About
Quick guide
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Your Name.
20168106 min
AnimationDramaRomance
Released
Aug 26, 2016
Country
Japan
Director
Makoto Shinkai
Productions
CoMix Wave FilmsTOHOKADOKAWAjekiAMUSEvoque ting+1
High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly, and the two must adjust their lives around each other.
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About
Quick guide
Animated film where two teenagers swap bodies overnight, weaving romance and fate across Tokyo and a rural town.
High‑schoolers Mitsuha and Taki begin swapping lives each night, discovering a mysterious connection that forces them to adapt to each other’s routines. As the switches become more frequent, their daily experiences grow intertwined, sparking feelings that bridge the distance between a bustling city and a quiet countryside. The film blends subtle fantasy with emotional drama, using vivid animation to highlight the poignancy of youthful longing and the weight of destiny.
What to know
- Runtime is 106 minutes.
- Released in Japanese theaters on 26 August 2016 and internationally on 7 April 2017.
- Rated PG, suitable for teens with some mature themes.
- Directed and written by Makoto Shinkai.
- Music composed by Radwimps.
- Main voice cast: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Ryo Narita.
- Theme song "Zen Zen Zense" by Radwimps.
- Available in Japanese with English subtitles and a full English dub.
Watch if
If you enjoy romance, animated storytelling, subtle fantasy, and emotional depth, this film is for you. Fans of Makoto Shinkai’s visual style and music will find it engaging.
Skip if
If you prefer fast‑paced action, heavy violence, or horror, or if you dislike time‑travel or body‑swap mechanics, you may find the story confusing or too slow.
romance elementssad tonepsychological elementsslow burnmature themeslight tone
Overview
In 2016, Makoto Shinkai’s anime ‘Your Name.’ captivated audiences with its tale of two high‑schoolers who begin swapping bodies nightly. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo’s bustling life and a quiet mountain town, the film follows their attempts to navigate each other’s daily routines while uncovering a deeper, shared destiny.
Plot Premise
Mitsuha, a girl from a rural village, and Taki, a boy in Tokyo, unexpectedly switch bodies every so often. They must learn to live in each other’s lives, leaving notes to coordinate actions. As the swaps continue, they develop feelings that cross time and geography.
Key Characters
Mitsuha Miyamizu is a seventeen‑year‑old girl who dreams of life in Tokyo, while Taki Tachibana is a budding architect navigating school and part‑time work. Their interactions reveal personal growth, shared responsibilities, and an emotional bond that challenges their ordinary existence.
Themes & Motifs
The film weaves romance with destiny, exploring how small actions resonate across time. Themes of identity, connection, and the fragility of memory appear as the characters adapt to each other’s lives, while a looming comet adds cosmic stakes.
Animation & Visuals
‘Your Name.’ showcases Shinkai’s signature detailed, painterly animation that captures both the brightness of Tokyo and the serenity of rural Japan. The film’s visual storytelling enhances emotional beats and underscores the film’s lyrical quality.
Music & Soundtrack
Radwimps provide a haunting soundtrack that includes the opening theme ‘Zen Zen Zense’ and the reflective ‘Nandemonaiya.’ The music underscores the film’s emotional arcs and amplifies moments of longing and revelation.
Critical Reception
Critics praised the film for its emotional depth and visual beauty, citing its heartfelt storytelling and unique premise. It achieved an 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 81/100 Metacritic score, reflecting universal acclaim.
Box Office Performance
The film grossed over $400 million worldwide, becoming Japan’s highest‑grossing film at the time of release. It earned $5.02 million in the U.S. and was praised for its commercial success across more than 90 countries.
Legacy & Influence
Beyond its box‑office triumph, the film cemented Shinkai’s reputation as a master of animated romance. Its impact is seen in subsequent anime, cultural tourism to its locations, and its ongoing discussion of fate and memory among audiences.
FAQ
48 Q&A
What is the name of the main girl?
The main girl's name is Mitsuha.
Where do they meet in the end?
