List of the Best Anime Movies Released in 2022
An anime is roughly divided into two groups: television series composed of multiple episodes and single-shot movies. Japan has a treasure trove of the modern pop culture receiving hundreds of new anime series and anime films released every year.
For all beginners and die-hard fans of anime, here is a list of 10 best anime movies of 2022 including the smash-hits showing from the previous year and the anticipated upcoming films released in 2022. This tentative selection will be updated until all 2022 anime films are on the table.
It has been unveiled that lots of promised anime movies, which are composed of the sequel of those popular anime series and brand new movies directed by the famous animation directors, await you in 2022.
Check the best selection of the latest anime movie and their release dates now!
If you developed a fascination for Japan via anime and are planning a trip, begin with this Ultimate Japan Guide: 30 Best Things to Do in Japan.
▽Check the latest best anime movies released in 2024!▽
1. Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie
Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie (劇場版 呪術廻戦 0) is one of the most expected and actually successful anime movies released in the end of 2021, which is going to last for a while in 2022. It is the first anime movie of the popular series Jujutsu Kaisen based on the volume 0 of the original manga series. The prequel tells the story of Yuta Okkotsu, who enters the Jujutsu high school a year ahead of the main characters including Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro.
Release Date: December 24, 2021
2. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (ドラゴンボール超 スーパーヒーロー), the latest anime movie of the legendary franchise, is coming with the screenplay written by Akira Toriyama to this spring. As the 21st film of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero follows the previous title Dragon Ball Super:Broly in 2018. In addition to the popular main characters including Goku and Gohan, an evil organization The Red Ribbon Army, which was smashed by Goku in the beginning part of the story, is featured in this movie.
Release Date: June 11, 2022
NOTE: The release date of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was changed from April 22 to June 11 due to the unauthorized access to the Toei’s network in March.
3. One Piece Film Red
One Piece Film Red is one of the most expected anime movies scheduled to come to the big screen in this summer. It is the 15th title of the One Piece anime films and the 3rd work totally produced by Eiichiro Oda himself, who is the manga artist of the original series. It is announced that One Piece Film Red is closely related to “Red-Haired” Shanks and a new female character drawn on the initial key visual, who is found out to be a daughter of Shanks.
Release Date: August 6, 2022
4. Suzume no Tojimari
Lots of anime fans look forward to new anime films directed by Makoto Shinkai, one of the hottest animation directors, every time. Following the previous hit movie Weathering with You in 2019, he revealed the first announcement of his new anime movie titled Suzume no Tojimari (すずめの戸締まり) coming in this autumn. It is set in abandoned places located all over Japan, centering on a 17-year-old girl who lives in Kyushu Region. She travels from her hometown in Miyazaki Prefecture to Kumamoto, Oita, Ehime, Hyogo, Tokyo and Miyagi.
Release Date: November 11, 2022
Watch all of the renowned movies directed by Makoto Shinkai before Suzume no Tojimari’s coming!
5. Detective Conan The Bride of Halloween
As one of the biggest annual events for the mystery series fans, a brand new movie of Detective Conan is released every year. In the spring of 2022, Detective Conan The Bride of Halloween (名探偵コナン ハロウィンの花嫁) was released after the past 24 Detective Conan films. Set in the autumn season, Detective Conan The Bride of Halloween follows the detective protagonist Conan Edogawa as well as the main side characters from the original series.
Release Date: April 15, 2022
6. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: The Movie
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: The Movie (劇場版 転生したらスライムだった件) is an anticipated title as the first anime movie of the recently popular anime series That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, coming out in the autumn of 2022. Two seasons of the anime series adapted from the original light novel aired between 2018 and 2021, and the film is also based on the story written by the author Fuse. The reincarnated slime Rimuru and his friends are featured there, too.
Release Date: November, 2022
7. Fruits Basket: Prelude
The famous romance manga and anime series Fruits Basket is giving its fans more pleasure with the latest announcement of the first anime movie titled Fruits Basket: Prelude (フルーツバスケット -prelude-) in the winter of 2022. The manga series was published between 1998 and 2006, adapted into three seasons of the anime series from 2019 to 2021. The recut movie also depicts the prequel and sequel of the main story.
Release Date: February 18, 2022
8. Bubble
Bubble (バブル), which is still less known than other current anime series and their film adaptations, is one of the most possible candidates for the best anime movie of 2022. It is directed by Tetsuro Araki, who is also famous for the smash-hit Attack on Titan, and is produced by a hot anime studio Wit Studio. Bubble is set in an alternative sunken city inspired by Tokyo, presenting the theme of “Gravity is Broken – Leap as You Like”.
Release Date: May 13, 2022
9. Odd Taxi: In the Woods
Just after getting a lot of applause from anime fans worldwide, Odd Taxi came back to the screen in the spring of 2022. The mystery anime series first aired with 13 episodes in last spring, which will be followed by its movie titled Odd Taxi: In the Woods (映画 オッドタクシー イン・ザ・ウッズ). It includes not only recut contents but also the sequel story of the series.
Release Date: April 1, 2022
10. Slam Dunk: Movie
How many fans are waiting for the following news about the legendary basketball-themed manga and anime series Slam Dunk? Finally, it was announced that its anime movie titled Slam Dunk: Movie (SLAM DUNK スラムダンク) would be released in the autumn of 2022. It is directed and written by Takehiko Inoue himself, who is the manga artist of the Slam Dunk series and other popular works like Vagabond and Real. Both domestic and international fans expect that Slam Dunk: Movie will remain on the list of the best anime movies of all time.
Release Date: Autumn, 2022
If you are interested in the best anime series airing in 2022 as well as the latest movies, this recommendation will help you, too!
You can also check the lists of the best anime movies in the recent past below!
▶︎List of Best Anime Movies in 2021
▶︎List of Best Anime Movies in 2020
▶︎List of Best Anime Movies in 2019
For more information about anime and other Japanese pop cultures, check these articles below, too!
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I'm writing by my motto: helping travelers spend their limited time experiencing something priceless in Japan. My articles won't let you down! Living in Tokyo and traveling many popular and hidden sites all over Japan, I deliver well-selected and latest tourist information to you from the perspective of “100% Japanese local”. My specific interests are island hopping, eating countless bowls of ramen, watching anime and reading manga. Enjoy Japan Web Magazine for recommended food spots, hidden gems Japanese Otaku (geek) culture, and everything about Japan :)