Best Drama Anime of 2014

Once celebrated as the "Human Metronome," piano prodigy Kousei Arima achieved fame and acclaim through his flawless timing, cultivated under his mother's rigorous guidance. However, following her sudden passing, Kousei lost the ability to hear the sound of the piano, leading him to abandon performing entirely. Now a junior high student, he lives a monotonous life alongside his friends Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari, struggling with his grief while retaining a deep love for music. His gray world is suddenly transformed when he encounters the eccentric violinist Kaori Miyazono, who demands that he return to the stage as her accompanist. Through a poignant deception, the two draw nearer, with Kaori determined to bring color and light back into Kousei's existence.

At Mihama Academy, a prison-like institution designed to safeguard fruit that has strayed too far from its tree, five female students live out their days in idleness within the school's walls, each having their own personal motives for being there. Then Kazami Yuuji, the first male student ever to enroll at the institute, arrives and throws the academy's peaceful routine into disarray. Could Yuuji be exactly what these girls need to take hold of their lives once more, or will the weight of their pasts prove to be an insurmountable obstacle? And could it be that his own past carries a burden even heavier than any of theirs?

In "Shirobako," five close friends—Aoi Miyamori, Ema Yasuhara, Midori Imai, Shizuka Sakaki, and Misa Toudou—discover their shared love for anime during their high school days at Kaminoyama High School. Together, they form an animation club and produce their first amateur anime, which they showcase at the school's cultural festival. Inspired by their initial success, they vow to work in the anime industry and dream of collaborating on a major series one day. Two and a half years later, Aoi and Ema are employed at the prestigious Musashino Animation studio. Meanwhile, the other friends face challenges in pursuing their career goals. Shizuka finds it difficult to gain recognition as a voice actress, Misa settles for a steady but unsatisfying position designing 3D models for an automobile company, and Midori pursues her ambition to be a story writer through her university studies. Through their various experiences, these young women learn that achieving their dreams requires resilience and a touch of unconventional thinking.

On a sweltering August 14th, Shintarou Kisaragi steps outside for the first time in two years after a quarrel with Ene, a digital girl living inside his computer. Spilling soda on his keyboard by accident forces them to find a replacement at a nearby department store, since most other shops are closed for the Obon holiday. Despite his intense anxiety about going outdoors, Shintarou cannot stand the thought of being without his computer. By chance, his first outing turns into a terrifying ordeal when a hostage situation erupts. Fortunately, Shintarou is saved by a group of teenagers called the Mekakushi Dan, who possess mysterious eye powers. Through their help, Shintarou and Ee become involved with the group. The members' abilities seem to fit together like puzzle pieces, and as their individual stories unfold, a hidden connection tying them all together begins to emerge.

Makoto "Smile" Tsukimoto and Yutaka "Peco" Hoshino have been close friends since childhood, despite their opposite natures. Peco, an overconfident dreamer who wants to become the world's best ping-pong player, often skips practice and irritates his teammates at Katase High School, while Smile, despite his natural talent, frequently holds back in matches. Their bond remains strong through their shared love for ping-pong. When a former Chinese national team player arrives in Japan, Peco convinces Smile to visit Tsujido High School. There, Peco faces Kong Wenge and suffers a quick, crushing defeat that shakes his confidence. Seeing Smile's hidden potential, the Katase High coach starts training him to stop holding back, but Smile remains reluctant unless the game stays fun. As both friends struggle with their reasons for playing, they meet powerful opponents at the inter-high tournament, each dealing with their own inner conflicts. Only the most skilled can survive, and as these young athletes let their unchecked ambitions drive them, the harsh reality of chasing glory becomes clear.

After his friend Kuroneko died in a tragic accident during an expedition for aliens, Ryouta Murakami spent ten years in a coma. When he finally wakes up, he returns to high school determined to keep his promise and find proof of extraterrestrial life in Kuroneko's memory. His life changes when Neko Kuroha, a girl who looks and is named just like Kuroneko, transfers to his school. Neko reveals she has supernatural powers and involves Ryouta in a struggle against rogue scientists who are hunting down escaped witches from a secret laboratory. As one of those escapees, Neko and others like her are in danger, and Ryouta must protect them from their relentless pursuers.

