Language(s) Watched: Japanese with English subtitles
Licensed? (As of this entry): YES
Licensed? (As of this entry): YES
Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Suspense, Romance
Overall Impression: Beautiful. Just beautiful.
SPOILER ALERT WARNING!!
This review will contain some spoilers -- or rather, there will be a "Spoilers" section at the end of the review to go into further detail about certain things. There may still be slight spoilers throughout the review, but I've tried my best to keep them at a minimum.
PERSONAL STANDING (Pre-exposures, thoughts, etc.)
All I knew about Your Name. was that it was Makoto Shinkai's 6th major work, that it was gaining praises every which way, and that it involved some kind of body-swapping premise between a boy and a girl.
Despite the praises, I was a little hesitant to watch Your Name. Makoto Shinkai has been a hit-or-miss director for me, with every of his odd-numbered works hitting a strong chord in me, but with every of his even-numbered works leaving me pretty dissatisfied (I plan to blog about this in the future). So with Your Name. being Shinkai's 6th work, I was a little scared that I'd be disappointed somehow.
Fortunately, my sister acquired the Blu-Ray and lent it to me as soon as she got it. It took me three weeks to get around to actually watching it... but I did, and now I'm blogging about it!
Despite the praises, I was a little hesitant to watch Your Name. Makoto Shinkai has been a hit-or-miss director for me, with every of his odd-numbered works hitting a strong chord in me, but with every of his even-numbered works leaving me pretty dissatisfied (I plan to blog about this in the future). So with Your Name. being Shinkai's 6th work, I was a little scared that I'd be disappointed somehow.
Fortunately, my sister acquired the Blu-Ray and lent it to me as soon as she got it. It took me three weeks to get around to actually watching it... but I did, and now I'm blogging about it!
STORY
In Your Name., Taki (a boy who lives in Tokyo) and Mitsuha (a girl who lives in rural town Itomori) experience a strange phenomenon where a few days a week, they wake up in each other's bodies and go through the day as the other person. Once they realize what's going on, they attempt to communicate and help each other get through the day in the other person's body until one day, the phenomenon stops.
This story -- with its bizarre-at-first-glance premise -- is very beautiful, satisfying, and unique. Certain moments were predictable, while others were not. I'll mention the moments I couldn't predict in the "Spoilers" section.
It's a very interesting way of character interaction, as well as getting insight into a person's life... and getting insight into the character when they wake up in each other's bodies.
This story -- with its bizarre-at-first-glance premise -- is very beautiful, satisfying, and unique. Certain moments were predictable, while others were not. I'll mention the moments I couldn't predict in the "Spoilers" section.
THE CONCEPT OF BODY-SWAPPING
While the idea of body-swapping is not original for me, I think Your Name. handled it in a very original way. One major aspect that I think allowed for a different approach, was the fact that Taki and Mitsuha do not know each other at all. It's not like when they return to their original bodies, they can meet each other in-person to discuss what just happened. They have to find other means to communicate while in the other person's body, and then hope the person will actually see/receive the message when they are back in their original bodies.It's a very interesting way of character interaction, as well as getting insight into a person's life... and getting insight into the character when they wake up in each other's bodies.
ANIMATION
I just have to say that the animation is really nice! That's all I have to say here, hahaha. :)
CHARACTERS
The star characters in Your Name. are of course Mitsuha and Taki, and the friends and family in each other's lives. On the surface, there doesn't seem to be much character development for Mitsuha and Taki, but I believe a lot gets conveyed -- through Mitsuha and Taki's reactions and actions while in each other's bodies, their friends and family's reactions to Mitsuha and Taki when they are in their original body AND when they are not, Mitsuha and Taki's reactions when hearing what the other person did while in their body, and then their messages to each other.
I like both Mitsuha and Taki, though I do have to say... I'll say it in the "Spoilers" section.
