News

There is little to surprise, as Darling in the Franxx has truly swept across the anime medium with a huge fan following when it was first released. And this surge in popularity only gained more momentum with each passing episode of the show. The series portrays an innovative take on the mecha genre, filled with sprinkles of romance elements, which made it a truly daring concept coming from the creative mind of Atsushi Nishigori.

Zero Two from Darling in the Franxx | Credits: Studio Trigger

In a 2018 interview, Nishigori opened up about the creative process behind this series, and some of the revelations left fans and critics in awe. A previously unknown creative aspect of Darling in the Franxx changed how mecha anime is generally perceived from its definition, which is also the reason why Cyberpunk: Edgerunners became so popular.

The Mecha Genre Needed Something More Than Just Robots! Zero Two...

Some anime characters are simply ideal for cosplay, and Zero Two is the epitome of the concept. Darling in the Franxx is definitely a huge hit, but so is its iconic character, Zero Two. In fact, her popularity exceeds that of the anime at times.

Zero Two in Darling in the Franxx | Credits: A-1 Pictures, Trigger CloverWorks

In the plethora of pink-haired anime girls, Zero Two still manages to stand out. In an interview with Crunchyroll, the director, character designer, and producer of Darling in the Franxx sat down to have an in-depth conversation regarding the anime and its characters.

Zero Two’s Design was Created While Keeping Cosplayers in Mind Zero Two and Hiro in Darling in the Franxx | Credits: A-1 Pictures, Trigger CloverWorks

It is important for anime characters to have specific designs that help them stand out from any other characters, be it in the same or different series.

The R15+ version of The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe (known as Kitaro Tanjou: GeGeGe no Nazo in Japan), subtitled Shinsei-ban ("Genuine edition"), earned 71,939,840 yen on 41,889 admissions in its second weekend of October 11-13, according to Animate Times . The movie ranked in fifth place in the latest weekend box office ranking, down two positions from its opening weekend . To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original GeGeGe no Kitaro manga author Shigeru Mizuki's birth, the original version of The Birth of Kitaro was released in Japan on November 17, 2023, under the rating of PG12. The R15+ version (noted as those under 15 years of age not allowed to see), which had 327 cuts retaken and the sound re-dubbed to express “the horror story as originally envisioned by the production team," followed on October 4, 2024. As reported on Monday , the film's cumulative total box office gross — which combined the gross of the...

The Fureru anime film – from the Super Peace Busters creative team which includes director Tatsuyuki Nagai, writer Mari Okada and animator Masayoshi Tanaka – opened in Japan last Friday to 69,000 tickets sold. To celebrate its premiere, the film’s final trailer was released last night. The trailer includes some detailed plot points, so be warned of spoilers! Fureru Anime Film - Final Trailer Related: Fureru Anime Film Shares New Key Visual on Opening Day CloverWorks produced the Fureru anime movie from the Super Peace Busters creative team, who previously made Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day , The Anthem of the Heart and Her Blue Sky together. It opened in Japan on October 4 with no Western release confirmed as of writing. Fureru is described as a coming-of-age film set in present-day Tokyo surrounding the Shinjuku area. The movie centers on childhood friends who find a creature with mysterious powers that push...

The R15+ version of The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe (known as Kitaro Tanjou: GeGeGe no Nazo in Japan), subtitled Shinsei-ban ("genuine edition"), opened in 331 theaters across Japan on October 4, and earned 156 million yen (1.05 million Usd) on 97,700 admissions in its first three-day weekend, making its third place debut in the weekend box office ranking according to Kogyo Tsushinsha . The opening weekend performance was almost close to that of the original version, which made 160 million yen (1.09 million Usd) on 111,500 admission in the weekend of November 17-19, 2023 . To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original GeGeGe no Kitaro manga author Shigeru Mizuki's birth, the original version of The Birth of Kitaro released in Japan on November 17, 2023, under the rating of "PG12" (Viewing by children under 12 years of age requires the advice and guidance of a parent or guardian). The 104-minute movie earned 2.79 billion yen (18.83 million Usd) on 1.95 million admissions from its initial domestic run.