In "When Marnie Was There," Anna Sasaki, a shy and introverted girl troubled by asthma, lives with her foster parents. Her condition often makes her feel isolated and a worry for those around her. To improve her health, Anna is sent to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle in a quiet coastal village, where she can be surrounded by nature and her love of drawing. While exploring, Anna finds an old, seemingly abandoned mansion called the Marsh House. Inside, she unexpectedly meets Marnie, a lively and mysterious girl. Through their nightly meetings, Marnie helps Anna overcome her social barriers and embrace life more fully. However, as summer nears its end, Anna begins to uncover the deeper truths hidden within the walls of the Marsh House. "When Marnie Was There" is a touching story of friendship and personal growth set during a memorable summer that will forever shape Anna's journey toward self-discovery.

At sixteen, Yuuki Hase gathers the courage to ask his crush, Kaori Fujimiya, to become friends. Kaori is a reserved and distant girl who turns down everyone who tries to get close. One day, Yuuki finds her eating lunch alone on the rooftop, where she spends her breaks isolated from others. He decides to visit her every day, hoping to learn more about her. As they spend more time together, Kaori gradually begins to open up to him. However, near the end of the week, she starts to withdraw. Eventually, Yuuki discovers the reason behind Kaori’s aloofness: every Monday, her memories of those close to her, except for her family, are completely erased due to an accident in middle school. This incident changed Kaori from a once-popular and outgoing girl into someone wary of forming friendships out of fear of causing pain. Unfazed, Yuuki resolves to ask Kaori the same question each Monday: "Would you like to be friends?" Knowing that deep down, Kaori longs for companionship more than anything.

In the final showdown against the Kanagawa-based street racing crew Sidewinder, Project D racer Takumi Fujiwara faces an unforeseen challenger: Shinji Inui, a 17-year-old high school student. With a background that includes early exposure to driving, Shinji possesses extensive knowledge of the mountain route where the competition unfolds, and he too pilots a Toyota AE86, identical to Takumi's vehicle. Initially unenthusiastic and hesitant to engage, Shinji finds renewed motivation after witnessing the fierce contest between Keisuke Takahashi and Gou Houjou. As an undefeated driver on his home territory, the Tsubaki Line, Shinji represents a formidable adversary for Takumi.

In "Yuki Yuna is a Hero," Yuuna Yuuki lives a normal life centered around helping others and spreading happiness through her activities in her middle school's Hero Club. When strange and destructive beings called Vertexes start threatening her world, Yuuna is pushed into an extraordinary journey. Guided by a mysterious smartphone app, the Hero Club—which includes Yuuna's best friend Mimori Tougou and the siblings Fuu and Itsuki Inubouzaki—are given the mission of transforming into magical girls to fight these threats. As they balance schoolwork and performances for children, Yuuna and her friends must fight to protect their world from total destruction, uncover the harsh truths behind their powers, and learn what heroism truly means.

During an ordinary school day, Rikka Takanashi notices Makoto Isshiki secretly handing a flash drive to Yuuta Togashi. Curious, Rikka mentions the incident to her friends, who suggest Yuuta might be hiding something from her. Determined to get to the bottom of it, they come up with ways to find out what is on the drive, eventually learning it contains photos of an idol Yuuta once liked. Rikka feels this breaks their relationship rules and demands he return the device. Even after seeing Yuuta apparently give back the flash drive, Rikka remains suspicious. Later that night, she slips into Yuuta's room and discovers he actually kept it. While checking its contents, she hurries back to her bed when Yuuta enters. In her rush, Rikka accidentally crushes the flash drive. When Yuuta notices the damage, he demands an apology, but Rikka fires back that he should apologize first, leading to a standoff. Will the couple manage to resolve their quarrel?

This is a compilation of the anime series. These new films feature newly recorded dialogue and a 5.1ch audio remaster, with the original voice cast returning. The first film adapts episodes 1 through 13.

A group of childhood friends—Nonoka Komiya, Koharu Shiihara, Shione Togawa, and the twins Yuzuki and Souta Mizusaka—join forces to call down a flying saucer and make their wishes come true. They believe their attempt fails, and soon after, Nonoka suddenly moves away from Kiriya City, causing the bond between them to dissolve. In truth, the summoning succeeded, and the saucer remains suspended in the sky, waiting for its moment. Seven years later, Nonoka comes back to Kiriya, with only faint recollections of her time there. When she meets Noel, a young girl in strange attire, Nonoka slowly starts remembering her old friends and what they went through. Reuniting with her former companions, Nonoka investigates the enigmas surrounding Noel, the flying saucer, and the wishes they made all those years ago.

