Weathering With You

Makoto Shinkai returns with this stunning romantic fantasy…

It was never going to be easy for Makoto Shinkai to create a follow-up to his juggernaut hit Your Name, but –despite the pressure undoubtedly on his shoulders- the visionary director is back with his latest feature Weathering with You. A charming and moving drama, the film is a welcome return to the romantic fantasy genre for Shinkai. Full of the director’s favourite tropes and signature visuals, it’s hard not to fall in love once more with the world that he has created here.

Weathering with You follows high school student and runaway Hodaka Morishima, who decides to make his way to Tokyo to make a better life for himself. While we’re never made privy to what it is that he’s decided to run away from, it doesn’t take long for Hodaka to find trouble in his new location. Struggling to make ends meet, the teen decides to start working for an Occult magazine and begins to investigate the rumours surrounding a ‘Sunshine Girl’: Someone who can change the weather at will.

Enter Hina Amano, the bright and strong-willed girl in question who –thanks to Hodaka’s prompting- uses her mysterious powers for the public, and a small fee. Unbeknownst to them, the abilities that Hina uses comes with a hefty price to pay, and when the powers that be decide to cash in it’s up to Hodaka to save his friend. Taking the audience on an incredible journey between worlds, Shinkai has proven himself once more as one of Japan’s leading filmmakers thanks to its striking story and awe-inspiring animation.

That being said, it’s hard not to compare the film with its predecessor, particularly given the similarities Weathering with You shares with Your Name. Both focus on the love story between teens, while they also feature supernatural elements that lead to a shocking plot twist. As such, Weathering with You hits many of the same narrative points that Your Name did, meaning it doesn’t have the same impact as the latter. While the film is no less enjoyable because of its similarities to Your Name, it’s a factor that’s worth noting.

While the film doesn’t hit as hard as Your Name, Weathering with You is still just as charming and awe-inspiring. With an entertaining plot and stunning visuals, it’s hard not to love Shinkai’s latest film, even if it bears a striking resemblance to his Oscar-nominated film. The director just has certain themes he loves to revisit, which he has examined in all of his films and not just in Your Name. So, if you’re happy with what he’s made so far then you’re guaranteed to love this.

Weathering with You is released in cinemas nationwide from 17 January 2020 by All The Anime.