Original anime film Fureru finally opens in Japan today on October 4. On its opening day, the film's official website posted a new key visual featuring the three main characters—Aki, Ryo and Yuta—and a mysterious creature known as “Fureru." The tagline reads: "We want to be together forever. So--" Additionally, a short video message from the three main voice cast members— Ren Nagase (Aki Onoda), Ryota Bando (Ryo Sobue) and Kentaro Maeda (Yuta inohara)—is now streamed on the film's official X (formerly Twitter) . They say, "'Fureru' opens today! The latest work from the creator team of 'Anohana,' 'Kokosake,' and 'Soraao.' This is a story that touches the hearts of three young men who live with a mysterious creature called Fureru. What is the ability hidden in Fureru? What will happen to the friendship between the three young men? Please see it at the theater!

The official YouTube channel for the two-member unit Yoasobi has started streaming a music video for their latest digital single song, "Monotone." The lyrical pop tune is featured as the theme song for the upcoming original anime feature film Fureru to release in Japan on October 4. " Monotone " is Yoasobi's first theme song work for an anime feature film. It is based on the novel Fureu. no, Zenya , ("The night before Fureru.") written by Mari Okada, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie. The music video is a completely original creation by the film's production team. It depicts new animation footage featuring the three childhood friends who are the main characters and the mysterious creature 'Fureru,' which was not depicted in the film. Yoasobi " Monotone" Music Video "Our newly-written song 'Monotone' was created while confronting the 'relationships between people' that we have felt through this film, as well as...

CloverWorks, the Japanese animation studio behind hits like Spy x Family, has released a brand-new trailer for its upcoming theatrical movie about three young men acquiring telepathic powers from a mystical hedgehog-like creature. Fureru, releasing this fall, also features the creative team behind Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day.

The movie's official X (formerly Twitter) account shared the latest trailer for Fureru. The initial teaser from early July advertised the main creative team behind Fureru, including Tatsuyuki Nagai (director), Mari Okada (writer and director) and Masayoshi Tanaka (character designer). The trio -- who commonly go by the name of the Super Peace Busters from the childhood friend group of Anohana -- worked on the 2011 TV anime series and 2013 movie, as well as The Anthem of the Heart and Her Blue Sky. This newly-released trailer digs deeper into the main story of Fureru, which marries the supernatural with coming-of-age elements.

Just one month ahead of its theatrical release in Japan, the official website for the upcoming original anime feature film Fureru released a second main trailer today. As with the first trailer , the clip features the movie's theme song provided by the two-member unit Yoasobi, titled "Monotone" . Fureru Second Main Trailer Yoasobi has provided theme songs for other anime series, including as Beastars , Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury and Oshi no Ko . " Monotone " is their first theme song work for an anime feature film. The song is based on the novel Fureu. no, Zenya , ("The night before Fureru.") written by Mari Okada, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie. The CD single for "Monotone" is set to release in Japan on October 2, two days before the film's opening. Yoasobi artist photo Related: Fureru Anime Film Trailer Arrives Along with Cast, Yoasobi Song and Premiere Plans Key visual...

Cbr Anime Week is brought to you by Hulu Animayhem

Last year, CloverWorks unveiled a brief teaser for its upcoming fantasy-drama anime, Fureru. Now, the acclaimed animation studio has dropped an official debut full trailer, along with new plot details, about the upcoming feature.

Released in December 2023, CloverWorks' initial teaser introduced the film's titular character -- a cute hedgehog-like animal that shares a mysterious connection to the film's protagonists. Aniplex, which is producing the film alongside Story Inc. (Weathering With You), recently unveiled Fureru's new trailer on its official YouTube channel, showcasing the three main stars on screen together for the first time. According to Fureru's official site, the film's story revolves around "childhood friends who grew up on the same island [in] Takadanobata Tokyo." Over 20 years later, the trio comes across the mysterious Fureru, whom they initially encountered as children. Through the power of telepathy, the creature allows them to hear each other's "inner voices,...