Kal-el Albus is dispatched to the floating island of Isla to explore the fabled "end of the sky." Once there, he joins the Aerial Division of Cadoques High School, living a relaxed life with his classmates. But this peaceful existence is broken when the air tribe launches a sudden assault, sparking a violent battle on Isla.

In "In Search of the Lost Future," Kaori Sasaki, a member of Uchihama Academy's Astronomy Club, confesses her feelings to Sou Akiyama. Tragically, she is fatally hit by a car that same night. Her friends grieve for her at the hospital, but the next day, Kaori returns to school as though nothing happened, with no one else noticing. Despite this strange event, the day proceeds normally, and the friends begin preparing for the upcoming cultural festival. A sudden unexplained earthquake strikes, causing everyone to split up and investigate, except for Nagisa Hanamiya, who remains behind. As the others leave, Nagisa notices a peculiar cube she was holding begin to emit a strange blue glow. Meanwhile, Sou discovers an unconscious, naked girl submerged in water. The Astronomy Club embarks on a series of surreal adventures, from confronting spirits to mediating conflicts between different school clubs. Along the way, they uncover the mystery surrounding the arrival of a new transfer student.

In "Hybrid Child," Kuroda, a master craftsman, creates artificial beings known as Hybrid Child—entities that are neither machines nor dolls, but instead grow based on the love they receive. Though they possess human-like emotions and self-awareness, these constructs are not fully human and require affection to develop. Kotarou Izumi, the young heir of the prestigious Izumi family, faces criticism when he rescues an abandoned Hybrid Child from the trash. He names this Hybrid Child Hazuki. His family repeatedly tries to get rid of Hazuki whenever Kotarou is absent. As they overcome these challenges, their bond deepens through mutual care. Yet, a decade later, a troubling truth comes to light: Hybrid Children may not have an infinite lifespan. "Hybrid Child" weaves together three short stories of love, exploring the connections between the artificial beings and those who nurture them.

Movie adaptation of the Sekaiichi Hatsukoi: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai BL light novel.

Everyone has their own private universe. In the bustling classroom 2-1, with its thirty-four students, many such universes exist. Honjou Akio's universe—my universe—is filled with lively discussions about last night's anime alongside Yoshida, Watanabe, and other friends. It's a fun, comfortable place… Yet I always find myself wondering. Wondering about the universe of Makina Juri, who smiles from across the room, surrounded by her glamorous friends. One day, I step into her universe. But it's not as straightforward as it sounds. Harmonie was part of the Anime Mirai 2014 project (Young Animator Training Program), an initiative funded by the Japanese government's Agency of Cultural Affairs to support the training of animators.

Does the mysterious new girl in Riki Naoe’s life require his assistance, or is she in fact trying to kill him? A chance meeting on a rooftop brings the enigmatic Saya Tokido into the Little Busters’ circle, and the only certainty is that trouble will follow. Riki must now unravel a fresh set of mysteries that appear to be linked to his own personal history. Who are the Dark Executives, why do they want to keep Saya and Riki apart, and what is the true nature of the hidden treasure Saya seeks? Sometimes, answers only lead to further questions in Little Busters! EX!

In the depths of the Lightless Realm, a gathering of children forge lasting friendships before being dispersed across different dimensions. Years pass, and these same children come together once more to combat "Admonitions"—beings born from the same void—by piloting robots known as "Vess." Their struggles temporarily halt the encroaching Lightless Realm from overwhelming their world. Their lives take a drastic turn with the emergence of a new adversary, a "Corpse" whose melody is lethal to those who hear it within nine days. Upon hearing this "Corpse Song," each member starts to retreat into their personal struggles, jeopardizing the future of humanity.

As the idol group Wake Up, Girls begins gaining popularity, they encounter a series of obstacles that challenge their determination. Members Mayu, Airi, Minami, Yoshino, Nanami, Kaya, and Miyu must deal with the uncertainty caused by their inexperienced manager, Matsuda, who leaves them vulnerable to shady individuals. The situation gets worse when Green Leaves' president disappears with most of the company's funds, and their new producer focuses on provocative swimwear instead of advancing their music career. With rumors about Mayu's past connection to a rival group spreading and internal conflicts threatening to tear the group apart, their success depends on their own ambition as well as the strength of their bonds and their shared passion for music.

Special episode of Ano Natsu de Matteru included in the Blu-ray box set, released in Summer 2014.

