The anime is not only known for its heartwarming stories, but also for its jaw-dropping action scenes. People of all ages and genders love good action sequences when done right. Usually all animated movies choose to create action sequences with quick cuts and edits for a much more energetic feel, but this often leads to a choppy sequence where you can’t figure out the head or tail of the movie. movie. So, after watching over 100 action-based animated films, I analyzed several factors like character development, quality of action, fighting skills, emotional connections, motives , the story, and the overall message to put together this list of the best animated action movies.
But before you read the action movies you can also take a look at the best anime ever and if your current streaming options don’t come with anime streaming I have also compiled a list of the best sites. Anime streaming web available worldwide. Now, without further ado, here is my pick of the best animated movies with plenty of action scenes.
List of the best animated action movies
| Name of the animated film | Kind | Available on | Our assessment |
| Ninja scroll | Action / Fantasy | Hulu | 4/5 |
| Akira | Science fiction / Action | Hulu & Funimation | 4/5 |
| The Sword of the Stranger | Action / Adventure | Funimation | 4/5 |
| Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society | Thriller / Action | Netflix | 3.5 / 5 |
| Dragon Ball Super: Broly | Fantastic / Action | Apple TV and Vudu | 3.5 / 5 |
1. Ninja Scroll (1993)
Starting the list we have the classic 1993 film that inspired the action sequences of The Matrix. Ninja Scroll is a movie about Jubei, a highly skilled ninja who is now a paid assassin. Determined to stop the Ninja demons called Devils of Kimon, Jubei sets out on a journey of self-discovery.
Ninja Scroll is an animated movie classic and still holds up almost 30 years later.
Kind:- Action / Fantasy
Available on:- Hulu
Reviews on Ninja Scroll
Ninja Scroll has some jaw-dropping action sequences and a plot that really holds up and doesn’t rely much on its action. The fight sequences are crisp and fast and very, very brutal (NSFW), so make sure you don’t have children near you when watching this movie.
Ninja Scroll Note
Ninja Scroll sits 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and we’re giving it a rating of 4/5 stars.
2. Akira (1988)
Akira 1988, not the 2016 one with Sonakshi Sinha, is a cult classic and is still credited as THE movie that popularized anime in America and other countries outside of Japan.
Akira tells the story of a dystopian world in 2019 after WW3 and is Tetsuo Shima’s adventure when he encounters supernatural powers.
Kind:- Science fiction / Action
Available on:- Hulu and Funimation
Akira Reviews
Akira is a movie that has a huge fan base who love the movie for different reasons. Some love it for its cyberpunk aspect, some for its very bloody and brutal action sequences, some for its psychological themes and some for its beautiful animation.
It’s a movie that requires multiple viewing to understand its true meaning as it has a lot of deep layers and reflects on the society we live in today. It’s a cult classic and for very good reasons too.
Note on Akira
Akira sits 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and we give him a rating of 4/5 stars.
3. The Sword of the Stranger (2007)
The Sword of the Stranger is considered one of the gems of animated films, but not many people know about this film. The Stranger’s Sword is set in medieval Japan where Kotaro, a young boy and his dog Tobimaru, are hunted down by evil swordsmen called “Mings”.
Kotaro and Tobimaru escape the Ming and meet an alien swordsman with a haunted past and from there the story of The Stranger’s Sword begins.
Kind:- Action / Adventure
Available on:- Funimation
Reviews on The Sword of the Stranger
The Stranger’s Sword is a wonderful animated movie with some of the best action from an animated movie. They are fast and fluid and serve the narrative. The story is an Action / Thriller which also delves into the Mystery.
The soundtrack and music for this movie is also very well done by the composer Naoki Satō and it’s a great time. A must see.
Note on The Sword of the Stranger
The Stranger’s Sword has a rating of 8.3 / 10 on MyAnimeList and we give it a rating of 4/5 stars.
4. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society (2006)
Speaking of movies with the longest name possible, GITS: SSS is a continuation of the Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex television series. The story follows a major who investigates for a person called “The Puppeteer”.
GITS: SSS is a lesser-known movie in the franchise as it didn’t hit theaters and was actually a continuation of the 2-season The Stand Alone Complex series.
Kind:- Thriller / Action
Available on:- Netflix
Reviews on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society
As mentioned above, GITS: SSS is an action thriller / movie that gave the series a breath of fresh air as the other two movies were a lot more sci-fi focused and a lot more empowering. GITS: SSS is less well-known of the three, but it’s still popular with fans and critics for its digital animation, great action sequences, and great characters.
Note on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society
GITS: SSS has a rating of 8/10 on IMDB and we give it a rating of 3.5 / 5 stars.
5. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
Dragon Ball Super: Broly is a 2018 film set after The Tournament Of Power. The film focuses on the character of Broly, a Saiyan warrior who soon becomes the greatest enemy Goku or Vegeta has ever faced.
As a Dragon Ball movie, you have to know the world of Dragon Ball well to enjoy this movie because it has a lot of nods and callbacks and the continuation of the Dragon Ball series.
Kind:- Fantastic / Action
Available on:- Apple TV and Vudu
Reviews on Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Broly has one of the best action sequences in the entire Dragon Ball franchise. It’s fast, intense and very satisfying to watch. The choreography of the fight is not choppy at all and certainly leaves your breath taking.
But that’s not the only thing Dragon Ball Super: Broly has to do, he actually has a great character job for his character titled Broly and for Vegeta and Goku as well. The animation is fantastic with colors popping out of your screens and the score is also excellent.
If you are a Dragon Ball fan, this movie will provide you with everything you could ask for.
Note on Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Broly sits 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and we’re giving it a rating of 3.5 / 5 stars.
Final Rating (Best Action-Based Anime Ever, Author’s Choice)
Animated films are a work of art. Creators spend years and years drawing these beautiful pieces that we can see on the big screen and creating action sequences of this level of complexity is no joke.
It takes patience and storytelling to create such wonderful movies and action sequences and the 5 movies above are just one example.
Each movie on the list has bigger themes behind these fight sequences and cannot be replicated elsewhere. Hope you found the list useful and picked your movies for the weekend!