4 Best Movies to Watch by Reina Ueda

1. maboroshi, 2023

Unlike plenty of time torn films, Maboroshi is the kind of film that doesn’t have a straightforward explanation for the town of Mifuse standing still in time. But even when it doesn’t have a logical reason, the way the film unfolds has a distinct feeling as it explores the illusions the town either could cling to, or release to grow. This kind of storytelling would be familiar to fans of the prolific screenwriter Mari Okada, who just started directing in 2018 with Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms, but even those new to her work would appreciate the pure emotion driving Maboroshi, if they can let go of reality and enjoy MAPPA’s exquisite art for a moment.

Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Actor: Ayaka Saito, Daiki Kobayashi, Junya Enoki, Kento Hayashi, Koji Seto, Maki Kawase, Misaki Kuno, Reina Ueda, Setsuji Sato, Taku Yashiro, Tasuku Hatanaka, Yukiyo Fujii

Director: Mari Okada, Seimei Kidokoro

Rating: PG-13

2. Solo Leveling, 2024

Slaying monsters online is definitely more exciting than typing on a computer all day, but having to do so in real life might be a different story. The highly anticipated anime adaptation Solo Leveling depicts a world where those online adventures are a mundane but dangerous day-to-day gig for some people with unique abilities set in stone, but with a twist– every player doesn’t have the video game information, stats, and structured quests, except for the world’s weakest hunter Sung Jin-woo. It’s an intriguing world that brings up themes such as gamification and inherent talent versus acquired skill, and it’s one that’s matched with great animation, thrilling fight scenes, and gory deaths.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Daisuke Hirakawa, Genta Nakamura, Haruna Mikawa, Reina Ueda, Taito Ban

Rating: TV-14

3. Ishura, 2024

Fantasy shows usually follow one hero into their quest, but the newest isekai anime on Hulu has plenty of them, and instead of straightforward awe, the people they save hold unexpected emotions to the power they wield. Ishura starts with this– its first few episodes are dedicated to introducing each hero, or Shura, that would fight against each other, and possibly take over the world. Through this approach, Ishura has plenty of spectacular action, as each of the heroes have to prove themselves somehow, and has plenty of fantastical powers that look great on-screen, even when the CGI sometimes falters in certain moments. It’s a wild ride, and some deaths can certainly be brutal for some viewers, but it’s an interesting approach in building a fantasy world that values strength above all else. Ishura is a great start to fantasy anime this year, if you can stomach the gore.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Aoi Yuki, Koichi Yamadera, Mamiko Noto, Reina Ueda, Rie Takahashi, Romi Park, Showtaro Morikubo, Soichiro Hoshi, Sora Amamiya, Yuki Kaji

4. My Happy Marriage, 2023

The best thing about a Cinderella story is knowing she'll get a Prince Charming™ by the end (with or without the rats and pumpkins). The first episode of My Happy Marriage sets up the fairytale expectations to a T. Mistreated by her step-mother and step-sister - and a tragic mom-is-dead backstory - this anime hits expected beats which means it'll either be a comfortable watch or a predictable skip. The silver lining comes when Miyo's step-sister marries her long-time crush while she is sent away to marry a difficult man known to repel his suitors. A swoon-worthy, slow-burn romance is surely on the horizon, enveloped in a strikingly beautiful, dreamy animation.

Genre: Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Akira Ishida, Ayane Sakura, Hiro Shimono, Houko Kuwashima, Kaito Ishikawa, Koutaro Nishiyama, Reina Ueda, Ryohei Kimura