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The premiere date for the live-action version of 5 Centimeters Per Second is fast approaching — at least for Japanese fans — and this week the official site of the production unveiled a first teaser trailer that reveals the visuals and tone of the adaptation. It looks like it will be everything that fans hope for, but of course we will only know it for sure after the movie debuts in theaters. A U.S. theatrical or streaming release is yet to be announced.

The trailer recreates some of the most iconic scenes from the original 2007 Makoto Shinkai (Your Name) movie and suggests that it will do a frame-by-frame recreation of some scenes. The trailer is in Japanese, but for Western audiences, it is enough to get the general vibe of the adaptation. It's all there — the parallels between different stages of life, the rocket launch, and, of course, the iconic cherry blossom tree.

The official website for the upcoming live-action film adaptation of Makoto Shinkai's 2007 anime film 5 Centimeters per Second released a main trailer today. The clip revealed that singer-songwriter Masayoshi Yamazaki's hit song "One more time, One more chance," which was featured in Shinkai's original anime film, is again used as an insert song in the live-action film. 5 Centimeters per Second Main Trailer "One more time, One more chance" was originally released as Yamazaki's fourth CD single on January 22, 1997. "When this song 'One more time, One more chance' was used in the 2007 theatrical anime film '5 Centimeters per Second,' I feel that director Makoto Shinkai breathed new life into this song," said Yamazaki. "I am honored that the song will be used again in the live-action version. I think this is a very fortunate song that has been loved by everyone. I am looking forward to...

Okay, let’s get real for a moment. Have you ever heard a movie title and just felt your heart crack a little? Like, not because something happened yet, but because you already know it’s going to emotionally ruin you? Yeah, that’s what Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters Per Second does. That title gets you right in the feels. It sounds beautiful, sure. Like super gentle.

But oh man, once you know what it means? Total emotional devastation. And yep, this little gem by Makoto Shinkai is causing waves once again ’cause it’s getting a live-action adaptation that’s releasing in Japan on October 10, 2025. But for real though? The animated original is already soul-crushing perfection. Let’s talk about that.

5 Centimeters Per Second: The plot that broke us

So, what even is ‘5 Centimeters Per Second‘? Don’t worry, it’s not a boring physics lesson. It’s...

As Netflix cranks it up a notch with its growing number of anime films, we’re here to tell you what’s the best from the bunch.

Netflix has continued to delve deeper and deeper into Japanese animation by licensing several major titles and crafting its own original works. It’s the very reason why the streamer has become a force in the entertainment sector, as it now boasts a slate that satisfies the everyday anime lover.

And because of that, TheWrap decided to outline the seven best titles Netflix has in its library right now. Here are the titles we think you should watch.

“Mary and the Witch’s Flower” “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” (GKids)

If you’re a fan of animator and director Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s work, which includes mega anime film hits “Ponyo,” “The Boy and the Heron,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and more, then “Mary and the Witch’s Flower...

The official website for the upcoming live-action film adaptation of Makoto Shinkai's 2007 anime film 5 Centimeters per Second released a teaser trailer today. The clip features a cover version of "Omoide wa Touku no Hibi," an insert song for the original anime, newly recorded by Ayatake Ezaki, the musician in charge of the film's soundtrack. Original director Shinkai introduced the clip and commented, "It's wonderful. I'm eagerly awaiting it!" on his official X (formerly Twitter) . 5 Centimeters per Second Teaser Trailer Also, Haruto Ueda and Noa Shiroyama have been announced as additional cast members. Ueda will play the childhood of the protagonist, Takaki Tono, and Shiroyama will play the childhood of the main heroine, Akari Shinohara. The site has posted two second teaser visuals featuring the two. Related: 5 Centimeters Per Second Live-Action Film Premieres on October 10 The live-action movie 5 Centimeters per Second is scheduled to release in Japan on October 10, 2025. Yoshiyuki Okuyama,...

Okay, anime fans, gather ’round, especially those of you who’ve been fantasizing about getting to be able to watch Your Name made into a live-action film with real actors, not just Radwimps singing in the background. We’ve got some tea to spill.

So, Lee Isaac Chung, the same man behind Minari, that beautiful, tear-jerking film that made Oscar voters cry into their expensive wine, was supposed to direct the Hollywood live-action adaptation of Your Name. The one with the body swapping, the forgotten names, the comet, the emotional gut-punch ending. The film that had you gazing out of windows dramatically while questioning fate. Well, not anymore.

