Get High-Quality Wallpapers From Anime Movies
Before we get to the list, here is a quick tip for fans who love turning their favorite scenes into desktop or phone backgrounds. The AI Image Upscaler gives you an easy way to turn low-resolution movie screenshots into high-quality wallpaper. It automatically enlarges the image and outputs a sharp, high-resolution version that looks crisp on any screen. With just a few clicks you can make an anime still HD online and create unique wallpapers worth sharing.
Best 10 Japanese Anime Movies to Watch
Japan is the birthplace of some of the most beloved anime films of all time — from timeless classics like Spirited Away to modern hits like Your Name. With so many great titles to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. These ten must-see Japanese anime movies are a perfect place to begin.
1Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Released in 2022, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is one of the most action-packed entries in the long-running franchise. The story picks up as the Red Ribbon Army returns with two powerful new androids, forcing Piccolo and Gohan into the spotlight.
To protect the world from this revived threat, the heroes must push past their limits and unlock new levels of power. Along the way the film leans into franchise nostalgia while giving fan-favorite characters their moment to shine, making it a must-watch for any Dragon Ball fan.
2One Piece Film Red
One Piece is a Japanese animated film franchise based on the wildly successful manga series, with the wider property grossing billions at the box office. The 15th film, One Piece Film: Red, premiered in Japan in August 2022 and became one of the highest-grossing entries in the series.
The story revolves around a musical festival headlined by the world's most beloved diva, Uta — whose connection to Shanks pulls the Straw Hat pirates into a high-stakes adventure. With show-stopping music and dazzling animation, it is a thrilling watch for fans and newcomers alike.
3My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission
My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission is an action-packed anime film released in 2021. It follows Izuku Midoriya, who dreams of becoming a great hero like his idol All Might, as a global terrorist threat puts the entire world in danger.
Teamed with the number-one hero Endeavor's agency, Midoriya and his new friend Rody are framed for a crime they did not commit and must clear their names. With the clock ticking, the young heroes put their training to the test in one of the franchise's most thrilling big-screen adventures.
4Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop is a 2021 anime film directed by Kyohei Ishiguro. It follows Cherry, a shy boy who expresses himself through haiku and hides behind his headphones, and Smile, an outgoing girl who is self-conscious about her braces.
When the two meet over a summer at a shopping mall, they slowly help each other open up. With charming pastel visuals and a gentle story about communication, it is a delightful film that leaves viewers feeling uplifted.
5Violet Evergarden: The Movie
Released in 2020, Violet Evergarden: The Movie was met with critical acclaim, praised for its visually stunning animation and emotionally resonant story. The film follows Violet as she comes to terms with the loss of the person she loved most.
It is a beautiful exploration of grief, love, and hope that left audiences around the world deeply moved. Violet Evergarden is a must-see for fans of anime and anyone who appreciates a good story well told.
6Josee, The Tiger And The Fish
Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is a 2020 Japanese animated romance directed by Kotaro Tamura. It tells the story of Josee, a young woman who uses a wheelchair, and Tsuneo, a diving-obsessed university student who takes a part-time job as her caregiver.
The two form an unlikely friendship that gradually deepens into romance. With its beautiful animation and tender storytelling, the film celebrates the power of connection to help us face our fears and chase our dreams.
7Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.0 Thrice Upon A Time
Fans of the Evangelion franchise were thrilled when Evangelion: 3.0 + 1.0 Thrice Upon A Time finally arrived in 2021, more than a decade after the previous film in the Rebuild series.
The visuals are simply stunning and the action is relentless, but what fans appreciated most is that the movie delivers a long-awaited conclusion to the saga. It is a fitting send-off to one of anime's most influential stories.
8Belle)
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, Belle follows Suzu, a shy high-school girl who lost her mother and struggles to connect with the world around her. When she enters a massive virtual world called "U," she becomes Belle, a globally adored singer.
