Anime like Doubutsu Takarajima

Nagagutsu wo Haita Neko

Also known as The Wonderful World of Puss N' Boots.

Studio: Toei Animation , Discotek
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

A comic adaptation of Charles Perrault's classic fairy tale about a clever musketeer feline in boots. His goal is to help the weak and defenseless, but his saving a mouse makes him the most wanted in all Catdom. On the run from the notorious Three Blunderers, Perro befriends a young miller's boy, Pierre, and together, they decide to seek their fame and fortune. When they cross paths with the lovely Princess Rosa, Perro determines to get Pierre hitched to Her Royal Highness. But the wicked ogre, Lucifer, also has his sights on Rosa. Nonetheless, with the help of a band of comic mice thieves, Perro manages to get Pierre to become engaged to Rosa. But on the night of the full moon, Lucifer kidnaps the princess, and Pierre, Perro, and the mice bandits set off to rescue her.



Tags: Kids , Classic Literature , Animals , Anthropomorphism , Male Protagonist

Sora Tobu Yuurei Sen

Also known as The Flying Ghost Ship.

Studio: Toei Animation , Discotek
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Mecha , Sci-Fi

Hayato's city is devastated by a giant robot, his parents are killed in the massacre. The only friend left to him is his dog Jack, the only things left are mom's shoe and a picture of a man and a woman who, as his father tells him on his deathbed, are his real parents. Now Hayato wants revenge on the one who is said to have sent the robot: the terrible Ghost Ship which threatens ships and is rumored to wish to exterminate everything. But then Hayato stumbles on a secret underground factory of Mr. Kurosio, owner of mostly everything in the city - and realizes things are not as Mr. Kurosio has been telling him... Someone terrible lives in a castle under the sea... Hayato is trying to tell people the truth - but his life is now in danger by from the one who does not wish to be known. Then Hayato is saved by no other than the captain of the Ghost Ship... Hayato is about to uncover more than the one secret he has been searching for.



Tags: Male Protagonist , Conspiracy , Shounen , Ships , Kaiju , Tanks , Robots

Meitantei Holmes

Also known as Sherlock Hound.

Studio: NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan , Studio Gallop , TMS Entertainment , Studio Take Off , Discotek , Tokyo Movie Shinsha , RAI
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Mystery

This story takes place at the end of the 19th century in London. A famous dog detective, Sherlock Hound, was relaxing with his pipe... Dr. Watson is, of course, with Sherlock. The night is very foggy. From the light of a street gas lamp, one can only see for a few yards. From the distance, a coach comes dashing towards Baker Street and stops in front of Hound's flat. Someone violently knocks at the door. "Watson, something's afoot!!" Hound in his well-known deer stalker hat and Inverness cape, leaves his flat in his prototype Benz with Dr. Watson.



Tags: Episodic , Detective , Anthropomorphism , Foreign , Police , Animals , Primarily Adult Cast , Aviation , Historical , Kids , Male Protagonist

Grimm Douwa: Kin no Tori

Also known as The Golden Bird.

Studio: MADHOUSE , Toei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

"Kin No Tori" is an adaptation of the homonymous fairy tale "The Golden Bird" by Brothers Grimm.

A golden apple is stolen from the King's garden. The King orders his three sons to guard the apples in turn and to find out who is the thief. When the youngest son, Hansu, presents a feather that he got from the golden bird that stole the apple the king sends his three sons to bring this bird to him and so Hansu journey begins.

Completed in 1984, this film was shelved for three years before being theatrically released.

Tags: Fairy Tale , Witch , Magic , Kids , Male Protagonist

Nemo

Also known as Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland.

Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha , Discotek , TMS Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

Welcome to the fantasy world of "Little Nemo," where dreams of enchanted lands and new friends take young Nemo into an exciting, fun-filled adventure through Slumberland. On one unforgettable night, Nemo falls asleep. Soon, with the help of his flying pet squirrel Icarus and his friend Professor Genius, they journey together into Slumberland. Nemo is lovingly embraced by the people of Slumberland, particularly the King, who adopts Nemo and makes him heir to the throne. He is entrusted with two very special possessions: the prized royal Scepter, and a mysterious key that unlocks many secrets!