Why is Your Name so hard to adapt?

Let’s get real: Your Name is magic. Not in a ‘Harry Potter wand-waving’ kind of way, but in that Makoto Shinkai kind of way. Super soft lighting, ridiculously beautiful skies, awkward teens dealing...

When it comes to a slice-of-life story, there's a certain vibe that few other stories are able to reproduce. To do that, you need to be a talented filmmaker like Japanese director Makoto Shinkai. In 2007, Shinkai released 5 Centimeters Per Second, an anime movie that was his feature film solo directing debut. Eighteen years later, the movie is getting a live-action adaptation, and Japanese distributor Toho revealed a first look this week.

The adaptation was first announced back in 2024, but only now are fans getting to see how it will look in a real-world setting. The image reveals SixTONES idol Hokuto Matsumura front and center as leading character Tono Takaki, and he's standing in front of the movie's iconic cherry blossom tree — which is a significant part of the story. In the animated movie, 5 Centimeters Per Second is the rhythm that cherry blossom petals take to fall from the...

So whenever you hear Makoto Shinkai’s name, you just automatically think of Your Name, and there’s no surprise there. That movie was a cultural explosion of comets, timelines, and teens swapping bodies with Radwimps in the background. But way before Your Name turned Shinkai into a household name, there was this much more subtle, much more emotional film in the form of 5 Centimeters per Second.

There was no crazy fantasy to it, no crazy plot twist. It was just a very human story about love, loss, and time, and it totally punched us in the feels. Now, nearly 20 years later, that beautiful piece of work is coming back. This time, in live-action. Yes, 5 Centimeters per Second is getting a real-life adaptation, and it finally has a release date: October 10, 2025. I’m hyped. I’m scared. I’m emotionally bracing myself.

5 Centimeters per Second: The movie that quietly crushed...

The live-action film adaptation of Makoto Shinkai’s 2007 anime film 5 Centimeters Per Second is set to open in theaters in Japan on Oct 10, 2025.

The announcement was accompanied by a new teaser visual bearing the tagline, “How fast do I have to live so I can see you again?”

SixTONES member Hokuto Matsumura, known for his portrayal of Sota Munakata in Suzume, will star as the protagonist Tono Takaki. Yoshiyuki Okuyama is directing the live-action adaptation, with Ayako Suzuki handling the screenplay.

Check out the teaser image below:

Shinkai himself reacted to the key visual stating that it was beautiful and that he was looking forward to the movie. With the director’s new movie also on the horizon, he added that he would do his best so that the new movie won’t lose out.

“How beautiful… I’m genuinely looking forward to it! And as for my own...

Makoto Shinkai has become one of the most prolific anime movie directors of the past few decades, with 2023's Suzume being a notable hit. Now, one of his films is being given a live-action remake, with a new visual finally revealing its release date.

5 Centimeters per Second was released nearly two decades ago, with the anime movie telling the story of a man lost in the memories of a childhood love. Acclaimed by many, it was seen as one of the best anime movies of both its era and of all time, especially for adult viewers. Currently available to watch on the world's biggest streaming platform, its live-action adaptation will also now hit theaters in less than half a year.

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Let’s be honest: when you mention Makoto Shinkai’s name, everyone immediately thinks of Your Name. And who can blame them? It was a global sensation, completely devastating, and just phenomenally gorgeous to behold.

But for hardcore anime fans? Before Your Name, before all the body-swapping and comet drama, Shinkai made 5 Centimeters per Second, a movie that quietly broke our hearts and didn’t even apologize. And guess what? Makoto Shinkai himself just brought it back into the spotlight.

Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters per Second: The film that hurts in all the right ways

According to Oricon Japan, on February 19, 2025, the legendary Makoto Shinkai casually dropped a photo on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “It’s been a while since I’ve passed through here!” The photo? A nighttime view of that memorable railroad crossing in 5 Centimeters per Second, the one that broke your heart and made you...

Alright, let’s be real. When Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) was released in the year 2016, it was as if no one would ever stop talking about it. Everyone was going crazy: “It’s the most beautiful anime ever!” “The music made me cry!” “Shinkai has done it again!”, and so on.