More info has been revealed for the Fureru anime film, the latest project from CloverWorks and the Super Peace Busters creative team. In addition to a new trailer—which announces and samples the Yoasobi theme song "Monotone"—cast members have been revealed along with an October 4, 2024 premiere date. Fureru Trailer Fureru key visual Main cast members include: Aki Onoda voiced by Ren Nagase Ryo Sobue voiced by Ryota Bando Yuta Inohara voiced by Kentaro Maeda Juri Kamozawa voiced by Haruka Shiraishi Nana Asakawa voiced by Manaka Iwami Wakita voiced by Sarutoki Minagawa Kohei Shimada voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda Director Tatsuyuki Nagai and actors Ryota Bando, Ren Nagase and Kentaro Maeda pose with a stuffed version of Fureru: Related: Mari Okada, Tatsuyuki Nagai, Masayoshi Tanaka's Fureru Anime Film Release Spiky New Visual CloverWorks will produce the Fureru. anime movie. The Super Peace Busters creative team—Tatsuyuki Nagai, Mari Okada and...

The upcoming anime film Fureru — from the creative group that includes director Tatsuyuki Nagai, writer/director Mari Okada and artist Masayoshi Tanaka — revealed a new visual today of the cute creature from the film that will introduce to audiences to the film's namesake: the spiky Fureru. Fureru (pictured above) is a creature that has been passed down for generations to people on the island where the three main male characters are from. The creature has the mysterious power of telepathy through the action of “fureru,” which while not specified what the action is, can translate to “touch” or “sway.” Related: Mari Okada, Tatsuyuki Nagai, Masayoshi Tanaka's Fureru Anime Film Teases Heartwarming Story in First Character Look CloverWorks will produce the Fureru. anime movie, scheduled for a fall 2024 release . The Super Peace Busters creative team previously made Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day , The Anthem of the Heart and Her Blue Sky together.

A first look of the characters of the much-anticipated newest work from the Super Peace Busters — the creative group that includes director Tatsuyuki Nagai, writer/director Mari Okada and artist Masayoshi Tanaka — was released today for the original anime film Fureru at AnimeJapan today during a special stage event . The panel gave us the first peek at childhood friends, who are now in their 20’s and are living their lives in downtown Tokyo. Aki Onoda Ryo Sobue Yuta Inohara Related: Mari Okada, Tatsuyuki Nagai, Masayoshi Tanaka Reunite for Original Anime Film Fureru CloverWorks will produce the Fureru anime movie, scheduled for a fall 2024 release . The Super Peace Busters creative team previously made Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day , The Anthem of the Heart and Her Blue Sky together. Fureru is described as a coming-of-age film set in present-day Tokyo surrounding the Shinjuku area. The movie centers on childhood friends...

Anime studio Cloverworks announces new original movie titled Fureru, reuniting the creative team behind Anohana. The teaser and website offer minimal details, showcasing three characters and a mysterious hedgehog. Fans are hopeful that Fureru will deliver emotional highs like previous works, with Cloverworks' involvement adding to the anticipation.

Anime studio Cloverworks announced its latest original anime movie, Fureru, with major attention paid to the fact it is reuniting the creative trio behind the modern classic Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day. The new website and teaser are scant in details about the premise of the movie, bar the presence of three characters and a mysterious hedgehog. Fureru is expected to premiere in Fall 2024.

The promotional material focuses on the team up of director Tatsuyuki Nagai, screenwriter Mari Okada, and artist Masayoshi Tanaka, who, together, go by the group name "Super Peace Busters". Their last work was Her Blue Sky...

Your Name director Makoto Shinkai's newest film Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari) has finally made its online streaming debut, with a release date now announced.

Fans who missed out on Suzume's theatrical release will finally be able to watch the award-winning anime film on Crunchyroll starting Nov. 16. Suzume is director Makoto Shinkai's latest work, following critical hits and fan favorites like 5 Centimeters per Second, Weathering with You and Your Name. Crunchyroll announced that Suzume will be released streaming on Thursday at 8 p.m. Et in North America, Central America, South America, Europe (except France), Africa, Oceania, the Commonwealth of Independent States (Cis) and the Middle East.

Slam Dunk and Makoto Shinkai's Suzume Competing for Best Animated Film at Asia Pacific Screen Awards

Shinkai first teased Suzume's release on X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 15, 2021. The film debuted at no. 1 in Japan and screened there from November 2022 to May 2023, earning about $105.3 million throughout its run.

Evidently, Makoto Shinkai has found the recipe for success, with every movie of his becoming a blockbuster, both in Japan and internationally. “Suzume” proves the fact once more, with it grossing over $322 million worldwide, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film of 2022 in Japan and the fourth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time.

