Don't Skip These: 5 Anime Movies That Are Actually Canon

The "Mugen Train" Effect

It used to be that anime movies were skippable side-stories (like the Naruto movies). You could ignore them and miss nothing.

But Demon Slayer: Mugen Train changed the industry. It adapted a crucial manga arc into a movie, broke box office records, and forced fans to go to the theater. Now, skipping a movie means missing a huge chunk of the plot.

Here is your checklist of Canon Movies that are mandatory viewing.

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1. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train

The Arc: Chapters 54-66. It connects Season 1 and Season 2. If you skip this, you will have no idea why Rengoku is important or what happened to Tanjiro on the train. Plus, the animation budget is infinite.

Own the Blu-ray: The visual quality is superior to streaming.

2. Jujutsu Kaisen 0

The Prequel: Volume 0. This introduces Yuta Okkotsu, who becomes a main character in later seasons. It also explains Geto’s backstory (see our analysis!). It is 100% essential for understanding the future of the anime.

3. Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul

The Arc: The Bondrewd Arc. Season 2 picks up immediately after this movie. If you skip it, you miss the most traumatic and important battle of the series. Bondrewd is the best villain, and his arc is movie-exclusive.

4. The First Slam Dunk

The Ending: The Sannoh Match. Fans waited 20 years for this. It adapts the final match of the manga that the original 90s anime never reached. It is a masterpiece of CGI animation and sports drama.

5. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl

The Climax. The TV show sets up the mystery; the movie solves it. It finishes the emotional arc of Shoko and Sakuta. You will cry. A lot.

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Conclusion: Cinema Quality

These movies aren't cash grabs; they are the peak of their respective franchises. Treat them with respect.

Which movie experience was the best? Did you see Mugen Train in theaters? Tell us!