Makoto Shinkai

[Wyrdwad]

Just realized how apropos it would be to start a Makoto Shinkai topic on here... so, here it is!

For those who don't know who that is, Makoto Shinkai used to be an animator at Falcom, and is the man largely responsible for those gorgeous Ys I and Ys II openings you may have seen in Ys I & II Chronicles (as well as some of the opening animations from Legend of Heroes: Song of the Ocean), all credited under the name "Makoto Niitsu."

In 2000, Shinkai quit his job at Falcom to pursue a career in anime (he'd been animating short films on the side for quite some time at that point), creating the wildly popular "Voices of a Distant Star" short, which he fully wrote, drew, animated, directed and even voice-acted (for the main male character, anyway) himself over the course of about two years. The anime was quite possibly the most beautiful work ever created back when it was released, containing painstakingly-recreated images of Japan with so much background detail that even HD doesn't do it justice -- a trait you can also see by looking at the Ys I & II or even Song of the Ocean opening animations.

This got the attention of some industry big-wigs, who were basically smart enough to realize his talent and give him a studio... and he and his studio (as well as his musician friend Tenmon, who had also been working for Falcom as part of their Sound Team JDK) went on to create "The Place Promised In Our Early Days" and "5 Centimeters Per Second," both of which managed to top even Voices of a Distant Star in terms of sheer visual beauty.

Shinkai's also been a regular fixture at the visual novel/dating sim company Minori, drawing backgrounds and creating opening animations for their many games up through the present day, including some fairly famous titles such as "wind -a breath of heart-" and the two "ef" games ("a fairy tale of the two" and "the latter tale").

Most recently, after taking some time off in England, Shinkai's created another movie that looks to up the ante once more:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlh7-e8Njnc

I believe it's either still in theaters in Japan, or is in that in-between period where it's out of theaters but NOT QUITE out on DVD yet. I haven't seen it, but I can't wait to do so, as it looks like it may very well be his best work yet.

I'm a huge fan of Shinkai, and if any of you haven't seen his works (and you don't mind extremely slow-paced, bittersweet character studies full of Japanese literary tropes), I urge you to remedy that right away. "5 Centimeters Per Second" remains one of my favorite movies of all time, and I notice something new every single time I watch it. It's easily the most beautiful animated film ever I've ever seen, exceeding the visuals of even the most superb works of Disney or Studio Ghibli (during the stillest, most quiet scenes, there's still constant movement throughout the background), and just has so much beauty and heart to it that... well, if it speaks to you, it REALLY speaks to you.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDBH4xCE9ys

Given his Falcom connection, I thought some of you might be interested in learning more about him, and possibly checking out some of his movies for yourself. Voices of a Distant Star, The Place Promised In Our Early Days and 5 Centimeters Per Second are all available on DVD in North America, and the former two have actually been bundled together with a CD soundtrack and art/info booklet as the "Shinkai Collection," which is a really awesome value -- especially since the Voices DVD also contains one of his earlier animated shorts, "She and Her Cat," which is (unsurprisingly) really beautiful and touching.

Despite the cumbersome English name, I'm definitely looking forward to "Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below" (the Japanese title translates as "Children Who Chase Stars" or "The Child Who Chases Stars," either of which I much prefer!), and hopefully, now you are too. Because Shinkai is awesome, and deserves more recognition than he gets. (And he's one of the guests at this year's Otakon in Baltimore, which makes me regret not being able to go even more than I already did!)

