Makoto Shinkai is a legend when it comes to making films. And not just any films, Shinkai’s films have a touch of magical realism, romance, and a madly enchanting world. He is the mastermind behind Your Name and Weathering with You, which have turned millions of viewers into his loyal fans.
Shinkai has recently teased that he will be taking a dramatic shift in his next film. He is known for his emotional narratives and they usually involve and intertwine love, destiny, and the supernatural. That is where Shinkai does his magic.
Now, he wants to tread new paths and risk jumping into something he isn’t the best at, not even experienced. We do not know how it will end up, but there is no doubt that the Shinkai name has now become a mark of quality.
A departure from romance and fantasy?
This is not the first time that Makoto Shinkai has indicated he wants a change in direction. His movie, Suzume, was him rebelling against the genre he was boxed in. He believed that it should have been a movie about female bonds and friendship.
Although the producers convinced him otherwise, it can be seen that there has been an idea of change in him all along. Recently, in an interview with Newtype magazine, he revealed that his upcoming project would defy the expectations of the fans and would be different.
“Your Name” director Makoto Shinkai revealed that his upcoming new work will be quite surprising and different to anything he did before according to a new interview in Newtype magazine. pic.twitter.com/hobmkBi2o2
— Manga Mogura RE (Anime & Manga News) (@MangaMoguraRE) March 8, 2025
There is no doubt that Shinkai is the best at making grand, magical, and romantic films that will have you tearing up every step of the way, but he wishes to test his mettle in a different way, not satisfied with being constrained to his specialty and one genre.
Fans have long admired his breathtaking visuals and heartfelt storytelling, but this time, he has said that he is stepping out of his comfort zone. So, if it is the unexpected and something new, it might not be a romantic tale with supernatural elements, like Weathering with You or Your Name.
What could this mean for his next film?
Shinkai’s past films have had the ideas and themes of discovery, identity, and mystery as well. It is possible that he will further explore them and create something new and exciting. It could be that he will be humbled by the prospect of an unfamiliar genre and setting, but Shinkai is not the kind to give up.
With his creative genius, we can expect a surprise when his next film is out. There is no lack of complex issues in Shinkai’s movies, whether it is psychological or social; the only question is whether he will use his experience with them in the next film.
Fans are crazy with anticipation as they speculate which genre it will be in or what focus the film will have. No matter what it is, a change is good news for the Shinkai fandom.
Your Name is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. Your Name and Weathering With You are available on Amazon Prime Video.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