Set in the final days of World War II, Giovanni's Island follows Junpei and Kanta Senou, two brothers living on a secluded island near Hokkaido's coast. Far from the major battlefields, their daily life revolves around gathering eggs and dreaming of adventures inspired by their favorite characters, Giovanni and Campanella, from the novel Night on the Galactic Railroad. When the war ends, a new reality emerges as Soviet forces take over their island home. Amid the growing tensions, Junpei and Kanta form an unexpected friendship with Tanya, the daughter of a Soviet military officer. Despite this newfound connection, the harsh realities surrounding them seem to permanently change their world of youthful innocence.

In this film, which follows the 2012 TV series "Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine," Lupin and Jigen aim to acquire the precious Little Comet, situated in East Doroa. Security in the region has been heightened since the assassination of singer Queen Malta during her visit to West Doroa, escalating tensions between the two countries. Undeterred by the strained relations, Lupin and Jigen push ahead with their theft operation. During the heist, Jigen faces a close call with a lethal marksman named Yael Okuzaki, who prepares gravestones for each of his victims. Legend has it that once Yael creates a stone for someone, that person does not survive.

In THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE: BEYOND THE BRILLIANT FUTURE!, the idols of 765 Production carry on their path toward fresh stages and a more luminous tomorrow. With their producer by their side, they have endured triumphs and setbacks, surmounting numerous obstacles together. As they gear up to strengthen their bond and undergo rigorous training, the girls strive to move closer to their aspirations beneath the celestial lights.

Ayumu Tamari lives with "Crystallization Syndrome," a condition where extreme stress causes parts of his body to turn into crystals, severely limiting his movement. His intense social anxiety makes it nearly impossible to talk to his classmates, triggering frequent crystallization episodes and forcing him to repeat a year of high school. The only person who brings him comfort is his homeroom teacher, Kouya Onihara—whom Ayumu fondly calls "Oni-chan Sensei." Kouya, a devoted crystal enthusiast and researcher, is captivated by the unique formations that appear on Ayumu's body. As Ayumu navigates the pressures of school life and the complicated feelings in their forbidden relationship, he works to find a sense of normalcy and learn to control his emotions before he becomes completely crystallized.

In "Wake Up, Girls!," Green Leaves Entertainment is barely scraping by due to a critical shortage of talent. To reverse their fortunes, President Junko Tange decides to break into the idol singer market and orders her subordinate Matsuda to form a girl group, no matter how much effort it takes. Since no ready-made groups are available, Matsuda takes on the tough job of scouting girls with promise who aren't already part of the Japanese music scene. Her recruits include a maid café worker, a lead vocalist who was kicked out of another band, and a young teenager barely thirteen years old. Although they start far from being established stars, the group hopes to rise through pure dedication and passion. With time and hard work, these girls aim to captivate all of Japan with their music.

Second and final part of the movie adaptations covering seasons 1 and 2. The battle at Koufu Castle is lost; the Furies are no longer bound by daylight. Though individual members of the Shinsengumi still live, the ties that held them together have been torn and broken. As Harada, Shinpachi, and Saito fight to escape Koufu, Chizuru keeps her promise to Hijikata by standing guard over Kondou, while he and Okita struggle to recover from gunshot wounds. Hijikata faces his greatest trial. Having consumed the Water of Life, he must now balance his humanity against the need for blood and the deeds made possible by the Fury's power.

The limited edition release of the 26th manga volume will feature an anime adaptation of the popular bonus flashback chapter, "Uchi ga Kita Machi" (The Town Where I Arrived). This story depicts how Haruto, Akari, and Takashi originally met as children and acts as a prequel to the TV anime. The limited edition of the 27th manga volume will include a special anime episode created with full involvement from Seo Kouji. This OVA will adapt the conclusion of the manga. (Volume 27 marks the final volume of the long-running series.)

In 2199 AD, after obtaining the Cosmo Reverse System on Iscandar, the Space Battleship Yamato prepares to depart from the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy. On the galaxy's edge, they unexpectedly encounter a mysterious group called the "Gatlantis," led by Goran Dagaamu of Thunder, commander of the Gutaba expeditionary force. Dagaamu demands that the Yamato be handed over to him. Despite their eagerness to return to Earth, the Yamato tries to avoid conflict but is struck by the formidable "Flame Direct Attack Cannon," a weapon capable of penetrating space itself. Though hit, the Yamato escapes but finds itself lost in an irregular dimension of strange colors. The crew decides to shut down the engines and investigate a mysterious planet. To gather information, Kodai, Kiryū, Sawamura, Niimi, and Aihara land on this planet. Upon arrival, they discover a ship that should not be there. Dagaamu, following the Yamato's jump trail, also arrives in this oddly colored space. The planet where the Yamato has landed is precisely the place Dagaamu has been searching for.

