Your Name. (2016)

Original Title

君の名は。Kimi no na wa.

Genres

Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Director

Makoto Shinkai

Country

Japan

Voice Cast

Ryunosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Masami Nagasawa, Etsuko Ichihara, Ryo Narita, Aoi Yūki, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Kaito Ishikawa, Kanon Tani, Masaki Terasome, Sayaka Ohara, Kana Hanazawa

Storyline

Mitsuha (Mone Kamishiraishi), a girl living in a small mountain town, and Taki (Ryunosuke Kamiki), a boy living in Tokyo, are complete strangers until they suddenly switch places, with Mitusha waking up in Taki's body and Taki waking up in Mitsuha's body. A connection forms between the two, but distance won't be the only thing to keep them apart.

Opinion

Anime isn't really my thing so it was no surprise that when Your Name. was suggested to me on Twitter I had never heard of it. But since I was looking for an animated film to watch and this happened to be released on DVD pretty recently I decided to watch it. And I'm glad I did because it is one of the most emotionally draining animated films I've ever seen. Yes, I consider that a good thing.

Easily one of the most striking aspects of the film is the story. It is complicated right from the beginning so it requires you to pay a lot of attention - and I think that's when the subtitles come handy. It is very well built and interesting. It could have done with a little more complexity but it is devastatingly beautiful. It's a dramatic story that manages to keep a lighthearted tone most of the time. 

It's also the kind of story entirely driven by its main characters and their relationship and it's great since Your Name. has some pretty good, well-developed and interesting leading characters that really make you root for them. You know I don't like romances, but this one, I loved it. And it made me cry. 

There also are some nicely done and equally interesting supporting characters. There are some clichées, both in story and characters, but it isn't that bothering.

Less of a surprise was the animation. If there's something I've learned watching those few anime flicks is that the animation is always spot on and Your Name.'s is no different. The drawings are very beautiful; the details of the Japan sceneries and architecture are unbelievable; the colours are very vibrant. And to complete the very atmospheric visuals there is a stunning musical score that fits each scene to perfection.