Best Anime of the 1950s

As a child, Xu-Xian is compelled to release his pet snake into the wild. What he doesn't realize is that this snake is actually a young snake goddess named Bai-Niang, who has fallen in love with him. Years later, when both have grown up, the goddess magically takes human form and goes in search of her beloved. However, the local wizard mistakes her for a vampire and banishes Xu-Xian from the village to protect him. Xu-Xian's pet pandas, Panda and Mimi, embark on a journey to rescue him, and along the way, they rise to become leaders of a gang of animals.

Film about a ghost ship. There is no dialogue, just music and a choir.

A young kitten delights in sketching pictures on a wall. When they misplace their pencil, they have no choice but to venture into the world inside their own drawings to retrieve it.

Magic Boy is notable as the first Japanese animated film to receive a theatrical release in North America. The story follows Sasuke, a young boy tormented by an evil witch, who sets out to master magic in order to conquer her.

The kitten from Yasuji Mori's earlier "Koneko no Rakugai" makes a reappearance, now channeling his abilities into directing a samurai film that casts his mouse friends as the stars.

Remake of Oofuji's earlier film from the year 1927.

This anime adaptation of Kenji Miyazawa's classic short story "Chuumon no Ooi Ryouriten" centers on two British hunters who become lost after venturing into a dense forest. They discover a peculiar restaurant and decide to seek refuge there, but soon realize that the establishment hides secrets far different from its initial appearance.

Deep within a frozen forest dwell two woodcutters—one dressed in black, the other in white. The black-robed woodsman takes from the forest without restraint, heedless of the damage he causes, while the white-robed woodsman seeks to live in balance with the animals and trees of the land. As winter grows harsher, it grows uncertain which approach will lead to their survival.

The vivid color scheme in this early hand-colored animation is central to the story. When a bird is knocked from its nest during a rainstorm, three butterflies come to its rescue. The butterflies then search for shelter among the flowers, but the red rose offers help exclusively to the red butterfly, citing their matching colors.

Japanese fairy tale about a bear cub who would rather play than help his parents with house chores.

A raging, energetic frog and his offspring land upon a serene island, wreaking havoc for all its inhabitants as they move about.

A short movie based on the children's story by Momoko Ishii.

Short movie by Ryuuichi Yokoyama.

This animated series, featuring puppets, was crafted for young elementary students to teach moral lessons and life values while fostering creative thought. It presents adaptations of various stories, ranging from international folk tales and modern fairy tales to classic literature. Originally titled "Puppet Show" (人形劇), the name was changed in 1966 to "Ningyougeki," written in hiragana.