10 Best Anime Movies Not Made By Studio Ghibli
6. A Silent Voice
It's already been discussed in this list that anime is a medium that comes with preconceptions. When you think of the genre, you'll think of something heightened and unrealistic, but there are times when there's not a whiff of anything out of the ordinary. A Silent Voice is a film that proves anime can still be magical without any literal magic.
The story centres on a man called Shoya who attempts to redeem the mistakes of his past, in particular, the time he bullied a young deaf girl (Shoko), resulting in her leaving their school. He reunites with the former victim of his antics and looks to make amends.
From that description, you can probably tell that this one packs an emotional punch. The subject matter of bullying and hearing impairments is heavy but handled with truthfulness that doesn't shy away from the reality of the situation. You can genuinely believe Shoya's regret, and seeing his chance to redeem himself paints the picture that anyone can improve.
It's also incredibly subtle, as the character's interactions are littered with small motions and facial expressions that make them feel personal and intimate. It's truly a worthwhile experience, but one you might want some tissues for.