For years,anime filmshave dazzled audiences with breathtaking animation, amazing stories, and emotional depth that rivals the best of Western cinema and is deserving of an Academy Award. Yet, when it comes to said Academy Awards, many of these masterpieces have been overlooked in favor of more conventional choices. While a few anime films, likeSpirited AwayandThe Boy and the Heron, have managed to break through, numerous others deserved recognition but fell short due to the Academy’s long-standing bias against non-Hollywood animation.
While manyanime films have been snubbed by the Academy Awardsthroughout the years, a select few stand out.These anime films are a landmark in animation, showing off innovative stories, deep themes, and artistic brilliance. They did not just deserve a nomination, they should have taken home an Oscar.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
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The Tale of The Princess Kaguya is a Studio Ghibli animated film directed by Isao Takahata. Released in 2013, the story follows a mysterious young princess discovered inside a bamboo stalk by an elderly couple. As she grows into a beautiful woman, she captivates everyone while facing her destined path.
Isao Takahata’sThe Tale of the Princess Kaguyais one of the most visually stunning and emotionally powerful anime films ever made.With its watercolor-inspired animation and delicate story, it transforms the ancient Japanese folktaleThe Tale of the Bamboo Cutterinto a thoughtful and beautiful meditation on life, fate, and loss. The film’s gorgeousness and unconventional art style set it apart, making it a true masterpiece of animation.
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Despite being nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards in 2015, it lost toBig Hero 6. WhileBig Hero 6was very fun and entertaining, it lacked the artistic depth and cultural significance of Takahata’s swan song.The Tale of the Princess Kaguyawas a breathtaking achievement that should have claimed the Oscar.
Hayao Miyazaki’sPonyois a whimsical reimagining ofThe Little Mermaid, told through the lens of Studio Ghibli’s signature magic. With its vibrant hand-drawn animation and heartwarming story of friendship and love,Ponyocaptures the wonder of childhood like few films can. The film’s fluid and imaginative art style make it a standout in Ghibli’s already impressive catalog.
Despite its universal appeal and insanely high critical reviews,Ponyowas shockingly not even nominated for an Oscar.In a year whenUpdominated the awards season,Ponyowas unjustly ignored.Its artistic ambition and emotional sincerity made it more than worthy of an Academy Award.
Wolf Children
Wolf Children is an animated film directed by Mamoru Hosoda, revolving around a young mother named Hana who raises her two half-wolf, half-human children after their father’s untimely death. As they grow, Hana grapples with the challenge of nurturing their dual nature while seeking a peaceful and fulfilling life for her family in the rural countryside.
Mamoru Hosoda’sWolf Childrenis a deeply moving story about motherhood, identity, and acceptance.Following the life of Hana, a young woman who raises her half-wolf, half-human children in the countryside, the film explores the struggles and joys of parenthood with remarkable sensitivity. The animation is lush and expressive, perfectly capturing the beauty of nature and the passage of time.
The film’s powerful themes and stunning animation should have earned it an Oscar, proving that anime can tell stories just as profoundly as any live-action drama.
Despite its emotional moments and unique premise,Wolf Childrendid not even receive an Academy Award nomination. The film’s powerful themes and stunning animation should have earned it an Oscar, proving that anime can tell stories just as profoundly as any live-action drama.
Suzume
The third film from writer/director Makoto Shinkai, Suzume, is an animated action-adventure fantasy film that revolves around seventeen-year-old high school student Suzume Iwato. Suzume, who has the power to see supernatural beings and events, discovers that strange doors keep opening across Japan that will inevitably lead to the world’s doom. Joined by a mysterious young man, Suzume will embark on a journey to close the doors and save her home.
Makoto Shinkai’sSuzumeblends fantasy, adventure, and heartfelt emotion in a breathtaking storyof loss and healing. Following a girl’s journey to close mysterious doors that bring disaster to Japan, the film has stunning visuals and a poignant story.Suzume’s endingalso carries a deeper message about the lingering scars of natural disasters, making it especially impactful for audiences in Japan and beyond.
Even though it was a critical and commercial success,Suzumefailed to secure an Academy Award nomination, though it did receive one at the Golden Globes. Given its sweeping animation and deeply emotional story, it should have been a serious contender for Best Animated Feature, if not the outright winner. Yet, once again, the Oscars ignored a very real choice simply because it was an anime film instead of another style of animation.