-Tom

[Adrian-kun]

'5 Centimeters Per Second' is a movie that I both hate and love. The visuals, the main character and his emotional journey all come together to form one amazing experience. Unfortunately, the ending crippled me. It's a good thing then that I immediately proceeded to watching 'Howl's Moving Castle' in order to raise my morale. It seems that Makoto Shinkai is also a fan of Studio Ghibli.
I also prefer the title 'Children Who Chase Stars'. The movie poster and the teaser trailer have made me really excited. I can't wait to watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QneiIife33M&feature=related

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx178/AdrianMorales_album/Hoshi%20o%20Ou%20Kodomo/sayonara_1_poster.jpg


PS: Speaking of Studio Ghibli, I really do have to mention this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caAlyzKQEWQ

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx178/AdrianMorales_album/Kokurikozaka%20kara/29493l.jpg

[Wyrdwad]

Wow, that does look pretty cool... though that song sounds an AWFUL LOT like the main theme from Legend of Heroes: Song of the Ocean!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWnOJTbHZOM

Skip to 1:00 to hear what I'm talking about. Or just watch up to that point for some very early Shinkai gorgeousness. (:

(It's fair enough, though, since The Whereabouts of Light is pretty clearly inspired by the Laputa: Castle in the Sky theme. I guess you could say, turnabout is fair play!)

-Tom

[Adrian-kun]

Well, Makoto Shinkai-san's favorite anime movie happens to be Laputa: Castle in the Sky:)

[Wyrdwad]

And a fine movie it is!

-Tom

[WoottWinds]

Thanks for this post Tom, I wasn't aware of either of those movies. I'll have to check out 5 Centimeters Per Second and keep an eye out for his new one. The animation is absolutely stunning, they look beyond gorgeous.

[Wyrdwad]

His older movies are also worth checking out -- "The Place Promised In Our Early Days" especially, as it's his longest movie, and probably his most unusual in terms of setting (alternate history Japan where Hokkaido split off from the country and became militaristic, building an enormous tower of unknown purpose that seems to be somehow manipulating space and time). Still very slow-paced and character-driven, but for those who demand a bit more story than his other movies provide, Place Promised is a good compromise. It has enough actual substance to appeal to the mainstream, but still retains that classic Shinkai style.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TfaSrWDv4s

-Tom

[Adrian-kun]

Let's not forget about 'Voices of a Distant Star' (ほしのこえ Hoshi no Koe).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voices_of_a_Distant_Star
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXnq42JRS4w

And this is what I got from wikipedia :

'Voices of a Distant Star was written, directed and produced entirely by Makoto on his Power Mac G4. Makoto and his wife provided the voice acting for the working dub (A second Japanese dub was later created for the DVD release with professional voice actors). Makoto's friend Tenmon, who had worked with Makoto at his video game company, provided the soundtrack. Shinkai cited Dracula and Laputa as inspirations to make Voices.'

Bottom line: where there's a will there's a way:)

[Peytral]

I just watched 5 Centimeters Per Second. When people said the ending was sad, I never expected this. Honestly, that ending was more disappointing than anything else for me, especially since I love sad endings. Like, yeah, it was sad... just not the kind I expected. I also feel like I just couldn't appreciate the movie in general, regarding the emotions and stuff. I loved the visuals and animation though.

[Wyrdwad]

5 Centimeter's ending really isn't SAD, per se... it's more bittersweet. It's a love story about moving on -- about "the one that got away," and how that person could stick with you for years and years... but eventually, the feelings you had for each other will subside into a small corner of your heart, and your life will go on without one another.

In that sense, I thought the movie's ending was pretty much perfect. The turn-around-and-walk-away scene at the railroad tracks was essentially the ideal cap for the slowly withering feelings that took center stage throughout the film.

-Tom

[Boy_Tomo_Chan]

I saw 5 cm per second and loved it, but had no idea that this guy made so many movies :o I want to watch more now!

[onmode-ky]

While I could not attend Anime Expo and see the XSEED staff, I will be attending Otakon and will see Shinkai. I really should watch all of the DVDs I have of his work before going (and getting [one of] them signed). I got the 雲のむこう、約束の場所 R2 DVD signed by voice director Mitsuya Yuji at last year's Otakon.

onmode-ky

[Adrian-kun]

Hoshi o Ou Kodomo US Premiere and Makoto Shinkai Q&A:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2011/otakon/19

[Wyrdwad]

Sounds so amazing. This can't come out on DVD -- or better yet, Blu-Ray -- soon enough!

