Every year, the Academy Awards celebrate the world’s best in cinema, but when it comes to animation, one question always stirs curiosity: Why are there so few anime movies nominated for Oscars?
Despite global admiration for Japanese animation, only a handful of titles have ever made it to Hollywood’s most prestigious stage. Yet when they do, they leave a lasting mark. Fans across the world wait eagerly each year to see if another Japanese masterpiece will join the ranks of Oscar-nominated anime movies.
In this guide, you’ll explore every anime movie nominated for an Oscar, learn which studios led the way, and understand why these rare nominations matter so much for the global animation industry.
Complete List of Anime Movies Nominated for Oscars
Japanese animated films have earned limited but historic recognition at the Academy Awards. The Oscars have occasionally highlighted anime movies for their visual artistry, storytelling depth, and cultural impact.
This section lists every anime that received an Oscar nomination, showing the studios, categories, and results that shaped anime’s journey in Hollywood’s most prestigious award ceremony.
All-Time List of Anime Oscar Nominees
The following table lists all anime movies ever nominated for an Oscar, organized by year. Each entry includes the film title, producing studio, nomination category, and result.
| Year | Movie Title | Studio | Category | Result |
| 2002 | Spirited Away | Studio Ghibli | Best Animated Feature | Won |
| 2005 | Howl’s Moving Castle | Studio Ghibli | Best Animated Feature | Nominated |
| 2009 | The Secret of Kells (Japanese co-production) | Cartoon Saloon / Les Armateurs | Best Animated Feature | Nominated |
| 2013 | The Wind Rises | Studio Ghibli | Best Animated Feature | Nominated |
| 2014 | The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | Studio Ghibli | Best Animated Feature | Nominated |
| 2016 | When Marnie Was There | Studio Ghibli | Best Animated Feature | Nominated |
| 2019 | Mirai | Studio Chizu | Best Animated Feature | Nominated |
| 2021 | Belle | Studio Chizu | Best Animated Feature | Shortlisted (not final nomination) |
| 2023 | The Boy and the Heron | Studio Ghibli | Best Animated Feature | Won |
These nominations reflect the global reputation of Japanese animation, with Studio Ghibli leading the list as the most frequently recognized studio in Oscar history.
Oscar-Winning Anime Movies
Only two anime films have ever won an Academy Award.
- Spirited Away (2002) won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. The film combined fantasy storytelling with cultural symbolism, establishing anime as a serious contender in international cinema.
- The Boy and the Heron (2023) became the second anime film to win in the same category. Its hand-drawn animation and emotional depth reaffirmed Studio Ghibli’s dominance in the global animation landscape.
These wins demonstrate that exceptional artistry and narrative power can bridge cultural boundaries at the Oscars.
Most Recent Anime Movies Nominated for Oscars (2020–2025)
Recent Oscar nominations show a growing presence of Japanese animation in major award circuits.
- Mirai (2019) received a nomination in 2020, directed by Mamoru Hosoda under Studio Chizu. The film’s family-centered story and digital-2D hybrid animation earned international praise.
- The Boy and the Heron (2023) represented Japan in the 2024 Oscars, securing the Best Animated Feature win.
- Suzume (2022) by Makoto Shinkai was considered a strong contender for the 2024 nomination list, though it ultimately remained on the shortlist.
Top Studios Behind Oscar-Nominated Anime
Only a few Japanese studios have achieved recognition at the Academy Awards. These animation houses represent the artistic range and storytelling power that brought anime to the global stage. The following section highlights the leading studios behind Oscar-nominated and Oscar-submitted anime films.
Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli is the most recognized Japanese animation studio in Oscar history. Founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata in 1985, the studio is known for its hand-drawn animation, detailed world-building, and emotionally rich storytelling.
Studio Ghibli received multiple Oscar nominations in the Best Animated Feature category. Films such as Howl’s Moving Castle (2005), The Wind Rises (2013), The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2014), and When Marnie Was There (2016) represent the studio’s artistic legacy.
With platforms such as Aniwatch, global audiences continue to engage deeply with Japanese animation, keeping Oscar-nominated anime in public discussion long after their theatrical runs.
The studio won the Academy Award twice, first with Spirited Away (2002) and again with The Boy and the Heron (2023). The studio’s focus on human emotion, environmental themes, and Japanese culture helped it become a global ambassador for anime at the Academy Awards.
Toei Animation
Toei Animation, founded in 1948, is one of Japan’s pioneering studios in animation history. Although it has not received a direct Oscar nomination, Toei’s productions laid the foundation for Japan’s animated storytelling tradition.
