9 Best Anime on HBO Max (Ranked: #3 is a Masterpiece of Psychological Thriller)

Image: Madhouse

HBO Max leans heavily into high-caliber feature films. Their collection boasts a near-complete catalog of Studio Ghibli masterpieces, including the timeless Kiki’s Delivery Service—now in development for live-action—and the breathtaking epic Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. You will also find the emotionally resonant works of Makoto Shinkai, such as the transcendent Your Name and the hauntingly melancholic 5 Centimeters Per Second. With those highlights in mind, here are 9 standout anime selections currently available on HBO Max.

1 Angel’s Egg

Mamoru Oshii, the auteur behind Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor 2, delivers a hauntingly singular vision in Angel’s Egg. Stripped of nearly all dialogue and draped in surreal, evocative imagery, the film follows a solitary girl navigating a derelict, dreamlike wasteland. She guards a massive, mysterious egg, clinging to the hope that it will eventually yield an angel. The friction between the desolate environment and the girl’s persistent faith creates a profound, meditative experience. While it appears to be a simple parable about belief at first glance, the film’s dense, cryptic symbolism rewards deep contemplation.

2 Lazarus

Drawing on the stylistic DNA of Shinichirō Watanabe’s greatest works, Lazarus excels through its high-concept premise. Set in 2052, humanity relies on “Hapna,” a miracle drug that eliminates all suffering—until its creator, Dr. Skinner, chillingly reveals that it will eventually kill every user. The story follows a specialized task force, including the parkour-proficient Axel, as they hunt for a solution. While the series occasionally leans too heavily into “cool” nonchalance, its kinetic action sequences and high-stakes mystery make it an adrenaline-fueled 13-episode ride.

3 Perfect Blue

Satoshi Kon remains a master of navigating the fragile psyche, and his directorial debut, Perfect Blue, is a visceral investigation into the darker side of idol culture. When Mima pivots from music to acting, her transition triggers a terrifying breakdown of her public identity and objective reality. Kon masterfully blurs the lines between dreams and waking life, trapping the viewer in Mima’s disorienting experience. It is a superlative psychological thriller, utilizing the medium of animation to illustrate the claustrophobic nature of fame.

4 Children Who Chase Lost Voices

If you are drawn to the ethereal, magical realism of Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume, then his 2011 fantasy, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, is essential viewing. The narrative centers on Asuna, a lonely girl who finds a connection to another world through a radio given to her by her late father. Her journey into this hidden realm becomes a poignant reflection on loss, grief, and the struggle to move forward. It is a deeply touching exploration of healing, proving that even within a grand fantasy, the most powerful elements are the human emotions involved.

5 Ponyo

While many gravitate toward Ghibli’s more somber hits, Ponyo stands as a testament to Hayao Miyazaki’s limitless capacity for joy and wonder. It is a vibrant, dreamlike tale detailing the friendship between a five-year-old boy, Sosuke, and a goldfish princess named Ponyo. The film is a masterclass in dynamic, poetic animation, capturing the raw, uninhibited imagination of childhood in a way that few other films have ever managed.

6 Wolf Children

Mamoru Hosoda’s Wolf Children is a gorgeous, melancholic study of motherhood and change. After falling in love with a wolf-man, Hana is left to raise their two supernatural children alone. The film excels not just because of its whimsical premise, but because of its absolute sincerity. Hosoda depicts the chaotic, often heartbreaking realities of parenting with an unvarnished honesty that elevates the story beyond typical fantasy tropes, resulting in an unforgettable portrait of how families grow, adapt, and eventually let go.

7 The Colors Within

Science Saru’s The Colors Within is a beautiful, intimate musical about the formative power of creativity. Totsuko, a student who perceives people as distinct colors, forms a band with her classmates to share her inner world. The film is a gentle celebration of the bonds formed during adolescence—a time when finding one’s tribe is everything. It captures the raw vulnerability of expressing yourself and the solace found in people who truly “see” you.

8 The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Mamoru Hosoda’s second entry on this list, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, brilliantly subverts the time-travel genre. Rather than using her powers for epic heroism, protagonist Makoto uses them to fix minor inconveniences, like acing exams or enjoying karaoke for hours. However, the film is ultimately a bittersweet lesson on the finality of time. As Makoto grows, she realizes that while she can relive the past, she cannot escape the inevitability of the future. It is a brilliant slice-of-life drama about the necessity of embracing life’s consequences.

9 The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Isao Takahata’s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a visual and narrative marvel. Adapting a classic 10th-century Japanese folktale, Takahata infuses the story with modern sensibilities. The film traces the life of a bamboo-born celestial child who experiences both the beauty of the human world and the crushing weight of societal expectations. It is a heart-wrenching critique of patriarchal structures, beautifully rendered in a hand-drawn style that feels both timeless and revolutionary.

Source: Polygon