If you loved anime Your Name, these 5 Makoto Shinkai films will stay in your heart too
When Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) premiered in 2016, it didn't just become one of the highest-grossing anime films of all time; it became a cultural phenomenon. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, the film blends supernatural elements with teenage emotion, stunning animation, and an aching sense of distance.
It tells the story of two strangers, Mitsuha, a rural girl yearning for city life, and Taki, a Tokyo boy caught up in modern chaos, who begin mysteriously swapping bodies across time and space.
What begins as a quirky, almost comedic premise soon transforms into something far more poignant: a search for meaning, memory, and connection in a world that often keeps people apart. Your Name resonates because it captures something universal, the feeling that someone out there might understand us completely, even if we've never met.
The film's unique mix of romance, fantasy, and emotional depth has left many viewers wanting more.
And luckily, Makoto Shinkai's other works explore similar themes in equally moving ways.
Loved Your Name? You must watch these 5 stunning
anime movies
by Makoto Shinkai
If Your Name left a lasting impression, whether you're drawn to romantic longing, quiet sci-fi, or the emotional weight of time and distance, these five handpicked films by Shinkai offer something just as unforgettable.
Suzume
(2022)
Source: Crunchyroll
One of Shinkai's more recent and ambitious works, Suzume follows a high school girl who stumbles upon a mysterious door that leads to a disaster-stricken world.
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As she journeys across Japan to close these portals, she confronts themes of grief, resilience, and recovery. Visually stunning and deeply symbolic, Suzume blends heartfelt storytelling with social commentary, particularly around the emotional aftermath of natural disasters, drawing inspiration from real-life events like the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.
Weathering With You
(2019)
Source: Crunchyroll
From the first frame, Weathering With You feels like a spiritual sibling to Your Name.
It follows Hodaka, a runaway teen who meets Hina, a girl with the power to control the weather. As Tokyo faces unrelenting rain, their bond grows, but so do the consequences of altering nature. Balancing light romance, social struggles, and fantasy, this film touches on climate change and urban isolation, all while delivering the kind of stunning animation and emotional highs that Shinkai fans expect.
The Garden of Words (2013)
Source: Crunchyroll
Short, poetic, and emotionally resonant, The Garden of Words tells the story of an unlikely bond between a teenage boy and an older woman, set against the backdrop of Tokyo's rainy season.
At just 46 minutes, it's one of Shinkai's shorter works but arguably one of his most visually refined. This film explores loneliness, unspoken connections, and the healing power of empathy, all conveyed through breathtaking imagery of rain-soaked parks, cityscapes, and the silence between words.
Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011)
Source: Crunchyroll
Often described as Shinkai's most 'Ghibli-like' film, Children Who Chase Lost Voices ventures into myth, ancient civilizations, and the underworld.
The story follows Asuna, a young girl who embarks on a journey to a hidden land where the living and the dead may reunite.
Though different in tone, leaning more into adventure and folklore, it's still deeply rooted in themes of love, loss, and letting go. This film showcases Shinkai's range and his ability to create entire worlds that feel both fantastical and deeply human.
The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004)
Source: Wikipedia
Shinkai's first feature-length film, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, sets the tone for many themes he explores later: distance, longing, and parallel realities.
Set in an alternate post-war Japan, the story follows three teenagers bound by a mysterious tower visible from their town and a pact they made to uncover its secrets. With its layered plot and slow-burning emotional core, this film is more subdued than Your Name, but it delivers a powerful exploration of friendship, lost promises, and the quiet ache of growing apart.
Makoto Shinkai's films are more than just visually stunning; they're emotional journeys that resonate long after the credits roll. If Your Name moved you with its tale of time-crossed lovers, these five films offer even more of what makes Shinkai a master of modern anime: beautiful animation, haunting soundtracks, and deeply personal stories about connection, memory, and the passage of time.
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