They meet on a mountain stairs in the end.
Do they remember each other?
They forget each other's names but remember feelings.
What does the red string mean?
The red string connects them and shows fate.
Why do they switch bodies?
They switch bodies because of a comet's magic.
What is the red string called?
The red string is called musubi.
What is the name of the comet?
The comet is called Tiamat.
What is the girl's grandmother's name?
The girl's grandmother's name is Hitoha.
Does the boy save the town?
Yes, the boy saves the town from the comet.
What is the name of the girl's little sister?
The girl's little sister's name is Yotsuha.
What does the girl write on the boy's hand?
The girl writes 'I love you' on the boy's hand.
Do they meet in the end?
Yes, they meet in the end.
What does the girl's father do for work?
The girl's father is the mayor of their town.
What happens to the girl's town?
The girl's town is destroyed by the comet.
Where does the boy live?
The boy lives in Tokyo.
What is the name of the main boy?
The main boy's name is Taki.
What is the name of the girl's town?
The girl's town is called Itomori.
What is the name of the lake in the girl's town?
The lake in the girl's town is called Lake Itomori.
What does the boy write on the girl's hand?
The boy writes his name on the girl's hand.
What is the drink they make at the shrine?
They make sake at the shrine.
How do they try to remember each other?
They draw pictures of their memories.
Do they know each other's names when they meet?
No, they do not know each other's names when they meet.
What happens when they wake up?
They wake up in their own bodies.
When does the comet come?
The comet comes every thousand years.
Where does the girl live?
The girl lives in Itomori.
What year does the movie end in?
The movie ends in 2016.
What does the word 'Musubi' mean?
The word 'Musubi' means to 'tie' or 'connect'.
What is the name of the restaurant where the boy works?
The boy works at a Shinto shrine.
Is this movie part of a series?
No, this movie is not part of a series.
Does the boy's friend get married?
The movie does not show if the boy's friend gets married.
What is the meaning of the colors in the ribbon?
The ribbon's colors represent the passage of time and the connection between the two main characters.
What is the name of the director?
The director of the movie is Makoto Shinkai.
Why do they forget each other?
They forget each other because time passed and they swapped bodies less often.
Why does the girl cut her hair?
The girl cuts her hair because she is sad and wants to change.
What does the title mean?
The title 'Your Name.' means the name of someone important to you.
What time of day do they meet?
They meet at dusk.
What does the drink mean?
The drink represents their connection and shared memories.
Do they find each other after forgetting?
Yes, they find each other after forgetting.
What movie inspired the comet disaster?
The comet disaster was inspired by the real-life event of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Do the characters get married in the end?
The movie ends with them meeting again, and it is implied they will get together.
Who is the girl's best friend?
The girl's best friend is Sayaka Natori.
Does the boy like his crush?
Yes, the boy likes his crush.
What is the name of the boy's crush?
The boy's crush is Miki Okudera.
Does the girl's friend get married?
The movie does not show if the girl's friend gets married.
Who is the boy's best friend?
The boy's best friend is Tsubasa Amamiya.
Does the girl like the boy?
Yes, the girl likes the boy.
How much money did the movie make?
The movie made over $355 million worldwide.
What real event inspired the movie?
The movie was inspired by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Actors
Ryunosuke Kamiki
Taki Tachibana (voice)
Mone Kamishiraishi
Mitsuha Miyamizu (voice)
Ryo Narita
Katsuhiko Teshigawara (voice)
Aoi Yuuki
Sayaka Natori (voice)
Nobunaga Shimazaki
Tsukasa Fujii (voice)
Kaito Ishikawa
Shinta Takagi (voice)
Kanon Tani
Yotsuha Miyamizu (voice)
Masaki Terasoma
Toshiki Miyamizu (voice)
Sayaka Ohara
Futaha Miyamizu (voice)
Kazuhiko Inoue
Taki's Father (voice)
Chafurin
Teshigawara's Father (voice)
Yuka Kato
Teshigawara's Mother (voice)