The 10 Best Films of the Famous Director Shinkai Makoto

Shinkai Makoto is a renowned director, screenwriter, and producer of animated films from Japan. His works are known for evoking a deep, indescribable sadness, often delivering poignant messages about love and life. In this article, we will present to you the 10 best films by the celebrated Shinkai Makoto.

1. Your Name

The first film we would like to highlight in this article is Your Name (Kimi no Na wa). It is considered one of the finest animated films from Japan, directed by Shinkai Makoto. Released in 2016, the movie became a box-office phenomenon, marking one of the greatest achievements in Shinkai Makoto's filmmaking career. The plot follows the fateful encounter between two characters, Taki and Mitsuha, who experience extraordinary events when they swap bodies. A beautiful, touching story that masterfully blends elements of mythology, love, and magical adventure.

One day, Mitsuha wakes up to find that she and Taki are no longer swapping bodies. As the story unfolds, the mystery behind this event is gradually revealed, affecting both their present lives and their futures. Your Name received high praise, with an IMDb rating of 8.4/10, and won numerous prestigious awards, solidifying Shinkai Makoto's position as one of the leading directors in Japan's anime industry.

2. Suzume

Next on the list is Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari), which brought significant success to the talented director. Released in late 2022, it is one of Shinkai Makoto's most recent works. This collaboration between CoMix Wave Films and Toho belongs to the genres of action, fantasy, and comedy, with an incredibly engaging plot.

The film centers on a high school girl and a young man named Souta, who join forces to close doors that are unleashing disasters across Japan. The story is deeply compelling, focusing on the themes of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Suzume cũng chính là tác phẩm đầu tiên của đạo diễn Shinkai Makoto được sản xuất dưới dạng road-movie, và là dự án phim thứ 3 hợp tác cùng với đạo diễn Kawamura Genki sau thành công của hai bộ phim Your Name và Weathering With You.

Được biết đến với danh xưng 'Phù thủy nỗi buồn', đạo diễn Shinkai Makoto đã giúp cho bộ phim Suzume này nhận được rất nhiều đề cử và lọt vào trong danh sách tranh giải tại LHP Berlin, trở thành bộ phim hoạt hình thứ 2 đạt được thành tích này kể từ Spirited Away vào năm 2001.

3. Weathering With You

Weathering With You (Đứa con của thời tiết) được biết đến như là một trong những kiệt tác của đạo diễn tài năng Shinkai Makoto, bộ phim này đã được sản xuất ngay sau bom tấn Your Name. Nội dung chính của bộ phim này kể về nhân vật Hodaka Morishima, một chàng trai trẻ tuổi phải chấp nhận rời bỏ quê hương của mình để tìm kiếm một cuộc sống mới ở thành phố Tokyo. Tại nơi đây, anh đã vô tình gặp được Hina Amano, một cô gái đặc biệt có khả năng kiểm soát được thời tiết. Cùng nhau, họ đã thành lập một công ty nhỏ giúp cho người dân có thể chống lại được những cơn mưa và tìm ánh nắng trong những ngày trời u ám.

Bộ phim Weathering With You này không chỉ là một câu chuyện tình yêu đẹp mắt mà trong nó còn ẩn chứa một thông điệp vô cùng sâu sắc có liên quan đến sự kết nối giữa con người cùng với tự nhiên. Bộ phim này gửi gắm ý thức về việc bảo vệ môi trường và tôn trọng thiên nhiên. Với cốt truyện vô cùng hấp dẫn, tình tiết cuốn hút và giá trị nhân văn, bộ phim Weathering With You này đã thu hút được rất nhiều khán giả và nhận về được rất nhiều lời khen ngợi từ những nhà phê bình.

4. Children Who Chase Lost Voices

Bộ phim Children Who Chase Lost Voices (Những đứa trẻ đuổi theo tinh tú) được biết tới như là một tác phẩm thuộc thể loại phiêu lưu hành động kết hợp cùng với yếu tố tình cảm của đạo diễn Shinkai Makoto, bộ phim này đã được cho ra mắt vào năm 2011.

Nội dung chính của bộ phim nào xoay quanh nhân vật Asuna, một cô bé khám phá thế giới ma mị khi vô tình gặp được chàng trai Shun. Hai người họ đã cùng nhau bắt đầu một cuộc phiêu lưu đầy kịch tính để có thể tìm được linh hồn thất lạc của cha Shun, đối mặt với rất nhiều những thách thức và hiểm nguy từ phía kẻ thù muốn sử dụng linh hồn. Cùng nhau trải qua những khó khăn, thử thách họ tìm lời giải về tình yêu, tình bạn, và ý nghĩa quan trọng nhất của sự sống.

Children Who Chase Lost Voices offers audiences stunning visuals, wonderful music, and a captivating storyline. The film has received much praise, and is considered an essential watch by the director Makoto Shinkai.

5. The Garden of Words

The Garden of Words (Vườn ngôn từ) is a short film directed by Makoto Shinkai, first released in 2013. The film tells the beautiful and romantic love story between a young man named Takao and an older woman named Yukino.