But for us who already knew what Makoto Shinkai was capable of, those of us whose hearts were broken by 5 Centimeters Per Second, we did not watch Your Name with the same excitement as others. We watched it with fear. Honestly, we weren’t so much like, “Aww, what a nice love story!” We were like, “Shinkai’s gonna completely break our hearts again, huh?” Let’s unpack the trauma, shall we?

Flashback: The emotional punch in the face that was 5 Centimeters Per Second

If you haven’t seen 5 Centimeters Per Second, it’s like the anime...

Makoto Shinkai is already a respected name in the anime industry, known for making stunning films like The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004), 5 Centimeters per Second (2007), Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011), The Garden of Words (2013), and so on.

People really love his detailed animation style, the super emotional stories, and the deep heartfelt themes, which is why some fans even compare him to the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, the genius behind Studio Ghibli’s greatest works.

Mitsuha and Taki meet for the first time in Your Name. | Credit:

Among Shinkai’s best works, Your Name (2016) became a global phenomenon and cemented him as a master of storytelling. Within a year, in 2017, it surpassed Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001) as the highest-grossing anime film of all time. The surprise success not only changed the way the world looked at anime but also highlighted the profound themes embedded in Shinkai’s storytelling:...

Makoto Shinkai, the creator of hit anime movies such as Suzume (2022), Your Name (2016) and Weathering With You (2019), is one of the most well-known animation directors of the modern era. Recently, the critically acclaimed filmmaker took a trip down memory lane to revisit the birthplace of one of his first original works.

As detailed on Oricon, Shinkai recently showcased a nighttime scene of a railroad crossing on his official X (formerly Twitter). "It's been a while since I passed through here!" the director wrote. The photo is a nostalgic callback to the location that inspired the conclusion of his 2007 film, 5 Centimeters Per Second, which revolves around two young lovers who are drawn apart by life's circumstances. The post has since received many emotional responses from those who recognize its significance in relation to the film. "...thank you for the heartbreaking night photo," one person wrote. "It'll be just awhile until the cherry blossoms bloom.

Makoto Shinkai has hinted at plans to reveal details of his latest anime film in 2025.

Shinkai made this announcement in his New Year’s message on his official X account, where he reflected on his creative journey over the past year, revealing that 2024 was dedicated to crafting a brand-new film.

“Happy New Year! 2024 was a year I spent working on a new movie. It’s a great joy to build a new world that no one has seen before from scratch with my colleagues. I’ll do my best to announce it in some way this year. I hope that 2025 will be a peaceful year for all of you.“

2025 will also see the release of the live-action adaptation of Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters Per Second anime.

Makoto Shinkai is a Japanese filmmaker and novelist.

Shinkai began his career as a video game animator with Nihon Falcom in 1996, and gained recognition...

Earlier this year, The Colors Within -- the latest film by A Silent Voice director Naoko Yamada -- premiered in Japan. North American distributor Gkids has revealed that the film will soon begin its first theatrical run in the U.S. and Canada.

Gkids recently unveiled the film's first official English-language dub trailer along with its official 2025 release date. As detailed on the company's official X (formerly Twitter) page, The Colors Within will arrive in theaters on Jan. 24. Audiences will have the opportunity to choose between the original Japanese version (with subtitles) and the brand-new English dub, which stars Libby Rue (Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island), Kylie McNeill (Belle) and Eddy Lee (Maguia - When the Promised Flower Blooms). The new trailer can be viewed below.

Related A Silent Voice Director Reveals Why She Doesn't Take Inspiration From Other Anime

A Silent Voice director Naoko Yamada explains how, despite being an anime fan,...

The anime industry has a lot of popular creators who have earned recognition, but none of them compare to Hayao Miyazaki, anime director and co-founder of Studio Ghibli. Miyazaki is a legend in Japan and an inspiration for practically everyone who is trying to make it big in the anime industry, as he has helped shape the community on a global scale.

Hayao Miyazaki | Credit: Oscars YouTube channel

But with the passage of time, Miyazaki’s opinion about anime has changed a lot. While he is the biggest contributor to the global success of the entertaining art form, he is also the one who, in a way, essentially pointed out that anime was actually a big mistake. It was one of his biggest controversial statements and, to this day, affects a lot of fans.

However, Miyazaki’s statement about anime being a mistake was proved wrong by another popular anime filmmaker.

Ever since Netflix’s One Piece live-action has achieved success, the craze of adapting an anime series into a live-action adaptation has taken over the Japanese and Hollywood industries. Almost every prominent series is being adapted into a live-action, hoping for a success like One Piece. A similar thing is happening with Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters per Second.

