Too many anime don't receive proper sequels or endings, with most shows basically concluding on a "read the manga" note. However, occasionally the stars align and the anime gods deem the world worthy of receiving something more, and these gifts sometimes head to theatres. It is a good day whenever a movie is announced as a successor to an anime series, even if these films tend to be harder to come by outside of Japan than their shows.As only top-tier series get themselves movie sequels, these releases tend to be of rather high quality. When it comes to picking the best anime movie sequels to series, the bar is set so high that stellar films such as Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Natsume Yujin-cho the Movie: Ephemeral Bond, and Mushishi: The Next Chapter - Drops of Bells all miss the cut. So, which films did make it?Note: Kizumonogatari will not be included since it is a prequel. That said, go and watch all three parts.Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel has also been left out since it is an alternate route and not a direct sequel to the series. Again, go and watch all three movies.
10 Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion
- Japanese Title: Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 3: Hangyaku no Monogatari
While technically a sequel to the first two Madoka Magica movies, Rebellion qualifies since its predecessors mainly cover the contents of the anime series. A dark, twisted take on the magical girl genre, Puella Magi Madoka Magica harrowingly depicts the destructive lives of young children dragged into torturous battles that lead to despair.
Rebellion completes the show's journey, and the movie is essential to Homura's arc. Brilliantly animated, narratively complex, and hauntingly tragic, Rebellion maintains the high standards of the show and, arguably, even exceeds them.
9 Demon Slayer -Kimetsu No Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train
- Japanese Title: Kimetsu no Yaiba Movie: Mugen Ressha-hen
The highest-grossing anime movie, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train was not short of a cultural phenomenon when it came out in 2020. Predominantly set on a train, the Demon Slayer Corps find themselves going up against an Upper Rank member of the Twelve Kizuki.
Mugen Train is gorgeously animated, particularly its fight scenes. Similar to the anime series, the film has a decent amount of humor courtesy of Zenitsu and KyÅjurÅ Rengoku, the latter of which steals the show.
8 K-On! The Movie
- Japanese Title: K-On! Movie
K-On! is one of the pillars of the slice of life genre. The anime might seem basic in this day and age, but that's mostly because so many subsequent series took a page or two from K-On!'s book.
The movie sees the Light Music Club's founding members on the verge of graduation; consequently, they take a trip to London. Packed with awesome music and earned emotional beats, K-On! The Movie gives fans of the series the chance to say goodbye to Yui and company.
7 Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region Of Déjà Vu
- Japanese Title: Steins;Gate Movie: Fuka Ryouiki no Déjà vu
2011's Steins;Gate is an adaptation of a visual novel, but the anime was such a bonafide success that an original sequel was created for it. Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vu pushes Kurisu to the forefront as the scientist is now the one who has to save Rintaro Okabe.
This role reversal works wonders, giving Kurisu an opportunity to exist as a standalone character rather than one chiefly viewed through Okabe's eyes. Suspenseful and splendidly written, Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vu brings one of anime's masterpieces to a phenomenal close.
6 Gintama: The Final Chapter - Be Forever Yorozuya
- Japanese Title: Gintama Movie 2: Kanketsu-hen - Yorozuya yo Eien Nare
As Gintama: The Final has yet to be released outside of Japan, Gintama: The Final Chapter - Be Forever Yorozuya will just have to do. Despite ultimately becoming one of the franchise's various faux conclusions, Be Forever Yorozuya still retains an element of finality to it. This is largely due to its extreme premise that sees Gintoki being sent to a dystopian future where he is no longer alive.
Adult Shinpachi and Kagura are the highlights of Be Forever Yorozuya, and the film uses the characters' transformations to both hilarious and dramatic effects. The final punchline is also peak Gintama.
5 Rascal Does Not Dream Of A Dreaming Girl
- Japanese Title: Seishun Buta Yarou wa Yumemiru Shoujo no Yume wo Minai
After being hinted at in Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, Shouko takes central stage in Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl. The sequel dives into Sakuta's past with his ex-girlfriend, all told through a supernatural mystery akin to those found in the series.
A criticism of the show is that Mai, the titular bunny girl, gets sidelined following the first arc, causing her romance with Sakuta to move at a crawl. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl rectifies this and, despite Shouko's presence, Sakuta and Mai's relationship is still given plenty of time to breathe and develop.
4 KONOSUBA -God's Blessing On This Wonderful World!- Legend Of Crimson
- Japanese Title: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Movie: Kurenai Densetsu
Kazuma and the most unpredictable RPG party ever head to the Crimson Demons' village, and Megumin's hometown, at the behest of a letter. What starts as a rather relaxing (and somewhat embarrassing) look through Megumin's upbringing quickly turns into a struggle for survival that blows anything from the anime series out of the water in terms of sheer scale.
KonoSuba's humor is on-point throughout Legend of Crimson, but the movie also highlights the main characters' growth. For all its silliness, KonoSuba uses its misadventures to bring Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness closer together.
3 Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End Of Evangelion
After Neon Genesis Evangelion ran out of money and concluded on two of the most experimental (and baffling) episodes in anime history, a movie came along to present an alternative option. The End of Evangelion is weird, grotesque, terrifying, and psychologically scarring. There are multiple scenes that are among the most disturbing in anime history – there is no forgetting Shinji in the hospital or Asuka's final stand.
The End of Evangelion is not an easy sit, and that's for the best. This is the type of movie that challenges people to rewatch it so that they can try to peel away the layers and symbolism.
2 Made In Abyss: Dawn Of The Deep Soul
- Japanese Title: Made in Abyss Movie 3: Fukaki Tamashii no Reimei
The Made in Abyss series prepares viewers well for the devastation that awaits them in its sequel movie, Dawn of the Deep Soul. On the verge of reaching the Abyss's sixth layer, Reg, Riko, and Nanachi come across a White Whistle called Bondrewd and his adoptive daughter, Prushka. Chipper and talkative, the latter is a bundle of joy; conversely, the former plays the role of the doting father quite well.
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul strikes all the same chords as the series: a captivating sense of mystery, a constant feeling of danger, lovable characters, and the ability to stab right into the heart of anyone watching.
1 The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya
- Japanese Title: Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is the standard-bearer when it comes to anime movie sequels to series. A controversial second season caused The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya to lose quite a bit of momentum, but the Endless Eight arc is worth sitting through to get to this movie.
Kyon finds that reality has been altered so that Haruhi no longer attends North High and the SOS Brigade has been erased. While this strong core mystery drives the movie forward, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya preserves the slice of life feel of the anime series, particularly during its opening half. Kyon is a fantastic protagonist and effortlessly carries the story as he has to decide whether to live in a world with or without Haruhi. This sequence just happens to be one of the greatest in anime history.