(I know it’s already June 😐). It’s the end of Animay! The month dedicated to all things anime – and my birthday month! To wrap things up, here are my most favourite anime series and movies that are sure to get you feeling excited, inspired or in a puddle of your own tears, hahah!

Speaking of which let’s start with my favourite tear-jerkers 😭

Howl’s Moving Castle

This, along with Ponyo and As The Wind Rises, get’s my heart feeling all the emotions. It’s a stunning mix of adventure and mystery, plus romance and affection.

Grave of the Fireflies

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! Do not watch this if you’re meeting up with loved ones later, or during your luteal and period phases. This movie is sure to wreck you emotionally. It has been considered director, Isao Takahato’s masterpiece. It is often remarked as the saddest anime of all time. This film focuses on two siblings struggling to overcome the obstacles brought on by World War II.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Makes you cry because of feelings of hope and inspiration. This series has some of the most stunning ‘camera work’. The shots of every scene – vibrant colours, detailed emotions, sublime musical score – leaves you awestruck. Not to mention, the storylines are gripping and the pacing is just right.

Banana Fish

I wouldn’t necessarily call this a sad anime, but rather that the story is centred around a growing friendship and ends in tragedy. A great watch for a chilled weekend under the covers. While it is an enjoyable anime, it also touches on some darker real-world themes such abuse against minors and gang violence.

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Now for the anime that left me feeling happy, inspired and all good 😊.

Kiki’s Delivery Service

A MUST WATCH FOR YOUNG ADULTS! Kiki is a young witch who navigates adulting and independence. Having freshly moved out of her parents home, getting a job and catching feelings. This anime has a lot of symbolism for young adults taking on the world 😍.

Witch Hat Atelier

I basically watch this with stars in my eyes. Another adventure based on magic and little witches overcoming adversity. It’s whimsical, beautifully animated and has a wonderful story. Give it a shot!

Demon Slayer: Kimetso No Yaiba

Some call is fantasy action, others regard this a mystery thriller. But we can all agree that Demon Slayer took the world by storm for it’s gripping story, beautiful animation and brilliant voice acting. A young boy, after witnessing the murder of his family by a demon, and his sister turning into one, goes to learn the grueling art of slaying demons.

Delicious in Dungeon

I’ve raved about Delicious in Dungeon before, and I ain’t gonna stop until Netflix releases another season! It’s so good. It’s DELICIOUS! Pure fun, (mid)adventure, and whimsy at it’s best. Not to mention the lore drops we got near the end of the season. It’s because of this anime that I couldn’t wait to dive into Frieren. Please just watch it – more so with a loved one who can laugh along!

My Hero Academia

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And if you love something slightly spooky or filled with dead, these did it for me 👇👇👇

Attack on Titan

The world is overrun with flesh-eating titans, and the remaining people have been forced to live in a heavily walled city. If you love conspiracy theories, grim story lines and a fighting against the end of days, give Attack on Titan a go! (If possible, please get your hands on the Manga, it’s epic).

Jujutsu Kaisen

Another hugely popular anime! But for good reason. This is a super creepy one, focused on fighting demons and curses, and if you make it to season 2, I think you’ll be very surprised by the SUPER dark turn things take.

Pluto

Heavily underrated!!! Are you interested in overthinking the world of AI , or how AI robots are taking over the world. This is a beautiful anime that delves into human concepts of hatred and love, and what would happen if an AI discovered and ‘felt’ these emotions. From the world of Astros Boy, it’s a must watch.

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

Time to slay some vampire zombies but while being stuck on a train! Action-packed beyond, and super sad. I’m also really sad it hasn’t made a comeback with another season 🥲

Perfect Blue

TW this is a very messed up anime. But I found it especially insightful. If you work in the media or entertainment industry such as myself, this anime is a great deep dive into the parasocial relationships we form with celebs or influencers. It also explores the often complex thoughts of people who perform, professionally, and the balance that needs to be found between your on-stage persona and your real self. An excellent, while disturbing, watch.