Ultimate Anime: 100 Essential Films and Series - Hardcover

by Joe O'Connell (Author)

Anime is one of Japan's greatest cultural exports with its films enchanting audiences across the globe. Ultimate Anime celebrates the medium's most incredible achievements and indelible moments to date. Packed with film stills and essays on directors and Japanese pop culture, Ultimate Anime is an irresistible "way in" to the art form for newcomers as well as an essential purchase for even the most hardcore followers of the medium.

Whether looking at the ephemeral arthouse tragedy of Belladonna of Sadness, the iconic legacy of Cowboy Bebop, or the genre--busting touchstone of Suzumiya Haruhi, there are worlds beyond worlds worth exploring once a new fan has finished their first Studio Ghibli binge. Written by anime expert Joe O'Connell, Ultimate Anime takes readers on an exciting tour of the finest examples of the art of anime by its greatest creators.

O'Connell writes in--depth commentary on each featured film and recommends other films that have similar themes and subjects. He also profiles each film and illustrates them with stunning stills from the movies themselves. This volume celebrates the achievements of the genre's most transforming films, explores each film's creation, the minds that brought them to life, and the thoroughly Japanese culture and themes woven throughout, all while breaking down what makes each of them an enduring classic. Bringing the world of anime to life on the page, this book will help fans old and new quickly find a new masterpiece to discover and enjoy.

The defining work on the subject, it is a treasure trove full of surprises for the expert while also serving as an intriguing introduction for the newly initiated. The best single volume on the genre, Ultimate Anime is the book for anyone interested in the worldwide phenomenon that is anime.

Back Jacket

Anime is a vast and vibrant universe. From soot sprites to super robots, Dragon Balls to the Dragon Slayer, it's drenched in Japanese culture and overflowing with must-see megahits. For newcomers, it can be overwhelming. This book is here to help.

Trust this expertly curated guide to reveal the depth, scope, and brilliance of Japan's greatest export. Across over one hundred titles and a thousand stills, you'll chart the course of the medium's most influential directors, unpacking the key genres and recurring tropes that shape anime's storytelling.

From the arthouse tragedy of Belladonna of Sadness to the suave swagger of Cowboy Bebop and the genre-busting touchstone that is Haruhi Suzumiya, there are worlds beyond worlds begging to be explored--all unexpectedly connected through shared ideas, visual language, and wildly creative cross-pollination. As you recognize the patterns and references, each title will lead to your next favorite--and a deeper love for the artform. You'll be an "otaku" before you know it.