While anime, as a medium, is usually set in and around Japan and is designed to target Japanese audiences primarily, there are times that anime films have found their way onto other planets, future versions of the world where old countries are not remembered, and even in the real world in other places.
Related:Best January 2023 Anime MoviesIt is uncommon, and many of themost famous anime moviesmade in Japan are set there, but there are several impressive and memorable examples of anime movies that are set in other places and times as well.
6Redline (2009)
Set in distant space,Redlineis a sci-fi racing anime film about a man called JP who attempts to win the most prestigious race in the galaxy, taking place on a planet filled with cyborgs who are led by a dictatorial ruler.Redlineis considered one of the best anime movies in history not made by Studio Ghibli, and it is deservedlyconsidered a modern classic.
The action and danger present throughoutRedline, as well as the memorable and lovable characters, helped this amazing film come to be a reality. With a dreamy style that is reminiscent of great films likeTronorSpeed Racer,Redlineis a memorable piece of anime history already, it is one of the most recent additions to the anime genre that is set in a unique environment outside of Japan.
5Porco Rosso
Porco Rossois one of the few Studio Ghibli movies that is set outside of Japan. Using Italy as a backdrop,Porco Rossois set in a fictionalized version of the 1930s where pirates of the sky are terrorizing the locals.Porco Rossois a pilot who flew in World War I and goes up against an American pilot sent to take him down.
The beautiful Italian backdrop is wonderfully animated, and whilePorco Rossoisn’t considered to be one ofGhibli’s greatest films, there is an undeniable charm to it which was only made better by the Disney dubbing of the film that added cast members like Michael Keaton and Cary Elwes to the mix for an incredible addition to an already wonderfully fun film that features incredible action sequences, hilarious comedy and a central romance which drove the story forwards.
4Lupin III: The Castle Of Cagliostro
The master thief Arsene Lupin is more readily known today for the French series starring Omar Sy, which was in itself a modern take on adventures similar to those of the famous book series. However, before Studio Ghibli existed, there were adventurestold in the anime genreabout a descendant of the original Lupin himself.
Related:Most Important Anime Movies Of All TimeThe Castle of Cagliostrois set in Italy and is directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the man who would later go on to create Studio Ghibli. This movie came out in 1979 and featured Lupin going on a hunt for a treasure after saving a princess who can lead them to it. One of the early great works in the anime film genre,The Castle of Cagliostrois a memorable film that holds up today.
3Kiki’s Delivery Service
Another Studio Ghibli work, considered by many to be one of their very best,Kiki’s Delivery Serviceis set in a fictionalized European metropolis, which takes a lot of inspiration from European cities such as Stockholm. About a young girl who moves to the city to try and follow her passion as a witch. After getting a job at a delivery service, she awakens to discover she can’t fly her broom or talk to her cat anymore.
With a beautifully created setting and avibrant animation style,Kiki’s Delivery Servicemade one of the best anime movies of all time. Remembered for the casual, simple style of storytelling as much as for the setting and world it built, this is one of the films that managed to build a completely unique setting away from Japan.
2Howl’s Moving Castle
Another fantasy anime movie that wasset in a fantasy realm, but nevertheless one which was originally set between the fantasy world of Ingary and the real-world country of Wales. With the adaption to anime, there was a change of style which many think set the film more in a time and place that resembles early 20th-century France.
This style and the incredible characters and story helped to make an anime movie set in a tonally unique world.Howl’s Moving Castleis a fantastic film that, again, helped to diversify the style of anime settings outwards from the more traditional Japanese or Japanese-inspired sets.
1Violet Evergarden: Eternity And The Auto-Memory Doll
TheViolet Evergardenseriesas well as the following moviewere all set in an alternate version of Europe following the events of World War I. In a country called Leidenschaftlich but clearly inspired by Germany, there is a beauty and focus on the setting and the surrounding area which is a major piece of the series.
Even stretching as far as using designs from real life, such as the Palace of Mannheim,Violet Evergardenhas never shied away from attempting to use real beauty in the anime style, and this has allowed it to achieve a great level of success.
