This is not an exhaustive attempt to rank the best anime movies released this year, just the films I believe would be worth watching!
In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the top 7 anime films that I hope you’ll enjoy watching. Whether you prefer watching on the big screen or from the comfort of your own home.
Many significant anime franchises have focused their time and resources on making their mark in this developing film market as audiences worldwide have embraced the explosive form of storytelling.
This is due to the commercial success of movies like Jujutsu Kaisen O and Demon Slayer, which reportedly made over $43 million in their opening weekends.
My Best Anime Movies of 2022
One Piece Film: Red
It is easily one of the most anticipated films this year, raking in numbers unlike any of its predecessors.
The movie Red, directed by Gorō Taniguchi—who is famous for being the first to bring Luffy to the big screen even before the premier episode of the widely popular anime, makes this movie a must-see for any film-loving Otaku.
According to the synopsis in the description of their YouTube trailer, it tells the tale of Uta, a cherished singer whose voice has been described as “otherworldly,” who will make her first public appearance only to reveal the shocking fact that she is the daughter of Shanks, who is the legendary Captain of the Red Haired Pirate Crew.
With the Straw Hats in attendance and the Navy keeping a close eye on them, Luffy reunites with Uta for the first time in 12 years.
The film is jam-packed with the swashbuckling adventure and cartoonish humour that we all love in anime.
It is currently the highest-grossing film of 2022 in Japan, having surpassed Top Gun: Maverick, starring Tom Cruise, with approximately $112 million at the box office as of the writing of this article. According to Crunchyroll in the US, it was scheduled to be released on August 6, 2022, and November 4, 2022.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
The 21st Dragon Ball film, the second under the new Dragon Ball Super brand name, features peak production by Akira Toriyama, who is the series’ creator, and it is directed by Tetsuro Kodama, who was also the CG Sequence Director for the previous film, Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
Akira also wrote the script for the anime film. This anime film follows protagonist Gohan and his former mentor Piccolo on their quest to save the world from Magenta, the CEO of Red Pharmaceutical, who carries on the spirit of his father’s Red Ribbon army, which was later destroyed by Goku, to create two ultimate androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2.
The androids later attacked Piccolo and Gohan, claiming to be superheroes and laying the plot for this action-packed, 3D-animated fantasy adventure.
The film was released on the 11th of June, 2022 in Japan and was teased at the San Diego Comic-con last year to excited fans, which helped it gross $89 million at the worldwide box office, making it the second-highest grossing Dragon Ball film till date.
Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween
Your favourite deductive child detective, Shinichi Kudo, AKA Heisei Holmes, is back, this time with a movie, for the 25th time, but nonetheless fun to watch, as directed by leading filmmaker, Susumu Mitsunaka, known for directing Haikyuu one of the best anime movies of 2014.
This story is set at the wedding between heartthrobs Tagaki and Sato, which is violently interrupted when an assailant attempts to attack Sato, only to be intercepted by Tagaki, foreshadowing events that wrap Conan into the mystery of a series of bombings, one of which Rei and the crew prevented three years prior.
Can our hero solve the mystery in time and save the day once again to hold the wedding? You’ll have to watch to know if Conan was able to get this case closed. The film was released with a box office gross of $73.73 million and was distributed by the Toho Company on April 15, 2022.
Bubble
Bubble is a post-apocalyptic anime movie produced by Wit Studio, one of my favourite dream factories. Telling the story of a future where the world is filled with bubbles that defy the laws of gravity—they better call Saul for this.
An incident occurs and all the bubbles in Tokyo concentrate into one, making the city uninhabitable for most people but a sort of playground for the yutes—a sort of Disneyworld® on steroids for the young and rebellious.
They compete in parkour battles as a form of trade to barter supplies they need as restrictions are placed. Our protagonist, Hibiki, presumably hearing the song of a woman, nearly falls into the sea—the way I assumed Icarus did—but is saved by a girl with a mysterious power.
Who is she and what are these mysterious powers, you ask? Well, I wouldn’t want to burst the bubble, now would I? The film was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival and stars Yuki Kaji, famous for voicing Eren Yeager in the dark fantasy series, Attack of the Titans. So you know you’re up for a ride!
Drifting home
Described by Simon Abrams of Roger Ebert as “a Japanese animated fantasy about a group of sixth graders who float out to sea in a haunted apartment complex…” Drifting Home almost feels reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo (2008).
Much more than their fluid aesthetic, they both communicate the importance of relationships, with the former emphasising the importance of not taking our loved ones for granted, as Sam elaborated in his review.
It is paralleled to the moral of Ponyo, shown by Sosuke’s father, who believes humanity is the reason Earth’s water bodies are becoming increasingly polluted.
Furthermore, the film employs the lovely voice acting of Asami Seto, known for voicing the hot-headed Nobara Kugisaki in Jujutsu Kaisen.
But in this movie, she plays Natsume Touchi, Kosuke’s childhood friend who serves as the main character. It can be viewed on Netflix and was created by Studio Colorido.
The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie
This movie is for those who want to indulge their inner romance and take a break from the usual action, adventure, or fantasy-oriented anime.
According to the film’s website, TBS Television, the story follows Futaro Uesugi, a third-year high school student who works part-time as a tutor for the Nakano family’s quintuplets, Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, and Itsuki, who invites them to the classroom on the first day of the school festival for an important announcement about his feelings for them.
An event that would lead to his future marriage to one of them.
The film employs the record-breaking vocals of Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, the current official Guinness World Record holder for the most unique sound bites provided by a voice actor, as reported in this article on Anime News Network.
Since its release on May 20, 2022, it has grossed a whopping $16.1 million at the box office. Critics praised its music and production with The Japanese review firm, Filmark reporting a rating of 4.15 out of 5. Indicating a positive reception from viewers and critics alike.
Goodbye, Don Glees
Just like the title poster says in its lush green ambient aesthetic, it tells the story of two teenage high school outcasts that form a club, The Don Glees, just before one of them moves out of state, only to return a year later to meet with the addition of another member that marks the beginning of an adventure set to last a lifetime of memories, as indicated in the synopsis of the film’s website.
“One day, when the trio gets blamed for a nearby forest fire, they set off into the woods to prove their innocence. As disaster strikes their expedition, tensions flare between the friends as they realize that growing up has taken them on wildly different paths in life. “
The movie was written and directed by Atsuko Ishizuka. It stars the vocal prowess of Yuki Kaji, Ayumu Murase, and Natsuki Hanae, amongst other talented voice actors.
It is produced by Madhouse, the producers of my beloved Death Note, the gritty crime anime Black Lagoon, and the first season of every otaku’s favourite baldhead hero, One Punch Man.
It is the right kind of film for any anime lover looking to sip a cold orange juice box. At the same time, munch on the Slice of Life anime and is amused by the nostalgia of unconditional friendship before we embark on various distinct journeys.
It is also an excellent segue for anyone new to the genre and looking to expand their experience.
Have you seen any of these films? If so, which? And when do you plan to see the others? Let us know in the comment section!
