Bocchan

Films with dramatic/abstract visual portrayal of emotional struggle.

Akio Sugino is hailed as one of the most prominent animation directors and character designers in the industry, known in Japan as one half of anime's "golden combo" alongside Osamu Dezaki. Their frequent collaborations led to many of the early defining works in the medium, and are iconic masterpieces that have significantly held up over time. Sugino's output was integral to legitimizing anime as an art form and turning itself more distinct from Western animation, evolving and reimagining his Mushi Pro, Tezuka-inspired roots.

Sugino's character art replicates Greek sculptures of the old, appropriating its design philosophy to Japanese animation by paying heed to anatomical correctness. Sugino's characters have imposing presences that are accentuated by their long limbs, broad shoulders, and chiseled facial features. Upon seeing a Sugino-designed character you are immediately given the impression of a walking legend, an almost mythical feeling to their appearance on the screen.

This interest stack tracks down his iconic career and features a selection of his most valuable contributions as a character designer. Works are in chronological order.

Additional Sugino sources:
A 6-part interview that focuses on his career: https://karageko.com/2019/07/14/the-other-half-of-the-golden-combo-akio-sugino-interview-mushi-production-era-part-1/
A shorter interview that also talks about Dezaki: https://karageko.com/2022/02/16/akio-suginos-brief-reflections-on-a-long-career/

Collection of historical semi-realistic (minimal fantasy) or realistic (no superpowers or fantasy) works that detail the historical events of Japan or daily life of people in Japanese historical context.

Reference:

794 – 1185 - Heian period
1185 – 1336 - Kamakura period
1336 – 1573 - Muromachi period
1336 – 1392 - Nanbokucho period
1467 – 1590 - Sengoku period
1568 – 1603 - Azuchi-Momoyama period
1603 – 1868 - Edo period
1853 – 1868 - Bakumatsu (final years of the Edo period)
1868 – 1912 - Meiji period
1912 – 1926 - Taisho period
1926 – 1989 - Showa period
1989 – 2019 - Heisei period

Every cinema or direct to video anime film that came out in 1980.

1970s: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/35053
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/35092
1981: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/34004

Missing on MyAnimeList:
- Kim Cheong-gi 김청기, ""Samgugji: Dowongyeol-Ui" 삼국지 – 도원결의 (The Tale of the Three Kingdoms – Oath of the Peach Garden), South Korea, 1980.
- Kim Cheong-gi 김청기, "Samgugji: Gwan-U Ogwandolpapyeon" 삼국지 – 관우 오관돌파편 (The Tale of the Three Kingdoms – Breaking Through the Five Gulfs), South Korea, 1980.
- Yi Gyu-hong 이규홍, "Doksuri 5 Hyeongje" 독수리 5형제 (The 5 Eagle Brothers), South Korea, 1980.

Co-Produced Western films by Japanese animation studios:
- Arthur Rankin Jr. (1924-2014) & Jules Brass (1935-2022), "Pinocchio's Christmas", Japan, USA, 1980.
- Arthur Rankin Jr. & Jules Brass, "The Return of the King", Japan, USA, 1980.

anime i have found on mal
is it good? is it bad? YOU MUST DECIDE

Anime series that covers all of the original source they're based on, with some notes.

Check out the other parts at this link:
https://myanimelist.net/profile/Yuriko_Sakai/stacks
The Stacks are updated constantly so check them every once in a while :)

A big "thank you" to my friend Lorissagg for helping me with some researches :D
Here's his profile if you're interested: https://myanimelist.net/profile/Lorissagg