Makoto Shinkai is an iconic director and one of Japan's most talented animators. He started his career with the development of computer games, but eventually changed his profile to the production of animation work. At first Makoto Shinkai was fond of creating short films, then the list will be replenished with full-length works, you want to watch his anime in silence, enjoying the history and stunning visuals. We present to your attention the 7 best anime by Makoto Shinkai.
Beyond the Clouds (Kumo no muko, yakusoku no basho) 2004
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama
- Rating: IMDb - 7.00
An alternate universe where Japan was divided between the USSR and the Americans after World War II.
In the anime, we are shown a cute and very romantic love story between high school students Hiroki and Sayuri. Once, two teenagers found a damaged plane near the border of two states. The crash happened not far from a huge tower built by the USSR.
The mysterious structure attracted schoolchildren, because every time they walked together during the holidays, they saw its outlines, how it rose and seemed to increase in size every day. Friends made a promise to each other that one day they would fix the found plane and reveal the secret of the mysterious tower.
This anime is about first love, school friends and, of course, about dreams, funny and a little reckless. Makoto shows us the everyday life of the main characters, surrounded by incredible nature, the reality of which surprises from the first moments of watching this cartoon.
Garden of Fine Words (Koto no ha no niwa) 2013
- Genre: drama, everyday life, psychology, romance
- Rating: IMDb - 7.50
Takao Akizuki is one of the main characters in this picture. He goes to school and has dreamed of working with shoes since childhood. However, not all family members are happy with the guy's hobby. The rainy season always brings with it a bit of melancholy and a strange mood. Takao is also subject to this condition. One day he decides to skip school lesson and goes to the city park. Enjoying the silence and atmosphere of freshness, he stumbles upon an old gazebo, where he accidentally meets a young woman named Yukari Yukino.
She sits breathing rain and drinking beer, despite the early morning. They hardly talk to each other, everyone is focused on their thoughts. But this silence does not depress, but, on the contrary, gives calmness. The anime is filled with inner harmony, it tells about urban and noisy life, the difficulties of choosing a path and the relationship of two radically different, but lonely people.
Your name (Kimi no va wa) 2016
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
- Rating: IMDb - 8.40
The story tells about Japan today and the lives of two different personalities: Mitsuhi, a girl who lives in one of the provincial cities, and Taki, a resident of the Tokyo metropolis. Mitsuha is a beautiful, purposeful girl with ambitious plans for her career and life. She is tired of a small town, striving to break out of the routine and find a promising job.
Her dream is to move to Tokyo. However, this anime is not about a girl and her ambitions, but about how her dream was fulfilled and what came of it. One day, Mitsuha gets the opportunity to swap bodies with Taki's boyfriend from Tokyo. From this moment their story begins.
It is also worth noting the gorgeous musical accompaniment, which perfectly immerses you in the atmosphere of anime. Watching the characters, you begin to remember the times of the first serious decisions, the difficulties of choice, uncertainty and a vague perspective of the future. Makoto Shinkai did a great job, I want to watch this cartoon. He definitely deserves a place on this author's list of the best films.
5 centimeters per second (Byôsoku 5 senchimêtoru) 2007
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Romance
- Rating: IMDb - 7.60
Stunning painting by Makoto Shinkai. This work is full of emotional moments and bright feelings of the main characters. The cartoon unimaginably sharply shows human experiences, rushing in search of a solution and the right choice. Is there any point in fighting for love, or is it better to refuse and live without it? Our heroes face this question. They live with this and try to get out of every life situation with dignity.
This is one of the early works of the director, which set the style for Shinkai's next projects. In the center of the plot is a Japanese teenager Takashi. Throughout the anime, he grows up and faces various mundane troubles and difficulties. The anime is divided into three parts, into three periods of Takashi's life. The author wants to show the ordinary life and experiences of a person, and therefore his films are so close to the audience.
Catchers of Forgotten Voices (Hoshi o ou kodomo) 2011
- Genre: Drama, Adventure, Fantasy
- Rating: IMDb - 7.20
One of the most interesting works by Sinkai. In it, he experiments with fantasy, mysticism and fairy-tale characters. The atmosphere resembles the works of Hayao Miyazaki. On the one hand, it is a children's fairy tale, but on the other hand, the picture touches upon adults and rather deep themes concerning the cycle of life and death, humility and love.
The fantastic world is perceived very real, you want to believe in it. The fabulousness of everything that happens hides the main meaning, the idea of this anime. It neatly raises the topic of the loss of a loved one, questions of the meaning of life.
"Catchers of Forgotten Voices" is one of the most beloved cartoon works, it evokes emotions, makes you think and reflect on your actions and goals. It's not Makoto's most popular work, but it's definitely worth seeing.
She and her cat (Kanojo to kanojo no neko) 2000
- Genre: Drama, Short, Everyday
- Rating: IMDb - 7.30
Debut black and white painting by Makoto Shinkai. This is a very simple story about the life of a girl and her cat. About how you can share loneliness in two, trust the creature and give a piece of your inner world.
Simple graphics are supplemented with the right words, showing and revealing the concepts of good and evil through the eyes of a pet. The whole work is built on metaphors, some will understand one thing, while others will pay attention to completely different moments of the short film. The story is short, but there is nothing superfluous in it. Cozy, a little sad. Throughout the film, sad music sounds, it adds atmosphere and fullness to the anime.
Weather Child (Tenki no ko) 2019
- Genre: melodrama, fantasy, everyday life
- Rating: IMDb - 7.60
This is one of the new Shinkai anime. The story tells about the life of a Japanese guy. Hodaka teenager runs away from home and travels to Tokyo. He is confident that he can find a good job. But on the very first day he is faced with many difficulties and problems. He loses all his money, but fortunately finds a small part-time job. On a leadership assignment, he meets an unusual girl, Hina Amano. From this acquaintance their fantastic adventures begin. The anime is very interesting, filled with sunshine, smiles and good mood. Will appeal to adults and children.
Director Makoto Shinkai creates stunning cartoons, his anime is on the list of the best works. Each work is filled with life and feelings. The creativity of this person fascinates, I want to watch and admire each new film.
