Anime on library shelves trends toward younger age groups and often only represents a few genres: action, comedy, romance. And while many patrons are perfectly happy to watch and re-watch lengthy series like Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and One Piece, others are looking for a more unique experience or something that can easily be binged over a weekend.
This list is a great starting point for public and academic libraries looking to expand their anime offerings—and for anime clubs hoping to introduce members to thought-provoking, discussion-worthy titles. Each of these often-overlooked gems leans into psychological, philosophical, or meditative themes that will surprise and inspire more thoughtful viewers. A few of these titles haven’t been far from my mind since I first viewed them, a few more than 20 years ago.
Time of Eve: The Movie (2010)
Originally broadcasting as a six episode series, Time of Eve was compiled into a stand-alone film and released in 2010. In a not-so-distant future, society has welcomed the existence of android servants who, on the surface, are identical to humans. The shift from clunky, cylindrical robots to something almost indistinguishable from humans causes some people to adopt radical anti-android politics, a few of them rising to high levels in the government. They pass laws forcing androids to display holographic halos to differentiate them from humans and strictly limit their rights. Against this backdrop, Rikuo, a teenage boy, and his friend accidentally discover a “free zone” disguised as a coffee shop, Time of Eve. There, the boy is shocked to meet his family’s own android pretending to be a human.
Time of Eve is a deep dive into philosophical ideas about emotion and cognition. The entire film forces the viewer to reckon with their own preconceived notions of humanity. Couched within the narrative of humans and robots are also themes of disability and queerness. We see explorations of how the world we live in forces many people to live in secret or secluded in care homes all because of hate and supremacist ideals, just through the lens of androids. Some viewers will very much enjoy the surface level story of a boy coming of age in a sci-fi future. The more sensitive viewer, however, will find the questions the film raises, its deep themes, and the final climax quite inspiring.
Stream Time of Eve on Prime Video here.
Nasu: Sumer in Andalusia (2003)
Spanish cyclist Pepe Benengeli competes in the Vuelta a España as the race winds through his hometown in the sun-drenched hills of Andalusia. Assigned the role of a domestique, Pepe is expected to support his team’s star rider rather than pursue personal glory. But tensions mount as the penultimate stage of the race falls on the same day as the wedding of his ex-girlfriend, Carmen—to his older brother, Ángel. Already emotionally strained, Pepe’s world is upended when he accidentally overhears a conversation through his earpiece: his sponsor plans to drop him after the race. Realizing his career may be nearing an end, and with nothing left to lose, Pepe breaks from team strategy and races for himself.
Nasu: Summer in Andalusia is an incredibly unique sports anime both in style and in content. You really get in touch with Pepe and his past as he recalls memories of biking the same roads in his childhood and thinks about losing the love of his life to his own brother. While many sports animes focus on the game or the drama outside the sport, cycling is a little different: It’s about endurance and spirit, not just sheer skill or quick reflexes. Animated by a long-time collaborator with Studio Ghibli, the same type of life and color grace the screen in Nasu, but the sound design and action are one-of-a-kind in its tactile nature. You really feel like you’re on a bike among the cyclists, shooting down hills or barely making corners. The drama takes place almost entirely in Pepe’s head too, a feeling many of us can relate with. Not everything is as cruel or unkind as it seems. For it’s inspiring story and fantastic animation style, any anime fan will want to get their hands on this under-watched gem.
Stream Nasu on Prime Video here.
Haibane Renmai (2002)
A girl dreams of falling gently through the sky, only to awaken inside a cocoon. Upon emerging, she is greeted by a group of mysterious, winged girls known as haibane, who live in a quiet town surrounded by impenetrable walls. Like her, they remember nothing of their past lives and are named after the final image from their cocoon dream. She is given the name Rakka—"falling"—and receives her halo in a quiet ceremony before enduring the painful growth of her grey wings, comforted by a kind but troubled Reki. Rakka begins her new life at Old Home, a former boarding school that now houses the haibane, and gradually settles into the gentle rhythms of their isolated world. She bonds with her fellow residents, especially childlike Kuu and overprotective Reki. Rakka begins to seek meaning in their mysterious existence.
