Kevin Cormack looks over Shinkai's array of work to find the threads that tie She and Her Cat to Suzume and beyond.
Oct 25, 2023 • Subscribe
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Makoto Shinkai Retrospective: your name.
Finally. With Makoto Shinkai’s newest movie Suzume now on general release in the UK and North America (I saw it last night, review incoming…
Suzume – My First Makoto Shinkai movie.
Hey guys what is up welcome back to my blog I’m so thankful that you guys took the time out of your day to read my blog post.…
Makoto Shinkai Retrospective: Weathering With You
With this, I finally come to the end of my detailed retrospective on the anime film-directing career of famed creator Makoto Shinkai. The…
Tokyo 24th Ward – 04 – There is Nobody Else
Last week’s tornado disaster was ambitious, but awkwardly executed and punctuated as it was by the introduction of Carneades, (AKA Goofy Anime Clown Villain #5,000,406), I didn’t feel…
Makoto Shinkai Retrospective: 5 Centimeters per Second
I’ve been dreading writing about this one, because when I first watched it twelve years ago, I went into it completely blind and hated it…
Makoto Shinkai Retrospective: She and Her Cat
Often incorrectly identified as “the next Hayao Miyazaki”, Japanese filmaker Makoto Shinkai certainly found international success…
Makoto Shinkai Retrospective: The Garden of Words
For some reason, up until now, this was the only Makoto Shinkai film I hadn’t seen. Maybe it was due to the bad taste that his earlier 5…
Makoto Shinkai Retrospective: Children Who Chase Lost Voices
Makoto Shinkai’s follow-up to 2007’s divisive 5 Centimeters per Second was perhaps his most deliberately mainstream movie yet…
An Interview with Makoto Shinkai Director of Suzume
Makoto Shinkai's latest movie hits cinemas around North America, UK and Ireland from Friday 14th April 2023. We caught up the with the accla...
Suzume, a Heartfelt Disaster Film by Makoto Shinkai
Suzume Review Twelve years ago, Japan found itself wracked by the deadliest earthquake in its history. Tens of thousands lost their lives in the earthquake and tsunami. Hundreds of…
Makoto Shinkai Retrospective: Voices of a Distant Star
Looking back, it’s remarkable that Makoto Shinkai’s second short film found international success so quickly, and that this would act as…
Anime: The Garden of Words by Makoto Shinkai
This review has been a long time coming! This is going to be a throwback to my very first review on this blog... The Garden of Words…
Weathering With You, 5 Centimeters per Second, The Garden of Words
GKIDS Acquires N. American Rights to 4 Makoto Shinkai Films | Cafe Talk
Big news for Shinkai fans, like me!!
Is There Anything You Want Me To Review? Come Tip Me On Ko-fi!
Like the premise of my story Lavender Eyes, I’ll grant you a review request, but at the condition of tipping me!
Light Novel: The Garden of Words by Makoto Shinkai
I guess you guys didn't see this one coming! Or maybe you guys did... let me tell you though, I didn't. I had no idea about the…
Writing Prompt: Is there anything in anime that makes you uncomfortable?
Anime is not a monolith, and it’s not just for kids like some people may think. As we know, there are so many different genres, topics, themes, ideas…
Makoto Shinkai Retrospective: The Place Promised in Our Early Days
Makoto Shinkai’s third anime production was 2004’s ambitious full-length ninety-minute movie…
Paper vs Screen: The Garden of Words by Makoto Shinkai
Happy anniversary! Whose you may ask? Well this blog is officially a year old today! Gods, I didn't think I would be able to chug through si...
Makoto Shinkai Talks Suzume and the Earthquake that Inspired It
The acclaimed anime director discusses the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on his latest work and what sort of stories he's considering for the future.
Nice Shoujo Protagonist You’ve Got There…Shame If Anything Happened to Her
Jeskai Angel continues our Holy Week series on anime and disability by examining a condition that might quality as the latter, but which as he mentions, can certainly…
The Academy Museum's Makoto Shinkai Retrospective Highlights Two Decades of Films
Shinkai shared how the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake is inextricably tied to his work, from Weathering With You to Suzume.
To everything, there is a season.
Ever since I reached this decision a few months back, I’ve been agonizing over how to make this announcement. Probably best to simply tell it straight… With the…
Heavenly Delusion – 02 – Something Else Is Going to Fall
Last week we learned the youthful residents of “Heaven” were cut off from outside world. This week we learn they’re also horny as all get-out. Girls are making…
The Context To Modern Makoto Shinkai: Contrasting Your Name, Weathering With You, And The Upcoming Suzume no Tojimari
Makoto Shinkai’s modern work is defined by its immediate circumstances to a larger degree than most people realize, be it the themes he decides to tackle or the…
Loving Yamada at LV99 – a pretty decent romance story
Can you find love via an mmo? well loving Yamada at lv99 does, with a decent romance story
Case 70 – Makoto Kyogoku Is Over Party
We talk about thirst traps and murder on this episode of One Podcast Prevails as we go over the final case in Volume 22, the Sonoko Attempted Murder…
There is a post today!
