Fall anime preview: All the anime movies coming to theaters

There’s so much to experience and enjoy in the world of anime when it comes to theatrical releases for American audiences. New releases are highly anticipated like Red One Piece Film and the first original feature film from fan-favorite director Atsuko Ishizuka, the upcoming U.S. theatrical premiere of Hideaki Anno’s Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.01 Thrice Upon a TimeThe rerelease and showcasing of classic anime like Howl’s Moving Castle A Silent Voice, it’s a fantastic time to be an anime fan.

Here’s our list of the biggest anime releases in movie theaters this fall, including some titles in limited release you don’t want to miss out on.

Don Glees, Goodbye

Image: Madhouse/GKIDS

Atsuko Itsuko, Director of the anime series 2018, continues to follow up. The Universe is a Place More Than Itself With her first theatrical animation, Goodbye Don Glees.Roma, Toto, & Drop star as three teenager misfits, who are accused in a nearby forest fire. The trio ventures out to the forest looking for evidence of their innocence, as they have no other choice. The truth they discover is deeper than anyone can believe or talk about. A tale of adolescence, adventure, and growing up inspired by 1986’s Keep your feet on the ground, Don Glees, GoodbyeThis anime has everything you need to be extraordinary.

Don Glees, GoodbyeThis movie will play in selected theaters on Sept. 14, 20 and 18 (subbed), respectively.

Howl’s Moving Castle

Studio Ghibli/GKIDS Image

Adapted from Diana Wynne Jones’ 1986 novel of the same name, Hayao Miyazaki’s 2004 anime film Howl’s Moving Castle tells the story of a young woman named Sophie who is turned into an elderly woman by a witch’s curse. After crossing paths with Howl, a flamboyant and mysterious wizard, Sophie comes to live with him in his giant moving house powered by a fiery spirit named Calcifer in order to devise a way to lift the witch’s curse.

Howl’s Moving Castle It will be in theaters at select times on September 26 (subbed), and Sept. 25 (dubbed).

Mobile Suit Gundam Cucuruz Doan’s Island

Image from Sunrise/Sotsu and Crunchyroll

A feature-length adaptation the 15th episode from the original Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam Cucuruz Doan’s Island follows Amuro Ray, pilot of the experimental RX-78-02 Gundam, and his comrades after they’re stranded on a remote island. Amuro Ray, his comrades, and a crew member of the experimental RX-78-02 Gundam, discover children on the Island of No Return. After being under fire by an enemy mecha, Amuro searches for escape from the island. This leads to Cucuruz Doan.

Mobile Suit Gundam Cucuruz Doan’s IslandThis movie will play in selected theaters starting Sept. 27, (dubbed), and Sept. 28, (subbed).

A Silent Voice

Image: Kyoto Animation/Eleven Arts

Naoko Yamada’s 2016 anime film A Silent VoiceShoya Itai is an outcast high school student and ex-bully who finds himself in a situation where he can reconnect with Shoko Nishimimiya, the girl deaf he terrorized. Many have praised this drama as the greatest anime drama of 2010, A Silent VoiceBeautiful coming-of-age tale about bullying, mental and physical health, disability and forgiveness. This anime focuses on these topics with maturity, nuanced and care that is not possible in other anime.

A Silent VoiceIt will be in selected theaters Oct. 12.

Get Spirited Away

Studio Ghibli/GKIDS Image

Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning filmTake a Spirited Trip is commonly lauded as not only the best movie of Miyazaki’s entire career, but one of the best anime films of all time. It is as accessible and mysterious as it seems, as whimsical as terrifying as it can be, as inspiring as it can be, as harrowing, as frightening as it is. Get Spirited AwayChihiro is a story about a young girl aged 10, who gets whisked off to a realm for spirits to find her mother and then forced to work at the malevolent witch’s bathhouse. She meets Haku, an enigmatic spirit who has a strong connection with her past and tries to save her from the curse that her parents have placed on her.

Get Spirited AwayThis movie will play in selected theaters starting Nov. 1 (subbed), and ending Oct. 30 (dubbed)

Red One Piece Film

Image: Toei Animation/Crunchyroll

Produced by One PieceGoro Taniguchi directed the creation of Eiichiro Oda (His only chance is one piece! The Pirate GanzackTsutomu Kurowa wrote the following:One Piece Film Gold), Red One Piece Film follows Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they join thousands of others to witness Uta — the most beloved (and mysterious) singer in the world — give an otherworldly performance. However, things take a twist when Luffy is able to discover that Uta was actually his pirate mentor from childhood.

Red One Piece FilmIt will play in select theaters starting Nov.

Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.01 Thrice Upon a Time

Studio Khara/GKIDS

The highly anticipated fourth and final installment of the theatrical “Rebuild” incarnations of the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.01 Thrice Upon a TimeAsuka, Shinji and Rei follow the crew of anti-Nerv flag Wunder after they lose. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo and rally once again to prevent Shinji’s father, Gendo, from instigating the Third Impact. A theatrical run will be held later this year, although a precise date has yet to be announced.

Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.01 Thrice Upon a TimeTheaters will open in the second half of 2022.