Anime movie sequels often carry the difficult task of continuing beloved stories while meeting high fan expectations. They must build upon established narratives, characters, and universes, adding innovative and fresh perspectives to the storylines we know and love.
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From franchise blockbusters to lesser-known titles, anime movie sequels can excel in ways that either reinvigorate the original series or take them in entirely new directions. They range from action-packed and intense, likeFate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel II. Lost Butterfly, to the emotionally provocative, such as The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya. Let’s dive into 10 of the best anime movie sequels.
10Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel II. Lost Butterfly
Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel II. Lost Butterfly is the second movie in the Heaven’s Feel trilogy. The film continues the Holy Grail War, a fight-to-death tournament between seven mages and their heroic Servants. The story centers around Shirou Emiya and Sakura Matou, revealing the disturbing fact that Sakura is the vessel for the Holy Grail.
Shirou grapples with his desire to protect Sakura versus his ideals of being a hero. Distinguished by its darker tone, Lost Butterfly boasts beautiful animation and intense battles, ending in a cliffhanger leading to the trilogy’s finale.
9Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection is set two years after the Zero Requiem plan of the original series, which saw Lelouch vi Britannia, initially presumed dead, sacrifice himself to bring about world peace. In this sequel, peace is disrupted by a new enemy, the Kingdom of Zilkhstan.
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Lelouch’s sister, Nunnally, and her bodyguard, Suzaku Kururugi (Zero), are kidnapped. The film sees the return of Lelouch, revived with the power of Geass and the old members of the Black Knights, who band together once again to save Nunnally.
8Girls und Panzer der Film
Girls und Panzer der Film is a 2015 sequel to theaction animeseries Girls und Panzer. The movie follows the girls from Ooarai Girls High School who, after winning the National Tankery Championship, discover that their school still faces closure due to a bureaucratic error.
The Ministry of Education offers them a deal: if they can win a match against the university-level team led by the talented Alice Shimada, their school will be saved. The film features exciting tank battles and is praised for its character development and action sequences.
7Puella Magi Madoka Magica Movie 3: Rebellion
Puella Magi Madoka MagicaMovie 3: Rebellion is a sequel to the original series. Homura Akemi finds herself in a world where magical girls don’t have to become witches, a stark contrast to the reality she knows. Her friends, including Madoka Kaname, live happily without the tragic fates they once faced.
Despite this, Homura senses something is amiss. As she investigates, she uncovers a shocking truth: this new reality is a labyrinth created by her own witch form. The film is known for its unexpected plot twists, vivid visuals, and characters' journeys.
6K-On! Movie
The K-On! Movie is a sequel to theslice-of-life seriesK-On! that follows the high school band Ho-kago Tea Time. As a graduation trip and a surprise for their underclassman Azusa - Mio, Ritsu, Yui, and Tsumugi plan a journey to London.
The film captures their adventures abroad as they navigate a foreign city, perform their music, and experience the local culture. Simultaneously, they attempt to write a song as a parting gift for Azusa. Known for its fun music, and charming humor, the K-On! Movie is a must-watch for fans of the series.
5Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III - The Advent
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III - The Advent is the final movie in the Golden Age Arc trilogy. The film continues the grim and tragic tale of mercenaries Guts and Griffith. Griffith is imprisoned and tortured for a year due to his indiscretion with the king’s daughter, causing the Band of the Hawk to be branded as outlaws.
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Guts returns to rescue Griffith but finds him broken beyond repair. Griffith’s despair activates his Behelit, an eerie artifact, triggering a horrifying event called the Eclipse. The film’s brutal narrative and stark imagery underline its mature themes.
4Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen
Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen is the second film of the Kizumonogatari trilogy. Following the events of the first film, protagonist Koyomi Araragi is tasked by the vampire Shinobu Oshino to retrieve her stolen limbs from three vampire hunters to regain her full power and return him to being human.
The film sees Araragi’s encounters with the three powerful hunters, leading to intense and dramatic battles. With its unique animation style, character development, and exploration of morality, Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen presents a compelling continuation of Araragi’s story.
3The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a sequel to the anime series The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. The film follows protagonist Kyon, who wakes up one December day to find his world altered: Haruhi Suzumiya, the eccentric girl with the power to alter reality, has disappeared, and no one remembers her.
His friends are ordinary students and supernatural occurrences no longer exist. Only Yuki Nagato, now a shy, bookish human, seems slightly aware. The movie explores Kyon’s efforts to restore his old world and offers a thought-provoking and emotional twist to the original series.
2Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance is the second film in the Rebuild of Evangelion movie series, retelling the original Neon Genesis Evangelion anime. This sequel introduces two new Eva pilots: the mysterious, determined Mari Illustrious Makinami and the aggressive, competitive Asuka Shikinami Langley.
The film culminates with a high-stakes battle against the Angels in which Shinji attempts to save his fellow pilot, Rei Ayanami, resulting in a cataclysmic event. With its stunning animation and narrative twists, Evangelion: 2.0 offers viewers an exciting and emotionally intense experience.
1Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence is a sequel to the groundbreakingcyberpunk filmGhost in the Shell. When gynoids, highly advanced androids made to look like human females, start malfunctioning and causing their owners' deaths, Batou and his new partner Togusa are put on the case.
As they delve deeper, they uncover a disturbing truth about the gynoids' origins and consciousness. Renowned for its visual innovation, philosophical dialogue, and atmospheric setting, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence offers an engaging and thrilling sci-fi adventure.
