10 Must-Watch Anime Movies If You Like The Boy And The Heron

In the mystical realm of Princess Mononoke, also directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, the protagonist Ashitaka becomes entangled in a conflict between industrial humans and the Forest Gods. As he seeks a cure for a curse, he encounters San the fierce and determined human girl who was raised by wolves, and bears deep hatred for humanity. 

Released in 1997, the film is widely considered one of the best Ghibli movies of all time. It is celebrated for its breathtaking animation, complex characters, and its exploration of the delicate balance between humanity and nature.

Admit it, who doesn’t want to immerse in the magical world of Totoro and his friends? Released in 1988, My Neighbor Totoro, another enchanting creation by Hayao Miyazaki, follows the delightful adventures of two young sisters, Satsuke and Mei, who move to the countryside and befriend the whimsical forest spirits, including the iconic Totoro. 

Featuring almost no drama, My Neighbor Totoro’s heartwarming tale is cherished for its innocence, magical charm, escapism, and the profound connection it fosters with the wonders of childhood.

In terms of setting, The Cat’s Return is like a more light-hearted and girly version of The Boy and the Heron. The anime spins a whimsical tale centered around Haru, a high school girl who saves a cat’s life, only to find herself engaged to the feline Prince Lune of the Cat Kingdom. 

Directed by Hiroyuki Morita, this delightful Ghibli masterpiece is adored for its charming characters, imaginative storytelling, and the exploration of self-discovery and courage. It also inspires many young girls in the world to get themselves a feline friend!

The latest animated sensation by the talented Shinkai Makoto, Suzume no Tojimari tells the faithful encounter between Suzume, a young high school girl, and Sota, a college student who can seal mysterious “doors” across Japan. As the latter’s human form is taken away by a mischievous spirit, the two travel across Japan together, saving the country from natural disasters by sealing “doors”, while also finding a way to turn Sota back to normal.

As with many other Shinkai Makoto films, the course of Suzume no Tojimari is filled with breathtaking animation, bittersweet romance, and magical tales that are tied heavily to Japanese culture.

Japanese studios tend to have a knack for seamlessly weaving magical elements into normal slice-of-life settings, and A Whisker Away is a good example. The anime tells the enchanting story of Miyo Sasaki, who can transform into a cat to get closer to her crush, a huge feline lover. 

The film weaves a tale of self-acceptance and the magic found in embracing one's true self. It’s also pretty intriguing to see how Miyo manages to use her superpower in her ordinary life, and how the two’s relationship gradually blossoms towards the end.

There’s not much needed to say about Spirited Away, really. The only anime to win an Academy Award so far in history, Spirited Away follows Chihiro to the enchanting spirit realm, where she must find a way to save her parents who were transformed into pigs. 

Here, she meets all kinds of mystical and perilous characters, such as the gentle Haku, the greedy No Face, or the cynical Yubaba. Watching Chihiro grow as a character in the movie, we feel like we’ve grown as human beings in real life as well.

Do you think these 10 anime movies we’ve recommended can rival The Boy and the Heron in terms of animation and story? Tell us more in the comment section.