Have you ever wandered into a story so delicate, it feels like it was written just for your heart? Anime movies often do that, pulling you into a world where emotions flow like watercolors, every frame feels like a painting, and silence speaks louder than words. They don’t shout; they whisper…of love, loneliness, healing, and magic. So here are Five Underrated Anime Films that might not be loud, but they’ll echo inside you for a lifetime…
A Letter to Momo
- Vibe: Gentle, emotional, like warm rain on a lonely afternoon.
- What to Expect: Momo is alone, haunted by the unfinished words of her late dad – just two words on a letter. Ugh, the ache. But only when you were to submerge in melancholy. Boom – Three bizarre, loud creatures enter her world! At first, scary. But they end up filling her loneliness with bizarre joy.
- Where to Watch: Available on Prime Video & Apple TV. Not on Netflix.
- Final Thought: It’s soft on the eyes, warm on the soul. Like a forgotten lullaby humming in your memory.
In This Corner of the World
- Vibe: Gentle melancholy, like painting in the middle of a storm.
- What to Expect: One of the films that is endearing to me, this story is set during WWII. This story follows Suzu, a clumsy, sweet girl who paints even as bombs fall. It’s slow, but layered with love, romance, family, loss, and everyday bravery. If you loved Grave of the Fireflies, this is its softer cousin.
- Where to Watch: Available on Netflix & Prime Video (varies by region).
- Final Thought: It’s like a diary written in colored pencils – childlike, fragile, and powerful in silence.
Also Read….
Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light
- Vibe: Whimsical, aching, like catching fireflies in your palms only to let them go.
- What to Expect: A masked boy who can’t be touched and a girl who keeps visiting the forest. Their bond is… oh my, so pure, so adorable, so soft. The first hug?. The last hug? Devastating. (You’re not ready for this.) It will make you cry like it’s raining).
- Where to Watch: Available on YouTube (English subbed) unofficially and Crunchyroll; not on Netflix/Prime.
- Final Thought: It’s a soft tragedy wrapped in moonlight – delicate, beautiful, unforgettable.
Ocean Waves
- Vibe: Realistic, muted, like re-reading an old diary by the sea.
- What to Expect: High school kids with mature feelings. The love is confusing, layered, and unsaid. It’s not flashy – it’s real. Oh, and that Tokyo trip? Nostalgia hits hard. So if you enjoy less dramatic movies, Ocean Waves is for you!
- Where to Watch: Available on Netflix.
- Final Thought: It’s like a paper flower drifting on water – delicate, silent, and unforgettable once noticed.
When Marnie Was There
- Vibe: Dreamy, intimate, like writing a letter to your childhood self.
- What to Expect: Anna meets Marnie, a mysterious girl who feels familiar yet magical. Their connection feels like soul talk. Gasp! The ending? It’s heartbreaking. This story shatters not only your heart but also your soul. Not romantic. But hauntingly emotional. (Also, can we take a moment to appreciate the ethereal and surreal beauty of Marnie? Indeed, one of the finest pieces of art – Her Eyes, Her Hair)
- Where to Watch: Available on Netflix.
- Final Thought: It’s a poem soaked in tears and moonlight – achingly beautiful, like the last hug you never knew was goodbye.
Bonus
The Wind Rises
- Vibe: A tender, wistful breeze. It’s not loud. It glides. Like watching someone fall in love with a dream and with loss.
- What to Expect: At first, you may not understand what makes it so special. But slowly, like wind tracing over paper planes, you’ll feel it. Jiro dreams of flight, of beauty in the skies. Yet every flight here is laced with war, sacrifice, and a love so gentle it could break. And Naoko… oh, she’s his calm in the storm. Their love feels like a letter you never sent. soft, aching, and wrapped in silence. The wind carries them both forward and apart. You’ll whisper, “Was this a love story? A tragedy? Or just life?” (Actually, it’s everything.)
- Where to Watch: Available on Netflix and Prime Video (availability may vary by region).
- Final Thought: These aren’t just films. They’re quiet companions for the softest corners of your soul.
Whether you’re grieving, healing, or simply dreaming, each one offers a gentle touch, a flicker of magic, and a mirror to your emotions. Let them linger like a soft kiss from your dream lover – Tender, ephemeral, and impossible to forget. (Where to watch – Every Anime mentioned is available on Aniplay and Crunchyroll)
Written By MANSI SINGH