I had never been a fan of anime films — at least not until I visited Japan earlier this year. In Japan, the term anime refers to all forms of animated works, whether films or series, regardless of their country of origin. Outside Japan, however, it usually denotes Japanese animation specifically — and this is how I use the term in this post. Manga, on the other hand, refers to comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Known for its colourful artwork, distinctive character designs, and wide range of themes and genres — from action-packed adventures and heartwarming romances to thought-provoking dramas and futuristic sci-fi — anime films have become one of Japan’s…