Makoto Shinkai’s Anime: New Movie, and What’s Next? A Ranking of Makoto Shinkai’s Anime

This article introduces Makoto Shinkai’s latest and past animated films.

Makoto Shinkai’s Film: New Movie, and What’s Next?

Director Makoto Shinkai, known for his animated films such as “Suzume no Tsujimari” and “Kimi no na wa”. His next film has not yet been revealed. However, at the stage greeting for “Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari),” he hinted at what his next film would be, saying “I’ll have to go to a different place next, like outer space…should I go there?” We will update this article as soon as we have more information.

List of Makoto Shinkai Movies (Total 12 Movies)

Here’s a list of Makoto Shinkai’s movies and their synopsis.

“Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari)” Movie Information

Release Date: November 11, 2022
122 min.
Animation

“Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari)” Synopsis

Since the worldwide success of “Your Name (Kimi no Na wa )”, a highly acclaimed director both in Japan and abroad, depicts the adventures of a young girl with beautiful colors and music. A young girl who lives a peaceful life discovers the existence of a door that brings disaster when she meets a young man, and sets off on a journey to lock the door. The voices are voiced by Nanoha Hara, Hokuto Matsumura, and others. Music is by RADWIMPS and Kazuma Jinnouchi. The theme song “Suzume” is sung by Toaka.

“Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko)” Movie Information

Release Date: July 19, 2019
112 min.
Animation／Love／Fantasy／Coming-of-age

“Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko)” Synopsis

A high school student, Hodaka Morishima, runs away from his parents’ home on a remote island and arrives in Tokyo. He faces difficulties in finding employment but finds a job as a writer for an occult magazine. While it rains for days on end, he encounters Hina Amano, a lively young girl who lives with her younger brother. He discovers that she possesses a mysterious ability.

“Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)” Movie Information

Release Date: August 26, 2016
107 min.
Animation / Fantasy / Youth

“Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)” Synopsis

Mitsuha Miyamizu , a high school girl living in a rural town in the countryside, is the daughter of Miyamizu Shrine, which has been in existence for generations. One day, she has a dream in which she is replaced by Taki Tachibana, a high school boy living in Tokyo. The two eventually realize that it was not a dream but a real event, and gradually begin to enjoy swapping places. However, the swapping stopped suddenly on the day Taki went on a date with a senior whom he admired at his part-time job…. Taki is concerned about Mitsuha, and sets off on a journey to find her, relying on his memories of the time they switched places.

“She and Her Cat (Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows)” Movie Information

Release Date: March 4, 2016
28 min.
Animation

“She and Her Cat (Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows)” Synopsis

The story follows the daily life of “She,” who is busy looking for a job before graduating from junior college, and “Boku”, a cat who watches over “her”.

”Dareka no Manazashi” Movie Information

Release Date: February 10, 2013
7min.
Animation

“Dareka no Manazashi” Synopsis

In her second year as a working adult, Aya leaves her comfortable family home and starts living alone. Aya grew up being loved by her parents, but as she grew up, she gradually became estranged from her father. Aya’s cat, Mee, who has lived in the family home since Aya’s childhood, has aged considerably….

“The Garden of Words (Kotonoha no Niwa)” Movie Information

Release Date: May 31, 2013
46min.
Animation

“The Garden of Words (Kotonoha no Niwa)” Synopsis

Takao, a high school student who dreams of becoming a shoemaker, and Yukino, a teacher who is tormented by loneliness and suffering from mental illness. Takao spends his time in the garden on rainy days, and Yukino goes to the garden on rainy days to spend time. During the rainy season, they gradually learn more about each other and develop feelings for one another.

“Children Who Chase Lost Voices (Hoshi o Ou Kodomo)” Movie Information

Released on May 7, 2011
116min.
Animation/Adventure

“Children Who Chase Lost Voices (Hoshi o Ou Kodomo)” Synopsis
“Children Who Chase Lost Voices” is a Japanese movie released in 2011. The story revolves around a girl who falls in love with a man who is haunted by the memories of his deceased wife. As their connection deepens, they inadvertently unlock a forbidden door to the underground world where the wisdom of the gods resides.

“5 Centimeters per Second (Byōsoku Go-Senchimētoru)” Movie Information

Release Date: March 3, 2007
63min.
Animation

“5 Centimeters per Second (Byōsoku Go-Senchimētoru)” Synopsis

Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara, who had special feelings for each other but were separated upon graduation from elementary school. They kept in touch even after they entered junior high school. One day, Takaki decides to visit Akari, who lives far away from home on his own.

“The Place Promised in Our Early Days(Kumo no Mukō, Yakusoku no Basho)” Movie Information

Release Date: November 20, 2004
90 min.
Animation / Science Fiction / Fantasy / Youth

“The Place Promised in Our Early Days(Kumo no Mukō, Yakusoku no Basho)” Synopsis

In the world of IF, Japan is divided into north and south. The boys are separated by a promise they made to each other. As the tension escalates in the challenging circumstances they encounter, will they be able to fulfill their promise?

