Weathering With You Anime Movie
Weathering With You (Anime Movie)
Genre: Romantic Fantasy / Adventure
Japanese Title: 天気の子 (Tenki no Ko); lit. “Child of Weather”
Year of Release: 2019
Origin: Japan
Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Production: CoMix Wave Films
Facts: The film achieved remarkable commercial success, grossing US$193.8 million worldwide, a feat that crowned it the highest-grossing Japanese film of 2019 and the eleventh highest-grossing Japanese film of all time.
Its artistic achievements were further recognized through a multitude of awards. It was chosen as Japan’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, though it did not secure a nomination. The film also garnered four Annie Award nominations, including a nod for Best Independent Animated Feature, placing it in esteemed company with films like Spirited Away and Millennium Actress.
Plot Overview
Weathering with You unfurls the story of Hodaka Morishima, a sixteen-year-old boy who flees his stifling rural home for the bustling, rain-drenched metropolis of Tokyo, seeking a new beginning amidst a summer of perpetual downpour. Struggling against the harsh realities of urban survival, he finds unexpected employment at a small, enigmatic occult magazine.
It is within the neon-lit streets and sodden alleys of Tokyo that Hodaka encounters Hina Amano, a radiant and resilient young woman who harbors a singular, breathtaking ability: she can summon the sun, parting the relentless clouds with a heartfelt prayer. Recognizing the profound potential of her gift, they embark on a clandestine venture, offering Hina’s “sunshine services” to those yearning for a clear sky, bringing moments of joy and respite to a city drowning in gloom. However, this extraordinary power comes at a profound and mounting cost, casting long shadows and leading to significant consequences that intertwine their fates.
As their unique enterprise gains attention, Hodaka finds himself entangled with the authorities, pursued as a runaway. The narrative artfully weaves together themes of burgeoning love, the profound weight of sacrifice, and the urgent, ever-present impact of climate change. It culminates in a dramatic, heart-wrenching choice that will irrevocably alter not only their own lives but the very world they inhabit.
Main Characters
- Hodaka Morishima: A courageous but troubled runaway high school student, Hodaka seeks refuge and purpose in Tokyo, his path irrevocably altered by his encounter with Hina and the world of the supernatural.
- Hina Amano: A strong-willed and compassionate girl with the extraordinary gift of clearing the sky through her prayers, Hina becomes the sun around which Hodaka’s world revolves, though her power carries a heavy burden.
- Keisuke Suga: A seemingly amiable man who offers Hodaka a lifeline by providing him with employment, Keisuke navigates his own complex past and motivations.
- Nagi Amano: Hina’s spirited younger brother, Nagi relies on his sister’s unwavering support and becomes an endearing presence amidst the unfolding drama.
- Natsumi Suga: Keisuke’s vivacious assistant, Natsumi forms a genuine friendship with Hodaka, offering a glimpse of normalcy and camaraderie in their extraordinary circumstances.
The film is a masterful fusion of tender romance and fantastical wonder, brought to life through breathtaking animation that captures both the vibrant energy of Tokyo and the ethereal beauty of Hina’s power, all set against a narrative that resonates with the profound challenges of our modern world.
