2020 has kind of been a bummer and the release of many anime movies, originally slated to premiere this year, have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But 2021 is gearing up to become a better year for anime lovers – here’s a list of 10 new anime movies in 2021 you don’t want to miss out on.
Image credit: IMDb
Gintama follows the adventures of Gintoki Sakata, who used to be a skilled samurai but has since become an errand boy who does all sorts of jobs to get by.
After Japan banned the usage of swords, Gintoki began working with Kagura, who uses an umbrella as her weapon, and Shinpachi Shimura, who is a competent swordsman despite his seemingly weak appearance.
The story follows the daily lives of these 3 as they get into trouble with almost everyone they meet – especially while on the job.
Image credit: IMDb
The trailer hints that this could possibly be the final movie for the Gintama series. The upcoming film will adapt the last 2 manga volumes and pick up from where the 10th season of the anime left off. It will follow Gintoki and friends during the events in the Silver Soul arc.
The world is headed towards mass destruction at the hands of Utsuro, an immortal who is also the greatest villain in the entire Gintama series. He wishes to cause a great battle that will lead to his passing. Now, it is up to Gintoki, Kagura, and Shinpachi to gather everyone to protect the world and defeat Utsuro once and for all.
The film is also believed to be making some changes to the story, so even fans who have read the manga can look forward to seeing how things play out.
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Historical, Samurai, Sci-Fi, Shounen
Release date: 8th January 2021
Available in: Theatres
Image credit: u/Joseki100
Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the most popular and iconic series in the mecha anime genre. It follows the story of high school student Shinji Ikari as he pilots the powerful Evangelion to fight against the Angels – evil giant monsters out to destroy the Earth.
Image credit: IMDb
The fourth film, Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0 Thrice Upon A Time, will most likely be Hideaki Anno’s final work. The film was originally set to be released in 2020, but due to the pandemic, it had to be postponed in order for the production to be fully completed.
Although it is bittersweet that the popular and well-loved mecha anime may be saying goodbye with this film, fans can still expect to have a good time and watch the Evangelion series go out with a bang.
Image credit: IMDb
The producers are keeping their lips tightly sealed on what to expect in the upcoming final film. However, based on the preview released in 2019, we know that the new film will pick up immediately where Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo left off, with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei stranded on Tokyo-3 after an intense battle.
Wille, an organisation spearheaded by Misato Katsuragi, is a party that opposes the NERV. They have arrived in Paris, where the once gorgeous city is now almost fully converted into core material, just like Tokyo-3.
Wille successfully deactivates much of the core conversion in Paris and they are determined to rescue Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, and save the cities affected by the powerful core conversion.
Genre: Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi, Psychological, Drama
Length: 2 hours
Release date: 23rd January 2021
Available in: Theatres
Image credit: @yttkn7823
Detective Conan Movie 24: The Scarlet Bullet is the 24th movie in the Case Closed series. This time, the case is about the World Sports Games (WSG) kidnapping incident in Tokyo. It will follow Shuichi Akai, a mysterious and crafty agent who is in charge of the FBI.
The story takes place in Tokyo, where WSG is going to be held. At the same time, news of the world’s fastest train, known as the “Vacuum Superconducting Linear Train”, was announced by the Japanese government. Just as the world is about to commemorate these 2 momentous occasions, various elites from around the world are kidnapped.
Image adapted from: franchuchu
There’s more to this than meets the eye – follow Conan as he uses his impressive deductive prowess to solve yet another case amidst conspiracies and manipulations from all fronts.
Genre: Action, Mystery, Comedy, Police, Drama, Shounen
Length: 1 hour 37 minutes
Release date: April 2021
Available in: Theatres
Image credit: Yuri!!! on Ice Wikia
Yuri!!! on Ice follows the story of the talented Japanese figure skater, Yuri Katsuki – also known as Yuri K. – as he struggles with his skating career after a major setback. He eventually re-ignites his passion for the sport under the guidance of Victor Nikiforov, and through the fierce competition against his rival Yuri Plisetsky, who is dubbed “Yuri P”.
Image credit: IMDb
Yuri!!! on Ice The Movie: Ice Adolescence was originally slated to be released in theatres in 2019, but it has since been pushed back so that the movie could be produced to the finest quality.
Not much is known about the upcoming movie, but the teaser trailer hints at a potential peek into the skating career of Victor, the Russian figure skating prodigy-cum-champion, before he decided to become Yuri K.’s coach.
Genre: Comedy, Sports
Release date: TBC
Available in: Theatres
Image credit: @seitokai0428
The long-awaited 2nd movie for Seitokai Yakuindomo will finally hit theatres on the 1st day of 2021. Seitokai Yakuindomo follows the story of Takatoshi Tsuda, the vice-president of the student council in Ousai Private Academy, and his daily school life that’s nothing short of strange.
In a largely female-dominated school, Takatoshi realises how weird all the students can get. Even those in the student council – barring him – are equally absurd. As he studies in Ousai, Takatoshi learns to deal with everyone else’s eccentricity while somehow retaining his sanity.
