Summer anime preview: All the anime movies coming to theaters

American viewers have access to more anime than they’ve ever had before, with record-high numbers of new shows available on streaming. It’s a shame that there are so many anime treasures. To keep everyone busy, there are plenty of anime movies on the big screen.

If you need a break from the latest Marvel movie, you don’t think Tom Cruise is as exciting as a Ghibli classic, or you simply want some animated, rocking alternative to Elvis, there’s an anime movie for you at the local multiplex this year. Here’s our list of the biggest anime releases of the summer, including some titles in limited release you don’t want to miss out on.

Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko

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The Sea ChildrenAyumu Watanabe, director of the film, returns to tell a very different story on a small scale. The story is not about the whole universe. Fortune Favors Lady NikukoIt is about Nikuko, a 38-year old woman and Kikuko her eleven-year-old child. They share a houseboat on the coast of a fishing community. The film centers on Kikuko as she navigates life with a larger-than-life mother who falls for the wrong men, turns every place she goes into a party, and overall has too much personality for Kikuko’s liking. Beautiful art direction is featured in the film. The movie also tells a story of growing up and discovering that your parents can be human.

On June 3 in theaters

Revue Starlight: The Movie

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Revue StarlightIt’s back. The students at Seisho Music Academy have returned four years later to attempt on-stage success. Karen and Hikari are two college students who discover a stage that allows them to settle disputes through revues or other stage performances. Although the anime appeared to be a typical idol series at first glance, it soon became something more. Revolutionary Girl Utena You will be amazed at the movie’s stunning action, as well as its theatricality and musicality. This is an excellent gift for those who love the franchise and also makes it an attractive entry point for people new to it.

On June 5, and 6.

Macross Frontier: False Songtress

Fathom Events

One of anime’s seminal franchises is coming to the big screen. Macross is one of the greatest mecha franchises. It’s about intergalactic battles in which humans fight aliens by using giant robots that can transform into ships. False SongstressThis is a story about the 25th anniversary series Macross FrontierThe story of a space colony crew searching for a new home planet. While the series’ focus is on political intrigue, it also focuses more heavily than the previous entries. False Songstress still features the kind of pop music hits you’d expect from a story where idol singers fight alongside fighter pilots.

Available in cinemas on June 16.

Prelude to Fruits Basket

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Basket of Fruits This is one of most acclaimed remakes over the last few years. It’s also one of modern shoujo animation’s best-received anime. An orphan girl moves in with her two classmates to find out that their family is cursed and they are possessed by spirits from the Chinese zodiac. This slice of life romance is full of tender moments and somber subjects like domestic abuse, mental illness, and other serious topics. There have been two anime adaptations that were very well received. The remake was a hit in 2019! Prelude to Fruit Basket It will build on the recently adapted manga and continue the story from the anime. Mostly, the film will include the anticipated prequel story that tells the story of the protagonist’s parents before their untimely deaths. The film will include original scenes that are set after the ending of anime. This is a great treat for fans of shoujo.

On the big screen June 25-29.

The Cat Returns

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Ghibli movies are better than any other films. The Cat Returns It is an uncommon spinoff/sequel of the very excellent Whispers from the HeartThe story focuses on Baron the cat, in an adventure that is a single-person affair with a girl who talks to cats. The animation style is simpler than in most Ghibli films, but it’s still a whimsical, magical adventure for the feline fan, full of Ghibli heart. This family-friendly adventure is perfect for everyone, thanks to the timeless theme that we should embrace who we really are.

On the big screen June 26-27.

Fathom Events

This is the dramatic conclusion Macross Frontier: The False Songstress, The Wings of Farewell The story follows the adventures of a stunt pilot who is attracted to a galactic god who could hold the keys to ending war. This film has some of the most beautiful animation ever made. Macrossfranchise and catchy songs that have the potential to make a difference in the world. Similar to the Rebuild of Evangelion. movies, this movie doesn’t adapt the ending of the original anime it is based on as much as it builds its own original story. It’s full of twists and turns, but it remains unequivocally Macross, an entertaining, catchy, action- and intrigue-packed film with giant transforming robots.

