"Your Name," the latest creation of Makoto Shinkai, spent 12 weeks on the Japanese box office earlier this year and had broken box-office records both in Taiwan and Hong Kong. It debuted in China's theaters last Friday and easily became a blockbuster hit.
Makoto Shinkai started his career as a graphics designer in a video game company. He then transitioned to become an animator and created magnificent works. He is known for digitally transferring photos in order for him to create picturesque scenes in the process of animation.
Although this technique makes the background scenery in his films look real and stunning, Shinkai stated that its purposes is mainly for the whole story itself, and not just to meet the aesthetic demands. He then said: “I want audiences to believe that everything is possible. Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, you may meet the most important person in your life.”
The plot of "Your Name" revolves around two complete strangers, a boy from the city and a girl from the countryside, unexpectedly swapping bodies. This phenomenon happens randomly and they need to adjust both of their lives and explore new and fresh experiences while in the process.
Alec Su, a Taiwanese celebrity, said: “Personally, I don’t quite like animation films, but I watched 'Your Name' not to be seen as out of touch.”
Cao Xiaohui, Beijing Film Academy’s vice-president, thinks that the growth of cultural communication between Japan and China led to the current growing demand of Japan’s animation films in the country.
Zhao Feng also shared the same sentiment, as he has seen dozens of animation films from Japan that screened in China since last year.
Many fans said that compared to his previous works, Shinkai’s style in "Your Name" is on another level as he excellently weaved both time travel and romance into a tale that is filled with suspense.