In September 1985, a little spiky-haired alien warrior was on the brink of changing the world. Dragon Ball was the title Akira Toriyama gave to the project that became a defining moment in the history of Japanese entertainment. For nine years the weekly Manga publications were compiled into 42 volumes. We all know of the success achieved by the anime adaptation that ran for 11 years and is still found in syndication.
Dragon Ball garnered a following due to its charismatic and unforgettable characters. The method used to develop the stories was based on the experience of several past Manga writers. Though it has influenced several similar works, it’s not exactly a product that makes the reader question their reality. Goku’s story and the elements surrounding it are created for children, and though they do provide insights into humanity, these don’t go beyond fights, laughs, and superficial emotional conflicts.
The story was adapted in the second half of the eighties, a time when the Anime industry was just starting the revolution that culminated with films such as Ghost in the Shell. This then allowed for more complex stories to have a place in television slots and introduced characters that were not like the typical extraterrestrial heroes with special abilities. The Science-Fiction and Mecha genres began to grow a following at the start of the nineties.
Though there is anime made for adult audience, not all complex works need to be characterized as such. The integration of philosophical themes or questions make the viewer be an active participant of the creative process. The director hands his work for the spectator to continue thinking of the story even after the credits have rolled.
The following animes question existence, morality, ideas, and knowledge. They respond by giving the viewer a broader concept of the complexity of our world.
Mushi-shi (2006)
According to the story told in this strange yet meditative series, there are small beings everywhere called Mushi-shi. They are believed to exist in the world with no real goal or purpose, yet possess the ability to imitate common things of the world. There is no clear description of these entities and the series explores several retellings of their interactions. Though they have the power to shape the world to their will, it is their inability to distinguish between good and evil that leaves the viewer, as well as the character of Ginko, wondering how something that appears to be nonexistent can have such importance.
Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
Considered and Avant-garde anime, this title is not only an audiovisual pleasure, since it also delves into subjects such as reality, identity, and communication. It binds those elements through the influence of the history of computers, cyberpunk literature, conspiracy theories, and, of course, philosophy. Lain is the protagonist who lives a seemingly normal life until a dead classmate sends an e-mail to the rest of the girls in the school claiming to be living in a virtual reality. This animation stands out for its use of components that changed Japanese industry, aside from referencing traits of Western culture.
Paprika (2006)
Best known as being the animation that inspired Christopher Nolan’s Inception, it follows a similar concept. A research psychologist has a device that allows his patients to enter their dreams. This Sci-fi fantasy is perfect for the anime medium, as it takes the viewer through a visual and mental journey. Yet it takes a dark turn that makes us wonder how far would our dreams go if they could be turned into a reality?
Kino’s Journey (2003)
Much like the premise of the manga it’s based on, it features the character of Kino as he travels in a talking motorcycle called Hermes through a fantastical world of different countries, each with its own distinct people and traditions. The anime is comprised of 13 episodes (though there have been several films) and is highly addictive given its visuals. Exploring foreign lands and reaching understanding with other peoples give it its philosophical perspective. It subtly inserts themes of customs, freedom, war, and life itself through Kino’s adventures.
Psycho-Pass (2012)
The story revolves around the “Sybil System”, which measures a person’s mental state in order to determine their criminal abilities and tendencies, not unlike the plot from Minority Report. It’s set in a place where crime is almost nonexistent and humanity lives in relative peace. Yet, how can criminal activity continue in a world where everything is serene? If the system gives sentences prior to a crime occurring, should the criminal be punished even when they’re prevented from carrying out their plan?
Haibane Renmei (2002)
“To recognize one’s own sin is to have no sin. So, are you a sinner?” This is just one of the many quotes to be remembered of this visual wonder. Just as she is about to be born out of a cocoon, Rakka dreams she falls. Once she is born, she grows a pair of wings, a halo, and learns she is the new “Haibane” in the town of Gile. Yet she can never leave, touch money, and can only live in places and possess things that people have left behind. Rakka’s hope arrives with the “Day of the Flight,” when it is believed that all the “good” Haibane can leave the city.
From the New World (2012)
It began as a novel adapted to manga and was later turned into an anime series. It tells the story of how in 2011 humans acquired psychokinetic powers, which brought on death and destruction. A thousand years later, Saki is barely getting her own powers when one of her weaker classmates suddenly disappears. The series dives into philosophical wanderings when the secrets of the past are uncovered by a group of friends, making the viewer ask themselves, how far do the horrors of humanity reach?
Texhonlyze (2003)
An underground society shatters as the younger generations begin to fight for control. The plot becomes more complex as the story progresses, since it’s a dystopian tale about control of the masses, the media, and territorial wars on the edge of imminent and ignored destruction. It’s vital for the population to unify in order to survive, and yet, just like we observe in our world where we destroy each other, it seems impossible.
The Tatami Galaxy (2010)
This show is unique, given its peculiar scenarios, colors, and the actions of its characters. It tells the story of a young man, narrated by parallel accounts with one recurring element: his classmate whom he is in love with. The series and the novel it’s based on does not only raise melancholic questions, but also touch subjects like love, the search for someone or something that completes us, and loneliness.
Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
This work not only inspired some of the other titles in this list, but is also considered to be the best Anime of all time due to it changing the paradigms, use of tools, and for creating an complete analysis of the art form as a medium for expression and influence of modern youth. The story is set in 2015 when humanity must protect Earth from the Angels sent to bring the end of days. Who are the heroes? Fifteen-year-olds, each of them in constant psychological development as they witness some of the worst things to torment humanity and could eventually bring an end to it. The series dedicates two entire episodes to philosophy, breaking down the characters’ entire growth, as well as presenting almost all contemporary thoughts on humanity, from our most false motivations to our most terrible desires.
Fortunately, the first thing that goes through people’s minds when they hear the word “anime” is no longer absurd cartoon death matches. Instead, there is a growing interest for what can be offered through this medium. The technique is constantly evolving, presenting new stories each year, although Studio Ghibli has kept the same visuals as a form of trademark. The genre has more to offer us from a philosophical standpoint, and now that it begins to reference Western culture, as Hollywood does in return, there’s no way to stop this art form.