If you have ever watched a movie and been left wanting more, this is the list for you as the movies listed are attached to TV series with dozens or even hundreds of episodes outside the movie. Please note that this list is completely subjective to my opinion as the author. This list will not be covering classic anime movies from Studio Ghibli, like Grave of the Fireflies, Spirited Away, and more; likewise, it will not be covering newer hits like A Silent voice, Suzume, I want to eat your pancreas, and others – while these movies are great, they are stand-alone movies that are not attached to larger series. With those disclaimers out of the way, here are the Top 5 Anime Non-Stand-Alone Movies.
1. Violet Evergarden Movie
Violet Evergarden Movie is the finishing touch on the greatest anime series Netflix has ever published. It completes the story of the series “Violet Evergarden” what has 13 episodes, a special edition 14th episode, a special edition mini movie, and the movie that this article is discussing. To watch this movie properly, you should watch the series,14th episode, and mini movie before watching this.
The entire series follows a young girl named Violet, who from a very young age was raised in a war zone as a soldier. The movie is told from the standpoint of a few years after the war ended. She has adapted to life outside of war and became a famous writer, better known as an Auto-Memories Doll. Violet is only missing one thing, the man who was her commander in the war, Major Boganvia, and is thought to be dead. While working as an Auto-Memory Doll, she finds a clue that the Major may not be dead, and the movie follows her pursuit of this clue and the difficulties it comes with.
This movie absolutely shatters all the cliches that surround love stories and after-war adventures. It is a hard-hitting, emotionally intense story that perfectly encapsulates the psychological damage of war, reconnecting with people in civilian life, and finding love from the depths of despair.
2. Made In Abyss Movie 3: Dawn of the Deep Soul
Dawn of the Deep Soul is the bridge between season one and two of the Made In Abyss (MIA) Series. To watch this movie properly, watch season one or movies one and two (which is just season one in movie form), then watch Dawn of the Deep Soul, and lastly watch MIA season two, The Golden City of Scorching Sun. All these episodes and movies are available on Prime Video.
This movie follows a young girl (Riko), a humanoid robot (Reg), and a hollow made from the curse of the abyss (Nanachi) in their adventure to descend to the deepest parts of a mysterious abyss in search of Riko’s mother. Dawn of the Deep Soul takes place on 5th layer of the abyss, the last place a person can return from the surface from while still maintaining their humanity. However, the group of three are determined to go even deeper, fully understanding that they will never be able to return. Hardship, the unknown, dangerous creatures, and an overflow of blessings and curses lurk around every corner but the abyss calls and Riko, Reg, and Nanachi must answer.
MIA and Dawn of the Deep Soul are not for the faint of heart. There are gory and creepy parts of the show and movie, but the world and character building of this movie and series is completely unmatched. An unforgettable adventure awaits anyone who watches this show, and there are more movies and episodes to come in the future.
3. One Piece Red
One of the many movies One Piece movies, but One Piece Red is definitely the best. If you want to watch it in the proper order, you should watch around 950 episodes of One Piece and all the previous movies; however, I would not recommend doing this unless you are already watching the One Piece franchise. Instead, One Piece Red can be used as an introduction to the One Piece series. It is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This movie is not necessarily part of the main story of the series but does give viewers very important details about Monkey D. Luffy’s past and his relationship with Shanks, the man who saved Luffy’s life and gave him his straw hat. The movie takes place at the first ever concert of Uta, Shanks’ adopted daughter and Luffy’s childhood friend. Uta has been trying to change the world with her music after she witnessed Shanks and his pirate crew demolish an island of civilians when she was a child. However, what she thought she saw and what actually happened are two very different things – these two visions collide and Luffy and crew, as well as Shanks and crew, have to come together to try and rescue Uta from herself.
What is really incredible about this movie is that a six-song album was produced just for Uta to sing in this movie, and the songs are good. Also, while it is a side story, it gives great insight into character that many people love. It also acts as good summary of One Piece as a series, very fun and silly on the surface but has deep rooted undertones about serious topics
4. Demon Slayer: Infinity Train (aka Mugen Train)
This is your mystery action movie of this list. Demon Slayer: Infinity Train sits in the middle of season one and two of the Demon Slayer series. To watch it properly, watch Infinitely Train after season one, then continue on with season two, three, and four of the series. There is a total of four seasons in the Demon Slayer franchise with at least one more movie and season coming out.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Train is set on a train that has been the site of many disappearances. Tanjirou, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, the main characters in the series, along with Hashira Kyoujurou (their senior), are dispatched to solve the disappearances overnight train. However, just setting foot on the train has already put the group into the clutches of the demon causing issues with the train. As soon as the train gets moving on the tracks, the action starts and the group of four must fight until dawn to survive.
Mugen Train is the number one selling anime movie of all time, with a revenue of over half a billion dollars worldwide. It did that well for a reason, it is genuinely a heart-pumping, action-packed murder mystery movie that builds on the already popular Demon Slayer franchise.
5. Puella Magi Madoka Magica Movie 3: Rebellion
Despite this being part of the Magical Girl genre of anime, which is known of its infamously ridiculously shallow stories and characters, Madoka Magica is a shining gem among the rough. To watch this movie properly, watch season one of the series or movies one and two, then watch this movie, and finally watch the two seasons of side story if it piques your interest. There is plan for a final movie that will complete the story, but no word on when that will come out.
Rebellion takes place in a city called Mitakihara, or so it seems, where five girls’ team up to protect the residents of the city from nightmares. One of the girls, Homura, realizes that the city they live in is not what it seems as she begins to remember that most the girls she is teaming up with have already died. When confronted with the truth, infighting breaks out as the mystery becomes more and more unraveled. Fun, hope, and betrayal are waiting for anyone who decides to embark on this magical mystery show.
Madoka Magica is definitely a niche franchise that is really only worth watching if you are a fan of animation. It boasts two different animation types, computer-based animation and paper and yarn-based animation, which adds to the dark and creepy undertones of the movie and series. If you are looking for a good series/movie from a bad genre or just like dark, weird shows, Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Rebellion is the movie for you.
There are plenty of other good movies from ongoing Anime out there, but these are the five best in my opinion. They stray from the one-dimensional movies out there and attempt to tell multiple levels of story all wrapped into one movie. Enjoy!