“Voices of a Distant Star (Hoshi no Koe)” Movie Information

Release Date: February 2, 2002
25min.
Animation／Love／Science fiction

“Voices of a Distant Star (Hoshi no Koe)” Synopsis

Mikako Nagamine and Noboru Terao were close classmates. In the summer of their junior year of middle school, Mikako told Noboru she was selected for the United Nations Space Force. The following year, Mikako departed earth and Noboru went on to a normal high school. Despite being troubled by the distance between the universe and the Earth, the two of them managed to maintain contact through email. However, exchanging e-mails gradually takes increasingly longer to reach one another, the time-lag of their correspondence eventually spans years. Noboru grew increasingly frustrated with himself as all he could do was wait for an email.

Makoto Shinkai Profile and Biography

Makoto Shinkai, born on February 9th, 1973 in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is a Japanese screenwriter, animator, film director, and novelist. He made his directorial debut in 2002 with the independent film “Voices of a Distant Star (Hoshi no Koe)”. Some of his other notable works include “5 Centimeters per Second (Byōsoku Go-Senchimētoru),” “The Garden of Words (Kotonoha no Niwa)”, and the acclaimed “Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)”. He is a member of CoMix Wave Films. He graduated from Chuo University in Tokyo.

Makoto Shinkai’s Unique Methods and Obsessions in Animation Production

Director Makoto Shinkai has captivated many people with his meticulous depiction and beautiful visual expressions. He is the director of photography for most of his films, demonstrating great attention to detail in crafting exquisite imagery. He plans the storyline meticulously and maintains a consistent approach from storyboarding to filming, thereby enhancing the sense of unity of his works.

He often photographs actual landscapes as references for his works, and recreating real places, which leaves a strong impression on the audience. He also pays close attention to the expression of weather and light, and his detailed depiction of these elements attracts many people. His methods and persistence are highly acclaimed by many animation creators and fans.

Makoto Shinkai’s Experiences Before Starting Animation Production and His Influential Works

Makoto Shinkai had worked for a video game software company before starting his animation production career. His debut film, a 25-minute short film “Voices of a Distant Star (Hoshi no Koe),” was produced entirely by himself, including directing, scriptwriting, storyboarding, drawing, art, and editing, all on his own computer.

One of the characteristics of his works is the realistic and detailed depiction of landscapes that people see in their daily lives. . He often photographs actual landscapes and uses them as references for his works. He also pays close attention to the rhythmical matching of music and images, and has earned high acclaim for his detailed depictions and beautiful visual expressions.

About the Message and Philosophy of Director Makoto Shinkai

Director Makoto Shinkai’s message and philosophy are expressed through his films. Makoto Shinkai’s works are known for their beautiful images, music, and moving stories, but they also contain deep thoughts and philosophies.

His works depict people’s sympathetic emotions, such as sometimes sad romance, friendship, and family love. In particular, nature and weather frequently appear in his works, and many of his works focus on the relationship between humans and nature. Director Makoto Shinkai conveys his messages to people by depicting issues that modern society faces, such as the connection between people and nature, and human loneliness and anxiety caused by the changing times.

He also pays close attention to detail when creating his films, striving to create works that resonate with people. As described above, Makoto Shinkai’s works encompass not only beautiful images and music, but also profound thoughts and philosophies, and have the power to convey messages to audiences.

About the Music and Sound Design of Makoto Shinkai’s Works

Director Makoto Shinkai also pays great attention to music and sound design. In particular, he is known for his collaboration with the band Radwimps, with whom he has worked on “Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)” and “Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko).”

Yojiro Noda of RADWIMPS also composed the music for “Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari),” marking the third time he has collaborated with director Shinkai. In addition, Shinkai meticulously focuses on sound effects and environmental sounds to create a detailed sound design that enhances the overall worldbuilding of his works. For example, in “Your Name (Kimi no Na wa),” the sounds of the places where the characters live, the weather, and airplanes are all carefully crafted.

In the case of “Voices of a Distant Star (Hoshi no Koe),” the sound designers struggled to find a way to express the sounds of outer space, and the staff experimented with various sounds through repeated trial and error. The music and sound design of Makoto Shinkai’s films are meticulously produced in every detail.

About Makoto Shinkai’s works and the awards he has received

Makoto Shinkai has won numerous awards and recognitions. “Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)” was the number one Japanese film of all time at the box office in 2016, won the Best Animated Film at the 40th Japan Academy Awards, the Best Animated Film at the 71st Mainichi Film Awards, and the Best Animated Film at the 41st Hochi Film Awards.

Furthermore, “5 Centimeters per Second (Byōsoku Go-Senchimētoru)” won the Best Animation Award at the 31st Youth Film Critics Awards. “Voices of a Distant Star (Hoshi no Koe)” has received numerous awards and is considered one of the most unique animated films ever produced by an individual filmmaker. Makoto Shinkai’s works have also received awards at animation festivals and high acclaim from various media.