The studio’s theatrical works, including Panda and the Magic Serpent (1958) and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022), expanded anime’s audience beyond Japan. Toei’s influence helped shape the industry standards that later allowed other Japanese studios, such as Ghibli and Chizu, to earn Oscar recognition.
CoMix Wave Films
CoMix Wave Films, established in 2007, represents modern Japanese animation with global appeal. The studio collaborates closely with director Makoto Shinkai, focusing on digital artistry and emotional realism.
Notable Academy-Related Achievements:
- Your Name (2016) — Japan’s official submission for Best International Feature Film.
- Weathering With You (2019) — submitted to the Oscars for the same category.
- Both films received global acclaim for animation quality, visual depth, and soundtrack integration.
CoMix Wave Films continues to position itself as a strong future contender for Oscar nominations in the Best Animated Feature category. For anime fans who want to explore more award-worthy titles beyond theaters, platforms like Gogoanime make it easier to discover classic and newly released films online.
Why So Few Anime Movies Get Oscar Nominations
Despite global admiration for Japanese animation, very few anime films receive Oscar nominations. The Academy Awards have historically favored Western studios, and multiple structural and cultural barriers limit the international recognition of anime. The main reasons include bias toward Western animation styles, restricted global release networks, and limited exposure among Academy voters.
Western Animation Bias
Western animation bias is one of the primary reasons anime films rarely get nominated for the Academy Awards. The Oscars have long been dominated by American studios such as Pixar, Disney, and DreamWorks, whose storytelling formats and production methods align more closely with Hollywood standards.
Anime movies, by contrast, rely heavily on Japanese cultural symbolism, hand-drawn art, and emotional pacing that differ from the narrative expectations of Western audiences.
As a result, Oscar voters, many of whom are industry professionals from Western studios, tend to favor familiar animation structures and styles. This consistent pattern limits recognition for Japanese anime, even when the films achieve critical and commercial success worldwide.
Limited Distribution
Limited distribution significantly reduces the chances of anime films gaining Oscar nominations. For a film to be eligible, it must meet the Academy’s theatrical release requirements in key U.S. markets, especially Los Angeles County.
Many anime titles are distributed primarily in Japan and Asia, with delayed or limited releases in North America. Even when films such as Your Name or Suzume gain global popularity, their U.S. screenings often remain confined to select theaters or short release windows. This restricted access makes it difficult for voters to view these films within the nomination period.
In contrast, Western studios with global partnerships ensure wide theatrical exposure, aggressive marketing, and consistent visibility among Academy members, advantages that most anime studios lack.
Voter Exposure Issues
Voter exposure issues further reduce anime’s visibility in the Oscar nomination process. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences consists mostly of American filmmakers, producers, and animators who may have limited familiarity with international animation.
Unlike major Hollywood productions, anime films often lack the promotional campaigns required to reach Academy voters.
Marketing budgets, awards screenings, and promotional events are smaller or absent for most Japanese studios. Consequently, many voters do not watch or consider eligible anime films during the selection process.
This limited exposure, combined with cultural and language differences, results in fewer nominations despite the artistic quality of the films.
Final Thoughts
The story of anime movies nominated for Oscars reflects both progress and persistence. For years, Japanese animation worked its magic outside Hollywood’s mainstream attention, building a loyal global audience through emotion-driven storytelling and artistic depth.
Now, titles like Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron stand as proof that anime movies nominated for Oscars can compete with, and even surpass, Western animation in creativity and impact. Each nomination represents not just an achievement for a studio, but a milestone for the entire anime industry.
As international audiences continue to celebrate the beauty of hand-drawn storytelling, the number of anime movies nominated for Oscars will likely grow. The path may still be challenging, but the recognition these films have earned shows that true artistry always finds its way to the global stage.
FAQs | Anime Movies Nominated for Oscars
How many anime movies have been nominated for Oscars?
A total of eight anime movies have been nominated for Oscars, mostly in the Best Animated Feature category.
Which was the first anime movie nominated for an Oscar?
Spirited Away (2002) by Studio Ghibli was the first anime film to win and be widely recognized at the Oscars.
Has any anime movie ever won an Oscar?
Yes, Spirited Away (2002) and The Boy and the Heron (2023) both won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Why are there so few anime movies nominated for Oscars?
Anime films receive fewer nominations due to Western animation bias, limited U.S. distribution, and low voter exposure.
Which studio has the most Oscar-nominated anime films?
Studio Ghibli holds the record with multiple nominations and two Oscar wins.
