I am going to be straightforward by saying I am not the biggest watcher of animated films from Japan and that is a disappointing statement. Now that does not mean that I’m a hater of Japanese animation. It just means I haven’t gotten into it the same way most cinephiles have. Hayao Miyazaki has directed some of the greatest animations of all time and the company of Studio Ghibli have given us fantastic content since 1985. Japanese animation deserves way more attention in the United States and while it has, there’s a part of me that feels like it hasn’t. It is very rare for them to play at theaters around me, which is heartbreaking. For the people that get Japanese animation at their local theaters, they are fortunate. When I heard Your Name was coming to my local arthouse theater, I had to go see it immediately.
If you don’t know the story of Your Name, it’s extremely fascinating. It’s an unconventional romance between a boy and a girl, who swap bodies. Don’t worry, guys! This ain’t like Freaky Friday. The girl, Mitsuha, lives in a quiet, rural community of Japan whereas the boy, Taki, lives in the exciting suburbs of Tokyo. Neither of them know of each other’s existence, but from time to time they find themselves in place of the other and begin to adjust to these changes. Mitsuha and Taki wake up inside of their own bodies carrying memories of one another. Throughout the film, there’s a big question that appears on the spot: what would happen if the two met up eventually, especially with how far apart they are from one another?
This is, without the doubt, one of the best animations of the 2010s period. I am also going to say it’s one of the best animated films I have ever seen and that’s not a joke. I am absolutely shocked Your Name didn’t obtain a Best Animated Feature nomination at this past year’s Oscars. This film felt realistic, despite its premise and that’s a credit to the fantastic storytelling from writer-director Makoto Shinkai, who adapted this from his novel of the same name. I’ve heard for a few years that this guy has been labeled as the “next Miyazaki” and I can see that, just from watching Your Name. Shinaki gives a humanistic approach to the story, which is unexpected for a film following two teenagers who swap bodies. Everything here felt very moving and poignant, without feeling forced and clichéd.
The environment built here leaves a huge impact of greater significance. Shinkai is able to slowly build up bigger moments from smaller actions, which then causes a closer connection to be formed with the central characters. There aren’t many animated films nowadays that are able to do that, not even Disney can do that. I adore how the relationship between Taki and Mitsuha wasn’t depicted as a romance. it’s incredible how two strangers made such a crucial impact in another person’s life, to the point that a bigger understanding is present. I need to see more from Shinkai, because for an animation, I love the depiction of Taki and Mitsuha’s relationship, as it felt just as heartwarming and heartbreaking as some relationships in live-action films. By the climax, there’s a special feeling in your stomach that makes you speechless as to how everything was played out on screen.
Have I even mentioned the breathtaking animation? My eyes were in awe, as I was focusing on the beautiful visual scope. The age of animation, right now, is focused mostly on CGI, which is definitely fun to look at. But, traditional animation will have a special place in my heart, similar to stop-motion. This is a hell of a gorgeous film and if animated films were eligible for the Oscar for Best Cinematography, I would give the award to this in a heartbeat. I have seen plenty of visually appealing animations within the last 10 years, but Your Name and a majority of Japanese animations stand out.
This clocks in at 107 minutes, which is not a short running time. The film may feel slow to some, as I noticed a few people at my showing looking at their phones and watches. I admired the slow-burn to it and usually when animations are slow, I express annoyance, unless if it’s building up to something significant. This was engaging from beginning to end. I had so many different emotions as I was watching, as the events happening on screen were unpredictable and took my breath away, leaving me gasping for air.
When the credits started rolling, I applauded internally. The level of brilliance that was placed in Your Name left me as proud as ever. It might be the best Japanese animation that is not a part of the Studio Ghibli family. I want to go see this again, despite how much of an emotional rollercoaster it was. When it comes to Blu-Ray, it is a day one purchase. Coming from someone that is not a humungous watcher of Japanese animation, Your Name is a must-see for a ton of people, especially if you love anime, romance, science fiction and filmmaking in general.
GRADE: A+
