Spotlight on Anime Heroines

Spanning four decades of Japanese anime filmmaking, this season places female protagonists firmly at the centre of their stories.

In contrast to the male gaze that has often shaped mainstream anime, these films foreground complex female protagonists whose choices, desires and resilience drive their narratives forward, navigating both real and imagined worlds on their own terms.

Across fantasy, folklore and contemporary drama, these stories put female perspectives at the heart of one of cinema’s most inventive art forms. From the folklore adaptations of Princess Mononoke and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, to the contemporary worlds of Belle and Suzume, alongside cult classics including Millennium Actress and Angel’s Egg, this season showcases the remarkable breadth of anime storytelling. Featuring stunning 4K restorations of Princess Mononoke and Angel’s Egg, these films span beloved classics and underseen masterpieces alike.

– Ella Cawthorn, Assistant Curator (Film & TV)