From "A Whisker Away" to "Drifting Home," the 12 Best Anime Movies on Netflix

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Netflix's anime collection has grown so much over the years, making it one of the best places to get your daily anime fix. It reportedly has anywhere from 200 to 300 anime titles available, and it's only continuing to expand its library each year. According to Forbes, the platform added 40 new anime titles in 2022 alone. Some of those included original TV series and movies, while others were new seasons of already-existing shows. Anime is so big on Netflix that it has its own category, and the genre is even divided into sub-categories like comedy, romance, and fantasy, so whether someone is an avid watcher or a newbie, they're sure to find something they'll enjoy.

When it comes to anime movies, Netflix is especially your go-to place since it has original titles like "A Whisker Away," "Drifting Home," and "Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop." It's also acquired the streaming rights to critically-acclaimed movies like "A Silent Voice" and "Mirai," both of which have received various awards and nominations around the world.

If you're thinking about having a movie night, scroll through the slideshow to see 12 of the best anime movies that are currently on Netflix. They all have beautiful animation, unique storylines, and an interesting set of characters that you'll instantly fall in love with.

01
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"A Whisker Away"

"A Whisker Away" tells the story of a girl named Miyo Sasaki who finds a magical mask that allows her to transform into a cat. She uses her newfound powers to get close to her crush, but after spending too much time away from her human body, Miyo realizes her transformations come with a huge consequence.

Watch "A Whisker Away" on Netflix.

02
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"A Silent Voice"

"A Silent Voice" centers around a teenager named Shōya Ishida who is struggling with depression. He is still living with the guilt of bullying his deaf classmate, Shōko Nishimiya, in elementary school. In order to tie up loose ends, Shōya decides to reconnect with Shōko to try and atone for his actions.

Watch "A Silent Voice" on Netflix.

03
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"Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop"

"Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop" is a romantic comedy centering around two awkward teenagers. Cherry is a quiet boy who expresses himself through haikus, while Smile is an influencer who wears a mask in order to hide her buckteeth. Together, they help each other gain more confidence in themselves. It's a must-watch movie for those who enjoy cute slice-of-life stories.

Watch "Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop" on Netflix.

04
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"Mirai"

"Mirai" is about a four-year-old boy named Kun who is struggling to accept his new life as a big brother. After feeling forgotten by his parents, Kun escapes to a magical garden that allows him to meet his past and future relatives, who help him realize the importance of family.

Watch "Mirai" on Netflix.

05
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"Children of the Sea"

In "Children of the Sea," Ruka decides to spend her summer at her dad's aquarium, where she meets two brothers named Umi and Sora, who were raised by dugongs (aquatic mammals). She realizes they have a mysterious connection to the ocean, and the trio is soon thrust into a magical, aquatic adventure full of wonder.

Watch "Children of the Sea" on Netflix.

06
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"The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf"

"The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf" is a prequel to Netflix's "The Witcher" series that tells the story of Geralt's mentor, Vesemir. He's voiced by "The White Lotus" star Theo James, who made a cameo during the show's first season. Just like the series, "The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf" is filled with tons of action and adventure.

Watch "The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf" on Netflix.

07
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"Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back — Evolution"

"Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back — Evolution" is a CGI remake of "Pokémon: The First Movie," which was released in theaters in 1998. Just like the original movie, the 2019 film follows Ash, Misty, and Brock as they set out to stop a powerful pokémon named Mewto from destroying the world.

Watch "Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back — Evolution" on Netflix.

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"Blame!"

If you're into sci-fi, you need to watch "Blame!" The film takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where robots rule the world and are on a mission to hunt all humans, who are desperately trying to survive. After watching the movie, I guarantee you'll be running to pick up a copy of the manga to see how the rest of the story unfolds.

Watch "Blame!" on Netflix.

09
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"Bubble"

"Bubble" shows a future where Tokyo gets overtaken by bubbles, causing the city's gravity to become distorted. While most people decided to abandon Tokyo, some kids who've lost their families stayed behind and have turned the city into their personal playground filled with dangerous parkour tournaments.

Watch "Bubble" on Netflix.

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"Flavors of Youth"

"Flavors of Youth" is an anthology film that focuses on three different stories, all taking place in various parts of China. Although the characters aren't directly connected with one another, they all share the overarching theme of growing up.

Watch "Flavors of Youth" on Netflix.

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"Lu Over the Wall"

"Lu Over the Wall" is about a lonely middle school student named Kai Ashimoto whose life changes when he befriends a music-loving mermaid named Lu. The movie's bright colors match the feel-good tone of the story, which is sure to connect with viewers of all ages.

Watch "Lu Over the Wall" on Netflix.

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"Drifting Home"

"Drifting Home" centers around a group of kids who sneak into an abandoned apartment complex and find themselves on an unexpected adventure when the building drifts off into the sea. They must learn to work together in order to find a way back home.

Watch "Drifting Home" on Netflix.