Image adapted from: sotelosc
The 2nd movie, much like the 1st, will have an episodic format with vignettes depicting events that take place between the characters.
Takatoshi is absent in most of the trailers, and this appears to be a major plot point – the other characters will be trying to find and bother him with their ridiculous jokes and ideas. There are also hints of a potential confession scene between Shino and Takatoshi, but that is if things don’t get turned into a complete joke, which is the series’ characteristic style of approach.
Genre: Comedy, School life, Shounen, Slice of life
Length: 1 hour 18 minutes
Release date: 1st January 2021
Available in: Theatres
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Eternal Part 1
Image credit: IMDb
Pretty Guardians Sailor Moon Eternal is a 2-part film which will follow Usagi, Mamoru, their future child Chibiusa, and the rest of the Sailor Soldiers during the events of the Dream arc. This will be the continuation of the Sailor Moon anime after its 2014 reboot by Toei Animation.
The upcoming film will follow Usagi and her friends as they battle against the Dead Moon Circus – a group of villains currently led by Zirconia, Queen Nehelenia’s right-hand man. The Dead Moon Circus is going after the legendary Golden Crystal to save their queen and give her power to take over the world.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Eternal Part 2
Image credit: IMDb
It is up to Usagi and the rest to prevent Queen Nehelenia from succeeding in her evil schemes and throwing the world into chaos.
Genre: Shoujo, Demons, Magic, Romance
Release date: 8th January 2021 (Part 1) & 11th February 2021 (Part 2)
Available in: Theatres
Image credit: SHIROBAKO Wiki
Shirobako is a story about one’s passion for anime and the hardships that come from adulting and chasing one’s dreams. 5 good friends – Aoi Miyamori, Ema Yasuhara, Shizuka Sakaki, Misa Todo, and Midori Imai – overcame all odds to get their ideal job in the animation industry.
Image adapted from: 小瑄
4 years have passed since Aoi first started working as a production assistant at Musashino Animation. A new project lands in her hands, but reality hits her hard when various problems crop up in the process. As always, Shirobako never fails to show us the realistic aspects of working in the hardcore and tiring animation industry.
The film opens the eyes of the viewers to the difficulties faced by the people who bring us our beloved anime series. It is also a great coming-of-age series that will resonate with those who are just starting out in their careers.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Length: 1 hour 59 minutes
Release date: 8th January 2021
Available on: Blu-ray and DVD
Image credit: @RanobeSugoi
Due to an outrage sparked by the disparity between social classes, the country of Albion was split into 2 factions – the “Commonwealth” and the “Kingdom”. Princess Principal follows the story of Ange, Dorothy, Beatrice, Chise, and Princess Charlotte as they work on the side of the Commonwealth, each with their own motives, to fully overthrow the Kingdom.
Image credit: IMDb
It’s been 3 years since the end of the Princess Principal anime series. The 1st of the 6 movies, which will pick up from where the anime left off, is scheduled to hit theatres in February 2021.
Titled Princess Principal: Crown Handler 1, the movie will detail the events following the failed coup at the end of the anime series. This incident had caused both the Commonwealth and the Kingdom to become increasingly suspicious of each other, causing an internal strife within each other’s headquarters.
Genre: Action, Mystery, Historical
Length: 53 minutes
Release date: 11th February 2021
Available in: Theatres
Image credit: Filmaffinity
Tokyo 7th Sisters: We Welcome the Blue Sky is based on the popular 2014 Japanese mobile game, Tokyo 7th Sisters, about the future of idols and how things would be starkly different from what we know now.
In a world where idols have faded into the background and are no longer supported by the populace, a new idol group called the Nanastar Sisters are here to take the world by storm. Watch to see how they try to capture the hearts of the people again through their hard work and heartfelt songs.
Genre: Slice of life, Comedy, Music, School life
Length: 1 hour 10 minutes
Release date: TBC
Available in: Theatres
Image credit: IMDb
Humans have been at constant war with powerful aliens known as the Gauna. After preventing the extinction of humanity, the remaining human population living on spaceships, such as Sidonia, have created an army of strong giant mecha called Gardes, with close-and-long-range combat prowess, to be piloted by capable humans to fend off the Gauna.
Image credit: IMDb
Knights of Sidonia follows the story of Nagate Tanikaze, who pilots a Garde and valiantly fights for Sidonia against the Gauna, emerging victorious in several battles. However, the peaceful days of Sidonia are short-lived as the Gauna attacks yet again, proving that they can never live peacefully without annihilating the alien race completely.
In the upcoming movie, we will see the final showdown between the Garde pilots of Sidonia and the Gauna aliens. The film is also believed to be making slight changes to the manga series’ conclusion so fans can look forward to the new adaptation and a different take on the series’ ending.
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Space, Mecha, Seinen
Release date: TBC
Available in: Theatres
2021 will be a year to look forward to for all the anime movie buffs out there. The 10 anime movies on our list are just a little of what’s the come.
Check out other movie-related articles:
Cover image adapted from: IMDb, IMDb, @ShinRan89
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