Overshadowed as they might be by their TV counterparts, the anime industry still produces its fair share of movies per year. Some are even created by companies other than Studio Ghibli. Whether continuations of pre-existing franchises or completely new properties, anime movies cover a wide range of genres, and it can be difficult to know what to watch.
Falling under the zodiac's earth element, a Taurus tends to be practical, hardworking, logical, anti-authority, and determined. They also understand the importance of resting and cutting loose. When it comes to entertainment, Taureans appreciate a strong narrative, a sense of mystery, and a lighthearted tone. Movies are meant to be relaxing and an escape from reality.
Here are five anime movies a Taurus should love, along with five they might hate.
10 Love: Case Closed: The Phantom of Baker Street
Released in 2002, The Phantom of Baker Street is merely one tale in a long-running franchise with over 900 episodes and 23 released movies. Case Closed is a massive property that seems tailor-made for Taureans, as it delivers well-written criminal investigations that are solved through logical reasoning.
Due to its episodic nature, The Phantom of Baker Street can be viewed as a standalone murder mystery, one that sees the heroes visiting multiple virtual worlds. It is entertaining, moves at a swift pace, and keeps audiences guessing until the very end.
9 Hate: The Garden of Sinners Chapter 1: Overlooking View
On paper, a movie series centering around a detective agency that investigates supernatural-themed cases might seem perfect for the Taurus sign; however, The Garden of Sinners' bleak tone, non-linear structure, and philosophical musings set it apart from other anime.
The Garden of Sinners reaches some stunning highs during the second half of its eight-movie run, but Overlooking View is one of the weakest entries, especially during an initial viewing. Dropping audiences into the middle of a story with no set up to the characters, Overlooking View is unsatisfying and does not feature an especially gripping storyline. Taureans will move on long before reaching the best entries of the series.
8 Love: Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro
Brimming with imagination, memorable characters, stunning animation, and absorbing narratives, all of Hayao Miyazaki's movies are destined to strike a positive chord with Taureans (or anyone, for that matter). Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro might not be the definitive Miyazaki project but it represents the director at his most conventional and accessible.
After stealing some counterfeit bills, Lupin and Daisuke Jigen are led on a splendid adventure filled with intrigue as they seek to discover the origin of the fake money.
7 Hate: Grave Of The Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies is a masterpiece that most people can only sit through once in their lives. Stripped of Studio Ghibli's celebrated fantasy and childlike wonder, Grave of the Fireflies is a sobering film about two children trying to survive on their own during World War II.
Do not be fooled by the animation, Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most realistic war movies of all time. There are no heroics, grand battles, or rousing speeches; just two kids who are in over their heads and are lost in the noise. Grave of the Fireflies is not meant to be enjoyed, but Taureans will hate spending their free time watching something so soul-shattering.
6 Love: Your Name
Upon its release, Your Name garnered universal acclaim and was even dubbed by some as the best anime movie of all time. Naturally, that claim is debatable, but Makoto Shinkai's beautiful movie about two body-swapping teenagers is something special. Taureans will love the opening hour's comedic tone, lighthearted mystery elements concerning the central premise, and the budding friendship between the two leads.
Once a twist happens halfway through the story, Your Name becomes an epic tale that delivers excitement, action, and intense drama.
5 Hate: Neo Tokyo
A 50-minute anthology film, Neo Tokyo features three shorts by prominent anime directors and generally deals with sci-fi and dystopian themes. Although all of the films have their strengths and boast breathtaking art, none of them are likely to hold the interest of Taureans.
With the exception of the final short, "Construction Cancellation Order," Neo Tokyo is primarily about the visuals rather than its narratives. The stories themselves are cynical and detached from logic, again with the exception of the last short.
4 Love: Sword of the Stranger
Released in 2007 and animated by studio Bones, Sword of the Stranger has action, ambiguous backstories, and a cool swordsman standing up to the Ming dynasty. A boy, Kotaro, and his dog are pursued by the Chinese dynasty's hunters for a reason that is not revealed until much later in the movie. Kotaro ends up coming across Nanashi, a ronin who agrees to escort the boy to the Mangaku Temple.
Along with multiple vicious and fantastic fight scenes, Sword of the Stranger's storyline is well-written and compelling.
3 Hate: Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack
A loose adaptation of Junji Ito's Gyo, Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack is essentially a horror b-movie. While at a cabin, three friends smell a revolting odor and are greeted with the head of a shark smashing through the window. From there, things simply get weirder and weirder.
There is fun to be had with Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack, but anyone expecting a degree of logic or a tightly written narrative will be disappointed. Taureans are more likely to be bored than entertained by the anime's grotesque monsters, which do not do justice to Ito's source material.
2 Love: The Case of Hana & Alice
When Alice enters a new school, she is assigned a desk that is supposed to be haunted by an evil spirit. Initially, this story seems to be the product of an overactive imagination and an excuse for a class to engage in some mass bullying, but Alice and her neighbor Hana believe it might be connected to a student named Kotaro Yuda.
The Case of Hana & Alice blends charming characters with a fun story. The "case" is primarily used as a catalyst to explore the titular characters, although the mystery is still quite interesting. Taureans should especially love Alice, who proves to be rather unstoppable when she sets her mind to something.
1 Hate: Belladonna Of Sadness
Released in 1973, Belladonna Of Sadness is completely detached from reality, at least when it comes to its psychedelic and unique animation. When Jeanne is assaulted on her wedding night, she strikes a deal with a demonic entity in the hope of getting revenge. From its painting-esque art style to its intense displays of physical and sexual violence, Belladonna of Sadness is unlike any other anime ever released.
While particularly artistic Taureans might appreciate the anime's visuals, its grim storyline and unorthodox presentation will make Belladonna of Sadness feel like a long 86 minutes.