My all time favorite by a long shot is Akira. If you've never seen this movie then you don't know what you're missing! As an introduction to the anime genre it is excellent, and if you're already familiar with anime and haven't seen it then Get your head out of the sand, man! The only thing to come close has been Ghost In The Shell, but it lacked the humanity and macrocosmic scope of Katsuhiro Otomo's masterpiece.

Akira might be awesome, but when it comes to characterization and emotion, even it can't compare with Miyazaki-san's creations. Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä was love at first sight for me. And that was the crappy American version! Anyone who wants to truly experience this movie should hunt up the original Japanese version. The 'anglicized' Warriors of the Wind had almost 30 minutes of film cut during production! Why, its almost blasphemous! If you'd like to vacation in The Valley of Wind, click the picture below.

Ryôichi Ikegami gives vision to Kazuo Koike's story of a man forced into life as an assassin, but left with his emotions intact, so that he can grieve over the horrible acts he performs. Click the katana below to go straight to the French site.  If you want it translated go here first.