Grave of the Fireflies can be described as one of the saddest movies ever created.

This week I woke up in an anime mood, instigated mainly by the fact that I have just subscribed to the online Miyazaki fanpage, and the constant images and posts are making me want to reach for the remote and the popcorn and just spend the day revisiting classics.

For those of you whose pop culture skills need a bit of updating, the word refers to Japanese-produced animated television series, short films and full-length feature films. Anime is, in fact, an abbreviated pronunciation of ‘animation’ in Japanese.

I’ve already dedicated a whole column to the genius of Miyazaki, whose offerings can be described as mainstream. I’m not using the word in any derogatory sense whatsoever, but simply to illustrate that everybody who sees any of his movies is guaranteed to fall in love with them.

The question of ‘being’ suddenly becomes an adrenalin-filled, cyberpunk, roller-coaster ride

This week’s inspiration is different, and relates more to those anime productions that are more part of a subculture than mainstream, I suppose mainly because they do not deal with topics that are necessarily enjoyed by the masses.

This is not to say that the following for the genre isn’t massive, and it’s not limited to Japan, obviously. In Malta alone, I know scores of fans, and I count myself one of them. Some of them go the extra mile and engage in Cosplay, which involves dressing up as your favourite manga or anime character... but that’s a whole different story.

Although I certainly can’t call myself a hardcore fan, I do have my favourite list of classics that are a must for anyone who is into film in any way whatsoever. Anime has become so strong as a genre that no film buff worth his salt can be out of the loop.

Topping the list has to be Ghost in the Shell, based on the manga series of the same name. The film, which was directed by Mamoru Oshii, is deeply philosophical (the second one is even more so), delving into the idea of human consciousness and into what gives us our humanity. But this is anime we’re talking about, which means that it is done in the most over-the-top and fun manner possible, with plenty of cybernetic bodies, hot female police officers and unending action. The question of ‘being’ suddenly becomes an adrenalin-filled, cyberpunk, roller-coaster ride.

Katsuhiro Otomo’s Steamboy is another fantastic romp through an alternate 19th-century Europe, where steampunk technology is revealing wondrous inventions.

Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s Ninja Scroll comes in at a close third. Part Samurai fight-fest, part impossibly cheesy love story, part steamy scenes (because yes, the Japanese have no compunction about throwing in the odd sex scene in an animated movie), there isn’t a boring moment.

My final must-see is Isao Takahata’s Grave of the Fireflies. In all fairness, this should be at the very top of any anime list.

However, I am including it under protest because it is, quite simply, the saddest movie I have ever seen. The story centres around two little orphans who are trying to survive World War II in Japan. The ending will leave you with a couple of severed heart strings. You have been warned.

Disclaimer for the die-hard fans who happen to be reading this – this is only a very subjective list, and yes, I’m aware that many of you will wonder why I haven’t included other masterpieces like Akira and Perfect Blue, or Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke (the latter two because I’ve already written about them at length).

The reply is mostly lack of space and, well, I have to draw a line somewhere. But do feel free to e-mail me your favourites.

rdepares@timesofmalta.com