This mysterious anime only received one season, and the series’ creator never finished the manga, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. And therein lies the real fun of this anime, trying to figure it out. The angel-like haibane are given a strange place in the isolated fantasy society, making viewers wonder if they’re watching someone in a coma dream, a soul’s trip to the underworld, or an unfinished Isekai. Deep psychological and religious themes permeate the undertones in Haibane Renmai, drawing viewers back to the short series time and time again. Discussion of suicide, self-harm, and abusive manipulation make this a series those sensitive to such subjects should probably avoid, but others looking for a more dark and pensive show with surprisingly hopeful themes will absolutely love Haibane Renmai.
Get your copy of Haibane Renmai on DVD here.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
On Christmas Eve in Tokyo, three homeless misfits—gruff Gin, exuberant Hana, and sullen runaway Miyuki—stumble across an abandoned newborn while scavenging through garbage piles. With only a note and a key as clues, the trio embarks on a chaotic journey to reunite the infant, whom Hana names Kiyoko (lit. “pure child”), with her parents. Their odyssey leads them through weddings, funerals, yakuza run-ins, and hostage situations, all while unearthing long-buried truths about themselves. Hana, a former drag performer, dreams of motherhood and redemption; Gin hides shame behind his drinking; and Miyuki is haunted by a violent outburst that fractured her family. As they search for Kiyoko’s origins, each encounter—whether with a dying man, a violent gang of teens, or a kind woman who doesn’t share Miyuki’s language—reveals grace in unexpected places.
Tokyo Godfathers is one of those anime films I still can’t believe is over 20 years old. Not only is this film rare for addressing homelessness in Japan, an issue the country would rather deny than address, but it is unique among Christmas films too, giving you plenty of chances to showcase your library’s anime collection. The unique characterizations, deep storylines, message of hope and justice, and outstanding animation make Tokyo Godfathers a certified hidden gem.
Get your copy of Tokyo Godfathers on DVD here.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Set a thousand years after a cataclysmic war known as the Seven Days of Fire, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind follows Princess Nausicaä, a compassionate and curious young woman who seeks harmony between humanity and nature. In a world dominated by the sprawling Toxic Jungle—filled with poisonous spores and enormous carnivorous insects—Nausicaä explores its mysteries and bonds with its creatures, especially the massive, intelligent Ohm. When a warship crashes in her peaceful valley carrying a dormant Giant Warrior—a fearsome bioweapon from the ancient war—Nausicaä is thrust into a growing conflict between militarized nations seeking to use the weapon to destroy the jungle. After her homeland is invaded and her father killed, Nausicaä embarks on a perilous journey that leads her deep into the heart of the jungle and across war-ravaged lands. As violence escalates and human ambitions threaten to repeat past mistakes, Nausicaä discovers the jungle's true purpose—and a potential path to coexistence.
One of legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki’s most visionary creations, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was released just a year prior to the formation of his production company, Studio Ghibli. Because of this, many people simply miss out on this fantastic film. With strong ecological, anti-war, and feminist themes, viewers will be shocked and excited to be watching a film. No other animation comes close to the inspiring messages Nausicaä has to offer them (well Princess Mononoke gets pretty close, but that’s for another essay). Where other films with similar themes often come off a bit Captain Planet (or worse), Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind speaks to the necessity to live in balance with nature and human’s conflicting desires without becoming preachy. The 2005 English dub is outstanding, utilizing the voice talent of Edward James Olmos, Sir Patrick Stewart, Uma Thurman, and more! With only a bit of fantasy violence, this excellent and inspiring anime film is almost all ages and will do well in any public library collection.
Get your copy of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind on DVD here.
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