5 Centimeters per Second | Credit: CoMix Wave Films

It was recently announced that 5 Centimeters per Second, which was released almost two decades ago, is now getting a live-action adaptation. 5 Centimeters per Second is a romantic drama animated film that was quite popular during its release in 2007. Even today, it is deemed one of the most prominent pieces of romantic stories ever produced.

The news about the movie getting a live-action adaptation has ignited a fire within the hearts of anime fans who admired 5 Centimeters per Second. With the release date set...

Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters Per Second anime will be adapted into a live-action film scheduled to release in Fall 2025.

SixTONES’ Hokuto Matsumura has been cast as the protagonist Takaki Tono.

The screenplay is written by Ayako Suzuki, with Yoshiyuki Okuyama serving as the director.

Shinkai expressed his excitement about the upcoming adaptation, stating, “The animated film 5 Centimeters Per Second, which I directed almost 20 years ago, is an incredibly raw and unfinished work. But perhaps because of that very incompleteness, it has remained beloved for so long. I could never make a film like that again today, nor could I replicate it. That’s why I’m so excited that a passionate young team, led by Director Okuyama, is once again embracing 5 Centimeters Per Second. I also feel a sense of life’s strange wonder that Hokuto Matsumura, the actor I trust the most, will be playing the lead role.

A live-action film adaptation of Makoto Shinkai's 2007 anime film 5 Centimeters per Second is set to release in Japan in the fall of 2025. The film's official website opened and revealed the news today. As the third original anime film work by Shinkai following Voices of a Distant Star (2002) and The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004), 5 Centimeters per Second was released in Japan on March 3, 2007. Comix Wave Film's official website describes the synopsis as below: After transferring to the same elementary school, Takaki and Akari became best friends.However, their lives change when the families of both are forced to relocate. After a year of separation, Takaki is about to reunite with Akari. As he sits on the train from Tokyo, memories of the past rush through Takaki's head, his meeting time with Akari drawing ever closer. Takaki and Akari begin to wonder if they will ever be able to see each other again,...

Makoto Shinkai's romance anime 5 Centimeters per Second announces a surprise live-action film and its release window, 18 years after its initial premiere.

Via Oricon, Shinkai's iconic 5 Centimeters per Second anime movie will receive a live-action adaptation set to be released in the fall of 2025. Japanese actor and member of the boy band SixTONES, Hokuto Matsumura, has been cast as the film's lead character, Takaki Tono. The film announcement comes over 17 years after the original anime's theatrical release, licensed by Gkids for North America. Fans can check out a photo of Matsumura and Shinkai, as well as staff information and comments below.

Related "It Expands the Colors That Exist in the World": Your Name Director Lavishes Praise on New Film 'The Colors Within'

The Colors Within, the latest film from A Silent Voice director Naoko Yamada, wins praise from Makoto Shinkai, among other acclaimed industry figures.

Matsumura...

Nearly two decades has passed since the much-loved 5 Centimeters per Second arrived on big screens by the legendary Japanese filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, but now, it has been confirmed that the movie will arrive on streaming very soon. As ComicBook reported, 5 Centimeters per Second has been added to Netflixs Fall catalog, particularly on September 1, meaning subscribers in the U.S. will have the liberty to watch the film in less than a month. As for other regions, no information has been announced yet, and it remains uncertain if the version added will be subbed or dubbed.

5 Centimeters per Second, one of the earliest feature films by acclaimed anime director Makoto Shinkai -- especially well-known for the likes of Your Name, Weathering With You and Suzume -- is set to arrive on Netflix for U.S. streamers.

Via Wtk on X (formerly Twitter), Shinkai's 5 Centimeters per Second will premiere on Netflix in the United States on Sept. 1, 2024. It has been given the description: "Inseparable fourth-graders Takaki Tonoo and Akari Shinohara - bonded by a love of books - begin to slowly drift apart when their families relocate."

Related Netflix & Iyuno Break Silence Following One of the Worst Streaming Leaks in History

Netflix and major post-production service Iyuno have released official statements following several massive leaks of its upcoming animated titles.

