The Top-Rated Anime Films According to German Audiences

Anime has surged in popularity, evolving from a niche interest into a global cultural phenomenon. To determine which anime film stands out as the best, we turned to the FILMSTARTS community, the largest German platform dedicated to films and series.

The live-action adaptation of the manga sensation "One Piece" became a surprising hit on Netflix in 2022, while Hayao Miyazaki's likely final film, "The Boy and the Heron," reached the top of the box office in the United States. Additionally, numerous anime successes worldwide, such as "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" and "Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc," have contributed to the genre's rising acclaim.

Given this backdrop, we compiled a list of the ten best anime films, aiming to rekindle the interest of long-time fans and inspire newcomers to the medium.

To identify the top anime, we analyzed ratings from the FILMSTARTS community. This platform boasts a vast audience of film and series enthusiasts, making their opinions a reliable reflection of the German audience's tastes. Now, let's unveil the rankings:

The 10 Best Anime Films of All Time:

1. "Princess Mononoke" – 4.512 out of 5 stars
2. "Spirited Away" – 4.397 out of 5 stars
3. "Grave of the Fireflies" – 4.387 out of 5 stars
4. "Castle in the Sky" – 4.309 out of 5 stars
5. "Ghost in the Shell" – 4.280 out of 5 stars
6. "Howl's Moving Castle" – 4.271 out of 5 stars
7. "My Neighbor Totoro" – 4.218 out of 5 stars
8. "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" – 4.211 out of 5 stars
9. "Akira" – 4.148 out of 5 stars
10. "Your Name" – 4.146 out of 5 stars

The results are not particularly surprising. Had we focused solely on Hayao Miyazaki's films, the list would have seen only minor changes. The 85-year-old director is widely regarded as the leading figure in anime, having established Studio Ghibli as a cornerstone of the genre with his imaginative and visually stunning works.

Notably, six of his films made it into the top ten, including the iconic "Princess Mononoke" (1997) and "Spirited Away" (2003). Other significant titles include "Castle in the Sky" (1986), "Howl's Moving Castle" (2004), "My Neighbor Totoro" (1988), and "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" (1984).

However, there are also notable exceptions. Ranking third is a Studio Ghibli film directed by Isao Takahata, "Grave of the Fireflies." This film is often mischaracterized as a children's movie; in reality, it presents a harrowing narrative of two siblings facing the horrors of World War II.

Dystopian science fiction also finds its place in the rankings with "Ghost in the Shell" at fifth and "Akira" at ninth. The former received a controversial Hollywood remake in 2017 featuring Scarlett Johansson, while the long-anticipated US adaptation of "Akira" has faced numerous challenges over the years, with various studios and directors, including Leonardo DiCaprio, attempting to bring it to life.

The most recent addition to our list is "Your Name," which occupies the tenth spot. This coming-of-age fantasy romance, featuring a complex body-swapping storyline, became the highest-grossing anime film at the time of its release in 2016. Makoto Shinkai's latest film, "Suzume," has also garnered praise, receiving a 4 out of 5-star rating in official FILMSTARTS reviews.

In conclusion, all average ratings have been rounded to three decimal places. Similar to the FILMSTARTS editorial reviews, community members can rate films on a scale from 0.5 (poor) to 5 stars (masterpiece).

Interestingly, the FILMSTARTS community did not select an anime as the best animated film overall. For details on which classic animated film took that honor, readers can refer to the subsequent article:

4.62 out of 5 stars! This is the best animated film of all time according to German audiences.

This is an updated re-release of an article previously published on FILMSTARTS.