Your Name (2016) Review

This film needs no introduction. Even those who aren’t anime fans have heard of Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name. It stands alongside Studio Ghibli films in of mainstream appeal. Beloved by many, and a spoiler alert for this review: I love Your Name. In today’s era, it might be tempting to take a contrarian view and say, “Everyone is wrong, and this film is overrated.” But as I head into my fourth viewing, I can’t help but love it. From its tale of love that transcends distance and time to its breathtaking animation, Your Name is a beautiful film through and through.

Part of a comet is descending to Earth, falling through the clouds as it nears the ground. Then we see two adults waking up, discussing dreams they can never quite , though a lingering feeling that they’re missing something—or someone—persists. The comet marks the day they first felt this way. In the past, we follow Mitsuha, a teenage girl living in a rural town. Her friends and family keep telling her that she’s acting more normal today compared to yesterday. The reason? Yesterday, she had swapped bodies with a teenage boy from Tokyo named Taki. Somehow, they are connected, even though they are miles apart.

Shinkai has a signature formula for his movies: nearly all of his previous films have explored love across distance and time and the impact it has on relationships. Shinkai believes that the emotion of love can transcend time itself, and we see this explored through the motif of cords. Cords are a recurring image in Your Name, symbolizing time and connection. One especially important motif is the red cord, drawn from Asian folklore. The red thread of fate suggests that an invisible red cord connects those who are destined to meet. This beautiful motif appears throughout, from the opening credits to the tear-jerking ending.

Shinkai also has a knack for incorporating scenes that play like music videos. The standout music moment features the song “Zenzenzense“—a fun and energetic J-pop track that will have you bouncing along with the chorus. The entire soundtrack is truly incredible and marks the first of many collaborations between Shinkai and the band Radwimps. It’s an outstanding score that I often listen to in my spare time.

What truly stands out most about this film is how stunningly beautiful it is. From the opening seconds, the film radiates with color and captivating animation. There’s a reason the image of the comet splitting in two has endured over time; it’s a visual spectacle that even Shinkai hasn’t quite replicated in his more recent work.

I love this film, though perhaps not as ionately as some, as certain plot points come across as a bit too convenient. But nonetheless, Your Name is arguably one of the most important anime films in recent memory. It put Makoto Shinkai on the map and, for some, placed him on the road to potentially becoming the next Hayao Miyazaki. While I don’t believe he has quite stayed on that path, Your Name is undeniably fantastic.

★★★★1/2

Available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD / Michael Sinterniklaas, Stephanie Sheh, Glynis Bell, Laura Post, Kyle Hebert / Dir: Makoto Shinkai / Anime Limited / 12