Weathering with You (“Child of Weather”) is a 2019 Japanese animated romantic film written and directed by Toho and produced by CoMix Wave Films.
Shinkai also wrote a light novel of the same name, which was published a day before the film’s premiere, and a Manga adaptation was serialized on July 25, 2019.
Weathering with You was released in Japan on July 19, 2019, in conventional, IMAX, and 4DX theatres, and in the U.S on January 20, 2020.
It received favorable reviews, with admiration for the eye-pleasing animation, narrative, music, visuals, and emotional resonance, though some critics were split on perceived similarities to Your Name.
Unadjusted for inflation, the film grossed 21.11 billion (US$193.65 million) worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Japanese film of 2019 and the 6th highest-grossing Anime film of all time.
The film received numerous accolades, including being chosen as Japan’s Best International Feature Film entrance at the 92nd Academy Awards.
It got four Annie Award nominations, including Best Independent Animated Feature. Weathering with You along with the movies Spirited Away and Millennium Actress (both 2001) got the most Annie nominations for an Anime film, which is an impressive feat in itself.
| Directed by | Makoto Shinkai |
| Written by | Makoto Shinkai |
| Produced by | Wakana Okamura Kinue Itō |
| Starring | Kotaro Daigo Nana Mori |
| Release date | July 19, 2019 (Japan) |
So, does it live up to its critically acclaimed name? Let’s find out.
The Plot of Weathering With You
Weathering is a Japanese animated romantic fantasy about Hodaka Morishima, a 16-year-old boy who runs away to Tokyo and meets and falls in love with Hina, a mysterious teenage orphan who cares for her younger brother and has the ability to manipulate the weather.
Mr Suga lends Hodaka his business card that saves Hodaka from drowning during a storm on his way to Tokyo. After a shady job search, Hodaka finds assistance from Mr Suga, who provides him lodging and board in exchange for cleaning and reporting abilities. With Tokyo having had far too many rainy days. Hodaka is assigned a story on the mythology of “weather maidens,” girls who can generate either sunshine or storms supernaturally.
Soon after, Hodaka realizes Hina has the ability to pray for the rain away and send sunshine to areas around her. Hodaka assists Hina in developing a marketing strategy for her “Sunshine Girl” powers, but the more she does it, the clearer it becomes that her superhuman abilities come at a personal cost.
Who wrote Weathering With You?
Weathering With You was created by Makoto Shinkai which is also his much-anticipated follow-up to Your Name.
The film is a beautiful modern-day fairy tale in which a young orphan girl with weather control who is just trying to make ends meet for herself and her younger brother meets a runaway who is wanting to start a new life in Tokyo.
But using her powers has implications, and the two must find a way to maintain the little family they’ve created together as society tries to tear them apart. The film premiered in Japan in 2019 and in the United States in early 2020.
Is Weathering With You worth watching?
Before we get onto my review, let’s have a quick look at the synopsis.
Hodaka runs away from his remote island home to Tokyo during the summer of his freshman year of high school and suddenly finds himself pressured to his financial and personal limits. Every day, the weather is abnormally gloomy and rainy, as if to foreshadow his future.
As a typical romance anime protagonist, Hodaka is what many refer to as, a loner. Until a fateful day, when Hodaka encounters the girl that changes his outlook on life Hina, on a street corner.
Now, unlike typical romance anime, Hina is an esper of sorts whos able to manipulate the weather and sky, with powers like that one would consider her dependable, well she’s as clumsy as a romance heroine gets
So, yes, a depressed and angsty teenage boy and an esper girl who can control the weather, typical teenage love, right?
Just from the synopsis alone, you can probably guess that it’s gonna be an interesting movie, and it truly is, — a masterpiece, but it’s hella close so yeah it’s worth watching!
Why Is Weathering with You a Good Movie?
It’s a great movie, but it doesn’t have the most logical or complex plot, and that’s alright, as that’s not something it’s trying to achieve. Instead, it aims for a memorable experience, and it sure as hell achieved it.
Here’s a short review of why I found it so enjoyable:
Story (8/10)
While many will associate Weathering With You with Your Name (Kimi no Na Wa) and expect the connection, this film takes a far more realistic approach, and it’s the character’s constant interaction and chemistry that draws people in.
It’s Kotonoha no Niwa-style, but still very different. There’s no other Anime film like this one; it feels unique and original.
Without giving anything away, it takes the very simple concept of a girl who can contribute to making the rain wither away by praying and makes great use of it with a well-paced, natural, but also realistic progression.
However, some intriguing issues arise as a result of having this power. There were a few loose ends, and I would have preferred a slightly longer ending. Overall, a very well-written and intriguing piece. So it’s a unique and interesting watch that’ll keep you guessing.
Art (10/10)
Many people will have been captivated by how well it was done as soon as they saw the trailers. The character designs are simple and effective, maintaining a realistic feel, and nothing is out of the ordinary.
