Anime has long been known for delving deep into complex emotions, offering vivid portrayals of human experiences. Loneliness, a universal sentiment, has often found a canvas in this medium. By intertwining art, narrative, and music, these films spotlight the many aspects of solitude, introspection, and the longing for connection. These masterpieces not only captivate with their visual beauty but also resonate deeply with their stories, echoing the silent chambers of the human heart. Each entry on this list presents its own unique perspective, beautifully capturing the essence of solitary emotions, shining a light on the multifaceted nature of loneliness and the many ways people cope with it. In this article, we take a look at the ten best anime films about loneliness.
10. The Place Promised in Our Early Days – Makoto Shinkai (2004)
Set against a backdrop of a divided Japan, Makoto Shinkai presents a tale of childhood friends bound by a promise. As they grow apart, their shared dream of reaching a mysterious tower on the horizon becomes a testament to their lost connection. Shinkai masterfully uses elements of science fiction and romance to intensify the feelings of longing and melancholy. The film crafts a narrative filled with nostalgia, capturing the rifts time introduces to friendships.
With the alternating urban and rural settings, the movie emphasizes the ever-widening gap between aspirations and realities. Emphasizing landscapes and changing seasons, Shinkai uses the environment as a mirror to the characters’ emotions. Their journeys, both literal and metaphorical, resonate with viewers, reminding them of their own lost connections and unfulfilled promises from days gone by.
9. When Marnie Was There – Hiromasa Yonebayashi (2014)
Anna’s journey to a coastal town serves as the setting for a story about an unlikely friendship with the enigmatic Marnie. This Studio Ghibli creation spins a tale of emotional discovery, where the boundaries of reality and memory are blurred. The setting, steeped in history and folklore, adds a layer of depth to Anna’s internal struggles. Anna’s interactions with Marnie offer solace from her feelings of detachment and isolation.
As Anna uncovers the layers of Marnie’s existence, the film underscores the idea that loneliness can sometimes be rooted in the past. The scenic beauty of the marsh house, where the two meet, offers a tranquil yet haunting atmosphere. Yonebayashi carefully balances the narrative between Anna’s real-world struggles and her ethereal encounters, making it a touching exploration of self-acceptance and the power of connections.
8. The Garden of Words – Makoto Shinkai (2013)
A chance meeting in a serene garden brings together two lonely souls seeking refuge from their daily lives. The park, brimming with life and beauty, becomes a haven where they can share their burdens. Their shared moments during the rainy season highlight the solace they find in each other’s company. However, as the skies clear, the complexities of their bond come to the forefront.
Makoto Shinkai’s exquisite visual style accentuates the emotions, with the rain often symbolizing both comfort and isolation. Using the ever-changing weather as a metaphor for fluctuating emotions, Shinkai crafts a compelling story. The subtle development of their relationship amidst the verdant surroundings makes this a contemplative reflection on the transient nature of connections and the solitude that often lingers in its wake.
7. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms – Mari Okada (2018)
Mari Okada weaves a tale centered around Maquia, an immortal girl, and her journey of motherhood after adopting a human child. Despite being surrounded by a community, Maquia’s unique circumstances magnify her feelings of otherness and disconnection. As the world changes around her and her son ages, the complexities of their bond are explored. The inevitability of loss becomes a profound theme, given Maquia’s unchanging youth.
Okada’s narrative is rich with motifs of time, growth, and separation, offering viewers a panoramic view of life’s cyclic nature. This heartrending narrative touches on the loneliness stemming from the passage of time. The beauty and pain of Maquia’s maternal love, set against a backdrop of war and change, make this one of the best anime films about loneliness.
6. 5 Centimeters per Second – Makoto Shinkai (2007)
Makoto Shinkai presents a three-part narrative portraying the gradual drifting apart of two close friends, Takaki and Akari. As they journey through life’s various stages, their memories serve as both a comfort and a reminder of what was lost. Each segment focuses on different stages of Takaki’s life, painting a picture of the growing distance between the two and the solitude it creates.
The title, referring to the speed at which cherry blossoms fall, symbolizes the slow and often unstoppable drifts in human relationships. The ever-changing landscapes in the film mirror the fleeting nature of moments and relationships in our lives. The beautiful yet melancholic sceneries, paired with the character’s internal monologues, make this a contemplative dive into the inevitability of change and the loneliness it can bring.
