Review of Your Name. (2016) by Patrick A — 11 Apr 2017

I will say if you are an anime fan, or fascinated with Japanese culture, then you will love it for those premises alone. That said, just about anyone can enjoy this film. To start off the animation is some of the best I've seen, and I've seen a lot of animated shows and films. Furthermore, it's a breath of fresh air to see many people appreciate hand-drawn 2D animation, or at least that style over the West which is producing mostly 3D CGI plastic looking animation. Nothing wrong with the Pixar type animation, but the fact Dreamworks to Disney Animation is utilizing the same style doesn't give stand out anymore, and in fact feels bland. Meanwhile when you watch Your Name, and especially certain scenes from showcasing Tokyo to the countryside, then it's breathtaking. Especially with how the animation utilizes lightning which is very distinctive in certain scenes.

Now I won't spoil the story, and I'll keep it simplified. The first half of the story is a boy and girl switches bodies every few days, and it's almost a light-heart slice of life story with good humor. That said, as they continue to switch, both end up helping each other when they are controlling the other's body. I won't go into details, but both help them get out of their comfort zones and not allow the worries of everyday life and others get the best of them. This is where I started to relate to the story, especially in regards to developing themes of allowing everyday life keep us down to wanting more out of life. I've been through similar issues in the mid, and now late 20s.

That said, as the story develops, the switching stops for a major reason. I won't say much besides, but when this major plot point occurs, then the story shifts into something more serious and very emotional. For me this is where the film went from good, as in a solid enjoyable film, to in my view a masterpiece. Now I won't say it's the best of all time, and it's subjective. But for me, and my friends and others who saw it, agree how the 2nd and 3rd arcs of the film caught us by surprise, and it become an emotional and serious ride.

I won't say much more on the story, but the way the story progresses feels believable overall, and the character development is incredible.The transition from humor to something serious worked well, and it didn't feel out of place. Finally the music and sound design is incredible as well, and the original Japanese voice acting is great. I haven't seen it dub, and I will probably see it dub on home-video, but I heard the dub is mostly good minus the way how a few lines were delivered from what I've heard.

I recommend everyone check out this film, even if you aren't an anime film. From a serious film perspective it's incredible. The only caution I throw out there is this movie isn't for kids. It's for people who are at least a teenager, or ideally older. In fact, the themes and issues presented will relate more to adults . The ongoing theme is "looking for something," or someone in this case truly relates to people who are well in their 20s or 30s, especially as a millennial myself. That said, you would do a disservice to not give this film a chance.