I like arbitrary lists...
Here's my list of the quintessential anime movies/OAV that any self respecting anime fan must see. If you haven't seen the majority of these, and you dare to call yourself a fanboy, you should hang your head in shame.
1. Akira: Ok, this is a no brainer. It still deserves a mention.
2. Ghost in the Shell: The original, not the sequel or the series. Still, a no brainer.
3. Galaxy Express 999: Great OAV that was compiled into a 90 minute movie. It was part of the Captain Harlok/Emeraude Universe of fame and legend. This guy who's seeking a mechanized body goes on a life changing journey by way of this intergalactic train, that looks like an ordinary steam engine. Great story, interesting characters, good message at the end.
4. Vampire Hunter D: Only the original 80's version counts, not the 90's remake. Campy and stupid, but still a classic. The guy had a face on his hand that ate dirt, enough said.
5. Ninja Scroll: Classic ninja movie with awesome action sequences. I still laugh every time I think of my straight-laced friend Katherine watching this movie with her equally straight-laced mother because they read about it in the paper. Apparently the paper did not mention the content of the first 10 minutes...
6. Windaria: Typical "star-crossed lovers town apart by war" type of movie, but still very moving. I cried like a baby at the end. I'm such a sucker for movies like this.
7. A Wind Named Amnesia: Interesting concept; this alien born wind causes the entire population of Earth to revert back to primate instincts. This one guy escapes it by a fluke and goes on a journey w/this "mysterious woman" to search for other survivors. My favorite part was when they come to this underground city that happens to have two survivors, but they have to act as all the people in the town. Father daughter, nurse patient, and as two lovers. Unnerving...
8. Iria: Zeiram the Animation: Originally, a live action movie that was turned into a three part OAV. It was about a bounty hunter who has to unwillingly save these space colonies from this horrific unstoppable alien that was originally supposed to be used as a weapon. Great characters, great action.
9. 8 Man After: I'm pretty sure that this was also a OAV that was compiled into a movie, but I'm not entirely sure. It was the sequel to an old anime series of the same name, minus the after. Cyberpunk, before cyberpunk was cool. This private eye gets horribly murdered trying to protect this woman, but to save his life this scientist (in league with the police dept) places his brain in the body of an android called 8 Man. Sorta like the Japanese version of RoboCop, but more angst ridden as the private eye still retains his personality and memory.
10. Urusei Yatsura The Movie 2: Beautiful Dreamer: You don't have to be a fan of the series to like this movie, but it'll help you to identify the characters. This one had a bit more of a serious, existential tone; rather than the zany slapstick of the series. It asks the question: What defines an ideal reality and whom is it ideal for?
11. Demon City Shinjuku: Classic story of guy who saves the world from impending doom by living up to his father's name. Also, the Shinjuku district in Tokyo gets invaded by demons from hell in an elaborate plot to take over the world. What isn't there to like?
12. Perfect Blue: Rob's favorite movie! Satoshi Kon's first film, and my personal favorite. Compelling story with Hitchcockian elements of suspense. It still creeps me out no matter how many times I see it.
13. Gunbuster: One of Gainax's earlier, pre-Eva works and the only giant robot anime on the list. I could care less about the mech suits; what really got me was the story. It had a deep story that dealt with the effects of relativity (the missions took place at near-light speed) and how the time lag affected the pilots and the people they held close to them.
14. Any Studio Ghibli Movie: I couldn't decide on any one film in particular. I mean Naussica was the first, Laputa had a great message, Mononoke got me interested, Spirited looked amazing, and Totoro will always hold a place in my heart...and that's only a to name a few. Besides, how can you even call yourself an anime fan if you haven't seen at least one of their movies. They're like potato chips, you can't watch just one.
Well, that's all I can think of for the time being; I'll add on to this list as they come to me.
Suggestions are welcome, but try to stay away from movies/OAVs that came out as a result of a popular series. I know I had a couple, but they stood out on their own; they weren't just an extension of the series that spawned them. Perhaps I'll do a list of classic series, but that's for another day.