5. A Silent Voice – Naoko Yamada (2016)
This story revolves around Shoya, a boy who once bullied his deaf classmate, Shoko. Filled with regret, Shoya seeks to make amends in his later years. Shoya’s internal battle with his past actions shapes his interactions with the world around him in the current day. Through this journey, the film delves into themes of redemption, self-worth, and the isolation that stems from guilt and self-loathing.
As Shoya and Shoko’s relationship evolves, the film portrays the complexities of human emotions, including remorse, forgiveness, and hope. Naoko Yamada crafts a narrative that’s not just about the loneliness of the victim but also the tormentor. With a combination of stunning visuals and a heart-rending score, “A Silent Voice” is a powerful commentary on the human need for forgiveness and connection, making it one of the best anime films about loneliness.
4. Weathering with You – Makoto Shinkai (2019)
In a rain-soaked Tokyo, Hodaka, a runaway teenager, meets Hina, a girl with the mysterious ability to control the weather. Amidst the city’s chaos, the two find solace in each other, creating their own little pocket of happiness. As they form a unique bond, the film navigates the challenges they face in a world that doesn’t seem to have a place for them.
Amidst the bustling life of Tokyo, their shared adventures become a beacon of hope and love. Set against visually stunning rain sequences, Makoto Shinkai portrays the beauty and melancholy of youth. The duo’s adventures amidst the city’s urban sprawl highlight their shared feelings of displacement and their yearning for a place to belong.
3. Your Name. – Makoto Shinkai (2016)
Shinkai crafts a unique narrative of two individuals, Taki and Mitsuha, who inexplicably switch bodies. Despite the physical distance and their contrasting lifestyles, they find themselves drawn to one another, emphasizing the power of unseen bonds. While they never meet in person, they form a deep connection through the fragments of each other’s lives. As they search for each other, the film emphasizes the loneliness of missing someone you’ve never truly met.
This tale of star-crossed lovers, set against a backdrop of cosmic events and rural landscapes, is a meditation on fate, time, and the invisible threads that connect us all. Their constant yearning and the barriers they face symbolize the timeless struggle of individuals trying to bridge the distances between hearts. It serves as a reminder of the intangible bonds we share and the longing they can evoke, making “Your Name.” one of the best anime films about loneliness.
2. Perfect Blue – Satoshi Kon (1997)
Satoshi Kon dives into the mind of Mima, a pop idol turned actress that struggles with her changing identity. Kon’s portrayal of Mima’s transition is both haunting and mesmerizing, underlining the fragile nature of one’s sense of self. As the boundaries between reality and delusion blur, Mima’s isolation grows, leading her down a harrowing path of self-discovery and paranoia.
The relentless pace of the entertainment world and its impact on Mima’s psyche serve as a stark reminder of the challenges individuals face in maintaining their true selves. “Perfect Blue” is a psychological thriller that touches on the darker aspects of fame and the personal cost of transformation. With its intense visuals and a narrative that keeps viewers guessing, the film offers a disturbing glimpse into the loneliness that stems from losing oneself in the maze of societal pressures.
1. Grave of the Fireflies – Isao Takahata (1988)
Topping our list is this heart-wrenching tale of two siblings who are forced to try and survive in war-torn Japan. Their resilience, hope, and mutual dependence become the pillars of their existence amidst the chaos. Their journey, marked by hardships, paints a vivid picture of the loneliness brought on by loss and the devastation of war.
Isao Takahata’s masterpiece, with its haunting visuals and evocative score, captures the fragile beauty of fleeting moments amidst the harsh realities of life. Through the eyes of these young protagonists, Takahata showcases the horrors of war, not through battle scenes, but through its impact on the innocent. It stands as a timeless testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of overwhelming despair and isolation.
Summary
To summarise, here are the ten best anime films about loneliness:
- The Place Promised in Our Early Days – Makoto Shinkai (2004)
- When Marnie Was There – Hiromasa Yonebayashi (2014)
- The Garden of Words – Makoto Shinkai (2013)
- Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms – Mari Okada (2018)
- 5 Centimeters per Second – Makoto Shinkai (2007)
- A Silent Voice – Naoko Yamada (2016)
- Weathering with You – Makoto Shinkai (2019)
- Your Name. – Makoto Shinkai (2016)
- Perfect Blue – Satoshi Kon (1997)
- Grave of the Fireflies – Isao Takahata (1988)
