The 10 Best Anime Movies of 2020

Apart from derailing our lives and increasing the population percentage of the world’s depression rate, 2020 somehow managed to create some nice anime movies. After watching every single one of them that got released during that year in Japan, here are the 10 best anime movies of 2020 that I recommend:

+2019+

+2018+

1.Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish

ジョゼと虎と魚たち - Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi

Movie Plot: Fully committed to pursuing higher studies in marine biology abroad, Tsuneo Suzukawa's life revolves around the sea: his days are a mix of studying for his bachelor's in the same field and working as a diving instructor in Osaka. As the end of his university year approaches, he struggles to meet the financial requirement to travel but one day stumbles upon the chance to work as a caretaker for Josee, a girl who uses a wheelchair.

You’ll love this anime if: you're looking for a show with occasionally very colorful and beautifully drawn-out scenes and an overall story that is heart-warming, tear-triggering, and filled with fun facts about fish.

Director: Kotaro Tamura

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Bones

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Drama + Romance + Slice of Life

Release date: Dec 25, 2020

Movie length: 1 hr. 38 min.

Movie based on: Novel.

2.Ongaku

音楽 - On-Gaku: Our Sound

Movie Plot: Living out their lives as teenage delinquents, school friends Oota, Kenji and Asakura eventually grow tired of the temporary rush of the fights they engage in for no reason. Looking for a new source of fun, Kenji decides that they should start a band, feeling that music would be a good choice that could cure their boredom and perhaps even ignite a flame in their souls.

You’ll love this anime if: you enjoy the occasional alternative animation style, you like quirky and funny unpredictable characters, and you appreciate music or general stories about people discovering something they really like.

Director: Kenji Iwaisawa

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Nikkatsu

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Slice Of Life + Music

Release date: Jan 11, 2020

Movie length: 1 hr. 11 min.

Movie based on: Manga

3.Umibe no Étranger

海辺のエトランゼ - L'étranger de la Plage

Movie Plot: After coming out as gay, Shun Hashimoto moved to Okinawa and started pursuing a career as a writer, intent on becoming a novelist. One day, as he admires the sea from afar, he notices Mio Chibana, a shy high school student who is always sitting on the same bench, staring at the sea. As days turn into weeks, the two eventually meet, and Shun becomes immediately engrossed by Mio.
You’ll love this anime if: you don’t mind fast-paced stories that take place at chronological intervals, you like conventional colorful animation, and you’re looking for a bittersweet but mostly sweet little romance story.

Director: Akiyo Ohashi

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Studio Hibari

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Boys Love + Romance + Slice of Life

Release date: Sep 11, 2020.

Movie length: 59 min.

Movie based on a series: Manga.

4.A Whisker Away

泣きたい私は猫をかぶる - Nakitai Watashi wa Neko wo Kaburu

Movie Plot: Following her parent's divorce, Miyo Sasaki is forced to move in with her father and his new wife. As she tries to navigate this uncomfortable new parental dynamic and her parent's inadequate attempts at communication, she finds refuge in filling her mind up with thoughts of her crush, Kento Hinode. While Kento finds her demonstrations of love very bothersome, Miyo is able to forge a relationship with him thanks to her ability to turn into a white cat towards whom he grows affectionate.
You’ll love this anime if: you like light fantasy elements, enjoy whimsical over-the-top characters, and love soaking your eyeballs in pretty and charming animation.

Director: Junichi Sato + Tomotaka Shibayama

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Studio Colorido

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Comedy + Drama + Romance + Supernatural

Release date: Jun 18, 2020

Movie length: 1 hr. 44 min.

Movie based on: None. Original work.

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the next five movies have series adaptations, you can still watch them on their own if you really want to, but the recommended watch order will be provided

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5.Violet Evergarden: The Movie 

劇場版 ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン - Gekijouban Violet Evergarden

Movie Plot: After the end of The Great War, Violet Evergarden finds herself shedding off her role as a soldier and becoming an Auto Memory Doll, working as a writing assistant to whoever needs it. The letters she writes through transcription lead to a deep introspection of her crimes and the trauma she suffered. Still, as time goes by, she learns to understand herself and eventually recognizes that the feelings she once held for a man during the war were actually those of love.
You’ll love this anime if: you like crying and witnessing your heart flutter and break repeatedly, and you acknowledge the fact that Studio Kyoto Animation is home to a legion of animation and storytelling gods.

Director: Taichi Ishidate

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Kyoto Animation

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Drama + Fantasy + Slice of Life

Release date: Sep 18, 2020

Movie length: 2 hr. 20 min.

Movie based on: Light novel.