The anime presents an original storyline set 15 years after the events of the novel. It is centered on a fictional venue called Hollywood Tokyo in Harajuku, where the members of the idol group "Shonen Hollywood" refine their abilities through diligent practice and study.

Upon learning the full story behind Adachi's past and the circumstances that led to his current state, Yu makes a crucial decision with the goal of saving him. This storyline presents an alternate conclusion to the Persona 4 The Golden Animation series.

A team of passionate animators used Banpresto's "One Piece Cry Heart ~Fuyujima ni Furu Sakura~" (One Piece Cry Heart ~Cherry Blossoms Falling on Winter Island~) series of crane game prize figures to produce a five-minute stop-motion animation. The short reenacts the iconic "Hiluluk's Cherry Blossoms" scene from Eiichiro Oda's beloved manga and anime, One Piece. Episode 2: Fuyujima ni Furu Sakura This stop-motion animated film was made for Banpresto's "One Piece Cry Heart ~Children's Dream~" collection of crane game prizes. It recreates the famous "Oath of Brothers" moment from Eiichiro Oda's manga and anime series. Episode 3: Ace no Saigo

Makoto Kubota lived without much concern for deep thought or serious ambition. As the leader of a youth gang under the Izumo Group, his days were filled with yakuza disputes, mahjong games, and killings. His existence was upended when he accidentally discovered a mysterious substance called Wild Adapter—a drug that brought unpredictable and often deadly effects. This encounter forever changed Makoto’s direction, leading him to forge an unusual partnership with a homeless man named Minoru Tokito. Together, they become more deeply drawn into the enigma of Wild Adapter.

Two picture drama episodes included in the last Blu-ray volume of the TV series.

More than twenty-five centuries ago in ancient India, Siddhartha, a prince of the Shakya clan, abandons his royal life to venture beyond the palace walls. Along the way, he encounters Assaji, a young boy gifted with prophetic visions, and a one-eyed monk. Confronted by the immense suffering around him, Siddhartha becomes resolved to achieve peace. Meanwhile, Ruri, the Prince of Kosara, launches an assault on the Shakya clan.

Recap of Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199.

A family was driving home from a maternity hospital in their car. Satomi and Yasunori were bringing their newborn daughter, named "Orine," back home, their hearts full of joy and anticipation. But a sudden accident struck them down. Orine lost both parents and was left entirely alone. Nineteen years later, she has grown up. Wanted by the police in connection with an incident, she kept fleeing, until Yuri Aoshima, an agent of a shady organization, reached out to her. Orine accepted Yuri's proposal: go to an experimental space station, and in exchange, Yuri would help her escape. For some reason, Orine is the only one who can enter the unmanned space station. To her shock, the person waiting for her there is her mother, Satomi—appearing as she did in her twenties. Confused and unsettled, Orine is ordered by Yuri to shut down the station's power. Reluctantly, she begins installing the shutdown device, yet she holds onto the hope that doing so will unravel the mystery and save her mother. As Orine and Satomi spend time together, they begin to recover the years they lost. Meanwhile, Yuri's true intentions, Satomi's real identity, and a man known as "SENSEI," who is connected to the takeover of the station, all come into focus. As the mystery deepens, Orine edges ever closer to the "truth"...

An animated graduation project by Touko Yatabe from Musashino Art University. One day, Rintarou breaks the konoha fossil his father treasured. Unable to confess the truth, a lingering sense of guilt remains. At the familiar riverbank where I dig for fossils, I encounter a strange boy named Toshi... A small summer fantasy, woven by two boys and the layers of sediment, gradually accumulates memories.

The story of Kushimitama Samurai centers on Haku, a blind samurai with a unique talent for perceiving what lies beyond ordinary sight. Instead of attempting to observe the tangible world, he admits, "This world is steeped in darkness." After robbers murdered his parents on a pitch-black night, Haku lost his sight and his trust in humanity. From that tragic night onward, he has refused to place any faith in the world around him.