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Monday, 26th September 2016
In Japan Entertainment News,
Animated film, Your Name, smashes records in Japan
Your Name, a Japanese animated film has been smashing box office records since it was released last month (August).
In the first 28 days of being in cinemas, the movie grossed 10 billion yen (£77 million), making it the ninth most successful film in Japanese history.
This is almost unheard of for an animation and Your Name is the only movie of this genre not made by renowned director Hayao Miyazaki to rake in more than 10 billion yen.
More than 7.74 million people have seen the film, which features two teenagers who swap bodies, intertwining their lives.
It has pushed former graphic designer turned director Makoto Shinkai into the limelight and seen fans rush to visit the locations depicted in the movie.
With the 75-year-old Miyazaki looking to retire due to his age, many are now suggesting that Shinkai would be his natural successor.
It could mean he might enjoy similar recognition as the well-established director, who is known for works such as the 2001 release Spirited Away.
Adapted from a novel written by Shinkai himself, Your Name uses light to produce fantastic cinematography.
Among the real-life locations to be featured in the film is Nagano Prefecture, where the director was brought up, as well as Gifu Prefecture and Tokyo.
A Shinto shrine in the Shinjuku neighbourhood of Tokyo, which appears in the movie, has now become a popular spot for fans to visit and take photos.
Radwimps, a popular Japanese rock band provided the soundtrack to Your Name, helping to boost its appeal.
Fans of the group have spoken out about going to see it due to the songs’ inclusion, but finding they enjoyed the storyline when they got there.
Previous films made by Shinkai include The Place Promised in Our Early Days and 5 Centimeters per Second.