“I left home at 18”: Makoto Shinkai’s Parents Nearly Robbed Us of ‘Your Name’ by Trying to Make Him Do the One Thing He Never Wanted To

2025 promises to thrill both anime fans and theater lovers with an iconic lineup, setting the stage for unforgettable moments! Amid all the excitement, Makoto Shinkai, director of the hit 2016 film Your Name, has confirmed plans to announce his next big film soon.

Shinkai is globally recognized for his cinematic movies, such as Your Name and Suzume, which are also widely praised and loved by fans worldwide. Your Name is arguably one of the most successful anime movies of all time, and it introduced many Western fans to the little-known world of anime.

Mitsuha witnessing the comet. [Credit: Toho]

The fantasy drama film is a masterpiece of its director that celebrates love, determination, and kindness. After the buzz surrounding Shinkai’s 2025 film announcement, it’s hard to imagine that the legendary director, who created such iconic and widely celebrated titles over the years, had to leave his home at a young age to pursue his passion.

Makoto Shinkai’s journey: From Heartbreaking beginnings to crafting Your Name

Your Name is a brilliant and vibrant piece of art that leaves viewers yearning for more. The Japanese movie broke several records back in 2016, instantly becoming a global sensation and box office hit.

Taki and Mitsuha write their names. [Credit: Toho]

Shinkai’s success with Your Name has solidified his status as a major force in anime over the past decade. Shinkai can be called a revolutionary in the industry due to his depiction of very intricate emotions in his films.

In an exclusive interview with BFI, Shinkai discussed his experience working on Your Name and revealed how much he relates to Mitsuha’s character, particularly one key aspect. He shared:

Mitsuha is pretty much me. Itomori doesn’t exist, but definitely her character is based on my own upbringing. I loved Nagano but I really was dying to go to Tokyo. 

Taki wakes up in Mitsuha’s body. [Credit: Toho]

Shinkai shared that he deeply relates to Mitsuha’s obsession with Tokyo, as he based her character on his own upbringing. He also opened up about his childhood and the decision to leave his hometown at 18 to pursue his dreams. He added:

My parents used to run a construction company, so there was a pressure on me to take over the business eventually, but I wanted to do something different, and I left home at 18.

Makoto Shinkai is one of the most renowned Japanese anime directors today, and his inspiring journey to carve out his name, despite facing personal struggles at a young age, has made him more influential than ever.

Mitsuha and Taki meet for the first time. [Credit: Toho]

Shinkai also reveals that Your Name‘s success also brought back the director’s faith in the anime-movie industry. He was totally awe-struck and inspired by the film’s influence and how it became a global sensation within just three months of release.

Explore Makoto Shinkai’s favorite title beyond Your Name and Suzume

Besides Your Name, Shinkai is also famous for his other box office hit, Suzume, which became an instant hit in 2023 because of its excellent visuals.

Suzume, directed by Makoto Shinkai. [Credit: Toho]

Interestingly, Shinkai once disclosed his thoughts on all his films, with one being his most beloved creation.

In an interview with Anime News Network, he named ‘The Garden of Words‘ as his masterpiece, which sadly is underappreciated. Shinkai narrates the story of a lonely teenager who prefers sitting in a lovely garden and missing his morning lessons.

The Garden of Words features Takao Akizuki, an aspiring 15-year-old shoemaker, and Yukari Yukino, a mysterious 27-year-old woman. Besides the two lovely characters, Shinkai’s masterful use of rain and intricate scenes drew fans in, making the movie’s aesthetics unforgettable.

The Garden of Words | Credits: Netflix

Moreover, The Garden of Words highlights the key concept of finding someone in the midst of solitude. Despite being released in 2013, The Garden of Words is outshined by popular titles such as Your Name and Suzume. However, fans who have witnessed this masterpiece consider it Shinkai’s best work of all time.

Your Name, Suzume, and The Garden of Words are available for streaming on Netflix.