Makoto Shinkai has become one of the most revered anime theater director of the last 10 , verbalize with the same veneration as Mamoru Hosoda , or the older legends like Hayao Miyazaki or Satoshi Kon . While Japan will get to see his new filmSuzume no Tojimarilater this twelvemonth , westerly fans may have to wait until 2023 , given the runway record of his previous two film . Even so , if his new undertaking go for even a fraction of his previous two ’s quality , it will be well - deserving the delay .

While Shinkai himself may differ , he ’s been nickname the “ Next Miyazaki ” by several fans and critics , and while that may be debatable ground on depicted object and storytelling methods , it is at least a worthy argument based on westerly crossover charm and success alone . How does his organic structure of work stack up on Rotten Tomatoes ?

Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below (2011) - 68% Audience Score

Also know as justChildren Who Chase lose Voices , the film follows a young girl who gets transported to another mankind after the supposed death of her champion . The two then have to find their way home and survive strong warriors and unusual ogre .

Like any gum anime director lick today , Shinkai is heavy influenced and inspired by the works of Hiyao Miyazaki , and this film is the most discernible of that ( perhaps to its detriment ) . ThoughChildrenfares much better on IMDBcompared to some of its siblings , the mythical otherworld and character reference design closely resemble the Ghibli esthetic , as do the story beats . While a fun picture show in its own right field , it also feels the most polish off from the aesthetics and storytelling that Shinkai is love for .

The Place Promised In Our Early Days (2004) - 80% Tomatometer, 80% Audience Score

Being Shinkai ’s first feature - length film , The Place anticipate in Our Early Daysis put in an alternating post - war Japan and centers around three teenagers and their fascination with a local tower that make into the sky . Driven to reach the top , two of the teens begin working on a plane , until the third teen vanishes .

Made back in 2004 , this film carry many elements that wouldreappear in Shinkai ’s major 2010s workplace , such as a unequaled approach to science fabrication bordering on magical realness , a close - cockle emotional friendship where one of the admirer disappear , and a unattackable sense of melancholy throughout the moving picture . As his first film , it ’s a strong promise and indication of the potential that the young director would fulfill days after .

The Garden Of Words (2013) - 83% Audience Score

The Garden of Words , Shinkai ’s shortest feature clocking in at just over 45 minutes , espouse the encounter of a student and a instructor as they skip their commitments and meet at a gazebo in a secluded Shinjuku park . The student begins to develop feelings for his teacher and finds himself drawn into her personal life when it becomes publicized at their school .

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This film ’s narrative is particularly elementary , if not also moderately uncomfortable . However , the true highlight ofThe Garden of Wordsis its animation . This moving-picture show extremely showcases Shinkai ’s skills with backgrounds and environments , providing the most minute of details to everyday house and office physical object , food , and rainfall in the park . While Shinkai may not have yet reached his blossom in terminal figure of writing with this plastic film , this   piece   demonstrate maturation in   his artistry ’s aesthetical smasher .

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5 Centimeters Per Second (2007) - 88% Audience Score

Shinkai ’s sophomore effort,5 Centimeters Per Second , follows a young son named Takaki Tono across three period in his life : uncomplicated school , high shoal , and adulthood . Each period pore around Japan ’s sakura time of year ( from which the movie gets its name – the charge per unit cherry blossoms   fall is   five centimeters per second ) , symbolizing growth and renewal , as Takaki reexamines his relationship with a girl named Akari in each part .

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While the film hold none of Shinkai ’s sci - fi , it does heavy sport his melancholia , once again beat back by a relationship doomed by aloofness and unfit timing .   Though very limited in its budget , the film is also fall - dead gorgeous in how it depicts environs , sakura time of year , wintertime snow , and train . It may not feature Shinkai ’s strongest writing , but it ’s still a proficient admiration to behold .

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Weathering With You (2019) - 92% Tomatometer, 96% Audience Score

The most late release from Shinkai , Weathering With You(currently available on HBO Max)follows a young male child who ran away from his nursing home in rural Japan , and his misadventures with a youthful miss he meets who happens to be able to make the rain go away and bring the sun . thing become knavish for the two , however , not only as the cops close in on the runaway , but as the displaced pelting builds and builds into an environmental break point .

As a follow - up toYour Name , Weathering With Youwas always going to have a unmanageable task , as hearing first moment had get hold of a febricity delivery . That said , Weathering With Youholds its own against its predecessor , as Shinkai gives audiences another heartfelt tarradiddle ( possibly his funniest , as well ) drop with magical realism , some of the most gorgeous animation ever put to screen , and another wonderful soundtrack from the Radwimps .

Your Name (2016) - 96% Tomatometer, 94% Audience Score

A   soundbox swap   tale that ’s also an   epic romantic comedy , this movie is known for inspiring both laughs and split . Kimi no Na Wa , orYour Nameas it ’s have a go at it in the west , rise to be exactly that , with perhaps one more well - worn sci - fi image on its way . As suggested , the film tells of the trunk - swapping between a teenage boy in Tokyo , and a teenaged girl in west rural Japan , show how the two battle to maintain each other ’s lives , all the while slowly fall for one another .

critic and fans agreed that this is Makoto Shinkai ’s best employment and the film that made him a household name in otaku households . The animation is as beautiful as it is realistic , but it ’s the piece of writing where Shinkai at long last comes into his own .   The characters have depth , and the conflict is made real and moving despite its mystic premiss .

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Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

Split image showing scenes from 5 Centimeters Per Second and Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below.

A crouching creature talking to two children in Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below.

A cloudy sky in The Place Promised In Our Early Days.

Two characters talking on a bench in The Garden Of Words.

Takaki Touno and Akari Shinohara looking to the distance in 5 Centimeters Per Second

The protagonists smiling at each other in Weathering With You.

Mitsuha and Taki walking in Your Name, separated by a sunburst between them.

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