The Best Mamoru Oshii Anime Movies to Watch First

Mamoru Oshii is a renowned Japanese filmmaker and animator who has created some of the most iconic anime movies of all time. His works are known for their philosophical themes, complex plots, and stunning visuals. If you're looking to get into Oshii's work, here are some of the best anime movies to watch first.

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Ghost in the Shell is one of Oshii's most famous works and is widely considered to be one of the greatest anime movies ever made. The movie follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg policewoman who is tasked with tracking down a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master.

The movie is a thrilling sci-fi adventure that explores themes of identity, technology, and humanity. It's an absolute must-watch for any fan of Oshii's work.

Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993)

Patlabor 2: The Movie is a sequel to Oshii's 1989 film Patlabor: The Movie. The movie follows a group of police officers who use giant robots called Labors to fight crime. The movie is a thrilling action-adventure that features some of Oshii's most impressive visuals and action sequences.

It's a great introduction to Oshii's work and is sure to please fans of giant robot anime.

Avalon (2001)

Avalon is an action-packed sci-fi thriller set in a virtual reality game. The movie follows Ash, a player who is determined to win the game and escape from the virtual world. The movie features some stunning visuals and thrilling action sequences, as well as some thought-provoking themes about identity and reality. It's one of Oshii's most underrated works and is definitely worth checking out.

The Sky Crawlers (2008)

The Sky Crawlers is an animated war drama set in an alternate reality where wars are fought by fighter pilots known as Kildren.

The movie follows a young Kildren pilot named Yuichi as he struggles to come to terms with his role in the war. The movie is an emotionally powerful drama that explores themes of war, identity, and mortality. It's one of Oshii's most underrated works and is definitely worth watching.Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer (1984)Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer is a romantic comedy set in a high school where strange events start occurring after the students fall asleep. The movie follows Ataru Moroboshi as he tries to uncover the mystery behind the strange events.

The movie is a charming romantic comedy that features some of Oshii's most memorable characters and visuals. It's a great introduction to Oshii's work and is sure to please fans of romantic comedies. These are just some of the best Mamoru Oshii anime movies to watch first. Whether you're looking for thrilling action-adventures, thought-provoking sci-fi thrillers, or charming romantic comedies, there's something for everyone in Oshii's filmography. So if you're looking for an introduction to his work, these are some of the best anime movies to watch first.

Phillip Padalecki
Phillip Padalecki

Wannabe travel practitioner. Total coffee junkie. Certified beer fan. Wannabe coffee practitioner. Lifelong pop culture scholar.