Top 10 Anime Like Millennium Actress (Sennen Joyuu) [2024 List]

Sennen Joyuu

At the turn of the millennium, Ginei Studio's dilapidated buildings are set to be demolished. Ex-employee and filmmaker Genya Tachibana decides to honor this occasion with a commemorative documentary about the company's star actress: Chiyoko Fujiwara, the reclusive sweetheart of Shouwa Era cinema. Having finally obtained permission to interview the retired starlet, an enamored Genya drags along cynical cameraman Kyouji Ida to meet her, ready to put his lifelong idol back in the spotlight once more.
Hidden in this secluded mountain retreat is a thousand years of history condensed into one lifetime, waiting to be narrated. Chiyoko's recollections take them on an illusionary journey through Japanese cinematic history that transcends the boundaries of reality; the saga of her acting career intertwines with her filmography, the actors in her life blend seamlessly with the characters on screen, and the present melds with the past. Though the actress may have retired at the height of her career 30 years ago, the curtain on her life's stage has yet to fall.

Millennium Actress has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 千年女優, Chiyoko Millennial Actress, Sennen Joyuu Chiyoko

Genres: Earth , Romance , Japan , Action , Slice of Life , Performance , Thriller , Historical , Fantasy , Adventure

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10. 5 Centimeters Per Second

5 Centimeters Per Second

Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara, two very close friends and classmates, are torn apart when Akari's family is transferred to another region of Japan due to her family's job. Despite separation, they continue to keep in touch through mail. When Takaki finds out that his family is also moving, he decides to meet with Akari one last time.
As years pass by, they continue down their own paths, their distance slowly growing wider and their contact with one another fades. Yet, they keep remembering one another and the times they have shared together, wondering if they will have the chance to meet once again.

5 Centimeters Per Second has finished airing and it has 3 Episodes. It is also Known as: Byousoku 5 Centimeter, 秒速5センチメートル, Five Centimeters Per Second, Byousoku 5 Centimeter - a chain of short stories about their distance, 5 Centimetres Per Second, 5 cm per second

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9. Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka

Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka

A young boy named Mahito, yearning for his mother, ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning. A semi-autobiographical fantasy about life, death, and creation, in tribute to friendship, from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.

The Boy and the Heron has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 君たちはどう生きるか, きみたちはどういきるか, How Do You Live?, Kimi-tachi wa Dou Ikiru ka, Kimi tachi wa Dou Ikiru ka, Il ragazzo e l’airone, Chłopiec i czapla, Le Garçon et le Héron, Gutten og hegren, Pojken och hägern, Poika ja haikara, El chico y la garza, O Rapaz e a Garça

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8. Yoru wa Mijikashi Arukeyo Otome

Yoru wa Mijikashi Arukeyo Otome

A black haired girl is walking around the streets of Kyoto, from the night scene of Pontocho to a second-hand book fair in Shimogamo, then off to a college fair. The main character that has a romantic feeling for her secretly follows her around and looks for the opportunities to run into her in a manner that seems like a coincidence. Unfortunately for him, she is not interested in love yet so she does not notice his feelings. What waits these two characters are crazy incidents caused by individuals such as a person who introduces himself as a Japanese mythical creature Tengu, the god of second-hand book or the money lender in a three story vehicle.

The Night is Short, Walk On Girl has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 夜は短し歩けよ乙女, The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl

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7. When Marnie Was There

When Marnie Was There

Suffering from frequent asthma attacks, young Anna Sasaki is quiet, unsociable, and isolated from her peers, causing her foster parent endless worry. Upon recommendation by the doctor, Anna is sent to the countryside, in hope the cleaner air and more relaxing lifestyle will improve her health and help clear her mind. Engaging in her passion for sketching, Anna spends her summer days living with her aunt and uncle in a small town near the sea.

One day while wandering outside, Anna discovers an abandoned mansion known as the Marsh House. However, she soon finds that the residence isn't as vacant as it appears to be, running into a mysterious girl named Marnie. Marnie's bubbly demeanor slowly begins to draw Anna out of her shell as she returns night after night to meet with her new friend. But it seems there is more to the strange girl than meets the eye—as her time in the town nears its end, Anna begins to discover the truth behind the walls of the Marsh House.

Omoide no Marnie tells the touching story of a young girl's journey through self-discovery and friendship, and the summer that she will remember for the rest of her life.

When Marnie Was There has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Omoide no Marnie, 思い出のマーニー, When Marnie Was There

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6. Kimi no Na wa.

Kimi no Na wa.

From director Makoto Shinkai, the innovative mind behind Voices of a Distant Star and 5 Centimeters Per Second, comes a beautiful masterpiece about time, the thread of fate, and the hearts of two young souls.

