CAT SOUP

a curated collection of animations from around the world

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The Lego Movie

Directed by  PHIL LORD, CHRISTOPHER MILLER,CHRIS MCKAY

I know what you’re probably thinking, “Really bro? You want me to watch a 100 minute animation about LEGOs?” And my answer to you is, yes. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from animations, its never judge a movie by how childish it looks.

From the brilliant minds behind of 21 Jump Street, and its equally amazing sequel, 22 Jump Street (also must-sees) comes this genre-bending, gorgeously rendered, hilarious, and action-packed movie about a guy who’s so painfully normal, he can’t seem to fit in anywhere. And if you think you already know how it ends, well then you’re wrong.

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Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Directed by: Travis Knight

If you’ve got reasonably high standards like me, very few films will make you burst out laughing and move you to tears within the same scene. Kubo and the Two Strings brings a powerful and wildly imaginative story while at the same time delivering breathtaking stop-motion animation, an incredible score, perfectly cast voice-acting, and characters that feel more real and believable then many live action films.

It’s also worth noting that Laika made a point to highlight the animators first and foremost in the credits accompanied by a short snippet of what it took to animate this film. Hats off to you, Laika.

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Your Name. (2016)

Directed by Makoto Shinkai

Makoto Shinkai’s latest film, Your Name, delivers an experience that is equal parts thrilling, imaginative, compelling, and epically wondrous. It’s a film that tugs on heartstrings, highlights nearly-forgotten and dying Japanese traditions, and makes you wonder if magic still exists in this modern world of ours. The sole criticism for the film lies, imo, with the music of which I can only describe as generic Japanese Anime pop and whose genre of music tends to alienate anyone not already familiar with it. Moving past that though, Your Name, paints a compelling narrative, with an amazing and well developed cast of characters, all the while delivering breathtakingly sumptuous visuals and animation and is a must-see for anybody looking for an example of great film-making in animé.

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Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Directed by  Mamoru Oshii

A film that deserves every bit of acclaim and recognition as it’s received, Ghost in the Shell is up there with the very best Science Fiction films such as Blade Runner, The Matrix, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Released in 1995, the film touches on the topics of cyborg swat teams, false memories, and what it means to be alive, just to name a few. Beautiful artwork coupled with an amazingly distinct soundtrack, and hand-drawn animation of the 90′s makes this a must watch for any animation lover.

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The Boy and The Beast (Bakemono no Ko)

Directed by Mamoru Hosoda

From the creator of Summer Wars and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, The Boy and The Beast is a coming of age story set within 2 different worlds, both painfully real for the protagonist Ren. The epic scale to which the writers and animators depict the universe is breathtaking and the protagonists are some of the most well developed and excellently written characters one could hope for. Be prepared to cry, laugh, fall in love, and just be wowed at what I believe is one of the most underrated animated releases of 2015.

Rotten Tomatoes

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Song of the Sea

Director: Tomm Moore

I might get flack for adding this here, but never have I been moved to tears by how beautiful a film is before this one. What this film lacks in character development, it definitely makes up for in art direction, music, and story arch. If you saw The Secret of Kells and thought it lacked in story and pacing, give this one a chance.

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Ping Pong 

A beautiful story about childhood friendships, rivalry, and the brutal unforgiving game of Table Tennis.

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Erased by Director Tomohiko Ito 

What would you do if you had the chance to repeat your childhood and save the life of someone you loved? Who would you be if you’ve lived multiple lives and now exist within a childs body? 

Arguably one of the best anime series of 2015 hands down. 

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The Boy and the World by Director Alê Abreu

A look at the world through the eyes of a child. Abstract storytelling, beautiful music, and mind blowing animation combine to make (in this animators opinion) one of the best animated films of the year.

Click the link above ^^ to watch online

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Fantastic Mr. Fox by Director Wes Anderson

Exactly what you’d expect from an animated film directed by Wes Anderson, based off a Roald Dahl childrens story, and starring George Clooney as an anthropomorphic fox. 

^Click the link above to watch online^

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The Beatles Yellow Submarine by Director George Dunning

The literal translations of several Beatles songs into animation. The result: An acid trip induced fever dream of a story, characters, music, and style. 

Click the link above ^^ for the full film online.

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Akira, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo.

Biker gangs, telekinetic children, lasers, the creation of new universes, a futuristic Tokyo in the middle of revolution. Just watch the damn film already.

And when you’re done, go read the comic 

Click the link above ^ to watch online.

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Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki

Featuring a slew of amazingly developed and badass female protagonists, Princess Mononoke will always go down as one of the greatest feature length animations ever made in my book.

Click the Link ^ to watch online.

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The Tale of Princess Kaguya, Directed by  Isao Takahata

Old Japanese mythology, a gut wrenching story, and a soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi. What more can you ask for?

Click the link ^ to watch this online 

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Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, directed by  Hayao Miyazaki

One of Miyazaki’s most underrated films, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, is a Miyazaki take on a post apocalyptic future. With heavy undertones of environmentalism, and made in the wake of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, this film is a must watch for any lover of animation.

Click the link ^ to watch online

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Mind Game, directed by  Masaaki Yuasa, Kôji Morimoto

Probably one of the best animations I’ve ever seen. If this doesn’t change the way you look at life, you’re probably already living it to the fullest.

Fun fact: The animation studio, “ Studio 4°C ″ chose their name because 4 degrees Celsius is the temperature at which water becomes the most dense. A perfect metaphor for their thought provoking films.

Click the link ^ to watch online