5 feel-good Japanese anime films to cheer you up

Synopsis: Shin-chan and his family take a day trip to a ‘nostalgia theme park’ where parents can revisit the joys of their childhood. The next morning, Shin-chan and his baby sister, Himawari, find themselves in a bizarre situation where their parents are behaving like children. Shin-chan’s friends reveal the same thing happened to their parents and the children resolve to investigate. 

Overview: While the Crayon Shin-chan franchise is geared towards children, the titular character’s hilarious antics and juvenile worldview will crack you up regardless of your age. Besides providing a strangely satisfying throwback to the bygone days of 20th-century Japan, the film’s underlying themes make for a riotously funny comedy while the heartwarming conclusion is just pure chicken soup for the soul.

Available on Netflix (regional restrictions may apply).  

Synopsis: High school student Mitsuha Miyamizu is bored of her small town and dreams of leading a more exciting life in Tokyo. One day, she wakes up in a different body and discovers that she has suddenly turned into a boy. It turns out Taki Tachibana, the boy Mitsuha has been transformed into, has woken up in her body instead. The two make it their mission to try and find each other one way or another. 

Overview: Directed by the anime master Makoto Shinkai, ‘Kimi no na Wa’ or ‘Your Name’ captured hearts around the world upon its release in 2016. More than your typical body-swap comedy – you'll quickly feel a strong emotional connection with both Taki and Mitsuha as they navigate the complicated intricacies of youth.

Available on Amazon Prime Video (regional restrictions may apply). 

Synopsis: It’s raining when 15-year-old Takao Akizuki ditches class to do some sketches in Shinjuku Gyoen. He comes across Yakari Yukino, a 27-year-old office worker who has also come to the garden to escape her usual work schedule. The two strike up a casual friendship and end up meeting at the garden to catch up several times over the rainy season – until one day when Yakari stops showing up. 

Overview: Though only 45-minutes long, ‘Garden of Words’ is revered as a cinematic masterpiece that draws countless anime lovers to Shinjuku Gyoen even on the wettest days. It may not follow a conventional style of plot, but the film’s emotions and character development will have you thinking back on the story years after you’ve watched it.

Available on Amazon Prime Video (regional restrictions may apply).

Synopsis: Sophie sees herself as a plain and ordinary hatmaker with little in common with her bright socialite sister, Lettie. On her way home after visiting Lettie, Sophie encounters a witch who transforms her into a 90-year-old woman. Sophie then gets whisked away by a dashing sorcerer who hires her as a cleaner for his enchanted moving castle.  

Overview: An adaptation of the children’s book by Dianne Wynne Jones, ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ is a fantastical story told by beloved animator Hayao Miyazaki. The charming animation combined with Joe Hisayashi's original score sets the tone for the film's fanciful nature while the well-written characters will even have you feeling fond of the villain by the end of the movie.

Available on Netflix (regional restrictions may apply). 

Synopsis: Middle school student Miyo Sasaki struggles with a stepmother she doesn’t get along with and a crush at school who doesn’t reciprocate her feelings. One day, Miyo comes across a stranger who gives her a cat-shaped Noh mask. When Miyo discovers that the mask gives her the ability to transform into a cat, she uses it to spend time with the boy she likes without him knowing his new feline companion is really Miyo. 

Overview: Heart-tugging, emotional and meaningful, ‘A Whisker Away’ is a charming exploration of what it would be like to trade everyday stresses for the easy life of a pampered cat. The film, which debuted on Netflix in June 2020, might have not have gotten the theatrical release it deserved due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the sweet story and mesmerising animation made it into a venerable success anyway.

Available on Netflix (regional restrictions may apply).