"Kimi no Na wa (Your Name)" film review: Double edged concepts of fate

By the end of this film, you have already repeated the words of a language you are not fond of using and tears may have escaped your eyes. It is all worth it, and love is worth the wait.

Kimi No Na Wa, an original story by Makoto Shinkai

"Your Name" is an animated romantic drama film produced by Yoshihiro Furusawa. It tells the story of Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyamizu who mysteriously switched bodies and the arrival of "Comet Tiamat" that passes by every 1200 years.

The film gives its viewers enough time to ponder upon the mystery that engulfs the characters into an unanswered despair and be captivated by how these are connected to the figurative meaning of Japanese tradition and folklore.

Aside from the ever-exemplary Japanese animation that has perfected the landscapes exactly as it is in reality and character movement, the screenplay of Makoto Shinkai was so authentic that it was capable of making your heart palpitate with its puzzling twists and frustrating love story. The songs of "RADWIMPS" complemented the transitions of each scene that changed the course of the story.

It starts with an inner monologue of Taki and Mitsu, who both were seemingly under an unbearable yet unknown conflict. They have this unnerving feeling of searching for someone they have not met yet. The scene then splits where they both witnessed the rare passing of Comet Tiamat after 1200 years. The chosen palette for these scenes were timid and pressed the viewers into the very depths of emotion that the characters felt. The comet was serene; emphasizing that it's significance must be figured out before the film ends.

The writer started by laying down the conflict in the film. It hooks the viewers' interest consistently throughout. By presenting the mystery early on the film, viewers are forced to jumpstart their critical thinking. The audience will presume that each scene is vital in understanding the plot and figuring out how to put the pieces together. They will be focused in sticking with the smallest details of each scene as they analyze the anticipated twists that may arrive as the story progresses. 

And it all roots down with the heaviness of the introduction.

The characters' background were introduced by showing clear images of their environment. From their bedrooms to the bustling city life and the tranquil vibe of the rural area, it was as if the characters were not meant to play a specific role but were representing a bigger picture. It means that to compensate for the lack of background on the lives of the two main characters, they were simply living out the concepts that gave life to the film.

Simply put, fate is the inevitability of the occurrence of events in the story and how the smaller pieces are put together to make up the bigger picture. 

Taki and Mitsu seemed to be living a life as the Red String of Fate suggests. It is a belief wherein the gods tie a ribbon around a particular finger, commonly the pinky, of two persons who are destined for each other. Though it was not so evident, one can notice how the connection is in line with the idea.

The concept of body swapping was most prominent. Usually, there is a deeper reason as to why two persons are affected by this phenomenon. That is where the film started to die in an avalanche as that concept is its backbone.

The story compensated this hole with its twists but nonetheless it can never go unnoticed. 

What the viewers will seek in the first place is the reason why the two characters were paired together. There was no clarity whatsoever on the wisdom of making them switch bodies. 

That means trouble considering that this was the main theme of the plot. Arguing with the wheels of fate is not enough or else it falls into the pit of linear storytelling. Luckily, the climax helped push that fault aside.

Aside from that, their interaction with other smaller characters could have been converted into a much-needed inner monologue every time the characters switch. Instead of strengthening the relationship that could have bloomed between them, it was lacking on terms that they have no knowledge about the life of the other. While there was sufficient imagery of the time spent on each other's bodies, the depth of their emotion was not highlighted and thus was a missed opportunity until the second quarter of the film.

The development of romance and figuring out how they should maneuver through the lives of each other could have been used to further destruct the hearts of the audience. 

But it all boils down to the beauty of the dialogue and seamless succession of each scene. The plot and revelations were enough to prove that the writer has a mastery over the message that she wishes to convey. It was a well-planned story that remained climactic from beginning to the end.

And one thing is for sure: this is not an open-ended film that frustrates its viewers. Satisfaction waits at the end of the line and there is nothing else to do but to release the buildup of emotions after the film. Cry without regrets.

©The Pink Merman 

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