Steamboy

Author: Katsuhiro Otomo

Ah, Steampunk. The anime Steamboy is one of the finest examples of the genre ever put to film. The second film from the director of the legendary anime Akira, Steamboy features gorgeous animation and character designs and a story that digs deeply into an alternate 19th century London. A film that took ten years to bring to the cinema that actually looks like it made the best use of that time is a rarity. Both the Japanese original, and the English-dubbed version, are well-worth watching, with the English featuring Patrick Stewart and Anna Pacquin. Steamboy, which did poorly in the US, plays with the classic steampunk imagery of trains, early automobiles, and 19th century factories, and adds that layer of science fiction maximum funSteamboy plays with elements from classic films like Metropolis, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and even The Magnificent Seven. The visuals are stunning, and the story is every bit as complicated as Akira, only with a world where you can lose yourself in the artistry. Why it's on the list: A very fun anime film with images that will soak in deep.