Top 5 Best Anime Short Movies

In this list, Tea Anime will highlight the top 5 best anime short movies, showcasing works that exemplify the creativity and emotional depth of the medium. Whether you’re looking for something whimsical, dramatic, or experimental, these films represent the pinnacle of short-form anime storytelling and are sure to captivate viewers.

Now, let’s get started!

1. The House Of Small Cubes

• Studio: Oh! Production
• Runtime: 12 Minutes
• Release Year: 2008

If you’re having trouble finding information about this short film under its English title, try searching for its French name, La Maison en Petits Cubes. This film has garnered significant acclaim, winning seven awards, including the 2009 Academy Award for Best Short Film. It features a distinctive art style and a poignant narrative.

The story revolves around an elderly man, seemingly the last of his family, who resides in a house where the lower levels have become submerged in water. When he accidentally drops his cherished pipe into the flooded depths, he embarks on a journey through the older parts of his home, revisiting memories from his past and the events that led to the world being overtaken by water. The plot not only explores his personal history but also reflects on the broader implications of loss and change as the environment transforms around him.

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2. Mon Mon The Water Spider

• Studio: Studio Ghibli
• Runtime: 15 Minutes
• Release Year: 2006

Known by its Japanese title Mizugumo Monmon, this delightful short film tells the story of a water spider who falls in love with a beautiful yet perilous water strider. Mon Mon, the titular character, is captivated by her existence in a world above the water’s surface, which adds to his fascination.

This charming tale is based on an idea originally conceived by Hayao Miyazaki about a caterpillar. Although it runs for only 15 minutes, Mizugumo Monmon is one of the six short films featured exclusively at the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Japan. The film beautifully captures themes of love and longing while showcasing stunning animation that is characteristic of Studio Ghibli’s work.

3. Cat Soup

• Studio: J.C.Staff
• Runtime: 34 Minutes
• Release Year: 2001

Cat Soup, also known as Nekojiru-sō, is an iconic “experimental film” celebrated for its unsettling animation style and unique design. The story begins with Nyatta, a young anthropomorphic cat, who nearly drowns in a bathtub, setting the stage for a surreal and increasingly bizarre journey.

Nyatta embarks on a quest through a nightmarish wonderland to retrieve the other half of his sister Nyaako’s soul. Their adventures are anything but lighthearted; while the film features moments of dark humor and strange encounters, it delves into themes that are both haunting and thought-provoking. For anime fans who appreciate daring and creative storytelling, Cat Soup stands out as a remarkable short film that challenges conventional narratives and visual aesthetics.

4. Inaka Isha (A Country Doctor)

• Studio: MovieImagica and Yamamura Animation, Inc.
• Runtime: 21 Minutes
• Release Year: 2007

This artistic adaptation of Franz Kafka’s A Country Doctor delivers a profound exploration of tragic surrealism within its 21-minute runtime. The film presents a dark and somber narrative that highlights the unrealistic burdens placed on doctors in their daily lives.

Utilizing a horror-fantasy aesthetic, the film conveys a message rooted in realism, ultimately leading to themes of loss and disappointment. A Country Doctor has received several accolades, including the Grand Prize at the 2007 Ottawa International Animation Festival. However, due to its subject matter and brief duration, it remains relatively unknown among many anime fans.

5. Blade Runner: Black Out 2022

• Studio: Cygames Pictures
• Runtime: 15 Minutes
• Release Year: 2017

Many people believe there are only two films in the Blade Runner franchise, but in reality, there are five, including three short films that expand the lore between the main movies. One of these is the animated feature Blade Runner: Black Out 2022.

This anime short film narrates the events of the Blackout, a significant incident referenced in Blade Runner 2049, where a massive power failure resulted in the loss of all electronic records. Set ten years before the live-action film, it provides context for the world’s state during that time. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, known for his work on Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, this short film debuted on September 27, 2017, on Crunchyroll.

In Black Out 2022, viewers witness the chaos and implications of the Blackout as it unfolds, connecting the dots between the original film and its sequel while enriching the Blade Runner universe.