-Tom

[ojsinnerz]

His latest stuff better come to Blu-ray. That's why I still haven't got my copy of 5CM. I'm waiting for a blu-ray edition. If it never comes over here though, DVD will have to do....

His movies are great, even though I'm getting a bit "tired" of the similar themes every movie. The newest movie seems to be different, so I look forward to it.

[perrandy]

yeah the dude has alot of talent.i'm a fan of his earlier works aka a "world promised in the early days" and "voices of a distant star" his lastest work,although beautiful didnt do it for me specially the ending

didnt know that the man used to be a falcom collaborator.that explains how he could do his films from a mac.does anybody knows what he has been up to late?

[Wyrdwad]

Check the link three posts above yours. (: It's all about his latest movie.

-Tom

[onmode-ky]

I watched the first 45 minutes of Hoshi o Ou Kodomo (incidentally, the English title is not yet finalized--either that, or Shinkai was saying he just didn't like it) but had to leave for another part of Otakon, so I missed the end and the Q&A. However, I attended his scheduled, separate Q&A later in the day, and I also had the opportunity to talk to him briefly one on one yesterday morning. I'll have more details later.

onmode-ky

[Wyrdwad]

Kinda glad to hear the English title isn't finalized yet. While I think the behemoth of a title it's got now is kind of amusing in a "That's So Shinkai!" sort of way, it definitely won't do any favors for most prospective viewers. (:

-Tom

[Adrian-kun]

I watched the first 45 minutes of Hoshi o Ou Kodomo (incidentally, the English title is not yet finalized--either that, or Shinkai was saying he just didn't like it) but had to leave for another part of Otakon, so I missed the end and the Q&A. However, I attended his scheduled, separate Q&A later in the day, and I also had the opportunity to talk to him briefly one on one yesterday morning. I'll have more details later.

onmode-ky

What did you talk about?

ANN's interview with Makoto Shinkai:
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2011-08-16/interview-makoto-shinkai

[onmode-ky]

What did you talk about?

Sorry for the lateness of this reply. . . .

Before the Sunday 3-directors panel started, I sat down a few rows from the front, in the right-hand section of the seats. I noticed that Shinkai was sitting in the same row, at the other end (I was on the left end, he on the right, and there was no one between us). Since neither of us was doing anything except waiting, I scooted over and asked him if I could get a picture with him. We did that, and then because there was still nothing going on, I asked him if he could clear up why he was credited as both "Shinkai Makoto" and, less often, "Niitsu Makoto." He replied that "Niitsu" is his real last name, and "Shinkai" is sort of a stage name. I thought that meant "Shinkai" wasn't a real name, but he clarified that it's actually a pretty common last name in his hometown. He also wrote out the kanji for the two names in his notepad to show me. I then asked him a question that I'd been curious about since meeting him at the autograph session: "Why is your English so good?" His conversational English is very natural, and his accent is not that pronounced. He responded that he didn't think his English was very good, but he took it as a great compliment from me that I thought so. I let him know that most Japanese guests at Otakon through the years can't really converse in English--or at least they aren't comfortable enough to try. At this point, one of his people started talking to him, and Shinkai moved up to the front row, because the panel was about to start.

By the way, if Tom is reading this: at the autograph session, I let Shinkai know that I had Ys I & II Chronicles in my PSP in my belt-mounted pouch, and he freely replied, "I did the openings for those, you know!" Naturally, I answered, "Yes, yes, I know!"

onmode-ky

[Wyrdwad]

Man, that sounds like such an amazing experience! Very, very jealous! (:

-Tom

[Adrian-kun]

Makoto-san seems to be a really nice guy. I watched 'Beyond the Clouds The Promised Place' a few days ago and I was really impressed. I can't wait to watch his latest film:) Thanks for the post onmode-ky!

[Wyrdwad]

THREAD RESURRECTION!