“Suzume” returns to over 200 theaters across the United States and select cities in Canada for a special engagement starting October 27. Audiences will be able to discover or revisit the critically-lauded film, which will be available both in Japanese with English subtitles and dubbed in English. Tickets are now on sale at suzume-movie.com.

Suzume Iwato is a 17-year-old high school girl, who lives with her aunt, Tamaki, following her parents' death, in a quiet town in the Kyushu region of Japan. While heading to school, she encounters a young man searching for an abandoned area with a door, so...

Crunchyroll has revealed a new US trailer for the acclaimed anime film Suzume, the latest magical creation from beloved filmmaker Makoto Shinkai - director of Your Name and Weathering with You previously. We've featured two other Japanese trailers previously - the most recent one here during the summer and the final one here. It's an action adventure road story around Japan. 17-year-old Suzume's journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu when she encounters a man who tells her, "I'm looking for a door." Soon, doors begin to open across Japan, bringing destruction upon any who are near them. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster. This new anime adventure features character design by Masayoshi Tanaka, art direction by Takumi Tanji, animation by Kenichi Tsuchiya. The English voice cast includes Nichole Sakura as Suzume, with Josh Keaton as Souta; Jennifer Sun Bell as Tamaki; Joe Zieja as...

Suzume no tojimari Trailer 3 — Toho Company has released the third movie trailer for Suzume no tojimari (2022). Crew Makoto Shinkai‘s Suzume no tojimari stars Nanoka Hara, Hokuto Matsumura, Eri Fukatsu, Koshiro Matsumoto, and Shota Sometani. Makoto Shinkai wrote the screenplay for Suzume no tojimari. “This new anime adventure features character design by Masayoshi Tanaka, [...]

Continue reading: Suzume No Tojimari (2022) Movie Trailer 3: An Abandon Door Leads to a Mystery in Makoto Shinkai’s Anime Film...

"I'm afraid of a world where Souta doesn't exist!" Japan's Toho has revealed a second official trailer for Suzume no Tojimari, the latest from acclaimed animation filmmaker Makoto Shinkai (of Your Name and Weathering with You). We've featured two other Japanese trailers previously - the most recent one here during the summer. It's an action adventure road story about a girl named Suzume, starring Nanoka Hara as her voice. 17-year-old Suzume's journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu when she encounters a young man who tells her, "I'm looking for a door." Soon, doors begin to open across Japan, bringing destruction upon any who are near them. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster. This new anime adventure features character design by Masayoshi Tanaka, art direction by Takumi Tanji, animation by Kenichi Tsuchiya. It will be released under the title just Suzume internationally, from Crunchyroll / Sony Pictures / Wild Bunch.

"Time is a sleeper, wind the soft skin, star is a cradle, people are mirage." Japan's Toho studio has debuted a new full-length official trailer for Suzume no Tojimari, the latest from acclaimed animation filmmaker Makoto Shinkai - best known for his films Your Name and Weathering with You (recommend watching both). The title roughly translates to Suzume's Door-Locking or Closing Suzume's Door. It is a modern action adventure road story about a girl named Suzume, starring Nanoka Hara as her voice in the film. 17-year-old Suzume's journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu when she encounters a young man who tells her, "I'm looking for a door." Soon, doors begin to open all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster. The anime features character design by Masayoshi Tanaka, art direction by Takumi Tanji, and animation by Kenichi Tsuchiya.

Opening our imaginations this November. Toho in Japan has revealed the first 45-second teaser trailer for Suzume no Tojimari, the latest from acclaimed animation filmmaker Makoto Shinkai - best known for his films Your Name and Weathering with You recently. The title roughly translates to Suzume's Door-Locking or Closing Suzume's Door, involving mysterious doors that open all over Japan. This is currently set for release in Japan in November, but has no other international dates yet. A modern action adventure road story where a 17-year-old girl named Suzume helps a mysterious young man close doors from the outer side that are releasing disasters all over in Japan. The anime film features character design by Masayoshi Tanaka, art direction by Takumi Tanji, and animation by Kenichi Tsuchiya, but no voice cast has been confirmed yet. This is a lovely first look teaser, with some of Shinkai's signature shots and style on display.