Takao, introduced in this film, is a high school student with a deep passion for designing shoes. Whenever it rains, he often visits a park near his school to seek inspiration for his designs. One rainy day, Takao meets Yukino, a seemingly lonely woman who is drinking alone in the park. They begin to talk, sharing stories of their lives and their future goals, growing closer with each conversation. Through their exchanges, they find solace and understanding, revealing the struggles they both face in daily life. The relationship between them is difficult to describe—it's not merely romantic love, but also a form of healing for both characters.

The Garden of Words is regarded as an emotional masterpiece, telling the story of love and empathy between two individuals from entirely different walks of life. The film, which runs for just under an hour, may seem short, but in its 46-minute duration, director Shinkai Makoto beautifully presents the stunning landscapes of Japan, with realistic depictions of rainfall and a subtle sadness woven into the narrative. The film also explores the love story of young people amidst the hustle and bustle of life.

6. The Place Promised in Our Early Days

The Place Promised in Our Early Days (Bên kia mây trời, là nơi hẹn ước) is a film that tells the story of three close friends: Hiroki, Takuya, and Sayuri, who live in a small town in Japan during the 1990s.

The story begins with Hiroki and Takuya, two ninth-grade boys who decide to build an airplane in an old shrine so they can fly to a distant land they had seen through a large tower in the sky. They name it 'The Tower' and believe that their airplane will take them to a place unreachable by others. Meanwhile, Sayuri, their close friend, is battling a serious illness and remains in the hospital.

A year later, Takuya and Hiroki decided to drop out of school to continue their research and complete their airplane project. When Sayuri was discharged from the hospital, she joined the boys' project, and the three of them began working together to reach the place they had all dreamt of.

The Place Promised in Our Early Days is a film with a captivating storyline that conveys profound messages about friendship, hope, and the values found in daily life. The metaphorical 'The Tower' represents a land beyond human reach, raising the question of whether humanity can overcome its own limitations and succeed in reaching distant places in the universe.

7. 5 Centimeters per Second

5 Centimeters per Second (5 Centimet trên giây) is a classic film filled with the melancholic beauty of director Makoto Shinkai's storytelling, released in 2007. The movie follows the emotional love story of Takaki and Akari, starting from their childhood and spanning many years. The 65-minute film is divided into three segments, each depicting a different stage in the lives of Takaki and Akari. The film captures the growth of their relationship over time and the challenges they face in life, from innocent childhood days and a treasured friendship to the tumultuous phases of their adulthood.

5 Centimeters per Second is not just a love story; it can be viewed as a realistic depiction of life, memories, and the unforgettable moments in everyone's journey. You will experience the emotions of waiting, hope, and sorrow as you witness the moments of separation between two hearts. The scene where trains pass by each other has become a symbolic image of aspirations and faith in love, yet it also represents a painful reality of parting.

8. The Call from the Distant Star

When discussing the finest works of the renowned director Shinkai Makoto, one cannot overlook the film The Call from the Distant Star. This film, produced in 2002, is recognized as one of Shinkai Makoto's early masterpieces, created in collaboration with CoMix Wave Inc.

The main storyline of 'The Call from the Distant Star' revolves around the childhood friendship and love between Mikako and Noboru. As children, they promised to become pilots and astronauts to fulfill their dream of exploring the vast universe. However, as Mikako becomes an astronaut tasked with piloting a spacecraft to Mars, the distance between the two of them grows increasingly wider.

Mikako and Noboru begin sending messages to each other through mobile signals, but due to the vast distance between them, the messages they wish to communicate take years to travel across space before reaching the other. Noboru faces numerous struggles and challenges in his life, while Mikako battles alien forces and searches for a way to return to Earth.

In addition to the visually stunning scenes from the sci-fi genre, blended with elements of romance, The Call from the Distant Star also impresses viewers on a technical level. The production team used a unique filming technique called 'shooting on paper,' where the author himself drew each frame and filmed on separate sheets of paper. This method allowed the creator to produce a breathtaking and colorful animated sci-fi masterpiece.

9. Someone's Gaze

The anime 'Someone's Gaze,' also known as 'Dareka no Manazashi,' is a short film directed by Makoto Shinkai, one of the most prominent figures in the Japanese anime industry. The film tells the story of Aya, a young woman living an independent life and seeking meaning in her work. One day, she receives a call from her estranged father, inviting her to visit an exhibition where he is currently working. What makes this anime special is the profound message about family relationships, existential doubts, and the perspective of the world from the point of view of a young woman.

10. Crossroad

Crossroad is known as a very unique film by director Shinkai Makoto. Although it lasts only about two minutes, this short anime offers viewers a deep look into the lives of its two main characters – a female high school student and a male high school student, who accidentally cross paths while preparing for their college entrance exams.

The article above has compiled a list of the 10 best films by the famous director Shinkai Makoto. We wish you a great day ahead!