Even minor details, such as the rain animation and the more physical character interactions with the police in the crumbled building at the end, are very well done to complement the realistic backgrounds.
Because of the well-illustrated background references, anyone who has spent time in Shinjuku, in particular, will feel a sense of satisfaction while watching this. These minor details help to bring the film to life and establish a connection with the audience.
This movie is a visual masterpiece. That sums up this review.
Sound (10/10)
There isn’t much to say about it except that it adds a lot to the film. Radwimps have brought their A-game once more, as they did in Kimi no Na Wa. While there is no chart-topping song like Zenzenzense, the soundtrack perfectly complements the emotions that each scene attempts to convey.
The falling scene with Grand Escape will send shivers down any viewer’s spine, but there are more subtle ones as well, such as the more electro or beat backing in the chase scene, which adds a greater sense of urgency.
Voice acting cannot be faulted because it truly brought the characters to life, with a special mention going to Kotaro Daigo, who played Hodaka. No sound or OST quip in the movie sounded forced, and it felt as though it deserved to be there.
Here’s Weathering with You OST:
Characters (9/10)
The protagonists are refreshing, and they’re not stupid or over-the-top. Thankfully, there are no annoying clique Anime tropes.
Two teenagers were dealing with their issues, one attempting to establish himself in a vastly different environment and the other attempting to support herself and her brother. To be safe, in case some view it as a spoiler, the depiction of Hina’s age was a very nice touch; anyone who’s shared her struggle will understand.
The communications between the two main characters are also very refreshing and realistic, with minor details making a big distinction and driving the plot. I discovered myself caring about the two main characters, which is something I value a lot, as I watched them grow closer while their personalities complimented each other and their actions perfectly reflected their ages.
My one minor quibble is that, while I enjoyed watching Hodaka’s partnership with Hina develop, I didn’t feel he had grown personally as much as I would have liked by the end. All supporting characters contribute something to the story and are written consistently.
Nagi, Keisuke, and Natsumi are all likable side characters, and just seeing their endeavors, or in Keisuke’s case, conflicted efforts, to support Hodaka near the end was touching. It made me happy to see Keisuke make the required clutch decision.
They all contribute important elements to the story while allowing the two main protagonists to shine.
Enjoyment (10/10)
I was excited about this film, and it delivered very well; I thoroughly enjoyed it.
While the story was excellent, the character, in particular, struck a chord with me, and I left the theatre completely satisfied. One scene in particular, which you’ll recognize if you’ve seen the film, gave me goosebumps, which is difficult for me because I’m a very emotionally monotone person.
Overall (9.5/10):
To be more specific, I’d give this a 9.5 out of 10. I don’t think it’s perfect, but I enjoyed it and thought it could’ve been a 10 with a slightly longer conclusion and one or two strands smoothed out.
Be patient and you’ll enjoy this one. It isn’t Kimi no Na way, so don’t expect it to be. It carries itself very differently, so please judge it on its own merits and don’t go in expecting too much. Shinkai delivered as expected, and I’ll keep looking forward to his future projects.
Is Weathering with You Ending Well?
I can’t talk about the ending completely without spoiling the entire movie, so I’ll keep this short and brief. I would claim it’s a conditional or objective, yes. It’s hard to say without spoiling the movie, but I think it’s interesting because the answer isn’t that simple.
It’s a confusing ending that will leave you feeling sort of underwhelmed. I think the best comparison would be with “Your Lie in April.“
It makes you feel like a great adventure has concluded, and that you’ll never be able to experience these characters and the plot in the same way as the first time, you’re glad you’re done with it but also left feeling sort of empty.
So yes, in a way, it has a bittersweet ending. I’d recommend you watch the movie yourself to experience the ending to its fullest.
Conclusion
- Weathering with You (“Child of Weather”) is a 2019 Japanese animated romantic film written and directed by Toho and produced by CoMix Wave Films.
- The film got four Annie Award nominations, including Best Independent Animated Feature. Weathering with You along with the movies Spirited Away and Millennium Actress (both 2001) got the most Annie nominations for an Anime film, which is an impressive feat in itself.
- Hodaka spends his days alone but eventually finds work as a writer for an enigmatic occult magazine. Then one day, on a busy street corner, Hodaka meets Hina. This bright and determined young lady possesses a strange and wonderful power: the ability to stop the rain and clear the sky.
- Many people will have been captivated by how well it was done as soon as they saw the trailers. The character designs are simple and effective, maintaining a realistic feel, and nothing is out of the ordinary.
- The falling scene with Grand Escape will send shivers down any viewer’s spine, but there are more subtle ones as well, such as the more electro/beat backing in the chase scene, which adds a greater sense of urgency.
- The movie has a bittersweet ending. I’d recommend you watch the movie yourself to experience the ending to its fullest.