Too manyanimedon’t receive proper sequels or endings, with most shows basically concluding on a “read the manga” note. However, occasionally the stars align and theanimegods deem the world worthy of receiving something more, and these gifts sometimes head to theatres. It is a good day whenever a movie is announced as a successor to an anime series, even if these films tend to be harder to come by outside of Japan than their shows.RELATED:Best Anime Based On ManhwaAs only top-tier series get themselves movie sequels, these releases tend to be of rather high quality. When it comes to picking thebest anime movie sequelsto series, the bar is set so high that stellar films such asDragon Ball Super: Broly,Natsume Yujin-cho the Movie: Ephemeral Bond, andMushishi: The Next Chapter - Drops of Bellsall miss the cut. So, which films did make it?Note:Kizumonogatariwill not be included since it is a prequel. That said, go and watch all three parts.Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feelhas also been left out since it is an alternate route and not a direct sequel to the series. Again, go and watch all three movies.
10Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion
While technically a sequel to the first twoMadoka Magicamovies,Rebellionqualifies since its predecessors mainly cover the contents of the anime series. A dark, twisted take on the magical girl genre,Puella Magi Madoka Magicaharrowingly depicts the destructive lives of young children dragged into torturous battles that lead to despair.
Rebellioncompletes the show’s journey, and the movie is essential to Homura’s arc. Brilliantly animated, narratively complex, and hauntingly tragic,Rebellionmaintains the high standards of the show and, arguably, even exceeds them.
9Demon Slayer -Kimetsu No Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train
Thehighest-grossing anime movie,Demon Slayer-Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Trainwas not short of a cultural phenomenon when it came out in 2020. Predominantly set on a train, the Demon Slayer Corps find themselves going up against an Upper Rank member of the Twelve Kizuki.
Mugen Trainis gorgeously animated, particularly its fight scenes. Similar to the anime series, the film has a decent amount of humor courtesy of Zenitsu and KyÅjurÅ Rengoku, the latter of which steals the show.
8K-On! The Movie
K-On!is one of the pillars of theslice of life genre. The anime might seem basic in this day and age, but that’s mostly because so many subsequent series took a page or two fromK-On!’s book.
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The movie sees the Light Music Club’s founding members on the verge of graduation; consequently, they take a trip to London. Packed with awesome music and earned emotional beats,K-On! The Moviegives fans of the series the chance to say goodbye to Yui and company.
2011’sSteins;Gateis an adaptation of a visual novel, but the anime was such a bonafide success that an original sequel was created for it.Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vupushes Kurisu to the forefront as the scientist is now the one who has to save Rintaro Okabe.
This role reversal works wonders, giving Kurisu an opportunity to exist as a standalone character rather than one chiefly viewed through Okabe’s eyes. Suspenseful and splendidly written,Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vubrings one of anime’s masterpieces to a phenomenal close.
6Gintama: The Final Chapter - Be Forever Yorozuya
AsGintama: The Finalhas yet to be released outside of Japan,Gintama: The Final Chapter - Be Forever Yorozuyawill just have to do. Despite ultimately becoming one of the franchise’s various faux conclusions,Be Forever Yorozuyastill retains an element of finality to it. This is largely due to its extreme premise that sees Gintoki being sent to a dystopian future where he is no longer alive.
Adult Shinpachi and Kagura are the highlights ofBe Forever Yorozuya, and the film uses the characters' transformations to both hilarious and dramatic effects. The final punchline is also peakGintama.
5Rascal Does Not Dream Of A Dreaming Girl
After being hinted at inRascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, Shouko takes central stage inRascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl. The sequel dives into Sakuta’s past with his ex-girlfriend, all told through a supernatural mystery akin to those found in the series.
A criticism of the show is that Mai, the titular bunny girl, gets sidelined following the first arc, causing her romance with Sakuta to move at a crawl.Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girlrectifies this and, despite Shouko’s presence, Sakuta and Mai’s relationship is still given plenty of time to breathe and develop.
4KONOSUBA -God’s Blessing On This Wonderful World!- Legend Of Crimson
Kazuma and the most unpredictable RPG partyever head to the Crimson Demons' village, and Megumin’s hometown, at the behest of a letter. What starts as a rather relaxing (and somewhat embarrassing) look through Megumin’s upbringing quickly turns into a struggle for survival that blows anything from the anime series out of the water in terms of sheer scale.
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KonoSuba’s humor is on-point throughoutLegend of Crimson, but the movie also highlights the main characters' growth. For all its silliness,KonoSubauses its misadventures to bring Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness closer together.
3Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End Of Evangelion
AfterNeon Genesis Evangelionran out of money and concluded on two of the most experimental (and baffling) episodes in anime history, a movie came along to present an alternative option.The End of Evangelionis weird, grotesque, terrifying, and psychologically scarring. There are multiple scenes that are among the most disturbing in anime history – there is no forgetting Shinji in the hospital or Asuka’s final stand.
The End of Evangelionis not an easy sit, and that’s for the best. This is the type of movie that challenges people to rewatch it so that they can try to peel away the layers and symbolism.
2Made In Abyss: Dawn Of The Deep Soul
TheMade in Abyssseries prepares viewers well for the devastation that awaits them in its sequel movie,Dawn of the Deep Soul. On the verge of reaching the Abyss’s sixth layer, Reg, Riko, and Nanachi come across a White Whistle called Bondrewd and his adoptive daughter, Prushka. Chipper and talkative, the latter is a bundle of joy; conversely, the formerplaysthe role of the doting father quite well.
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soulstrikes all the same chords as the series: a captivating sense of mystery, a constant feeling of danger, lovable characters, and the ability to stab right into the heart of anyone watching.
1The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiyais the standard-bearer when it comes toanime movie sequels to series. A controversial second season causedThe Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiyato lose quite a bit of momentum, but the Endless Eight arc is worth sitting through to get to this movie.
Kyon finds that reality has been altered so that Haruhi no longer attends North High and the SOS Brigade has been erased. While this strong core mystery drives the movie forward,The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiyapreserves the slice of life feel of the anime series, particularly during its opening half. Kyon is a fantastic protagonist and effortlessly carries the story as he has to decide whether to live in a world with or without Haruhi. This sequence just happens to be one of the greatest in anime history.
