathizing with Sho you will find your imaginary world from childhood in Arrietty’s life. Watch your old fairytale days to be coming again.
Only Yesterday
Overview
Was released in 1991, belongs to romance/drama genre, has a duration of 1hr 59mins.
Only Yesterday Characters
- Taeko Okajima
- Toshio
Only Yesterday Summary
This story is based on the year 1982 when 27 years old Taeko takes a trip to visit the family of her elder sister’s in-laws in the rural countryside to get away from the city life for some days.
In this trip, she begins to recall her life of 1966 and felt like she becomes the small school girl version of hers of that time. She also makes a lovable and close bond with the second cousin of her brother-in-law named Toshio.
This is a brilliant heart touching movie undoubtedly.
Rating
IMDb 7.6/10
Why Should You Watch This?
This movie will take you to your childhood days again. You would face your little old version while watching this one. After returning from this nostalgic trip you also might be sure about some of the current feelings you were confused about. Without any further ado start watching this.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Overview
Released in 2004, belongs to fantasy/adventure genre, has 1hr 59mins of duration.
Howl’s Moving Castle Characters
- Howl
- Sophie
Howl’s Moving Castle Summary
This is the love story of Sophie and Howl. Sophie is a simple hardworking girl and Howl is a famous wizard. One day, as a result of a brief encounter that leads to a quarrel between Sophie and a famous witch, Sophie became an old lady as per the strong curse. Her fate sends her to the moving castle of Howl and the story goes with twists and turns. To be a witness of their strange life, watch this.
Rating
IMDb 8.2/10
Why Should You Watch This?
This exceptional movie you just have to see if you are fond of anime movies. I absolutely love this movie because of the passion that Sophie had towards Howl to help him out in his crisis. This movie has it’s own charm and funny notes that you should not miss in any case.
Conclusion
I hope these top 10 suggestions will help you out to pick up the most underrated anime movies to watch immediately! They all are easily available and accessible. Watch them all one by one to have various kinds of taste of anime. I can assure you, you won’t regret watching them…
Share this list with all of your ‘anime lover’ or ‘want to try anime’ friends. Spread these lovely vibes. Let’s fall in love with the world of anime more and more to rediscover the emotions and nostalgia of our hearts again.
Also Read:
Top 8 Rom-Com Animes You Should Watch in 2021
5 Best Isekai Anime You Cannot Afford to Miss!
Underrated Anime Movies FAQ
Is There a Silent Voice 2?
Not yet. As per internet sources, all of 7 volumes from the original manga of this story has been included in this movie there isn’t any information about continuing this story as series or sequel form.
Does Shizuku End up with Seiji?
Umm..up to the time period that has been captured in the ending of the movie, Sheiji proposed to Shizuku and they imagined their life together at that moment. But yes, we don’t know about the real ending though!
Is Whisper of the Heart worth watching?
Absolutely. There won’t be any regret watching this, even the essence will never leave you ever. Just go with this blindly.
Does Kiki ever hear Jiji again?
Nope.. Jiji loses his voice at the end. Even after Kiki regains her magical ability, Jiji doesn’t gain his voice back because there are theory that Jiji doesn’t ever talked really. It was Kiki’s own voice or her other self like children have imaginary friend or things like that. As Kiki finally grows up at the end, she doesn’t need that imposed voice of Jiji anymore.
What should I watch if I like a Whisker?
You can watch whisper of the heart, the cat returns, Spirited away etc..
Why was no face obsessed with Chihiro?
According to my interpretation, No face was lonely. He had not any friend or family. When chihiro let him in to the bathhouse, he considered her as his friend. No one liked him before he conjures the golds up and after that everyone flatters him only for the golds. But Chihiro was actually worried about him, not for the golds. So real affection attracted no face towards her.
Does Ocean Waves have a good ending?
Well, it’s completely depends on the audience if she or he thinks it as a good ending or not. But i would say It is a collection of memories so can’t call the ending just on good or bad one. Though this collection is pretty good to me.