Makoto Shinkai may have been recognized as the new Miyazaki, but he is not the only one carrying the torch of the Japanese master. Director Tatsuyuki Nagai, writer Mari Okada and chief animator and character designer Masayoshi Tanaka (aka Super Peace Busters) have also been sending significant ripples in the anime world, with titles like “Toradora”, the recent “Her Blue Sky” and this particular title, being on an equal level with the Shinkai’s blockbusters, at least contextually.

“Anthem of the Heart” is streaming on Screen Anime

As a child, Jun Naruse was excitable and talkative, to the point that the word “chatterbox” accompanied her quite frequently. One day, however, she saw her father exit a love hotel, accompanied by another woman, and not understanding the situation, she told her mother. Her actions resulted in their divorce, and her father blaming her for it. Her reaction to his rather despicable...

As many people have mentioned before, anime fans have no reason to worry for the future of the category, even after Hayao Miyazaki decides to put his pen down permanently. One of the main reasons for this optimism is Makoto Shinkai, with “Weathering With You” being another testament to the fact.

“Weathering With You” is streaming on Screen Anime

Hodaka Morishima is a high-schooler who has run away from his island home, trying to find a different life in Tokyo. During his trip with the ferry, a freak rainstorm almost makes him drown, but he is saved at the last minute by Keisuke Suga, in a meeting that ends up with Hodaka much poorer, but with a business card of his savior in his hands. A second fateful encounter takes place a few days later in a McDonald’s, where a young employee, Hina, takes pity on him and gives him food.

Director Makoto Shinkai‘s follow-up to his 2016 anime hit Your Name, Weathering With You, has had a hell of a year. Not only is it getting a ton of critical praise, but it is also Japan’s biggest box office hit of the year.

We’ve got a new U.S. trailer to share with you for the film today that offers more details on the story and shows off more of its beautiful art and stunning visuals. Gkids has also announced that the movie will be released in U.S. theaters on January 17th, 2020. Here’s the synopsis:

The summer of his high school freshman year, Hodaka runs away from his remote island home to Tokyo, and quickly finds himself pushed to his financial and personal limits. The weather is unusually gloomy and rainy every day, as if to suggest his future. He lives his days in isolation, but...

Japan has chosen “Weathering With You” (Tenki no Ko), by record breaking director Makoto Shinkai as national entry for the Best International Feature Film Category at the 2020 Oscars.

“Weathering With You” – that has just reached the $100 million (10.7 billion yen) mark at the domestic box office – is the first anime, since ‘Princess Mononoke’ by Hayao Miyazaki in 1998, to be designated to represent Japan at the Academy Awards.

The two protagonists are voiced by Kotaro Daigo (Hodaka) e da Nana Mori (Hina), and the theme-song “Ai ni Deikiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai” is composed by popular j-rock band Radwimps that had greatly contributed to the success of “Your Name”.

Other members of the crew include Masayoshi Tanaka (“Your Name”) in charge of the character design, Atsushi Tamura head of animation, and artistic director Hiroshi Takiguchi (“The Garden of Words”, “Ajin”).

Synopsis

Hodaka Morishima runs away from his remote island to Tokyo,...

“Weathering With You” (Tenki no Ko) is a fable about friensdhip and climate, written and diected by acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai (“Your Name”. “The Garden of Words”, “Journey to Aghartha”, “5 Centimeters per Second”)

Produced by CoMix Wave (same studio behind “Your Name” and “Flavors of Youth”) the film premiered in Japanese Cinemas on the 19th of July and it’s already a huge hit.

The two protagonists are voiced by Kotaro Daigo (Hodaka) e da Nana Mori (Hina), and the them song “Ai ni Deikiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai” is composed by popular j-rock band Radwimps that had greatly contributed to the success of “Your Name”.

Other members of the crew include Masayoshi Tanaka (“Your Name”) in charge of the character design, Atsushi Tamura head of animation, and artistic director Hiroshi Takiguchi (“The Garden of Words”, “Ajin”).

Considering the well-known passion and ability for weather rapresentation that director...

