As many people have mentioned before, anime fans have no reason to worry for the future of the category, even after Hayao Miyazaki decides to put his pen down permanently. One of the main reasons for this optimism is Makoto Shinkai, with “Weathering With You” being another testament to the fact.
“Weathering With You” is streaming on Screen Anime
Hodaka Morishima is a high-schooler who has run away from his island home, trying to find a different life in Tokyo. During his trip with the ferry, a freak rainstorm almost makes him drown, but he is saved at the last minute by Keisuke Suga, in a meeting that ends up with Hodaka much poorer, but with a business card of his savior in his hands. A second fateful encounter takes place a few days later in a McDonald's, where a young employee, Hina, takes pity on him and gives him food. A third fateful encounter involves a gun, while some time later, Hodaka finds himself working for Keisuke's publishing company that produces articles dealing with the occult, meeting his niece, Natsumi and misunderstanding their relationship, and saving Hina from a man who was about to employ her as a hostess. As the rain does not seem to stop during the summer, his investigations bring him to learn of the legend of the “Weather Maiden”, and soon, he finds himself working with Hina and her little brother, Nagi, changing the weather for a pay. The gun, however, and fate,create obstacles that seem really hard to overcome.
Much like “Your Name”, Shinkai uses a story revolving around young teenagers and the supernatural, to make a number of very serious and realistic comments, through an approach that could be described as magical realism. The absurd weather is the most evident one, as it deals with the latest climate changes and the increase of rainfall in the country, which has caused a number of disasters. Another main comment, although not so evident, seems to be an accusation towards the previous generation (the parents of the protagonists in essence) who are nowhere to be found, causing their children much torment. The fact that the only 30+ people in the film are the alcoholic Suga, the man who wants to make Hina a hostess, and the policeman who manages to lose Hodaka from his hands continuously is another testament to the fact. The same can be said about the repeated sequences of grandchildren taking care of their grandfathers, without their parents' help.
The coming-of-age element is also very intense, with Shinkai suggesting that work and the sense of being needed by others is what makes people mature. Romance is also present, with the film adopting a very sensitive approach to it, while Natsumi and particularly Nagi, with his playboy attitude, take care of the comedy part of the narrative. Lastly, the concept of the gun provides another comment about the dangers involving weapons, while Shinkai leaves the power of love for the end.
As usual in Shinkai's works, the drawing, the animation and the attention to every detail are of the highest level, with Masayoshi Tanaka's character design, Atsushi Tamura's animation directing and Hiroshi Takiguchi art directing being truly masterful. The combination of hand drawn animation and CGI work wonders of the anime, with the scenes in the rain, the whole presentation of the water, and the rotating scenes being particularly impressive. One can also marvel about the details of the background, while the drawing and the movement of the characters is utterly realistic, even in the supernatural moments.
Some faults do exist, with the Japanese tendency of prolonging the ending unnecessarily appearing here also, while the product placement is not exactly subtle. These however, are just minor flaws, and do not hinder the overall great sense the title leaves but insignificantly.
“Weathering With You” is another great anime by the latest master of the category, and a film that everyone will enjoy watching.
