You Think Love, Death + Robots Was Bold? These Anthology Anime Go Even Further

Most anime series and movies have a single plot that the creators explore until the very end. There is a chain of scenarios involving the same characters, all of which are true to their genre. However, the concept of anthology breaks out from the linear pattern and showcases different stories in a single run.

Each story has a distinct plot and a unique set of characters. People can enjoy new things in a single watch rather than watching the same thing for hours. While most people still prefer linear plots, anthologies can be treated as acquiring a different taste outside the staple diet. Here is a list of the best anthology anime series and movies that provide entertainment to the utmost level.

Anthology Anime Series

1. Ani*Kuri15

• Release Date: 2007-2008
• Animation Studio: Production I.G, Madhouse, Gainax, Gonzo, Studio 4°C
• Where To Watch: YouTube

Ani*Kuri is an anime series divided into three seasons. The anime is an anthology comprising 15 stories in total, with each season featuring five stories. It not only features the top animation studios in Japan, but the stories are directed by the likes of Makoto Shinkai, Mamoru Oshii, Osamu Kobayashi, Mahiro Maeda, etc. The episodes are one minute long, but following the multi-genre formula has made it pretty exciting to watch. Moreover, no one wants to skip the world of world-renowned directors. Ani*Kuri is a series that celebrates creative freedom, pure expression through animation, total exploration, etc.

2. Star Wars: Visions

• Release Date: September 22, 2021
• Animation Studio: Production I.G, Kinema Citrus, Kamikaze Douga, Trigger, Studio Colorido, Geno Studio, Science SARU
• Where To Watch: Disney+

The anthology has two seasons, with each season divided into nine episodes. Different world-renowned directors have directed each episode, making the series quite unique. A third season of Star Wars: Visions is scheduled to release on October 29, 2025. Coming from a popular franchise, the series instantly became a hit, even though it is non-canonical. The brilliance of the series is that it has successfully created a fusion of the Star Wars franchise with anime techniques. Since there was creative freedom, the studios gave their best, highlighting diverse styles and deep emotional impact on each character.

3. Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales

• Release Date: January 13, 2006
• Animation Studio: Toei Animation
• Where To Watch: YouTube

Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales has eleven episodes, divided into three stories – Yotsuya Kaidan, Tenshu Monogatari, and Bake Neko. Episodes 1-4 feature the first story, episodes 5-8 feature the second story, and episodes 9-11 feature the third story. The anime series follows the horror and supernatural. It became quite popular due to the visually pleasing color palette. The third story became so popular that another series, Mononoke, based on it, was released the following year. The anime not only explores the horrors, but also human emotions like betrayal, guilt, revenge, etc., creating a spiritual imbalance.

4. Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories

• Release Date: July 15, 2013
• Animation Studio: ILCA
• Where To Watch: Crunchyroll

Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories is the most recent and longest-running anthology anime series of the listicle. The anime has 13 seasons, with a total of 181 episodes, and is approximately five minutes long. It deals with the popular urban legends of Japan and traditional ghost stories, creating an unsettling ambiance for the viewers. The episodes begin in the same pattern, with a mysterious yellow-masked storyteller arriving, riding his bicycle, and narrative stories to children. Each story is featured through paper-theatre art style, making it a unique watch.

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Anthology Anime Movies

1. Robot Carnival

• Release Date: July 21, 1987
• Animation Studio: A.P.P.P.
• Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Robot Carnival is one of the oldest anime movies to follow an anthological pattern. The movie is 1 hour 31 minutes long and is divided into nine shorts (OVA). All the story follows the sci-fi fantasy genre, with a mixture of surreal, comedy, and tragedy. The first and last segment is named “Opening” and “Closing,” with “Nightmare” being one of the segments to look out for.

Robot Carnival features the work of the top animators from the 1980s, which alone is something to be excited about. The movie has used the concept of robots to highlight their technological progress, showcasing human-like emotions, interacting with them, and finally embracing death, featuring the humanization of robots.

2. Memories

• Release Date: December 23, 1995
• Animation Studio: Studio 4°C, Madhouse
• Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Memories is another film in this listicle following the anthological pattern. The movie is one of the most celebrated works in this regard, following the sci-fi and psychological genres. Memories are divided into three segments – Magnetic Rose, Stink Bomb, and Cannon Fodder. Out of the three, the first one is considered to be a masterpiece in this genre.

Nihon SF Taishou Award winner Katsuhiro Otomo is the creator of Memories. One of the best reasons to watch Memories is its imaginative narrative, which has deeply influenced all the stories, ranging from chemical warfare satire to space opera. Memories explore the concept of human memory and how it leads to biases. It talks about personal memory, institutional memory, and collective memory, each with significance in the long run.

3. Genius Party & Genius Party Beyond

• Release Date: 2007-2008
• Animation Studio: Studio 4°C
• Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Genius Party was initially released on July 7, 2007, containing seven shorts. One of these shorts, Baby Blue, was written by Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe. The following year, Genius Party Beyond was released, and it has five short stories. Both movies are experimental and surreal fantasies, exploring abstract and weird concepts. The creativity of the animation studio is vividly showcased through the unique animation styles. Genius Party does not stick to a particular concept like Memories and Robot Carnival. It explores creativity, imagination, realism, and the visual perception of humanity.

4. Short Peace

• Release Date: July 20, 2013
• Animation Studio: Sunrise, Shochiku
• Where To Watch: HiDive

Short Peace is 1 hour and 8 minutes long, with four shorts – Possessions, Combustible, Gambo, and A Farewell to Weapons. Katsuhiro Otomo made another cameo on this listicle through “Combustible.” The movie follows the sci-fi, supernatural, and historical genres. Short Peace deals with diversified topics ranging from ghost stories of the Edo period to futuristic warfare. The shift of stories is particularly fascinating, exploring different emotions with beautiful animation.

Short Peace explores Japan to its core. The country has been through a lot of conflict, but it has always uplifted its culture and spirit. The anime movie features different eras and how tradition, spirituality, warfare, and technology helped in its progression.

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