Picked up the recently-released Japanese blu-ray of 星を追う子ども (a.k.a. *deep breath* "Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below" *exhale*), so I finally got to see the movie -- and in 1080p, no less! I highly recommend picking this up if you're a Shinkai fan. After all, Japan and North America are the same blu-ray region, and the Japanese blu-ray has English subtitles, so why not? ;)

Anyway, my thoughts on the movie:

To say it's different from Shinkai's other movies would be an understatement. It's kind of like "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" meets "What Dreams May Come," but with a healthy dose of European mythology relating to the mythical land of Agartha, Mayan mythology relating to Quetzalcoatl AND Japanese mythology relating to the tale of Izanagi and Izanami thrown in for good measure.

Definitely has a LOT more story than Shinkai's other works, and also quite a few action scenes here and there (and by the way, Shinkai-animated action scenes KICK BACONBACONBACON!), but the focus is still solely on the characters and emotions, and the visuals are still entirely stunning (though I think "5 Centimeters per Second" is the more beautiful-looking film overall).

It was an excellent movie -- equal parts exciting, melancholy, trippy and genuinely frightening (Shinkai creature designs are REALLY creepy!). My only real complaint is with the writing, which is occasionally a little TOO melodramatic, occasionally preachy, and often VERY exposition-y (the dialogue is natural in some parts, but VERY, VERY UNNATURAL in others). Some of the voices seemed oddly mismatched with their character designs, too, but that's a more minor complaint.

Overall, if any of you have dismissed Shinkai due to his movies where "nothing happens," I urge you to give this one a look -- particularly if you're a fan of world mythologies, since this does a rather nice job of exploring them in a manner that genuinely feels mystical, and really brings the land of Agartha to life.

On the whole, this still doesn't top 5 Centimeters Per Second for me, but I'd say it's at least tied with The Place Promised In Our Early Days, and is very much worth seeing. Critics who claim Shinkai has "lost his way" are nuts -- he hasn't lost his way, he's just expanded his horizons a bit.

As an aside, I also got the "international edition" region-free blu-ray disc of 5 Centimeters Per Second alongside my blu-ray box-set of this movie, and HOLY CRAP the international edition of 5cm is amazing. Not only does it contain the movie in stunning 1080p, it also features both the original Japanese track AND the English dub, as well as *ELEVEN* subtitle languages, AND the entireties of "Voices of a Distant Star" and "She and Her Cat" with English subtitles.

This means that in one fell swoop, I now own ALL of Shinkai's movies on blu-ray EXCEPT Place Promised. Soooooo awesome...

-Tom

[ojsinnerz]

as an aside, i also got the "international edition" region-free blu-ray disc of 5 centimeters per second alongside my blu-ray box-set of this movie, and holy crap the international edition of 5cm is amazing. Not only does it contain the movie in stunning 1080p, it also features both the original japanese track and the english dub, as well as *eleven* subtitle languages, and the entireties of "voices of a distant star" and "she and her cat" with english subtitles.

-tom

Where did you get this? I MUST order a copy right now, haha.

Is it this one?

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%80%8C%E7%A7%92%E9%80%9F5%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3% 83%81%E3%83%A1%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E3%83%AB%E3%80%8D %E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8A%E3%8 2%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%8A%E3%83%AB%E7%89%88--Centimeters-Second-Global-Blu-ray/dp/B005HZZG9I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323154439&sr=8-1

[Wyrdwad]

Yep, that's the one. If Amazon Japan won't ship it overseas, you can also find it on www.yesasia.com -- that's where I got it.

-Tom

[ojsinnerz]

Yep, that's the one. If Amazon Japan won't ship it overseas, you can also find it on www.yesasia.com -- that's where I got it.

-Tom

Amazon is willing to ship it to Canada but...

The total comes to 6767 yen. In CAD, that's $88.64. I just spent a hundred dollars onto gifts today..... Ugh. Here's hoping for a Christmas Sale, haha.

EDIT: YESASIA has it for $83.73 CAD with free shipping. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to find something to sell.
EDIT2: Play-asia doesn't have it, dang. I have a 7 dollar coupon I could've used.