Hi, all! If you are seeing this then it means our editor did NOT wake up for her alarms (typical 🤦🏻♀️) and still needs to review/edit the post…
There are SO MANY romance anime THIS SEASON 🤯 #shorts
This winter season 2022/23 has so many romance anime - it's incredible! Tomo-chan is a girl, The icy guy and his female colleague, the angle next door spoils…
Jujutsu Kaisen Is Pretty Gay
Donate to Ballroom, We Care Inc: https://www.ballroomwecare.org/ Kicking off Pride month we're gunna take a look at one of the most popular and ever present anime and manga currently…
The Urobutcher: Is Just About Death or Is It Something Else?
Think quickly, what is the first you know about Gen Urobuchi? Is it the things he writes? Is it his fame? Have you not heard about him before?…
Some Blogger Thoughts: Is it Clickbait or is it Something Else?
I have to say something that is probably bad on some level, but I am not a fan of numbered lists. That is a personal thing though. If…
Suzume is like no other Shinkai film... | An Analysis
Makoto Shinkai's new masterpiece Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari) has a lot of parallels with his latest film Weathering With You (Tenki no Ko) and Your Name (Kimi no…
Deep Insanity: The Lost Child Review – Was There Anything Not Wrong With This Anime?
There's really no other way to come at a review of Deep Insanity other than to have a minor tirade against missed opportunities and ridiculous plot decisions. Be…
There Is Nothin’ Like a “Dame”
Hybrid shows are always a problem, in that they want to be all things to all people, but they are not always capable of fulfilling the promise. Such…
Freedom Project – What Is Out There?
Purchasing the blu-ray for this is why I still blind buy anime series from time to time. I mean, I saw this one on sale for a good…
There Is No FUNimation, Only Crunchyroll
AstroNerdBoy takes a look at how the once mighty FUNimation is now absorbed into the once pirate site Crunchyroll.
SAO: GGO Alternative is a Game and Nothing Else.
GGO Alternative has finally ended, a week after all the anime I was keeping up with, and I have nothing but good praise for it! I’m a big fan…
What is there to know about the new Digimon Story game?
I was looking at some old Hacker’s Memory interviews as I was trying to learn how to make subtitles for the old live streams when I noticed something.…
This Week in Anime - Is There More to Onimai Than Fanservice?
Onimai might have had a controversial first episode, but it's a surprisingly sweet and nuanced story at heart. Steve and Chris give the series a second look.
My Girlfriend is Shobitch (Episode 6) – D-Don’t Show This to Anyone Else, Okay?
When Haruka sees Akiho talking with another guy, he gets jealous and tries to impose himself. However, that just impresses the other guy who Akiho had just accidentally…
Burning Kabaddi is Pretty Dope Actually
Disclaimer: spoilers for season 1 of Burning Kabaddi. WATCH IT. “A carefree life relies upon a resolute and clear heart”- Zhongli Burning Kabaddi is about one thing, and…
Weekly Round-Up, 19-25 April 2023: The Apothecary Diaries, Sailor Moon Manga Chat, and Shinkai Makoto Interview
AniFem Round-Up Love, Power, and Safety in The Ancient Magus’ Bride Jessica Engelbrecht examines how the series’ strong character writing complicates the fraught premise for its probable central…
Weekly Round-Up, 19-25 April 2023: The Apothecary Diaries, Sailor Moon Manga Chat, and Shinkai Makoto Interview
AniFem Round-Up Love, Power, and Safety in The Ancient Magus’ Bride Jessica Engelbrecht examines how the series’ strong character writing complicates the fraught premise for its probable central…
Aesthetics over Anything
It seems like when a lot of people say “animation” they are describing visual presentation in anime. The thing is animation and aesthetics or visuals are completely different…
Why Shoujo Romance Is So Special
Shoujo romance is a genre of manga that is near and dear to my heart. I've been reading stories like these for over a decade now. But why…
When a Romance Anime is Realistic
A Sign of Affection is an anime currently airing in the winter 2024 anime season. Personally I really enjoyed it so far because of it having a realistic…
This Romance Anime is Wholesome ❤️
This Anime Girl Gets Trapped in Her Favorite Game What if you fell in love with your favorite video game character? Rei Oohashi wakes up as her favorite character in…