MUSIC
The music is wonderful. They tend to be light and upbeat piano and string pieces, with a few light and poppy vocal tracks thrown in. At first I thought the vocal tracks wouldn't work, but they do. There are also some bittersweet tracks and ones that invoke yearning, determination, and suspense. All and all, a soundtrack that works great at conveying all the emotions in Your Name..
Below are a couple of tracks that I really, really like.
I'm leaving this as a placeholder until I read the two light novels (I've ordered them so they are coming!).
Edit -- February 6, 2019 -- I have read the novels, and below are my thoughts.
Your name. by Makoto Shinkai -- This is pretty much a straight up novel version of the movie. Out of all novel adaptations I've read so far, this was the first time I didn't feel "dragged down" just because I watched the movie. After watching a movie, if I read the novel adaptation I often feel a bit impatient about getting to the next part in the movie. I didn't feel that with Your name.. The novel's pacing moved along very well and more or less matched beat to beat with the movie.
Regarding whether to read the novel or watch the movie, it's really up to you. There was a slight nuance to the ending, which I preferred in the novel. I'll mention it in the "Spoilers" section.
Your name. Another Side: Earthbound by Arata Kanoh -- This is a collection of side stories looking at the various events in Your name. but through other characters' perspectives. Some of the stories were a little slow-paced, but overall it was very interesting and amusing. I especially enjoyed Yotsuha and Toshiki's stories.
For anybody wanting more insight into the Your name. universe, this is highly recommended.
Below are a couple of tracks that I really, really like.
"Theme of Mitsuha"
It sounds so beautiful, but also a little sad.
"Sparkle (Movie version"
It's very nice. I really like the piano.
JAPANESE / ENGLISH DUBBING
I'm leaving this as a placeholder until my own copy of Your Name. arrives (I already returned the Blu-Ray to my sister). So far I've only watched the Japanese dubbing with English subtitles, but I do plan to watch this in English dubbing just to see how it's like.
YOUR NAME. AND THE LIGHT NOVELS
Edit -- February 6, 2019 -- I have read the novels, and below are my thoughts.
Your name. by Makoto Shinkai -- This is pretty much a straight up novel version of the movie. Out of all novel adaptations I've read so far, this was the first time I didn't feel "dragged down" just because I watched the movie. After watching a movie, if I read the novel adaptation I often feel a bit impatient about getting to the next part in the movie. I didn't feel that with Your name.. The novel's pacing moved along very well and more or less matched beat to beat with the movie.
Regarding whether to read the novel or watch the movie, it's really up to you. There was a slight nuance to the ending, which I preferred in the novel. I'll mention it in the "Spoilers" section.
Your name. Another Side: Earthbound by Arata Kanoh -- This is a collection of side stories looking at the various events in Your name. but through other characters' perspectives. Some of the stories were a little slow-paced, but overall it was very interesting and amusing. I especially enjoyed Yotsuha and Toshiki's stories.
For anybody wanting more insight into the Your name. universe, this is highly recommended.
YOUR NAME. AND THE MANGA
I'm leaving this as a placeholder until I read the manga.
YOUR NAME. AND THE LIVE-ACTION MOVIE
I've read that a North American live-action movie of this is in the works. If it actually does come out in theatres, I'll leave my thoughts about it here.
BLU-RAY EXTRA CONTENT
There were some extra content on the Blu-Ray... but I didn't get to watch them before returning the Blu-Ray to my sister. ;__; For now, I'll leave this as placeholder until I do get to watch them.Interview with Makoto Shinkai (x mins) -- Placeholder.
Makoto Shinkai Filmography (x mins) -- Placeholder.
Special TV Program (x mins) -- Placeholder.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you haven't watched Your Name. yet -- go and watch it! Even if you don't normally watch anime -- go and watch it! It is a great movie and is totally worth experiencing at least once. Makoto Shinkai, thank you for creating something so lovely. *tips my hat* I have to say one more thing in the "Spoilers" section.