Though Nemo is warned not to open the one door with the power to destroy Slumberland, temptation proves too strong and the King is abducted as a black cloud of nightmares washes over the formerly idyllic dreamscape. Now, if Nemo is to reverse his error and bring the King back, he must rally his friends and journey deep into Nightmare Land.



Tags: Kids , Ojou-sama , Musical Theater , Male Protagonist , Trains , Goblin

Tenkuu no Shiro Laputa

Also known as Castle in the Sky.

Studio: Studio Ghibli , Tokuma Shoten , Walt Disney Studios , GKids
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Sci-Fi

This high-flying adventure begins when Pazu, an engineer's apprentice, finds a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky wearing a glowing pendant. Together they discover both are searching for a legendary floating castle, Laputa, and vow to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal around Sheeta's neck. Their quest won't be easy, however. There are greedy air pirates, secret government agents and astounding obstacles to keep them from the truth, and from each other.



Tags: Lost Civilization , Environmental , Steampunk , Pirates , Aviation , Fugitive , Female Protagonist , Travel , Military , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Heterosexual , Robots , Guns , Primarily Male Cast , Trains , Elderly Protagonist

Ali Baba to 40-hiki no Touzoku

Also known as Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

Studio: Toei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy

A film produced for Toei's 20th anniversary. A boy who is the descendant of the leader of the theives who met a grisly fate in the 1001 Nights bands together with 38 cats and a mouse to get back his rightful treasure from Ali Baba XXXIII, the descendent of Ali Baba who now rules the kingdom with an iron fist. This is a reversal of the good guy/bad guy roles in the original story! (perhaps not surprising for being a film in which Hayao Miyazaki was involved) This film is one of the most rollicking and action-packed films made by Toei, and is in an outrageously cartoonish style breaking with the Toei mold. It has a spectacular lineup of animators including Yasuji Mori, Akira Daikubara, Hayao Miyazaki, Yoichi Kotabe and Reiko Okuyama. The original story about Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves itself is recounted at one point in the film in an unexpected and interesting way using shadow-puppets.



Tags: Animals

Kurenai no Buta

Also known as Porco Rosso.

Studio: Studio Ghibli , Tokuma Shoten , Walt Disney Studios , GKids
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Romance

Take flight with "Porco" Rosso, a valiant World War I flying ace! From tropical Adriatic settings to dazzling aerial maneuvers, this action-adventure from world-renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki is full of humor, courage and chivalry. When "Porco" —whose face has been transformed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell— infuriates a band of sky pirates with his aerial heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a rival pilot, to "get rid" of him. On the ground, the two pilots compete for the affections of the beautiful Gina. But it is in the air where the true battles are waged. Will our hero be victorious?



Tags: Aviation , Foreign , Anthropomorphism , Historical , Philosophy , Primarily Adult Cast , Coastal , Male Protagonist , Pirates , Travel , Fugitive , Military , Fairy Tale , Heterosexual , War , Primarily Male Cast , Guns , Boxing , Age Gap

Lupin III: Cagliostro no Shiro

Also known as Lupin The 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro.

Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha , Discotek , Madman Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Mystery

In the twilight of his career, master thief Lupin the Third's latest and greatest caper has hit a snag. What should've been bags of cash from a national casino turns out to be expert counterfeits! Together with his partner-in-crime Jigen, Lupin heads to the remote European nation of Cagliostro to exact revenge. Not everything goes as planned; the two encounter Clarisse, a royal damsel in distress being forced to marry the sinister Count Cagliostro against her will. Saving her won't be easy, however, as Lupin and Jigen -- together with Lupin's unpredictable ex-girlfriend Fujiko and the swordsman Goemon -- must fight their way through a trap-filled castle, a deadly dungeon, and an army of professional assassins! Can Lupin rescue the girl, evade the cuffs of his long-time nemesis Inspector Zenigata, and uncover the secret treasures of The Castle of Cagliostro?



Tags: Crime , Conspiracy , Fugitive , Anti-Hero , Class Struggle , Foreign , Male Protagonist , Police , Seinen , Guns , Primarily Adult Cast , Samurai