Available in theaters on June 30.

The Deer King

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You take an ex-Gibli animator and former Ghibli director and combine them to create a fantasy movie about human and environmental struggles and progress versus nature. Well, you get Princess MononokeThe Deer KingNaturally! The film delivers, just as one would expect, a realistic fantasy world and great action. It also tells a powerful political story about prejudice and rebellion. A once proud warrior is assigned to protect an orphan girl as a nation faces a cursed supernatural conflict. A poignant section about medical science and superstition is also included in the film. It will be released in 2022. Fans of Ghibli should check out this site while we wait for another big Ghibli movie. The Deer King.

Preview screenings by fans only on July 13-14. Broad theatrical release July 15.

Kiki’s Delivery Service

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One of Hayao Miyazaki’s very best movies, Kiki’s Delivery Service This is a charming, playful film about a girl who wants to prove herself worthy and find her place in the world. She makes friends along the way but struggles with becoming independent while having to depend on other people, leading to a crisis of identity that’s strangely relatable for both kids and adults. It’s one of the simplest yet most emotionally complex films Ghibli has ever made, and it also features one of its best supporting characters — Kiki’s familiar, Jiji the cat (voiced to perfection by Phil Hartman in the Disney dub). It’s a film about growing up and not trying to rush through life.

From July 31 through August 3.

Inu-Oh

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Director of Mind Game Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!Devilman CrybabyMasaaki Yasa, an experimental, strange, and excellent animator, is taking a hiatus from filmmaking. But he’s saying goodbye with his most rocking film yet: a head-banging, electrifying rock opera. Inu-Oh takes on historical fiction to tell the secret story behind a Noh performer, biwa musician, and playwright named Inu-Oh, one of the most famous 14th-century performers in Japan, whose life went all but undocumented in the years since — to the point where he became a legendary figure, almost more myth than fact. Yuasa recreates Inu-Oh’s story as a contemporary rockstar while keeping it in the 14th Century. It means elaborate musical numbers, backup dancers and pyrotechnics on large stages. However, Yuasa wears 14th century costumes and plays with instruments. This is an anachronistic, yet rocking experience that’s worth your time.

8.12.

Only Yesterday

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Real ones know that Studio Ghibli’s true misunderstood genius was Isao Takahata, the man behind Grave of Fireflies Pom Poko. These are two very different movies, yet equally good. Only Yesterday, a more slice-of-life drama compared to the whimsy of ’90s Ghibli, but an equally magical and touching story. The story follows a Japanese woman who goes to the country and recollects her childhood decisions. It’s like Everything at OnceWithout the multiverse stuff but still as powerful, inspiring, and heartwarming. It’s one of the most mature Ghibli movies, a poignant exploration of the role women play in Japanese society, and also a film about the pains of growing old. It doesn’t feature giant tanuki testicles like Pom Poko, but it’s still one of Ghibli’s best.

August 28-29 in theaters

Dragon Ball Super Hero

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Do you have anything to add about Dragon Ball, or is it just me? This is not only one of the greatest and most lasting anime series, but it also helped to popularize anime for an entire new generation. One of the pinnacles of what battle shonen can be, Dragon Ball has a unique blend of action, friendship, world-building, and a compelling hero’s journey, all of which have delighted audiences for more than three decades. Dragon Ball is a huge success after its release. Dragon Ball Super Broly, Super Hero will see the return of the Red Ribbon Army, an evil organization that’s plagued protagonist Goku since the original manga and anime. Instead of focusing solely on Goku, the movie will focus more on his oldest son Gohan and Piccolo, his ex-nemesis. This probably isn’t the best place to start for anyone who doesn’t consider those names instantly iconic, but for fans who’ve been following the story or want to feel some nostalgia, Dragon Ball Super HeroKamehameha is on its way to theaters

This August, in theaters