The director of the ultra hit anime film Your Name, Makoto Shinkai, has made another movie called Weathering With You and it looks like it has the making of another big successful hit. The movie looks absolutely beautiful, the visuals and art are stunning, and there’s an interesting story to be told here.

Weathering With You follows a high school student named Hodaka “who leaves his island home and moves to Tokyo. He's immediately broke from the move and lives his life in isolation, but soon finds a job writing for a strange occult magazine. The weather's been terrible, with rain every day since he had got this new job, until he meets a young woman named Hina. Hodaka finds that although Hina lives with her brother through outside circumstances, the two are happy. Also strangely enough, Hina has the power to control the weather.”

Your Name character designer...

If you’re a fan of beautifully animated anime films, you’re gonna love this full trailer that has been released for director Makoto Shinkai’s new film Weathering With You. This is the same filmmaker who gave us the wonderful anime hit Your Name.

I have no idea what is being said in this trailer because it’s in Japanese, but I love what I’m seeing in the visuals. Through those visuals, you kind of get a good sense of what is going on in the story. I loved Your Name, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this new film turns out.

Weathering With You follows a high school student named Hodaka “who leaves his island home and moves to Tokyo. He's immediately broke from the move and lives his life in isolation, but soon finds a job writing for a strange occult magazine. The weather's been terrible,...

Director Makoto Shinkai's anime film Your Name was a wonderful film that was a crazy huge success as it broke all kinds of box-office records in Japan. Your Name was actually the most successful anime feature film of all time.

As a fan of Your Name, I’ve been looking forward to see what Shinkai’s next film, Weathering With You, will entail and thanks to a recently released teaser trailer we have our first look at it and it looks like another beautifully animated movie.

Weathering With You follows a high school student named Hodaka “who leaves his island home and moves to Tokyo. He's immediately broke from the move and lives his life in isolation, but soon finds a job writing for a strange occult magazine. The weather's been terrible, with rain every day since he had got this new job, until he meets a young woman named Hina.

Makoto Shinkai's anime film Your Name was a pretty epic success as it broke all kinds of box-office records in Japan. In fact it’s the most successful anime feature film of all time. It was a seriously great film that is worth watching if you already haven’t seen it.

A lot of fans have been wondering what the director’s next film project would be and now we know! CoMix Wave Films have officially announced that Shinkai will write and direct a film called Tenki no Ko: Weathering With You (Weathering Child: Weathering With You). You can see the first poster for the film and we also have some story details.

Tenki no Ko: Weathering With You follows a high school student named Hodaka “who leaves his island home and moves to Tokyo. He's immediately broke from the move and lives his life in isolation, but soon...

With its surprising Los Angeles Film Critics Association win for best animated feature, the delightful, body-switching, “Your Name,” from director Makoto Shinkai, has been elevated to Oscar contention as a result of its unique anime style and off-beat, fantasy romance.

Of course, it helps that Shinkai’s breakout hit is not only the year’s biggest box office success in Japan ($288 million), but also the fifth highest-grossing anime in history. And it’s easy to see why: it taps into Ya fantasies about vicarious excitement, romance and upward mobility. The director wants young adults to ponder why people meet and think about what it means for them.

Read More: ‘Ocean Waves’ Trailer: Studio Ghibli’s Restored 1993 Animated Film Explores Changing Friendships

Two high school students meet in their dreams: Mitsuha, who’s frustrated living in a seaside village, switches bodies with Taki, who lives in Tokyo. They instantly make contact...

Your Name is the most remarkable success story in Japanese cinema in the last decade. As of writing, it’s the seventh highest-grossing cinema release in the country’s history, and the fourth highest-grossing Japanese film. And it’s pretty much come from nowhere. While Your Name’s director, Makoto Shinkai, has been making critically acclaimed animated films since 2002, they were modest releases commercially. Your Name has been more than a hundred times as successful, which Shinkai says unnerves him.

An animated romcom and fantasy, Your Name’s two main characters are Taki, a teenage boy who lives in Tokyo, and Mitsuha, a girl who lives in the remote Japanese countryside. Suddenly, these seemingly unrelated youngsters start swapping bodies on random days, so that Taki sometimes wakes up “as” Mitsuha in Mitsuha’s country home, and Mitsuha sometimes wakes up “as” Taki in Tokyo. At first both Mitsuha and Taki are shocked,...