Will Japanese anime films win an Oscar again in 2022?

This year, Japan has proven itself to be a formidable international rival in every arena, from the 2022 FIFA World Cup to the anime industry. Japan may not be on par with other countries, but nobody can compete when it comes to animation.

The influence of anime has spread worldwide at an unprecedented rate in recent years. It’s no surprise that the Oscars have taken notice of the anime industry, given the genre’s widespread acclaim and consistently high quality.

For the upcoming 95th Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the list of 27 animated features that could be nominated.

There are only three anime titles among these 27 total titles:

This year’s three films have caused quite a commotion with their potent narratives and superb animation. Even though they did well at the box office and among otaku this year, that doesn’t mean they’ll get an Oscar nomination.

Nominated works include Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, and many others. Only Spirited Away, however, has ever won an Academy Award in this category.

We’re crossing our fingers that one of these three films is recognized this year and helps Japan reclaim its Oscar crown.

The odds of Inu-Oh winning or even being nominated for an award this year are the highest of the three. The film is a masterpiece that should be seen at least once by everyone.

Both Drifting Home and Goodbye, Don Glees! were critically acclaimed and financially successful. There wasn’t a dull moment, and there were plenty of interesting elements to keep me interested.

READ: Check Out This Gorgeous Music Video for Anime Film ‘Drifting Home’

We can only hope that this is the year that Japan finally breaks through at the Oscars.

Keep an eye out for nominations for these anime films this year.

Inu-Oh

Based on the novel Heike Monogatari: INU-OH no Maki (Tales of the Heike: INU-OH) by Hideo Furukawa, INU-OH is a musical anime feature film. At the 78th Venice International Film Festival, the film will have its world premiere and start competing in the Horizons (Orizzonti) section.

The adults are so frightened by Inu-unusual Oh’s appearance that they cover him head to toe in clothing, including a mask. Inu-Oh discovers his extraordinary dancing ability after meeting Tomona, a blind biwa player, and listening to him play a song about fate being entangled.

Tomona and Inu-Oh go into business together, and Inu-stage Oh’s performances become increasingly captivating as he gradually sheds his slovenly exterior through the power of song. Tomona is blind, but why? Why did Inu-Oh have to be born the way he was?

Drifting Home

It is Studio Colorido’s third feature-length anime film, following “A Whisker Away” and “Penguin Highway.”

Kosuke and his pals visit a condemned building one summer day and are immediately enveloped in a mysterious phenomenon. When they finally open their eyes, the group of friends is surrounded by open sea and they must figure out how to get back to land.

Goodbye, Don Glees!

Japanese animation studio Studio Madhouse and director Atsuko Ishizuka are responsible for this feature film.

In the film, three young men named Drop, Rōma, and Toto form a band called Don Glees. However, tragedy struck when the three were suspected of starting a fire in a nearby forest during one misguided “Don Glees” expedition. They embark on a journey of a lifetime to Iceland to prove their innocence.