Since February,Netflixhas added a whole heap of anime flicks to its roster, most notably from Studio Ghibli, the film company behind some of the highest-grossing anime in Japan.
Seriously, there’s over 20 Studio Ghibli films currently on Netflix, includingHowl’s Moving Castle,Spirited Away,Castle In The Sky,Princess MononokeandMy Neighbour Totoro. And that’s just from one anime film studio.
Anime is having a moment in the UK, and that is largely down to the genre’s increasing availability on streaming platforms.
With the impressive selection of anime films also comes a bunch of anime TV series – ideal if you’re looking to expand your anime knowledge beyond Studio Ghibli, or if you think it’s all just Yu-Gi-Oh! and Sailor Moon –and there’s a diverse range of shows to suit all tastes. Some are originals while others are animated versions of manga, Japanese comic books and graphic novels. There’s vampire hunters, alien invasions, high school rom-coms, superheroes, ghosts, two girls writing music together, and one giant screaming red panda. Okay, maybe ‘diverse’ doesn’t quite cut it.
What unites all of anime though is aesthetic and form. “Most conspicuously, there is the look of the characters,” says Dave Kehr in the 2002 New York Times article ‘Anime, Japanese Cinema’s Second Golden Age’. “Which, while allowing for some minor variations from artist to artist, generally insists on impossibly statuesque bodies topped by huge, heart-shaped faces, themselves punctuated by gigantic, round eyes of the depth and limpidity of Beverly Hills swimming pools. ”
So, whether you’re a die-hard anime fan or are looking to give yourself a proper intro to one of Japan’s best exports, we’ve rounded up some of the best anime shows Netflix is offering right now. The UK’s love of the genre doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, so we imagine Netflix will continue adding to its anime offering, too.
A Look at All the Movie Releases and Productions Affected by the Coronavirus
Many of us have been thrown for a loop by the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and Hollywood is just one of the major machines scrambling to handle the fallout. With all theaters quickly closing their doors and nationwide lockdowns encouraging people to stay at home as much as possible, all major spring and early summer movie releases have been pushed back.
Some films like Wonder Woman 1984 and No Time to Die have announced new release dates, while others like Black Widow and Mulan are postponed indefinitely. Meanwhile, some haven’t even gotten the chance to kick off the ground, like Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid reboot and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Check out our list of the major productions that have been affected by the coronavirus, and keep an eye out for updates on their spots on the release calendar.
So, John Krasinski Just Surprised a Young Broadway Fan With an Epic Hamilton Reunion
John Krasinski is back with more feel-good content! On Sunday, the 40-year-old actor released episode two of his YouTube series, Some Good News, to help bring joy during this challenging time. The uplifting 16-minute episode features a revamped introduction, weather forecast from Robert De Niro, and an incredible Hamilton reunion.
After spotlighting others online who have been inspired to release their own Some Good News segments, John spoke about the many efforts to manufacture much-needed medical equipment and protective gear. The episode was also as star-studded as it was inspiring: after hearing about a young Hamilton fan, Aubrey, who was set to see a production in Jacksonville before it got cancelled, John arranged for a virtual performance of “Alexander Hamilton” featuring Anthony Ramos, Daveed Diggs, Lin-Manuel Miranda himself, and many others.
“If you can’t go to Hamilton, we’re bringing Hamilton to you,” said John. Despite the fact that Aubrey admitted she has “never really seen The Office, or whatever,” John also promised to fly her out to New York to see the musical on Broadway at a later date!
John debuted Some Good News on March 29 with special guest Steve Carell. The two reminisced about their time costarring on The Office, including some of the funniest on-set moments and the cast’s tight-knit bond. John also chatted with a girl named Coco, who recently completed her final chemo treatment and was greeted with a socially distanced welcome parade in her neighborhood. At a time like this, we could all use some cheering up, so we can’t wait for John’s next episode!