Review of Your Name. (2016) by Brendan S — 11 Apr 2017

There are films that come along in a lifetime that really hit you. A film that's so emotionally satisfying that it has you wondering. Your name without a doubt follows under this category. It's easily one of the best anime films of all-time and one of the best films of all-time. It consistently has you on your toes wondering what's going to happen next. The twists and turns keep you there, engaged, and emotional attached throughout the film. This is the best anime since Spirited Away in my opinion. It's the second best anime of all-time.

The sc-fi element was the one thing I was most scared about. The two characters switch bodies in the film. They go through the normal tropes that "body switching" films have but its done in a beautiful way. Instead of 100% comedy they give it the anime spin with some anime tropes. It's very well blended and doesn't come off as manipulative like most body-swapping films. Another thing they do is create a beautifully constructed world that immediately gets you hooked. It's a combination of realistic elements with a fantasy spin. It's actually quite brilliantly mashed together. The ending then drops you into an emotional situation. It connects you with what is called "the bait-and-switch"...and it's done perfectly. The characters become fully fleshed out at the end and it really is touching.

Overall, the film is both brilliant and emotionally satisfying. It doesn't hit you with boring cliche's or boring tropes. Even when the film does have tropes, it's a combination of two great ones. Tropes can bong down a film but when done right and blended with other well-done tropes, they can create magic.

9.7/10.