Shinkai Makoto’s Works Ranked by Popularity

We conducted a survey of 100 people about their favorite animation films by director Makoto Shinkai. Here are the results, along with the reasons for their selections.

Shinkai Makoto’s Animation Movie Ranking #1: Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)

“The story of the movie was very touching, pure and heartwarming. The pictures are beautiful and the music itself is wonderful, matching the movie. The music matched the story and drew me in, and I can’t forget the emotion I felt.” (Nanako)

“Although it is a classic story, it’s still my favorite work. I love the beautiful colors in Shinkai’s films and the way they draw you in. Also, in this work, there are various people’s thoughts and feelings, and the worries and thoughts peculiar to adolescence that make you want to cheer the characters on. I got goosebumps when the dots connected at the end. I love the fact that you can watch it not just once, but multiple times and see it from different perspectives.” (Mameponsuke)

“I was impressed by the visual techniques and music, which I have never felt in a movie before. I’m not usually someone who watches love stories, but this movie was not just a love story, but had a worldview that drew me into a different world, providing a breathtaking experience.” (Kacchan)

Shinkai Makoto’s Animation Movie Ranking No. 2: The Garden of Words (Kotonoha no Niwa)

“The depiction of rain was very beautiful. I think all of Shinkai’s works have beautiful backgrounds and are very beautiful, but I think The Garden of Words is by far the most beautiful of them all. The story is also a sad one, so it really draws you in.” (Kii)

“I selected this film because of its beautiful descriptions of emotions and landscapes. The feelings that we usually want to put into words but can’t are beautifully portrayed. The interaction between the two main characters is also carefully crafted, and it is a work that soothes me every time I watch it.” (Kaka)

“I love the way the rain is described. Even if I say rain in one word, the strength of the raindrops differs depending on whether it’s light rain or heavy rain, and the way the water droplets bounce differs as well. I think it is a beautiful short film because the main characters’ feelings are projected onto the rain that poured down in changing forms while being affected by the temperature and other environmental factors. I was very happy to see that the film was made with a strong focus on the expression of rain” (ayui)

Shinkai Makoto’s Animation Movie Ranking No. 3: Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko)

“The beauty of the images is overwhelming. The story moves along at a good tempo, keeps making you wonder what’s going to happen until the end. The main character, heroine, and other characters are attractive, and I think this work can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults.” (Natsu)

“The rain, sky, and clouds are so precisely depicted that drew me into the world. The story is a classic science fiction juvenile work, but I love the world view and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the images. It’s a movie I want to see on a big screen.” (Pomodoro)

“I like the way Hodaka and Hina meet each other, each with their own circumstances. I also like the kindness of the people who help them. Hina tries her best to help the people around her. Hodaka tries to help her. I like the relationship between the characters in this movie.” (Yuji)

Shinkai Makoto’s Animation Movie Ranking No. 4: Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari)

“I’ve loved this movie since I first saw the trailer. As the trailer showed, there are many depictions of earthquakes and disasters, it was quite heartbreaking for me as a disaster victim. I was moved by the fact that the disaster was not treated lightly, but rather was put into fiction with great sincerity.” (takahashi)

“I felt that director Shinkai took on a challenge by using the earthquake as the theme of the film. I think everyone has their own way of feeling about it, but the message is that we should not forget the disaster is persuasive. It is a profound work that made me think about many things that felt pain in my heart.” (Momo)

Shinkai Makoto’s Animation Movie Ranking No. 5: 5 Centimeters per Second (Byōsoku Go-Senchimētoru)

“I really liked the way the hero and heroine’s everyday life were carefully depicted. The heroine’s line about cherry blossoms “The speed at which cherry blossoms fall… 5 centimeters per second” is the origin of the title, and the speed of the story was carefully crafted to make the cherry blossoms fall slowly, so I felt very comfortable watching it.” (Teketeke)

“This was the first Makoto Shinkai film I saw, and it is my favorite film that inspired me to watch his later works. The images are very beautiful, and I thought that Shinkai is an artist with a very sensitive sensibility. The contrast between the boy who struggles to move on and the girl who moves forward is a work that makes me sad.” (Wato)

Shinkai Makoto’s Animation Movie Ranking No. 6: The Place Promised in Our Early Days (Kumo no Mukō, Yakusoku no Basho)

“I like the way the film depicts how men and women have feelings and how men continue to think about them, but women reach for the “happiness” closest to them and accept it as happiness, while men only accept what they really like” (Goto)

“I am a fan of Hidetaka Yoshioka and Masato Hagiwara, who voiced the characters. I also like the fantastic storyline and the relationship between the boy and female characters. I got to know director Shinkai through this film, I didn’t expect to see so many of his works to this day.” (Ron)

※ This information is for 05/26/2023. Please check the latest delivery status on each site.