Your Name (Kimi no Na wa.) — 2016 Japanese animated film

Plot and themes

At its center are Mitsuha, a girl who lives in a small mountain town, and Taki, a boy living in the metropolis. They wake up in each other’s bodies at intermittent intervals and must navigate the practical, emotional and ethical complications of occupying another life. The body-swapping conceit becomes a vehicle for themes such as fate, loss, rural decline, urban isolation and the meaning of personal ties. The film balances quieter character moments with sweeping visual sequences and a structure that gradually shifts from comedy and discovery to urgency and poignancy.

Production and creators

Makoto Shinkai wrote and directed the film; he has been noted for strong visual style and a focus on intimate human stories. The movie was produced by Noritaka Kawaguchi and Genki Kawamura, with a soundtrack composed and performed by the rock band Radwimps. It features voice performances from actors whose credits include Ryunosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Masami Nagasawa and Etsuko Ichihara. Shinkai also prepared a written adaptation of the screenplay that appeared as a novel edition shortly before the film’s theatrical release.

Release, screenings and reception

The film premiered in 2016 and was showcased internationally at events such as Anime Expo in Los Angeles (Anime Expo 2016). It opened widely in Japan in August 2016 and received enthusiastic responses from critics and general audiences. Reviewers commonly praised the animation quality, the expressive use of color and light, and the emotional core of the story. While responses noted the film’s genre blending and occasionally conventional plot beats, its technical craftsmanship and resonant moments were broadly admired.

Box office, awards and distinctions

Your Name achieved remarkable commercial success, becoming one of Japan’s top-grossing films and one of the highest-earning non-English-language movies worldwide. It won multiple awards for animation and filmmaking, including recognition at festivals and critics’ circles. Notable prizes and nominations include wins at the Sitges Film Festival and the Mainichi Film Awards and honors from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association; it was also a contender at the Japan Academy Prize.

Cast, credits and further information

• Director: Makoto Shinkai
• Producers: Noritaka Kawaguchi, Genki Kawamura
• Music: Radwimps
• Principal cast: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi (and supporting cast)
• Genre tags: anime, drama

Legacy and notable facts

The movie helped expand international interest in contemporary Japanese animation beyond traditional franchises by combining mainstream appeal with an auteur director’s sensibility. Its soundtrack and imagery have been widely cited in discussions of modern anime aesthetics. For more production details, release notes and festival appearances, consult dedicated film resources and official materials linked through the film’s publicity channels (original title, romanization, press listings and festival pages).