Makoto Shinkai is an outstanding director of Japanese animation. He is loved for his unique style and profound storytelling. In fact, most of Shinkai's movies are among the highest-grossing anime in history. Of course Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) has already won the love of fans all over the world, but the director's creativity is not limited to one work. Shinkai's other movies are just as impressive.
Here are some of the director's most notable titles according to the audience.
5. Children Who Chase Lost Voices – Love tested by adventure
The story of the cute and kind girl Asuna is not like most of Shinkai's works. Girl meets the charming young man Shun and goes on a long journey through another world, where she discovers many wonderful things. Children Who Chase Lost Voices is reminiscent of Miyazaki's films – there is a huge magical world, fantastic creatures and a kind companion. The main difference from the usual works is the setting, which dominates over the content. But it cannot be said that the plot in this story is weak. Here, like in most of Shinkai's works, the distance that is so difficult to overcome is explored.
4. The Place Promised in Our Early Days – Love that transcends boundaries
The Place Promised in Our Early Days was the director's first feature film, which gave him the recognition and opportunity to create his future masterpieces. It is the story about romantics who strive to overcome borders with the help of science. In this movie, Shinkai began to use elements that later became features of his style, such as fast frame changes with sad instrumental music, voice-over monologues, great attention to the details of the environment and shadows. Many people say that it's interesting to watch this movie when you are already familiar with the director's work, because here you can find shots that Shinkai repeats in his later works.
3. The Garden of Words – Love that can't overcome time
In The Garden of Words, the favorite theme of distance is realized in terms of time. The age difference between Takao and Yukari is 12 years. They met by pure chance and found each other to be great companions. Shinkai at first emphasizes the illusory nature of age limits, but soon gives a pessimistic verdict on the potential relationship. The Garden of Words is almost the saddest and most touching story of the director's career. It has everything we love Shinkai for: sad plot, multifaceted characters, gorgeous visuals and a melancholy atmosphere.
2. Weathering with You – Love on the edge of a cliff
Weathering with You most closely resembles the director's most popular movie. No wonder, since the events take place in the same universe. The main character Hodaka leaves his village in search of a better life and moves to a big city. There he meets a mysterious girl Hina, who has powers to control the weather. Shinkai offers a very intense and dynamic story about the relationship between two heroes in a world on the brink of disaster. Plot of this movie is packed with suspense and plot twists. Visuals and music are at the highest level and can even compete with Your Name.
5 Centimeters per Second was the director's second feature film and maintained the status of his best work for a long time. Here Shinkai, as nowhere else, brings the tragedy of a long-distance love story to its maximum. It is three mini-stories linked by one protagonist, who experiences different periods of his life. Long waits on the train, a sense of loss and anxiety, dramatic music, detailed landscapes – all these components that are iconic for the director grab your attention from the very first minutes and give you an unforgettable experience.
Blockbusters don't count!
Makoto Shinkai is an outstanding director of Japanese animation. He is loved for his unique style and profound storytelling. In fact, most of Shinkai's movies are among the highest-grossing anime in history. Of course Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) has already won the love of fans all over the world, but the director's creativity is not limited to one work. Shinkai's other movies are just as impressive.
Here are some of the director's most notable titles according to the audience.
5. Children Who Chase Lost Voices – Love tested by adventure
The story of the cute and kind girl Asuna is not like most of Shinkai's works. Girl meets the charming young man Shun and goes on a long journey through another world, where she discovers many wonderful things. Children Who Chase Lost Voices is reminiscent of Miyazaki's films – there is a huge magical world, fantastic creatures and a kind companion. The main difference from the usual works is the setting, which dominates over the content. But it cannot be said that the plot in this story is weak. Here, like in most of Shinkai's works, the distance that is so difficult to overcome is explored.
4. The Place Promised in Our Early Days – Love that transcends boundaries
The Place Promised in Our Early Days was the director's first feature film, which gave him the recognition and opportunity to create his future masterpieces. It is the story about romantics who strive to overcome borders with the help of science. In this movie, Shinkai began to use elements that later became features of his style, such as fast frame changes with sad instrumental music, voice-over monologues, great attention to the details of the environment and shadows. Many people say that it's interesting to watch this movie when you are already familiar with the director's work, because here you can find shots that Shinkai repeats in his later works.
3. The Garden of Words – Love that can't overcome time
In The Garden of Words, the favorite theme of distance is realized in terms of time. The age difference between Takao and Yukari is 12 years. They met by pure chance and found each other to be great companions. Shinkai at first emphasizes the illusory nature of age limits, but soon gives a pessimistic verdict on the potential relationship. The Garden of Words is almost the saddest and most touching story of the director's career. It has everything we love Shinkai for: sad plot, multifaceted characters, gorgeous visuals and a melancholy atmosphere.
2. Weathering with You – Love on the edge of a cliff
Weathering with You most closely resembles the director's most popular movie. No wonder, since the events take place in the same universe. The main character Hodaka leaves his village in search of a better life and moves to a big city. There he meets a mysterious girl Hina, who has powers to control the weather. Shinkai offers a very intense and dynamic story about the relationship between two heroes in a world on the brink of disaster. Plot of this movie is packed with suspense and plot twists. Visuals and music are at the highest level and can even compete with Your Name.
5 Centimeters per Second was the director's second feature film and maintained the status of his best work for a long time. Here Shinkai, as nowhere else, brings the tragedy of a long-distance love story to its maximum. It is three mini-stories linked by one protagonist, who experiences different periods of his life. Long waits on the train, a sense of loss and anxiety, dramatic music, detailed landscapes – all these components that are iconic for the director grab your attention from the very first minutes and give you an unforgettable experience.