[Wyrdwad]

Yeah, Play-Asia was my first choice as well, but not only did they not have that, they also were sold out of the Hoshi wo Ou Kodomo box-set when I last checked.

I should also point out, BTW, that while both "Voices of a Distant Star" and "She and Her Cat" are on the blu-ray in their entireties, they're not at 1080p resolution -- I don't think the original movies were created with 1080p in mind, and neither has been upscaled. So the real reason to buy the disc is for 5cm/s, which is *very clearly* in full 1080p glory (though according to that Amazon Japan review, the audio is "DVD-quality"? Why is that a big deal? Do people buy blu-rays for audio?!).

-Tom

[ojsinnerz]

Yeah, Play-Asia was my first choice as well, but not only did they not have that, they also were sold out of the Hoshi wo Ou Kodomo box-set when I last checked.

I should also point out, BTW, that while both "Voices of a Distant Star" and "She and Her Cat" are on the blu-ray in their entireties, they're not at 1080p resolution -- I don't think the original movies were created with 1080p in mind, and neither has been upscaled. So the real reason to buy the disc is for 5cm/s, which is *very clearly* in full 1080p glory (though according to that Amazon Japan review, the audio is "DVD-quality"? Why is that a big deal? Do people buy blu-rays for audio?!).

-Tom

Personally, I prefer it that way. Upscaling something from the early 2000s will probably look really bad. The main meat of the blu-ray is the 5CM, so as long as 5CM is fine, anything else is a bonus.

As for the audio part, it would be nice to know I have something better, but seeing as how I don't have a decent sound setup with my TV, it doesn't matter.

EDIT: Blu-ray is known for having enough space to be able to hold lossless audio just fine, so I guess that's why.

[Peytral]

I didn't care that much for 5 Centimeters Per Second (though I do acknowledge that it was a beautiful movie), but I might check out CWCLVFDB based on that description.

[Wyrdwad]

I didn't care that much for 5 Centimeters Per Second (though I do acknowledge that it was a beautiful movie), but I might check out CWCLVFDB based on that description.

LOL at the acronym.

Such a ludicrous title! Heheheh...

-Tom

[Peytral]

oh my god

Just watched this

It was so amazing

[Wyrdwad]

Excellent! This is the first I've read, then, of someone who didn't much care for Shinkai's previous releases actually enjoying the movie. I can use that as ammo for getting others to watch it! (:

-Tom

[Peytral]

Seriously. I liked this miles more than 5 Centimeters Per Second. It had just enough fantasy and action to draw me in, even though it took a bit before I really got into it.

Also, I actually thought it looked better than 5 Centimeters Per Second. At least, there was more scenery I just HAD to screenshot.

*Took 79 screenshots by the end of the movie* >_>

[Wyrdwad]

Oh, the scenery was indeed beautiful, but it's the DETAIL that really drew me into 5 Centimeters. Shinkai was able to take totally ordinary moments of life with that movie, and make them utterly beautiful. Even that one scene looking into a bathroom mirror was freaking gorgeous due to all the incredible background details that were present (all of which were minutely animated, too!).

Children Who Chase had just as much detail, but the areas were much less "busy," featuring mostly natural formations, without all the excess minutiae of Japanese day-to-day life... so for me, it just wasn't quite as visually engaging. I guess I just like that "sensory overload" feel that 5 Centimeters (and Place Promised) had, as opposed to the "great expanse of land" feel in Children Who Chase.

Still, the sense of scope in Children Who Chase was indeed pretty spectacular, and really helped bring Agartha to life, so it's kind of like comparing a stack of 5 million dollars with a stack of 5.1 million dollars. I'd prefer the latter, but I'd be more than happy to take the former. ;)

-Tom

[ojsinnerz]

Hey Wyrdwad, guess what? I gave in and bought 5CM international blu-ray. I lost 80 dollars out of my wallet, but I'm sure it's worth it.