The Brilliance of ‘Your Name’
An analysis of Makoto Shinkai’s ode to love
I went into Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) expecting a cute, Freaky Friday style coming-of-age romance — which I got. However, I was not prepared for everything that came along with this stunning tale of two teens and their unbelievable connection.
I’ve seen some people disregard Your Name — arguing that it’s too convoluted and illogical. And honestly speaking, I don’t disagree. The narrative is hard to follow which can make it difficult to fully immerse yourself in the story. But the thing about this film is that it needs to be considered in its entirety. It’s not your standard love story, in fact, it’s less of a story and more of an ode to love. It’s art in its purest. Let me explain…
The Concept of Soulmates
I want to start with the end — when Mitsuha and Taki meet for the third time. The moment comes with a wave of satisfaction for the viewer. After the two had gone through so much to try to find each other, they are finally together.
Why do we feel such a strong sense of relief from the scene? Well, ignoring technical devices for a moment, we’re relieved because it gives us what we want — a soulmate. It plays on the hope we have that there’s someone out there who we’re destined to be with. You don’t know…