Thanks for reading! If you want some more input about something I didn't cover, feel free to ask. :)
So I'll do the scrolly thing and the "Spoilers" section will appear after that. Then I'll add some more scrolly things after the "Spoilers" section in case anybody wants to comment, but not see the spoilers.
There were two major moments I couldn't predict:
1. When Taki travelled to Itomori only to find it decimated from the comet and that Mitsuha died from it. When I saw that moment, it was like a swift, hard punch in the gut. I cried hard, thinking about what Taki could be feeling. He wanted to meet somebody very important to him and then he realized that he will never be able to. The revelation that they body-swapped during different timelines (3 years apart) also added to the notion that Taki and Mitsuha would never be able to meet and recognize each other.
2. When Mitsuha looked at her hand, hoping to read Taki's name (because she forgot his name), but Taki had actually left the message "I love you". That really tugged at my heartstrings. *sniffle*
That's it for the spoilers. Thanks again for reading and feel free to comment :D
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
Thanks for reading! If you want some more input about something I didn't cover, feel free to ask. :)
So I'll do the scrolly thing and the "Spoilers" section will appear after that. Then I'll add some more scrolly things after the "Spoilers" section in case anybody wants to comment, but not see the spoilers.
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
SPOILERS
The moments I couldn't predict.
There were two major moments I couldn't predict:
1. When Taki travelled to Itomori only to find it decimated from the comet and that Mitsuha died from it. When I saw that moment, it was like a swift, hard punch in the gut. I cried hard, thinking about what Taki could be feeling. He wanted to meet somebody very important to him and then he realized that he will never be able to. The revelation that they body-swapped during different timelines (3 years apart) also added to the notion that Taki and Mitsuha would never be able to meet and recognize each other.
2. When Mitsuha looked at her hand, hoping to read Taki's name (because she forgot his name), but Taki had actually left the message "I love you". That really tugged at my heartstrings. *sniffle*
I like both Mitsuha and Taki, though I do have to say...
Taki is such a perv! Stop touching Mitsuha's boobs every time you wake up as her!!!! Hahaha. >:O
I have to say: kudos to Makoto Shinkai for finally creating a story that ends happily!!!! Where the main guy and main girl meet each other in the end and a relationship could possibly flourish together. To the best of my recollection, all of his major works up until the time of this writing (except for maybe The Place Promised in Our Early Days -- I don't remember that movie very well) have revolved around either unrequited love, or love where the characters could never be together due to other external aspects.
So... thank you for letting Mitsuha and Taki find each other in the end! *bows*
This is a really minor thing, but I enjoyed it a lot more in the novel. In the movie, when Taki and Mitsuha finally meet face-to-face in the end, they exchange some words, and then say "What's your name?".
In the novel, they meet face-to-face but they don't exchange some words. They quietly express that they've found what they were looking -- and then say "What's your name?". To me, I think this scene is sweeter and more powerful.
I have to say one more thing.
I have to say: kudos to Makoto Shinkai for finally creating a story that ends happily!!!! Where the main guy and main girl meet each other in the end and a relationship could possibly flourish together. To the best of my recollection, all of his major works up until the time of this writing (except for maybe The Place Promised in Our Early Days -- I don't remember that movie very well) have revolved around either unrequited love, or love where the characters could never be together due to other external aspects.
So... thank you for letting Mitsuha and Taki find each other in the end! *bows*
There was a slight nuance to the ending, which I preferred in the novel.
This is a really minor thing, but I enjoyed it a lot more in the novel. In the movie, when Taki and Mitsuha finally meet face-to-face in the end, they exchange some words, and then say "What's your name?".
In the novel, they meet face-to-face but they don't exchange some words. They quietly express that they've found what they were looking -- and then say "What's your name?". To me, I think this scene is sweeter and more powerful.
That's it for the spoilers. Thanks again for reading and feel free to comment :D
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
No comments:
Post a Comment