The day the stars fell, two lives changed forever. High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly, and the two must adjust their lives around each other. Yet, somehow, it works. They build a connection and communicate by leaving notes, messages, and more importantly, an imprint.

When a dazzling comet lights up the night’s sky, it dawns on them. They want something more from this connection—a chance to meet, an opportunity to truly know each other. Tugging at the string of fate, they try to find a way to each other. But distance isn’t the only thing keeping them apart. Is their bond strong enough to face the cruel irony of time? Or is their meeting nothing more than a wish upon the stars?

Your Name. has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 君の名は。, Kimi no Na wa.

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5. Suzume no Tojimari

Suzume no Tojimari

The story follows Suzume, a 17-year-old girl from a quiet Kyushu town who meets a young man looking for a door. They find a door within ruins in the mountain, and Suzume opens it. Soon, more doors begin to open around Japan, bringing disasters from the other side. The film depicts Suzume's liberation and growth, as she closes the doors that are causing disaster.

Sparrow’s Door Tightening has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: すずめの戸締まり, Suzume

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4. Paprika

Paprika

In the real world, she is the renowned and highly intelligent Dr. Atsuko Chiba. In the dream world, she is the spunky redhead Paprika. Thanks to a new technology developed at Chiba’s lab called a DC Mini, Paprika is able to jump into people’s dreams with the ease of a driver switching lanes. The dream machine allows her to see into the dreamers’ deepest thoughts by entering and analyzing their dreams, then using that information to resolve emotional and psychological issues. Even the inventors aren't sure of the true extent of the power of the DC Mini.
Just imagine the world of good this kind of technology can do… unless it falls into the wrong hands.
A prototype DC Mini has been stolen, and Paprika is on the case. It’s up to this dream detective to track down and stop the thief through the psychedelic backdrop of people’s dreams. Paprika will need to hurry, before the dream machine does some serious damage.

Paprika has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: パプリカ, Paprika

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3. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Yotarou is a former yakuza member fresh out of prison and fixated on just one thing: rather than return to a life of crime, the young man aspires to take to the stage of Rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling. Inspired during his incarceration by the performance of distinguished practitioner Yakumo Yuurakutei, he sets his mind on meeting the man who changed his life. After hearing Yotarou's desperate appeal for his mentorship, Yakumo is left with no choice but to accept his very first apprentice.

As he eagerly begins his training, Yotarou meets Konatsu, an abrasive young woman who has been under Yakumo's care ever since her beloved father Sukeroku Yuurakutei, another prolific Rakugo performer, passed away. Through her hidden passion, Yotarou is drawn to Sukeroku's unique style of Rakugo despite learning under contrasting techniques. Upon seeing this, old memories and feelings return to Yakumo who reminisces about a much earlier time when he made a promise with his greatest rival.

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a story set in both the past and present, depicting the art of Rakugo, the relationships it creates, and the lives and hearts of those dedicated to keeping the unique form of storytelling alive.

Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: 昭和元禄落語心中, Showa and Genroku Era Lover's Suicide Through Rakugo

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2. Only Yesterday

Only Yesterday

Taeko Okajima is a typical "office lady" in a big company in a big city. When she takes a sabbatical to the countryside in Yamagata Prefecture, the hometown of her brother-in-law, the journey recalls her memory of her 5th-grade year. During her stay in Yamagata, she works hard and happily as a farmer and is surrounded by friendly relatives and villagers, bringing up more memories. Their hospitality makes her reconsider her choice of life.

Only Yesterday has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Omoide Poroporo, おもひでぽろぽろ, Omohide Poro Poro, Omoide Poro-poro, Memories Like Falling Rain Drops, Memories Like Falling Teardrops, Memories of Teardrops, Memories of Yesterday

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1. Perfect Blue

Perfect Blue

Perfect Blue revolves around the main protagonist, Mima Kirigoe, a member of a pop idol group named “CHAM!”. After evaluating her situation, she decides to give up her idol status to pursue a career as an actress, what she believes to be the next step in making a name for herself in the industry. However, one of her most hardcore fans, Me-Mania, is less than happy about the path she has decided to take.
Now reborn as an actress, Mima accepts an interesting role, ignoring her manager, Rumi Hidaka's reservations about it. While on set, strange things begin to happen to people who are involved with the film. As time goes on, Mima begins to break down mentally, struggling to distinguish fantasy from reality.
Will Mima be able to escape the grip of her stalker and turn in a break out performance, or will she descend into madness?

Perfect Blue has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: パーフェクト・ブルー, Perfect Blue

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