Makoto Shinkai’s latest film has seen huge success in the Japanese market, but can it win a nomination for the North America film industry’s top honor?
On November 7 Funimation Studios, the distributing company for the widely successful animated film Your Name in North America, announced that Makoto Shinkai’s hit is officially on the consideration list for the 89th annual Academy Awards.
Your Name (Kimi no na wa in Japanese) is competing for one of five spots in the Best Animated Feature category, and will be making its qualifying run, which we mentioned before, from December 2 to 8 at the Laemmle Music Hall in Los Angeles. From there it will be released in select theatres across the country.
The story follows that of Taki and Mitsuha, two high school students who are complete strangers living totally different lives, yet one day find themselves switching bodies. The switch continues to happen randomly, and they begin to form a connection with each other through notes and messages as they try to find their way to each other.
The film has done extraordinarily well at the Japanese box office, raking in over 17.9 billion yen (approximately US$172 million) since its release on August 26, making it the seventh-highest grossing film of all time in Japan. It’s captivated audiences with its stunning animation and beautifully told story, and it will be interesting to see how North American audiences react to it. Do you think it has a shot at earning a nomination? Let us know!
Source: Cinema Today
Featured image: YouTube/東宝MOVIEチャンネル
Anime hit Your Name to get Academy Award-qualifying U.S. theatrical run this year
Anime film Your Name’s director reveals that one character was very different in initial script
Twitter is abuzz over gorgeous new visual promotion for the hit anime film Your Name
Your Name director Makoto Shinkai, other anime creators invited to join Oscar Academy
Hit anime Your Name becomes highest-grossing Japanese film ever at Chinese theaters
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Saltiest ramen in Japan? Ikebukuro White goes viral for crazy salt levels
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Weathering with You is first anime submitted for Best International Film Oscar in over 20 years
Your Name’s animated storyboards show anime phenomenon like you’ve never seen it before【Video】
Your Name director reveals initial character concept sketches, title, thematic goals of the hit anime
Your Name’s Makoto Shinkai announces new anime film, reveals title, plot details, release date
Director of anime Your Name responds to criticisms about the hit film
Official English version of anime Your Name’s theme song sounds cool as Japanese original【Video】
Your Name director Makoto Shinkai talks about his next anime film, gives hopeful timeframe
Anime Your Name’s home video release announced, has English subtitles and is region-free
What would anime hit Your Name look like without its biggest storytelling cheat? Manga shows us
Anime film Your Name’s director Makoto Shinkai is immortalized in an asteroid’s name
Studio behind anime hit Your Name creates dazzling video showing the beauty of Canada【Video】
Spinoff novel of Shinkai’s Your Name film gets manga in July
Video accuses Your Name of copying two of its animation sequences from other anime【Video】
Japanese gamer creates anime Your Name’s rural town in Minecraft, and it’s mind-blowing【Video】
As anime Your Name comes out on home video, did it manage to beat Frozen at the box office?
Anime Your Name’s studio releases trailer for its newest film, which isn’t set in Japan【Video】