5 Centimeters per Second Is One of Makoto Shinkai's First (and Rarest) Films

5 Centimeters per Second scheduled to stream September 1 on Netflix https://t.co/qaggZu3P7j pic.

Cinephiles will have plenty to celebrate this April with the next slate of additions to the Criterion Channel. The boutique distributor, which recently announced its June 2024 Blu-ray releases, has unveiled its new streaming lineup highlighted by an eclectic mix of classic films and modern arthouse hits.

Students of Hollywood history will be treated to the “Peak Noir: 1950” collection, which features 17 noir films from the landmark film year from directors including Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock, and John Huston.

New Hollywood maverick William Friedkin will also be celebrated when five of his most beloved movies, including “Sorcerer” and “The Exorcist,” come to the channel in April.

Criterion will offer the streaming premiere of Wim Wenders’ 3D art documentary “Anselm,” which will be accompanied by the “Wim Wenders’ Adventures in Moviegoing” collection, which sees the director curating a selection of films from around the world that have influenced his careers.

Contemporary cinema is also well represented,...

April’s an uncommonly strong auteurist month for the Criterion Channel, who will highlight a number of directors––many of whom aren’t often grouped together. Just after we screened House of Tolerance at the Roxy Cinema, Criterion are showing it and Nocturama for a two-film Bertrand Bonello retrospective, starting just four days before The Beast opens. Larger and rarer (but just as French) is the complete Jean Eustache series Janus toured last year. Meanwhile, five William Friedkin films and work from Makoto Shinkai, Lizzie Borden, and Rosine Mbakam are given a highlight.

One of my very favorite films, Comrades: Almost a Love Story plays in a series I’ve been trying to program for years: “Hong Kong in New York,” boasting the magnificent Full Moon in New York, Farewell China, and An Autumn’s Tale. Wim Wenders gets his “Adventures in Moviegoing”; After Hours, Personal Shopper, and Werckmeister Harmonies fill...

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.

Takehito Inoue's The First Slam Dunk and Makoto Shinkai's Suzume were both nominated for the best animated film category for the 16th Asia Pacific Screen Awards this week.

According to the Apsa's website, the two films will be competing in a crowded field that also features Tian Xiaopeng's Deep Sea, Sepideh Farsi's The Siren and Ricard Cussó and Tania Vincent's Scarygirl. This is the fifth nomination in the best animated film category for Suzume director Makoto Shinkai, who has won the award twice in the past for Weathering With You in 2019 and 5 Centimeters Per Second in 2007. It's the first nomination for Slam Dunk author Takehiko Inoue, who makes his directorial debut with The First Slam Dunk.

Related: The First Slam Dunk Is One Of The Best Sports Movies of All Time

Suzume released nationwide in Japan on Nov. 11, 2022, to great critical acclaim and box office success.

At the 19th edition of Seoul Indie-Anifest, Han Ji-won’s work is hard to miss. From brochures to tote bags, her pastel, luminous illustrations are plastered everywhere here. In a way, the ubiquity of her work positioned her well for the screening of her latest feature, “The Summer.” On Saturday night, audiences packed theaters, hoping to catch a glimpse of her filmic adaptation of the eponymous novel by Choi Eun-young.

“The Summer” is screening at Seoul Indie-Anifest

“The Summer” recreates the tender, rose-tinted atmosphere that comes with adolescent romance. Here, Lee-Kyeong (voiced by Yoon Ah-young) looks back at her first love, Soo-i (Song Ha-rim). From the get-go, the two could not be more different. While Lee-Kyeong is quiet and studious, the hardy Soo-i aspires to be a professional soccer player; while Lee-Kyeong is excited about their blossoming relationship, Soo-i keeps mum for fear of judgment. Nonetheless, in the sweet summer days in the countryside,...

Partnership

Entertainment One (eOne) has solidified its collaboration with U.K. independent production company Hardcash Productions through an exclusive first-look agreement. Under the deal, brokered by Kate Cundall, eOne’s VP of acquisitions, and Robin Barty-King, Hardcash’s business affairs consultant, the partnership aims to develop and produce investigative factual content for the global market. eOne will handle international rights for all projects resulting from this collaboration.

Previously, eOne and Hardcash worked together on the distribution of award-winning documentaries such as “Inside China,” “Fearless: The Women Fighting Putin” and “Outbreak: The Virus that Shook the World,” which have been sold to over 160 territories worldwide.

Cundall said: “Through this collaboration, we’ve secured a unique access to one of the most prestigious documentary makers in the world of factual and documentary programming, and we look forward to continuing to provide award-winning unscripted storytelling to audiences worldwide.”