Watch order: [1] Violet Evergarden (Episodes 1-4) [2] Violet Evergarden: Kitto “Koi” wo Shiru Hi ga Kuru no Darou [3] Violet Evergarden (Episodes 5-13) [4] Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eien to Jidou Shuki Ningyou [5] Violet Evergarden: The Movie

6.given Movie

映画 ギヴン - Eiga Given

Movie Plot: After forming their band 'Given,' Ritsuka Uenoyama, Mafuyu Satou, Akihiko Kaji, and Haruki Nakayama plan to enter an Amateur Contest whose final screening will involve a live act audition. As they wait for the day of the prelims to arrive, Akihiko's ex-lover comes back to Tokyo, steering old feelings up, and unexpectedly befriends and teaches Mafuyu about music-writing. As Akihiko's emotions swirl into uncertainty, he drags Haruki into his mess, whom he knows has feelings for him.

You’ll love this anime if: you like angsty and sweet boy-love stories and enjoy a ‘musical’ setting.

Director: Yamaguchi Hikaru

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Lerche

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Boys Love + Drama, Romance + Slice of Life + Music

Release date: Aug 22, 2020

Movie length: 59 min.

Movie based on: Manga.

Watch order: [1] Given, season 1 [2] Given, the movie.

7.Demon Slayer: Mugen Train

劇場版 鬼滅の刃 無限列車編 - Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Train

Movie Plot: After a string of people who have boarded the Mugen train vanish from its cabins, the Demon Slayer Corps call upon the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku to look into their disappearances. Aided by recruits Tanjirou Kamado, Inosuke Hashibira, and Zenitsu Agatsuma, Rengoku starts to investigate and immediately senses the presence of a powerful demon occupying the train.
You’ll love this anime if: you are a fan of Demon Slayer, and waiting for the next season is crushing your soul; you also enjoy fight scenes whose animation style makes you feel like you need to learn sword-wielding and make your ancestors proud (yes, even if they were farmers).

Director: Sotozaki Haruo

Studio + Other Works by Studio: ufotable

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Supernatural + Demons + Historical

Release date: Oct 16, 2020

Movie length: 1 hr. 56 min.

Movie based on: Manga.

Watch order: [1] Demon Slayer season 1 (Episode 1-26) [2] Demon Slayer season 2 (episode 1) [3] Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie

8.Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel III. Spring Song

劇場版

Movie Plot: As the final act of the Fifth Holy Grail War unfolds, a manipulative and wicked enemy reveals itself, taking hold of and corrupting some participants, regardless of where their previous loyalties lay. While the future of the world becomes tainted with darkness, Shirou Emiya, Rin Toosaka, and Illyasviel von Einzbern attempt to salvage it, coming face to face with foes who were once their friends.
You’ll love this anime if: you like going on a rollercoaster of emotions, and you enjoy watching EPIC movies with immensely creative animation and fight scenes.

Director: Sudou Tomonori

Studio + Other Works by Studio: ufotable

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Action + Fantasy + Supernatural

Release date: Aug 15, 2020

Movie length: 2 hr. 2 min.

Movie based on: Visual Novel.

Watch order: [1] Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. presage flower [2] Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel II. lost butterfly [3] Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel III. spring song

9.Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna

デジモンアドベンチャー LAST EVOLUTION 絆

Movie Plot: Special tamers worldwide are beginning to be found unconscious in their homes with their partner Digimon missing. As news of this mysterious phenomenon reaches the Chosen Children (who are no longer children), the appearance of a special breed of Digimon gets uncovered and seems to play a significant role in these incidents.
You’ll love this anime if: you like Pokemon, but there wasn’t a pokemon movie in 2020, so you’ll settle.

Director: Taguchi Tomohisa

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Yumeta Company

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Action + Adventure + Comedy + Drama

Release date: Feb 21, 2020

Movie length: 1 hr. 34 min.

Movie based on: Original work.

Watch order: You can watch this as a stand-alone, but here is the total order with the series.

10.Made In Abyss: Dawn Of The Deep Soul 

劇場版メイドインアビス 深き魂の黎明 - Made in Abyss Movie 3: Fukaki Tamashii no Reimei

Movie Plot: The 3rd installation of this movie series follows Riko, Regu, and Nanachi as they explore the Abyss, a dangerous, uncharted territory, and reach its fifth layer: the Sea of Corpses. This layer, shrouded in mystery, will force them to face harsh realities and make sacrifices they might not be willing to make.
You’ll love this anime if: you love movies with a sense of wonder and adventure wrapped in gut-wrenching and emotionally draining hopeless optimism. Don’t be fooled by its cutesy-looking animation. Made in the Abyss can be terrorizing (but in a good way).

Director: Kojima Masayuki

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Kinema Citrus

Trailer Link: Here.

Genre: Adventure + Drama + Fantasy + Mystery + Sci-Fi

Release date: Jan 17, 2020

Movie length: 1 hr. 45 min.

Movie based on: Web manga.

Watch order: [1] Made In Abyss: Journey’s Dawn [2] Made In The Abyss: Wandering Twilight [3] Made In Abyss: Dawn Of The Deep Soul.