Remember, though, that these are my opinions and were not listed in any particular order. In case anybody was wondering, most of these movies were shown on basic cable, or could be easily found at your local video rental place. So, no excuses if you haven't seen them.
1. Akira: Ok, this is a no brainer. It still deserves a mention.
2. Ghost in the Shell: The original, not the sequel or the series. Still, a no brainer.
3. Galaxy Express 999: Great OAV that was compiled into a 90 minute movie. It was part of the Captain Harlok/Emeraude Universe of fame and legend. This guy who's seeking a mechanized body goes on a life changing journey by way of this intergalactic train, that looks like an ordinary steam engine. Great story, interesting characters, good message at the end.
4. Vampire Hunter D: Only the original 80's version counts, not the 90's remake. Campy and stupid, but still a classic. The guy had a face on his hand that ate dirt, enough said.
5. Ninja Scroll: Classic ninja movie with awesome action sequences. I still laugh every time I think of my straight-laced friend Katherine watching this movie with her equally straight-laced mother because they read about it in the paper. Apparently the paper did not mention the content of the first 10 minutes...
6. Windaria: Typical "star-crossed lovers town apart by war" type of movie, but still very moving. I cried like a baby at the end. I'm such a sucker for movies like this.
7. A Wind Named Amnesia: Interesting concept; this alien born wind causes the entire population of Earth to revert back to primate instincts. This one guy escapes it by a fluke and goes on a journey w/this "mysterious woman" to search for other survivors. My favorite part was when they come to this underground city that happens to have two survivors, but they have to act as all the people in the town. Father daughter, nurse patient, and as two lovers. Unnerving...
8. Iria: Zeiram the Animation: Originally, a live action movie that was turned into a three part OAV. It was about a bounty hunter who has to unwillingly save these space colonies from this horrific unstoppable alien that was originally supposed to be used as a weapon. Great characters, great action.
9. 8 Man After: I'm pretty sure that this was also a OAV that was compiled into a movie, but I'm not entirely sure. It was the sequel to an old anime series of the same name, minus the after. Cyberpunk, before cyberpunk was cool. This private eye gets horribly murdered trying to protect this woman, but to save his life this scientist (in league with the police dept) places his brain in the body of an android called 8 Man. Sorta like the Japanese version of RoboCop, but more angst ridden as the private eye still retains his personality and memory.
10. Urusei Yatsura The Movie 2: Beautiful Dreamer: You don't have to be a fan of the series to like this movie, but it'll help you to identify the characters. This one had a bit more of a serious, existential tone; rather than the zany slapstick of the series. It asks the question: What defines an ideal reality and whom is it ideal for?
11. Demon City Shinjuku: Classic story of guy who saves the world from impending doom by living up to his father's name. Also, the Shinjuku district in Tokyo gets invaded by demons from hell in an elaborate plot to take over the world. What isn't there to like?
12. Perfect Blue: Rob's favorite movie! Satoshi Kon's first film, and my personal favorite. Compelling story with Hitchcockian elements of suspense. It still creeps me out no matter how many times I see it.
13. Gunbuster: One of Gainax's earlier, pre-Eva works and the only giant robot anime on the list. I could care less about the mech suits; what really got me was the story. It had a deep story that dealt with the effects of relativity (the missions took place at near-light speed) and how the time lag affected the pilots and the people they held close to them.
14. Any Studio Ghibli Movie: I couldn't decide on any one film in particular. I mean Naussica was the first, Laputa had a great message, Mononoke got me interested, Spirited looked amazing, and Totoro will always hold a place in my heart...and that's only a to name a few. Besides, how can you even call yourself an anime fan if you haven't seen at least one of their movies. They're like potato chips, you can't watch just one.
Well, that's all I can think of for the time being; I'll add on to this list as they come to me.
Suggestions are welcome, but try to stay away from movies/OAVs that came out as a result of a popular series. I know I had a couple, but they stood out on their own; they weren't just an extension of the series that spawned them. Perhaps I'll do a list of classic series, but that's for another day.
Remember, though, that these are my opinions and were not listed in any particular order. In case anybody was wondering, most of these movies were shown on basic cable, or could be easily found at your local video rental place. So, no excuses if you haven't seen them.