Esella Hawkey, creative director at Hardcash Productions,...

Makoto Shinkai, one of Japan’s biggest animators, filmmaker and author is all set to visit India for the release of his latest movie – ‘Suzume’. The acclaimed Japanese director is known for his visually stunning and emotionally powerful anime films that touch upon themes such as love, loss and the impact of technology on society.

Some of his most well-known works include ‘Your Name.’ ‘Weathering With You’, and ‘5 Centimeters Per Second’. The film, brought to India by PVR Pictures, the motion picture arm of PVR Inox is set to hit theaters across India on April 21st, 2023.

PVR Pictures has been instrumental in bringing Makoto Shinkai’s films to Indian audiences. Their previous collaboration included the release of ‘Weathering with You’, which was a box office success in India.

The company has recognized the gap in the anime market and has taken steps to bring anime content to Indian audiences in a more accessible way.

Anime isn't a genre. It's a medium, one that's still fighting for mainstream acceptance in the West. Its hold on American audiences is stronger than ever, with Studio Ghibli blockbusters and franchises like "My Hero Academia" earning critical acclaim and global adoration. However, too many people still associate animation with children's viewing. While there are plenty of great anime films that parents can show to their kids, this attitude still leads to confusion. Not only is some anime emphatically not child-safe, but if you dismiss it as kids' stuff, you're missing out on some great movies.

If you've never watched an anime film before, rest assured that it's not all sailor uniforms and jiggly bits, just like how action movies aren't all gravelly-voiced men and sexy ladies. There's something for everyone, although we also confess that you're going to see a lot of Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii here, and for good reasons.

With one week to go before the 25th edition of the Fantasia Film Festival begins we turn our attention to the closing night of the festival, on August 25th. We already know that Takashi Miike's The Great Yokai War - Guardians will close the festival. Now we get word that another special treat from Japan will also help close out this year's festival.    The audience at the screening will be the first to see a special World Premiere teaser of the anime series Deiji Meets Girl. The series is directed by Tazawa Ushio, an animator who has worked on some impressive projects; Your Name, 5 Centimeters Per Second, and Mind Game, to name a few.    If you have a ticket for that in-person...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Collecting two stories based on the works of director Makoto Shinkai with “5 Centimeters per Second” penned by the iconic director himself. The release is accompanied by Children who Chase Lost Voices adapted by Asahi Akisaka.

“5 Centimeters per second When Takaki meets Akari in elementary school, they are as thick as thieves. She always teaches him the important things, while he does his best to protect her. After they are separated in middle school, though, they have to find their paths in life without each other…”

Children Who Chase Lost Voices Asuna is a shy and diffident girl who lives in the mountain town of Mizunofuchi. One day, she meets Shun, a boy who claims to be from a mythical land known as Agartha. However, just as a bond is beginning to form between them, Shun vanishes. As Asuna wishes she could see him again, she encounters Shin, another boy who looks just like Shun,...

One week ago, Shinkai Makoto's Weathering With You opened in U.S. theaters and is already among my favorite films from the past 365 days. It's also been widely acclaimed by critics, as noted at Rotten Tomatoes, and has proven to be a popular success, as calculated by Box Office Mojo. The story "takes flight into the fantastical while never losing sight of earthbound realities," as I wrote in my review, and thus fits well within the director's oeuvre, including his features Your Name (2016), 5 Centimeters Per Second (2007) and The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004), as well as the shorter Voices of a Distant Star (2002). Among those fine films is The Garden of Words (2013), which is now being mounted in...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

“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...

Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of film critics two questions and publishes the results on Monday.

Last Friday saw the release of Laika’s “Missing Link,” a singular and exquisitely crafted piece of stop-motion animation at a time when generic, computer-generated fare is dominating the market (IndieWire’s positive review can be read here). Naturally, it bombed.

This week’s question: In an attempt to call attention to the films that treat feature-length animation like the art form that it is, what’s the most beautifully animated film ever made?

“5 Centimeters Per Second”

Hoai-Tran (@htranbui), SlashFilm

Makoto Shinkai may be best known as the director behind the 2017 global mega-hit “Your Name,” but he has long established himself as a singular anime filmmaker whose pensive metaphysical plots are only bested by his gorgeous photorealistic renderings of modern-day Tokyo. While his 2013 short film “The Garden of Words” is objectively...