How to Choose an Anime Film

Mecha, assassins, ninjas, angels, telepathic forces and secret evils each have there place in the anime film. Are you ready to explore Japanese animation? Better yet, want to add something good to your movie collection? Anime films are a good start, especially when you go for the classics. Still, you can watch hundreds of anime films, from “Akira” to “Princess Mononoke,” and consider myself a novice. Read on to learn more about anime.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet helps
• A local library with videos and manga

1. Start with Akira:
   
   “Akira” is where the modern anime begins. It is based on the classic manga of the same name by Katsuhiro Otomo. The original story was about a futuristic Tokyo, spanning thousands of pages. The film “Akira” is an epic too, proving that animes can do what regular films cannot.
2. Pick the classics:
   
   There are other classics too, but many terrible movies. It is best to explore the top rated anime films first before grabbing a dozen from the store shelves. Better yet, rent some you think sound good, and you will see why the classics should be explored first. Of course, “Akira” is there, and so is “Ninja Scroll,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “Ghost in the Shell.” Anime films are often made out of successfully series, as was done in “Cowboy Bebop” and “Gundam Wing.” These don’t always become classics, but sometimes can.
3. Read the original manga:
   
   One good idea when choosing an anime film is to read the original manga. For instance, when I discovered “Akira,” with all its top reviews, I went into the original 2,000 page epic written by Otomo, which is also considered a classic. This can tell you if the film will be good or not--usually. Sometimes the manga just won’t translate over into film well. Lastly, when reading mangas, you are reading a book backwards, from the last page to the first, instead of the other way around.
4. What type of hero do you want?
   
   This is important, because often heroes in anime films will be bug eyed girls with short skirts. It is about drama and comedy in almost every case. I personally don’t go for these types of films. I want a real character. For example, “Appleseed” tells a unique tale of a young girl, who is beautiful, but who is also a tough heroine talented with guns. Some heroes will disappoint. Read the original manga, and do your homework, especially if you plan on purchasing a anime film.
5. Action, fantasy, mystery
   
   Anime films have all these things. Every genre is explored in the anime film, from violent action like killing aliens, to major drama like “Akira” and “Princess Mononoke,” to epic fantasy like “Ninja Scroll.” That is the best part to being an anime film fan: the films explore many possibilities in storytelling.

Tips & Warnings

• Anime films can be found across the internet, for many different prices.
• If your local library doesn’t carry anime films (and most do) submit a request for some of your picks.
• Ask a local comic shop worker what animes to watch. They will be experienced not just in comics and gaming, but in animated films.
• For every good anime film, there are two bad ones. The problem is there is a lot of money in this field. Read reviews on sites like Amazon. However, look to “Akira,” my personal favorite, and there are many negative reviews, so be careful in judging a film before watching it.