The film became a worldwide success, grossing hundreds of millions at the box office, and earned praise for its dazzling animation and heartfelt reimagining of Beauty and the Beast.
9Earwig And The Witch
When Studio Ghibli announced an adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' Earwig and the Witch, many fans were skeptical — the darkly humorous tale of a girl adopted by a witch did not seem like obvious Ghibli material, and it marked the studio's first fully 3D-CG feature.
It remains one of Ghibli's most divisive films, but it is worth watching for its charming heroine and as a curious experiment from a studio famous for hand-drawn animation.
10A Whisker Away
In A Whisker Away, directed by Junichi Sato and Tomotaka Shibayama, an energetic girl named Miyo uses a magical mask to transform into a cat so she can get close to her crush, Hinode.
As a cat, Miyo escapes the stress of school and family — but the more time she spends in feline form, the more she risks losing her human self for good. The film is a heartfelt, imaginative look at the difference between hiding from your feelings and being honest about them.
How VanceAI Makes Anime Wallpapers Sharper
Screenshots taken from streaming services or trailers are often small and blurry, which makes them look pixelated when stretched across a desktop or phone screen. That is where AI upscaling helps.
Upload your anime still to the Image Upscaler and it enlarges the picture up to several times its original size while reconstructing fine detail — sharp line art, smooth gradients, and clean edges. The result is a wallpaper-ready image that stays crisp at full resolution. For portraits and character close-ups, a photo enhancer can further clean up noise and bring back color, so your favorite frame looks its best.
Conclusion
Japanese animation continues to deliver some of the most imaginative storytelling in cinema, and the ten films above are a perfect way to dive in — from the high-octane action of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero to the quiet emotion of Violet Evergarden. And once you have found a scene you love, a quick pass through the VanceAI Image Upscaler turns it into a crisp, high-resolution wallpaper you can keep on every screen.
FAQs
What are the best Japanese anime movies to watch?
Some of the best Japanese anime movies include Spirited Away, Your Name, Violet Evergarden: The Movie, Belle, and A Whisker Away. The ten films in this list span action, romance, and fantasy, making it a great starting point whether you are new to anime or a longtime fan.
Where can I watch Japanese anime movies?
Most popular anime movies are available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu, depending on your region. Some titles also get theatrical re-releases or are available to rent and buy digitally.
What is the highest-grossing Japanese anime movie?
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train and Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away are among the highest-grossing anime films of all time. From this list, One Piece Film: Red and Belle were major box-office successes.
Are these anime movies suitable for beginners?
Yes. Standalone films like Violet Evergarden: The Movie, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish, Belle, and A Whisker Away are easy to enjoy without prior knowledge, while franchise films like Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero are more rewarding if you know the series.
How do I make anime movie wallpapers in high quality?
Take a screenshot of your favorite scene, then run it through an AI image upscaler to increase its resolution. Tools like VanceAI Image Upscaler enlarge the image and rebuild detail so it stays sharp when set as a desktop or phone wallpaper.
Can I upscale low-resolution anime screenshots?
Yes. AI upscalers are specifically designed to enlarge small, low-resolution images while restoring detail. This is ideal for anime screenshots, which are often captured at a low size and look blurry when stretched.
What anime movie should I watch first?
If you want an emotional standalone story, start with Violet Evergarden: The Movie or Belle. For lighthearted fun, A Whisker Away or Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop are great entry points.
Are Studio Ghibli films included in this list?
Yes — Earwig and the Witch is a Studio Ghibli film, and the introduction references classics like Spirited Away. Ghibli is one of the most influential studios in anime film history.
Do I need to watch these in a specific order?
No. Each film on this list is a standalone movie, so you can watch them in any order. Only franchise titles like Dragon Ball Super and My Hero Academia benefit from familiarity with their respective series.
How can I improve the quality of old anime images?
Use an AI image enhancer or upscaler to sharpen blur, reduce noise, and increase resolution. A photo enhancer can also restore color and detail in older or compressed anime images so they look clean and vivid again.