7Josee, The Tiger And The Fish (2020)
Anime Film By Bones; Based On The Story By Seiko Tanabe
This touching romantic drama, based on a short story, follows the relationship between a young aspiring marine biologist named Tsuneo Suzukawa and Josee, a wheelchair-using girl with dreams beyond her reach.Josee, the Tiger and the Fishis a beautifully crafted filmthat sensitively portrays disability, independence, and the pursuit of happiness.
While it received acclaim in Japan and among anime fans worldwide, it was completely overlooked by the Academy. Given the increasing push for diverse representation in cinema,Josee, the Tiger and the Fishcould have been a groundbreaking Oscar winner in animation and an amazing introduction into the anime world for many newcomers.
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop is a Japanese animated film where a shy boy who speaks through haiku and a self-conscious girl form a connection. Their meeting leads to a brief yet magical summer, exploring themes of communication and emotional expression.
A visually stunning and deeply heartfelt film,Words Bubble Up Like Soda Poptells the story of two socially awkward teens who find solace in each other.The film’s vibrant, pop-art-inspired animation style and lo-fi aesthetic set it apart from typical anime productions, giving it a unique visual identity.
WhileWords Bubble Up Like Soda Popwas a standout among 2021’s animated films, it did not even get an Oscar nomination. The Academy missed an opportunity to celebrate an innovative and emotionally rich anime that is relatable to young audiences worldwide.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, follows Sophie, a young milliner transformed into an elderly woman by a witch’s curse. She becomes involved with the enigmatic wizard Howl, who is resisting participation in a war for the king, as she searches for a way to break the spell.
Another Miyazaki masterpiece,Howl’s Moving Castleis a mesmerizing blend of fantasy, romance, and political allegory. With breathtaking animation and a deeply emotional story, it remains one of Studio Ghibli’s most beloved films. Additionally, the film’s themes of war, aging, and self-acceptance add layers of depth beyond its magical exterior.
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Despite its nomination at the 2006 Academy Awards, it lost toWallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. WhileWallace & Gromitwas charming and hilarious, it did not match the visual grandeur or story depth ofHowl’s Moving Castle. Miyazaki’s film deserved an Oscar that year, and it is unfortunate that it did not get one.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s Delivery Service is a coming-of-age fantasy film that follows 13-year-old witch Kiki, who sets out on her own to find her place in the world and develops a delivery service in a new town.
Kiki’s Delivery Serviceis a heartwarming coming-of-age storyabout a young witch finding her place in the world. The film’s gentle exploration of independence, self-doubt, and perseverance makes it one of Studio Ghibli’s most relatable films. The animation is stunning, with its European-inspired setting and unique characters brought to life through meticulous detail.
It is one of Ghibli’s greatest films and deserves recognition for its impact on the animation industry
Even though the film has a timeless appeal and an adorable story,Kiki’s Delivery Servicewas not even nominated for an Oscar.It is one of Ghibli’s greatest films and deserves recognition for its impact on the animation industry, but once again the Academy Awards snubbed the anime film option.
Look Back
Confident artist Fujino and reclusive Kyomoto bond over their shared passion for drawing manga. As they navigate the challenges of growing up and pursuing their artistic dreams, their friendship deepens. The story beautifully explores themes of creativity, dedication, and the impact of personal connections on their journey.
Based on the critically acclaimed manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto,Look Backis an emotionally charged story about artistic passion and loss. The film explores the complex relationship between two young artists and the impact of tragedy on their dreams. Its minimalist yet beautiful animation style takes the deeply personal story to a whole new level.
But despite its critical success with both anime fans and critics,Look Backdid not receive Oscar recognition. With its raw emotional story and introspective themes,Look Backwas one of 2024’s most deserving animated films.
Your Name
Your Name is a 2016 animated film directed by Makoto Shinkai. The story centers around two high school students, Taki and Mitsuha, who inexplicably begin to swap bodies. Set in both Tokyo and a rural town, the film explores themes of identity and connection as the characters navigate their intertwined lives. Through its rich animation and poignant narrative, Your Name captivates audiences with its exploration of fate and self-discovery.
Makoto Shinkai’sYour Nameis one of the most successful anime films of all time, both commercially and critically. Its breathtaking animation, intricate story, and deeply moving romance captivated audiences worldwide. The film seamlessly blends sci-fi, fantasy, and heartfelt emotion in a way few films can achieve.
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Yet, despite its massive success of over $355 million at the box office,Your Namedid not even receive a nomination. The Academy’s failure to recognize such a groundbreaking and hit film remains one of the biggest snubs and disrespectful moments in Oscar history.
